[Yet another "Lost In Thought" essay]
'Lost' came perilously close (for the TV Universe, that is) to throwing out a Zonk in the latest episode, "Hearts And Minds".
As you should know by now, a Zonk is a TV show's mention of another TV show when both series should be co-existing in the same universe. They should NOT be aware of each other as TV shows.
This past week, Hurley was in the surf, trying to catch a fish. Suddenly he was stung by a sea urchin and had to be helped back up on the beach by Jin.
Hurley kept pleading for Jin to pee on his foot; that it was the only way to take care of the poison from the sting. But Jin refused.
"You gotta pee on my foot, Dude!" Hurley begged. "I saw it on a TV show once. It's the only thing that will work!"
(paraphrased)
Like I said, he came awfully close to Zonking us! More than likely the TV show he was referring to was 'Friends'. In one episode, they all went out to the beach in the Hamptons and somebody got stung in the foot. So the bond of friendship was cemented even harder when one of the other five volunteered to pee on the foot.
'Lost' has already Zonked us, however. When Boone and Locke were out in the jungle searching for Claire, Boone was tying red flags up to mark their path back.
He pointed out that the red flags were made of a red shirt. And that anybody who wore a red shirt on 'Star Trek' (mostly the engineering or security departments) was usually flagged as a potential goner.
Don't go behind that rock!
'Star Trek' must be right up there with 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Gilligan's Island' for the most Zonk references in other TV shows. Up until now I've had to just shrug and accept it, for I couldn't see anyway out of splainin that one away.
At least with many of the other shows, their episodes happened (for the most part) in the "present time" of their original broadcast. There was always the possibility then that characters who referred to those shows later on were aware of the "history".
But how do you splain away a character's knowledge of what will happen in the TV Universe 400 years into the future?
'Lost' may provide the key to solve that problem. I won't say why just yet, because the show is very slow and patient in giving up its secrets.
So stay tuned!
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Friday, January 14, 2005
Thursday, January 13, 2005
CROSSOVER OF THE WEEK
At the end of the two-hour pilot for 'Lost', Charlie Pace asked, "Guys... where ARE we?"
Why, you all everybody are in Toobworld!
As is usually the case, I was in the various message boards for 'Lost' before the night was through. But this week, I held off for an hour in order to watch 'The West Wing' first.
When I did finally begin bouncing around the forums, I found a possible contender for the Crossover of the Week:
"You All Everybody" By Driveshaft!
wagirl98
Did any other Lost fans hear "You All Everybody," by Driveshaft during Alias? They played it in the background of a scene in the first 10 minutes of the show. Gotta love it! : )
This episode of Alias just had it playing in the background at a party.
An excellent episode guide site, TV Tome, confirmed the information:
"ALIAS"
69. The Awful Truth
To learn the location of a stolen NSA code-breaker, an undercover Sydney must convince a murderous arms dealer to fall in love with her. Meanwhile, Vaughn fears that Weiss might have been killed on a mission, and Sydney and Jack argue about telling Nadia the horrible truth about her mother, Irina.
b: 12-Jan-2005 w: Jesse Alexander d: Lawrence Trilling
NOTE: During Sydney's party, the song "You All Everybody" is playing in the background. [It was faint in the background and then they opened a door and it could be heard REALLY clearly!!] "You All Everybody" is the hit song of the fictional band, Driveshaft, on J.J. Abrams other show, Lost.
"Hercules", the TV spoiler-king for Ain't It Cool? News, has also addressed the issue already:
Crossover magic, Bad Robot-style:
Hey Herc,
Am I wrong or was Driveshaft playing in the background at Eric's birthday party on Alias tonight? It was real subtle, but I'm pretty sure I heard the chorus line "You all everybody". Too much fun!
cheers, tredeger
And in response, Herc bounces the crossover back to the island:
Wouldn’t it be cool if the thing Locke and Boone are excavating turned out to be a Rambaldi artifact? I miss my Rambaldi artifacts …
One of the TalkBack regulars pointed out:
It was Driveshaft. Watch the episode again with the Closed Captioning turned on. It says "You All, Everybody by Driveshaft playing"
So, first off, my thanks to wagirl98 for the first alert that I saw about the crossover.
Where it goes from here is you all everybody's guess. But if we accept the ABC 50th anniversary special sketch in which 'Columbo' met Sydney Bristow of 'Alias' as being part of the TV Universe, (And THANK YOU, Hugh Davis, for reminding me of this!), then both shows are definitely locked into the main TV Universe.
As mentioned in Columbo's induction into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame this month, Columbo was seen at a detective convention in Hawaii during an episode of 'Magnum, P.I.', which also was linked to 'Murder, She Wrote', 'Simon & Simon', 'Whiz Kids', and like the case with 'Columbo', to 'Kojak' and 'Mannix'. (Apparently there's also a very subtle reference to not only 'Hawaii 5-O, as one might expect, but also to 'Quantum Leap' in 'Magnum' episodes.)
'Mannix' then leads to 'Diagnosis Murder', which also links to 'Mission: Impossible', 'Jake And The Fatman', and 'Matlock'.
My brain is kind of fried right now, but I know somewhere in all of those shows there must be some appearance by a celebrity appearing as themselves who can then link the whole cluster to the main TV Universe.
But at any rate, we've got 'Lost' linked to another JJ Abrams show, 'Alias' and to boot, one leads right into the other.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Why, you all everybody are in Toobworld!
As is usually the case, I was in the various message boards for 'Lost' before the night was through. But this week, I held off for an hour in order to watch 'The West Wing' first.
When I did finally begin bouncing around the forums, I found a possible contender for the Crossover of the Week:
"You All Everybody" By Driveshaft!
wagirl98
Did any other Lost fans hear "You All Everybody," by Driveshaft during Alias? They played it in the background of a scene in the first 10 minutes of the show. Gotta love it! : )
This episode of Alias just had it playing in the background at a party.
An excellent episode guide site, TV Tome, confirmed the information:
"ALIAS"
69. The Awful Truth
To learn the location of a stolen NSA code-breaker, an undercover Sydney must convince a murderous arms dealer to fall in love with her. Meanwhile, Vaughn fears that Weiss might have been killed on a mission, and Sydney and Jack argue about telling Nadia the horrible truth about her mother, Irina.
b: 12-Jan-2005 w: Jesse Alexander d: Lawrence Trilling
NOTE: During Sydney's party, the song "You All Everybody" is playing in the background. [It was faint in the background and then they opened a door and it could be heard REALLY clearly!!] "You All Everybody" is the hit song of the fictional band, Driveshaft, on J.J. Abrams other show, Lost.
"Hercules", the TV spoiler-king for Ain't It Cool? News, has also addressed the issue already:
Crossover magic, Bad Robot-style:
Hey Herc,
Am I wrong or was Driveshaft playing in the background at Eric's birthday party on Alias tonight? It was real subtle, but I'm pretty sure I heard the chorus line "You all everybody". Too much fun!
cheers, tredeger
And in response, Herc bounces the crossover back to the island:
Wouldn’t it be cool if the thing Locke and Boone are excavating turned out to be a Rambaldi artifact? I miss my Rambaldi artifacts …
One of the TalkBack regulars pointed out:
It was Driveshaft. Watch the episode again with the Closed Captioning turned on. It says "You All, Everybody by Driveshaft playing"
So, first off, my thanks to wagirl98 for the first alert that I saw about the crossover.
Where it goes from here is you all everybody's guess. But if we accept the ABC 50th anniversary special sketch in which 'Columbo' met Sydney Bristow of 'Alias' as being part of the TV Universe, (And THANK YOU, Hugh Davis, for reminding me of this!), then both shows are definitely locked into the main TV Universe.
As mentioned in Columbo's induction into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame this month, Columbo was seen at a detective convention in Hawaii during an episode of 'Magnum, P.I.', which also was linked to 'Murder, She Wrote', 'Simon & Simon', 'Whiz Kids', and like the case with 'Columbo', to 'Kojak' and 'Mannix'. (Apparently there's also a very subtle reference to not only 'Hawaii 5-O, as one might expect, but also to 'Quantum Leap' in 'Magnum' episodes.)
'Mannix' then leads to 'Diagnosis Murder', which also links to 'Mission: Impossible', 'Jake And The Fatman', and 'Matlock'.
My brain is kind of fried right now, but I know somewhere in all of those shows there must be some appearance by a celebrity appearing as themselves who can then link the whole cluster to the main TV Universe.
But at any rate, we've got 'Lost' linked to another JJ Abrams show, 'Alias' and to boot, one leads right into the other.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
SAY WHA???
It's the first episode of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show back in 1970....
For whatever reason, Mary Richards finds herself in the men's room at the WJM-TV studios in Minneapolis.
Ted Baxter is there doing his business at the urinal, but upon her entrance, he zips up and spins around, holding out his hand in greeting.
"We haven't met. I'm Ted Baxter."
Mary stares at the hand in revulsion.
"Aren't you even going to wash that first?"
"I keep a very clean penis."
You don't remember that scene? Don't worry; you're not getting forgetful in your old age like Denny Crane. That snippet of conversation actually occurred on Denny's show 'Boston Legal' this past week. But instead of Ted Baxter, substitute Alan Shore. And his scene partner was Shirley Schmidt, not Mary Richards.
(I'm fairly certain you've already figured out that it took place in a Boston men's room, not in Minneapolis.....)
What I was trying to show is that the exchange was perfectly in keeping with the character of Alan Shore. (And that conversation only got better. Trust me! Catch it in reruns.) But when you try to imagine some other TV character saying such things....
It's not that Mary Richards didn't have her own edge. When her mother left Mary and her father alone one evening to get to know each other better, Mrs. Richards said, "Don't forget to take your pill."
Both Mary and her father replied, "I won't."
Okay, it seems tame by today's standards, but for the mid-70s (and ANY MTM character!) that was edgy.
I've found myself lately lifting lines of dialogue out of today's TV series and ascribing them instead to classic TV characters of the past. Just one of those little TV-oriented amusements, like re-writing those interminable email jokes that get passed around endlessly so that they are about TV characters (or sometimes family members!) instead.
Here's another example - when Marni Fliss and Nate Solomon were getting to know each other on their accidental blind date in the pilot episode of 'Committed', Marni trilled:
"So then I said, 'Hey, you can't touch me there! You're my uncle!' (Laughs) Aaah, family......."
Let's face it. For a sitcom, that's way past "edgy". That's pretty sick. (It sure goes a long way to splain why Marni is so off-the-wall though!)
But if you think that's bad enough as it is, take it out of context and give it to some other TV character to recite........
"So then I said, 'Hey, you can't touch me there! You're my uncle!' (Laughs) Aaah, family........"
- Jody Davis
'Family Affair'
You've just raised the "Ewwwwww" content by 47%!
Although I don't have any examples to hand, I've also taken some rather prickly quotes by Dr. Gregory House of 'House' and had 'Marcus Welby, M.D.' saying them instead.
Picture Jack Bauer's interrogation style on '24' being used by Captain Kangaroo while talking with Bunny Rabbit......
Why not give it a try yourself? And of course, I'd love to see what you come up with. Send them to me at Tubeworld@aol.com and I'll share them on the Inner Toob blog.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
For whatever reason, Mary Richards finds herself in the men's room at the WJM-TV studios in Minneapolis.
Ted Baxter is there doing his business at the urinal, but upon her entrance, he zips up and spins around, holding out his hand in greeting.
"We haven't met. I'm Ted Baxter."
Mary stares at the hand in revulsion.
"Aren't you even going to wash that first?"
"I keep a very clean penis."
You don't remember that scene? Don't worry; you're not getting forgetful in your old age like Denny Crane. That snippet of conversation actually occurred on Denny's show 'Boston Legal' this past week. But instead of Ted Baxter, substitute Alan Shore. And his scene partner was Shirley Schmidt, not Mary Richards.
(I'm fairly certain you've already figured out that it took place in a Boston men's room, not in Minneapolis.....)
What I was trying to show is that the exchange was perfectly in keeping with the character of Alan Shore. (And that conversation only got better. Trust me! Catch it in reruns.) But when you try to imagine some other TV character saying such things....
It's not that Mary Richards didn't have her own edge. When her mother left Mary and her father alone one evening to get to know each other better, Mrs. Richards said, "Don't forget to take your pill."
Both Mary and her father replied, "I won't."
Okay, it seems tame by today's standards, but for the mid-70s (and ANY MTM character!) that was edgy.
I've found myself lately lifting lines of dialogue out of today's TV series and ascribing them instead to classic TV characters of the past. Just one of those little TV-oriented amusements, like re-writing those interminable email jokes that get passed around endlessly so that they are about TV characters (or sometimes family members!) instead.
Here's another example - when Marni Fliss and Nate Solomon were getting to know each other on their accidental blind date in the pilot episode of 'Committed', Marni trilled:
"So then I said, 'Hey, you can't touch me there! You're my uncle!' (Laughs) Aaah, family......."
Let's face it. For a sitcom, that's way past "edgy". That's pretty sick. (It sure goes a long way to splain why Marni is so off-the-wall though!)
But if you think that's bad enough as it is, take it out of context and give it to some other TV character to recite........
"So then I said, 'Hey, you can't touch me there! You're my uncle!' (Laughs) Aaah, family........"
- Jody Davis
'Family Affair'
You've just raised the "Ewwwwww" content by 47%!
Although I don't have any examples to hand, I've also taken some rather prickly quotes by Dr. Gregory House of 'House' and had 'Marcus Welby, M.D.' saying them instead.
Picture Jack Bauer's interrogation style on '24' being used by Captain Kangaroo while talking with Bunny Rabbit......
Why not give it a try yourself? And of course, I'd love to see what you come up with. Send them to me at Tubeworld@aol.com and I'll share them on the Inner Toob blog.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
"I", "I", AYE CARAMBA, PANCHO!
If you have a really good cable system, you've got yourself a really great research library for making connections in the TV Universe. I have access to at least ten different cable networks which showcase classic shows from the past in which I can find those little bits o' trivia which I might not have noticed when those shows first aired; back before I began hunting such items down in earnest.
Here's a case in point: the GoodLife Network has a great schedule full of such shows as 'Maverick', 'Cheyenne', 'Kung Fu', '77 Sunset Strip', 'Hawaiian Eye', and 'The Man From UNCLE'.
They also show 'I Spy'. And this past week they broadcast the pilot episode, which didn't make it on the air until the 14th week of the series:
"Affair in T'Sien Cha"
Kelly and Scotty's investigation of the disappearance of an old Chinese train between Hong Kong and the Communist mainland leads to an ancient walled city, a beautiful American schoolteacher, and a secret cargo someone is willing to kill for.
b: 29 Dec 65
w: Morton Fine & David Friedkin d: Sheldon Leonard
During the episode, a local schoolteacher tells Kelly that she saw him play tennis three years before in Forest Hills, Queens. He was beaten (in straight sets, I believe) by Pancho Segura.
That means, even though it was off-camera, Pancho Segura makes himself an official Toobworld character in 1962.
I love these little mentions of real people in fictional scenarios during a TV show. Most of the time you can then link that person's "character" to other appearances in which they portrayed themselves. George Burns, Milton Berle, Sammy Davis Jr....... they're among the celebs who were most famous for this.
And Pancho Segura was no exception. True, he didn't appear in this episode, but it was stated as fact by the schoolteacher and so it really did happen in the TV Universe. (And the fact that Kelly backed up the statement - by requesting that she not remind him of that particular loss - cements the deal.)
Segura did, however, appear in a later episode of 'I Dream Of Jeannie':
"Always on Sunday"
(episode # 2.2)
19 September 1966
032 - Thinking Tony works too much and too hard, Jeannie makes one Monday a Sunday. For relaxation, she sends him to a safari in Africa, and then to play tennis. Ignoring Tony, she makes every day Sunday.
Tony, thinking it's Monday, sounds insane to Roger and Dr. Bellows when they drop by.
According to the IMDb.com, the only other TV appearance made by Segura happened during a show hosted by Jimmy Connors on ESPN. And although it would ultimately count, it lacks the oomph of a fictional setting.
But we'll keep looking. The TV Crossover Hall of Fame could always fit somebody who chases his balls in Toobworld.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Here's a case in point: the GoodLife Network has a great schedule full of such shows as 'Maverick', 'Cheyenne', 'Kung Fu', '77 Sunset Strip', 'Hawaiian Eye', and 'The Man From UNCLE'.
They also show 'I Spy'. And this past week they broadcast the pilot episode, which didn't make it on the air until the 14th week of the series:
"Affair in T'Sien Cha"
Kelly and Scotty's investigation of the disappearance of an old Chinese train between Hong Kong and the Communist mainland leads to an ancient walled city, a beautiful American schoolteacher, and a secret cargo someone is willing to kill for.
b: 29 Dec 65
w: Morton Fine & David Friedkin d: Sheldon Leonard
During the episode, a local schoolteacher tells Kelly that she saw him play tennis three years before in Forest Hills, Queens. He was beaten (in straight sets, I believe) by Pancho Segura.
That means, even though it was off-camera, Pancho Segura makes himself an official Toobworld character in 1962.
I love these little mentions of real people in fictional scenarios during a TV show. Most of the time you can then link that person's "character" to other appearances in which they portrayed themselves. George Burns, Milton Berle, Sammy Davis Jr....... they're among the celebs who were most famous for this.
And Pancho Segura was no exception. True, he didn't appear in this episode, but it was stated as fact by the schoolteacher and so it really did happen in the TV Universe. (And the fact that Kelly backed up the statement - by requesting that she not remind him of that particular loss - cements the deal.)
Segura did, however, appear in a later episode of 'I Dream Of Jeannie':
"Always on Sunday"
(episode # 2.2)
19 September 1966
032 - Thinking Tony works too much and too hard, Jeannie makes one Monday a Sunday. For relaxation, she sends him to a safari in Africa, and then to play tennis. Ignoring Tony, she makes every day Sunday.
Tony, thinking it's Monday, sounds insane to Roger and Dr. Bellows when they drop by.
According to the IMDb.com, the only other TV appearance made by Segura happened during a show hosted by Jimmy Connors on ESPN. And although it would ultimately count, it lacks the oomph of a fictional setting.
But we'll keep looking. The TV Crossover Hall of Fame could always fit somebody who chases his balls in Toobworld.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Monday, January 10, 2005
SEX AND THE SODA
We have our first crossover for 2005!
In a new commercial for the new soda, 7-Up Plus, we see Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon at a spa. They are being pampered by well-muscled, quite handsome attendants; all of them with boy-toy potential.
Ms. Davis points out the young man bearing the lunch tray: "Here comes lunch!"
And Ms. Nixon vixenishly responds, "And he's bringing grapes!"
They aren't named as such, but it's obvious that 7-Up would clearly like us as the audience to identify them not as the actresses Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, but as the characters they made famous in 'Sex And The City' - Charlotte York and Miranda Hobbes.
And being one so fervent in the idea of the ever-expanding TV Universe, I have no problem with that sentiment.
Ultimately, this means that 'Sex And The City' is linked to 'Space: 1999', as it was Orlando Jones' use of a laser cannon that caused a massive explosion on the moon back in that year during another 7-Up commercial. And that massive explosion detonated the atomic fuel waste dumps which put Commander Koenig into a permanent coma; a coma in which he dreamt that the moon had been ripped from its orbit around Earth and sent hurtling into the unknown reaches of outer space.
(That's a theory I put forth back in 1999 as to why the moon was still visible in later TV shows after the events of 'Space: 1999' supposedly had taken place; indeed, why the moon even had its own amusement park in the year 3000. It's not like the moon finally reversed course and parked in its reserved space.*)
Ms. Nixon and Ms. Davis are not the first alumni of 'Sex And The City' to trade on their most famous TV characters with commercials suggesting that they still exist in the TV Universe. Just before the holidays, Sarah Jessica Parker bopped around in a series of ads for the Gap. And even the New York Times felt that urge to tag her as Carrie Bradshaw rather than as Mrs. Matthew Broderick:
"In Ms. Parker's newest television appearances, a string of holiday advertisements for the Gap now in heavy rotation, time's arrow seems to have shot even further backward. The three spots, which have been running since mid-November, show Ms. Parker giving and getting gifts at Christmas parties where the other guests look as if they have just completed their end-of-semester exams. Did Mr. Big turn out to be too middle-aged? "
All that's left is for Kim Cattrall's Samantha Jones to make an appearance in an ad.
Charlotte and Miranda have done the ad for 7-Up.... Considering her licentious lifestyle, perhaps Samantha can do something with a Coke bottle?
Or maybe she might take her cue from Carrie.
Let's see.......
What's another word for "gap"......?
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
* If you missed reading the "moon boom" essay years ago (and I'm not sure it can be googled or found in any of those Internet archive sites), I'll be more than happy to send you a copy of it. Just write to me and ask.
In a new commercial for the new soda, 7-Up Plus, we see Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon at a spa. They are being pampered by well-muscled, quite handsome attendants; all of them with boy-toy potential.
Ms. Davis points out the young man bearing the lunch tray: "Here comes lunch!"
And Ms. Nixon vixenishly responds, "And he's bringing grapes!"
They aren't named as such, but it's obvious that 7-Up would clearly like us as the audience to identify them not as the actresses Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, but as the characters they made famous in 'Sex And The City' - Charlotte York and Miranda Hobbes.
And being one so fervent in the idea of the ever-expanding TV Universe, I have no problem with that sentiment.
Ultimately, this means that 'Sex And The City' is linked to 'Space: 1999', as it was Orlando Jones' use of a laser cannon that caused a massive explosion on the moon back in that year during another 7-Up commercial. And that massive explosion detonated the atomic fuel waste dumps which put Commander Koenig into a permanent coma; a coma in which he dreamt that the moon had been ripped from its orbit around Earth and sent hurtling into the unknown reaches of outer space.
(That's a theory I put forth back in 1999 as to why the moon was still visible in later TV shows after the events of 'Space: 1999' supposedly had taken place; indeed, why the moon even had its own amusement park in the year 3000. It's not like the moon finally reversed course and parked in its reserved space.*)
Ms. Nixon and Ms. Davis are not the first alumni of 'Sex And The City' to trade on their most famous TV characters with commercials suggesting that they still exist in the TV Universe. Just before the holidays, Sarah Jessica Parker bopped around in a series of ads for the Gap. And even the New York Times felt that urge to tag her as Carrie Bradshaw rather than as Mrs. Matthew Broderick:
"In Ms. Parker's newest television appearances, a string of holiday advertisements for the Gap now in heavy rotation, time's arrow seems to have shot even further backward. The three spots, which have been running since mid-November, show Ms. Parker giving and getting gifts at Christmas parties where the other guests look as if they have just completed their end-of-semester exams. Did Mr. Big turn out to be too middle-aged? "
All that's left is for Kim Cattrall's Samantha Jones to make an appearance in an ad.
Charlotte and Miranda have done the ad for 7-Up.... Considering her licentious lifestyle, perhaps Samantha can do something with a Coke bottle?
Or maybe she might take her cue from Carrie.
Let's see.......
What's another word for "gap"......?
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
* If you missed reading the "moon boom" essay years ago (and I'm not sure it can be googled or found in any of those Internet archive sites), I'll be more than happy to send you a copy of it. Just write to me and ask.
Friday, January 7, 2005
MAL DE MER
Here's another "Lost In Thought"......
'Lost' finally returned from its holiday hiatus. Huzzah huzzah!
Sorry. Just wanted to continue with that "H" alliteration.
A curious thing struck me near the end - not surprising, in that so much of the show leaves me wondering what's going on by the time an episode ends.
During this episode, Shannon had been helping Sayid in deciphering the French notes of Danielle Rousseau in hopes that they might reveal a clue as to what the island was all about.
Shannon remarked that there was something familiar about the phrases and then it finally occurred to her. They were the lyrics to a song she heard over and over again on a video belonging to her French boyfriend's son.
And then she began singing the song in French. It was "Beyond The Sea", popularized by Bobby Darin.*
Although sung by Robbie Williams, the song is used in the movie "Finding Nemo".
Yet when Shannon referred to the movie, she only said it was "a fish movie; you know, one of those computer ones".
Why did Shannon dance around the title? It would have been much easier to just say "Finding Nemo", especially as it was a world-wide sensation. There was even a big plagiarism case against it lodged in the French courts before the plane crash.
Shannon always takes the easy way out; you'd think she would have just saved herself the hassle and said "Finding Nemo". And if Sayid still didn't understand, tough guppies.
I would have thought that at least behind the scenes, some synergy should have been employed. Especially as ABC - who broadcasts 'Lost' - is owned by Disney.
Ah, but Disney was basically just the distributor for "Finding Nemo"; Pixar was the animation company that created it.
And Disney and Pixar are having a parting of the ways. The evil empire of the rodent probably didn't want to give Pixar any more publicity, even though Disney would still reap profits from the movie.
I guess it's just a case of cutting off the nose to spite the fish......
["Beyond The Sea" was the favorite song of Dana Scully's father. He was a Navy man.... Was he somehow involved with the mystery of the island before he died?
Remember what his clone up in Twin Peaks said - "The owls are not what they seem......"
Okay, I'm rambling now.....]
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
* Good timing in the use of the song "Beyond The Sea" since the movie starring Kevin Spacey as Darin is now out in the theatres.
Bad timing with the sequence at the beginning, in which the beach was being destroyed by large waves. Everyone affected by the tsunami - and there are still 2,500 Americans alone missing from it - must have had some uneasy emotional responses to it.
And just a reminder - if you haven't already, please help in whatever you can with the disaster relief programs of the charity of your choice.
Thanks.
'Lost' finally returned from its holiday hiatus. Huzzah huzzah!
Sorry. Just wanted to continue with that "H" alliteration.
A curious thing struck me near the end - not surprising, in that so much of the show leaves me wondering what's going on by the time an episode ends.
During this episode, Shannon had been helping Sayid in deciphering the French notes of Danielle Rousseau in hopes that they might reveal a clue as to what the island was all about.
Shannon remarked that there was something familiar about the phrases and then it finally occurred to her. They were the lyrics to a song she heard over and over again on a video belonging to her French boyfriend's son.
And then she began singing the song in French. It was "Beyond The Sea", popularized by Bobby Darin.*
Although sung by Robbie Williams, the song is used in the movie "Finding Nemo".
Yet when Shannon referred to the movie, she only said it was "a fish movie; you know, one of those computer ones".
Why did Shannon dance around the title? It would have been much easier to just say "Finding Nemo", especially as it was a world-wide sensation. There was even a big plagiarism case against it lodged in the French courts before the plane crash.
Shannon always takes the easy way out; you'd think she would have just saved herself the hassle and said "Finding Nemo". And if Sayid still didn't understand, tough guppies.
I would have thought that at least behind the scenes, some synergy should have been employed. Especially as ABC - who broadcasts 'Lost' - is owned by Disney.
Ah, but Disney was basically just the distributor for "Finding Nemo"; Pixar was the animation company that created it.
And Disney and Pixar are having a parting of the ways. The evil empire of the rodent probably didn't want to give Pixar any more publicity, even though Disney would still reap profits from the movie.
I guess it's just a case of cutting off the nose to spite the fish......
["Beyond The Sea" was the favorite song of Dana Scully's father. He was a Navy man.... Was he somehow involved with the mystery of the island before he died?
Remember what his clone up in Twin Peaks said - "The owls are not what they seem......"
Okay, I'm rambling now.....]
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
* Good timing in the use of the song "Beyond The Sea" since the movie starring Kevin Spacey as Darin is now out in the theatres.
Bad timing with the sequence at the beginning, in which the beach was being destroyed by large waves. Everyone affected by the tsunami - and there are still 2,500 Americans alone missing from it - must have had some uneasy emotional responses to it.
And just a reminder - if you haven't already, please help in whatever you can with the disaster relief programs of the charity of your choice.
Thanks.
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
GIMME CAGNEY!
In response to my suggestion that Brian Dennehy should be considered as a retired cop now D.A.'s investigator to replace the late Jerry Orbach on 'Law & Order: Trial By Jury', my Toob buddy Hugh had this response:
"I was expecting you to pull out someone from Toobworld though --maybe a Hill Street alum."
I must be slipping. Why didn't I think of that???
That's the Toobworld way to go - find a cop from another old show and have him crossover to 'Trial By Jury'. And since Toobworld doesn't believe in the borders of network divisions, we can roam about at will to find a suitable cop.
Let's start with Hugh's suggestion of 'Hill Street Blues'. We know characters from the un-named city where the Hill Street precinct was located could go to New York City. Buck Naked, the flasher from 'Hill Street Blues', showed up twice on early episodes of 'NYPD Blue'.
But I'm not feeling the power from any of the surviving Hill Street cops. Too much of an ensemble show, perhaps. Or maybe it really was just too long ago and has lost its vitality.
Mick Belker could be the only possibility and he's too wacked to work for the D.A. - Arthur Branch would want nothing to do with him. More than likely they'd be prosecuting cases stemming from his involvement!
I don't think Frank Furillo would want to go back to actual detective work. He's probably quite comfortable in a position with some high-tech firm as a consultant by now.
And too many others from the original cast who played detectives have passed away.
Perhaps from the aforementioned 'NYPD Blue'? John Kelly might have been a possibility, but there's this lookalike of his named Horatio Caine who's working down in Miami, ('CSI: Miami'), and that might make it tough to bring Kelly back to the screens.
You don't want to go too far back; I think Adam Flint ('Naked City') is wayyyy too old to get back into a daily grind. And unfortunately, the Theo Kojak of the main TV Universe has passed away. (There's another Theo Kojak, soon to be found in the alternate Black TV dimension. Come back in February - Black History Month - for an explanation of that world.)
So here's a possibility - why does it have to be a retired MALE cop? Why not a woman?
And so I'm thinking.... why not one of the Lady Blues of 'Cagney & Lacey'?
For the same reasons mentioned in regards to John Kelly, I don't think we could get Mary Beth Lacey to take on the job with the D.A. We can blame it on a judge's mom up in Hartford, Connecticut. ('Judging Amy')
But there's always Chris Cagney.
Yes, I know. The same argument could be made because there's a waitress down in Pittsburgh who's very supportive of her gay son; she's a real broad-minded broad. ('Queer As Folk')
But the role isn't that central to the show, and if they've already got most of their latest season filmed, there shouldn't be too much of a scheduling conflict anyway. Besides, it doesn't seem as if the producers of 'Law & Order: Trial By Jury' were planning on putting too much of that show on the shoulders of Jerry Orbach. So maybe they could cut the same kind of slack for Sharon Gless while she juggled both roles.
I have no idea how Bebe Neuwirth will be playing her role as the A.D.A. on 'Trial By Jury', but even if it isn't a character as tightly wound as her brilliant portrayal of Lilith Sternin Crane on 'Cheers' and 'Frasier', I think there would still be a wonderful contrast of style with the more flamboyant and brassy Chris Cagney.
So there's another, more Toobworldian, suggestion for the new investigator for the D.A.'s office.
Hrmmm..... I wonder if Fox "Spooky" Mulder is looking for a job.....
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
"I was expecting you to pull out someone from Toobworld though --maybe a Hill Street alum."
I must be slipping. Why didn't I think of that???
That's the Toobworld way to go - find a cop from another old show and have him crossover to 'Trial By Jury'. And since Toobworld doesn't believe in the borders of network divisions, we can roam about at will to find a suitable cop.
Let's start with Hugh's suggestion of 'Hill Street Blues'. We know characters from the un-named city where the Hill Street precinct was located could go to New York City. Buck Naked, the flasher from 'Hill Street Blues', showed up twice on early episodes of 'NYPD Blue'.
But I'm not feeling the power from any of the surviving Hill Street cops. Too much of an ensemble show, perhaps. Or maybe it really was just too long ago and has lost its vitality.
Mick Belker could be the only possibility and he's too wacked to work for the D.A. - Arthur Branch would want nothing to do with him. More than likely they'd be prosecuting cases stemming from his involvement!
I don't think Frank Furillo would want to go back to actual detective work. He's probably quite comfortable in a position with some high-tech firm as a consultant by now.
And too many others from the original cast who played detectives have passed away.
Perhaps from the aforementioned 'NYPD Blue'? John Kelly might have been a possibility, but there's this lookalike of his named Horatio Caine who's working down in Miami, ('CSI: Miami'), and that might make it tough to bring Kelly back to the screens.
You don't want to go too far back; I think Adam Flint ('Naked City') is wayyyy too old to get back into a daily grind. And unfortunately, the Theo Kojak of the main TV Universe has passed away. (There's another Theo Kojak, soon to be found in the alternate Black TV dimension. Come back in February - Black History Month - for an explanation of that world.)
So here's a possibility - why does it have to be a retired MALE cop? Why not a woman?
And so I'm thinking.... why not one of the Lady Blues of 'Cagney & Lacey'?
For the same reasons mentioned in regards to John Kelly, I don't think we could get Mary Beth Lacey to take on the job with the D.A. We can blame it on a judge's mom up in Hartford, Connecticut. ('Judging Amy')
But there's always Chris Cagney.
Yes, I know. The same argument could be made because there's a waitress down in Pittsburgh who's very supportive of her gay son; she's a real broad-minded broad. ('Queer As Folk')
But the role isn't that central to the show, and if they've already got most of their latest season filmed, there shouldn't be too much of a scheduling conflict anyway. Besides, it doesn't seem as if the producers of 'Law & Order: Trial By Jury' were planning on putting too much of that show on the shoulders of Jerry Orbach. So maybe they could cut the same kind of slack for Sharon Gless while she juggled both roles.
I have no idea how Bebe Neuwirth will be playing her role as the A.D.A. on 'Trial By Jury', but even if it isn't a character as tightly wound as her brilliant portrayal of Lilith Sternin Crane on 'Cheers' and 'Frasier', I think there would still be a wonderful contrast of style with the more flamboyant and brassy Chris Cagney.
So there's another, more Toobworldian, suggestion for the new investigator for the D.A.'s office.
Hrmmm..... I wonder if Fox "Spooky" Mulder is looking for a job.....
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Monday, January 3, 2005
"TRIAL BY JURY": A CASTING SUGGESTION
When Jerry Orbach passed away a week or so ago, he had only completed three of the first six episodes of the latest spin-off from 'Law & Order', 'Trial By Jury'. Luckily for us who were fans of his work, we'll be able to see these when the show premieres in March. And we'll be able to say goodbye one more time to a great TV character.
But TV is a business, and I get this feeling that even as Orbach was dying, the suits were already trying to figure out who should replace him on the show. Not as Lennie Briscoe, obviously, but as another seasoned, veteran detective now retired and working for the D.A.'s office.
It would have to be somebody with the "oomph" to convey the experience of a cop who had seen it all in NYC, I would think. An actor who generated not only star power, but also the believability of his character's years in the trenches.
The other day the New York Daily News published pictures of those celebrities who attended Jerry Orbach's memorial service. And among them was an actor who worked with him in a movie back in the late 1980s. And just looking at him in his trenchcoat as he entered the chapel convinced me that the producers of 'Law & Order: Trial By Jury' should at least consider this suggestion, if not actually approach him with an offer.
Brian Dennehy.
Like I said, it's just a suggestion. But I think it's a winner from the perspective of not only the producers - who would be getting a powerhouse of an actor, - and of Mr. Dennehy - who would have the luxury of a settled location for working and in the heart of the theatre world to boot! - but also from the vantage point of the audience.
Hopefully somehow this suggestion has already come to mind for those who have some say in the casting......
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
But TV is a business, and I get this feeling that even as Orbach was dying, the suits were already trying to figure out who should replace him on the show. Not as Lennie Briscoe, obviously, but as another seasoned, veteran detective now retired and working for the D.A.'s office.
It would have to be somebody with the "oomph" to convey the experience of a cop who had seen it all in NYC, I would think. An actor who generated not only star power, but also the believability of his character's years in the trenches.
The other day the New York Daily News published pictures of those celebrities who attended Jerry Orbach's memorial service. And among them was an actor who worked with him in a movie back in the late 1980s. And just looking at him in his trenchcoat as he entered the chapel convinced me that the producers of 'Law & Order: Trial By Jury' should at least consider this suggestion, if not actually approach him with an offer.
Brian Dennehy.
Like I said, it's just a suggestion. But I think it's a winner from the perspective of not only the producers - who would be getting a powerhouse of an actor, - and of Mr. Dennehy - who would have the luxury of a settled location for working and in the heart of the theatre world to boot! - but also from the vantage point of the audience.
Hopefully somehow this suggestion has already come to mind for those who have some say in the casting......
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Sunday, January 2, 2005
JUST ONE MORE THING....
To kick off the yearlong birthday honors list of inductees into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame, and because the theme for January is TV Classics, we have chosen the most famous TV detective known only by one name - Columbo.
He's been a legendary TV icon for over 30 years, recognized the world over by his shabby raincoat, cheap cigar, and the shuffling demeanor that has tripped up nearly all of his suspects.
In the TV Universe, Lt. Columbo (as played by Peter Falk) first appeared in a pilot movie 'Prescription Murder' which was based on a Broadway-bound play by Levinson & Link. (This play had earlier been made for TV as "Enough Rope", an episode of 'Suspense' with Bert Freed as Columbo.)
A second pilot was ordered which brought forth 'Ransom For A Dead Man'. This led to the inclusion of 'Columbo' into the 'NBC Sunday Night Mystery' wheel, along with 'McCloud' and 'Macmillan & Wife', among others.
Years after 'Columbo' finally left the airwaves of the Peacock network, the police lieutenant showed up, older and even more rumpled, at ABC in a series of specials that continue to this day.
There is a format to 'Columbo' that can be as tradition-bound as some religious ceremonies. For instance, in the best episodes, the murderer is tripped up by either that which he killed for in the first place, or by something that he loves the most.
Those few experimental episodes that have strayed from the classic style ('Undercover' being the best - or rather, the worst - example) have not been too successful.
When an episode remains true to form, there's no more compelling TV, no matter how many times you view it.
The secret was never in the actual mystery. 'Columbo' dispensed with the conventional 'whodunnit'; it was more of a 'how to figure it out' mystery. In fact, because you always knew who the murderer was and because you followed his or her story first before ever meeting Columbo, it could be said that the guest murderer was the star role and Columbo a supporting player.
The secret to the longevity of 'Columbo' is the interplay between the adversaries; as best explained by the title of a later episode: "It's All In The Game".
Some might argue that despite two pilot films and two versions of the series on different networks, 'Columbo' should count as one long run. And therefore the Lieutenant doesn't meet the requirements of three different appearances.
I disagree. I do see these as four separate entries, and thus, more than eligible for induction.
As for the Bert Freed version and the Falkless "spin-off" first known as 'Mrs. Columbo', I brush them aside. The episode from 'Suspense' took place in an alternate TV dimension, and Kate Mulgrew's character was married to a different Lt. Columbo in the L.A. police force. (There's no law saying there could be only one.)
But there are two other appearances by Lt. Columbo, as played by Peter Falk, which I do include as part of his overall contribution and which therefore would make him eligible to the naysayers. But there is some fancy footwork involved, which is why the Lieutenant is being inducted this year rather than by the usual means.
First up, there was a convention for police detectives in Hawaii which was seen in an episode of the CBS TV show 'Magnum, P.I.'. There were several detectives at that convention who were unnamed, but it was obvious by their appearance that they were famous TV characters from other shows. Lt. 'Kojak' was one, recognizable by his bald head and lollipop. And another was 'Columbo'.
These little cameos weren't by the original actors playing them, of course. But the camerawork tried to stay far enough away to be good enough for the instant recognition without giving away too much detail.
The other appearance by Lt. Columbo took place during an episode of 'The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast of Frank Sinatra'.
Columbo made a surprise appearance on the dais to salute Ol' Blue Eyes, and never once was he identified as Peter Falk. He remained true to the character, going on and on about how the Mrs. loved Sinatra, and the fact that they came from the same place.... All of it was pure Columbo, just delivered in a humorous fashion.
It shouldn't be too surprising that Columbo would be so entertaining in front of the cameras like that. He had experience on TV before, when he appeared on Norman Paris' cooking show.
And it's not surprising that Sinatra and the others act as though they knew who he was. By that point in his career, Columbo had investigated several very high-profile cases in which those involved - like publisher Arthur Kennicutt or psychiatrist to the stars Ray Flemming, - might have been friends to these celebrities. And then there were always those cases Columbo investigated which we never saw on screen!
So, questionable yet basically legitimate appearances in a rival network's detective show and a comedy roast; add those two to the more accepted output of 'Columbo' and the character deserves one more accolade to go with all of the others (which include being in the Top Ten most memorable TV characters of all time).
Just one more thing....
As will be established later this year, 'Columbo' did make a theoretical connection to another TV show with the episode "Identity Crisis". The murderer was Nelson Brenner, a double-agent played by Patrick McGoohan.
It's our belief that this character was none other than Number Twelve, the spy who was brought into "the Village" as a look-alike to 'The Prisoner' Number Six. Now, it looked like that character was killed off by "Rover" AKA Orange Alert, but as we learned from the last two episodes of 'The Prisoner', Death wasn't always permanent due to their scientific advancements.
And that's a fourth qualification, if accepted. And since this year's inductions are in celebration of my birthday, what I say goes.
Therefore! By the powers invested in me, I name Lt. Columbo a member of the TV Crossover Hall of Fame. This old man got the call. Now he can play "Knick-Knack" in the Hall.
Knick Knack, Paddywhack.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
He's been a legendary TV icon for over 30 years, recognized the world over by his shabby raincoat, cheap cigar, and the shuffling demeanor that has tripped up nearly all of his suspects.
In the TV Universe, Lt. Columbo (as played by Peter Falk) first appeared in a pilot movie 'Prescription Murder' which was based on a Broadway-bound play by Levinson & Link. (This play had earlier been made for TV as "Enough Rope", an episode of 'Suspense' with Bert Freed as Columbo.)
A second pilot was ordered which brought forth 'Ransom For A Dead Man'. This led to the inclusion of 'Columbo' into the 'NBC Sunday Night Mystery' wheel, along with 'McCloud' and 'Macmillan & Wife', among others.
Years after 'Columbo' finally left the airwaves of the Peacock network, the police lieutenant showed up, older and even more rumpled, at ABC in a series of specials that continue to this day.
There is a format to 'Columbo' that can be as tradition-bound as some religious ceremonies. For instance, in the best episodes, the murderer is tripped up by either that which he killed for in the first place, or by something that he loves the most.
Those few experimental episodes that have strayed from the classic style ('Undercover' being the best - or rather, the worst - example) have not been too successful.
When an episode remains true to form, there's no more compelling TV, no matter how many times you view it.
The secret was never in the actual mystery. 'Columbo' dispensed with the conventional 'whodunnit'; it was more of a 'how to figure it out' mystery. In fact, because you always knew who the murderer was and because you followed his or her story first before ever meeting Columbo, it could be said that the guest murderer was the star role and Columbo a supporting player.
The secret to the longevity of 'Columbo' is the interplay between the adversaries; as best explained by the title of a later episode: "It's All In The Game".
Some might argue that despite two pilot films and two versions of the series on different networks, 'Columbo' should count as one long run. And therefore the Lieutenant doesn't meet the requirements of three different appearances.
I disagree. I do see these as four separate entries, and thus, more than eligible for induction.
As for the Bert Freed version and the Falkless "spin-off" first known as 'Mrs. Columbo', I brush them aside. The episode from 'Suspense' took place in an alternate TV dimension, and Kate Mulgrew's character was married to a different Lt. Columbo in the L.A. police force. (There's no law saying there could be only one.)
But there are two other appearances by Lt. Columbo, as played by Peter Falk, which I do include as part of his overall contribution and which therefore would make him eligible to the naysayers. But there is some fancy footwork involved, which is why the Lieutenant is being inducted this year rather than by the usual means.
First up, there was a convention for police detectives in Hawaii which was seen in an episode of the CBS TV show 'Magnum, P.I.'. There were several detectives at that convention who were unnamed, but it was obvious by their appearance that they were famous TV characters from other shows. Lt. 'Kojak' was one, recognizable by his bald head and lollipop. And another was 'Columbo'.
These little cameos weren't by the original actors playing them, of course. But the camerawork tried to stay far enough away to be good enough for the instant recognition without giving away too much detail.
The other appearance by Lt. Columbo took place during an episode of 'The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast of Frank Sinatra'.
Columbo made a surprise appearance on the dais to salute Ol' Blue Eyes, and never once was he identified as Peter Falk. He remained true to the character, going on and on about how the Mrs. loved Sinatra, and the fact that they came from the same place.... All of it was pure Columbo, just delivered in a humorous fashion.
It shouldn't be too surprising that Columbo would be so entertaining in front of the cameras like that. He had experience on TV before, when he appeared on Norman Paris' cooking show.
And it's not surprising that Sinatra and the others act as though they knew who he was. By that point in his career, Columbo had investigated several very high-profile cases in which those involved - like publisher Arthur Kennicutt or psychiatrist to the stars Ray Flemming, - might have been friends to these celebrities. And then there were always those cases Columbo investigated which we never saw on screen!
So, questionable yet basically legitimate appearances in a rival network's detective show and a comedy roast; add those two to the more accepted output of 'Columbo' and the character deserves one more accolade to go with all of the others (which include being in the Top Ten most memorable TV characters of all time).
Just one more thing....
As will be established later this year, 'Columbo' did make a theoretical connection to another TV show with the episode "Identity Crisis". The murderer was Nelson Brenner, a double-agent played by Patrick McGoohan.
It's our belief that this character was none other than Number Twelve, the spy who was brought into "the Village" as a look-alike to 'The Prisoner' Number Six. Now, it looked like that character was killed off by "Rover" AKA Orange Alert, but as we learned from the last two episodes of 'The Prisoner', Death wasn't always permanent due to their scientific advancements.
And that's a fourth qualification, if accepted. And since this year's inductions are in celebration of my birthday, what I say goes.
Therefore! By the powers invested in me, I name Lt. Columbo a member of the TV Crossover Hall of Fame. This old man got the call. Now he can play "Knick-Knack" in the Hall.
Knick Knack, Paddywhack.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Saturday, January 1, 2005
HAPPY SECOND SEASON!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
2005 marks my half-century in the Real World. [I've been a part of Toobworld since 1961, when I received my Citizen of Joyville certificate from 'The Hap Richards Show'.]
I'm cool with the idea of turning fifty. I know that inside, I'm still fifteen. In fact, I think my voice is finally changing!
But it does give me the excuse to expand the Birthday Honors Roll for the TV Crossover Hall of Fame so that it runs the entire year.
Some of the past inductees on the Birthday Honors List might not have made it into the Hall of Fame otherwise.
Some of their qualifications are less than official; in all but name they might have appeared in other shows. (Like Dr. Miguelito Loveless)
Some of them depend on connections to the movie universe. (There will be at least one of those this coming year.)
And others have been inducted in the past for their contributions to the world of TV in general. (Suzie MacNamara had only two series under her belt, but as she took place in the crossover that's generally accepted as the first, she got special notice.)
For 2005, you can expect to see off-the-wall honorees every month of the year.
And an especially odd - yet apt! - choice will be made for the actual Birthday Honors berth.
Stay tuned!
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
2005 marks my half-century in the Real World. [I've been a part of Toobworld since 1961, when I received my Citizen of Joyville certificate from 'The Hap Richards Show'.]
I'm cool with the idea of turning fifty. I know that inside, I'm still fifteen. In fact, I think my voice is finally changing!
But it does give me the excuse to expand the Birthday Honors Roll for the TV Crossover Hall of Fame so that it runs the entire year.
Some of the past inductees on the Birthday Honors List might not have made it into the Hall of Fame otherwise.
Some of their qualifications are less than official; in all but name they might have appeared in other shows. (Like Dr. Miguelito Loveless)
Some of them depend on connections to the movie universe. (There will be at least one of those this coming year.)
And others have been inducted in the past for their contributions to the world of TV in general. (Suzie MacNamara had only two series under her belt, but as she took place in the crossover that's generally accepted as the first, she got special notice.)
For 2005, you can expect to see off-the-wall honorees every month of the year.
And an especially odd - yet apt! - choice will be made for the actual Birthday Honors berth.
Stay tuned!
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
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