Wednesday, June 7, 2006

SPELLING BEEF

For her VH1 sitcom about her own televersion, Tori Spelling asked Shannon Doherty, who worked with "Toto" on 'Beverly Hills 90210', to appear as herself on 'So NoTORIous'. And in hopes of sweetening the deal, Tori promised that they wouldn't make fun of her during the show.

"(Tori) sent me a tape of the pilot and a very, very, very small note asking me to do the show, promising that she would never say a bad word about me ever, and we used to be best friends, and still care about each other."

At least that's what Doherty told "Entertainment Weekly".

But when the show started appearing on the air, Shannon quickly found out from friends that Tori was dissing her every so often in the episodes.

But knowing the power of taking the high road in the press, Doherty claimed that she was above the possible fray.

"I don't know if it was something taken personally, or maybe it was 'If we make fun of her, it will bring in the ratings and the publicity.'

"It did hurt. I hope it helped her. If mentioning my name made people write about it, then great. Good for you. I get it. It's a business."

Cat fight!

Shannon Doherty has spoofed her image as "difficult" when she hosted 'Saturday Night Live'. (Remember the "Salem Bitch Trials" sketch?)

But all of that would be housed in Skitlandia, the alternate dimension also known as Earth Not Ready For Prime Time.

As for Earth Prime Time, maybe Shannon Doherty should fight back like in the old days of those "answer songs". Maybe she should appear as herself in some other sitcom and dish it out to Tori; let's see if she can take it.

I enjoyed the episodes I've seen of 'So NoTORIous'. But if you make a promise not to disparage a former friend in Toobworld, you should be held to that vow.

My suggestion? Shannon should appear on 'The New Adventures Of Old Christine' as herself. I'm sure there must be some plotline which would give her the forum to trash Tori for her back-stabbing.

Now if only some show would do the same to that jerk Brandon Davis for trashing Lindsay Lohan.....

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

Tuesday, June 6, 2006

THE HAT SQUAD: BILLY PRESTON

Musician Billy Preston has passed away. He was 59 and had been in a coma since November due to kidney failure.

When I was commuting during my first year of college, I couldn't travel in either direction without hearing "Nothing From Nothing" and "Will It Go Round In Circles".

He worked with the Beatles and could be seen playing keyboards in the documentary of the super-group's recording of "Let It Be". Legend has it that MacCartney wanted him to become an actual member of the group. (Years later, he played Sgt. Pepper in that god-awful movie starring the Bee Gees and Peter Frampton.)

In Toobworld, Preston made his mark as himself when his televersion visited two sitcoms, 'Good News' (about a church and its new pastor) and 'Sparks' (dealing with a family-owned law firm).

These were the episodes in which he appeared:

'Sparks' - "Palimony"

The Sparks try to defend a client who is being sued for palimony by his former live-in mate of 12 years. Their case begins to fall apart when Maxey has one of his "bright ideas", and tries to lay a trap for the lyrically endowed woman. (1996)

'Good News' - "The Dinner Party"

A health center asks Pastor Randolph to distribute free condoms, but he refuses, planning to preach abstinence instead. (1997)

I never saw these episodes; okay, I've never even seen these shows. But I have to wonder how Billy Preston was worked into the plotlines.

At any rate, his music always made the trip go faster up I-84 and he will always hold a special place in Beatle lore.

BCnU.....
Tele-Toby

FAITH & HOPE

After posting my desire to see Detective Faith Yokas of 'Third Watch' appear in one of the 'Law & Order' shows, and my disappointment she wasn't picked to be Detective Green's new partner, this showed up online:

Now what I’m hearing is that actress Annabella Sciorra, one of my personal favorites, is out at “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” Sciorra appears in about half the season’s episodes with Chris Noth, while the other half of the season is guided by Vincent D’Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe.
-
Roger Friedman
FOX News

Well, there's an option for Faith! She would prove to be as tough as Detective Mike Logan should she become his partner; and she would be a complete break from the type of character Sciorra had been playing.

It ain't gonna happen; I know that. But it would still be an interesting combination.

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

JUNE 6 - ON THIS DATE IN TOOBWORLD

Thanks to Dr. TV of TrivialTV (the blog's link can found over to the left), here's what happened on this date - my birthday! - in the TV Universe:

6/6/1983

Celia Quartermaine and Dr. Grant Putnam are married on ''General Hospital''.

I'm not sure if I was still watching 'GH' back then. I got re-hooked on it while working overnights at Westhampton Beach in the summer of 1980 and from there worked my way up to include 'One Life To Live' and 'The Edge Of Night'.

I used to watch it as a teen-ager when I got home from high school, only because Mom watched it.

I think I did see this wedding take place. But didn't Celia find out she had married a Russian spy who looked like Grant?

Otherwise, my birthday also counts as a Toobworld timeline date as I'm a character in Toobworld thanks to 'The Hap Richards Show', 'The Ranger Station', and the TV movie "The Deadliest Season".

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

TV CROSSOVER HALL OF FAME: 6/6/6 BIRTHDAY HONORS LIST

In all the years it was on NBC, 'Third Watch' never had a crossover with 'Law & Order', nor with either of its spinoffs ('Special Victims Unit' & 'Criminal Intent'). This is especially odd as both shows had so much in common, being about law enforcement in Manhattan. (Well, at least 1/3 of the cast for 'Third Watch' were cops. Having firefighters and EMT paramedics make up the balance of the cast, they had other areas of focus as well.)

I get the feeling it was all Dick Wolf's decision as to whether or not there should have been a crossover. I'm sure NBC must have pushed the idea, and 'Third Watch' could certainly have used the resulting publicity.

The 'L&O' team had no problem stretching credulity with four crossovers with 'Homicide: Life On The Street', which was set in Baltimore. And yet there was no love left for the first responders of 'Third Watch', who were just uptown.

And it's not like it had to be any major crossover jumping from one show to the other. The first crossover between 'L&O' and 'H:LOTS' was just a quick scene on 'Homicide' with Frank Pembleton and a small cameo by Mike Logan.

The same could have worked with 'Law & Order' and 'Third Watch'.

You know those opening scenes on 'Law & Order', just before the credits, where the two detectives arrive on the scene and get briefed by a uniformed cop? Why couldn't that have been Sully or Bosco just once? So what if they were in a different precinct; the Dynamic Duos of the 2-7 apparently work the whole island.

And just for variety, what if a fire had been started to cover up a murder? Then it could have been Jimmy Doherty who would have consulted with Briscoe and Green. And if there was one survivor in a massacre, maybe Doc Parker could have urged the cops to leave off the questioning until they could get the vic to the hospital (preferably Manhattan General for a 'Kay O'Brien, Surgeon' & 'Naked City' link).

Of course, that would have to be before Doc's breakdown and incarceration.. Otherwise, Carlos Nieto would work just as well.

But nooooo, there was to be no spreading the love when it came to Dick Wolf's warhorse.

Even so, 'Third Watch' did manage a couple of full-blown crossovers with two other NBC series, and even then the connection was made to shows in two other metropolises (metropolii?) - Chicago for 'ER' and Atlanta for 'Medical Investigations'. (Although 'MI' always went to wherever the outbreak occurred.)

And it was one character from 'Third Watch' who proved to be the common factor for all three shows' crossovers - Officer Faith Yokas.

With the 'ER' crossover, Faith and her partner Bosco helped Dr. Susan Lewis track down her drug-addicted sister in NYC in order to get help for her and her son.

And when there was the threat of a virulent blood contagion transmitted from animals smuggled in from Africa (which infected paramedic Nieto), Dr. and his 'Medical Investigations' team had Yokas work as their liaison with the NYPD in tracking down the carriers.

Usually with the birthday honors list, we induct a character who just misses the requirements for inclusion. But Faith Yokas meets the criteria fully:

'Third Watch'
'ER'
'Medical Investigations'

But this time, the Birthday Honors is being used to tweak our year-long salute to 'Law & Order' for not showing the love to 'Third Watch'.

Here's an open message to Dick Wolf: it's still not too late for that 'Third Watch' crossover. Just as you resurrected Detective John Munch from the cancellation of 'Homicide' to come to NYC and work on the 'Special Victims Unit', you could have done the same thing with Faith Yokas.

And yet you missed a golden opportunity! With Detective Joe Fontana leaving the 2-7, there was the perfect moment in which to introduce Detective Faith Yokas as the new partner for Detective Ed Green. Instead, you're pulling in an actress from the recently cancelled 'Conviction' who is fresh off of playing a young ADA.

Must be a twin sister?

Oh well. At least I can make up for the sleight in my own small way. Even though they never allowed a Third Watcher into their midst on their show, the 'Law & Order' gang will now have one in their ranks forever in the TV Crossover Hall of Fame.

Here's to you, Yokas. Keep the Faith!

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

NEW @ TOOBWORLD CENTRAL FOR 6/6/6

Since it's my birthday today on this omenesque day, I decided to splurge a bit at FYE since they give a 20% discount to Backstage Pass members on their big day.

Here's the loot:

'Jim Henson's The Storyteller' (The complete collection)

'Mr. Peepers' (The first 26 episodes)

'The Kindred: The Embraced' (the complete collection)

'Grounded For Life' (Season 2)

'Columbo' (The complete fourth season)
I bought my first TV for the episode featuring Dick Van Dyke. I couldn't risk that I'd have access to the dorm's TV that night so I could watch it. And then to have Patrick McGoohan make his first appearance as a murderer on 'Columbo'? Sweet!

'Sgt. Bilko' ('The Phil Silvers Show' 50th Anniversary Edition)

'The Wild, Wild West' (The complete first season)
Just came out today. Now that's what I call a birthday present!

'Till Death Us Do Part'
This is the movie version of the British TV series which inspired 'All In The Family'.

And finally,
'The Gunsmoke Movie Trilogy'

"Gunsmoke: Return To Dodge"
"Gunsmoke: The Last Apache"
"Gunsmoke: To The Last Man"

I thought they made a nice coda to the series.

So not a bad haul for the day; a little bit of everything from all corners of the TV Universe....

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

B'DAY GREETINGS FROM JORDAN

Shirley Jordan, that is.

And as she is such a Hollywood playa now, my "twin" has turned her birthday greetings into a press release:

My 'Commander in Chief' episode will probably be seen on 6/7, unless 'PrimeTime' intervenes again. It's titled "Happy Birthday Madame President".

I play a friend of hers at her b'day party named Brandy. At the last minute they changed it from Bradley, which I preferred. The role was obviously written for a guy. I have one line, "Happy Birthday, Madame President!"

Happy Birthday, Toby!

Me


I'll have to see the episode first, but if all goes according to plan, I may have a unique link based on Shirley's participation; something to give 'Commander In Chief' another TV series for its own TV dimension, so that CInC won't be so lonely......

Happy Birthday to Me!
Toobazeal

Monday, June 5, 2006

"LOST" IN THOUGHT: DESMOND'S "BLOODY SNOWGLOBE"

As the second season of 'Lost' dwindled down to a handful of episodes, the show's creators began to address the biggest question of all about the series: What does it all mean?

They debunked several of the Internet fan theories using a process known as Elimination by Scoffing.

Throughout all their references to these theories there was a tinge of ridicule and I don't blame them. They've been saying for awhile that many of these theories are just not among the possibilities, but even that didn't stop the theorists out there from pursuing their pet ideas.

Then again, the producers have lied in the past about what was going to happen on the show......

First up, in "Dave", they pretty much scotched the idea that everything was happening in the mind of one character, a la Tommy Westphall of 'St. Elsewhere'. Dave may have just been a figment of Hurley's imagination, but the show's resident Dude realized everything else around him was the real deal, thanks to Libby's intervention.

During the finale, "Live Together, Die Alone", the creators tossed aside a few more theories:

1) They're all trapped in Purgatory.

The fact that the "writer" of "Bad Twin", who was a passenger on Oceanic 815 named Gary Troup (an anagram of purgatory), helped fuel that fire. But with the final moments of the episode, we got to see that there are others in the outside world.

And besides, the story was getting way too complicated to be this metaphysical journey through Danteland.
Pushing the button every 108 minutes (or not) might have had some kind of metaphorical symbolism attached to it, but it's hardly a Sysephean task.

2) The outside world no longer exists.

Again, the last few minutes of the finale refuted this theory. We saw not only two Portuegese researchers in the Antarctic barrens, but also Penelope Widmore in her own home... wherever that might be (probably England).

I think the researchers were Brazilian and they were in the Antarctic, rather than the Arctic because the establishing shot of that scene was of frozen mountains in the distance. Antarctica is a land base unlike the North Pole. But they could just have been glaciers, what do I know?

3) The Others are aliens.

This is where the scoffing really came up in earnest. While on their trek to confront the Others, Sawyer shared his idea that the Others were from outer space and that's why they had to wear the masks.

Maybe in the fervor of blogging such a theory sounds somewhat plausible to an Internet geek, but once you hear this idea espoused in Sawyer's voice it just sounds so ridiculous.

4) Back to Boston, Brothah.

Finally, they returned to the idea that it was all happening in one character's mind by invoking the 'St. Elsewhere' scenario:

DESMOND:
"There's nothing out there, pal. This is it. This is all there is left. This ocean and this place here. We are stuck in a bloody snow globe. There's no outside world. There's no escape."

If anything, this sounds more like Desmond was aware of what happened in the finale of 'St. Elsewhere'.

In that last episode, after an impromptu memorial for Dr. Auschlander in the cafeteria, Tommy Westphall stared out a window of the hospital. The camera was now outside looking back at him and suddenly the whole scene shook.

Then the camera pulled back to reveal the St. Eligius building inside a snowglobe, held by Tommy in a different setting altogether. In this reality, he was still autistic, but his father (Donald Westphall) was not a doctor but instead was a construction worker. And Dr. Auschlander was still alive as his grandfather.

The inference was that everything we had seen in the past on the show had been nothing more than a fantasy dreamed up in the imagination of an autistic boy.

I call this the Westphallian World-view of the TV Universe, and it's championed by a couple of great guys with their Tommy Westphall websites which you can find linked to the left.

But it's not the world-view I share, as it's too restrictive. Each show in their "Great Link" has to have a definitive link which eventually leads back to 'St. Eligius'. For me, the TV Universe is much like ours - big and sloppy and everything's already included; it's just a matter of time and pretzel logic before every show can be officially linked.

For me, the Tommy Westphall staring out the window of the hospital was imagining a life in which he could still have Dr. Auschlander around, and in which his father had more time for him because of a different profession.

I think that Desmond was just using the image of a snowglobe to describe how he perceived the island's unique qualities. He probably envisioned it as having some kind of force field generated around it which kept it hidden from radar, satellite surveillance, and other means of discovering it. After all, it had that electro-magnetic power buildup that needed dispersal every 108 minutes; what else was the Dharma Initiative capable of?

Desmond also invoked the idea that the outside world no longer existed, but that's his right to hold the opinion. Just so long as we in the Real World know that the producers have discounted it.

So even though 'St. Elsewhere' wasn't named outright, this could have devolved into a Zonk! if we gave any more weight to Desmond's description of the island as a snowglobe. But it was just that a description summoned by a despondent Desmond.

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

Sunday, June 4, 2006

FIRST, A TIGER IN YOUR TANK; NOW A MONKEY IN YOUR TRUNK

Thanks to a handful of commercials running in Oregon for the Suburban Auto Group, cars there can be equipped with a "Trunk Monkey" button. It's like having OnStar, but an actual chimp pops out of your car's trunk to come to your aid.

In one commercial, the chimp is armed with a shotgun to protect a young lady's honor from a very aggressive date in the front seat. In another, the chimp gives Zach Braff competition in scrubs as he helps deliver a baby by the side of the road.

It doesn't matter that in the Real World, the supposed product being advertised “lives in the trunk of any vehicle and helps to automate weight transfer at the rear wheels during spirited driving maneuvers.” (I can't figure out what that means. I at first thought that the Suburban Auto Group was a car insurance umbrella organization.) All that matters is that in the TV Universe, you can get a chimpanzee installed in your trunk for any kind of emergency.

(A few bugs are still in the sytem, however. There has to be some way found to prevent the Trunk Monkey from bribing a cop with doughnuts.)

Right now, the commercials' concept is localized to Oregon, but it's still enough to apply to all of "Telemerica".

Offhand, I can't think of any power car out there in any current shows - It's not like the old days of KITT and the General Lee. - in which the Trunk Monkey might take up residence. But if anybody should get one installed, it should be Lieutenant Columbo in his old Peugeot. Sooner or later, that Trunk Monkey will come in handy.

And then they can team up to fight crime!

You can see all the Trunk Monkey blipverts here.

[Thanks to Tim Nudd at adfreak.com]

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

THE HAT SQUAD: PAUL GLEASON

Paul Gleason passed away last week from mysasthelioma, a lung cancer connected to asbestos. Most people would automatically think of him as the principal in 'The Breakfast Club' or from 'Trading Places'. And it's probably from those two movies that he was able to build upon for better roles over the next twenty years.

Of all his roles in Television, my personal favorite was in an episode of 'NewsRadio' in which he had very few lines, three at the most, I'd say. His main duty was to serve as corporate muscle and intimidate the staffers of WNYX. But after getting socked in the nose, his aura of menace crumpled like a fender.

While working to group his TV appearances into their appropriate categories, I found one role of particular interest for the Toobworld conecpt. "Women At West Point" was a fictionalized look at the induction of women into the military academy in 1976, and he played Major James Kirk. The IMDb.com has the middle initial of "T" added in, but it's missing from the book "Movies Made For Television (The Telefeature and the Mini-series) 1964-1986". Could that "T" have stood for "Tiberius"?

Even if its addition was just wishful thinking or a hoax on the part of an IMDb contributor, the possibility still exists that Major James Kirk could have been an ancestor to the captain of the starship Enterprise some 400 years later in 'Star Trek'.

Whether playing villains or enjoying a humorous guest spot, sometimes at the same time, Paul Gleason was a great supporting player and his presence will be missed in Toobworld.

TV SERIES
"Lost on Earth" (1997) TV Series .... George Greckin
"Superior Court" (1986) TV Series .... Attorney
"Another Life" (1981) TV Series .... Lee Carothers #1 (1982-83)
"All My Children" (1970) TV Series .... Dr. David Thornton (1976-1978)

TV MOVIES
Sun Gods (2002) (TV)
Majority Rule (1992) (TV)
Fourth Story (1991) (TV) .... Lt. Petkavich
Starting Now (1989) (TV) .... Harold
Spooner (1989) (TV) .... Roland Hyde
Supercarrier (1988) (TV)
Challenge of a Lifetime (1985) (TV) .... John Schoonover
Doubletake (1985) (TV) .... Howie Henley
Women at West Point (1979) (TV) .... Major James T. Kirk

TV MINI-SERIES
"Ike" (1979) (mini) TV Series .... Capt. Ernest 'Tex' Lee

TV MOVIES CONNECTED TO THE "CINEVERSE"
Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love (1994) (TV)
Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985) (TV) .... Jeremitt

TV GUEST ROLES
"George Lopez"
- George to the Third Power (2005) TV Episode .... Lou Powers
"Cold Case"
- Blank Generation (2005) TV Episode .... Stewart Adams
"Malcolm in the Middle"
- Reese Joins the Army: Part 2 (2004) TV Episode .... Mystery Man
- Reese Joins the Army: Part 1 (2004) TV Episode .... Mystery Man
"Dawson's Creek"
- Sex and Violence (2003) TV Episode .... Larry Newman
- Day Out of Days (2003) TV Episode .... Studio Producer
"Dragnet"
- Sticks and Stones (2003) TV Episode .... Matt Margolis
"The Guardian"
- The Dark (2002) TV Episode .... Scott Kollbrenner
"Fastlane"
- Pilot (2002) TV Episode .... Detective Lannigan
"Dead Last"
- The Mulravian Candidate (2001) TV Episode .... Johnson the CIA Agent
"Cursed"
- ...And Then Jack Became the Voice of the Cougars (2001) TV Episode .... Principal Squires
"The District"
- Rage Against the Machine (2001) TV Episode .... Peter Wendt
"Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction"
- Creepy Comics (2000) TV Episode .... Kip Sherman
"Friends"
- The One That Could Have Been: Part 1 (2000) TV Episode .... Jack
- The One That Could Have Been: Part 2 (2000) TV Episode .... Jack
"Diagnosis Murder"
- Seven Deadly Sins (1999) TV Episode
"The Drew Carey Show"
- Drew and the Gang Law (1999) TV Episode .... Judge #1
"Veronica's Closet"
- Veronica's June Swoon (1999) TV Episode .... Hank
"Chicago Hope"
- Home Is Where the Heartache Is (1999) TV Episode .... Tom McNeil
"Melrose Place"
- The Usual Santas (1998) TV Episode .... Judge Nicholas
"Nash Bridges"
- Hardball (1998) TV Episode .... Mickey Tripp
"Grace Under Fire"
- Finders Keepers (1997) TV Episode .... Stuart Wallace
"Walker, Texas Ranger"
- Brainchild (1997) TV Episode .... Dr. Harold Payton
"NewsRadio"
- The Public Domain (1997) TV Episode .... Steve Johnson
"Boy Meets World"
- Fraternity Row (1997) TV Episode .... Dean Borak
- It's Not You... It's Me (1997) TV Episode .... Dean Borak
"Dark Skies"
- The Awakening (1996) TV Episode .... Nelson Rockefeller
"One West Waikiki" (1994) TV Series .... Captain Dave Herzog
"Seinfeld"
- The Opposite (1994) TV Episode .... Cushman
"Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman"
- The Ides of Metropolis (1994) TV Episode .... Henry Harrison
"The Wonder Years"
- Scenes from a Wedding (1992) TV Episode .... Arthur Jensen
"Murder, She Wrote"
- Murder in Milan (1992) TV Episode .... Steve Morrison
- Thursday's Child (1991) TV Episode .... Lt. Barney Claymore
- The Error of Her Ways (1989) TV Episode .... Sterling Rose
"Tales from the Crypt"
- The Reluctant Vampire (1991) TV Episode
"L.A. Law"
- Speak, Lawyers, for Me (1991) TV Episode .... Coach John Laughton
"Hardball"
- The Cool Katt (1990) TV Episode
"Father Dowling Mysteries"
- The Stone Killer Mystery (1990) TV Episode
"B.L. Stryker"
- Winner Takes All (1990) TV Episode
"21 Jump Street"
- Parental Guidance Suggested (1989) TV Episode
"Life Goes On"
- The Baby-Sitter (1989) TV Episode .... Stan Graber
"Beauty and the Beast"
- Song of Orpheus (1987) TV Episode .... Henry Dutton
"Falcon Crest"
- Cold Hands (1987) TV Episode .... Andy Stryker
"The Equalizer"
- Tip on a Sure Thing (1986) TV Episode .... Greenleaf
"Miami Vice"
- When Irish Eyes Are Crying (1986) TV Episode .... Bunny Berrigan
"The A-Team"
- The Trouble with Harry (1986) TV Episode .... Harry
- Fire (1984) TV Episode .... Roy Kelsey
"Kate & Allie"
- High Anxiety (1986) TV Episode .... Tom Fitzgerald
"Dallas"
- Terms of Estrangement (1985) TV Episode .... Lt. Lee Spaulding
"Magnum, P.I."
- Kiss of the Sabre (1984) TV Episode .... Ronnie Meeder/'Jacques Arnot'
"Hill Street Blues"
- Low Blow (1984) TV Episode .... Biff Lowe
- Fuched Again (1984) TV Episode .... Biff Lowe
"Riptide"
- Father's Day (1984) TV Episode .... Commander Phillip Everitt
- The Hardcase (1984) TV Episode .... Detective Hallins
"Hardcastle and McCormick"
- You Would Cry Too, If It Happened to You (1984) TV Episode .... Jack Fish
"Call to Glory"
- Paper Tiger (1984) TV Episode .... Marty Colby
"Cagney & Lacey"
- A Killer's Dozen (1984) TV Episode .... Detective Crespi
"Remington Steele"
- Small Town Steele (1984) TV Episode .... Sheriff Jeff 'Jed' Nebbins
"Scarecrow and Mrs. King"
- Savior (1984) TV Episode .... Edson Ballon
Columbo: Identity Crisis (1975) (TV) .... Parsons
"Adam-12"
- Excessive Force (1974) TV Episode (as Paul Xavier Gleason) .... John Suntor
- Training Wheels (1972) TV Episode .... Instructor Chuck Williams
- Backup 1-L20 (1972) TV Episode .... Patrolman Arnold
- The Grandmothers (1971) TV Episode .... Smitty
"Banacek"
- No Sign of the Cross (1972) TV Episode .... Border Guard
"Mission: Impossible"
- The Deal (1972) TV Episode .... Blair


BCnU.....
Tele-Toby

Saturday, June 3, 2006

"LOST" IN THE JIBBER-JABBER

Recently I wrote about the term "Jibber Jabber" and its re-emergence in Toobworld.

A week or so later, and it showed up in the season finale of 'Lost'. After the trek through the woods to reach the Others broke down into a pointless discussion, Sawyer griped that there had been "Enough jibber jabber".

I don't see it as an 'A-Team' Zonk! however. More than likely, it's just a phrase that gets a lot of play in various regions of TV Land.

That the judge in 'Boston Legal' uses it all the time, maybe he got it from B.A. Baracus, after the 'A-Team' member appeared before him in court there in Beantown.

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

"OFFICE" MATES

The French version of Ricky Gervais' 'The Office' was panned by the English newspapers when it debuted. But in the long run, they don't matter and neither do their readers. 'Le Bureau' is being championed by those that count the most - the viewers.

And it looks like British newspapers have their ink-stained noses out of joint that their opinions didn't sway the French audience. According to The Guardian, "French newspapers have eagerly embraced this 'spineless, misogynistic, racist, irritating cynic' declaring him the perfect embodiment of a French beauf -- a vulgar, chauvinistic Mr Average who tries too hard."

Which I think would be the point.

What I'm happy about the most is that even though there are three versions of the shows ensconced in Toobworld, none of them invalidates the presence of the other. Unike many other international variations on an original concept - say, with characters like "Inspector Maigret" and "Sherlock Holmes", - the characters have been totally changed and adapted for their target audiences. So there's no problem with them living in the same world.

And even though their lives might mirror one another, there would be no cosmic disturbance in Toobworld should David Brent, Michael Scott, and Gilles Triquet ever meet up at some international conference on paper sales.

(If I'm not mistaken, eventually they could meet an Indian version of the paper company office manager.)

This is all more in keeping with the tradition set by the adaptation of 'Til Death Us Do Part' into 'All In The Family' and 'Steptoe And Son' into 'Sanford And Son'.

And there might even be a boomerang effect when it comes to 'The Office'. Ricky Gervais and his writing partner Stephen Merchant got two highly-praised seasons out of the concept, plus a special Christmas episode and a wrap-up "Where Are They Now?" coda.

But now, having seen how popular the Americanized version has become, and having written an episode for it, Gervais and Merchant are mulling the idea of reviving their series and adapting the American scripts for use in their version.

Not sure how I feel about that; I do prefer the American version over the British one, (just barely!), mostly because I'm not comfortable with TV that makes my skin crawl with embarrassment for the characters I'm watching. (I have to leave the room when Mary Richards starts "singing" that torch song "Quarter To Three" for Lou on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show'.

At any rate, it'll be interesting to see how this all plays out.

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

THE 4-1-1 ON "THE 4400"

TOOBWORLD ALERT FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 2006:

For those of you who need a refresher course in the mythology of the USA Network's 'The 4400', parent network NBC will be offering up a special tonight at 9 pm EST that will bring you up to speed on the last two seasons of the series.

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

THE HAT SQUAD: MARY RITTS

Mary Ritts and her late husband Paul were the creative duo behind the Ritts Puppets, who escaped the confines of local daytime programming for kids to become well-known on the more adult talk show circuit.

In 1951, Paul Ritts was working as a TV director for WCAU, a new TV station in Philadelphia. While working on a sports program with host Bill Sears, they decided to create a chipmunk puppet which could toss out comments from a filing cabinet on camera. Ritts built the puppet and his wife Mary painted it, and that's how Albert the Chipmunk was born. Several months later, Albert was starring in his own show called 'In The Park', which was supposed to be set in the Central Park Zoo of NYC.

'In The Park' presented morality plays for the children at home, but the Ritts Puppets also delved in more adult material for their appearances with Dinah Shore, Merv Griffin, and Johnny Carson.

It sounds as though the Ritts Puppets at one time gave the Muppets a run for their money when it came to TV exposure.

Paul voiced the puppets Geoffrey the Giraffe, Albert Chipmunk, and Calvin Crow, while Mary was the voice of Magnolia the Ostrich.

Mary Ritts didn't have a background in show business; instead, she had been a fashion illustrator for Bonwit Teller. And yet it didn't take long for her to gain a national audience.

This was given quite a boost when the Ritts Puppets made an appearance in a Jerry Lewis movie, "The Errand Boy". And they owed it to the "friendship" between Jerry and Bobo the Clown, one of the puppet players - Jerry Lewis made frequent appearances on their show just to hang out with Bobo.

The Ritts Puppets also starred in 'Family', which was a live hour-long morning show with guests that aired on WNBC in the early 1960s. Later on in the 1970s, they hosted 'The Pink Panther Show' for NBC on Saturday mornings.

Besides being featured on children's series including 'Exploring', the Ritts Puppets also made regular appearances on 'The Ed Sullivan Show', the 'Tonight' show and other variety and talk shows.

I don't know if there is any truth to the rumors about Albert Chipmunk and Topo Gigio, but I get the feeling Sullivan wasn't the only one keesing Topo Gigio goo'night.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Mary Ritts was 95, and she leaves behind a son and several grandchildren.

BCnU.....
Tele-Toby

Friday, June 2, 2006

"LOST" IN THOUGHT: FULL CIRCLE

After watching the second season premiere of 'Lost' repeated the other night on ABC, I am more convinced than before that Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse have everything under control and planned out for the entire season. And that includes the deaths of Ana Lucia and Libby were dictated by the plot and not by the DUI arrests of the actresses last year.

Here's the transcript of one particular scene from "Man Of Science, Man Of Faith":

[shot of Jack off by himself at the caves, Kate enters.]
KATE: So, do you believe it?
JACK: Believe what?
KATE: That everything's going to be okay?
JACK: Yeah, I do.
KATE: Kind of unlike you -- the whole glass half-full thing.
JACK: There's a glass?
KATE: You did a good thing saying what you said -- taking care of everybody and just giving them something to count on. If you weren't here, Jack... [long pause] I'm going to the hatch. I understand why you can't go. They need you here. I get it. I do. But Locke's going into that thing whether you like it or not. And if he falls and breaks his neck? Live together, die alone, right?
JACK: Right.

"Live Together, Die Alone" was the title for the two-hour season finale of the show last week......

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

Um... is it time for the third season yet?

TV CROSSOVER HALL OF FAME - JUNE, 2006

As part of the year-long salute to 'Law & Order', this month we turn our attention to one of the recurring characters on the show, Dr. Elizabeth Olivet (as played by Carolyn McCormick). Having appeared in 61 episodes of the flagship of the franchise, Dr. Olivet would hardly be called just a recurring character in any other series. But then this is 'Law & Order' which has been a powerful warhorse since 1990. (And only now is it beginning to show signs of age and vulnerability.)

Dr. Olivet is a psychiatrist who has often worked for the City, testifying in cases against the defendant for ADAs Ben Stone and Jack McCoy. But increasingly, her own viewpoints and mission in life has put her at odds with McCoy, so that he's come more to rely on getting the assistance he wants from Dr. Emil Szoda. (We'll be meeting him here in the halls of the Crossover later this year.)

The character of Elizabeth Olivet has appeared in a handful of episodes of 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' and once on the short-lived 'Law & Order: Trial By Jury'. I didn't watch 'Conviction', Dick Wolf's latest attempt to expand the franchise, but from what I've been able to see of guest cast lists, she never made it to that show. And she has yet to make an appearance on 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent'.

But here's what makes her ultra-special and worthy of inclusion in the Hall of Fame: in the third season of Dick Wolf's contribution to the FOX network, 'New York Undercover', Dr. Olivet appeared in the episode "Smack Is Back". Thus, like Detective John Munch, she has crossed networks to appear in different TV shows.

If Dick Wolf was willing to loan her out, this could lead to her becoming not only the female version of the Munchkin as she already is, but she could even rival him some day for the number of shows in which he appears.

And it wouldn't have to be only court cases and police procedurals, such as 'CSI: NY' and 'Without A Trace'. Her skills in counseling could do wonders down at the firehouse in 'Rescue Me'. And I'm not just talking about Tommy Gavin in this case, even though - God knows! - he needs it. No, there's also Lou and Probie, and maybe even Jerry the Chief who could use somebody to listen.

Being more realistic, Dick Wolf should look into getting her on 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent'. Detective Goren could use a little help sometimes as well, and I'm not speaking of any case he might be investigating........

And Mike Logan would be another one, which seemed evident while he was "Exiled" to Staten Island. But after meeting with him and his partner, Detective Carolyn Barek, Dr. Olivet might not know which one needed the help......

She certainly could have been helpful on sister NBC show 'Third Watch' while it was on the air, especially with Doc and maybe Bosco. And an appearance by Dr. Olivet might have helped break the ice for a potential crossover between the two series; one which would have made more sense than the multiple crossovers with Balto-based 'Homicide: Life On The Street'. It's almost as if there was some kind of enmity between the two productions.

Ah well, what do I know? I'll at least try to make up for that omission with my Birthday Honors salute in a few days.....

So here's to Dr. Elizabeth Olivet, the latest member of the 'Law & Order' team to grace the TV Crossover Hall of Fame.

'Law & Order'
'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
'Law & Order: Trial By Jury'
'New York Undercover'

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

Thursday, June 1, 2006

NEW @ TOOBWORLD CENTRAL (6/1/06)

Stopped off at FYE to pick up a few little choice items and to check out what they had available for TV DVDs. Because next week, on my b'day, I get 20% off all purchases as a member of their Backstage Pass program.

So I didn't want to splurge this week with just a 10% discount!

But here's what I picked up:

"CULTOONS"
This is a collection of "rare, lost, and strange cartoons" from between 1931 and 1971. Most of them are from before 1952 and are usually early forms of commercials to fill the time between the two features at the local cinema.

But I'm especially looking forward to that 1971 short called "Monsters Do Have Their Place". It was made for theatres, urging the patrons to vote against cable TV.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

'TOPPER'
Yeah, the death of Robert Sterling, who played George Kerby on this show, spurred me to pick this up, but I would have done so eventually. 'Topper' was one of those old TV show classics that could fill the nooks and crannies in the programming schedules of local TV stations back in the sixties and always fit right in.

Plus, it was just six episodes, enough for a taste if any visitors to Toobworld Central cared to sample it. And at about five bucks, you can't beat the price.

'DINOSAURS' (The complete first and second season)
I loved this show! And it serves such an important role in the timeline for Toobworld to boot! And the search of Easter Dinosaur Eggs looks like there'll be plenty of fun to be had if I ever get tired of watching the episodes... and I don't see that ever happening!


So wait until next week for an even longer post about my birthday haul! There has to be some good to come out of that 6/6/6 date!
Like I said earlier....

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

THE HAT SQUAD: MISTER STERLING

We know lots of TV characters who have passed away during the course of a TV show; plenty more who are so identified with a particular actor that when the actor dies, we assume the character must be dead as well. For example, Archie Bunker. Can you picture anyone else playing that role but Carroll O'Connor? On the day O'Connor died, Archie passed away as well.

But Robert Sterling, who recently passed away at the age of 88, presented us with something completely different. Although he starred in three different series, and appeared in episodes of many more, there was one character of his in Toobworld whom we know the best. And he was never alive when we first met him!

George Kerby, along with his wife Marian (and their dog Neil), were ghosts when 'Topper' began in 1953. And as such, George Kerby will "live" forever in Toobworld, and Robert Sterling's place in TV history should last just as long.

Rest in peace, Mr. Sterling.....

TV SERIES
"Ichabod and Me" (1961) TV Series .... Bob Major (1961-62)
"Love That Jill" (1958) TV Series .... Jack Gibson (1958)
"Topper" .... George Kerby

TV MOVIES
Beggarman, Thief (1979) (TV) .... Colonel Day
Letters from Three Lovers (1973) (TV) .... Bob
A Global Affair (1964) .... Randy Sterling

TV GUEST APPEARANCES
Murder, She Wrote"
- If a Body Meet a Body (1986) TV Episode .... Ben Shipley
"Hotel"
- Tomorrows (1984) TV Episode .... Mr. Jenks
"Simon & Simon"
- The Last Time I Saw Michael (1982) TV Episode .... Michael Wells/Arthur Bristol
"Fantasy Island"
- The Beautiful Skeptic/The Lost Platoon (1982) TV Episode .... Walter Rawlin
"Love, American Style"
- Love and the Clinic/Love and the Perfect Wedding/Love and the President/Love and the Return of Raymond (1972) TV Episode .... (segment "Love and the President")
"The Bold Ones: The New Doctors"
- Dagger in the Mind (1971) TV Episode .... Marsh Freeman
"Nanny and the Professor"
- The Conversion of Brother Ben (1971) TV Episode .... Bentley Everett
"Naked City"
- Alive and Still a Second Lieutenant (1963) TV Episode .... Jason Colwell
"The Twilight Zone"
- Printer's Devil (1963) TV Episode .... Douglas
"The Alfred Hitchcock Hour"
- House Guest (1962) TV Episode .... Ray Roscoe
"The United States Steel Hour"
- The Yum Yum Girl (1960) TV Episode
"General Electric Theater"
- Adam's Apples (1960) TV Episode .... Robert Major
"Wagon Train"
- The Julia Gage Story (1957) TV Episode .... Tobe Cannon
"Cavalcade of America"
- The Widow Was Willing (1957) TV Episode
"The Ford Television Theatre"
- The Man Across the Hall (1957) TV Episode .... Hank Holloway
- The Clay Pigeon (1956) TV Episode .... Frank Darin
"Front Row Center" (1955) TV Series .... Host (1956)
"The 20th Century-Fox Hour"
- The Moneymaker (1956) TV Episode .... Steve Buchanan
"Lux Video Theatre"
- Here Comes the Groom (1956) TV Episode
- Hands Across the Table (1956) TV Episode
- Autumn Nocturne (1953) TV Episode
- Stolen Years (1951) TV Episode
- Inside Story (1951) TV Episode
"Letter to Loretta"
- Tightwad Millionaire (1956) TV Episode .... Markle
"Climax!"
- Thin Air (1955) TV Episode .... Husband
"Studio One"
- Passage of Arms (1955) TV Episode
- The Ambassadors (1951) TV Episode
- There Was a Crooked Man (1950) TV Episode
- The Man Who Had Influence (1950) TV Episode
- The Ambassadors (1950) TV Episode
"Robert Montgomery Presents"
- Keep Your Head Up, Mr. Putnam (1953) TV Episode
- The Davidian Report (1952) TV Episode
- Candles for Theresa (1952) TV Episode
- The Lonely (1952) TV Episode
"The Gulf Playhouse"
- Scream of the Crowd (1952) TV Episode
"Suspense"
- The Man Who Had Seven Hours (1952) TV Episode
- The Door's on the Thirteenth Floor (1949) TV Episode
"Lights Out"
- The Borgia Lamp (1952) TV Episode
- The Faceless Man (1951) TV Episode
"Celanese Theatre"
- Brief Moment (1952) TV Episode
"Faith Baldwin Romance Theatre"
- Careless Love (1951) TV Episode
"The Clock"
- The Hidden Thing (1951) TV Episode
"The Ford Theatre Hour"
- Final Copy (1951) TV Episode


TELE-THEATRE
Max Liebman Presents: Dearest Enemy (1955) (TV) .... Captain John Copeland

TV RELATED MOVIES
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961) .... Capt. Lee Crane
Return to Peyton Place (1961) .... Mike Rossi, Peyton Place High School Principal

BCnU....
Tele-Toby

VALDEZ IS COMING (AND GOING)

Juan Valdez is retiring. Long live Juan Valdez!

The ambassador to the world for Colombian coffee, Carlos Sanchez, is hanging up his trademark poncho after four decades of playing the role of "Juan Valdez."

Now the national federation of Colombian coffee producers, owners of the Juan Valdez trademark, is searching for a man to inherit that poncho.

Sanchez and his trusty mule Conchita have promoted Colombian coffee since 1969 with a leather bag, bushy mustache and straw hat typical of rural Colombia. That Juan Valdez trademark has become one of the world's most recognizable, and the fictional figure has become one of the most famous Colombians of all time.

For a country so closely allied in the global mind with drug traffickers and terrorists, Colombians have been grateful to Valdez for presenting another side to their country.

"I feel like a flag, I feel like I've represented the country," said Sanchez in a press conference, at times struggling to hold back tears as he talked of his joy at playing the role of a generation. "There is a big sense of gratitude from Colombians abroad for this."

Sanchez, 71, said his advancing years made it hard to keep up a strenuous schedule traveling all over Colombia and the world promoting coffee.

In searching for a replacement, the federation sent teams across the streets, farms and - of course - cafes in the coffee region in the west of the country. With the help of U.S. consultants, they narrowed down 400 contenders to 10. It will announce the new Juan Valdez, the third incarnation, by the end of June.

"Of course he must have a mustache," joked Gabriel Silva, the general manager of the federation. Sanchez nodded in approval and stroked his own impressive mustache.

"This is not a beauty contest," said Silva.This was quickly confirmed when images of the casting call showed dozens of mustached men, some with notable paunches, doing their impressions of Juan Valdez.

Asked what he wants to do now he's retired, Sanchez said "paint like a madman."

[edited from the AP story]

The story mentions that Carlos Sanchez was the second man to portray Juan Valdez; Jose Duval was the first. But I'm sure the general public watching the ads never noticed the difference when the role was recast.

Upon closer examination of the two versions, I'm sure people would be able to tell one from the other. As I'm sure they will be able to tell the difference between Mr. Sanchez and his successor if pressed to examine them both.

Now it could be argued that Juan Valdez is an Immortal, as found in the TV shows 'Highlander' and 'Highlander: The Raven', and therefore the same man throughout the run of these commercials. But I think we should cite Occam's Razor and go for the easier splainin: in this particular branch of the Valdez family, it is tradition that the oldest son is named Juan. And we will be seeing "Juan Valdez: The Next Generation" in these new blipverts.

Of course, this doesn't explain his seemingly magical ability to teleport himself (and his mule Conchita) into supermarkets all over the United States and then back to Colombia to trod the hills of its coffee country. But that's some kind of genetic talent that is also passed down from generation to generation along with the name.......

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

"THAT OLD THING CALLED TV"

While much of the network’s upfront pitch was dedicated to developments in the broadband space, [Bravo President Lauren] Zalaznick said that linear television is still Bravo’s bread and butter.

“We’re proud of that old thing called TV,” Zalaznick said.

Now that was a quote that sent chills up my spine. I understand that with the technology on such a fast pace, the concept of TV that I grew up with is only in the basics of the medium.

I've dabbled in Crossovers of the Week in which the partner in the crossover is online content, as in the connection between 'CSI: Miami' and a scene which was only available on cbs.com.

In fact, so far as I can tell, the first half of next week's Crossover of the Week is also available only online.

The day has come when I have to accept online TV as part and parcel of Toobworld.

I just don't want to lose the "Idiot's Lantern", the "Glass Furnace", that I've come to love since I used to march around on my knees to the theme song of 'The Mickey Mouse Club'.

That was just last week actually. What can I say? I had been out with the guys; there were these monster margaritas.......

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

SUMMERTIME AND THE VIEWING IS EASY

Here's a little news blurb about summer viewing options in Toobworld:

"IFC, aka Independent Film Channel, has added two new half-hour programs to its summer line-up. The first, called 'The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman', is about two best friends who are struggling to make it in Hollywood. One is a screenwriter and the other is an aspiring producer. Laura Kightlinger, head writer of 'Will & Grace', created and stars. The second series, called 'The Business', follows the bumbling cast of a previous series called 'The Festival' as they try to make a movie."

As soon as 'The Business' premieres, it's automatically up for Crossover of the Week as a sequel.

Reading that story gave me the idea to seek out when the rest of my favorite summer shows are coming back, as well as those other dramatic and comedic presentations which will be making their debuts over the next few months and which will be expanding the boundaries of the TV Universe.

And by that I mean, if you want to know about various summertime reality programming and game shows, look elsewhere!

Basically, the summertime lineup has already kicked off with the return of 'Rescue Me' this past Tuesday night. The third season will be airing on FX at 10 pm for the next twelve Tuesdays.

Those episodes left for the once promising 'Commander In Chief' will be burned off on Wednesday nights at 10 pm. It returned last night to the ABC schedule now that May Sweeps are over.

As for the rest, my thanks go out to Zap2It.com for the dates and times for the following shows. Those that I was not familiar with, I figured you might not know about either; so I grabbed a few press release quotes to provide some descriptions.

Friday, June 2
8:30 p.m.
'Beyond the Break' (The N)

"'Beyond the Break' embodies every teen's dream -- to live on the beach, get paid and surf in Hawaii, America's paradise," said Kenny Miller, Vice President, Programming and Production, The N. "The series showcases the highs and lows of leaving home and confronting the reality that pursuing your dreams is much harder than you ever imagined."

Blah blah blah.

Sunday, June 4
8 p.m.
'Falcon Beach' (ABC Family)

"Filmed in the cottage community of Lake Winnipeg, Falcon Beach is about a group of young people summering in the fictional lakeside resort town of Falcon Beach. (I suppose it's still located in Canada.)
It's about summer. It's about freedom. It's about young adults trying to define themselves for the life ahead. But it's also about two worlds colliding - that of the summer cottagers and that of the townies who live and work in Falcon Beach year round. "

10 p.m.
'Footballers Wive$' (BBC America)

12:30 a.m.
'Tom Goes to the Mayor' (Cartoon Network)

I'm not a fan of this series at all, but I don't want to deny the Tooniverse its proper recognition among the TV dimensions.

Monday, June 5
11 p.m.
'Lovespring International' (Lifetime)

The new half-hour improvisational comedy series is about a dating service marketed to customers as an "elite Beverly Hills" company, despite its location in Tarzana, California. Made up of dysfunctional misfits or "relationship counselors," they desperately try to find love for their clients although they have no idea how to do it for themselves.

Wednesday June 7
10:30 pm
'Dog Bites Man' (Comedy Central)

In the same vein as 'Reno 911' rather than 'The Daily Show', this sitcom will look at the world of local news.

Please, God.... Let them work for WJM, Channel 12 in Minneapolis!

Thursdays June 8
10 pm
'Windfall' (NBC)
'Hex' (BBC-America)

'Windfall' is about a group who win the Lottery and one of its stars is Luke Perry. I'm not sure, but I'm getting a kind of 'Lost' vibe about the group dynamic. But my attention will be on 'Hex', about a modern day witch in England, with hopes that it might make some in-joke reference to either 'Charmed' or 'Buffy' or even 'Bewitched' that would work more as a crossover than a Zonk!.

Sunday, June 11
9 p.m.
'Deadwood' (HBO)
'The 4400' (USA)

10 p.m.
'Entourage' (HBO)

10:30 p.m.
'Lucky Louie' (HBO)

LaughMachine.com points out that Louis CK's sitcom for HBO "deviates from a traditional sitcom in several aspects, but also pays tribute to the earlier sitcoms like 'Good Times' and 'All in the Family'."

From the Boston Globe:
While All in the Family brought racism out into the open, the interactions between C.K.’s character and his black neighbor capture the more subtle realties of race relations today. In the pilot, Louie makes a series of clumsy, halfhearted attempts to invite the neighbors over. Finally, the neighbor tells Louie, “I get the distinct feeling that you’re just trying to acquire a black friend.” Louie replies: “That’s exactly what I’m doing. But I’m not doing it for me, I’m doing it for my daughter.”

Monday, June 12
9 p.m.
'The Closer' (TNT)

10 p.m.
'Saved' (TNT)

A new show about the travails of an EMT paramedic. Tom Everett Scott is the star.

Sunday, June 18
10 p.m.
'The Dead Zone' (USA)

Sunday, June 25
10:30 p.m.

'The Venture Bros.' (Cartoon)

Monday, June 26
8 p.m.
'Kyle XY' (ABC Family)

Kyle XY follows a mysterious boy who looks like a teenager, but otherwise appears to be a newborn. The Trager family takes him in as one of their own.

The series centers on Kyle (newcomer Matt Dallas), a mysterious teen-age boy, whose actions suggest that he is a newborn. Brought home from an institution by psychologist Nicole Trager (Marguerite McIntyre), Kyle’s presence initially engenders wariness with her family until he’s later accepted and begins to experience everyday things like computers, music and high-school parties.

(ABC Family also ordered eight more episodes of 'Beautiful People', a one-hour drama about a mother and two daughters who relocate from a small New Mexico town to Manhattan’s upper crust. I'm not sure when that will air.)

Wednesday, June 28
10 p.m.
'Blade: The Series' (Spike TV)

(As Blade is being played by Sticky Fingaz rather than Wesley Snipes, then its only connection to the movie universe is the basic storyline.)

Thursday, June 29
10 p.m.
'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' (FX)

This was my favorite series of last summer, the one sitcom that has truly learned from the master, 'Seinfeld', to be its heir apparent. And now Danny DeVito is joining the gang as the father of Dennis and Dee. The restaurant scene they've been showing in the promos is spit-up funny.

Friday, June 30
9 p.m.
'Whistler' (The N)

From Yahoo.com:
"Things begin to go awry in Whistler, the seemingly perfect world-class mountain resort and home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The series kicks off as the 2006 Olympic Snowboarding Gold Medalist, Beck McKaye (David Paetkau), is discovered dead on the slopes which sends shockwaves throughout the sleepy community. Beck's mysterious accident forever changes the lives of his friends and family -- especially his younger brother, 17-year-old Quinn. Quinn (Jesse Moss) digs deeper into the hidden life of his beloved brother and uncovers a side of Whistler, and its inhabitants, that he's never known." Saturday, July 1

10 p.m.
'Hustle' (AMC)

This looks to be the last season of the show; I think it only ran for three over in the UK. And I know Adrian Lester was hoping his pilot was going to be picked up over here.

(But now that he's free, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, he'd be an excellent additioin to the cast of 'Lost' as a representative of Widmore Labs......)

Friday, July 7
9 p.m.
'Monk' (USA)

10 p.m.
'PSYCH' (USA)

This is one of the three shows I'm most... psyched for. ('Hex' was the first one mentioned.) It co-stars Dule Hill and it's about a guy whose keen powers of observation are mistaken for psychic powers... a mistake he trades on to make money.

Sunday, July 9
10 p.m.
'Brotherhood' (Showtime)

"BROTHERHOOD tells the story of two brothers who sometimes share a twisted sense of moral compromise - both with their own skewed, idealistic visions of what makes the American dream. They live the lie that noble ends can sometimes only be accomplished through dubious means.

Tommy Caffee (JASON CLARKE) is a family man whose ambition and street smarts help him navigate the back-room dealings and underhanded tactics of Providence politics. He is a local politician out to protect "The Hill" and its interests by any means necessary. Tommy's complicated family and professional lives turn upside-down with the return of his gangster brother Mike (JASON ISAACS), who has come back to the neighborhood to regain control of its underworld activities."

10:30 p.m.
'Reno 911' (Comedy Central)

I think this season leads up to the theatrical movie release.

Friday, July 14
9 p.m.
'Stargate SG-1' (Sci Fi)

10 p.m.
'Stargate Atlantis' (Sci Fi)

Sunday, July 16
9 p.m.
'Angela's Eyes' (Lifetime)

From the producers of the Oscar-winning movie "Crash", comes the hour-long drama centering on Angela Henson, a young FBI agent who has the exceptional gift of knowing when someone is lying. (She discovered this skill at age 14, when she learned her "average" American parents were actually spies. )

Attempting to right her parents' wrong, Angela is now working with the same agency that brought her parents down. And while her unique ability is advantageous in her career, it hinders her personal life, preventing her to get close to the men she dates. (Which makes it perfect for Lifetime......)

Tuesday, July 18
9 p.m.
'Eureka' (Sci Fi)

And this completes the trifecta of my most-anticipated summer shows. Eureka is a small town in the Northwest populated by scientists working on top secret skiffy projects for the government. It should have a kind of 'Twin Peaks' vibe going for it.

Sunday, July 23
10 p.m.
'Three Moons Over Milford' (ABC Family)

From About.com:
"When a small town is facing a cosmic explosion threatening Earth’s existence, strange events are bound to begin happening. In the town of Milford, people are quitting their jobs, throwing caution to the wind and living as if it's their last day on earth. The series will focus on the Davis family. The father has left to travel the world, the teenage daughter, Lydia has begun studying Wicca and her brother Alex is on the verge of having an affair with his much-older neighbor. How extreme will this town go? That remains to be seen, but it certainly sounds intriguing."

It does indeed! This is the first I'm hearing about this show and I will definitely have to check it out for at least two episodes (the first and the last, the alpha and the omega). I might have to lump it over in a side dimension, maybe even the one in which those three NBC "Richter Scale" tele-flicks take place.

Monday, August 14
10 p.m.
'Weeds' (Showtime)


Well, I hope you find something of interest in that list to keep you plopped on the sofa for the rest of the summer.

Outdoor activities on a summer's eve are so over-rated......

BCnU!
Tele-Toby