LLOYD BEHAVIOR

When reviewing the career of an actor who was high in demand in life, there are bound to be patterns and similarities to be found among the roles he played. (And a few oddities as well.)

This year we saw that with the resumes of John Fiedler and JD Cannon. And it is true of Lloyd Bochner as well.

So here are a few of the roles that made me, as a "televisiologist", go "Hrmmmmmmm".

First off......

These were my top three favorite performances by Lloyd Bochner in Toobworld:

1] "The Wild Wild West" playing "Zachariah Skull" in episode: "The Night of the Puppeteer" (episode # 1.21) 25 February 1966

Outside of all nine of the episodes featuring Dr. Loveless (and you should know - Dr. Loveless is my idea of a Dark Lord of the Sith!), this is my all-time favorite episode of 'The Wild Wild West'. For me, this defines "steampunk" fiction. It was the first time I ever saw Mr. Bochner as an actor, and probably had a lot of influence in my enjoyment of the Number Three choice.

2] "The Twilight Zone" playing "Michael Chambers" in episode: "To Serve Man" (episode # 3.24) 2 March 1962

I can't put this in my Top Five for 'The Twilight Zone', but it's Number Two on the Bochner Exchange. It is quite a shock of an ending, and one of the best twists, and thus one of the worst-kept secrets among all the twist endings to be found in Toobworld. Never fails to scare up a chill even if you do know how it ends though.

I even own a pair of "To Serve Man" boxers from TV Land, which is probably more than you need to know.......

Here's a thunk - Michael Chambers as the father of Diane Chambers of 'Cheers'.....? (We never did meet him on the show, only her mother as played by Glynis Johns. If she was a widow, maybe we now know what killed Diane's father... basting.)

3] "Ironside" playing "Supt. Faber" in episode: "Shadow Soldiers" (episode # 6.14) 21 December 1972

This also had a twist ending, one reminiscent of an episode of 'Batman'. I think the fact that Lloyd Bochner was the guest star had a lot to do with my remembering it all these years later.

Sheep farming in Australia (or New Zealand) figured into the finale, and I think that may play a part in the splainin as to why there were so many Toobworld characters who looked like Lloyd Bochner. (See below for details.)

Now, on with the other persons of interest.....

Loyal Opposition: Terror in the White House (1998) (TV) .... President Hayden

This is part of the alternate dimension known as "Earth Prime-Time MOW", which stands for "Movie Of The Week". There have been plenty of TV movies in which a fictional president has been portrayed, and a chronological case can be made that they all follow each other in the order in which they first appeared on the air.

There is some shoehorning to be done, but I think it can be safely argued that President Hayden was the Commander-in-Chief just before the POTUS played by Gregory Harrison in three different action chick flicks about the Secret Service agent played by Mariel Hemingway (and Patricia Arquette).
~~~
Morning Glory (1993) (TV) .... Bob Collins

It's got to be a fairly common name, so he should not be confused with the character made famous by Robert Cummings on 'Love That Bob!'.
~~~
"The Bold Ones: The New Doctors" playing "Dr. Harkness" in episode: "Moment of Crisis" (episode # 3.8) 2 January 1972

Regular readers of my blog this past year can already see which way I'd go with this one. Obviously, Dr. Harkness is one of the ancestors for Captain Jack Harkness of the 51st Century, as seen in 'Doctor Who' and who'll be starring in his own series next year, 'Torchwood'.

Care to dance?
~~~
"Vega$" playing "Alexander Waverly" in episode: "French Twist" (episode # 3.21) 6 May 1981

It's my contention that Bochner's character of Alexander Waverly was the son of Alexander Waverly, head of U.N.C.L.E. (and played by Leo G. Carroll on 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.').

Sadly, it looks as though Mr. Waverly's tireless dedication to fighting the evils of the world was not high on the list of priorities for his son to continue.......
~~~
"The Golden Girls" playing "Patrick Vaughn" in episode: "The Actor" (episode # 2.14) 17 January 1987
"Fantasy Island" in episode: "Lady's Choice/Skin Deep" (episode # 7.13) 28 January 1984
playing "Earl of Norfolk" in episode: "The Tallowed Image/Room and Bard" (episode # 6.12) 29 January 1983
playing "Marquis Phillippe de Sade" in episode: "Cyrano/The Magician" (episode # 5.3) 24 October 1981
playing "Maurice Benson" in episode: "Vampire/The Lady and the Longhorn" (episode # 2.13) 16 December 1978

Even though he was a Gallifreyan Time Lord (at least in my Toobworld-view), Mr. Roarke couldn't handle everything in his projects on 'Fantasy Island'. He needed actors to play out the roles for each fantasy.

Patrick Vaughn was a member of Roarke's repertory of players for several years before finally retiring to Miami where he toiled in community theater. And that's where he met and seduced 3/4 of 'The Golden Girls'.

Dorothy: "He made me feel beautiful!"
Blanche: "He made me feel young!"
Rose: "He made me feel smart!"
Dorothy: "God, what an actor!"

Vaughn probably called on all he had learned in the art of seduction while making fantasies come true while working for Mr. Roarke on 'Fantasy Island'.

Why those ladies never realized that this "pafluganockin" was also Eduardo, as seen in the episode "Rites Of Spring"? Could be a case of aggregate Alzheimer's......
~~~
"Matt Houston" playing "Elgin Cody"
in episode: "On the Run" (episode # 2.22) 30 March 1984
in episode: "Heritage: Part 2" (episode # 2.2) 9 September 1983
in episode: "Heritage: Part 1" (episode # 2.1) 9 September 1983
playing "Scott Neville" in episode: "Shark Bait" (episode # 1.8) 21 November 1982

It's not uncommon to find people in the Real World, as well as in Toobworld, who have been given family names as their first names. (Why would anybody name their daughter "Gates" McFadden, otherwise?)

A few examples out of TV Land: Beeley Garrett of 'Centennial', 'Murphy Brown', perhaps Seeley Booth of 'Bones'.

So it's going to be my contention that Elgin Cody is related to Jim Elgin, who is the stepfather of Jamie Sommers, 'The Bionic Woman'.

As to why a man named Scott Neville looked exactly like Elgin Cody? I'm not sure, but 'Quantum Leap' technology may have played a role. However, I think we're more likely to find that one of my reasons listed below for all of the Bochnerites roaming Toobworld is the cause - especially since Matt Houston never noticed the similarity between the two men. (Although it may have led to the events which transpired in the episode "On The Run", March 30, 1984.)
~~~
"Macmillan and Wife" playing "Gregg Patterson" in episode: "Phillip's Game" (episode # 6.3) 23 January 1977
"Honey West" playing "Gus Patterson" in episode: "The Owl and the Eye" (episode # 1.2) 24 September 1965

Take your pick on this one: either Gregg is an alias for Gus Patterson, or Greg and Gus are twin brothers. I'm leaning heavily towards that latter option.

But then I tend to lean heavily all the time. Luckily, the one good thing about being heavyset? You've always got something fall back on.

Thank you, Johnny Brown!
~~~
"Police Story" playing "Mayor Langdon" in episode: "Chief" (episode # 1.20) 19 March 1974
"Thriller" playing "Harry Langton" in episode: "The Prisoner in the Mirror" (episode # 1.34) 23 May 1961

Name changes in families are nothing new. If I'm not mistaken, some members of Ronald Reagan's family spelled their name as "Regan".

According to an interesting episode guide for 'Thriller' which I found online, Alexander Cagliostro, an "undead master of the black arts, possessed the living in order to hypnotize and then strangle his companions when the conversation grew the least bit dull."

Obviously not even Perry Mason would have been able to sell that line of defense. So more than likely Mayor Langdon changed his name to the more traditional spelling, so as to avoid any hint of a connection with his twin brother. After all, he had his future political career to consider!
~~~
"Highway to Heaven" playing "Trevor Steele" in episode: "The Reunion" (episode # 5.5) 2 June 1989

Trevor Steele was an old high school buddy of Arthur Morton, who passed away in 1948. (Arthur took the name Jonathan Smith when he became an apprentice angel.)

Dismiss that knee-jerk notion that Trevor Steele could be related to 'Remington Steele', since Laura Holt created that name out of the blue for the fictional detective who would "front" her private investigation firm.

But Ms. Holt might have known Trevor Steele as an old family friend, and decided his last name had just the right heft to serve as the surname of her "partner".

What helps this possibility is the fact that Lloyd Bochner apparently never appeared in an episode of 'Remington Steele'.
~~~
"Murder, She Wrote"
playing "John Thurston" in episode: "Tinker, Tailor, Liar, Thief" (episode # 8.15) 1 March 1992
playing "Jason Richards" in episode: "Deadpan" (episode # 4.21) 1 May 1988
playing "Dr. Terence Mayhew" in episode: "Unfinished Business" (episode # 3.3) 12 October 1986

Wouldn't you think that a woman who was supposed to be as observant as Jessica Fletcher would have noticed so many people had doppelgangers wherever she went?

Because these three characters played by Mr. Bochner weren't the only ones who had look-alikes. Why just from Dr. Mayhew's episode alone, she would meet veritable twins of the characters Bernard Kale and Sheriff McCoy.

Right to the end of her series, Jessica was far too astute for us to crack any jokes about senior moments. (At least not mental ones.) So I think there must be something about those characters, which is not noticeable to us viewing at home that differentiates them from other characters played by the same actors.
~~~
But when there isn't any way to avoid noticing such similarities, it's always nice to find definitive splainins. And luckily for us, Lloyd Bochner supplies three options:

"The Amazing Spiderman" playing "Dr. Moon" in episode: "Night of the Clones" (episode # 1.4) 26 April 1978

"When a scientist, Dr. Moon, clones himself, his clone tries to kill members of the Tovald Committee, who has denied the real Dr. Moon the Tovald Award 5 straight years."

Dr. Moon may have done much of his research down in Australia and New Zealand, where his work would later influence the cloning of Dolly the Sheep.

See? I told you it would play into that episode of 'Ironside'!

I don't know how many clones of himself were created by Dr. Moon, but he also created clones of Peter Parker and others. It could be that, like the Eves of the Litchfield Project in an episode of 'The X-Files', many of them are still scattered around the globe.

"Bewitched" playing "Franklyn Blodgett" in episode: "Marriage Witch's Style" (episode # 5.21) 20 February 1969

Franklyn Blodgett was a warlock trying to pass himself off as a mortal, in order to find a mortal bride through a computer dating service. (Instead, he got matched up with Serena, Samantha's cousin.)

He was vain, egotistical, more in love with himself than he could ever have been with Serena.

It's the Toobworld contention that Samantha used her magicks to alter the appearances of Gladys Kravitz and of her own husband Darrin, without anyone ever being the wiser. Perhaps Franklyn Blodgett did the same thing - so that he might surround himself with men who mirrored the debonnair good looks in which he took such pride.

"Superboy" playing "Old Vampire" in episode: "Young Dracula" (episode # 2.4) 28 October 1989

We never did learn the name of the old vampire who served as the mentor for the tortured young genius trying to control his bloodlust. But it's likely that he may have been around for centuries.

And we know from 'Angel' that vampires can breed.

So it's possible that the Old Vampire sired children throughout the centuries and throughout the world. And as is customary with tele-genetics, his DNA imprint was strong enough so that his children all resembled him.

This would help splain all of the Lloyd Bochner characters from Europe and from shows set in the Old West.

I hope there are those fans of Lloyd Bochner's work out there who eventually stumble across this small tribute to his body of work. And I hope they enjoy it as much I did in composing it.

BCnU.....
Tele-Toby

HI HONEY, I'M HOLMES! (PART THREE)

There have been over a hundred alternate TV dimensions seen, thanks mostly to 'Sliders', but also due to 'Futurama', 'Star Trek', and the various science fiction anthology series.

And each of them is home to Holmes.

We've covered all of the POTUS-powered planes of existence in the TV Universe, but there are divers dimensions and lots more Sherlocks to asssign to them.

Here are some of the more prominent of those Toobworlds.....

TOOBWORLD OF 'LOIS & CLARK'/'SUPERBOY'
Guy Henry (I) (Sherlock Holmes)
. . . "Young Sherlock: The Mystery of the Manor House" (1982) TV Series
Roger Ostime (Sherlock Holmes)
. . . "Baker Street Boys, The" (1983) TV Series

It's my contention that the young Clark Kent from 'Superboy' grew up to become the mild-mannered reporter in 'Lois & Clark'. (Tom Wellig's performance in 'Smallville', in which he doesn't even have the costume yet, let alone practice his powers in public, exists in the same dimension as 'The West Wing'. Otherwise, President Bartlet would have been calling on Superman's help in every major crisis that's been depicted in his administration!)

And in keeping with this idea that two series represent the different ages of the same character, I've combined these two series about Sherlock Holmes. What helps maintain the premise is that Holmes took a back seat to the Baker Street Irregulars in the second series; to the point where any glaring discrepancies between the resemblance of the two actors doesn't stand out too much.

EARTH PRIME-TIME-USSR
Vasili Livanov (Sherlock Holmes)
. . . Priklyucheniya Sherloka Kholmsa i doktora Vatsona (1980) (TV)
. . . Priklyucheniya Sherloka Kholmsa i doktora Vatsona: Dvadtsatyy vek nachinaetsya (1986) (TV)
. . . Priklyucheniya Sherloka Kholmsa i doktora Vatsona: Korol shantazha (1980) (TV)
. . . Priklyucheniya Sherloka Kholmsa i doktora Vatsona: Krovavaya nadpis (1979) (TV)
. . . Priklyucheniya Sherloka Kholmsa i doktora Vatsona: Ohota na tigra (1980) (TV)
. . . Priklyucheniya Sherloka Kholmsa i doktora Vatsona: Smertelnaya skhvatka (1980) (TV)
. . . Priklyucheniya Sherloka Kholmsa i doktora Vatsona: Sobaka Baskerviley (1981) (TV)
. . . Priklyucheniya Sherloka Kholmsa i doktora Vatsona: Sokrovishcha Agry (1983) (TV)
. . . Priklyucheniya Sherloka Kholmsa i doktora Vatsona: Znakomstvo (1979) (TV)

A world in which the United States was under the control of the Soviet Union was seen in the premiere episode of 'Sliders'. But perhaps the rest of the world fell under the sway of Mother Russia long before the Soviets took control. That might be due to the Soviets becoming the dominant power in Russia in this dimension long before 1917.

In any event, with this series it could be argued that England fell to the Bolsheviks during the Victorian Age, and Russian was adopted as the official language. (Ironic payback after the English forced the Irish to abandon Gaelic!)

EARTH PRIME-TIME-SS
Erich Schellow (Sherlock Holmes)
. . . "Sherlock Holmes" (1967) TV Series

This series follows along the same line of thinking - the Germans gained dominion over the Earth long before even World War I, and that is why we have a Holmes who speaks German. [Schellow wouldn't be the only German actor to portray Holmes on Television. Wolf Ackva, Rolf Becker, and Ernst Fritz Furbringer all donned the Inverness cape and the deerstalker cap in productions on the Western side of the Berlin Wall.)

A world in which England was under the control of the Nazis might have been found in the evil mirror universe, but I prefer to link it to a TV movie which starred Rutger Hauer and Miranda Richardson, "Fatherland".

EARTH PRIME-TIME SAP
Eugenio Monclova (Sherlock Holmes)
. . . "Ultimo caso del detective Prado, El" (2005) (mini) TV Series

If I was willing to segregate all telenovelas to their own dimension, then this series would fit as snugly as a Persian slipper (minus the tobacco lining). But I prefer to keep them in Earth Prime-Time to preserve Toobworld's global heritage.

However, there may be some telenovelas which contradict all of the others to such a degree that there is no other option but to banish them to yet another off-shoot. And to get the ball rolling on that, this series, which was produced in Puerto Rico and in which Holmes hable Espanol, would be the flagship of the line.

Who knows? Maybe there's a what-if? storyline out there in TV Land in which the Spanish never lost their Armada in the English Channel........

One major alternate dimension that is not taken into account here is the Tooniverse. But four different animated productions have enough Zonk!s between them to warrant a separate essay to cover them all.

So we'll get to that in a week or so......

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

WISH-CRAFT: "CLOSE TO HOME"

After watching last Tuesday's episode of 'Close To Home' - in which sibling lovers murdered and buried their parents - I thought it needed just one more scene as its coda.

In the one that was presented, Jennifer Finnigan was comforting the uncle (an interesting performance by Jeff Perry) by advising him to remember the happier past of his brother's family. And then she handed off the photo album and the 2004 Christmas video that had been held as evidence; to be used as the tools to access those memories.

But it it was me, I'd have shown Annabeth Chase (Aaaah, Jennifer Finnigan!) soothing her cranky, runny-nosed, baby daughter who was cutting a tooth.... and have her wonder if this little angel could grow up to put bullets in her head and chest, execution-style, just as the sweet-sixteen honor roll student had done to her parents.

It's a dark little moment like that which could be found in a lot of the episodes from David E. Kelley's 'Picket Fences'.

Jerry Bruckheimer's team for this show are doing a nice job of taking suburban domesticity and showing its dark underside. But the juxtaposition with the seeming normalcy of Annabeth's home life (and the personal lives of her co-workers, which are being revealed slowly) should be more blended to better show the contrast... or lack thereof.

The show is called 'Close To Home' after all, and the writers should drive that point - um... home.

Oh, and toss me a bone, huh, guys? Try to get Fyvush Finkel to appear on the show as Douglas Wambaugh while he's still with us!

BCnU!

Tele-Toby

"So then I said,

'Hey, you can't touch me there! You're my uncle!'

Aaah, family...."

Marni Fliss

'Committed'

"LOST" IN THOUGHT: BY THE BOOK

"Bleeders".

That's the term I use for those TV shows that also exist in some form in other creative universes. Usually it refers to those TV shows that have big-screen treatments starring the original casts, like the 'Star Trek' franchise, 'The X-Files: Fight The Future', and the new spin-off from 'Firefly', "Serenity".

But a bleeder could be in a different form. A record album by a character, for instance. Mary Kay Place released two albums back in the mid-70s, "Live At The Capri Lounge" and "Aimin' To Please" (one of the HOTTEST covers I've seen on a record!). Both are supposed to suggest that they are songs by Loretta Haggars, and the covers to the LPs do the same. But even though she played Loretta on 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman', Mary Kay Place made sure it's her name that's most prominent on the covers.

The writers for ABC's "Lost" will soon be writing a subplot about a character named Gary Troup. Troup didn't survive the crash but left behind a manuscript he was working on.

Troup is fictional, of course, and so is his supposed novel. But ABC sister company Hyperion Books will publish the "found" manuscript, in the hope of turning a fictional product-placement into a real one.

Working with writers from the show, Hyperion has commissioned a novel by a "well-known" mystery writer -- it's not saying who -- that supposedly constitutes the book.

Some of the news reports that moved on this story thought that this might be the first to use made-up TV events and characters as the basis for a real-life campaign. The book will be marketed as the work of an author who "delivered (his book) to Hyperion just days before Troup boarded Oceanic Flight 815."

But Hyperion did engage in a similar but scaled-down project for a tie-in to TV mini-series, "Rose Red."

The "Lost" novel, titled "Bad Twin," is a P.I. procedural involving a wealthy heir's search for his nefarious brother. It will be released this spring in conjunction with related episodes.

"Fans of the show are obsessive," said the Hyperion head honcho, Bob Miller. "We think a lot of them will be buying the book just to look for clues."

I don't know about the specifics they're using to make that judgement about this being the first book by a fictional character of a TV series. Maybe there will be nothing on the cover to give it away as a tie-in?

Because that's the only thing I can see which disqualifies several books that were tie-ins to 'Twin Peaks'. "The Secret Diary Of Laura Palmer" and "The Autobiography Of FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper: My Life, My Tapes" were purportedly written by their respective characters. But both of them have "A Twin Peaks Book" clearly labeled at the top of their covers.

There is also "Letters From Cicely" which is listed as being by Ellis Weiner and beng based on the TV series 'Northern Exposure'. It could be argued that Ellis Weiner, like Conan Doyle to the Sherlockians, was serving as the editor of the volume. But that sub-heading at the bottom of the cover blows the cover story.

One book that does work as being a "bleeder" is also tied in to 'Twin Peaks' - "Welcome To Twin Peaks", which is packaged as though it really was an "Access Guide To The Town". Getting back to Mary Hartman's hometown, there is "Fernwood, USA", which is supposed to be a similar guidebook. (And it was written by Ben Stein!)

But right there on the cover is the sub-title "An Illustrated Guide From The Folks Who Brought You 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman'". And that blows the illusion right there.

If you can track the "Twin Peaks Access Guide" down on eBay or in the remainder bins at your local bookstores, pick it up. Even fifteen years after the show's gone off the air, it provides a lot of reading pleasure.

And as anyone in Toobworld could tell you, reading is FUNdamental!

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

LLOYDS OF TOOBWORLD

The following registry is for most of the roles played by Lloyd Bochner on Television over the last fifty years.....

TV SERIES
"Dynasty" (1981) TV Series .... Cecil Baldwin Colby (1981-1982)
"The Richard Boone Show" (1963) TV Series .... Regular
"Hong Kong" (1960) TV Series .... Chief of Police Neil Campbell (1960-1961)
"On the Spot" (1953) TV Series .... Host
"One Man's Family" (1949) TV Series .... Capt. Nicholas Lacey (1952)

TV SPECIALS
Lamb Chop's Special Chanukah (1995) (TV) .... Lloyd

THE TOONIVERSE
~Batman: Vengeance~ (2001) (VG) (voice) .... Mayor Hamilton Hill
"Batman: Gotham Knights" playing "Mayor Hamilton Hill" (voice) in episode: "Over the Edge" (episode # 1.11) 23 May 1998
in episode: "Cold Comfort" (episode # 1.3) 12 October 1997
in episode: "Lock-Up" (episode # 3.9) 19 November 1994
"Batman" playing "Mayor Hamilton Hill" (voice) in episode: "Time Out of Joint" (episode # 3.5) 8 October 1994
in episode: "Harlequinade" (episode # 2.10) 23 May 1994
in episode: "Trial" (episode # 2.9) 16 May 1994
in episode: "Blind as a Bat" (episode # 1.54) 22 February 1993
in episode: "The Clock King" (episode # 1.14) 21 September 1992
in episode: "Be a Clown" (episode # 1.11) 16 September 1992
in episode: "Pretty Poison" (episode # 1.9) 14 September 1992
in episode: "On Leather Wings" (episode # 1.2) 6 September 1992

TV-RELATED MOVIES
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) .... Terence Baggett

TV CLASSICS
"Hallmark Hall of Fame" playing "Critias" in episode: "Barefoot in Athens" 11 November 1966
King Lear (1953) (TV) .... Young gentleman
"Hallmark Hall of Fame" playing "Orsino" in episode: "Twelfth Night" 15 December 1957

TELE-VERSIONS
"Berlin Lady" (1991) (mini) TV Series .... Wilhelm Speer
"Race for the Bomb" (1987) (mini) TV Series .... Gen. Curtis LeMay
Mary and Joseph: A Story of Faith (1979) (TV) .... Matthew
"Greatest Heroes of the Bible" (1978) (mini) TV Series .... Imhotep
Collision Course: Truman vs. MacArthur (1976) (TV) .... Averell Harriman
"Death Valley Days" playing "Robert Louis Stevenson" in episode: "The Jolly Roger and Wells Fargo" (episode # 15.10) 23 December 1966

TV PILOTS
Manimal playing "Jordon" (episode # 1.1) 30 September 1983
Hotel (1983) (TV)
Richie Brockelman: The Missing 24 Hours (1976) (TV) .... Davenport

TV MOVIES
Before I Say Goodbye (2003) (TV) .... Mac MacDermott
Loyal Opposition: Terror in the White House (1998) (TV) .... President Hayden
Morning Glory (1993) (TV) .... Bob Collins
Caso Dozier, Il (1993) (TV) .... General Dozier
Dick Francis: Blood Sport (1989) (TV) .... James Culham Offen
Double Agent (1987) (TV) .... Special Agent Vaughn
Louisiana (1984) (TV) .... Adrien Damvillier
Mazes and Monsters (1982) (TV) .... Hal
The Golden Gate Murders (1979) (TV) .... Dr. Hamill
Riel (1979) (TV) .... Dr. Schultz
The Best Place to Be (1979) (TV) .... Bob Stockwood
A Fire in the Sky (1978) (TV) .... Paul Gilliam
The Immigrants (1978) (TV) .... Chris Noel
Terraces (1977) (TV) .... Dr. Roger Cabe
The Nurse Killer (1975) (TV) .... Dr. Holmquist
Rex Harrison Presents Stories of Love (1974) (TV)
Satan's School for Girls (1973) (TV) .... Prof. Delacroix
They Call It Murder (1971) (TV) .... A.B. Carr
Crowhaven Farm (1970) (TV) .... Kevin Pierce
Braddock (1968) (TV) .... Lawrence
Stranger on the Run (1967) (TV) .... Mr. Gorman
Scalplock (1966) (TV) .... John Pendennis
The Citadel (1960/I) (TV) .... Freddie Parker

TV NARRATIONS
Attiuk (1963)
The Jean Richard (1963)
Whalehead (1963)
Winter Sealing at La Tabatière (1963)
Canadian Diamonds (1960)
Ka Ke Ki Ku (1960)
The Land of Jacques Cartier (1960)
On the Sea (1960)
Three Seasons (1960)
Turlutte (1960)
White-Whale Hunters of Anse-Aux-Basques (1960)
Aviation Medicine (1954)
The Doll Factory (1954)
Javanese Dancing (1954)
Story of a Newspaper (1954)

TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" playing "Senator Moses" in episode: "The Washington Affair: Part 2" (episode # 3.8) 5 November 1994
in episode: "The Washington Affair: Part 1" (episode # 3.7) 5 November 1994
"Murder, She Wrote" playing "John Thurston" in episode: "Tinker, Tailor, Liar, Thief" (episode # 8.15) 1 March 1992
playing "Jason Richards" in episode: "Deadpan" (episode # 4.21) 1 May 1988
playing "Dr. Terence Mayhew" in episode: "Unfinished Business" (episode # 3.3) 12 October 1986
"The Young Riders" playing "Jack T. Devlin" in episode: "Daddy's Girl" (episode # 1.18) 15 February 1990
"Road to Avonlea" playing "Andrew Cameron" in episode: "Old Lady Lloyd" (episode # 1.5) 4 February 1990
"Who's the Boss?" playing "Walter" in episode: "Mona and Walter and Sam and Eric" (episode # 6.17) 23 January 1990
"Designing Women" playing "Ancel Pollard" in episode: "The Mistress" (episode # 4.15) 8 January 1990
"Superboy" playing "Old Vampire" in episode: "Young Dracula" (episode # 2.4) 28 October 1989
"Highway to Heaven" playing "Trevor Steele" in episode: "The Reunion" (episode # 5.5) 2 June 1989
"The Golden Girls" playing "Eduardo" in episode: "Rites of Spring" (episode # 4.23) 29 April 1989
playing "Patrick Vaughn" in episode: "The Actor" (episode # 2.14) 17 January 1987
"1st & Ten" in episode: "The Bulls Own Up" (episode # 5.1) 5 October 1988
"Hotel" playing "Louis Green" in episode: "Till Death Do Us Part" (episode # 5.13) 9 January 1988
playing "Cameron Wheeler" in episode: "Rallying Cry" (episode # 3.2) 2 October 1985
"The Fall Guy" playing "Charles Linney" in episode: "Lady in Green" (episode # 5.19) 28 March 1986
"Crazy Like a Fox" in episode: "If the Shoe Fits" (episode # 2.8) 15 December 1985
"The A-Team" playing "Steffan Shawn" in episode: "Beverly Hills Assault" (episode # 3.23) 9 April 1985
"Masquerade" playing "Lassae Bonarc" in episode: "Winnings" (episode # 1.9) 6 April 1984
"Matt Houston" playing "Elgin Cody" in episode: "On the Run" (episode # 2.22) 30 March 1984
in episode: "Heritage: Part 2" (episode # 2.2) 9 September 1983
in episode: "Heritage: Part 1" (episode # 2.1) 9 September 1983
playing "Scott Neville" in episode: "Shark Bait" (episode # 1.8) 21 November 1982
"Fantasy Island" in episode: "Lady's Choice/Skin Deep" (episode # 7.13) 28 January 1984
playing "Earl of Norfolk" in episode: "The Tallowed Image/Room and Bard" (episode # 6.12) 29 January 1983
playing "Marquis Phillippe de Sade" in episode: "Cyrano/The Magician" (episode # 5.3) 24 October 1981
playing "Maurice Benson" in episode: "Vampire/The Lady and the Longhorn" (episode # 2.13) 16 December 1978
"The Love Boat" playing "Larry Ellis" in episode: "Pal-I-Mony-O-Mine/Does Father Know Best?/An 'A' for Gopher" (episode # 5.26) 10 April 1982
"Darkroom" playing "Dr. John Michaelson" in episode: "Daisies" (episode # 1.10) 25 December 1981
"Vega$" playing "Alexander Waverly" in episode: "French Twist" (episode # 3.21) 6 May 1981
playing "Mel Blandon" in episode: "Consortium" (episode # 2.17) 27 February 1980
playing "Lyle Galen" in episode: "Yes, My Darling Daughter" (episode # 1.5) 25 October 1978
"Hart to Hart" playing "Frank March" in episode: "Too Many Cooks Are Murder" (episode # 1.21) 6 May 1980
"B.J. and the Bear" playing "Marty Franks" in episode: "The Girls of Hollywood High" (episode # 2.19) 23 February 1980
"Trapper John, M.D." playing "Tiegs" in episode: "Warning -- I May Be Hazardous to Your Health" (episode # 1.15) 3 February 1980
"Hawaii Five-O" playing "Colonel Avery" in episode: "School for Assassins" (episode # 12.13) 1 January 1980
"The Littlest Hobo" playing "Mr. Barton" in episode: "Boy on Wheels" (episode # 1.10) 20 December 1979
"Charlie's Angels" playing "Case" in episode: "Angel Hunt" (episode # 4.12) 5 December 1979
playing "Jellek" in episode: "Angels Belong in Heaven" (episode # 3.12) 6 December 1978
"Battlestar Galactica" playing "Commandant Leiter" in episode: "Baltar's Escape" (episode # 1.19) 11 March 1979
in episode: "Greetings From Earth" (episode # 1.19) 25 February 1979
"The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries" playing "Doctor Mann" in episode: "The House on Possessed Hill" (episode # 2.15) 22 February 1979
"The Amazing Spider-Man" playing "Dr. Moon" in episode: "Night of the Clones" (episode # 1.4) 26 April 1978
"McMillan and Wife" playing "Gregg Patterson" in episode: "Phillip's Game" (episode # 6.3) 23 January 1977
"The Bionic Woman" playing "Ivan Karp" in episode: "Biofeedback" (episode # 2.14) 12 January 1977
"McCloud" playing "Alfred Donnelly" in episode: "Night of the Shark" (episode # 6.7) 21 March 1976
playing "Jerry Bristol" in episode: "The Park Avenue Rustlers" (episode # 3.3) 24 December 1972
"Bronk" in episode: "Long Time Dying" (episode # 1.18) 1 February 1976
"Barnaby Jones" playing "Ray Greenwald" in episode: "Double Vengeance" (episode # 4.8) 7 November 1975
"Ellery Queen" playing "Colonel Alec Niven" in episode: "The Adventure of Colonel Niven's Memoirs" (episode # 1.7) 23 October 1975
"Barbary Coast" playing "Ezra Hubbard" in episode: "Jesse Who?" (episode # 1.3) 22 September 1975
"Hawaii Five-O" playing "Captain Roger Newhouse" in episode: "Murder -- Eyes Only: Part 1" (episode # 8.1) 12 September 1975
"The Rookies" playing "Giraud" in episode: "S.W.A.T. (2hr Pilot)" (episode # 3.20) 17 February 1975
"Medical Center" playing "Todd" in episode: "Tainted Lady" (episode # 6.9) 11 November 1974
"Police Story" playing "Mayor Langdon" in episode: "Chief" (episode # 1.20) 19 March 1974
"Cannon" playing "Conrad Ackers" in episode: "Triangle of Terror" (episode # 3.23) 13 March 1974
playing "Ambrose" in episode: "Bitter Legion" (episode # 2.3) 27 September 1972
"Gunsmoke" playing "Colie Burdette" in episode: "The Iron Blood of Courage" (episode # 19.19) 18 February 1974
Columbo: The Most Dangerous Match (1973) (TV) .... Mazoor Berozski
"Hec Ramsey" playing "Myles Wingate" in episode: "The Green Feather Mystery" (episode # 1.3) 17 December 1973
"The Starlost" playing "Colonel M.P. Garoway" in episode: "The Pisces" (episode # 1.4) 13 October 1973
"Barnaby Jones" playing "John Stevens" in episode: "The Loose Connection" (episode # 1.6) 18 March 1973
"Mannix" playing "Sands" in episode: "To Quote a Dead Man" (episode # 6.22) 25 February 1973
playing "Alec Ryan" in episode: "The Girl Who Came in with the Tide" (episode # 2.17) 1 February 1969
"Ironside" playing "Supt. Faber" in episode: "Shadow Soldiers" (episode # 6.14) 21 December 1972
"Mission: Impossible" playing "General Oliver Benjamin Hammond" in episode: "The Deal" (episode # 7.3) 30 September 1972
playing "Mayor Steve Tallman" in episode: "Takeover" (episode # 5.14) 2 January 1971
playing "Major Nicholas Zelinko" in episode: "The Glass Cage" (episode # 3.16) 2 February 1969
"Emergency!" playing "Dr. Sutherland" in episode: "Decision" (episode # 2.1) 16 September 1972
"Insight" playing "David" in episode: "Why Sparrows Fall" 27 August 1972 in episode: "The Day God Died" 1970
"The Doris Day Show" playing "Stephen" in episode: "The Sorrows of Sangapur" (episode # 4.17) 10 January 1972
"The Bold Ones: The New Doctors" playing "Dr. Harkness" in episode: "Moment of Crisis" (episode # 3.8) 2 January 1972
"The Virginian" playing "Wilks" in episode: "The Town Killer" (episode # 9.22) 10 March 1971
"Hawaii Five-O" playing "Walter Gregson" in episode: "Beautiful Screamer" (episode # 3.12) 2 December 1970
"Storefront Lawyers" playing "Phil Kennedy" in episode: "This Is Jerry, See Jerry Run" (episode # 1.10) 18 November 1970
"The Silent Force" in episode: "Prosecutor" (episode # 1.1) 21 September 1970
"It Takes a Thief" playing "Dr. George Kingsford" in episode: "Project X" (episode # 3.24) 24 March 1970
"Daniel Boone" playing "Churchill James" in episode: "The Landlords" (episode # 6.20) 5 March 1970
playing "Colonel Chalmers" in episode: "The Imposter" (episode # 4.16) 18 January 1968
playing "Maksoana" in episode: "Secret Code" (episode # 4.13) 14 December 1967
playing "Rogan Morgan" in episode: "The Trap" (episode # 2.26) 17 March 1966
"The F.B.I." playing "Keenyn Gray" in episode: "The Inside Man" (episode # 5.12) 30 November 1969
"Medical Center" playing "Dean Wrightman" in episode: "Jeopardy" (episode # 1.9) 26 November 1969
"The Outsider" playing "George Jenkins" in episode: "All the Social Graces" (episode # 1.22) 12 March 1969
"Bewitched" playing "Franklyn Blodgett" in episode: "Marriage Witch's Style" (episode # 5.21) 20 February 1969
"It Takes a Thief" in episode: "Catspaw" (episode # 2.18) 18 February 1969
"The Name of the Game" playing "Tom Ramsey" in episode: "The Ordeal" (episode # 1.10) 22 November 1968
"Judd for the Defense" playing "Dr. Stalling" in episode: "Transplant" (episode # 2.2) 4 October 1968
"Custer" playing "James Stanhope" in episode: "Desperate Mission" (episode # 1.9) 8 November 1967
"The Virginian" playing "Luke Evers" in episode: "Ah Sing vs. Wyoming" (episode # 6.7) 25 October 1967
"Hogan's Heroes" playing "Captain Roberts/Lieutenant Baumann" in episode: "Funny Thing Happened on the Way to London" (episode # 3.5) 7 October 1967
"The Big Valley" playing "Joshua Cunningham" in episode: "Time After Midnight" (episode # 3.4) 2 October 1967
"The Man from U.N.C.L.E." playing "Gerald Strothers" in episode: "The Summit Five Affair" (episode # 4.1) 11 September 1967
playing "Max Van Schreeten" in episode: "The See-Paris-And-Die Affair" (episode # 1.22) 1 March 1965
"Bonanza" playing "Peters" in episode: "The Prince" (episode # 8.28) 2 April 1967
"Tarzan" playing "Bergstrom" in episode: "Track of the Dinosaur" (episode # 1.17) 6 January 1967
"The Girl from U.N.C.L.E." playing "Sadvaricci" in episode: "The Romany Lie Affair" (episode # 1.12) 6 December 1966
playing "Ole Bergman" in episode: "The Danish Blue Affair" (episode # 1.7) 25 October 1966
"T.H.E. Cat" playing "Dario Marzoni/Wallace Lancaster" in episode: "Curtains for Miss Winslow" (episode # 1.11) 2 December 1966
"Occasional Wife" playing "Gordon" in episode: "Danger! Woman at Work" (episode # 1.8) 1 November 1966
"Twelve O'Clock High" playing "Maj. Mallory" in episode: "Fortress Weisbaden" (episode # 3.4) 30 September 1966
playing "Kirby Wyatt" in episode: "Show Me a Hero, I'll Show You a Bum" (episode # 2.7) 25 October 1965
playing "Capt. Evans" in episode: "Cry of Fallen Birds" (episode # 1.28) 9 April 1965
"The Green Hornet" playing "Dan Carley" in episode: "The Silent Gun" (episode # 1.1) 9 September 1966
"The Wackiest Ship in the Army" in episode: "And Two If by Sea" (episode # 1.22) 27 February 1966
"The Wild Wild West" playing "Zachariah Skull" in episode: "The Night of the Puppeteer" (episode # 1.21) 25 February 1966
"A Man Called Shenandoah" playing "Murray" in episode: "The Reward" (episode # 1.11) 29 November 1965
"Branded" playing "Frank Ross" in episode: "$10,000 for Durango" (episode # 2.12) 28 November 1965
"Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" playing "General Hobson" in episode: "The Deadliest Game" (episode # 2.7) 31 October 1965
playing "Dr. Martin Davis" in episode: "The Fear-Makers" (episode # 1.3) 28 September 1964
"Combat!" playing "Major Thorne" in episode: "Evasion" (episode # 4.6) 19 October 1965
"Honey West" playing "Gus Patterson" in episode: "The Owl and the Eye" (episode # 1.2) 24 September 1965
"The Legend of Jesse James" playing "Charles Jennings" in episode: "The Dead Man's Hand" (episode # 1.2) 20 September 1965
"Kraft Suspense Theatre" playing "Wolfe Hastings" in episode: "The Trains of Silence" (episode # 2.28) 10 June 1965
"Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre" playing "Commander Brand" in episode: "The War and Eric Kurtz" (episode # 2.17) 5 March 1965
playing "Michael Hartley" in episode: "Murder in the First" (episode # 2.2) 9 October 1964
"Perry Mason" playing "Eric Pollard" in episode: "The Case of the Latent Lover" (episode # 8.11) 3 December 1964
"G.E. True" in episode: "Commando" (episode # 1.32) 19 May 1963
in episode: "Code Name: Christopher: Part 2" (episode # 1.5) 28 October 1962 & in episode: "Code Name: Christopher: Part 1" (episode # 1.4) 21 October 1962
"The Dick Powell Show" playing "Colonel Juan Valera" in episode: "Days of Glory" (episode # 2.7) 13 November 1962
"Alcoa Premiere" playing "Victor Vass" in episode: "Guest in the House" (episode # 2.2) 11 October 1962
"The Eleventh Hour" playing "Captain Norman Hobler" in episode: "There Are Dragons in This Forest" (episode # 1.2) 10 October 1962
"Sam Benedict" playing "Judge Bentham" in episode: "Hannigan" (episode # 1.1) 15 September 1962
"The United States Steel Hour" in episode: "The Other Woman" (episode # 9.19) 16 May 1962
"Dr. Kildare" playing "Dr. Harry Nelson" in episode: "The Horn of Plenty" (episode # 1.28) 19 April 1962
"Cain's Hundred" playing "William Hillier" in episode: "Inside Track" (episode # 1.26) 10 April 1962
"The Twilight Zone" playing "Michael Chambers" in episode: "To Serve Man" (episode # 3.24) 2 March 1962
"The United States Steel Hour" playing "Philip" in episode: "The Bitter Sex" (episode # 9.9) 27 December 1961
"Thriller" playing "Harry Langton" in episode: "The Prisoner in the Mirror" (episode # 1.34) 23 May 1961
"The Americans" playing "Lt Brady" in episode: "The War Between the States" (episode # 1.15) 1 May 1961
"Hudson's Bay" playing "Bigood" in episode: "The Executioner" (episode # 1.9) 1959
"Star Tonight" in episode: "Visitation" (episode # 2.4) 22 September 1955
"Kraft Television Theatre" in episode: "The Oath of Hippocrates" (episode # 2.1) 30 September 1954
in episode: "Miss Mabel" (episode # 6.26) 25 March 1953
in episode: "Loyalties" (episode # 5.13) 5 December 1951
in episode: "Enraged" (episode # 4.21) 14 February 1951

BCnU.....
Tele-Toby

THE ADDISON ADDENDUM

A few years after being fired from 'Saturday Night Live', Charles Rocket got another high profile role in Toobworld - as David Addison's brother Richard in an episode of 'Moonlighting'. At least for my part, I thought he did a pretty good job. I can even remember the quote by Bruce Willis as the two of them got down and dirty with some sibling rivalry rough-housing:

"I'm gonna make you eat dirt! I'm gonna make you eat worms!

Maddie! Go get me some dirt and worms!"

Since family ties can be one of the best ways to flesh out a regular character in a TV series, Richard Addison was brought back several times over the next four years:

in episode: 'Brother, Can You Spare a Blonde?' (episode # 2.1) 24 September 1985
in episode: 'The Son Also Rises' (episode # 3.1) 23 September 1986
in episode: 'It's a Wonderful Job' (episode # 3.8) 16 December 1986
in episode: 'The Straight Poop' (episode # 3.9) 6 January 1987 [uncredited archival footage]
in episode: 'A Trip to the Moon' (episode # 4.1) 29 September 1987
in episode: 'Maddie Hayes Got Married' (episode # 4.12) 1 March 1988
in episode: 'Those Lips, Those Lies' (episode # 5.8) 2 April 1989

Richard appears to have been some kind of a scam artist. It's possible that he may have used an alias during his "career". And to keep things simple and easy to remember, perhaps he used a name similar to his own.....

'Cybill' playing 'Charlie' in episode: 'Cybill in the Morning' (episode # 4.23) 6 July 1998

When Cybill got a job hosting a popular morning talk show, she found herself both sexually attracted to and morally repulsed by her deceitful new producer.

Using this alias of "Charlie Addison, Richard was probably just as attracted to her - especially since she so "eerily" resembled his brother David's partner in the detective agency, Maddie Hayes.

'Cybill' playing 'Charlie Addison' in episode: 'Ka-Boom!' (episode # 4.24) 13 July 1998

But when Cybill and her new morning show producer finally revealed their mutual attraction for each other, that's when the show got cancelled.

[It's one of the unmutual laws of Toobworld - when characters become involved in relationships with each other, the show suffers. And that applies to TV shows within the reality of Toobworld as well.]

So if Richard Addison was also Charlie Addison, then why can't he have first used that alias in Providence, Rhode Island?

'Doctor Doctor' playing 'Charles' in episode: 'The Terminator' (episode # 3.5) 25 October 1990

"Charles" was Leona's assistant and everybody hated him. Sounds like Richard! Mike was supposed to fire him, but Charles got in on Richard's good side (as one Dick to another) to prevent that from happening.

A typical weasel move. Richard Addison probably first met Navarone the drug dealer there in Providence. It does have a reputation for its mob connections after all. And he was probably trying to ingratiate himself into the clinic to have easy access to their drug supply........

For me, the theory works. And as such, Richard Addison could one day gain entry into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame in the Birthday Honors.

And that would serve as my small memorial to Charles Rocket's contributions to Toobworld.

BCnU......
Tele-Toby

THE HAT SQUAD: CHARLES ROCKET

I'm sorry this took so long to post. At first it was because of shock - I never would have pictured Charles Rocket as the type who would take his own life. Actually, I've never been able to comprehend you humans and why you would even consider suicide, especially when by all appearances Life should be considered great.

[Do the google search in the IDD archives and you should find my thoughts on this after the murder of Phil Hartman. It was not one of my finer moments.]

In re-arranging Rocket's Toobworld credits into the usual Hat Squad structure, I kept finding points of interest I wanted to explore further. And the idea of doing more work automatically kicks me into Procrastinator mode.

At any rate......

Charles Rocket had plenty of roles in Toobworld and in the movies. Perhaps his best work in the movies was that of the Cavalry officer in "Dances With Wolves" - a sympathetic role that had nuanced shades of gray.

But unfortunately, Rocket will always be known for this one unscripted moment February 21, 1981:

(Everyone is gathered on stage. Charles Rocket, cigarette in mouth, sits in a wheelchair wearing a robe, with a white bandage on his left clavicle. Host Charlene Tilton holds a pink balloon.)

Charlene Tilton: Charlie, how are you feeling after you've been shot?

Charles Rocket: Aw man, it's the first time I've ever been shot in my life. I'd like to know who th' fuck did it.

(Most of the cast reacts with excited shock.)

Charlene Tilton: Okay! (lets out an excited scream, then kisses Charlie on the cheek. As the closing music plays, everyone waves goodbye, the audience applauds, and the credits start to roll.)

Don Pardo V/O: 'Saturday Night Live' will be back in two weeks, when our host will be Bill Murray. This is Don Pardo saying, I'M the one who shot Charlie Rocket! I caught him fooling around with my wife, the lovely Mrs. Don Pardo. I used a Smith & Wessun 32 which I purchased from the Spiegel catalogue, Chicago 60609. Good night.

Charles Rocket was fired soon after that utterance.
[Thanks to the SNL Transcripts site]

As a former native of the Nutmeg State, I've been in the Canterbury area; there's plenty of lovely countryside. It's a shame it will be marred by the memory that Rocket took his life there.

I just hope that whatever demons tormented him in life, he'll find the afterlife free of such cares; that it will prove to be as peaceful as the fields in which his life ended.

Rocket joins John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Danitra Vance, Phil Hartman, Michael O'Donoghue, and Toonces as 'SNL' players who have passed away.

It would have been too easy to make some kind of Not Ready for Prime Time joke, so I won't.

TV SERIES
'Normal, Ohio' (2000) TV Series .... Danny
'The Home Court' (1995) TV Series .... Judge Gil Fitzpatrick
'Flying Blind' (1992) TV Series .... Dennis Lake (1993)
'Wild Palms' (1993) (mini) TV Series .... Stitch
'Tequila and Bonetti' (1992) TV Series .... Capt. Midian Knight
'Murphy's Law' (1988) TV Series .... Victor Beaudine
'Saturday Night Live' (1975) TV Series .... Various (1980-1981)

TV RECURRING ROLES
'Touched by an Angel' playing 'Adam'
in episode: 'I Will Walk with You: Part 1' (episode # 9.21) 26 April 2003
in episode: 'The Root of All Evil' (episode # 9.13) 25 January 2003
in episode: 'The Sign of the Dove' (episode # 7.21) 22 April 2001
in episode: 'My Dinner with Andrew' (episode # 4.8) 9 November 1997
in episode: 'Fear Not' (episode # 1.9) 25 December 1994
in episode: 'An Unexpected Snow' (episode # 1.7) 7 December 1994
in episode: 'Cassie's Choice' (episode # 1.5) 26 October 1994
in episode: 'Fallen Angela' (episode # 1.4) 19 October 1994
in episode: 'Show Me the Way Home' (episode # 1.2) 28 September 1994
in episode: 'The Southbound Bus' (episode # 1.1) 21 September 1994

'Max Headroom' playing 'Grossberg'
in episode: 'Baby Grobags' (episode # 2.8) 1988
in episode: 'Whackets' (episode # 2.5) 16 November 1987
in episode: 'Grossberg's Return' (episode # 2.3) 2 October 1987
in episode: 'Blipverts' (episode # 1.1) 31 March 1987

'Moonlighting' playing 'Richard Addison'
in episode: 'Those Lips, Those Lies' (episode # 5.8) 2 April 1989
in episode: 'Maddie Hayes Got Married' (episode # 4.12) 1 March 1988
in episode: 'A Trip to the Moon' (episode # 4.1) 29 September 1987
in episode: 'The Straight Poop' (episode # 3.9) 6 January 1987 [uncredited archival footage]
in episode: 'It's a Wonderful Job' (episode # 3.8) 16 December 1986
in episode: 'The Son Also Rises' (episode # 3.1) 23 September 1986
in episode: 'Brother, Can You Spare a Blonde?' (episode # 2.1) 24 September 1985

'The King of Queens'
playing 'Steve' (uncredited) in episode: 'Steve Moscow' (episode # 5.18) 10 March 2003
playing 'Contractor' (uncredited) in episode: 'Golden Moldy' (episode # 5.16) 17 February 2003
[Were they the same character? Only one episode separated them.....]

THE TOONIVERSE
'Kôtetsu tenshi Kurumi' (1999) TV Series (voice: English version) (as Charles Kennedy) .... Dr. Ayanokoji
'Static Shock' playing 'Crewcut' (voice) in episode: 'Shebang' (episode # 3.4) 15 February 2003
'The Zeta Project' playing 'Edwards' (voice) in episode: 'Change of Heart' (episode # 1.4) 17 February 2001
'Batman Beyond' playing 'Donny's Dad' (voice) in episode: 'Hooked Up' (episode # 2.8) 13 November 1999
'Superman' playing 'Used Car Salesman' (voice) in episode: 'Superman's Pal' (episode # 3.8) 20 February 1999
'Batman: Gotham Knights' playing 'Security Guard' (voice) in episode: 'Legends of the Dark Knight' (episode # 2.6) 10 October 1998
'Batman: Gotham Knights' playing 'Frederick Fournier' (voice) in episode: 'Mean Seasons' (episode # 1.9) 25 April 1998
'The New Batman Superman Adventures' playing 'Frederick Fournier' (voice) in episode: 'Mean Seasons' (episode # 1.32) 25 April 1998
'Men in Black: The Series' (voice) in episode: 'The Inanimate Syndrome' (episode # 1.8) 6 December 1997
'Batman: Gotham Knights' playing 'Guru' (voice) in episode: 'Never Fear' (episode # 1.4) 1 October 1997
'The Adventures of Hyperman' playing 'The Oil Slick Monster' (voice) in episode: 'Oceans a Leavin'' (episode # 1.12) 3 February 1996

TV MOVIES
California Girls (1985) (TV) .... Barry
The Steel Collar Man (1985) (TV) .... D5B
The Outlaws (1984) (TV) .... Stanley Flynn

TV-RELATED MOVIES
It's Pat (1994) .... Kyle Jacobs

TV GUEST APPEARANCES
'Law & Order: Criminal Intent' playing 'Donny DePalma' in episode: 'Pas de Deux' (episode # 3.13) 15 February 2004
'3rd Rock from the Sun' playing 'Gary Hemmings' in episode: 'A Dick Replacement' (episode # 6.11) 30 January 2001
'The X Files' playing 'Grant Ellis' in episode: 'Three of a Kind' (episode # 6.20) 2 May 1999
'Star Trek: Voyager' playing 'Jippeq' in episode: 'The Disease' (episode # 5.17) 24 February 1999
'Tracey Takes On...' playing 'Chopper Tim' in episode: 'Road Rage' (episode # 4.8) 17 February 1999
'Cybill' playing 'Charlie Addison' in episode: 'Ka-Boom!' (episode # 4.24) 13 July 1998
'Cybill' playing 'Charlie' in episode: 'Cybill in the Morning' (episode # 4.23) 6 July 1998
'Grace Under Fire' playing 'Davis' in episode: 'Riverboat Queen' (episode # 5.7) 30 December 1997
'Jenny' playing 'Grant' in episode: 'A Girl's Gotta Protect Her Assets' (episode # 1.12)
'The Pretender' playing 'Carl Bishop' in episode: 'To Serve and Protect' (episode # 1.6) 9 November 1996
'Picket Fences' playing 'Chuck Dante' in episode: 'Dante's Inferno' (episode # 4.16) 16 February 1996
'Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman' playing 'Ryan Wiley' in episode: 'Operation Blackout' (episode # 2.6) 30 October 1994
'Wings' playing 'Danny' in episode: 'Call of the Wild' (episode # 5.23) 5 May 1994
'Quantum Leap' playing 'Commander Dirk Riker' in episode: 'Leap for Lisa, A - June 25, 1957' (episode # 4.22) 20 May 1992
'Parker Lewis Can't Lose' playing 'Sgt. Jake Melman' in episode: 'Randall Without a Cause' (episode # 1.20) 10 March 1991
'Quantum Leap' playing 'Michael G. Blake' in episode: 'Little Miracle, A - December 24, 1962' (episode # 3.10) 21 December 1990
'Murder, She Wrote' playing 'Lt. Stuyvesant' in episode: 'The Family Jewels' (episode # 7.5) 4 November 1990
'Doctor Doctor' playing 'Charles' in episode: 'The Terminator' (episode # 3.5) 25 October 1990
'thirtysomething' playing 'Ron DeLisle' in episode: 'Going Limp' (episode # 3.22) 1 May 1990
'Miami Vice' playing 'Marty Worthington' in episode: 'Florence Italy' (episode # 2.16) 14 February 1986
'Hardcastle and McCormick' playing 'Bill Bauer' in episode: 'The Yankee Clipper' (episode # 3.3) 7 October 1985
'Remington Steele' playing 'Peter Gillespie' in episode: 'Have I Got a Steele for You' (episode # 3.14) 22 January 1985
'Hawaiian Heat' playing 'Donald' in episode: 'Picture Imperfect' (episode # 1.10) 21 December 1984

BCnU......
Tele-Toby

THE HAT SQUAD: LLOYD BOCHNER

With the death of Lloyd Bochner at the age of 81, the registry of Toobworld citizenry has lost the creator of many great TV characters from the last fifty years.

From the New York Times obituary by Monica Potts:

In his most memorable television role, Mr. Bochner starred as Michael Chambers in the famous 1962 "Twilight Zone" episode "To Serve Man." Chambers and his assistant are decoding experts in charge of translating a book given to Earth by visiting extraterrestrials. The assistant learns that it is a cookbook, but is too late to save Mr. Bochner's character from boarding a spaceship and heading toward becoming an alien meal. He parodied the episode's climactic scene in "The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear."

My personal favorite role of Mr. Bochner's was that of Zachariah Skull, the mad, mishapen puppeteer in an episode of 'The Wild Wild West'. For me, it stands as the very best example of "steampunk" in the TV Universe.

I also enjoyed his role in an episode of 'Ironside', in which he played a corrupt Scotland Yard inspector who was given a second chance in life.

It seems almost a shame that of all the work he did in TV Land, it's his role as Cecil Colby on 'Dynasty' that is being used as the memory tug in most headlines about his passing. Something about that just doesn't feel right.

But tell somebody "It's a cookbook!" and right away they know who you are talking about.

It's hard to believe that there will ever be another actor who could convey such suave urbanity no matter if the character was good or evil. I think he hearkened back to the great character actors of the 40s; a type we most likely will never see again. (I look at his image as Commander Leiter from two episodes of 'Battlestar Galactica, and it puts me in mind of a sci-fi version of Conrad Veidt in 'Casablanca'.)

Science fiction, Westerns, medical dramas, murder mysteries, - Mr. Bochner was at home in all genres and the volume of work he left behind proves it. Just trying to make a copy of his list of credits from the IMDb.com proved to be too much information for one file; I needed to make three in the end!

So here's a tip of the hat and thanks to a great actor who will be missed. With the legacy of roles he left us, Lloyd Bochner really did serve Man.

BCnU.....
Tele-Toby

[A compilation of his many roles in Toobworld will follow in a separate posting.]

THE HAT SQUAD: SKITCH HENDERSON

I was always amazed by Skitch Henderson's durability, every time I saw him mentioned in the trades and various sources for entertainment news in regards to upcoming performances.

I think the last time his name was cited - at least the last time I noticed, - was for the Macy's Fireworks Show on the Fourth of July this year.

With the New York Pops, Mr. Henderson was like the Big Apple's version of Arthur Fiedler. He was a living tribute to the musical glory days heritage of TV's "Golden Age" in the 1950s.

'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' (1962) TV Series .... Himself - Bandleader (1962-1966)
'The Tonight Show' (1962) TV Series .... Bandleader
'Tonight!' (1953) TV Series .... Bandleader (1954-1956)/Wed.-Fri. Bandleader (1956-1957)
'Where Was I?' (1952) TV Series .... Himself/panelist (1953)
'The Jack Paar Show' (1957) TV Series .... Bandleader (1962)
'The Steve Allen Show' (1956) TV Series .... Bandleader/Sidney Ferguson (1956-1959)
'Faye and Skitch' (1953) TV Series
'Wonderful Town, U.S.A.' (1951) TV Series

BCnU......
Tele-Toby

THE HAT SQUAD: MICHAEL PILLER

Did you ever notice the vanity card at the end of every episode of 'The Dead Zone', for the production company of Michael Sean Piller? It showed what looked to be an "ancient" Pong screen and voices heard arguing:

"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"You're grounded."

Probably about five seconds long and it summed up everything you needed to know about the dynamics of this partnership; you could tell they were father and son.

It's that type of quick creativity that set Michael Piller's productions apart from other series in the same genres. In fact, his creation of 'Deep Space Nine' made that spin-off the best of all the shows in the 'Star Trek' franchise. And I know I'm not alone in making the call.

Mr. Piller died at his Los Angeles home at the age of 57. He had been suffering from head and neck cancer.

He created Ensign Ro, one of the most interesting characters in all of Trek's pantheon. Ro Laren proved to be so fascinating, she served as the springboard for the creation of an entire culture - that of the Bajorans, - which led to 'Deep Space Nine'.

Among his credits as writer, producer, and/or creator are:

'Wildfire' (2005)
'The Dead Zone' (2002)
~Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion~ (1999)
"Star Trek: Insurrection" (1998)
'Legend' (1995)
'Star Trek: Voyager' (1995)
'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' (1993)
'Star Trek: The Next Generation' (1987)
'Hard Time on Planet Earth' (1989)
'Probe' (1988)
'Miami Vice' (1984)
'Simon & Simon' (1981)
'Cagney & Lacey' (1982)

BCnU......
Tele-Toby

RE-GIFTING OF THE MAGI?

Reverend Boatwright: "You know, Rory, being a young lady comes with many gifts. Your virtue, for example, is a gift, a precious gift, possibly the most precious gift you possess. You want to give this gift very carefully. It is a gift you can only give to one man. Once you give it, it's gone. You can't re-gift it. If you give it away too soon, to the wrong man, then when the right one does come along, you will have no gift to give. You'll have to buy him a sweater."
['Gilmore Girls' - 10/25/05]

Of all the phrases that were spawned on 'Seinfeld' - "puffy shirt", "man hands", "spongeworthy" , "Master of your domain" - it just may be that "re-gifting" will end up as the one most frequently cited in other TV shows.

This could be due to it being the one 'Seinfeld' concept most common to the general public. Everybody does it. But really, who can truly claim to be Masters of their domains?

That many? I guess I'm just weak......

This marks at least the third time I've heard it used in a show and without reference back to the source. (One of those other examples was in 'Two And A Half Men'; I'm CRAFTing on the other.)

So the concept of re-gifting must be a common practice in Toobworld and everybody already knew it by that name when we first heard it on 'Seinfeld'.

Who knows how far back in History re-gifting can be found? Maybe Balthazar - all decked out in his turban and robes and puffy shirt, - re-gifted the little Lord Jesus with that myrrh. And by bringing Adam the forbidden fruit, wasn't Eve re-gifting to show him how spongeworthy she found him to be?

Don't like my idea? Then let me introduce you to my leetle friend - the middle finger of my man-hand.

But at any rate, there's no Zonk! in Stars Hollow..... this time!

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

SKITCH HENDERSON AND MICHAEL PILLER, R.I.P.

Michael Piller, who created my favorite of the 'Star Trek' series ('Deep Space Nine') has passed away at the age of 57.

http://www.trektoday.com/news/011105_01.shtml

Skitch Henderson, the first bandleader for the 'Tonight' show, has also died. He was 87.

I'm writing this up at work, so I'll have actual "Hat Squad" remembrances for both men once I've returned to Toobworld Central.

BCnU....
Tele-Toby

THE TV CROSSOVER HALL OF FAME: NOVEMBER

It must be something in the stars: some kind of alignment.

Just last week, the November inductee for the Crossover Hall of Fame appeared on 'The King of Queens'. He's a celebrity skilled in the art of being himself - no matter how cartoonish his behavior.

Adam West.

And in keeping with my mantra of "What I Say, Goes" during this year-long celebration of my fiftieth birthday, Adam West is being inducted twice upon a time. Because we're talking about TWO different Adam Wests; one from Earth Prime-Time and one from the Tooniverse.

It has been tradition for nearly every year of the Hall of Fame that the November inductee should be somehow connected to politics. And this year it's no different - even though Adam West seems better suited to being the representative from the League of Themselves.

But over in the Tooniverse, Adam West serves as the Mayor of Quahog, Rhode Island, as seen on 'Family Guy'. It can't be too arduous a task; certainly not cursed as is the case for the mayors of Rome, Wisconsin. ('Picket Fences') My reasoning for the job being less than time-consuming is that the cartoon Adam West has been spotted elsewhere when he should have been serving his Quahog constituency.

For instance, Mr. West showed up one state away in Kent, Connecticut, where 'Johnny Bravo' found the former TV crime-fighter doing what he does best - thrashing evil-doers. And in Springfield, (the Springfield located in the state of -# Hey! Look over there! Woops. It's gone now. Ahem.....), Adam West made a guest apppearance at a trade show where he scared 'The Simpsons' with his all-too fervent reminiscences about his crime-fightin' career.

It appears that Mr. West's life in the Tooniverse also had him cast as the lead in yet another TV series about a costumed crime-fighter, "Catman", as was revealed to Timmy Turner and his 'Fairly Odd Parents'.

Meanwhile, back in the stately main Toobworld.....

As we saw in last week's episode of 'The King Of Queens', the flesh and blood (rather than the pen and ink) Adam West found that his fame as a former TV superhero affected the people who met him.

When Spence asked Mr. West to accompany him to a geekfest sci-fi convention, after already asking neighbor Lou Ferrigno, the former star of 'Batman' took umbrage.

Adam West: If you ran into Bill Shatner this morning, would you have dumped me too?
Spence: I want to say "no," but I'm so weak.
Adam West: This is why me, Lou, Bill, and Lee Majors look out for each other. To protect ourselves from pasty-faced opportunists such as yourself.

That gig as a former super-hero affects me as well, since it creates a huge bat-Zonk! to deal with. I mean, just look at the references in that line of dialogue - it's a Zonk! minefield!

The 1960s 'Batman', also known as Bruce Wayne, can be found in the same plane of existence as Adam West.

I've gotta figure that a TV show about 'Batman' starring Adam West within the framework of some other TV show never once mentioned that Batman was also Bruce Wayne. (It does seem that whenever characters in TV shows meet Adam West, they always refer to the role of 'Batman', never to that of 'Bruce Wayne'.)

So that inner-Toobworld 'Batman' was probably just a cash-in on the news-making exploits of the "real" Batman without a clue as to who he was beneath the cowl. The fact that Adam West was cast when he looked like the spitting image of Bruce Wayne was just a coincidental fluke; and Toobworld is full of those.

Here's a rundown of Adam West's appearances as himself in Earth Prime-Time:

'The King Of Queens'
"Shear Torture"
Originally aired: Monday October 24, 2005 on CBS
Spence has his own adventures en route to a sci-fi convention.

'NewsRadio'
"Jail (1)"
Jimmy is arrested, accused of being legendary hijacker D.B. Cooper.
"The Lam (2)"
Jimmy hides out at Dave's parents home while the Feds scour the country for him.
"Clash of the Titans (3)"
Jimmy is exonerated when a remorseful Adam West confesses to the crime.
Nov 1998

'Murphy Brown'
"Hero Today, Gone Tomorrow"
(episode # 9.22) 5 May 1997
Stuart Best is dubbed a hero at a fire. Murphy's probing questions lead the authorities to think he may have actually set the fire.

'The Wayans Bros.'
"The Black Widower"
(episode # 3.20) 30 April 1997
The boys fear it's a match made in hell after introducing a lonely Grandma to Fred, a smooth-talking diner regular who they later believe is a wanted murderer known as "The Black Widower."

'Pauly'
"Spies Like Us"
(episode # 1.2) 10 March 1997
Pauly believes Dawn is having an affair with the handyman, not only that he also thinks she wants them dead.

'Jenny'
"A Girl's Gotta Hang with a Celebrity"
(episode # 1.11)
Jenny and Maggie really start living when they meet a famous actress in a dance club.

'Weird Science'
"Strangers in Paradise"
(episode # 4.26) 10 August 1996
Lisa grants Chett a wish - to be stranded on a deserted island. Gary and Wyatt try to rescue the two, but have trouble when facing their nemesis - Adam West.

'The Good Life'
"John Hurts His Leg or Tales from the Crip"
(episode # 1.4) 18 January 1994
Adam West (Voice of Himself)
John breaks his leg coaching a T-ball game.

'The Ben Stiller Show'
(episode # 1.5) 1 November 1992

'Our Time'
(episode # 1.1) 27 July 1985

(True, they're both comedy/variety/sketch shows, but I found them to be off-beat enough to be included.)

And here I thought the TV Crossover Hall of Fame only celebrated the West in July.......

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

[Thanks to TV.com & epguides.com]

"Because Life is too short to watch crap....."

Adam West

{TV Land Promo}

DUCK NIBLETS

You know who should be a TV critic?

Lucy Van Pelt, of "Peanuts" fame.

That way, when a network makes a stupid programming move like FOX just did, with their announcement that 'Prison Break' will go on hiatus after the November 28th episode until May of 2006, then Lucy could say "Stupid blockheads!"

From TVTattle.com:

With "24" coming back in January, Fox simply doesn't have enough room on its schedule. So once the first 13 "Prison Break" episodes are done airing on Nov. 28, the show won't return until May for its remaining nine episodes. "The appeal of creatively bringing it back later in the year and keeping it on in the summer outweighs the disruption it would cause," says Fox's Preston Beckman.

(The full story can be found in USA Today.)

Yes, 'Prison Break' is grim, punishing, relentless. It should be. It's set in prison. Lighten the mood and you might as well be showing 'Porridge'.

But it also has a taut, intricately woven plot that needs the audience to always remain vigilant; full attention must be paid.

My boss and his wife are big fans of the show, but they missed last week's episode. (Hey, nobody put a gun to their heads and told them to have a baby!) So I had to make sure they got hold of a tape, because if you missed "The Old Head", you might as well just give up and wait for the DVD.

That's my fear for the fate of 'Prison Break'. We're supposed to wait over five months to pick up the story again? I don't have that much faith in the TV memory retention capability of the general audience.

Also, the production seems to have been planned out to the smallest detail when it comes to its inner chronology. The date of Lincoln Burrows' execution should have synchronized with May Sweeps and the season finale. That would have added an urgency to the audience's rapport with the characters.

But now that has been frittered away.

Say it with me, people....

Network executives should be nibbled to death by ducks!

BCnU!

Tele-Toby

A HAT SQUAD REVISION

In a story about the young actress who was brutally murdered outside her home, the L.A. Times provided this information about the 'Judging Amy' character played by Tara Correa-McMullen:

She played a troubled and remorseless teenager, Graciela Reyes, who had been abandoned by her mother and two brothers who had fled to Guatemala. Judge Amy, played by Amy Brenneman, tries to turn Graciela's life around, but the teen gets involved in a drive-by shooting. Judge Amy attempts to prevent Graciela from being tried as an adult. She fails, but almost succeeds in getting her a new trial when Graciela is murdered in prison.

So there never was a chance for the character to ever return, should 'Judging Amy' have been revived in a sequel or reunion movie. And so Toobworld Central can safely claim that Graciela Reyes was kin to Hugo Reyes of 'Lost', and thus was a victim of the Numbers Curse.

It's just a shame that it's Ms. Correa-McMullen's death that protects that claim, and not the fancies of the script-writers.

BCnU.....
Tele-Toby

RECASTAWAYS - "GUIDING LIGHT"

Carolyn Hinsey, who is an editor for "Soap Opera Weekly", wrote this in Friday's New York Daily News:

A blackout hits Springfield next week on 'Guiding Light' (CBS, 10 a.m.), but look closely. When the lights go out, Cassie will be played by Laura Wright, who has jumped ship to play Carly on 'General Hospital.' When they come back on, Cassie will be portrayed by newcomer Nicole Forester.

Obviously, within the framework of the show's inner reality, the blackout is somehow connected with this recastaway. I suspect an alien abduction; something along the lines of the alien impregnation of a town's female population in "Children Of The Damned".

The alien Cassie will be able to project the aura of the original Cassie using technology similar to that of the Quantum Leap system; so that people looking at her will not be able to tell the difference. But the audience viewing at home will be able to see the new Cassie.

Whatever her reason for being here in Springfield, the new Cassie will never give herself away to any of the others on the show. For all that we see of her on screen, Cassie will continue Life as if she were the real deal.

That would be my splainin, anyway.

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

CROSSOVER OF THE WEEK!

"The answer goes beyond the realm of History,
Into the realm of Legend....."
Professor Samantha Gaines
"Cerberus"

I thought the Crossover of the Week would have to rely once again on the League of Themselves - and from 'The King of Queens' again at that.

But the gods answered my prayer for something completely different. Literally.

(Not that the crossover I originally had in mind was so bad, even if it was a bit Zonk!ish. But now I can save that for where it truly belongs - as part of tomorrow's tribute to the November inductee into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame!)

On Saturday, Sci-Fi Channel presented a made for TV movie "Cerberus". In the story, a comely young professor of antiquities from the Van Buren Museum of Art needed to save her scalawag of a brother. To do so, Professor Gaines teamed up with a squad of First Gulf War vets in an attempt to regain the Sword of Mars from their former comrade-in-arms, a mercenary named Cutter.

Cutter's theft of the sword from the tomb of Attila the Hun unleashed the wrath of Cerberus, the three-headed dog from Hell, upon the world. (Or at least upon a small village in Romania.)

In Toobworld, mythology is the real deal. It's not just legend; it's not a fractured fairy tale. The gods of Olympus and Asgard have just as much legitimacy in Earth Prime Time as witches married to mortals, Martians stranded in Los Angeles, eloquent equines, and maternal units reborn as automobiles.

Apollo clashed with the Enterprise crew in an episode of 'Star Trek'. Thor battled 'The Incredible Hulk'. And Hermes worked his magic for a New England college's football team. (Within the "reality" of Toobworld, 'Olympus 7-0000' was probably presented as a musical because of the demonic influence of Mr. Sweet from 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer'.)

And yes, I know Thor is from the Norse myths of the Elder Eddas, from the land of those crinkly fjords. Be thankful I didn't dredge up Hanuman the Monkey God! At least I can tie Thor into all of this.

Hrmmmm...... Now that I've mentioned a Viking god, I've suddenly got this hankering for Spam......

Anyway, looming large in the pantheon is the demigod who had several of his own TV series to his credit, both in the main Toobworld and in the Tooniverse - Hercules!

"Cerberus"
&
"Hercules In The Underworld"
&
'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys'

It's Kevin Sorbo's portrayal of the Son of Zeus that is the "official" representative of the character for Toobworld. And by "official", I mean "Because I say so." By extension, Ryan Gosling as 'Young Hercules' exists in the same dimension, being just the younger version of Sorbo's character. The Hercules who looks like actor Paul Telfer, as seen in the NBC mini-series 'Hercules', belongs to a different TV dimension. He's probably from Earth Prime Time Delay but not from the evil mirror universe, as Kevin Sorbo assayed that role in a few episodes of his own series.

As for Brian Thompson's portrayal of Hercules in the mini-series 'Jason And The Argonauts', I feel comfortable leaving that in the main Toobworld. That's because he wasn't the true Hercules; rather he was an alien bounty hunter assuming the demigod's identity, thousands of years before he would resurface again in 'The X-Files'.

Before Kevin Sorbo settled into a weekly series as the Son of Zeus, his Hercules was introduced in a series of five tele-flicks. One of these was "Hercules In The Underworld", in which we saw the dramatization of one of the twelve labors of Hercules - the capture of Cerberus, that "three-headed, mean-assed, bad-breathed dog" from Hell (as described in Saturday's TV movie.)

The mythology of Toobworld differs from the mythology of the Real World; as it should, just like all aspects of Life in TV Land. In the established myth, Hercules had to retrieve Cerberus from Hades without benefit of weapons as one of twelve tasks for King Eurystheus of Tiryns. To do so, Hercules put a choke hold on each of the three heads until the devil-dog finally passed out.

But in the TV movie, Hercules was in the Underworld to save a village from the escaping souls near a Hellmouth. And while down there he recaptured Cerberus as a favor for his half-brother Hades. But to do so, he simply restrained the beastie and then talked soothingly to him. (As he reminded the others with him, "sometimes a little kindness does the trick.")

Perhaps we didn't see it because he used sleight of hand, but I'll bet Herc slipped Cerberus an Olympian-sized Doggie Downer while restraining him!

As for the story that became the established legend? That was most likely due to the story told by Hercules' mortal brother Iphicles who would often pass himself off as his own brother in order to cadge drinks in the taverns:

“Hades was worse than your foulest nightmare. It was pitch black -- sweltering hot -- and evil lurking around every corner. So I had to find Cerberus, the three-headed dog? And bring him back to King Eurystheus -- without using any weapons. No! No! No! Really!

So -- using nothing more than my bare hands -- I choked this biting, clawing, fire-breathing beast -- and I dragged him outta Hades!

The thing is -- the king didn't want this monster! I mean, who would? So I had to turn around and take him back!”

Hercules and Cerberus met again a few years later when the demigod once again ventured into his half-brother's underworld realm to rescue Persephone, as ordered by her mother Demeter. But this time, their encounter was a violent clash. (Hercules was probably in no mood to be gentle this time around since he knew his now-deceased wife Deianeira and their children were "guests" of Hades in Hades.)

Thousands of years later, Samantha Gaines and Jake Adams could have used the help of Hercules as they struggled to defeat Cerberus. And had he been in the area of Strajerul, Romania, perhaps Herc might have done so. That's because - as established in 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys', - Hercules still lives in the mortal world today... known as the actor Kevin Sorbo!

Other links could be made to "Cerberus", if only thematically. Professor Gaines and her quest for magical antiquities like the Breastplate of Attila and the Sword of Mars would make her an excellent candidate to work with "The Librarian", the character Noah Wyle played in a TV movie (for which he's apparently making a sequel).

Actually, we never did find out who Jake and his friends worked for - was it for the American government as "black ops", or for an international organization like 'U.N.C.L.E.'? Or maybe they also worked for "the Library".

Since she mentioned Hitler's obsession with the occult, there's always the possibility that Samantha Gaines knew Professor Henry Jones, Jr., whose presence was established in Toobworld thanks to the 'Young Indiana Jones Chronicles'.

Jake Adams and his buddies Burke and Willis, along with their nemesis Cutter, all served together fifteen years before in the Gulf War. While there in Iraq, they might have met former government scientist Paul Turner who appeared in his own series, 'Strange World'. And they may have actually fought against a member of the Iraqi Republican Guard named Sayid Jarrah, who is now 'Lost' after the crash of Oceanic Flight 815.

And finally, - and this one is really off the wall! - we never learned what Cutter's full name was. We never even learned whether or not "Cutter" was just a nickname; his prowess with the Sword of Mars seemed to indicate that the bloodthirsty mercenary was certainly at ease with a blade.

So what if Cutter was in fact a former trucker by the name of BJ McKay? We haven't seen him in Toobworld since 1981; maybe during that off-screen period he was lured over to the dark side after the death of his simian sidekick known as "The Bear".

I know if any of my chimp buddies got killed off, I'd be pretty bleeped off as well. Unless it's a guy I work with, who is descended from Hanuman the Monkey God. Him, I wouldn't miss.

There you go, making me mention Hanuman. I warned you not to let that happen! Now that I'm thinking about my jerk of a coworker, I feel a Maalox Moment coming on........

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

"He who lies down with dogs gets up with fleas."
Herman Munster
'The Munsters'