TELE-GENETICS

No, that's got nothing to do with how you look on TV, nor is it some wacko cult created by a hack sci-fi writer.


The journal "Nature" has published a report by a genealogical research team delving into the mysteries of human ancestry. Their findings state that everybody alive today - no matter where in the world - shares a common ancestor who lived 2-3,000 years ago.

Considering how much she got around, that ancestor's name is probably "Xena".

Team member Steve Olson said, "People are much more closely related to each other biologically than we've suspected in the past."

Another member of the team, Yale mathematician Joseph Chang, claimed that because a person's genes are diluted by half every generation, it's unlikely you share any of the same genes with a forebear who lived even tens of generations ago, Chang explained. But that person is still your genealogical ancestor, even if you are not genetically related.

Of course the scientific laws of the real world don't apply to Toobworld, and vice versa. Otherwise, there would be no secret bases on the moon and time travel in the TV Universe. And we would have manimals and automen roaming about in our midst, saying "Can you hear me now? Good."

In the TV Universe, characters not only share genetic material with ancestors tens of generations back, they can look exactly alike as well. We are used to seeing a character's parent and sometimes even grandparent looking like them, but this seeing double can go back even farther on the family tree. AJ and Rick Simon had carbon copies forebears dating back to the American Revolution.
('Simon and Simon')

And Samantha and Darrin Stephens are both genetic echoes of prehistoric ancestors who also shared the same names. And as if by kismet, these primeval twins also fell in love and married. Samantha's ancestor was even able to practice witchcraft.

[We know it couldn't be the modern-day Sam and Darrin on a magical pre-history tour of Bedrock. It has been stated with certainty that witches can't go beyond that point in time when they were born, or else they risk losing their powers. And the proto-Samantha had full use of her Neanderthal nose-twitch.]
('Bewitched' & 'The Flintstones')

"We make mistakes. Genetic manipulation or not, nobody's perfect."

Captain Jean-Luc Picard

'Star Trek: The Next Generation'

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

[This was based on an article by Paul H.B. Shin, which was originally published in the New York Daily News on October 3, 2004.]

FLUMMOXED BY FOX

It's been a few weeks since I looked at the line-up of new shows from a particular network and tried to figure out what might be their best crossover options.

So we've tackled ABC and CBS; let's move on to that fair and balanced mothership of Rupert Murdoch's empire, FOX:

'The Partner'
'Renovate My Family'
'Next Great Champ'
'House'
'The Billionaire - Richard Branson's Quest For The Best'
'The Complex: Malibu'

ARE THEY BLEEPING ME????

You know, I was willing to play along and suggest a few links for a so-called "reality show" once in a while for each network..... But to have your line-up stocked with them?

Bleep that!

All save for 'House'. At least I'm looking forward to at least a few episodes of that; to test the waters. I'm a fan of Hugh Laurie and it sounds as if his character is meant to have the type of irascibility shown by Patrick McGoohan when he starred in the poorly received (and I admit it, poorly conceived) 'Rafferty'.

I just don't understand why he's being forced to adopt an American accent. Let the man revel in his natural British diction! Don't vocally castrate him like CBS did with Mark Addy!

Other than that, I'll wait to see a few episodes before I make a suggestion, but seeing as how they've loaded down the sked with so many reality shows, there aren't that many options for crossovers. Off the top of my melon, I'd say an hour in the day of Jack Bauer and '24' might be in order.

'House' - The title suggests it's either a home renovation program or another version of 'Big Brother'.

But it's a medical investigation series about Dr. Ian House.

This will never come up in the series, but I think Dr. House is related, albeit distantly, to Chief Inspector House, a British investigator. It's not exactly a relative Dr. House would be bragging about. (See 'Burke's Law' episode "Who Killed Supersleuth?")

I'd bet that except for my online allies at the Gene Barry website, I doubt that there's anybody else who would have remembered Chief Inspector House.

But as I am a great fan of 'The Dick Van Dyke Show', seeing Carl Reiner in the role of Inspector House made qute an impression on a fair-headed yet feather-headed young boy.

Yes! I'm talking about myself!!!!!!

BCnU!
Toby

WEEKLY ROUNDUP

THE GREAT LINK
AL SHARPTON: FREED FOR LINKIN'
Now that he's no longer running for President, Reverend Al Sharpton has a lot of free time for a more prominent position in TV Land. One week after Election Day, Reverend Al will debut as the host of a new reality series on Spike-TV: 'I Hate My Job'.

He'll be serving as a motivational coach to eight guys who quit their jobs and are given three months to pursue the dream job they've always wanted.

And he's been prepping himself by appearing on other shows around the dial as himself. Last December, he hosted 'Saturday Night Live' and proved himself adept at playing characters other than himself. (My personal favorite was his impersonation of Johnny Cochrane.)

But just in the last three weeks he's gone bi-coastal - first, he was practically accosted by Maya when he showed up at William's offices, but at least he got a free copy of her book out of the experience.
('Girlfriends')

And then it was off to Boston where he made a surprise appearance in a court case dealing with a little black girl's chance to play the iconic figure of Li'l Orphan Annie in a roadshow production of the musical.

Reverend Al appeared as a favor to Denny Crane, acting as the "rabbit pulled out of the hat" to shake things up in the courtroom to swing opinion in the favor of Alan Shore's client.

[An interesting side note: the name of the 'Girlfriends' episode was "The Rabbit Died". I hope there's nothing ominous in that.....]
('Boston Legal')

These weren't the first times that Sharpton has appeared as himself in the TV Universe. Of course, there is always the talk show circuit, but we all know that's not the stuff that makes for exciting connections in the Great Link.

Still, here are a list of a few notable appearances in such forums:
"Real Time with Bill Maher" (2003) playing "Himself" 30 July 2004
"Tavis Smiley" (2004) playing "Himself" 29 July 2004
"Dennis Miller" (2004) playing "Himself" 15 & 20 July 2004
"Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993) playing "Himself" 14 July 2004
"O'Reilly Factor, The" (1996) playing "Himself" 1 July 2004
"Tavis Smiley" (2004) playing "Himself" 2 February 2004
"Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The" (1992) playing "Himself" 19 February 2003
"Chris Rock Show, The" (1997) playing "Himself" 21 November 1997
"Howard Stern" (1994) playing "Himself" 13 June 1996
"Howard Stern Show, The" (1990) playing "Himself" 27 April 1991
"Howard Stern Show, The" (1990) playing "Himself" 17 November 1990
[Thanks to the IMDb for the info.]

Al Sharpton has also appeared in that little corner of the TV Universe carved out by Dick Wolf with appearances on 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' and 'New York Undercover'. (Even though those two shows aired on different networks, they are linked by the appearance of Dr. Elizabeth Olivet, as played by Carolyn McCormack.)

I haven't seen either episode, but I think I know how they sussed out. The reverend probably led the protest when the reputation of a college was being protected to the detriment of an investigation into the murder of a female student, allegedly by two of the school's basketball stars.
('Law & Order: Special Victims Unit')

And he probably rose to the defense of a fellow minister, Reverend Hundley, who was being targeted by a cigarette manufacturer.
('New York Undercover')

But there's one appearance by Reverend Al Sharpton that has my curiousity piqued. In September of 1974, he appeared as himself on an episode of 'Soul Train'.

As he just turned fifty this month, he was not yet twenty when he was on the show. So I'm figuring that he was one of the kids dancing to the latest hits.

Now THAT would be something to see!

MISSING LINK
Charlie's loony next door neighbor, Rose, used the term "re-gifted" when talking about the fact that he gave his nephew a fake dog-poop toy which she had given him. (Actually, she broke into the house and left it on his pillow.)

Rose: "But you re-gifted. And I thought you were a classy guy!"

She jumped off the balcony to make her escape before she could reveal how she might have known of a term that was created by a character on 'Seinfeld'.

There was no mention or reference to the classic show about Nothing, so we're free to assume that this is not a Zonk. Instead, it's possible there might be a reason to be found in the show's inner reality.
('Two And A Half Men')

SPLAININ
At some point in time, Rose must have known someone found in the 'Seinfeld' universe. And each of the four main characters could have used the term with her.

Jerry: As a comedian, he would have had plenty of opportunities to visit Los Angeles; they even built a season-ending cliff-hanger around such a trip. And as a single man with dating woes, Rose would have fit in perfectly with his personal rogue's gallery.
George: While he was working for the New York Yankees front office, George must have traveled with the team to the West Coast for any number of road trip series. Perhaps he met Rose while they were both going into a stadium.
Kramer: He's got a reputation for doing well with those ladies who have some kind of emotional problems or who are at least on the rebound. And as he is a quixotic sort, he may have been in the City of Angels on business. (He does have Kramerica, Inc. to run, after all.)
Elaine: Maybe once she got out of prison in 1999/2000, she decided to start her life anew. To accomplish that, perhaps California was the place she ought to be. And once she relocated to Beverly - Hills, that is (movie stars, swimming pools) - perhaps Elaine became friends with Rose.
('Two And A Half Men' & 'Seinfeld')

CLASSIC ZONK
Illya Kuryakin and a scientist's daughter once watched a TV episode about a secret agent who takes the place of a sheik's daughter in the Arabian kingdom of Zalamar, in order to foil the plans of the evil Grand Vizier.
('The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' - "The Her Master's Voice Affair")

The problem is, the show they were watching was the second episode of 'The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.' ("The Prisoner Of Zalamar Affair"). Illya Kuryakin and April Dancer (the secret agent portrayed in the episode) worked for the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement. He once teamed up with her partner Mark Slade, while she was working with Illya's partner, Napoleon Solo.

This wasn't the only time two TV series that are definitely proven to be in the same universe would later be Zonked by being shown on TV within each other's programs. It happened between 'Ally McBeal' and 'The Practice', as well.

There's a splainin for all of this, I'm sure of it.

Just haven't found it yet......

THE LEAGUE OF THEMSELVES
Mary, Delinda, and Nerissa got lost in the Nevada desert when they hunted for hidden treasure. But before they could be found by the local crime scene investigators (like THAT crossover will ever happen!), they were rescued by singer Clint Black who happened to be staying nearby. Clint Black always seems to have interesting encounters with the Ladies of TV Land; he was once stalked at a party in Boston by bar manager Rebecca Howe. ('Cheers')

The great thing about Toobworld: There's always a celebrity around when you need one!
('Las Vegas')

Tony Kleinman was told by his mechanic that he should borrow a Hummer while his own car was in the shop for repairs. What he failed to point out, however, was that the vehicle was owned by Dennis Rodman. And even after he found out, Tony still wouldn't give it up until his own car was ready.

The sportswriter might not have been so obstinate about the situation had he known that within TV's own reality, Dennis Rodman is not of this world. He is an alien, perhaps even one similar to those pseudo-humanoids to be found in Rutherford, Ohio.

Maybe that's the real reason Rodman is known as "The Worm".
('Listen Up!' & 'Third Rock From The Sun')

Both Black and Rodman are eligible for eventual induction into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame - and without any appearances on talk shows, music programs, or poker showdowns.

Dennis Rodman also has:
'North Shore'
'L.A. Doctors'
'Baywatch'
'Double Rush'

And Clint Black can also claim:
'King Of The Hill'
'The Larry Sanders Show'

LA TRIVIATA
"Avenue Q", the puppet musical which won the Tony Award this year for Best Musical, is now officially a part of the TV Universe in more than just promotional appearances on talk shows, commercials, or in musical snippets.

Chief Jerry Reilly discovered his wife had Alzheimer's when they went to see the show. (She told him that when her husband showed up, he'd have to give up his seat - for himself.)
('Rescue Me')

The first orchid hybrid was created in 1858, according to Dr. Barrett Moore.
('Nip/Tuck')

The last time Joan Rivers graced the cover of 'People' magazine was in 1994.
('Nip/Tuck')

OBITUARIES
Adrian Moore, totally messed up by his relationship with his "mother", Ava Moore (formerly a man named Avery Tanner), killed himself with a hunting knife plunged into his intestinal organs.
('Nip/Tuck')

Sam Dorian, father of Dan and John ("JD"), was a traveling office supplies salesman. He may have died on the road doing business.('Scrubs')

IN THE NEWS

"The majority of television caters to the majority of Americans,

And is, as a result, garbage."
Grace McCallister
'Jack & Bobby'

*******

LucasFilms is now denying that there are any TV shows based on 'Star Wars' in development.
It doesn't matter. 'Star Wars' is already part of the TV Universe: 'Droids', 'Ewoks', the infamous 1977 Holiday Special......
~~~~~~
The producers of 'Joey' are casting for another Tribbiani sister to join the fold by November. (I knew they would have been better off naming the series 'Tribbiani!'......)

NBC isn't saying, but a Bold-Face name could be playing the role.

To me, that sounds like an act of desperation, and could very well end up being a focal point on the "Jump The Shark" website. (Personally, I'm finding the show to be comedically bankrupt.)

But why not call on Marla Sokoloff to reprise her portrayal of Dina Tribbiani? Audiences know her from 'The Practice', where she played Lucy Hatcher. She's got the comedic chops, as displayed by her one-line zingers and asides in that role....

And she's got spunk. I LIKE spunk!
~~~~~~
Hit 1980s TV action series The A-Team is to be remade as a movie, according to Hollywood trade paper Variety. It said James Bond screenwriter Bruce Feirstein was writing a more serious movie version of the popular US series for the Fox studio.

The TV show followed the fortunes of four Vietnam veterans on the run after escaping from a US military prison. It starred the late George Peppard and made a pop culture phenom out of Mr. T. [Peppard, who played The A-Team leader Hannibal, died in Los Angeles in 1994.] The series, which ran from 1983 to 1987, also starred Dirk Benedict as Faceman Peck and Dwight Schultz as Howling Mad Murdock.

Stephen J. Cannell, who created the original show and is co-producing the new film, said Mr. T could be bought back in a cameo role. He said: "Mr. T and I had lunch last week, and I'd really like to have him in the movie, although we haven't begun casting.

"I always think it's nice to see the stars of the old show in cameo roles in the movie. But obviously he won't be playing BA Baracus."

Cannell added that the remake would be "less cartoony" than the original. He told Variety: "Not to denigrate the TV show, but nobody ever died. We drove cars off cliffs and people got out and walked away. We're not going to do that in the movie. In this, the tone is more dangerous - you can really die. It's very tense and exciting."

~~~~~

Fred Thompson will do double duty on two 'Law & Order' shows. He will continue to play Manhattan District Attorney Arthur Branch on the original series, but he will also take the character to 'Law & Order: Trial by Jury', which is set to premiere next spring.

"Obviously, Fred is a welcome and quite necessary component of `Law & Order: Trial By Jury' since the action takes place inside the legal system and he is the district attorney," executive producer and series creator Dick Wolf told The Associated Press Wednesday in an e-mail.

'Law & Order: Trial by Jury' will star Jerry Orbach, also of the original 'Law & Order' series, as police Detective Lennie Briscoe. The series also will star Bebe Neuwirth, Kirk Acevedo and Amy Carlson.
~~~~~~~~
'My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss', premiering Nov. 7 at 9 p.m. is a hybrid reality spoof that dupes contestants for laughs.

"What 'My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé' did for romance reality, 'My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss' will do for business reality," said Gail Berman, president of Fox Entertainment.

The show takes 12 contestants and puts them in the employ of N. Paul Todd (played by actor William August). As Mr. Todd, CEO of the fictitious IOCOR, August puts his charges through a series of ridiculous challenges. The last contestant standing will take home a real check for $250,000.
~~~~~~~~
Depending on your way of counting, the new, animated version of 'The Fantastic Four' will be either the third or fourth television take on the first Marvel supergroup, beginning with the 1967 Hanna-Barbera cartoon. The 1978 'The New Fantastic Four' omitted the Human Torch.

[Very few fans are likely to count the 1979 Hanna-Barbera offering 'Fred and Barney Meet The Thing', which somehow managed to mix Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble with the rock-bodied 'Fantastic Four' character.

But of course, this televisiologist accepts the challenge - both the Flintstones and the Fantastic Four exist in the same TV dimension; it's just a matter of splainin away how they bridged the temporal gap!]

Marvel and Antefilms (which produces Cartoon Network's 'Code Lyoko' and 'Funky Cops') hope to give the series an all-ages appeal, to bridge the gap between fans of the original series and new viewers who flock to the coming feature film. Marvel hopes to use the series, as well as a new video game property, as a way to tide fans between the first movie and what the company hopes will be sequels.
~~~~~~
Kirstie Alley is recruiting some old friends for her unscripted Showtime series 'Fat Actress'. John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Jeff Zucker and Mark Curry are set to appear in the show's first episode.

Set to premiere in March of 2005, 'Fat Actress' takes an only slightly fictionalized look at Alley's own experiences with looking for love and work in Hollywood while having to deal with endless media and tabloid speculation about her yo-yoing weight.
~~~~~~~~
Warner Bros. has acquired remake rights to 'Hawaii Five-O', with George Nolfi set to write the script, reports Variety. George Litto, who was the agent of series creator Leonard Freeman, will produce the film.

With its lush Oahu setting, popular theme song and signature lead detective character Steve McGarrett, 'Hawaii Five-O' is perhaps the most remake-friendly TV series not previously under studio control, says the trade. CBS broadcast the series from 1968 to 1980.

Nolfi has begun writing, and filming is expected to start next spring in Oahu for an early summer 2006 release. There is even a time schedule for sequels. Nolfi is reportedly sticking close to the original 'Five-O' series plot.

Personally, I just wish they'd leave the original characters alone and do a continuation with new characters. Perhaps they could bring in James MacArthur to reprise his signature role of Dan-O.
~~~~~~~
Going in the opposite direction (from film to TV), Ricky Tomlinson is in talks to reprise his big screen role of the hapless England football manager Mike Bassett for a TV series. ITV is producing the spin-off of the British movie 'Mike Bassett: England Manager' to be screened next year.

Actress Amanda Redman - who starred in the film - is also in negotiations to play Bassett's long-suffering wife.

The TV series will see Bassett down on his luck and in charge of a third division club.

The sitcom will follow his exploits trying to manage fictional Wirral County Football Club while struggling to keep his marriage on track.

[In the 2001 film Bassett was promoted from the manager of Norwich City to become England supremo, mainly because nobody else could be found to fill the position.]

"Mike Basset was a huge hit in cinemas and we are thrilled to be bringing these great characters back in this new incarnation," said ITV's controller of comedy Sioned Wiliam.

"It's wonderful to be working with such great actors and talented writers."

The series will be made by Artist Independent Television and Smiling Films, and executive produced by the film's writers Rob Sprackling and John Smith.

"We can't wait to bring Bassett to the small screen. His hapless antics at the bum end of the football league are the perfect antidote to the super cool glamour of the Premiership," Sprackling and Smith said in a statement.
~~~~~~~~~~
This was from Hercules, the TV guy at the Ain't It Cool News? site:

"I’m trying to stay off the pipe, but I've got one so good my sponsors - my Spoiler Anonymous sponsors - are encouraging me to drop a hint.

Here's the 2004 edition, as we head into the big fall season: Two – count ‘em – two regular characters on one of Herc’s very favorite TV series of all time will die before the 2004-05 season staggers to completion.

Regulars, I say. Regular regulars. We're talking title credits. Die forever. And completely. Not back at all. Ever. Not a trick, hoax or imaginary story. Really gonna happen.

For those new to the site, just some of the Herc’s all-time favorite series:

Gilmore Girls
The O.C.
The Simpsons
Survivor
24
The West Wing

For the record, I do not regard 'Smallville' as one of my all-time favorite series, though it still stands head and shoulders above 'Lois & Clark.'

That's all you get, bitch. Hug it out, and if you think I lie, we'll talk after Memorial Day. "

I'll be curious to see who it is. I'm figuring it's either the parents on 'Gilmore Girls' or two from 'West Wing'.

[I did like the allusion to 'Entourage'. I think Ari once said, "Hug it out, Bitch." to E.......]
~~~~~~~
Perhaps the second time will be the charm for 'American Idol' wannabe, Donnie Williams. Williams, 20, was chosen last winter to appear on 'Idol', but was arrested for drunk driving after partying the night before he was to fly to Los Angeles to take part in last season's show. When producers learned what he had done, he was disqualified and replaced by George Huff, a likable and talented singer who made it all the way to the finals.

But now the three judges from the popular talent-hunt show have given Williams the green light to go to Hollywood for a rare, second shot at the fame and fortune. Williams got the second chance last week during tryouts in San Francisco when he sang "Happy Birthday" to Simon Cowell, who was celebrating his 45th birthday. "I just decided to sing in honor of his birthday and it worked," Williams says. "Then they all told me I was going to LA"

Cowell says it was Williams' talent, not his song choice, that landed him a slot on the show. "Another singer did the same thing and I booted him," Cowell said. "Donnie was chosen for his singing ability."

"He took care of it," judge Randy Jackson says of the arrest. "And now he's back where he should be, he's got the whole package: great voice, good attitude."
~~~~~~~~~

Classic comedy 'Fawlty Towers' has been voted the top BBC sitcom by foreign viewers - including those in Germany.

The show, starring John Cleese as a hapless hotelier, topped a poll carried out internationally by BBC Worldwide. Germany was among the countries which voted for the 1970s sitcom despite the famous scene in which Basil Fawlty cries: "Don't mention the war!"

'Keeping Up Appearances' was second, closely followed by 'Blackadder Goes Forth' in third. 'Absolutely Fabulous' came fourth.

'Yes, Minister' and 'The Vicar of Dibley' also featured prominently in the poll. 'Coupling' was the most up-to-date offering in the poll, in seventh place, although 'The Office' failed to make the top 10.

'Only Fools and Horses' may have topped a recent poll of British viewers, but international audiences are not as fond of the show, only rating it eighth.

The sitcoms are shown in over 100 countries on the BBC Prime entertainment channel, which is part of BBC Worldwide. BBC Prime boss David Weiland said: "Classic comedy is a big winner internationally and we are delighted Fawlty Towers has come up trumps yet again."

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

HUGHNIVERSAL SHOCK

With the news that Kid Flash will soon appear in the alternate TV dimension shared by 'Smallville' and 'The West Wing', my thoughts have been on superheroes of late. Particularly of an emerald-clad ringbearer and champion of the universe.

But until such time as I get my thoughts tracked down, stunned, roped, branded, and corralled into order, I'd like to share with you another email from my colleague in the study of the TV Universe.

Ladies and gentlemen, here's Hugh:

Toby:
Are you familiar with the cartoon Static Shock? Unfortunately, it was cancelled this past year, but it made many televerse connections.

Produced for the WB, it was an animated adaptation of an Icon Comics character named Static. It told of Virgil Hawkins in Dakota, a teen who got electricity based powers after "the Big Bang", an explosion at the docks. His best friend Richie was the only one with his secret, and, starting in season three (of four total), he started dressing as Gear, using his high IQ to fight crimes as well.

From a real world standpoint, the show featured Shaquille O'Neal as himself in season one (the "Static Shaq" episode), A.J. McLean from Backstreet Boys (in "Duped," also season one), and Lil' Romeo (in "Romeo in the Mix" from season three), and the final season featured Karl Malone (voicing himself) with Tracy McGrady, Steve Nash, and Yao Ming (voiced by other actors) in "Hoop Squad," which had the NBA all-stars becoming a super-team (reminiscent of the Power Rangers).

One late season three episode, "Blast from the Past", introduced Soul Power (the plan to use Black Lightning from the comics fell through), a retired black super hero who came out of retirement to help Virgil. The show also put together a pair of superbly written episodes, "Static in Africa" for season 3 then the sequel "Out of Africa" for season 4, which featured the heroic Anansi and the villainous Osebo, bringing African (and island) legends to animated form, and making a superhero out of folktale figure Anansi. Potential crossover here: the Gargoyles cartoon, when it featured Goliath and company wandering the earth, had an Anansi episode, "Mark of the Panther", where the great spider was a monster/villain instead of a magical hero.

It's greatest crossovers, however, began with the first season of episode two, "Big Leagues," in which Static teamed up with Batman and Robin to beat the Joker (all voiced by their actors from the WB's Batman, the animated series). It turns out Static is firmly in the world of those animated series, as season three began with "Hard as Nails" and found Static in Gotham, helping Batman, Comm. Gordon, Alfred and Harvey Bullock stop Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn.

Then, in the two-part "A League of Their Own," Static and Gear helped most of the Justice League (Batman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Flash, and Hawkgirl) defeat Brainiac. Static finally met Superman in "Toys in the Hood", a direct sequel to the "Obsession" episode of the Superman animated series, as the kids in Dakota teamed with the Man of Steel against Toyman. Season four then offered both "Future Shock", with Static thrown forward to the future of Batman Beyond. And finally, Virgil and his old hero, the John Stewart Green Lantern, fought Sinestro in "Fallen Hero."

The Paul Dini/Bruce Timm Batman: The Animated Series, later The Advs. of Batman & Robin, later part of the Batman/Superman Advs. hour, later Batman: Gotham Knights, but basically all one show) directly ties into Superman: The Animated Series (also part of that hour with Batman), the sequel series Batman Beyond, and Justice League, which is now called Justice League Unlimited (and looks to be an omnibus of the entire DC universe of characters). It also ties to some of the Webtoons from the WB, with women of Gotham City, such as Harley Quinn, Zatanna, Batgirl, Poison Ivy, and Catwoman. Batman Beyond spun off the Zeta Project, but Batman's most remarkable cross (in my mind) was when Mark Hamill's voice was used for the Joker on the live-action Birds of Prey, a rare cartoon to live-action link up.

Also, there's a debatable point as to whether or not Teen Titans fits into this world. It's in a different style anyway. However, in "Hard as Nails," Static asks about Robin, and he's told "he's with the Titans--you'll know about them soon enough," suggesting a crossover was planned.

Another possible cross--the villain Sinestro, from "Fallen Hero", and who has been on JL and Superman, appears in the "Green Loontern" episode of Duck Dodgers (which also has a Samurai Jack cameo); it's a different actor, but all are by WB animators.

Anyway, just info for you.
Hugh
____________
And always welcome, thanks!

Any interesting cross-over/spin-off stories you'd like to share? Send them along! We're always hungry for ways to expand the TV Universe!

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

PAYING RESPECTS

"No respect — I don't get no respect at all. Are you kidding?"
Rodney Dangerfield

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Rodney Dangerfield, the bug-eyed comic whose self-deprecating one-liners brought him stardom in clubs, television and movies and made his lament "I don't get no respect" a catchphrase, died Tuesday. He was 82.

For television viewers, Rodney Dangerfield was best known for his stand-up routines on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' and 'Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson'. He made over 70 appearances on 'The Tonight Show' which, if not a record, certainly must rank him up there in the top ten. He also hosted some HBO specials that showcased young talent that would become big stars after the exposure he provided: Jerry Seinfeld, Sam Kinison, Jim Carrey, and Roseanne.

Rodney pegged his own schtick on being the underdog and he cornered the market in getting no respect, no respect at all:

"When I was born, I was so ugly that the doctor slapped my mother."

"When I was 3 years old, my parents got a dog. I was jealous of the dog, so they got rid of me."

"I remember the time I was kidnapped, and they sent a piece of my finger to my father. He said he wanted more proof."

"I'm so ugly, when I was a kid, my father bought a new billfold, and, instead of my picture, he carried the picture of the kid who came with the wallet."

"I never got any respect from my old man. I said, 'Nobody likes me.' He said, 'Don't feel that way. Everybody hasn't met you yet.' "

"When my parents got divorced, there was a custody fight over me. ... and no one showed up."

"I never got girls when I was a kid. One girl told me, 'Come on over, there's nobody home.' I went over. There was nobody home."

"And my wife. As soon as I got married I knew I was in trouble. My in-laws sent me a thank-you note."

"My wife, let me tell you about my wife. She wants to have sex in the back seat of the car, but she wants me to drive."

"When we got married, the first thing my wife did was put everything under both names -- hers and her mother's."

"With my wife, I don't get no respect. The other night there was a knock on the front door. My wife told me to hide in the closet."

"The other night, she met me at the front door wearing a see-through negligee. The only trouble is she was coming home."

*****

Younger audiences from the 1980s onwards embraced Rodney in much the same way they caught on to Tony Bennett and his music: Rodney was hip. His characters in the movies were rebellious: they smoked pot; they bucked the system; they were lewd, crude, and always got the last one-liner in.

But it's his life - as seen on TV - which we'd like to remember.

"When I started in show business, I played one club that was so far out,
My act was reviewed in Field and Stream."
Rodney Dangerfield

In October of 1996, Rodney was in New York City, probably playing a few clubs, when he encountered Jonathan Eliot and his friends. At the time, Mr. Eliot was in a relationship with a woman who treated him like a 'Kept Man'.
['The Single Guy']

Back on 'Thanksgiving', 1997, the family of 'Tool Time' star Tim Taylor got to meet Rodney at a Lions game when they were invited into the VIP skybox of the Silverdome.

['Home Improvement']

Rodney also made appearances on other talk shows which existed only in the TV Universe. For instance, he was a member of a panel discussion regarding 'Mercy Killing', during which I'm sure he had some keen observations about the subject.
['Night Stand with Dick Dietrich']

"With my wife, I get no respect. I fell asleep with a cigarette in my hand. She lit it."

"I could tell that my parents hated me. My bath toys were a toaster and a radio."

"I tell ya I get no respect from anyone. I bought a cemetery plot. The guy said, 'There goes the neighborhood!' "

******

He also appeared on 'Cabana Chat' with Dixie and Pool Boy in order to plug his movie, 'Meet Wally Sparks'.

['Mad TV']

There were others in the TV Universe who looked like Rodney Dangerfield. For instance, there was Larry Burns, the illegitimate son of Montgomery Burns in Springfield. ('The Simpsons') And there was a now-deceased repairman named Artie who died with his boots on, Thanksgiving, 1996. ('Suddenly, Susan')

The re-discovery and heightend popularity of Rodney Dangerfield can be traced back to a specific event in the TV Universe - the Pepsi Syndrome crisis of 1979. Pepsi was spilled on the controls of a nuclear reactor, nearly causing a meltdown. When President Jimmy Carter paid an inspection visit to the site, he was exposed to massive doses of radiation which dramatically altered his cellular structure.

In the dark days that followed the critics, Rodney Dangerfield was called in as the go-to expert, the only one who could put the situation in proper perspective......

Rosalyn Carter: Where is Jimmy? I have a right to see him!
Ross Denton: Mrs. Carter, the president is recieving special treatment right now.
Rosalyn Carter: What kind of special treatment? Why can't I see him?
Ross Denton: Mrs. Carter, this is Dr. Edna Casey. Perhaps she can explain better than I what has happened to the president.
Dr. Edna Casey: Mrs. Carter, your husband was exposed to massive doses of radiation. Now this has affected the entire cell structure of his body and greatly accelerated the growth process.
Rosalyn Carter: Well, what does that mean?
Dr. Edna Casey: It means, Mrs. Carter, your husband, President Carter, has become [ camera zooms in on Dr. Edna Casey ] The amazing colossal president.
Rosalyn Carter: Well how big is he?
Dr. Edna Casey: Well Mrs. Carter, it's difficult to comprehend just how big he is but to give you some idea, we've asked comedian Rodney Dangerfield to come along today to help explain it to you. Rodney?
[ Rodney Dangerfield enters ]
Rodney Dangerfield: How do you do, how are you?
Ross Denton: Rodney, can you please tell us, how big is the president?
Rodney Dangerfield: Oh, he's a big guy, I'll tell you that, he's a big guy. I tell you he's so big, I saw him sitting in the George Washington bridge dangling his feet in the water! He's a big guy!
Rosalyn Carter: Oh my God! Jimmy! Oh God!
Rodney Dangerfield: Oh, he's big, I'll tell you that, boy. He's so big that when two girls make love to him at the same time, they never meet each other! He's a big guy, I'll tell you!
Rosalyn Carter: Oh no! Oh Jimmy! My Jimmy!
Rodney Dangerfield: I don't want to upset you lady, he's big, you know what I mean? Why he could have an affair with the Lincoln Tunnel! I mean, he's really high! He's big, I'll tell you! He's a big guy!
Rosalyn Carter: No! No! No!
Ross Denton: Rodney, thank you very much. You can go.
Rodney Dangerfield: It's my pleasure. He's way up there, lady! you know what I mean? [ goes off, leaving Rosalyn Carter very upset ]
['Saturday Night Live']

Rodney is gone now, hopefully to a place where he is finally getting his proper respect.

I, for one, loosen my tie in tribute.

BCnU!

Tele-Toby
(with thanks to the AP, IMDb, epguides.com, and the SNL Transcripts site)

WEEKLY ROUND-UP

"I just pretend it's not me.

If you start to play yourself, you second-guess yourself,

And you'll really look like a fool."

Joan Rivers

Here's a sampling of the things and events that helped to expand the TV Universe over the last week (or so):

THE GREAT LINK
Judge Amanda Anderlee (as played by Candice Bergen) presided over a murder case, making her debut in anticipation of the mid-season spin-off in which she will be appearing more often.
['Law & Order' & 'Law & Order: Trial By Jury']

THE LEAGUE OF THEMSELVES
"You must be writing about another Ernie Anastos, in another New York City in a parallel universe, because the Ernie Anastos in this New York has been a ratings disaster in recent years."
- Stephen Wilson
in an E-mail to Richard Huff of the Daily News.

Jesse McCartney performed when Holly began promoting Ben's music.
['What I Like About You']

Joan Rivers visited Drs. McNamara and Troy to find out about getting work done which no one had ever considered before. She wanted to have all of her plastic surgereries undone.

Her reason? She wanted her grandson Cooper to understand that no one needed to be perfect.

But when she found out what she would look like after the procedure - hoo boy! So much for THAT idea!
['Nip/Tuck']

Although not seen, it was mentioned that John Glenn had once been a speaker at the school attended by the Kleinman kids. But the assembly shouted at him "Go back to the Moon!"

Senator Glenn pointed out that he had never been to the Moon, just before he ran crying from the stage.

This would be a link to 'Frasier' because the Senator visited the studios at KACL.
['Listen Up!']

CROSSOVER HALL OF FAME
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog added to his membership qualifications by leading the savage roast of Jay Mohr and the remaining contestants on 'Last Comic Standing'.

LA TRIVIATA
Aside from Robert McCallister in 2041, only one other president in the history of the United States had been a minister in his past life. And that was James Garfield.
['Jack & Bobby']

Will and Jack were part of a focus group for a new gay tv network: OUT-TV.

Among the possible shows that were suggested:

'Good Morning, Lesbians'
'Gay Jeopardy'
'The Price Is Right AND Gay'
'Shamed Family Feud'
'Big Gay Brother'
'Gay Ombudsman'
'Queer Factor'
['Will & Grace']

MISSING LINK
James Gandolfini appeared during Weekend News Update but was only identified as "an unidentified New Jersey resident".

But everything about him - what he said, how he dressed, how he carried himself, even the gift he brought Tina (a Sanyo DVD player), screamed "Bada Bing!"

So what's to stop us from assuming he was actually Tony Soprano?
('Saturday Night Live' & 'The Sopranos')

ZONKS
At an AA meeting, Val mentioned that she liked the motivational slogan "One Day At A Time" - because it was also a TV show.Grace pointed out that she liked the slogan "Cheers!" better and that it was a TV show too.

Karen was angered at her maid for not taping 'One Life To Live' for her.
[Both from 'Will & Grace']

CLASSIC ZONK
Sylvia Fine: Doctor, can you make me look like this?
Fran Fine: Linda Evangelista? Mom! He's not Doctor Bombay!
['The Nanny']

SPLAININS
Between the pilot and the first few episodes of 'Jack & Bobby', the older version of Marcus Ride was recast, from James A. Pickens, Jr. to Ron Canada.

I was offered a Splainin for this from someone who would have been supported by Archie Bunker, but I'm not going there.

Instead, I think the reason for the slight difference in looks can be attributed to a physical condition. Perhaps one similar to that suffered by Jerry Lewis, pulmonary fibrosis, in which the steroid treatment causes the patient to look bloated.
['Jack & Bobby']

In the aftermath of the crash of Oceanic 815, Hurley dubbed the dying federal marshal "Johnny Fever".

It's not likely we'll be learning everybody's secret on that island anytime soon - after all, the producers would like to stretch out this mystery for as long as they can. So until such time as we find out where Hurley is from, I'd like to think that he grew up in the Cincinnatti, Ohio, area. That would be where he heard the legendary deejay, Dr. Johnny Fever, on WKRP-FM.

If this proves not to be the case, we can still play out that theory. It could be that wherever Hurley is from, Dr. Johnny Fever ended up there after he left KRP. After all, we haven't seen Johnny since 1993 when he was working the graveyard shift (aka 'the lobster trick') at WKRP. He could have moved on since then to several other stations; any of which could have counted on Hurley as a listener.
['Lost' & 'WKRP In Cincinnatti']

OBITUARIES
Mary Alice Young committed suicide by shooting herself in the head. Not that it kept her from hanging around Wisteria Lane and commenting on the lives of her former friends and neighbors.
['Desperate Housewives']

The Federal Marshal who was escorting Kate back to prison was dying from the shrapnel that had pierced his chest during the crash of Oceanic 815. And then, thinking that he was doing the guy a favor, Sawyer shot him with the last bullet in the gun. But that only punctured his lung, making his inevitable death even more painful. (It's possible that Jack delivered the coup de grace even though it went against everything that he believed in as a doctor.)
['Lost']

Remember - I can't watch everything, so if you found something trivial of interest in the shows that you watch, contact me and let me share them with the other visitors to the TV world.

BCnU!
Tele-Toby

"Your mind is an open book, with large print and lots of pictures!"
- Maldis
'Farscape'

555-TOOB

In the TV Universe, the "555" telephone prefix has been... well, universal... since at least the early 1970s. (I have in my treasure trove of TV trivia the home phone number of Sally Rogers on 'The Dick Van Dyke Show'; it's a PLaza exchange.)

It wasn't until the mid-70s that I finally realized all the "555" numbers were faked. It was because of a sketch on 'Saturday Night Live', a telethon to raise money to save Great Britain. The phone number was "555-1066".

Okay. I admit it. My friends in the dorm and I were stoned. We decided to call that number and the operator was patient enough to explain what the "555" exchange was mainly used for.

But the "555" exchange has been so widely used that it's become something of a joke. But some TV writers have found their way around it. If a phone number is recited, sometimes it's interrupted by a variety of reasons.

But now 'The Gilmore Girls' has put a new spin on the dial. In the season premiere, Luke's new cell phone number was revealed to be "860-294-1986". The area code is pure Connecticut, and as you can see, there's no "555".

And as the producers knew that I'm not the only one who dials the numbers they hear on TV, "860-294-1986" actually is a working number with a higher purpose in mind.

You get a message from actor Scott Patterson (who plays Luke), seeking donations for the Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore.

But the "555" exchange won't ever die; there's too much of a tradition and still too much of a need for these "555" numbers. Because there are too many nutjo- er, enthusiasts such as myself who blur that line between the real world and Toobworld.

As for the tradition, there's a website that celebrates the "555" exchange. It hasn't been updated for awhile, but there are still hundreds of numbers to sift through and explore.

The 555-LIST
http://home.earthlink.net/~mthyen/

Enjoy!

555-BCnU
Tele-Toby

[Thanks to Entertainment Weekly for pointing out the "Gilmore Girls" info.]

VIEWER MAIL

I continue to get my ego stroked:

Hi Toby.

Great blog you have. I am a regular visitor.

Take care funny Toby.
Colette
~~~~~~~~~~~
The blog is great, Toby. But I miss your posts to the IDD...
-stephanie twogeeks
~~~~~~~~
I liked the opening episode of 'Lost' too. And like you, I wish it was that full two hour "movie". It looks like it's going to be a story with a sweeping, grand scale. But I hope they give some attention to the details - the mundane stuff like burying the dead, foraging for food, sorting through the wreckage for stuff in the baggage that they can use.
- Eddie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So I was watching the first few minutes of the Presidential Debate, and I was reminded of a quote from the Pilot episode of CSI.

I can always tell when whitey's talking out his ass. It's a gift.
--Warrick Brown
X-posted elsewhere.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I heard from fellow fake universe fans over at the "Second Tour Of Finland":

hiya toby!

thanks for the email, as well as the fantastic pimp on your site. i only had a few minutes to read a couple of your other entries, but it sure seems like you know how to take it to the limit--and beyond! much like a couple of wacky music fans i know. ;)

i've bookmarked your site so i can stop back when i have more time to check it out.

thanks again for your support and for taking the time to email us and link to us! :D

take care,
shannon
(marie siu)
~~~~~~~~~~~
HorridChairSap pointed out a spelling failure:

six networks, hundreds of cable offering, and the premium channels, the stakes are hight

You know wha? He's righ! I spelled tha wrong!

BCnU!
Tele-Tobias

Gordon Cooper, R.I.P.

From the Associated Press:

VENTURA, Calif. - Gordon Cooper, one of the original Mercury astronauts who pioneered human space exploration, has died. He was 77.

Cooper died Monday at his home in Ventura, NASA officials said in a statement.

"As one of the original seven Mercury astronauts, Gordon Cooper was one of the faces of America's fledgling space program," said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. "He truly portrayed the right stuff, and he helped gain the backing and enthusiasm of the American public, so critical for the spirit of exploration. My thoughts and prayers are with Gordon's family during this difficult time."

Cooper piloted the final flight of the Mercury program, the United States' first manned spaceflight program that had the primary goal of putting a man in orbit around Earth.

When we think of Gordon Cooper in the fictional universes of Man's creation, the image that comes to mind is his rendition in Tom Wolfe's "The Right Stuff" and embodied in the movie version of the book (where he was portrayed by Dennis Quaid).

But he made his mark in the TV Universe as well. Aside from several documentaries about the Mercury program, he also appeared in a TV Movie and in an episode of 'CHiPs' as himself.

from the IMDb:

Rocket's Red Glare [2000]
A troubled 17-year-old restores a Mercury Redstone rocket as a science project with the help of his ex-astronaut grandfather. When a NASA emergency leaves a space shuttle and its crew in danger, Todd's rocket is the only one ready for immediate launch.

Gordon Cooper was one of several people associated with NASA who appeared as themselves in this production.

From the 'CHiPs Online website:

Season 6, Episode 15
Journey to a Spacecraft
Original Airdate: 6-Feb-1983
Plot: Ponch and Bobby stop by a sick kid's house who says he heard people planning to steal a dog. The kid needs a liver transplant and has less than a month to live.

But the sick kid is running away from home. After getting a ride with a trucker friend, he tries to get another ride from another trucker friend but can't contact him. When he moves on, he leaves his medicine behind. Ponch, Bobby, and Bruce go looking for the kid while, the kid and his CB friend head south on a motorcycle. When the "chopper" gets a flat, he contacts another CB friend.

At the kid's house, Ponch, Bobby, and Bruce figure out where he's headed...the shuttle landing. As they head out, they find out that someone died and a donor liver is available. They have to get him to the hospital in just a few hours.
At the shuttle landing, Ponch, Bobby, and Bruce are looking for the kid with the help of the NASA security chief.

Later, Ponch asks for the help of Col. Gordon Cooper and has him ask the kid to come meet him at the press building. After he meets Col. Cooper, Ponch carries him off to a helicopter so he can go to the hospital for his transplant.

Some people might shrug off such an appearance; as if it doesn't have the cache like Buzz Aldrin appearing on 'The Simpsons' or John Glenn on 'Frasier'. But in the TV Universe, all components - the TV series, the TV movies, the commercials etc - have equal value.

And the appearance of "Gordo" on 'CHiPs' best exemplified how those early explorers of space were (and still are!) the true heroes for kids to admire. Not the high-priced athletes who are to be found more often joining the League of Themselves on sitcoms today.

BCnU!
Tele-Toby