With so much focus on the commercials that aired during Sunday's Super Bowl, I thought I might focus on commercials in Toobworld for the coming week.
And why not start with a barn-burner?
Daddy is reading "Little Red Riding Hood" to his daughter. Providing the commentary and atmosphere for the tale are such PBS stalwarts as Jim Lehrer and Charlie Rose, and luminaries like Josh Bell and Bernadette Peters. Even kids' fave Arthur gets involved.
Susan Savage provides the PBS mantra: "There's more than one side to a story and you deserve to hear them all."
It's a great commercial for its crossover potential. It's also heart-warming, inspiring, and patently false.
If PBS truly believed that we as its audience deserves to hear all sides of a story, they would have stood up to that Puritanical witch who's in charge of the Department of Education. She complained about an episode of 'Postcards From Buster' in which Buster Bunny visited a family on a Vermont farm, where he learned all about collecting sap from maple trees and how to transform it into syrup.
What problem did Witchie-Poopoo have with the episode?
The family Buster visited had two mommies. No daddy.
Education Secretary Margaret Spellings denounced an episode of children's TV series "Postcards from Buster" in which its rabbit star Buster Baxter is shown visiting a lesbian couple and their children.
"Many parents would not want their young children exposed to the lifestyles portrayed in this episode," Spellings wrote to the president of PBS, shortly after her appointment. The secretary was previously an adviser to the White House.
Never mind that the kids in that family, and families like theirs all across the country, must feel as if had no worth in the eyes of their own government.
And then, like an ayatollah who would charge the families of those executed for the bullets, the Wicked Witch of the West Wing demanded that PBS pay back the money used to underwrite this episode.
The PBS logo shows a humanized letter "P".... It should be shown bending over and ready to take one for the President up the backside. PBS had no problem becoming Bush's bitch - even before the witch complained, Public TV pulled the episode. (But they did offer it to any station that requested it.)
This was just the opening salvo, tele-folks; just to see if they could get away with it. Ultimately I'm sure they'll put more pressure on PBS to censor other programs not to the likings of the far right hard-line whack jobs intent on forcing their narrow-minded fundamentalist views on everybody.
What I'm hoping for is that the people involved in this commercial will speak out against this campaign by the Bushies. Let's hear Jim Lehrer and Charlie Rose speak up for the diversity of America before some functionary in the Bush Junta comes after them.
Or have they already spoken out, but the press didn't cover it because it wasn't as "newsworthy" as the original story? Is it already too late? Will Norm Abram be rebuilding prisons for the PBS revolutionaries?
Am I too much of an alarmist over a cartoon bunny show?
It's only the beginning, pal. Stay tuned; it ain't th-th-th-that's all, folks!.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
PS - If they're so concerned over the decline of "moral values" when it comes to Buster Bunny, then how come they never demanded that Donald Duck should put on pants???
Tuesday, February 8, 2005
Monday, February 7, 2005
CROSSOVER ALERT!
I got this from Zap2It's TV Gal, so you know it's the goods:
"There's always a crossover episode during sweeps. This time it is between 'Third Watch' and 'Medical Investigations' on Friday, Feb. 18."
This brings 'Medical Investigations' into the blend with 'ER' as they did a crossover with 'Third Watch' a few years back.
There are plenty of other connections to be made, due to in-jokes and appearances by people as themselves, but this is really the only major, official, one.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
"There's always a crossover episode during sweeps. This time it is between 'Third Watch' and 'Medical Investigations' on Friday, Feb. 18."
This brings 'Medical Investigations' into the blend with 'ER' as they did a crossover with 'Third Watch' a few years back.
There are plenty of other connections to be made, due to in-jokes and appearances by people as themselves, but this is really the only major, official, one.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
"JUSTICE": BLIND AND DUMB
When James Franciscus appeared as 'Longstreet' thirty years ago, I had no problem in accepting him as a blind investigator for an insurance company. I could buy into the idea that he was able to defend himself, thanks to the martial arts training he was receiving from Bruce Lee's character. It seems to me (and I'm the most sedentary guy you can imagine, so I'm not about to test this theory out myself!) that all he needed was contact with an opponent to fully visualize his location, his balance, and thus gain the upper hand in vanquishing him.
It's now about thirty years later, and we're about to get a new blind investigator in 'Blind Justice', which will be taking over the 'NYPD Blue' time slot. Ron Eldard will be playing Detective Jim Dunbar who was blinded in the line of duty but still comes back to work as a police investigator.
So far, I can buy the concept. Even if every cop I know in New York would definitely take the pension and the disability and get out. (Trust me - I polled all of the ones I know.)
The great thing about the TV Universe is that there is that willing suspension of disbelief on the part of the audience. We can buy the concept of FBI agents investigating the paranormal and finding aliens under our beds; witches married to mortals in suburban Connecticut; talking horses, talking cars, talking toasters.
The only problem is that most times, the premise is not supported by the follow-up of good writing.
It's going to take a couple of Pulitzer Prize winning novelists and Shakespeare reincarnated to pull off one of the concepts in 'Blind Justice' - that not only is Detective Dunbar back on the force despite being blind, but that he's allowed to carry a gun.
And he actually USES the gun in the line of duty!
And according to Eldard, the actual street cops - who know authenticity in this milieu - had a universal reaction to the notion of him having a gun: "F____ing ridiculous!"
But Eldard, being the good foot soldier that he is as the face for the production, sticks up for the idea that his character might be carrying a gun. "Bottom line, I could never be out there with a gun. There's no way a blind guy could draw the gun. But you know there's so many great pieces of art that are... completely unrealistic."
First off, the jury hasn't weighed in yet with an opinion on this being a work of art. But even so, it doesn't matter how unrealistic a show gets, so long as it remains grounded in a basic believability. And this idea pops that balloon.
The show premieres March 8th, and there are probably a handful of episodes already produced and ready to go. But it's still not too late to scuttle the idea of Dunbar carrying a gun and thus salvage the believability of the show.
Even though he's no longer a detective, Adrian 'Monk' still solves crimes for the San Francisco Police Department. And he gets along pretty well in handling those cases without one. Of course, considering his OCD, "pretty well" is a relative term. But the show in general has no problem in having a main character exist without the need to hold a firearm.
Maybe it's some kind of sub-conscious penis substitute that either Dunbar or Eldard needs to keep in hand.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
It's now about thirty years later, and we're about to get a new blind investigator in 'Blind Justice', which will be taking over the 'NYPD Blue' time slot. Ron Eldard will be playing Detective Jim Dunbar who was blinded in the line of duty but still comes back to work as a police investigator.
So far, I can buy the concept. Even if every cop I know in New York would definitely take the pension and the disability and get out. (Trust me - I polled all of the ones I know.)
The great thing about the TV Universe is that there is that willing suspension of disbelief on the part of the audience. We can buy the concept of FBI agents investigating the paranormal and finding aliens under our beds; witches married to mortals in suburban Connecticut; talking horses, talking cars, talking toasters.
The only problem is that most times, the premise is not supported by the follow-up of good writing.
It's going to take a couple of Pulitzer Prize winning novelists and Shakespeare reincarnated to pull off one of the concepts in 'Blind Justice' - that not only is Detective Dunbar back on the force despite being blind, but that he's allowed to carry a gun.
And he actually USES the gun in the line of duty!
And according to Eldard, the actual street cops - who know authenticity in this milieu - had a universal reaction to the notion of him having a gun: "F____ing ridiculous!"
But Eldard, being the good foot soldier that he is as the face for the production, sticks up for the idea that his character might be carrying a gun. "Bottom line, I could never be out there with a gun. There's no way a blind guy could draw the gun. But you know there's so many great pieces of art that are... completely unrealistic."
First off, the jury hasn't weighed in yet with an opinion on this being a work of art. But even so, it doesn't matter how unrealistic a show gets, so long as it remains grounded in a basic believability. And this idea pops that balloon.
The show premieres March 8th, and there are probably a handful of episodes already produced and ready to go. But it's still not too late to scuttle the idea of Dunbar carrying a gun and thus salvage the believability of the show.
Even though he's no longer a detective, Adrian 'Monk' still solves crimes for the San Francisco Police Department. And he gets along pretty well in handling those cases without one. Of course, considering his OCD, "pretty well" is a relative term. But the show in general has no problem in having a main character exist without the need to hold a firearm.
Maybe it's some kind of sub-conscious penis substitute that either Dunbar or Eldard needs to keep in hand.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
AN APPRENTICE'S NEED FOR SPEED
All of these so-called "reality" shows last a lot longer than fifteen minutes, and yet the people who appear on them refuse to leave the spotlight when their fame should have already flamed out.
One of the latest examples is that of John Willenborg, who was a contestant on the second edition of 'The Apprentice'. And although the man with the alien hair follicles atop his head sent him scurrying from the boardroom, Willenborg has found new on-air life as a field reporter for 'NASCAR Nation' on the Speed Channel.
Better to stick with a non-fictional setting, at least; he can't harm too many tele-folks there. Let these "reality" personalities infeSt their own corner of the TV Universe; I'm not keen on seeing them showing up as fictional versions of themselves in the many sitcoms and dramas around the dial.
But as Dennis Miller used to say, that's my opinion. I may be wrong.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
One of the latest examples is that of John Willenborg, who was a contestant on the second edition of 'The Apprentice'. And although the man with the alien hair follicles atop his head sent him scurrying from the boardroom, Willenborg has found new on-air life as a field reporter for 'NASCAR Nation' on the Speed Channel.
Better to stick with a non-fictional setting, at least; he can't harm too many tele-folks there. Let these "reality" personalities infeSt their own corner of the TV Universe; I'm not keen on seeing them showing up as fictional versions of themselves in the many sitcoms and dramas around the dial.
But as Dennis Miller used to say, that's my opinion. I may be wrong.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Sunday, February 6, 2005
SUPER BOWL CLASSIC
Probably the most famous Super Bowl commercial of all would be that Coca-Cola spot from 1979. It showed a hobbled Mean Joe Greene of the Pittsburgh Steelers rebuffing the adoration of a kid in the tunnels leading back to the locker rooms. The kid offers Mean Joe his Coke and in appreciation, the linebacker gives the kid his grimy, dirty, sweaty jersey.
"Thanks, Mean Joe!"
It made such an impact by tugging on the heart-strings of America that three years later a TV movie was filmed to expand the storyline. This 1982 made-for-TV movie 'The Steeler and the Pittsburgh Kid' was the first feature film based on a commercial.
The commercial starred Tommy Okun with Mean Joe Greene, but it was Henry Thomas - soon to become more famous for "E.T." and also seen in "Legends Of The Fall" and "The Gangs Of New York", - who portrayed the Pittsburgh Kid in the tele-flick.
Therefore, by the powers vested in me by... well, me, I declare that the Coca-Cola commercial took place in Earth Prime-Time. But 'The Steeler And The Pittsburgh Kid' must be relegated to Earth Prime-Time Delayed due to the recasting.
Will any commercial from this year's game have that kind of impact to inspire a movie? We'll just have to wait and view.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
"Thanks, Mean Joe!"
It made such an impact by tugging on the heart-strings of America that three years later a TV movie was filmed to expand the storyline. This 1982 made-for-TV movie 'The Steeler and the Pittsburgh Kid' was the first feature film based on a commercial.
The commercial starred Tommy Okun with Mean Joe Greene, but it was Henry Thomas - soon to become more famous for "E.T." and also seen in "Legends Of The Fall" and "The Gangs Of New York", - who portrayed the Pittsburgh Kid in the tele-flick.
Therefore, by the powers vested in me by... well, me, I declare that the Coca-Cola commercial took place in Earth Prime-Time. But 'The Steeler And The Pittsburgh Kid' must be relegated to Earth Prime-Time Delayed due to the recasting.
Will any commercial from this year's game have that kind of impact to inspire a movie? We'll just have to wait and view.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Saturday, February 5, 2005
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
I'm not the only one out there who wants to know all the trivia to be discovered about various shows; there are even books out there filled with thousands of nearly-useless (to anybody else!) bits o' knowledge.
(Want a good one? "Television Characters And Story Facts by Vincent Terrace. It's published by MacFarland.)
One such item that has always sent trivia hunters scrambling has been the locations for those shows that never make it clear exactly where they're set.
Oh, they may give you the name of the town, but you never get a fix on exactly what state they may be in. Sometimes you don't even get the town, just the street!
Three such shows from the past were 'Hill Street Blues' and 'Green Acres'/'Petticoat Junction'.
'Blues' was an inner city precinct gritty enough to be found in the Chicago or New York of the early eighties. But in at least one episode, palm trees could be seen in the background during a car chase.
The location for both 'Green Acres' and 'Petticoat Junction' was Hooterville, but what state could lay claim to the town that Time - and Logic - forgot?
In his book "The Hooterville Handbook", Stephen Cox ran through all the pertinent pieces of information that had been parceled out over the episodes. He was able to find correlations in some states, but then other bits of info would contradict those.
The same question (among many!) is raised with 'The Prisoner'. Where exactly was "The Village"?
Several times Number Six was able to escape from The Village by sea, and once when he flew back over the area based on his own coordinates, it was definitely an island.
And yet, in the mind-blowing finale, he was simply able to load up the truck and move away from there and back to London - as if it really was situated in the Portmeirion, Wales, resort in which it was filmed.
And then there's the eternal question of where is the Springfield of 'The Simpsons'? Particulars of that town seem to fluctuate with the needs of an episode, but at the very least it can be said that they are on a coastline for the ocean.
Which ocean? Who knows?
And now this season has brought us two new intriguing questions, both from ABC. Where is the island of 'Lost'? And where is Wisteria Lane in 'Desperate Housewives'?
Someday we may get an answer from Mssrs. Abrams and Lindelof as to the location of the home for the "Lostaways". (The flight left Australia for L.A. and was turning back to Fiji when it broke up in mid-air. They were 1000 miles off-course. The research vessel that shipwrecked there 16 years earlier was three days out of Tahiti.)
But as for Wisteria Lane, we more than likely will never get an answer from the creator of 'Desperate Housewives'.But that's not stopping some intrepid reporters from trying to find out......
By John Cook
Chicago Tribune staff reporter
The cool oceanic breeze stirring the night air feels like Southern California to me. But the stately houses that line the slightly winding street -- a grab bag of styles from ranch to colonial to Gothic manor, all decked out in comfy pastels -- would look at home anywhere, from Savannah to Seattle.
There's really only one man who knows where we are, and he's not telling.
"Let me assure you that Wisteria Lane is in a state that will never be revealed," says Marc Cherry, flashing a mischievous feline grin.
"There's a state in my head," Cherry says, "but I will never ever reveal it."
Still, we have some clues. Take the Wisteria: They don't call it Wisteria Lane for nothing. The kudzulike flowering vine, which inspired Cherry because of its omnipresence in the South, from which his family hails, festoons many of the houses. (Well, plastic facsimiles do.)
And Wisteria doesn't grow just anywhere.
"It wouldn't grow in New England, where the soil freezes too long," says Kristine Johnson, a forester at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and wisteria connoisseur. "Once you get west of Missouri, you wouldn't see it in the Plains. You could probably grow it in Chicago, if you pamper it. If I had to put your town somewhere, I'd put it in upper South Carolina or Piedmont North Carolina."
That rules out Massachusetts, which is where Marcia Cross, who plays Bree, says she thinks the show is set (she grew up there). Eva Longoria, who plays Gabrielle and hails from Texas, says it's the Lone Star State. Neither knows for sure.
Wisteria does indeed grow in Chicago, which might explain the actual Wisteria Lane in Schaumburg and the Wisteria Court in Naperville.
It could also explain the brief appearance, in Episode 10, of what appears to have been a copy of this very newspaper.
As we noted at the time, Nicollette Sheridan's Edie swiped a newspaper from Mrs. Huber's porch that bore a striking resemblance to the Chicago Tribune, including the blue banner with the words "-ago Tribune" visible.
So what'll it be: Naperville or Schaumburg?
"If a Tribune was used," Cherry says, "it was a prop guy having fun. Some Teamster wanted to get his hometown paper in the show."
I'm going with Schaumburg, on the strength of an old police blotter report detailing a woman stabbing another woman at a Wisteria Lane address there in 1997.
Sounds like something that would happen on the show.
~~~~~~~
As for me? I like to think 'Desperate Housewives' takes place just around the corner from that classic episode of 'The Twilight Zone', "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street".
As she was growing up, Mrs. Huber definitely would have been defined by the suspicions of those times......
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
(Want a good one? "Television Characters And Story Facts by Vincent Terrace. It's published by MacFarland.)
One such item that has always sent trivia hunters scrambling has been the locations for those shows that never make it clear exactly where they're set.
Oh, they may give you the name of the town, but you never get a fix on exactly what state they may be in. Sometimes you don't even get the town, just the street!
Three such shows from the past were 'Hill Street Blues' and 'Green Acres'/'Petticoat Junction'.
'Blues' was an inner city precinct gritty enough to be found in the Chicago or New York of the early eighties. But in at least one episode, palm trees could be seen in the background during a car chase.
The location for both 'Green Acres' and 'Petticoat Junction' was Hooterville, but what state could lay claim to the town that Time - and Logic - forgot?
In his book "The Hooterville Handbook", Stephen Cox ran through all the pertinent pieces of information that had been parceled out over the episodes. He was able to find correlations in some states, but then other bits of info would contradict those.
The same question (among many!) is raised with 'The Prisoner'. Where exactly was "The Village"?
Several times Number Six was able to escape from The Village by sea, and once when he flew back over the area based on his own coordinates, it was definitely an island.
And yet, in the mind-blowing finale, he was simply able to load up the truck and move away from there and back to London - as if it really was situated in the Portmeirion, Wales, resort in which it was filmed.
And then there's the eternal question of where is the Springfield of 'The Simpsons'? Particulars of that town seem to fluctuate with the needs of an episode, but at the very least it can be said that they are on a coastline for the ocean.
Which ocean? Who knows?
And now this season has brought us two new intriguing questions, both from ABC. Where is the island of 'Lost'? And where is Wisteria Lane in 'Desperate Housewives'?
Someday we may get an answer from Mssrs. Abrams and Lindelof as to the location of the home for the "Lostaways". (The flight left Australia for L.A. and was turning back to Fiji when it broke up in mid-air. They were 1000 miles off-course. The research vessel that shipwrecked there 16 years earlier was three days out of Tahiti.)
But as for Wisteria Lane, we more than likely will never get an answer from the creator of 'Desperate Housewives'.But that's not stopping some intrepid reporters from trying to find out......
By John Cook
Chicago Tribune staff reporter
The cool oceanic breeze stirring the night air feels like Southern California to me. But the stately houses that line the slightly winding street -- a grab bag of styles from ranch to colonial to Gothic manor, all decked out in comfy pastels -- would look at home anywhere, from Savannah to Seattle.
There's really only one man who knows where we are, and he's not telling.
"Let me assure you that Wisteria Lane is in a state that will never be revealed," says Marc Cherry, flashing a mischievous feline grin.
"There's a state in my head," Cherry says, "but I will never ever reveal it."
Still, we have some clues. Take the Wisteria: They don't call it Wisteria Lane for nothing. The kudzulike flowering vine, which inspired Cherry because of its omnipresence in the South, from which his family hails, festoons many of the houses. (Well, plastic facsimiles do.)
And Wisteria doesn't grow just anywhere.
"It wouldn't grow in New England, where the soil freezes too long," says Kristine Johnson, a forester at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and wisteria connoisseur. "Once you get west of Missouri, you wouldn't see it in the Plains. You could probably grow it in Chicago, if you pamper it. If I had to put your town somewhere, I'd put it in upper South Carolina or Piedmont North Carolina."
That rules out Massachusetts, which is where Marcia Cross, who plays Bree, says she thinks the show is set (she grew up there). Eva Longoria, who plays Gabrielle and hails from Texas, says it's the Lone Star State. Neither knows for sure.
Wisteria does indeed grow in Chicago, which might explain the actual Wisteria Lane in Schaumburg and the Wisteria Court in Naperville.
It could also explain the brief appearance, in Episode 10, of what appears to have been a copy of this very newspaper.
As we noted at the time, Nicollette Sheridan's Edie swiped a newspaper from Mrs. Huber's porch that bore a striking resemblance to the Chicago Tribune, including the blue banner with the words "-ago Tribune" visible.
So what'll it be: Naperville or Schaumburg?
"If a Tribune was used," Cherry says, "it was a prop guy having fun. Some Teamster wanted to get his hometown paper in the show."
I'm going with Schaumburg, on the strength of an old police blotter report detailing a woman stabbing another woman at a Wisteria Lane address there in 1997.
Sounds like something that would happen on the show.
~~~~~~~
As for me? I like to think 'Desperate Housewives' takes place just around the corner from that classic episode of 'The Twilight Zone', "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street".
As she was growing up, Mrs. Huber definitely would have been defined by the suspicions of those times......
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
A MISSED ENTERPRISE
During this week's episode of 'Enterprise', Shran (of the Andorian Imperial Guard) was inspecting the framed illustrations of all the Earth ships which have proudly born the name of Enterprise.
Shran worked his way down from the "current" name-bearer, the starship on which he was a guest, to the space shuttle, to the aircraft carrier, and finally to the three-master.
Captain Archer better contact the Future's equivalent of the Franklin Mint and tell them that he's missing one. Between the sailing ship and the aircraft carrier, there should have been a riverboat by the name of Enterprise.
The Enterprise sailed up and down the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers, where it was the focal point of many an adventure for Captain Grey Holden and his crew.
Considering the fact that 'Enterprise' was just officially canceled by UPN, there doesn't seem to be any time for Archer to get the riverboat's picture up on the wall before the end. So we'll just have to settle for this to be a "Missing Link" between 'Enterprise' and 'Riverboat'.
Sail on!
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
For more about the TV series 'Riverboat', visit this site:
http://www.darrenmcgavin.net/riverboat.htm
Shran worked his way down from the "current" name-bearer, the starship on which he was a guest, to the space shuttle, to the aircraft carrier, and finally to the three-master.
Captain Archer better contact the Future's equivalent of the Franklin Mint and tell them that he's missing one. Between the sailing ship and the aircraft carrier, there should have been a riverboat by the name of Enterprise.
The Enterprise sailed up and down the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers, where it was the focal point of many an adventure for Captain Grey Holden and his crew.
Considering the fact that 'Enterprise' was just officially canceled by UPN, there doesn't seem to be any time for Archer to get the riverboat's picture up on the wall before the end. So we'll just have to settle for this to be a "Missing Link" between 'Enterprise' and 'Riverboat'.
Sail on!
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
For more about the TV series 'Riverboat', visit this site:
http://www.darrenmcgavin.net/riverboat.htm
HAT SQUAD MEMORIES
In many of the obituaries and probably in most people's memories, John Vernon will forever be linked to the role of Dean Vernon Wormer in "National Lampoon's Animal House". And we also have him repeating that role in the TV follow-up, 'Delta House'.
But for me, my favorite role of John Vernon's was that of Geoffrey Darro in the TV movie/pilot 'The Questor Tapes'. I've always had a strange fondness for the type of character he played - those who knew there was no chance of survival and still they push forward, making the ultimate sacrifice. But with Darro, there was a refreshing selfishness to his sacrifice, that it still served his own ends.
As for Ossie Davis, the role that always first comes to mind is that of the Judge in 'The Stand'. It is another of those roles where a character knowingly marches towards Death for the greater good. And he brought to it a quiet dignity that isn't often seen in what is essentially an extended horror flick. And that he came to the role with little preparation (due to the death of the actor previously attached to the part) shows how much of an artisan he was.
But in truth, it's for another character that I like to think of Ossie Davis, and actually, it's not even for the way he played it. It's because of the character's name.
Ponder Blue. I'm a big fan of the art of coining names, which Lin Carter dubbed "neocognomina". And there is something about "Ponder Blue" which has poetry in it.
I wish both of these gentlemen godspeed and offer my thanks for what they brought to the Toobworld table.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
But for me, my favorite role of John Vernon's was that of Geoffrey Darro in the TV movie/pilot 'The Questor Tapes'. I've always had a strange fondness for the type of character he played - those who knew there was no chance of survival and still they push forward, making the ultimate sacrifice. But with Darro, there was a refreshing selfishness to his sacrifice, that it still served his own ends.
As for Ossie Davis, the role that always first comes to mind is that of the Judge in 'The Stand'. It is another of those roles where a character knowingly marches towards Death for the greater good. And he brought to it a quiet dignity that isn't often seen in what is essentially an extended horror flick. And that he came to the role with little preparation (due to the death of the actor previously attached to the part) shows how much of an artisan he was.
But in truth, it's for another character that I like to think of Ossie Davis, and actually, it's not even for the way he played it. It's because of the character's name.
Ponder Blue. I'm a big fan of the art of coining names, which Lin Carter dubbed "neocognomina". And there is something about "Ponder Blue" which has poetry in it.
I wish both of these gentlemen godspeed and offer my thanks for what they brought to the Toobworld table.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
HAT SQUAD II
IN MEMORY OF OSSIE DAVIS
[COURTESY OF IMDb.com]
Deacons for Defense (2003) (TV) .... Rev. Gregory
"Feast of All Saints" (2001) (mini) TV Series .... Jean-Jacques... aka Anne Rice's The Feast of All Saints (USA: complete title)
Legend of the Candy Cane (2001) (TV) .... Jules
Finding Buck McHenry (2000) (TV) .... Buck McHenry
The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (1999) (TV) .... The Caretaker
A Vow to Cherish (1999) (TV) .... Alexander Billman
The Soul Collector (1999/I) (TV) .... Mordecai
The Secret Path (1999) (TV) .... Too Tall... aka The Silent Path
"The Protector" (1997/II) TV Series
12 Angry Men (1997) (TV) .... Juror #2
Miss Evers' Boys (1997) (TV) .... Mr. Evers
"Promised Land" (1996) TV Series .... Erasmus Jones (1996-1998)... aka Home of the Brave
Home of the Brave (1996) (TV) .... Erasmus Jones
"VH1 Legends" (1996) TV Series .... Narrator
"The Client" (1995) TV Series .... Judge Harry Roosevelt... aka John Grisham's The Client
The Android Affair (1995) (TV) .... Dr. Winston
Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder (1995) (TV) .... Uncle Phil
Ray Alexander: A Taste for Justice (1994) (TV) .... Uncle Phil
"The Stand" (1994) (mini) TV Series .... Judge Richard Farris... aka Stephen King's The Stand
"Queen" (1993) (mini) TV Series .... Parson Dick... aka Alex Haley's Queen
The Ernest Green Story (1993) (TV) .... Grandfather
Die Laughing (1990) (TV) .... Ossie
King of Jazz (1990) (TV) .... Ossie
"Evening Shade" (1990) TV Series .... Ponder Blue
We'll Take Manhattan (1990) (TV) .... Man in Subway
"B.L. Stryker" (1989) TV Series .... Oz Jackson (1989-1990)
B.L. Stryker: The Dancer's Touch (1989) (TV)
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige (1981) (TV) .... Chuffy Russell
"Ossie and Ruby!" (1980) TV Series .... Co-host (1980-81)
All God's Children (1980) (TV) .... Blaine Whitfield
Freedom Road (1979) (TV) .... Narrator
"Roots: The Next Generations" (1979) (mini) TV Series .... Dad Jones
"King" (1978) (mini) TV Series .... Martin Luther King Sr.
Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid (1977) (TV) .... Dr. Fredericks... aka Ghetto Child
The Tenth Level (1975) (TV)
The Sheriff (1971) (TV) .... James Lucas
Night Gallery (1969) (TV) .... Osmond Portifoy... aka Rod Serling's Wax Museum (USA)
Teacher, Teacher (1969) (TV) .... Charles Carter
The Outsider (1967) (TV) .... Lt. Wagner
Gone Are the Days! (1963) .... Reverend Purlie Victorious Judson
Seven Times Monday (1962) (TV) .... Will
The Emperor Jones (1955) (TV) .... Brutus Jones
Notable TV Guest Appearances
"The L Word" playing "Melvin Porter" in episode: "Lawfully" (episode # 1.5) 15 February 2004
"JAG" playing "Mr. Minnerly" in episode: "Close Quarters" (episode # 9.7) 7 November 2003
"Touched by an Angel" playing "Gabriel" in episode: "Remembering Me: Part 2" (episode # 9.9) 23 November 2002
"Presidio Med" playing "Otis Clayton" in episode: "This Baby's Gonna Fly" (episode # 1.1) 24 September 2002
"Philly" playing "Gilbert Willoughby" in episode: "The Curse of the Klopman Diamonds" (episode # 1.12) 8 January 2002
"Third Watch" playing "Mr. Parker" in episode: "Men" (episode # 1.18) 10 April 2000
"City of Angels" playing "Henry, King of England/Henry Charles" in episode: "To Halve or Halve Not" (episode # 1.12) 29 March 2000
"City of Angels" playing "Henry, King of England" in episode: "When Worlds Colitis" (episode # 1.11) 28 March 2000
"Third Watch" playing "Mr. Parker" in episode: "Journey to the Himalayas" (episode # 1.12) 24 January 2000
"Touched by an Angel" playing "Gabriel" in episode: "The Christmas Gift" (episode # 6.10) 12 December 1999
"Third Watch" playing "Mr. Parker" in episode: "Modern Designs for Better Living" (episode # 1.9) 28 November 1999
"Cosby" playing "Fred" in episode: "Ol' Betsy" (episode # 3.17) 15 February 1999
"Great Books" playing "Himself" in episode: "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" 1999
"Touched by an Angel" playing "Erasmus Jones" in episode: "Vengeance Is Mine: Part 1" (episode # 5.2) 27 September 1998
"The Rosie O'Donnell Show" playing "Himself" 24 January 1997
"Touched by an Angel" playing "Erasmus Jones" in episode: "Promised Land" (episode # 3.1) 15 September 1996
"Reading Rainbow" playing "Himself" (voice) in episode: "Summer" (episode # 10.8) 5 October 1994
"Love, American Style" in episode: "Love and High Spirits" (episode # 5.4b) 5 October 1973
"The CBS Festival of Lively Arts for Young People" in episode: "Today Is Ours"
"The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" playing "Himself" 25 June 1970
"Night Gallery" playing "Osmond Portifoy" in episode: "The Cemetery" (episode # 1.0) 8 November 1969
"Bonanza" playing "Sam Davis" in episode: "The Wish" (episode # 10.23) 9 March 1969
"The Name of the Game" playing "Kubani" in episode: "The Third Choice" (episode # 1.24) 7 March 1969
"N.Y.P.D." in episode: "Nothing Is Real But the Dead" (episode # 1.26) 19 March 1968
"The Merv Griffin Show" playing "Himself" 3 January 1968
"Run for Your Life" playing "Dave Corbett" in episode: "A Rage for Justice: Part 2" (episode # 2.17) 16 January 1967
"Run for Your Life" playing "Dave Corbett" in episode: "The Flight from Tirana: Part 1" (episode # 2.16) 9 January 1967
"Twelve O'Clock High" playing "Glenn Luke" in episode: "Graveyard" (episode # 3.15) 30 December 1966
"Run for Your Life" playing "Frankie Morton" in episode: "A Game of Violence" (episode # 2.11) 28 November 1966
"The Fugitive" playing "Johnny Gaines" in episode: "Death Is the Door Prize" (episode # 4.2) 20 September 1966
"Slattery's People" playing "Jack Phillips" in episode: "What Can You Do with a Wounded Tiger?" (episode # 2.6) 22 October 1965
"The Defenders" playing "District Attorney Daniel Jackson" in episode: "The Sworn Twelve" (episode # 4.25) 25 March 1965
"The Defenders" playing "District Attorney Daniel Jackson" in episode: "Nobody Asks What Side Your On" (episode # 4.23) 11 March 1965
"The Defenders" playing "District Attorney Daniel Jackson" in episode: "Fires of the Mind" (episode # 4.20) 18 February 1965
"The Nurses" playing "Dr. Farmer" in episode: "The Family Resemblance" (episode # 3.8) 17 November 1964
"The Defenders" playing "Assistant District Attorney" in episode: "Turning Point" (episode # 4.7) 5 November 1964
"The Defenders" playing "District Attorney" in episode: "Mind Over Murder" (episode # 3.30) 16 May 1964
"To Tell the Truth" playing "Guest Panelist" 16 December 1963
"The Defenders" playing "District Attorney" in episode: "The Star Spangled Ghetto" (episode # 3.7) 9 November 1963
"To Tell the Truth" playing "Guest Panelist" 4 November 1963
"The Great Adventure" playing "John Ross" in episode: "Go Down, Moses" (episode # 1.6) 1 November 1963
"The Defenders" playing "Patrolman Bond" in episode: "Metamorphosis" (episode # 2.24) 2 March 1963
"Car 54, Where Are You?" playing "Omar" in episode: "Here Comes Charlie" (episode # 2.23) 24 February 1963
"Car 54, Where Are You?" playing "Omar" in episode: "The Star Boarder" (episode # 2.21) 10 February 1963
"Car 54, Where Are You?" playing "Omar" in episode: "The Presidential Itch" (episode # 2.18) 20 January 1963
"Car 54, Where Are You?" playing "Omar" in episode: "Benny the Bookie's Last Chance" (episode # 2.17) 13 January 1963
"The Defenders" playing "Nixie" in episode: "The Riot" (episode # 1.4) 7 October 1961
"Kraft Television Theatre" playing "The Emperor Jones" in episode: "The Emperor Jones" (episode # 8.22) 23 February 1955
Writer - filmography
For Us the Living: The Medgar Evers Story (1983) (TV) ... aka For Us, the Living (USA: short title)
Purlie (1981) (TV) (play Purlie Victorious)
"East Side/West Side" (1963) TV Series (writer) (episode "I Before E Except After C")
[COURTESY OF IMDb.com]
Deacons for Defense (2003) (TV) .... Rev. Gregory
"Feast of All Saints" (2001) (mini) TV Series .... Jean-Jacques... aka Anne Rice's The Feast of All Saints (USA: complete title)
Legend of the Candy Cane (2001) (TV) .... Jules
Finding Buck McHenry (2000) (TV) .... Buck McHenry
The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (1999) (TV) .... The Caretaker
A Vow to Cherish (1999) (TV) .... Alexander Billman
The Soul Collector (1999/I) (TV) .... Mordecai
The Secret Path (1999) (TV) .... Too Tall... aka The Silent Path
"The Protector" (1997/II) TV Series
12 Angry Men (1997) (TV) .... Juror #2
Miss Evers' Boys (1997) (TV) .... Mr. Evers
"Promised Land" (1996) TV Series .... Erasmus Jones (1996-1998)... aka Home of the Brave
Home of the Brave (1996) (TV) .... Erasmus Jones
"VH1 Legends" (1996) TV Series .... Narrator
"The Client" (1995) TV Series .... Judge Harry Roosevelt... aka John Grisham's The Client
The Android Affair (1995) (TV) .... Dr. Winston
Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder (1995) (TV) .... Uncle Phil
Ray Alexander: A Taste for Justice (1994) (TV) .... Uncle Phil
"The Stand" (1994) (mini) TV Series .... Judge Richard Farris... aka Stephen King's The Stand
"Queen" (1993) (mini) TV Series .... Parson Dick... aka Alex Haley's Queen
The Ernest Green Story (1993) (TV) .... Grandfather
Die Laughing (1990) (TV) .... Ossie
King of Jazz (1990) (TV) .... Ossie
"Evening Shade" (1990) TV Series .... Ponder Blue
We'll Take Manhattan (1990) (TV) .... Man in Subway
"B.L. Stryker" (1989) TV Series .... Oz Jackson (1989-1990)
B.L. Stryker: The Dancer's Touch (1989) (TV)
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige (1981) (TV) .... Chuffy Russell
"Ossie and Ruby!" (1980) TV Series .... Co-host (1980-81)
All God's Children (1980) (TV) .... Blaine Whitfield
Freedom Road (1979) (TV) .... Narrator
"Roots: The Next Generations" (1979) (mini) TV Series .... Dad Jones
"King" (1978) (mini) TV Series .... Martin Luther King Sr.
Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid (1977) (TV) .... Dr. Fredericks... aka Ghetto Child
The Tenth Level (1975) (TV)
The Sheriff (1971) (TV) .... James Lucas
Night Gallery (1969) (TV) .... Osmond Portifoy... aka Rod Serling's Wax Museum (USA)
Teacher, Teacher (1969) (TV) .... Charles Carter
The Outsider (1967) (TV) .... Lt. Wagner
Gone Are the Days! (1963) .... Reverend Purlie Victorious Judson
Seven Times Monday (1962) (TV) .... Will
The Emperor Jones (1955) (TV) .... Brutus Jones
Notable TV Guest Appearances
"The L Word" playing "Melvin Porter" in episode: "Lawfully" (episode # 1.5) 15 February 2004
"JAG" playing "Mr. Minnerly" in episode: "Close Quarters" (episode # 9.7) 7 November 2003
"Touched by an Angel" playing "Gabriel" in episode: "Remembering Me: Part 2" (episode # 9.9) 23 November 2002
"Presidio Med" playing "Otis Clayton" in episode: "This Baby's Gonna Fly" (episode # 1.1) 24 September 2002
"Philly" playing "Gilbert Willoughby" in episode: "The Curse of the Klopman Diamonds" (episode # 1.12) 8 January 2002
"Third Watch" playing "Mr. Parker" in episode: "Men" (episode # 1.18) 10 April 2000
"City of Angels" playing "Henry, King of England/Henry Charles" in episode: "To Halve or Halve Not" (episode # 1.12) 29 March 2000
"City of Angels" playing "Henry, King of England" in episode: "When Worlds Colitis" (episode # 1.11) 28 March 2000
"Third Watch" playing "Mr. Parker" in episode: "Journey to the Himalayas" (episode # 1.12) 24 January 2000
"Touched by an Angel" playing "Gabriel" in episode: "The Christmas Gift" (episode # 6.10) 12 December 1999
"Third Watch" playing "Mr. Parker" in episode: "Modern Designs for Better Living" (episode # 1.9) 28 November 1999
"Cosby" playing "Fred" in episode: "Ol' Betsy" (episode # 3.17) 15 February 1999
"Great Books" playing "Himself" in episode: "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" 1999
"Touched by an Angel" playing "Erasmus Jones" in episode: "Vengeance Is Mine: Part 1" (episode # 5.2) 27 September 1998
"The Rosie O'Donnell Show" playing "Himself" 24 January 1997
"Touched by an Angel" playing "Erasmus Jones" in episode: "Promised Land" (episode # 3.1) 15 September 1996
"Reading Rainbow" playing "Himself" (voice) in episode: "Summer" (episode # 10.8) 5 October 1994
"Love, American Style" in episode: "Love and High Spirits" (episode # 5.4b) 5 October 1973
"The CBS Festival of Lively Arts for Young People" in episode: "Today Is Ours"
"The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" playing "Himself" 25 June 1970
"Night Gallery" playing "Osmond Portifoy" in episode: "The Cemetery" (episode # 1.0) 8 November 1969
"Bonanza" playing "Sam Davis" in episode: "The Wish" (episode # 10.23) 9 March 1969
"The Name of the Game" playing "Kubani" in episode: "The Third Choice" (episode # 1.24) 7 March 1969
"N.Y.P.D." in episode: "Nothing Is Real But the Dead" (episode # 1.26) 19 March 1968
"The Merv Griffin Show" playing "Himself" 3 January 1968
"Run for Your Life" playing "Dave Corbett" in episode: "A Rage for Justice: Part 2" (episode # 2.17) 16 January 1967
"Run for Your Life" playing "Dave Corbett" in episode: "The Flight from Tirana: Part 1" (episode # 2.16) 9 January 1967
"Twelve O'Clock High" playing "Glenn Luke" in episode: "Graveyard" (episode # 3.15) 30 December 1966
"Run for Your Life" playing "Frankie Morton" in episode: "A Game of Violence" (episode # 2.11) 28 November 1966
"The Fugitive" playing "Johnny Gaines" in episode: "Death Is the Door Prize" (episode # 4.2) 20 September 1966
"Slattery's People" playing "Jack Phillips" in episode: "What Can You Do with a Wounded Tiger?" (episode # 2.6) 22 October 1965
"The Defenders" playing "District Attorney Daniel Jackson" in episode: "The Sworn Twelve" (episode # 4.25) 25 March 1965
"The Defenders" playing "District Attorney Daniel Jackson" in episode: "Nobody Asks What Side Your On" (episode # 4.23) 11 March 1965
"The Defenders" playing "District Attorney Daniel Jackson" in episode: "Fires of the Mind" (episode # 4.20) 18 February 1965
"The Nurses" playing "Dr. Farmer" in episode: "The Family Resemblance" (episode # 3.8) 17 November 1964
"The Defenders" playing "Assistant District Attorney" in episode: "Turning Point" (episode # 4.7) 5 November 1964
"The Defenders" playing "District Attorney" in episode: "Mind Over Murder" (episode # 3.30) 16 May 1964
"To Tell the Truth" playing "Guest Panelist" 16 December 1963
"The Defenders" playing "District Attorney" in episode: "The Star Spangled Ghetto" (episode # 3.7) 9 November 1963
"To Tell the Truth" playing "Guest Panelist" 4 November 1963
"The Great Adventure" playing "John Ross" in episode: "Go Down, Moses" (episode # 1.6) 1 November 1963
"The Defenders" playing "Patrolman Bond" in episode: "Metamorphosis" (episode # 2.24) 2 March 1963
"Car 54, Where Are You?" playing "Omar" in episode: "Here Comes Charlie" (episode # 2.23) 24 February 1963
"Car 54, Where Are You?" playing "Omar" in episode: "The Star Boarder" (episode # 2.21) 10 February 1963
"Car 54, Where Are You?" playing "Omar" in episode: "The Presidential Itch" (episode # 2.18) 20 January 1963
"Car 54, Where Are You?" playing "Omar" in episode: "Benny the Bookie's Last Chance" (episode # 2.17) 13 January 1963
"The Defenders" playing "Nixie" in episode: "The Riot" (episode # 1.4) 7 October 1961
"Kraft Television Theatre" playing "The Emperor Jones" in episode: "The Emperor Jones" (episode # 8.22) 23 February 1955
Writer - filmography
For Us the Living: The Medgar Evers Story (1983) (TV) ... aka For Us, the Living (USA: short title)
Purlie (1981) (TV) (play Purlie Victorious)
"East Side/West Side" (1963) TV Series (writer) (episode "I Before E Except After C")
THE HAT SQUAD I
REMEMBERING JOHN VERNON
[COURTESY OF IMDb.com]
Star Trek: Klingon Academy (2000) (VG) (voice) .... Academy Communications Officer, Federation Commander 2
"The Incredible Hulk" (1996) TV Series (voice) .... General 'Thunderbolt' Ross (1996-1997)
Family of Cops (1995) (TV) .... Frank Rampola... aka Une famille de flics (Canada: French title)
"Pinky and the Brain" (1995) TV Series (voice) .... Additional Voices
Paris or Somewhere (1994) (TV) .... Old Mahon
Sodbusters (1994) (TV) .... Slade Cantrell
Hostage for a Day (1994) (TV) .... V.D. Regan
The Forget-Me-Not Murders (1994) (TV) .... Boyce... aka Janek: Forget-Me-Not Murders
"Acapulco H.E.A.T." (1993) TV Series .... Mr. Smith (1993-1994)
The Fire Next Time (1993) (TV) .... Boudreaux
You Me + It (1993) (TV) .... Irritated Man
"Matrix" (1993) TV Series (voice) .... Narrator
Wojeck: Out of the Fire (1992) (TV) .... Dr. Steve Wojeck
"Batman" (1992) TV Series (voice) .... Rupert Thorne... aka Batman: The Animated Series (USA: promotional title) ... aka The Adventures of Batman & Robin (USA: new title)
The Woman Who Sinned (1991) (TV) .... Lieutenant Girvetz
Two Men (1988) (TV) .... Alex Kores
Nightstick (1987) (TV) .... Adam Beardsly... aka Calhoun
"Wildfire" (1986) TV Series (voice) .... Wildfire
Fuzz Bucket (1986) (TV) .... Principal
"Hail to the Chief" (1985) TV Series .... Gen. Hannibal Stryker (1985)
"The Blue and the Gray" (1982) (mini) TV Series .... Secretary of State Seward
The Sacketts (1979) (TV) .... Jonathan Pritts... aka The Daybreakers (USA: cut version)
"Delta House" (1979/I) TV Series .... Dean Vernon Wormer
Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night (1977) (TV) .... Dr. Orrin Helgerson
The Uncanny (1977) .... Pomeroy
Matt Helm (1975) (TV) .... Harry Paine
Barbary Coast (1975) (TV) .... Templar
The Swiss Family Robinson (1975) (TV) .... Charles Forsythe
The Impostor (1975/I) (TV) .... Sheriff Turner
The Virginia Hill Story (1974) (TV) .... Nick Rubanos
Mousey (1974) (TV) .... David Richardson... aka Cat and Mouse
The Questor Tapes (1974) (TV) .... Geoffrey Darro
The Six Million Dollar Man: Solid Gold Kidnapping (1973) (TV) .... Julian Peck... aka Solid Gold Kidnapping (USA: short title)
Hunter (1973) (TV) .... David Hunter/Praetorius
Cool Million (1972) (TV) .... Inspector Duprez... aka Mask of Marcella (USA: reissue title)
Escape (1971) (TV) .... Charles WaldingTrial Run (1969) (TV) .... Leo D'Agosta
"Captain America" (1966) TV Series (voice) .... Iron Man (Tony Stark)
"Hulk" (1966) TV Series (voice) .... Major Glenn Talbot... aka The Incredible Hulk (UK: video box title) (USA: promotional title)
"Iron Man" (1966) TV Series (voice) .... Iron Man (Tony Stark)... aka The Invincible Iron Man (UK: video box title)
"The Marvel Superheroes" (1966) TV Series (voice) .... The Sub-Mariner/Iron Man (Tony Stark)/Maj. Glenn Talbot
Once Upon a Prime Time (1966)
"The Sub-Mariner" (1966) TV Series (voice) .... Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner
"Wojeck" (1966) TV Series .... Dr. Steve Wojeck
Notable TV Guest Appearances
"Grim & Evil" playing "Warden Toadblatt" (voice) in episode: "Nigel Planter and the Chamber Pot of Secrets/Circus of Fear" (episode # 3.6) 16 July 2004
"Grim & Evil" playing "Warden Toadblatt" (voice) in episode: "Toadblatt's School of Scorcery/Educating Grim/It's Hokey Mon!" (episode # 2.1) 13 June 2003
"The Strangerers" playing "D.N.E. Agent" in episode: "The Streets of Laredo" (episode # 1.7) 28 March 2000
"Heartbeat" playing "Rory Shaw" in episode: "Friends Like You" (episode # 8.21) 7 February 1999
"Duckman" playing "Principal Dinkler" (voice) in episode: "From Brad to Worse" (episode # 4.5) 1 February 1997
"The New Adventures of Robin Hood" in episode: "The Time Machine" (episode # 4.11)
"Spider-Man" playing "Doctor Strange" (voice) in episode: "Sins of the Fathers Chapter 1: Doctor Strange" (episode # 3.1) 27 April 1996
"Walker, Texas Ranger" playing "Clint Murdock/Max Slater" in episode: "Final Justice" (episode # 4.7) 11 November 1995
"Legend" playing "Seamus Calhoun" in episode: "Skeletons in the Closet" (episode # 1.12) 8 August 1995
"Renegade" playing "Max" in episode: "Family Ties" (episode # 3.19) 20 February 1995
"The Fantastic Four" playing "Dr. Doom/Victor von Doom" (voice) in episode: "The Mask of Doom: Part 3" (episode # 1.10) 26 November 1994
"The Fantastic Four" playing "Dr. Doom/Victor von Doom" (voice) in episode: "The Mask of Doom: Part 2" (episode # 1.9) 19 November 1994
"The Fantastic Four" playing "Dr. Doom/Victor von Doom" (voice) in episode: "The Mask of Doom: Part 1" (episode # 1.8) 12 November 1994
"Swat Kats: The Radical Squadron" playing "Rex Shard" (voice) in episode: "Chaos in Crystal" (episode # 1.8) 30 October 1993
"Doogie Howser, M.D." playing "Hank Bellamy" in episode: "Dorky Housecall, M.D." (episode # 4.20) 10 March 1993
"In the Heat of the Night" playing "Dr. Phillips" in episode: "Private Sessions" (episode # 6.11) 12 January 1993
"Renegade" playing "Capt. Ed McKendrick" in episode: "Lyon's Roar" (episode # 1.11) 4 January 1993
"Tales from the Crypt" playing "Mr. Chalmers" in episode: "Seance" (episode # 4.4) 4 July 1992
"The Ray Bradbury Theater" playing "La Farge" in episode: "The Martian" (episode # 5.8) 21 February 1992
"Dinosaurs" playing "Mr. Ashland" (voice) in episode: "Power Erupts" (episode # 2.15) 15 January 1992
"Dark Justice" playing "Don Paolo" in episode: "Broken Toys" (episode # 1.8) 24 May 1991
"Poirot" playing "David" in episode: "The Theft of the Royal Ruby" (episode # 3.8) 24 February 1991
"Father Dowling Mysteries" playing "Sam McCauley" in episode: "The Undercover Nun Mystery" (episode # 3.6) 1 November 1990
"War of the Worlds" playing "General Wilson" in episode: "The Walls of Jericho" (episode # 1.3) 10 October 1988
"War of the Worlds" playing "General Wilson" in episode: "The Resurrection" (episode # 1.1) 7 October 1988
"Alfred Hitchcock Presents" playing "Mr. Brenner" in episode: "Conversation Over a Corpse" (episode # 2.2) 31 January 1987
"Scarecrow and Mrs. King" playing "Jordan" in episode: "Promises to Keep" (episode # 4.13) 9 January 1987
"Sledge Hammer!" playing "Mayor Jack Flambo" in episode: "Under the Gun" (episode # 1.1) 23 September 1986
"Knight Rider" playing "Claude Watkins" in episode: "Voo Doo Knight" (episode # 4.22) 4 April 1986
"Airwolf" playing "John Bradford Horn" (as John R. Vernon) in episode: "Discovery" (episode # 3.14) 18 January 1986
"Murder, She Wrote" playing "Henry Hayward" in episode: "School for scandal" (episode # 2.4) 25 October 1985
"MacGyver" playing "Ryerson" in episode: "The Gauntlet" (episode # 1.3) 20 October 1985
"The Fall Guy" playing "Mardovitch" in episode: "High Orbit" (episode # 4.18) 6 February 1985
"Call to Glory" playing "General McDermott" in episode: "The Move" (episode # 1.2) 20 August 1984
"Automan" playing "Carlos Rayner" in episode: "Zippers" (episode # 1.11) 26 March 1984
"The Fall Guy" playing "Ellis" in episode: "Boom" (episode # 3.20) 7 March 1984
"Knight Rider" playing "Cameron Zachary" in episode: "A Good Knight's Work" (episode # 2.20) 4 March 1984
"T.J. Hooker" playing "Grant Chandler" in episode: "Matter of Passion" (episode # 3.9) 26 November 1983
"Faerie Tale Theatre" playing "Father" in episode: "Little Red Riding Hood" (episode # 2.5) 10 November 1983
"The A-Team" playing "Jarrett" in episode: "Labor Pains" (episode # 2.8) 8 November 1983
"Hart to Hart" playing "Travis Saunders" in episode: "Love Game" (episode # 5.6) 8 November 1983
"The Fall Guy" playing "Carson Connally" in episode: "Just a Small Circle of Friends" (episode # 2.23) 4 May 1983
"The Greatest American Hero" playing "Justin King" in episode: "Desperado" (episode # 3.12) 1983
"CHiPs" playing "Sgt. Honeyton" in episode: "K-9-1" (episode # 5.26) 9 May 1982
"The Phoenix" playing "Harry Atkins" in episode: "In Search of Mira" (episode # 1.1) 26 March 1982
"Vega$" playing "Marvin Grant" in episode: "Deadly Blessings" (episode # 3.7) 10 December 1980
"The Littlest Hobo" playing "Sam Burrows" in episode: "Trapper" (episode # 2.4) 9 October 1980
"Quincy" playing "Vincent DiNardi" in episode: "Requiem for the Living" (episode # 3.20) 10 March 1978
"The Oregon Trail" playing "Charles Shrigley" in episode: "Hard Ride Home and the Last Game" (episode # 1.1) 21 September 1977
"Cannon" playing "Correll" in episode: "The Star" (episode # 5.14) 10 December 1975
"McMillan and Wife" playing "Nelson" in episode: "Secrets for Sale" (episode # 5.4) 7 December 1975
"S.W.A.T." in episode: "Dealers in Death" (episode # 2.4) 27 September 1975
"The Invisible Man" playing "Ernest Sheed" in episode: "Man of Influence" (episode # 1.4) 22 September 1975
"Kung Fu" playing "Gen. Cantrell" in episode: "Full Circle" (episode # 3.21) 15 March 1975
"Kung Fu" playing "Gen. Cantrell" in episode: "The Brothers Caine" (episode # 3.20) 1 March 1975
"Cannon" playing "Ward Trustin" in episode: "The Set Up" (episode # 4.19) 12 February 1975
"Gunsmoke" playing "Oliver Harker" in episode: "The Fires of Ignorance" (episode # 20.17) 27 January 1975
"Police Woman" playing "David Cory" in episode: "The Child Buyers" (episode # 1.12) 13 December 1974
"Kung Fu" playing "Forbes" in episode: "My Brother, My Executioner" (episode # 3.6) 12 October 1974
"Petrocelli" playing "Majors" in episode: "By Reason of Madness" (episode # 1.3) 25 September 1974
"Barnaby Jones" playing "Dr. Hank Danvers" in episode: "Woman in the Shadows" (episode # 2.22) 10 March 1974
"Cannon" playing "Brad Calvert" in episode: "Night Flight to Murder" (episode # 3.6) 17 October 1973
"Search" playing "Paul Holloway" in episode: "Goddess of Destruction" (episode # 1.18) 21 February 1973
"Cannon" playing "Ross McClintock" in episode: "Hard Rock Roller Coaster" (episode # 2.14) 3 January 1973
"Mission: Impossible" playing "Norman Shields" in episode: "Movie" (episode # 7.8) 4 November 1972
"Mannix" playing "John Thompson" in episode: "To Kill a Memory" (episode # 6.7) 29 October 1972
"The Bold Ones: The New Doctors" playing "Frank Stedman" in episode: "Time Bomb in the Chest" (episode # 4.4) 10 October 1972
"The F.B.I." in episode: "Escape to Nowhere" (episode # 7.26) 19 March 1972
"Mannix" playing "Dexter" in episode: "Scapegoat" (episode # 5.23) 1 March 1972
"Bearcats!" playing "Jason Ryker" in episode: "The Devil Wears Armor" (episode # 1.1) 16 September 1971
"Storefront Lawyers" playing "Martin Carlyle" in episode: "Yesterday Is But a Dream" (episode # 1.21) 31 March 1971
"Mannix" playing "Chief Belden" in episode: "Shadow Play" (episode # 4.23) 6 March 1971
"Mission: Impossible" playing "Ramone Fuego" in episode: "The Catafalque" (episode # 5.19) 6 February 1971
"The Name of the Game" playing "Embers" in episode: "Seek and Destroy" (episode # 3.18) 5 February 1971
"Hawaii Five-O" playing "Cal Anderson" in episode: "Force of Waves" (episode # 3.7) 28 October 1970
"Mission: Impossible" playing "General Ramon Sabattini" in episode: "The Falcon: Part 3" (episode # 4.16) 18 January 1970
"Mission: Impossible" playing "General Ramon Sabattini" in episode: "The Falcon: Part 2" (episode # 4.14) 11 January 1970
"Mission: Impossible" playing "General Ramon Sabattini" in episode: "The Falcon: Part 1" (episode # 4.13) 4 January 1970
"The F.B.I." playing "David Mark Starrett" in episode: "Journey Into Night" (episode # 5.14) 14 December 1969
"The High Chaparral" playing "Gregg" in episode: "No Irish Need Apply" (episode # 2.16) 17 January 1969
"Mission: Impossible" playing "Colonel Josef Strom" in episode: "The Exchange" (episode # 3.12) 4 January 1969
"Bonanza" playing "Beaudry" in episode: "Yonder Man" (episode # 10.12) 1 December 1968
"Felony Squad" playing "Royce Taylor" in episode: "Jury of One" (episode # 3.2) 23 September 1968
"Tarzan" playing "Dan Burton" in episode: "Rendevouz for revenge" (episode # 2.24) 15 March 1968
"The F.B.I." playing "Mike Burton" in episode: "Southwind" (episode # 3.21) 3 March 1968
"Coronet Blue" playing "Ali" in episode: "The Assassins" (episode # 1.6) 10 July 1967
"The F.B.I." in episode: "Vendetta" (episode # 2.9) 20 November 1966
"The Forest Rangers" playing "Butler" in episode: "Escape" (episode # 3.8) 1965
"The Forest Rangers" playing "Chub's 1st Foster Father" in episode: "The Deal" (episode # 2.1) 1964
"The Unforeseen" in episode: "The Monsters" (episode # 1.8) 16 August 1960
"Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans" in episode: "Tolliver Gang" (episode # 1.23) 4 September 1957
"Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans" playing "Nangus" in episode: "Revenge" (episode # 1.32) 23 February 1957
[COURTESY OF IMDb.com]
Star Trek: Klingon Academy (2000) (VG) (voice) .... Academy Communications Officer, Federation Commander 2
"The Incredible Hulk" (1996) TV Series (voice) .... General 'Thunderbolt' Ross (1996-1997)
Family of Cops (1995) (TV) .... Frank Rampola... aka Une famille de flics (Canada: French title)
"Pinky and the Brain" (1995) TV Series (voice) .... Additional Voices
Paris or Somewhere (1994) (TV) .... Old Mahon
Sodbusters (1994) (TV) .... Slade Cantrell
Hostage for a Day (1994) (TV) .... V.D. Regan
The Forget-Me-Not Murders (1994) (TV) .... Boyce... aka Janek: Forget-Me-Not Murders
"Acapulco H.E.A.T." (1993) TV Series .... Mr. Smith (1993-1994)
The Fire Next Time (1993) (TV) .... Boudreaux
You Me + It (1993) (TV) .... Irritated Man
"Matrix" (1993) TV Series (voice) .... Narrator
Wojeck: Out of the Fire (1992) (TV) .... Dr. Steve Wojeck
"Batman" (1992) TV Series (voice) .... Rupert Thorne... aka Batman: The Animated Series (USA: promotional title) ... aka The Adventures of Batman & Robin (USA: new title)
The Woman Who Sinned (1991) (TV) .... Lieutenant Girvetz
Two Men (1988) (TV) .... Alex Kores
Nightstick (1987) (TV) .... Adam Beardsly... aka Calhoun
"Wildfire" (1986) TV Series (voice) .... Wildfire
Fuzz Bucket (1986) (TV) .... Principal
"Hail to the Chief" (1985) TV Series .... Gen. Hannibal Stryker (1985)
"The Blue and the Gray" (1982) (mini) TV Series .... Secretary of State Seward
The Sacketts (1979) (TV) .... Jonathan Pritts... aka The Daybreakers (USA: cut version)
"Delta House" (1979/I) TV Series .... Dean Vernon Wormer
Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night (1977) (TV) .... Dr. Orrin Helgerson
The Uncanny (1977) .... Pomeroy
Matt Helm (1975) (TV) .... Harry Paine
Barbary Coast (1975) (TV) .... Templar
The Swiss Family Robinson (1975) (TV) .... Charles Forsythe
The Impostor (1975/I) (TV) .... Sheriff Turner
The Virginia Hill Story (1974) (TV) .... Nick Rubanos
Mousey (1974) (TV) .... David Richardson... aka Cat and Mouse
The Questor Tapes (1974) (TV) .... Geoffrey Darro
The Six Million Dollar Man: Solid Gold Kidnapping (1973) (TV) .... Julian Peck... aka Solid Gold Kidnapping (USA: short title)
Hunter (1973) (TV) .... David Hunter/Praetorius
Cool Million (1972) (TV) .... Inspector Duprez... aka Mask of Marcella (USA: reissue title)
Escape (1971) (TV) .... Charles WaldingTrial Run (1969) (TV) .... Leo D'Agosta
"Captain America" (1966) TV Series (voice) .... Iron Man (Tony Stark)
"Hulk" (1966) TV Series (voice) .... Major Glenn Talbot... aka The Incredible Hulk (UK: video box title) (USA: promotional title)
"Iron Man" (1966) TV Series (voice) .... Iron Man (Tony Stark)... aka The Invincible Iron Man (UK: video box title)
"The Marvel Superheroes" (1966) TV Series (voice) .... The Sub-Mariner/Iron Man (Tony Stark)/Maj. Glenn Talbot
Once Upon a Prime Time (1966)
"The Sub-Mariner" (1966) TV Series (voice) .... Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner
"Wojeck" (1966) TV Series .... Dr. Steve Wojeck
Notable TV Guest Appearances
"Grim & Evil" playing "Warden Toadblatt" (voice) in episode: "Nigel Planter and the Chamber Pot of Secrets/Circus of Fear" (episode # 3.6) 16 July 2004
"Grim & Evil" playing "Warden Toadblatt" (voice) in episode: "Toadblatt's School of Scorcery/Educating Grim/It's Hokey Mon!" (episode # 2.1) 13 June 2003
"The Strangerers" playing "D.N.E. Agent" in episode: "The Streets of Laredo" (episode # 1.7) 28 March 2000
"Heartbeat" playing "Rory Shaw" in episode: "Friends Like You" (episode # 8.21) 7 February 1999
"Duckman" playing "Principal Dinkler" (voice) in episode: "From Brad to Worse" (episode # 4.5) 1 February 1997
"The New Adventures of Robin Hood" in episode: "The Time Machine" (episode # 4.11)
"Spider-Man" playing "Doctor Strange" (voice) in episode: "Sins of the Fathers Chapter 1: Doctor Strange" (episode # 3.1) 27 April 1996
"Walker, Texas Ranger" playing "Clint Murdock/Max Slater" in episode: "Final Justice" (episode # 4.7) 11 November 1995
"Legend" playing "Seamus Calhoun" in episode: "Skeletons in the Closet" (episode # 1.12) 8 August 1995
"Renegade" playing "Max" in episode: "Family Ties" (episode # 3.19) 20 February 1995
"The Fantastic Four" playing "Dr. Doom/Victor von Doom" (voice) in episode: "The Mask of Doom: Part 3" (episode # 1.10) 26 November 1994
"The Fantastic Four" playing "Dr. Doom/Victor von Doom" (voice) in episode: "The Mask of Doom: Part 2" (episode # 1.9) 19 November 1994
"The Fantastic Four" playing "Dr. Doom/Victor von Doom" (voice) in episode: "The Mask of Doom: Part 1" (episode # 1.8) 12 November 1994
"Swat Kats: The Radical Squadron" playing "Rex Shard" (voice) in episode: "Chaos in Crystal" (episode # 1.8) 30 October 1993
"Doogie Howser, M.D." playing "Hank Bellamy" in episode: "Dorky Housecall, M.D." (episode # 4.20) 10 March 1993
"In the Heat of the Night" playing "Dr. Phillips" in episode: "Private Sessions" (episode # 6.11) 12 January 1993
"Renegade" playing "Capt. Ed McKendrick" in episode: "Lyon's Roar" (episode # 1.11) 4 January 1993
"Tales from the Crypt" playing "Mr. Chalmers" in episode: "Seance" (episode # 4.4) 4 July 1992
"The Ray Bradbury Theater" playing "La Farge" in episode: "The Martian" (episode # 5.8) 21 February 1992
"Dinosaurs" playing "Mr. Ashland" (voice) in episode: "Power Erupts" (episode # 2.15) 15 January 1992
"Dark Justice" playing "Don Paolo" in episode: "Broken Toys" (episode # 1.8) 24 May 1991
"Poirot" playing "David" in episode: "The Theft of the Royal Ruby" (episode # 3.8) 24 February 1991
"Father Dowling Mysteries" playing "Sam McCauley" in episode: "The Undercover Nun Mystery" (episode # 3.6) 1 November 1990
"War of the Worlds" playing "General Wilson" in episode: "The Walls of Jericho" (episode # 1.3) 10 October 1988
"War of the Worlds" playing "General Wilson" in episode: "The Resurrection" (episode # 1.1) 7 October 1988
"Alfred Hitchcock Presents" playing "Mr. Brenner" in episode: "Conversation Over a Corpse" (episode # 2.2) 31 January 1987
"Scarecrow and Mrs. King" playing "Jordan" in episode: "Promises to Keep" (episode # 4.13) 9 January 1987
"Sledge Hammer!" playing "Mayor Jack Flambo" in episode: "Under the Gun" (episode # 1.1) 23 September 1986
"Knight Rider" playing "Claude Watkins" in episode: "Voo Doo Knight" (episode # 4.22) 4 April 1986
"Airwolf" playing "John Bradford Horn" (as John R. Vernon) in episode: "Discovery" (episode # 3.14) 18 January 1986
"Murder, She Wrote" playing "Henry Hayward" in episode: "School for scandal" (episode # 2.4) 25 October 1985
"MacGyver" playing "Ryerson" in episode: "The Gauntlet" (episode # 1.3) 20 October 1985
"The Fall Guy" playing "Mardovitch" in episode: "High Orbit" (episode # 4.18) 6 February 1985
"Call to Glory" playing "General McDermott" in episode: "The Move" (episode # 1.2) 20 August 1984
"Automan" playing "Carlos Rayner" in episode: "Zippers" (episode # 1.11) 26 March 1984
"The Fall Guy" playing "Ellis" in episode: "Boom" (episode # 3.20) 7 March 1984
"Knight Rider" playing "Cameron Zachary" in episode: "A Good Knight's Work" (episode # 2.20) 4 March 1984
"T.J. Hooker" playing "Grant Chandler" in episode: "Matter of Passion" (episode # 3.9) 26 November 1983
"Faerie Tale Theatre" playing "Father" in episode: "Little Red Riding Hood" (episode # 2.5) 10 November 1983
"The A-Team" playing "Jarrett" in episode: "Labor Pains" (episode # 2.8) 8 November 1983
"Hart to Hart" playing "Travis Saunders" in episode: "Love Game" (episode # 5.6) 8 November 1983
"The Fall Guy" playing "Carson Connally" in episode: "Just a Small Circle of Friends" (episode # 2.23) 4 May 1983
"The Greatest American Hero" playing "Justin King" in episode: "Desperado" (episode # 3.12) 1983
"CHiPs" playing "Sgt. Honeyton" in episode: "K-9-1" (episode # 5.26) 9 May 1982
"The Phoenix" playing "Harry Atkins" in episode: "In Search of Mira" (episode # 1.1) 26 March 1982
"Vega$" playing "Marvin Grant" in episode: "Deadly Blessings" (episode # 3.7) 10 December 1980
"The Littlest Hobo" playing "Sam Burrows" in episode: "Trapper" (episode # 2.4) 9 October 1980
"Quincy" playing "Vincent DiNardi" in episode: "Requiem for the Living" (episode # 3.20) 10 March 1978
"The Oregon Trail" playing "Charles Shrigley" in episode: "Hard Ride Home and the Last Game" (episode # 1.1) 21 September 1977
"Cannon" playing "Correll" in episode: "The Star" (episode # 5.14) 10 December 1975
"McMillan and Wife" playing "Nelson" in episode: "Secrets for Sale" (episode # 5.4) 7 December 1975
"S.W.A.T." in episode: "Dealers in Death" (episode # 2.4) 27 September 1975
"The Invisible Man" playing "Ernest Sheed" in episode: "Man of Influence" (episode # 1.4) 22 September 1975
"Kung Fu" playing "Gen. Cantrell" in episode: "Full Circle" (episode # 3.21) 15 March 1975
"Kung Fu" playing "Gen. Cantrell" in episode: "The Brothers Caine" (episode # 3.20) 1 March 1975
"Cannon" playing "Ward Trustin" in episode: "The Set Up" (episode # 4.19) 12 February 1975
"Gunsmoke" playing "Oliver Harker" in episode: "The Fires of Ignorance" (episode # 20.17) 27 January 1975
"Police Woman" playing "David Cory" in episode: "The Child Buyers" (episode # 1.12) 13 December 1974
"Kung Fu" playing "Forbes" in episode: "My Brother, My Executioner" (episode # 3.6) 12 October 1974
"Petrocelli" playing "Majors" in episode: "By Reason of Madness" (episode # 1.3) 25 September 1974
"Barnaby Jones" playing "Dr. Hank Danvers" in episode: "Woman in the Shadows" (episode # 2.22) 10 March 1974
"Cannon" playing "Brad Calvert" in episode: "Night Flight to Murder" (episode # 3.6) 17 October 1973
"Search" playing "Paul Holloway" in episode: "Goddess of Destruction" (episode # 1.18) 21 February 1973
"Cannon" playing "Ross McClintock" in episode: "Hard Rock Roller Coaster" (episode # 2.14) 3 January 1973
"Mission: Impossible" playing "Norman Shields" in episode: "Movie" (episode # 7.8) 4 November 1972
"Mannix" playing "John Thompson" in episode: "To Kill a Memory" (episode # 6.7) 29 October 1972
"The Bold Ones: The New Doctors" playing "Frank Stedman" in episode: "Time Bomb in the Chest" (episode # 4.4) 10 October 1972
"The F.B.I." in episode: "Escape to Nowhere" (episode # 7.26) 19 March 1972
"Mannix" playing "Dexter" in episode: "Scapegoat" (episode # 5.23) 1 March 1972
"Bearcats!" playing "Jason Ryker" in episode: "The Devil Wears Armor" (episode # 1.1) 16 September 1971
"Storefront Lawyers" playing "Martin Carlyle" in episode: "Yesterday Is But a Dream" (episode # 1.21) 31 March 1971
"Mannix" playing "Chief Belden" in episode: "Shadow Play" (episode # 4.23) 6 March 1971
"Mission: Impossible" playing "Ramone Fuego" in episode: "The Catafalque" (episode # 5.19) 6 February 1971
"The Name of the Game" playing "Embers" in episode: "Seek and Destroy" (episode # 3.18) 5 February 1971
"Hawaii Five-O" playing "Cal Anderson" in episode: "Force of Waves" (episode # 3.7) 28 October 1970
"Mission: Impossible" playing "General Ramon Sabattini" in episode: "The Falcon: Part 3" (episode # 4.16) 18 January 1970
"Mission: Impossible" playing "General Ramon Sabattini" in episode: "The Falcon: Part 2" (episode # 4.14) 11 January 1970
"Mission: Impossible" playing "General Ramon Sabattini" in episode: "The Falcon: Part 1" (episode # 4.13) 4 January 1970
"The F.B.I." playing "David Mark Starrett" in episode: "Journey Into Night" (episode # 5.14) 14 December 1969
"The High Chaparral" playing "Gregg" in episode: "No Irish Need Apply" (episode # 2.16) 17 January 1969
"Mission: Impossible" playing "Colonel Josef Strom" in episode: "The Exchange" (episode # 3.12) 4 January 1969
"Bonanza" playing "Beaudry" in episode: "Yonder Man" (episode # 10.12) 1 December 1968
"Felony Squad" playing "Royce Taylor" in episode: "Jury of One" (episode # 3.2) 23 September 1968
"Tarzan" playing "Dan Burton" in episode: "Rendevouz for revenge" (episode # 2.24) 15 March 1968
"The F.B.I." playing "Mike Burton" in episode: "Southwind" (episode # 3.21) 3 March 1968
"Coronet Blue" playing "Ali" in episode: "The Assassins" (episode # 1.6) 10 July 1967
"The F.B.I." in episode: "Vendetta" (episode # 2.9) 20 November 1966
"The Forest Rangers" playing "Butler" in episode: "Escape" (episode # 3.8) 1965
"The Forest Rangers" playing "Chub's 1st Foster Father" in episode: "The Deal" (episode # 2.1) 1964
"The Unforeseen" in episode: "The Monsters" (episode # 1.8) 16 August 1960
"Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans" in episode: "Tolliver Gang" (episode # 1.23) 4 September 1957
"Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans" playing "Nangus" in episode: "Revenge" (episode # 1.32) 23 February 1957
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