Stopped by midtown source for bootleg DVDs of old TV shows and picked up a trio of niceties.
First up, a volume of 'Captain Nice', the 1960s spoof of superheroes starring William Daniels (spelled "Danials" on the case!).
I think they were going for that 'Get Smart' feel, but at least Mel Brooks, Buck Henry, Leonard Stern, and Don Adams knew how to walk that fine line between satire and over the top buffoonery.
'Captain Nice' leaped over that line in a single bound.
Episodes include:
"The Man Who Flies Like A Pigeon"
"Don't Take Any Wooden Indians"
"Whatever Lola Wants...."
"The Man With Three Blue Eyes"
"It Tastes O.K., But Something's Missing"
'Beany And Cecil'
Seventeen Bob Clampett Cartooooons! I'm buying now with an eye on my upcoming vacation at the Lake in July. I'll be spending a lot of time with my nephew Tommy, who's about a year and a half old. And I'd like to introduce him to the cartoons that I grew up with. I was hoping to pick up a volume of 'Hoppity Hooper' - not that he'd be able to appreciate the vocal talents of Hans Conried Uncle Waldo Wigglesworth, - but somebody purloined it from the shelf before I came back to buy it.
Still, 'Beany & Cecil' is a nice substitute, and probably even a bit weird - that just from looking at how gay Beany looks on the cover.....
In the coming weeks I'll also pick up a volume of 'Heckle & Jeckle' and 'Deputy Dawg'.
If only I could find 'Tales Along The Riverbank' - and the really old version at that.
I'm a big fan of Jim Henson. Hey, let's face it - no matter who the subject, I'd be a big fan.
I picked up a DVD of three of his short films:
"Time Piece" - 1965
"The Cube" - 1969
"Hey, Cinderella" - 1969
What I'd really love to find is some of Rowlf's work from 'The Jimmy Dean Show'. Rowlf is my all-time favorite Muppet and I loved hearing that he pissed off Sausage Man by getting more fan mail than he did.
So that's what's new at Toobworld Central.
What's new with you?
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Thursday, May 25, 2006
SOAP DISS
While I was in the Washington Post/Michael Ausiello chat re: last night's 'Lost' finale, I got this IM from my brother Bill:
Did you watch the Enron verdicts live?
When Skilling came out with his attorney, after they finished taking questions and were walking away, someone in the crowd can be heard yelling:
"Don't bend over for the soap!"
Gotta love live TV.
It depends on what exactly the subject matter is. As drop-jawed as I am over the finale for 'Lost', I'm amazed even more that over 43 million people tuned in to see 'American Idol' for its bloated two-hour finale.... when all they had to do was watch the last two minutes!
Mindless drones......
But like my brother pointed out, I hope 'The Daily Show' has some fun with this tonight!
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Did you watch the Enron verdicts live?
When Skilling came out with his attorney, after they finished taking questions and were walking away, someone in the crowd can be heard yelling:
"Don't bend over for the soap!"
Gotta love live TV.
It depends on what exactly the subject matter is. As drop-jawed as I am over the finale for 'Lost', I'm amazed even more that over 43 million people tuned in to see 'American Idol' for its bloated two-hour finale.... when all they had to do was watch the last two minutes!
Mindless drones......
But like my brother pointed out, I hope 'The Daily Show' has some fun with this tonight!
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
RECASTAWAY PILOT PROGRAM
Getting cast in a pilot that is then sold to a network doesn't automatically gain you entry to the home team. An actor can often be used just to sell the concept and then new actors brought on board to carry on with the show.
For the most part, this will have no bearing on the show's status in Toobworld, because those pilots usually don't get aired. If they ever do, it's usually after the show has begun and can just be lumped over in one of the alternate dimensions.
Here are the shows that will be recasting some key roles, but which will not have any consequence for the show's inner reality:
'BROTHERS & SISTERS' - Jonathan LaPaglia, another Aussie passing himself off as American like show's star Rachel Griffiths, won't be playing one of the brothers when this show follows 'Desperate Housewives' on Sunday nights. Betty Buckley won't be returning as the mom, either, which is a shame since I think I'd like to have seen her interact with Griffiths and Calista Flockhart as her daughters.
'TRAVELER' - Also on ABC, this show is losing Gillian Jabobs who played Kimberly in the pilot.
'RULES OF ENGAGEMENT' - Over on CBS, Kathleen Rose Perkins won't be in this comedy when it finally gets its moment on the sked come mid-season. (Or sooner if something flops.)
'THE BIG BANG THEORY', also for CBS, is replacing its female lead who was originally played by Amanda Walsh.
'THE WEDDING ALBUM' was sold through the performance of its leading man, Bruno Campos. But now they're looking to go in a different direction.
Over at NBC, 'THE SINGLES TABLE', which is about five strangers who become friends after getting lumped together at a table for the wedding reception of a common friend, is losing Pascale Hutton who played one of those strangers.
I guess with a show like that, the whole pilot would have to be re-shot. Other shows could just pick up the storyline at some point after the pilot takes place, as if the show had always been on. But 'The Singles Table' would need that opening salvo.
The new network, CW, is the only one who might have a splainin problem when it comes to recastaways. 'THE GAME' is a spiinoff from 'Girlfriends' and its pilot aired originally as an episode of its parent sitcom.
'The Game', which will be about the women in the lives of pro football players, is going to need a new Kelly, since Jennifer Baxter played the role on 'Girlfriends' but won't be joining the new series.
Since the character already appeared on 'Girlfriends', we'll have to see how 'The Game' splains it all away. I haven't heard who's been cast in the role of Kelly Parker yet, so any splainin will hinge on that. I know it's wrong to judge someone by their looks, but it's more that I'm seeking an answer that is most believable and the simplest to boot.
And right now I'm leaning toward plastic surgery, but it all depends on if the actress hired for the recast looks like she'd be the "After" picture in such an operation.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
For the most part, this will have no bearing on the show's status in Toobworld, because those pilots usually don't get aired. If they ever do, it's usually after the show has begun and can just be lumped over in one of the alternate dimensions.
Here are the shows that will be recasting some key roles, but which will not have any consequence for the show's inner reality:
'BROTHERS & SISTERS' - Jonathan LaPaglia, another Aussie passing himself off as American like show's star Rachel Griffiths, won't be playing one of the brothers when this show follows 'Desperate Housewives' on Sunday nights. Betty Buckley won't be returning as the mom, either, which is a shame since I think I'd like to have seen her interact with Griffiths and Calista Flockhart as her daughters.
'TRAVELER' - Also on ABC, this show is losing Gillian Jabobs who played Kimberly in the pilot.
'RULES OF ENGAGEMENT' - Over on CBS, Kathleen Rose Perkins won't be in this comedy when it finally gets its moment on the sked come mid-season. (Or sooner if something flops.)
'THE BIG BANG THEORY', also for CBS, is replacing its female lead who was originally played by Amanda Walsh.
'THE WEDDING ALBUM' was sold through the performance of its leading man, Bruno Campos. But now they're looking to go in a different direction.
Over at NBC, 'THE SINGLES TABLE', which is about five strangers who become friends after getting lumped together at a table for the wedding reception of a common friend, is losing Pascale Hutton who played one of those strangers.
I guess with a show like that, the whole pilot would have to be re-shot. Other shows could just pick up the storyline at some point after the pilot takes place, as if the show had always been on. But 'The Singles Table' would need that opening salvo.
The new network, CW, is the only one who might have a splainin problem when it comes to recastaways. 'THE GAME' is a spiinoff from 'Girlfriends' and its pilot aired originally as an episode of its parent sitcom.
'The Game', which will be about the women in the lives of pro football players, is going to need a new Kelly, since Jennifer Baxter played the role on 'Girlfriends' but won't be joining the new series.
Since the character already appeared on 'Girlfriends', we'll have to see how 'The Game' splains it all away. I haven't heard who's been cast in the role of Kelly Parker yet, so any splainin will hinge on that. I know it's wrong to judge someone by their looks, but it's more that I'm seeking an answer that is most believable and the simplest to boot.
And right now I'm leaning toward plastic surgery, but it all depends on if the actress hired for the recast looks like she'd be the "After" picture in such an operation.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
PHILLY WEATHER REPORT
Heads up for June 11th, because rain or shine, 'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia' over on FOX.
The jewel of Emperor Murdoch's crown will be replaying several of the sitcom's episodes this summer in anticipation of its return to heir apparent FX later that month on the 29th. (Sorry about dragging that monarchy metaphor to its death.)
But since it will now air on the broadcast network rather than the cable outlet, there will have to be some nip/tuck involved to bring it in line with the stoopid FCC's tight-assed, prurient, lemon-sucking schoolmarms narrow-minded views of what the public should see.
As you might guess, I'm no fan of that particular cubbyhole of the bureaucracy.
This type of cross-promotional programming stunt was tried last summer by CBS with UPN's 'Veronica Mars' and by ABC the summer before that with 'Monk'. Usually the shows flow to the niche of the cable channel from the big brother broadcaster, like NBC's 'Kingpin' playing on BRAVO, and their 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent' showing up on USA two weeks after airing on the Peacock network.
The jewel of Emperor Murdoch's crown will be replaying several of the sitcom's episodes this summer in anticipation of its return to heir apparent FX later that month on the 29th. (Sorry about dragging that monarchy metaphor to its death.)
But since it will now air on the broadcast network rather than the cable outlet, there will have to be some nip/tuck involved to bring it in line with the stoopid FCC's tight-assed, prurient, lemon-sucking schoolmarms narrow-minded views of what the public should see.
As you might guess, I'm no fan of that particular cubbyhole of the bureaucracy.
This type of cross-promotional programming stunt was tried last summer by CBS with UPN's 'Veronica Mars' and by ABC the summer before that with 'Monk'. Usually the shows flow to the niche of the cable channel from the big brother broadcaster, like NBC's 'Kingpin' playing on BRAVO, and their 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent' showing up on USA two weeks after airing on the Peacock network.
Or is that 'Law & Order: SVU'? I get confused sometimes......
When the show returns to FX on June 29th, Danny DeVito will be part of the cast as the father to Dennis and Dee.
Of the quartet that makes up the cast, however, I think he'd have been more believable as the father of Charlie.
But tele-genetics have never been a priority among casting agents.....
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
A FEW SECONDS WITH "24"
Yesterday, the fishwrap known as the New York Post mentioned a piece of paper that flashed briefly on the screen during the season finale of '24'. The only way to read it was to get a frame grab and enlarge it.
It showed a random group of letters that could be re-arranged to spell "Jack is dead".
It also featured these numbers:
3105973781
Those numbers were written in a vertical column and they were for a Nextel account's voice mail which was connected to '24'. According to the Post reporter, the mailbox is now full and inaccessible.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
It showed a random group of letters that could be re-arranged to spell "Jack is dead".
It also featured these numbers:
3105973781
Those numbers were written in a vertical column and they were for a Nextel account's voice mail which was connected to '24'. According to the Post reporter, the mailbox is now full and inaccessible.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
"DRESDEN" IN CHICAGO
A two hour pilot has already been filmed for 'The Dresden Files' which will lead to an 11 episode series for the Sci-Fi Channel. The show will be about a Chicago private detective with wizardly powers named Harry Dresden who is consulted when crimes have an otherworldly connection. It's being described as "supernatural noir" and will debut in January.
Being a contemporary show, 'The Dresden Files' sounds like a natural for an appearance by any of the alumni from 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' or from 'Charmed'. Since he flew to Chicago in the finale of his own show, even Dr. Frasier Crane might be believable in a more light-hearted episode of the show, and thus expand the number of his appearances in Toobworld.
And Chicago was the setting for the classic 'Kolchak: The Night Stalker' series as well as for a short-lived but fun show called 'Special Unit 2'. As "SP2" focused their attentions on the same kind of supernatural doings that Harry Dresden will probably be investigating, at least a reference or two to their covert operations might be in order (although I'd love to see Danny Woodburn return in his role as a thieving gnome).
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Being a contemporary show, 'The Dresden Files' sounds like a natural for an appearance by any of the alumni from 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' or from 'Charmed'. Since he flew to Chicago in the finale of his own show, even Dr. Frasier Crane might be believable in a more light-hearted episode of the show, and thus expand the number of his appearances in Toobworld.
And Chicago was the setting for the classic 'Kolchak: The Night Stalker' series as well as for a short-lived but fun show called 'Special Unit 2'. As "SP2" focused their attentions on the same kind of supernatural doings that Harry Dresden will probably be investigating, at least a reference or two to their covert operations might be in order (although I'd love to see Danny Woodburn return in his role as a thieving gnome).
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
OFF THE SEPINWALL
Alan Sepinwall is the TV critic/columnist for the Star-Ledger in New Jersey. His blog is listed there to the left as "What's Alan Watching?"
In his most recent blog entry, as he talks about the finale for 'Alias', Sepinwall invokes a little bit o' Toobworldian fantasy:
"Sloane, having just acquired the secret of eternal life, wants to blow up several world capitols just so he can make money rebuilding them? Huh? Why doesn't he just contact Tony Soprano and buy out that heavy equipment leasing company from Johnny Sack?"
I'd also like to see Sydney Bristow take out Phil Leotardo.....
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
In his most recent blog entry, as he talks about the finale for 'Alias', Sepinwall invokes a little bit o' Toobworldian fantasy:
"Sloane, having just acquired the secret of eternal life, wants to blow up several world capitols just so he can make money rebuilding them? Huh? Why doesn't he just contact Tony Soprano and buy out that heavy equipment leasing company from Johnny Sack?"
I'd also like to see Sydney Bristow take out Phil Leotardo.....
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Monday, May 22, 2006
CROSSOVER OF THE WEEK (5/22/06)
My thanks to Adam Finley of TVSquad.com whose review last night of the 'Family Guy' finale led me to this week's big Crossover.
During the season finale for 'Family Guy', (which was the "movie" DVD broken down into three episodes), reference was made to Lackluster Video, which is a spoof of Blockbuster Video, the national chain of video rental stores. The spoof was made more obvious by the design of the store's logo and the layout of the store's inside.
And it is a national chain, because Lackluster Video does not just have just the one store there in Quahog, Rhode Island. Outlets of the chain have been visited by the Simpsons in Springfield, by Daria Morgendorffer in Lawndale, and by Andy French in Cosmopolis.
So Lackluster Video connects those shows within the Tooniverse, aka Earth Prime-Time Toon. And those shows just lead to further expansion and connections with their own links through crossovers and spinoffs.
'Family Guy' - 'The Flintstones', among others.
'The Simpsons' - 'The Critic', 'King Of The Hill', 'The Archies', 'Huckleberry Hound', among several others.
'Daria' - 'Beavis And Butthead'
'Mission Hill' - well, you can't have everything.....
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
'THE FAMILY GUY'
&
'THE SIMPSONS'
&
'MISSION HILL'
&
'DARIA'
&
'THE SIMPSONS'
&
'MISSION HILL'
&
'DARIA'
During the season finale for 'Family Guy', (which was the "movie" DVD broken down into three episodes), reference was made to Lackluster Video, which is a spoof of Blockbuster Video, the national chain of video rental stores. The spoof was made more obvious by the design of the store's logo and the layout of the store's inside.
And it is a national chain, because Lackluster Video does not just have just the one store there in Quahog, Rhode Island. Outlets of the chain have been visited by the Simpsons in Springfield, by Daria Morgendorffer in Lawndale, and by Andy French in Cosmopolis.
So Lackluster Video connects those shows within the Tooniverse, aka Earth Prime-Time Toon. And those shows just lead to further expansion and connections with their own links through crossovers and spinoffs.
'Family Guy' - 'The Flintstones', among others.
'The Simpsons' - 'The Critic', 'King Of The Hill', 'The Archies', 'Huckleberry Hound', among several others.
'Daria' - 'Beavis And Butthead'
'Mission Hill' - well, you can't have everything.....
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
TOOBWORLD'S DEATH SQUAD
Thanks to the IMDb.com, here's a list of the actors who have portrayed the Spectre of Death in Toobworld. (This includes alternate dimensions such as Earth Prime Time Toon, the Tooniverse, and Sketchworld aka Earth Not Ready For Prime Time.)
Also in this list are Death's assistants (who would probably go on to become full-fledged Angels of Death themselves), as well as family members and even one of Death's pets.
This is probably not a complete list as I used only the terms "Death" and "Grim Reaper" to find these characters.
Jason Alexander (I) (Death)
. . . "Twilight Zone, The" (2002) {One Night at Mercy (#1.2)} TV Series
Daryl Anderson (I) (Death)
. . . "Passions" (1999) {(#1.1141 & 1.1142)} TV Series
Sebastian Bach (I) (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Strange Frequency" (2001) {Don't Fear the Reaper (#1.12)} TV Series
Lawrence Bayne (Death)
. . . "Big Wolf on Campus" (1999) {Clip Show: The Kiss of Death (#2.22)} TV Series
. . . "Big Wolf on Campus" (1999) {Don't Fear the Reaper (#1.21)} TV Series
Gary Bullock (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Sisters" (1991) {Angel of Death (#5.17)} TV Series
Corey Burton (Death)
. . . "Toonsylvania" (1998) TV Series
Ed Bye (Death)
. . . "Red Dwarf" (1988) {Only the Good... (#8.8)} TV Series
Adam Carolla (Death)
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Death Lives (#3.6)} TV Series
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Family Guy Viewer Mail #1 (#3.21)} TV Series
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {I Take Thee, Quagmire (#4.21)} TV Series
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Mr. Saturday Knight (#3.9)} TV Series
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {The Perfect Castaway (#4.12)} TV Series
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Wasted Talent (#2.20)} TV Series
Gower Champion (Mr. Death)
. . . "General Electric Theater" (1953) {The Rider on the Pale Horse (#5.7)} TV Series
Gary Collins (I) (Michael, the Angel of Death)
. . . "Fantasy Island" (1978) {The Angel's Triangle/Natchez Bound (#6.4)} TV Series
Gregory Scott Cummins (Death)
. . . "Step by Step" (1991) {Never on Sunday (#3.3)} TV Series
Neil Dickson (I) (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Iron Man" (1994) {The Grim Reaper Wears a Teflon Coat (#1.5)} TV Series
John Dye (Andrew, Angel of Death)
. . . "Touched By An Angel" (1995 - 2002)
. . . "Promised Land" (1996 - 1998)
Greg Eagles (Grim, The Grim Reaper)
. . . "Grim & Evil" (2001) TV Series
Noel Fielding (Vince Noir/Death)
. . . "Mighty Boosh, The" (2004) {Bollo (#1.3)} TV Series
Alistair Fullarton (Death/Devil)
. . . "Storyteller, The" (1988) {The Soldier and Death (#1.1)} TV Series
Kelsey Grammer (Death)
. . . "Medium" {Death Takes A Policy (#2.22)} TV Series
Murray Hamilton (I) (Mr. Death)
. . . "Twilight Zone, The" (1959) {One for the Angels (#1.2)} TV Series
Erik Hell (Death as a beggar)
. . . Blodsbröllop (1965) (TV)
Brian Huskey (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Upright Citizens Brigade" (1998) {Hospital (#3.3)} TV Series
Tony Jay (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Darkwing Duck" (1991) {Dead Duck (#1.47)} TV Series
Stanley Kamel (Death)
. . . "Six Feet Under" (2001) {In the Game (#2.1)} TV Series
Tom Kenny (I) (Death)
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Brian: Portrait of a Dog (#1.7)} TV Series
Patrick Kilpatrick (Death)
. . . "Charmed" (1998) {Apocalypse, Not (#2.21)} TV Series
Jimmy Kimmel (Death's Dog)
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Mr. Saturday Knight (#3.9)} TV Series
Igor Kolva (Death)
. . . Johanka z Arku (2003) (TV)
Christopher Lee (I) (Death (segment "Confession"))
. . . "Redoutables, Les" (2001) TV Series
. . . Saturday Night Live
. . . Wyrd Sisters (1997) (TV)
Denis Lill (Death)
. . . "Red Dwarf" (1988) {Gunmen of the Apocalypse (#6.3)} TV Series
Leon Lishner (Death)
. . . "NBC Opera Theater" (1950) {Labyrinth} TV Series
. . . Labyrinth, The (1962) (TV)
Dayton Lummis (Figure of Death)
. . . "Shirley Temple's Storybook" (1958) {The Nightingale (#1.3)} TV Se
Norm MacDonald
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Death Is a Bitch (#2.6)} TV Series
Alexander Malta (Death)
. . . Emperor of Atlantis, The (1977) (TV)
William Marshall (I) (The Grim Reaper)
. . . "Benson" (1979) {The Stranger (#7.4)} TV Series
Tom McCamus (Death)
. . . Death and the Maiden (2003) (TV)
Patrick McCartney (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Upright Citizens Brigade" (1998) {Hospital (#3.3)} TV Series
Stephen McHattie (Death)
. . . "Twilight Zone, The" (1985) {Rendezvous in a Dark Place (#3.26)} TV Series
Spike Milligan (Death)
. . . "Gormenghast" (2000) (mini) TV Series
Erik Mørk (Death)
. . . Sanct Hansaften-spil (1979) (TV)
Kendo Nagasaki (Death Angel)
. . . "Send in the Girls" (1978) {The Wild Bunch} TV Series
Martin Novotny (I) (Grim Reaper)
. . . "New Addams Family, The" (1998) {Pilot (#1.1)} TV Series
Regis Parton (Grim reaper)
. . . "Faerie Tale Theatre" (1982) {The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers (#3.7)} TV Series
Gunnar Randin (Horseman Death)
. . . Förlorade sonen, Den (1964) (TV)
Robert Redford (Harold Belden aka Death)
. . . "The Twilight Zone" (1962) (Nothing In The Dark) TV Series
Ian Richardson (I) (Death)
. . . Hogfather (2006) (TV)
William Sadler (I) (The Grim Reaper)
. . . "Tales from the Crypt" (1989) {The Assassin (#6.8)} TV Series
Paul Scheer (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Upright Citizens Brigade" (1998) {Hospital (#3.3)} TV Series
Tom Schiller (Death)
. . . "Saturday Night Live" (1975) {(#1.23)} TV Series
Angus Scrimm (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Nutt House, The" (1989) {Suites, Lies and Videotape (#1.6)} TV Series
Andrew Secunda (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Upright Citizens Brigade" (1998) {Hospital (#3.3)} TV Series
Corey Sevier (Grim Reaper)
. . . And Then There Was One (1994) (TV)
Jonny Spanish (Grim Reaper) . . . "Upright Citizens Brigade" (1998) {Hospital (#3.3)} TV Series
Simon Templeman (Angel of Death)
. . "Charmed" (1998) {Styx Feet Under (#7.5)} TV Series
. . . "Charmed" (1998) {Vaya Con Leos (#8.10)} TV Series
. . . "Charmed" (1998) {Death Takes a Halliwell (#3.16)} TV Series
Danny Thomas (I) (Angel of Death)
. . . "It's a Living" (1985) {A Very Special It's a Living (#4.19)} TV Series
John West (I) (Death's Assistant)
. . . Labyrinth, The (1962) (TV)
Birger Åsander (Döden (Death))
. . . Fan ger ett anbud (1963) (TV)
THE LADIES' AUXILIARY
Mary Kay Adams (Death (1992))
. . . "One Life to Live" (1968) TV Series
Sofia Andersson (Death)
. . . Ingen som jag (1999) (TV)
Danielle Carter (Death)
. . . "Lost World, The" (1999) {The End Game (#3.12)} TV Series
Estelle Harris (Death's Mother)
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Death Lives (#3.6)} TV Series
Kate Hodge (Celesta, Goddess of Death)
. . . "Xena: Warrior Princess" (1995) {Death in Chains (#1.9)} TV Series
Dot Jones (Death Angel)
. . . "Chicago Hope" (1994) {Cold Hearts (#6.17)} TV Series
Sue Jones-Davies (Death's Head)
. . . "Brideshead Revisited" (1981) (mini) TV Series
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Also in this list are Death's assistants (who would probably go on to become full-fledged Angels of Death themselves), as well as family members and even one of Death's pets.
This is probably not a complete list as I used only the terms "Death" and "Grim Reaper" to find these characters.
Jason Alexander (I) (Death)
. . . "Twilight Zone, The" (2002) {One Night at Mercy (#1.2)} TV Series
Daryl Anderson (I) (Death)
. . . "Passions" (1999) {(#1.1141 & 1.1142)} TV Series
Sebastian Bach (I) (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Strange Frequency" (2001) {Don't Fear the Reaper (#1.12)} TV Series
Lawrence Bayne (Death)
. . . "Big Wolf on Campus" (1999) {Clip Show: The Kiss of Death (#2.22)} TV Series
. . . "Big Wolf on Campus" (1999) {Don't Fear the Reaper (#1.21)} TV Series
Gary Bullock (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Sisters" (1991) {Angel of Death (#5.17)} TV Series
Corey Burton (Death)
. . . "Toonsylvania" (1998) TV Series
Ed Bye (Death)
. . . "Red Dwarf" (1988) {Only the Good... (#8.8)} TV Series
Adam Carolla (Death)
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Death Lives (#3.6)} TV Series
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Family Guy Viewer Mail #1 (#3.21)} TV Series
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {I Take Thee, Quagmire (#4.21)} TV Series
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Mr. Saturday Knight (#3.9)} TV Series
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {The Perfect Castaway (#4.12)} TV Series
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Wasted Talent (#2.20)} TV Series
Gower Champion (Mr. Death)
. . . "General Electric Theater" (1953) {The Rider on the Pale Horse (#5.7)} TV Series
Gary Collins (I) (Michael, the Angel of Death)
. . . "Fantasy Island" (1978) {The Angel's Triangle/Natchez Bound (#6.4)} TV Series
Gregory Scott Cummins (Death)
. . . "Step by Step" (1991) {Never on Sunday (#3.3)} TV Series
Neil Dickson (I) (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Iron Man" (1994) {The Grim Reaper Wears a Teflon Coat (#1.5)} TV Series
John Dye (Andrew, Angel of Death)
. . . "Touched By An Angel" (1995 - 2002)
. . . "Promised Land" (1996 - 1998)
Greg Eagles (Grim, The Grim Reaper)
. . . "Grim & Evil" (2001) TV Series
Noel Fielding (Vince Noir/Death)
. . . "Mighty Boosh, The" (2004) {Bollo (#1.3)} TV Series
Alistair Fullarton (Death/Devil)
. . . "Storyteller, The" (1988) {The Soldier and Death (#1.1)} TV Series
Kelsey Grammer (Death)
. . . "Medium" {Death Takes A Policy (#2.22)} TV Series
Murray Hamilton (I) (Mr. Death)
. . . "Twilight Zone, The" (1959) {One for the Angels (#1.2)} TV Series
Erik Hell (Death as a beggar)
. . . Blodsbröllop (1965) (TV)
Brian Huskey (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Upright Citizens Brigade" (1998) {Hospital (#3.3)} TV Series
Tony Jay (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Darkwing Duck" (1991) {Dead Duck (#1.47)} TV Series
Stanley Kamel (Death)
. . . "Six Feet Under" (2001) {In the Game (#2.1)} TV Series
Tom Kenny (I) (Death)
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Brian: Portrait of a Dog (#1.7)} TV Series
Patrick Kilpatrick (Death)
. . . "Charmed" (1998) {Apocalypse, Not (#2.21)} TV Series
Jimmy Kimmel (Death's Dog)
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Mr. Saturday Knight (#3.9)} TV Series
Igor Kolva (Death)
. . . Johanka z Arku (2003) (TV)
Christopher Lee (I) (Death (segment "Confession"))
. . . "Redoutables, Les" (2001) TV Series
. . . Saturday Night Live
. . . Wyrd Sisters (1997) (TV)
Denis Lill (Death)
. . . "Red Dwarf" (1988) {Gunmen of the Apocalypse (#6.3)} TV Series
Leon Lishner (Death)
. . . "NBC Opera Theater" (1950) {Labyrinth} TV Series
. . . Labyrinth, The (1962) (TV)
Dayton Lummis (Figure of Death)
. . . "Shirley Temple's Storybook" (1958) {The Nightingale (#1.3)} TV Se
Norm MacDonald
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Death Is a Bitch (#2.6)} TV Series
Alexander Malta (Death)
. . . Emperor of Atlantis, The (1977) (TV)
William Marshall (I) (The Grim Reaper)
. . . "Benson" (1979) {The Stranger (#7.4)} TV Series
Tom McCamus (Death)
. . . Death and the Maiden (2003) (TV)
Patrick McCartney (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Upright Citizens Brigade" (1998) {Hospital (#3.3)} TV Series
Stephen McHattie (Death)
. . . "Twilight Zone, The" (1985) {Rendezvous in a Dark Place (#3.26)} TV Series
Spike Milligan (Death)
. . . "Gormenghast" (2000) (mini) TV Series
Erik Mørk (Death)
. . . Sanct Hansaften-spil (1979) (TV)
Kendo Nagasaki (Death Angel)
. . . "Send in the Girls" (1978) {The Wild Bunch} TV Series
Martin Novotny (I) (Grim Reaper)
. . . "New Addams Family, The" (1998) {Pilot (#1.1)} TV Series
Regis Parton (Grim reaper)
. . . "Faerie Tale Theatre" (1982) {The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers (#3.7)} TV Series
Gunnar Randin (Horseman Death)
. . . Förlorade sonen, Den (1964) (TV)
Robert Redford (Harold Belden aka Death)
. . . "The Twilight Zone" (1962) (Nothing In The Dark) TV Series
Ian Richardson (I) (Death)
. . . Hogfather (2006) (TV)
William Sadler (I) (The Grim Reaper)
. . . "Tales from the Crypt" (1989) {The Assassin (#6.8)} TV Series
Paul Scheer (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Upright Citizens Brigade" (1998) {Hospital (#3.3)} TV Series
Tom Schiller (Death)
. . . "Saturday Night Live" (1975) {(#1.23)} TV Series
Angus Scrimm (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Nutt House, The" (1989) {Suites, Lies and Videotape (#1.6)} TV Series
Andrew Secunda (Grim Reaper)
. . . "Upright Citizens Brigade" (1998) {Hospital (#3.3)} TV Series
Corey Sevier (Grim Reaper)
. . . And Then There Was One (1994) (TV)
Jonny Spanish (Grim Reaper) . . . "Upright Citizens Brigade" (1998) {Hospital (#3.3)} TV Series
Simon Templeman (Angel of Death)
. . "Charmed" (1998) {Styx Feet Under (#7.5)} TV Series
. . . "Charmed" (1998) {Vaya Con Leos (#8.10)} TV Series
. . . "Charmed" (1998) {Death Takes a Halliwell (#3.16)} TV Series
Danny Thomas (I) (Angel of Death)
. . . "It's a Living" (1985) {A Very Special It's a Living (#4.19)} TV Series
John West (I) (Death's Assistant)
. . . Labyrinth, The (1962) (TV)
Birger Åsander (Döden (Death))
. . . Fan ger ett anbud (1963) (TV)
THE LADIES' AUXILIARY
Mary Kay Adams (Death (1992))
. . . "One Life to Live" (1968) TV Series
Sofia Andersson (Death)
. . . Ingen som jag (1999) (TV)
Danielle Carter (Death)
. . . "Lost World, The" (1999) {The End Game (#3.12)} TV Series
Estelle Harris (Death's Mother)
. . . "Family Guy" (1999) {Death Lives (#3.6)} TV Series
Kate Hodge (Celesta, Goddess of Death)
. . . "Xena: Warrior Princess" (1995) {Death in Chains (#1.9)} TV Series
Dot Jones (Death Angel)
. . . "Chicago Hope" (1994) {Cold Hearts (#6.17)} TV Series
Sue Jones-Davies (Death's Head)
. . . "Brideshead Revisited" (1981) (mini) TV Series
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
"Death, is good. Death is necessary.
And with a little bit of planning, death can even be a win, win.
I honestly marvel at how passionately some people resist it."
The Angel of Death
'Medium'
And with a little bit of planning, death can even be a win, win.
I honestly marvel at how passionately some people resist it."
The Angel of Death
'Medium'
Sunday, May 21, 2006
RECASTAWAYS: CLARABELL THE CLOWN
Lew Anderson passed away this week. I cobbled together a Hat Squad salute to him from various websites and an obituary or two which you can find by scrolling down the page.
He was best known for being the last of the actors to have played Clarabell the Clown during the long run for 'Howdy Doody' (or 'Puppet Playhouse'). Bob Keeshan, who went on to become Captain Kangaroo, was the first.
As such, Anderson was also known for having spoken the only words ever heard uttered by Clarabell - on the last episode of the show, at the very end, Clarabell waved to the audience viewing at home and tearfully said, "Goodbye, Kids."
Meaning no disrespect, but that would be a nice little quote for his tombstone.
Technically, Lew was not the last actor to have played Clarabell. In the 1970s, Robert Brunner assayed the role on an episode of 'Happy Days'. (Brunner was a writer and associate producer for the sitcom.)
In the episode, Richie sneaked backstage at a local appearance by Buffalo Bob and the Howdy Doody Gang and snapped a picture of Clarabell without his makeup. But Richie gave up the dreams of journalistic glory to help preserve the image Clarabell represented to millions of kids around the country.
We never saw the photo, or Clarabell without his makeup. In the lineup of the actors who played the role, Brunner's contribution would fit somewhere towards the end of the show's run for the Toobworld chronology.
Bob Keeshan
Bobby Nicholson
Alfie Scopp
Lew Anderson
Working within the framework of Toobworld's inner reality, the question might come up as to the splainin behind the differences caused by the various actors who played the role. Falling back on Occam's Razor - the theory that the simplest explanation should always be preferred, - I'd have to say there is no need for a splainin at all.
Wearing as much makeup as he did, any difference in appearance from one actor to another would have been negligible. In fact, as a test to whether or not he could pull off the role, Lew Anderson performed as Clarabell for the show's crew without them knowing in advance that a different actor was underneath the costume and makeup.
None of them noticed during the practice run.
So we don't have to rely on plastic surgery splainins or quantum leaping theories or what-have-you in order to justify the lineage for the clown's body of work. All we have to do is to ignore it.
From beginning to end, Clarabell was Clarabell, and that's all that needs be said.
Goodbye, Kids!
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
He was best known for being the last of the actors to have played Clarabell the Clown during the long run for 'Howdy Doody' (or 'Puppet Playhouse'). Bob Keeshan, who went on to become Captain Kangaroo, was the first.
As such, Anderson was also known for having spoken the only words ever heard uttered by Clarabell - on the last episode of the show, at the very end, Clarabell waved to the audience viewing at home and tearfully said, "Goodbye, Kids."
Meaning no disrespect, but that would be a nice little quote for his tombstone.
Technically, Lew was not the last actor to have played Clarabell. In the 1970s, Robert Brunner assayed the role on an episode of 'Happy Days'. (Brunner was a writer and associate producer for the sitcom.)
In the episode, Richie sneaked backstage at a local appearance by Buffalo Bob and the Howdy Doody Gang and snapped a picture of Clarabell without his makeup. But Richie gave up the dreams of journalistic glory to help preserve the image Clarabell represented to millions of kids around the country.
We never saw the photo, or Clarabell without his makeup. In the lineup of the actors who played the role, Brunner's contribution would fit somewhere towards the end of the show's run for the Toobworld chronology.
Bob Keeshan
Bobby Nicholson
Alfie Scopp
Lew Anderson
Working within the framework of Toobworld's inner reality, the question might come up as to the splainin behind the differences caused by the various actors who played the role. Falling back on Occam's Razor - the theory that the simplest explanation should always be preferred, - I'd have to say there is no need for a splainin at all.
Wearing as much makeup as he did, any difference in appearance from one actor to another would have been negligible. In fact, as a test to whether or not he could pull off the role, Lew Anderson performed as Clarabell for the show's crew without them knowing in advance that a different actor was underneath the costume and makeup.
None of them noticed during the practice run.
So we don't have to rely on plastic surgery splainins or quantum leaping theories or what-have-you in order to justify the lineage for the clown's body of work. All we have to do is to ignore it.
From beginning to end, Clarabell was Clarabell, and that's all that needs be said.
Goodbye, Kids!
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
"Aw, being a clown sucks!
You get kicked by kids, bit by dogs, and admired by the elderly!"
Homer Simpson
'The Simpsons'
You get kicked by kids, bit by dogs, and admired by the elderly!"
Homer Simpson
'The Simpsons'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
