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
Saturday, June 3, 2006
"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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
“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
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