I'm a big fan of back-room political intrigue stories. I read a lot of Fletcher Knebel in high school, loved the movies 'Advise And Consent', 'Seven Days In May', and 'The Best Man', and I sat riveted for mini-series like 'Vanished', 'The President's Plane Is Missing', and 'Washington: Behind Closed Doors'.
I really enjoyed 'The American President', written by Aaron Sorkin, but when 'The West Wing' was announced, I was planning to give it a pass. I had already seen 'SportsNight' and really was never that impressed. I think it was over-hyped, and I felt that 'The West Wing' would be more of the same, but in the White House.
I'll admit that the late addition of Martin Sheen to the cast was part of the allure, but I was mainly coming to sample the show because of John Spencer. For me, he was one of the reasons 'L.A. Law' re-invigorated itself in the early 1990s, when he joined the cast as maverick lawyer Tommy Mullaney. Here was a guy who was the antithesis of the slick, pretty, "cool" litigators who had been the backbone of the series during the first half of its run.
As Leo McGarry on 'The West Wing', Mr. Spencer sealed the deal as one of my favorites among current character actors (a calling that's becoming rare nowadays).
In the last new episode before the holiday break, the leaders of the Democratic party in that alternate TV dimension came to their Vice Presidential candidate, in hopes that he would take over the reins of the campaign. They knew that as the man who ran both campaigns for Jed Bartlet, Leo was the only man who could do the job properly.
Once he realized they were talking about him, Leo (who had resigned his previous job as White House Chief of Staff after a near fatal heart attack) just said, "You guys are trying to kill me."
At the time, it was a sweetly humorous line as we all remembered how he barely survived that heart attack in the woods of Camp David.
But I didn't have a clue that Life would imitate Art.
Or maybe I was just ignoring it. As soon as he uttered that line, I suddenly noticed how old and tired he was looking - not just in character, but as a person. He looked drawn, as if he had lost some weight; his neck was the biggest giveaway that something was taking its toll on him.
Richard Schiff, in an interview upon hearing of the death, said that Mr. Spencer did have some health problems of late, but that he had overcome them.
Maybe in a few weeks, probably after the holidays, I might take the time to ruminate here about what his death in real life will mean to the show's alternate world. But now's not the time. Right now I just want to remember a great character actor who provided two of my favorite characters in Toobworld (two different dimensions) in the past fifteen years.
Leo: "My generation never got the future it was promised... Thirty-five years later, cars, air travel is exactly the same. We don't even have the Concorde anymore. Technology stopped."
Josh: "The personal computer..."
Leo: "...Where's my jet pack, my colonies on the Moon?"
I wish Mr. Spencer could have been around to see that future, whenever it arrived.
This is a tip o' the hat to you, John Spencer.
TV SERIES
"The West Wing" (1999) TV Series .... Leo McGarry
"Trinity" (1998) TV Series .... Simon McCallister
"L.A. Law" (1986) TV Series .... Tommy Mullaney (1990-1994)
"Another World" (1964) TV Series .... Mr. Julian (1988)
"The Patty Duke Show" (1963) TV Series .... Henry Anderson (1964-1965)
TV SEQUELS
A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Grimacing Governor (1994) (TV) .... Al Rhinehart
TV MOVIES
From the Files of Joseph Wambaugh: A Jury of One (1992) (TV) .... Mike Mulick
When No One Would Listen (1992) (TV) .... Walter Wheeler
In the Arms of a Killer (1992) (TV) .... Det. Vincent Cusack
Cocaine and Blue Eyes (1983) (TV) .... Joey Crawford
TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"Celebrity Poker Showdown" playing "Himself" in episode: "Tournament 1, Game 2" (episode # 1.2) 9 December 2003
[It's actually quite Zonk!ish, but I couldn't resist including it. It's such fun to see the cast of the show just hanging out as themselves.]
"The Outer Limits" playing "Col. Wallis Thurman" in episode: "Summit" (episode # 5.13) 21 May 1999
"L.A. Doctors" playing "Dr. Edmund Church" in episode: "The Life Lost in Living" (episode # 1.20) 22 March 1999
"Early Edition" playing "Howard Banner" in episode: "Jenny Sloan" (episode # 2.4) 18 October 1997
"Tracey Takes On..." playing "Ray Weggerly" in episode: "Crime" (episode # 2.9) 19 March 1997
"Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" playing "Hank Landry/Mr. Gadget" in episode: "Lethal Weapon" (episode # 4.12) 5 January 1997
"F/X: The Series" playing "Carl Scofeld" in episode: "High Risk" (episode # 1.3) 23 September 1996
"Touched by an Angel" playing "Leo" in episode: "The Driver" (episode # 2.4) 14 October 1995
"Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man" playing "Agent Dennehy" (voice) in episode: "Not So Easy Riders" (episode # 1.8) 30 April 1994
"Law & Order" playing "Howard Morton" in episode: "Prescription for Death" (episode # 1.1) 13 September 1990
"H.E.L.P." playing "Valery"
in episode: "Are You There, Alpha Centauri?" (episode # 1.2)
in episode: "Fire Down Below" (episode # 1.1)
"Spenser: For Hire" playing "Joe Moran" in episode: "Home Is the Hero" (episode # 2.7) 22 November 1986
"Miami Vice" playing "Lt. Ray Atkins" in episode: "The Good Collar" (episode # 3.5) 24 October 1986
"Ryan's Hope" playing "Doctor/Orderly" (uncredited) 24 September 1976
TOOBWORLD POZZ'BILITIES
"The West Wing" (1999) TV Series .... Leo McGarry
"Touched by an Angel" playing "Leo" in episode: "The Driver" (episode # 2.4) 14 October 1995
It's the Toobworld Central belief that in Earth Prime-Time, the main TV Land, Josiah Bartlet didn't go into politics, but into medicine. (Dr. Josiah Bartlet is mentioned in an episode of 'St. Elsewhere'.)
Other characters from 'The West Wing' must also have alternate lives in Toobworld Basic. And like Bartlet, maybe their lives didn't follow the same path.
One such character is probably Leo McGarry. In the 'Touched By An Angel' episode, Leo is a detective who's investigating a hit-and-run accident that was caused by a friend of his, TV reporter Debra Willis.
Because they are friends, we never learn what the detective's last name is, because she only addresses him as "Leo".
So why can't it be that in the main TV Universe, Leo McGarry did not go into politics, but rather pursued a career in law enforcement?
"L.A. Doctors" playing "Dr. Edmund Church" in episode: "The Life Lost in Living" (episode # 1.20) 22 March 1999
"Ryan's Hope" playing "Doctor/Orderly" (uncredited) 24 September 1976
As the 'Ryan's Hope' appearance was a one-shot, the writers obviously felt no need in giving his character a name. So it's no problem to say that two decades later Edmund Church was living in Los Angeles after being in New York.
BCnU....
Tele-Toby
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Thursday, December 15, 2005
MAN & AQUAMAN
The WB has OK'ed a pilot to be filmed for a TV series about the superhero Aquaman. It's going to be headed by the same team that's in charge of Smallville -- Miles Millar and Alfed Gough -- but Alan Richson isn't being considered to reprise the role he played on an episode of 'Smallville'. Apparently, the producers want the show to stand on its own.
Fine, but you know that at the first sign of trouble in the ratings, they'll go running to a crossover with 'Smallville' to help bring in the viewers.
"The stories will come from the environment: ocean polluters, evil oil companies and other (threats to the) environment," Alfred Gough said. Skein will be set -- and possibly lensed -- in the Florida Keys, not far from the Bermuda Triangle, which will be another major story engine".
Right now, I'm leaning towards letting this version of 'Aquaman' remain in the universe of Earth Prime-Time. The major factor? Well, Aquaman really hasn't appeared yet in the main TV Universe. The Tooniverse has seen a lot of him, what with his own Saturday morning adventures and as a member of the 'Super-Friends'. And 'Smallville' is set in an alternate TV Land. (My choice? The same universe where you can find 'The West Wing' and 'Mr. Sterling'.)
Hopefully, if you've been paying attention, some of you might be ready to argue that Aquaman can't exist in Toobworld if 'Entourage' is also set in the main TV universe. All this past season, Vince Chase was attached to a James Cameron movie project about the comic book hero, "Aguaman".
Not the "real-life" hero. The guy from the comic book.
I don't see a Zonk! in this. Jerry 'Seinfeld' referred to all sorts of details about Superman - he had the magnet image of the super-hero on his fridge door; he used "Jor-El" as his PIN. And yet Superman existed in Toobworld, as seen back in the 1950s on 'The Adventures Of Superman'.
But that's.... okay. Because in an episode of that series ("The Birthday Letter"), little Kathy Williams was reading an issue of the comic book when Superman swooped into her apartment to give her a ride through the skies of Metropolis.
Within Toobworld's reality, a comic book must have been published to cash in on Superman's fame. And I'm sure Superman would have insisted that any profits to which he was entitled should go to charity.
And from there, we could then assume that a TV show was created about Superman which featured an actor named George Reeves. This way, we can avoid a Zonk! for that episode of 'I Love Lucy' which mentions George Reeves (who gets no onscreen credit) but which features an appearance by Superman.
The same thing happened to the Lone Ranger. The real Lone Ranger might have resembled Clayton Moore, but it was only John Hart who portrayed him within the TV Universe - as seen in episodes of 'The Fall Guy' and 'Happy Days'.
And coincidentally, it also happened to Jerry Seinfeld on his eponymous sitcom. The original pilot of 'Jerry' might have failed, but with a bit of re-tooling and re-casting, it finally became a success WITHIN the TV Universe and was probably renamed to be 'Seinfeld' as well. So that's why we can refer to both George Costanza and Jason Alexander (who allegedly played George according to an episode of 'The Larry Sanders Show') as being in the same TV Universe.
But getting back to Aquaman......
If, as I suspect and expect, there will be the inevitable crossover with 'Smallville', we'll just have to move it back to that alternate dimension.... and then give these guys a Toobworld splainin as to why their hero's looks have changed.
It might be something in the water......
Tele-Toby
Fine, but you know that at the first sign of trouble in the ratings, they'll go running to a crossover with 'Smallville' to help bring in the viewers.
"The stories will come from the environment: ocean polluters, evil oil companies and other (threats to the) environment," Alfred Gough said. Skein will be set -- and possibly lensed -- in the Florida Keys, not far from the Bermuda Triangle, which will be another major story engine".
Right now, I'm leaning towards letting this version of 'Aquaman' remain in the universe of Earth Prime-Time. The major factor? Well, Aquaman really hasn't appeared yet in the main TV Universe. The Tooniverse has seen a lot of him, what with his own Saturday morning adventures and as a member of the 'Super-Friends'. And 'Smallville' is set in an alternate TV Land. (My choice? The same universe where you can find 'The West Wing' and 'Mr. Sterling'.)
Hopefully, if you've been paying attention, some of you might be ready to argue that Aquaman can't exist in Toobworld if 'Entourage' is also set in the main TV universe. All this past season, Vince Chase was attached to a James Cameron movie project about the comic book hero, "Aguaman".
Not the "real-life" hero. The guy from the comic book.
I don't see a Zonk! in this. Jerry 'Seinfeld' referred to all sorts of details about Superman - he had the magnet image of the super-hero on his fridge door; he used "Jor-El" as his PIN. And yet Superman existed in Toobworld, as seen back in the 1950s on 'The Adventures Of Superman'.
But that's.... okay. Because in an episode of that series ("The Birthday Letter"), little Kathy Williams was reading an issue of the comic book when Superman swooped into her apartment to give her a ride through the skies of Metropolis.
Within Toobworld's reality, a comic book must have been published to cash in on Superman's fame. And I'm sure Superman would have insisted that any profits to which he was entitled should go to charity.
And from there, we could then assume that a TV show was created about Superman which featured an actor named George Reeves. This way, we can avoid a Zonk! for that episode of 'I Love Lucy' which mentions George Reeves (who gets no onscreen credit) but which features an appearance by Superman.
The same thing happened to the Lone Ranger. The real Lone Ranger might have resembled Clayton Moore, but it was only John Hart who portrayed him within the TV Universe - as seen in episodes of 'The Fall Guy' and 'Happy Days'.
And coincidentally, it also happened to Jerry Seinfeld on his eponymous sitcom. The original pilot of 'Jerry' might have failed, but with a bit of re-tooling and re-casting, it finally became a success WITHIN the TV Universe and was probably renamed to be 'Seinfeld' as well. So that's why we can refer to both George Costanza and Jason Alexander (who allegedly played George according to an episode of 'The Larry Sanders Show') as being in the same TV Universe.
But getting back to Aquaman......
If, as I suspect and expect, there will be the inevitable crossover with 'Smallville', we'll just have to move it back to that alternate dimension.... and then give these guys a Toobworld splainin as to why their hero's looks have changed.
It might be something in the water......
And I know a lot you must think that whatever it is, I must be drinking it!
BCnU!Tele-Toby
THE CROSSOVER OF THE WEEK!
Sorry that this is running so late - writing the annual Christmas Cracker for the Idiot's Delight Digest as well as getting writing cramps due to Christmas cards have put a crimp on almost all things Toobworldian (save for lists compiled for the Hat Squads and the salute to Dick Van Dyke which was time-sensitive).
This week's crossover is implied, not a legit one has had been the case during November Sweeps.
And it's a commercial, a blipvert which makes a link to one of the more famous episodes of 'The Twilight Zone'.
For the new Black & Decker Sander, the tool's versatility is demonstrated by a man with three arms using it. The commercial is running now obviously because it must be such a godsend as a Christmas gift for the home-improvement sapiens in your family tree.
In "Will The Real Martian Please Stand Up?", we learned that the invading fleet of Martians all had three arms.
However, the three-eyed Venusian told the Martian scout that his fleet had already been interecepted and destroyed by the Venusian forces.
So this is why most of the characters seen in Toobworld are not three-armed aliens. (Although I have my doubts about some of the charactes in the influx of police procedurals......)
But some of those in the Martian fleet must have survived and escaped from the fray via escape pods that crashed on Earth, because they were too far from home. Trapped now on this third rock from the sun, these refugees have had to adapt to life on Earth and blend in as best they can, and at all costs avoid the attentions from agents of the FBI's 'X-Files' or from the 'Threshold' project.
Mars has been home to several species of humanoids, but whether they were all descended from the same genetic stock is unknown. The only two Martian species from different shows that can be declared to be of the same race would be Exigius 12 ½ AKA Martin O'Hara ('My Favorite Martian') and Phoebus and Deimos ('The Outer Limits' - "Controlled Experiment").
By the way, the Venusian seen in that episode of 'The Twilight Zone' wasn't actually from Venus at all. As seen in the "Cold Hands, Warm Heart" episode of 'The Outer Limits', Venusians look more like reptilian asparagus stalks.
The three-eyed alien in the diner on 'The Twilight Zone' was actually a Traskian, as seen in 'Farscape'.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
This week's crossover is implied, not a legit one has had been the case during November Sweeps.
And it's a commercial, a blipvert which makes a link to one of the more famous episodes of 'The Twilight Zone'.
For the new Black & Decker Sander, the tool's versatility is demonstrated by a man with three arms using it. The commercial is running now obviously because it must be such a godsend as a Christmas gift for the home-improvement sapiens in your family tree.
In "Will The Real Martian Please Stand Up?", we learned that the invading fleet of Martians all had three arms.
However, the three-eyed Venusian told the Martian scout that his fleet had already been interecepted and destroyed by the Venusian forces.
So this is why most of the characters seen in Toobworld are not three-armed aliens. (Although I have my doubts about some of the charactes in the influx of police procedurals......)
But some of those in the Martian fleet must have survived and escaped from the fray via escape pods that crashed on Earth, because they were too far from home. Trapped now on this third rock from the sun, these refugees have had to adapt to life on Earth and blend in as best they can, and at all costs avoid the attentions from agents of the FBI's 'X-Files' or from the 'Threshold' project.
Mars has been home to several species of humanoids, but whether they were all descended from the same genetic stock is unknown. The only two Martian species from different shows that can be declared to be of the same race would be Exigius 12 ½ AKA Martin O'Hara ('My Favorite Martian') and Phoebus and Deimos ('The Outer Limits' - "Controlled Experiment").
By the way, the Venusian seen in that episode of 'The Twilight Zone' wasn't actually from Venus at all. As seen in the "Cold Hands, Warm Heart" episode of 'The Outer Limits', Venusians look more like reptilian asparagus stalks.
The three-eyed alien in the diner on 'The Twilight Zone' was actually a Traskian, as seen in 'Farscape'.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DICK VAN DYKE!
After so many "Hat Squads" posted in the last few days, what a pleasure it is to salute a man who brought so much light into the "box of lights and wires".
Today marks Dick Van Dyke's 80th birthday. God bless him!
Just the other day, TVSquad.com listed their Top Five TV Dads and invited readers to submit theirs - Rob Petrie of 'The Dick Van Dyke Show'was at the top of my list. And I'm one of those kids who grew up with the show believing that Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore were married in real life. And in my perfect world, maybe they should have been.
As Dr. Mark Sloan of 'Diagnosis Murder', Mr. Van Dyke is represented in the TV Crossover Hall of Fame (March, 2003) and may even make it in as Rob Petrie as well.
His Paul Gallico on 'Columbo' ranks near the top of the list for most ruthless of the Lieutenant's adversaries. And the solution to that murder was one of the most satisfying in a story-telling sense.
Last year I posted a suggestion that Dr. Mark Sloan should have been the biological father of Dr. Greg House on 'House'. Having now seen R. Lee Ermey in the role, I think my idea is not only better but still possible. I couldn't buy into the genetic relationship between Ermey and Hugh Laurie. Laurie and Van Dyke on the other hand. (Oh, Mommy was a cheater!)
And then in his real life, something not often addressed in Toobworld, Mr. Van Dyke came forward with his admission about alcoholism. In doing so, he probably saved a lot of lives - by making people realize that if a big star who supposedly had it all could be suffering from such a disease and yet sought help, then maybe they could too.
Favorite all-time "DVD Shows":
'It May Look Like A Walnut'
'The Ghost Of A. Chanz'
The BBC Online is being irreverent with their acknowledgement of his personal landmark - they're inviting their readers to call in with their impression of his Cockney accent from 'Mary Poppins', which apparently is considered the worst of all time. Being just a little kid when that movie came out, I totally bought into it as being the real thing.
And in the long run, I don't think it mattered - the joy in his performance over-rides all criticism and is infectious.
Something off-beat to look for in connection with Mr. Van Dyke, and which I've been thinking about now that Peter Jackson's version of "King Kong" is out - MAD magazine did a spoof of all the big ape films with the main caricatures as Dick Van Dyke, James Garner, and Doris Day. It was a trio I wish had really made a movie together (although Van Dyke and Garner, and Garner and Day, did work together).
Here's just my small salute to a man who has given so much to the TV Universe for over forty years. And hopefully, he'll have much more to offer in the years to come.
And that ain't bupkis!
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Today marks Dick Van Dyke's 80th birthday. God bless him!
Just the other day, TVSquad.com listed their Top Five TV Dads and invited readers to submit theirs - Rob Petrie of 'The Dick Van Dyke Show'was at the top of my list. And I'm one of those kids who grew up with the show believing that Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore were married in real life. And in my perfect world, maybe they should have been.
As Dr. Mark Sloan of 'Diagnosis Murder', Mr. Van Dyke is represented in the TV Crossover Hall of Fame (March, 2003) and may even make it in as Rob Petrie as well.
His Paul Gallico on 'Columbo' ranks near the top of the list for most ruthless of the Lieutenant's adversaries. And the solution to that murder was one of the most satisfying in a story-telling sense.
Last year I posted a suggestion that Dr. Mark Sloan should have been the biological father of Dr. Greg House on 'House'. Having now seen R. Lee Ermey in the role, I think my idea is not only better but still possible. I couldn't buy into the genetic relationship between Ermey and Hugh Laurie. Laurie and Van Dyke on the other hand. (Oh, Mommy was a cheater!)
And then in his real life, something not often addressed in Toobworld, Mr. Van Dyke came forward with his admission about alcoholism. In doing so, he probably saved a lot of lives - by making people realize that if a big star who supposedly had it all could be suffering from such a disease and yet sought help, then maybe they could too.
Favorite all-time "DVD Shows":
'It May Look Like A Walnut'
'The Ghost Of A. Chanz'
The BBC Online is being irreverent with their acknowledgement of his personal landmark - they're inviting their readers to call in with their impression of his Cockney accent from 'Mary Poppins', which apparently is considered the worst of all time. Being just a little kid when that movie came out, I totally bought into it as being the real thing.
And in the long run, I don't think it mattered - the joy in his performance over-rides all criticism and is infectious.
Something off-beat to look for in connection with Mr. Van Dyke, and which I've been thinking about now that Peter Jackson's version of "King Kong" is out - MAD magazine did a spoof of all the big ape films with the main caricatures as Dick Van Dyke, James Garner, and Doris Day. It was a trio I wish had really made a movie together (although Van Dyke and Garner, and Garner and Day, did work together).
Here's just my small salute to a man who has given so much to the TV Universe for over forty years. And hopefully, he'll have much more to offer in the years to come.
And that ain't bupkis!
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Sunday, December 11, 2005
THE HAT SQUAD: RICHARD PRYOR
My first memory of Richard Pryor on Television was from 'The Ed Sullivan Show' (I think). He did a quick routine of the first astronaut on the Sun - by jumping around like he had the mutha of all hot-foots!
There'll be plenty of blogs with better memorials to his comedy, to the greater meaning of his talent. I've already found several good ones in the sites I have listed to the left. I've never been good at this sort of thing, and prefer just to tip my hat and say "Thank you" for what Mr. Pryor did to help expand the boundaries of that little box of lights and wires which holds such a powerful universe.
And he paid quite a price knocking down those walls. It's an image from his own short-lived variety series that best summed up what it must have cost him - he was shown during his opening monologue as being totally naked, but his genitals had been excised digitally.
As a tip of the hat to his memory last night, 'Saturday Night Live' showed the following excerpt from the classic sketch Pryor did with Chevy Chase in that first year of 'SNL':
Interviewer: [ aggressive ] "Spearchucker".
Mr. Wilson: "White trash!"
Interviewer: "Jungle Bunny!"
Mr. Wilson: [ upset ] "Honky!"
Interviewer: "Spade!
Mr. Wilson: [ really upset ] "Honky Honky!"
Interviewer: [ relentless ] "Nigger!"
Mr. Wilson: [ immediate ] "Dead honky!" [ face starts to flinch ]
If you'd like to see the full sketch, please visit this fantastic site:
"SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE TRANSCRIPTS"
If you do a search of the site, it's from the seventh episode of the first year, titled: "Racist Word Association Interview".
TELE-VERSION
"The Blackberry Inn" (1995) TV Series .... Himself
"Martin" playing "Himself" in episode: "The Break Up: Part 1" (episode # 1.18) 11 February 1993
"Pryor's Place" (1984) TV Series .... Himself
"The Richard Pryor Show" (1977) TV Series .... Himself/Various Characters (1977)
"The Midnight Special" (1972) TV Series .... Himself - Host
"The Mod Squad" playing "Himself" in episode: "The Teeth of the Barracuda" (episode # 1.1) 24 September 1968
"The Kraft Summer Music Hall" (1966) TV Series .... Regular
TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"The Norm Show" playing "Mr. Johnson" in episode: "Norm vs. Boxer" (episode # 2.11) 1 December 1999
"Malcolm & Eddie" playing "Uncle Buck" in episode: "Do the K.C. Hustle" (episode # 1.10) 11 November 1996
"Chicago Hope" playing "Joe Springer" in episode: "Stand" (episode # 2.9) 20 November 1995
"Martin" playing "Himself" in episode: "The Break Up: Part 1" (episode # 1.18) 11 February 1993
"The Partridge Family" playing "A.E. Simon" in episode: "Soul Club" (episode # 1.18) 29 January 1971
"The Mod Squad" playing "Himself" in episode: "The Teeth of the Barracuda" (episode # 1.1) 24 September 1968
"The Wild Wild West" playing "Villar" in episode: "The Night of the Eccentrics" (episode # 2.1) 16 September 1966
TV MOVIES
Carter's Army (1970) (TV) .... Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
[When we were kids, my friends and I usually played 'Combat!' in the neighborhood - most times in my backyard, which was a really long orchard. But after seeing this TV movie, in which a bigoted white officer led a platoon of black soldiers in WWII, we became 'Carter's Army'.... never mind that none of us were black. I was the Rosey Grier character......]
BCnU.....
Tele-Toby
There'll be plenty of blogs with better memorials to his comedy, to the greater meaning of his talent. I've already found several good ones in the sites I have listed to the left. I've never been good at this sort of thing, and prefer just to tip my hat and say "Thank you" for what Mr. Pryor did to help expand the boundaries of that little box of lights and wires which holds such a powerful universe.
And he paid quite a price knocking down those walls. It's an image from his own short-lived variety series that best summed up what it must have cost him - he was shown during his opening monologue as being totally naked, but his genitals had been excised digitally.
As a tip of the hat to his memory last night, 'Saturday Night Live' showed the following excerpt from the classic sketch Pryor did with Chevy Chase in that first year of 'SNL':
Interviewer: [ aggressive ] "Spearchucker".
Mr. Wilson: "White trash!"
Interviewer: "Jungle Bunny!"
Mr. Wilson: [ upset ] "Honky!"
Interviewer: "Spade!
Mr. Wilson: [ really upset ] "Honky Honky!"
Interviewer: [ relentless ] "Nigger!"
Mr. Wilson: [ immediate ] "Dead honky!" [ face starts to flinch ]
If you'd like to see the full sketch, please visit this fantastic site:
"SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE TRANSCRIPTS"
If you do a search of the site, it's from the seventh episode of the first year, titled: "Racist Word Association Interview".
TELE-VERSION
"The Blackberry Inn" (1995) TV Series .... Himself
"Martin" playing "Himself" in episode: "The Break Up: Part 1" (episode # 1.18) 11 February 1993
"Pryor's Place" (1984) TV Series .... Himself
"The Richard Pryor Show" (1977) TV Series .... Himself/Various Characters (1977)
"The Midnight Special" (1972) TV Series .... Himself - Host
"The Mod Squad" playing "Himself" in episode: "The Teeth of the Barracuda" (episode # 1.1) 24 September 1968
"The Kraft Summer Music Hall" (1966) TV Series .... Regular
TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"The Norm Show" playing "Mr. Johnson" in episode: "Norm vs. Boxer" (episode # 2.11) 1 December 1999
"Malcolm & Eddie" playing "Uncle Buck" in episode: "Do the K.C. Hustle" (episode # 1.10) 11 November 1996
"Chicago Hope" playing "Joe Springer" in episode: "Stand" (episode # 2.9) 20 November 1995
"Martin" playing "Himself" in episode: "The Break Up: Part 1" (episode # 1.18) 11 February 1993
"The Partridge Family" playing "A.E. Simon" in episode: "Soul Club" (episode # 1.18) 29 January 1971
"The Mod Squad" playing "Himself" in episode: "The Teeth of the Barracuda" (episode # 1.1) 24 September 1968
"The Wild Wild West" playing "Villar" in episode: "The Night of the Eccentrics" (episode # 2.1) 16 September 1966
TV MOVIES
Carter's Army (1970) (TV) .... Pvt. Jonathan Crunk
[When we were kids, my friends and I usually played 'Combat!' in the neighborhood - most times in my backyard, which was a really long orchard. But after seeing this TV movie, in which a bigoted white officer led a platoon of black soldiers in WWII, we became 'Carter's Army'.... never mind that none of us were black. I was the Rosey Grier character......]
BCnU.....
Tele-Toby
THE HAT SQUAD: JEAN PARKER
TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"Private Secretary" playing "Edmee Esmond" in episode: "Cat on a Hot Thin File" (episode # 4.1) 18 March 1956
"Matinee Theatre" playing "Amelie" in episode: "Dinner at Antoine's" (episode # 1.89) 5 March 1956
"Stories of the Century" playing "Ella Watson aka Cattle Kate" in episode: "Cattle Kate" (episode # 1.6) 28 February 1954
"Cowboy G-Men" playing "Dixie Shannon, Saloon Owner" in episode: "High Heeled Boots" (episode # 1.38) 6 June 1953
"Cowboy G-Men" in episode: "The Woman Mayor" (episode # 1.36) 23 May 1953
"Suspense" in episode: "This Way Out" (episode # 3.54) 4 September 1951
"Pulitzer Prize Playhouse" in episode: "The Wisdom Tooth" (episode # 1.22) 2 March 1951
"Starlight Theatre" in episode: "Be Nice to Mr. Campbell" (episode # 2.6) 25 January 1951
BCnU.....
Tele-Toby
"Private Secretary" playing "Edmee Esmond" in episode: "Cat on a Hot Thin File" (episode # 4.1) 18 March 1956
"Matinee Theatre" playing "Amelie" in episode: "Dinner at Antoine's" (episode # 1.89) 5 March 1956
"Stories of the Century" playing "Ella Watson aka Cattle Kate" in episode: "Cattle Kate" (episode # 1.6) 28 February 1954
"Cowboy G-Men" playing "Dixie Shannon, Saloon Owner" in episode: "High Heeled Boots" (episode # 1.38) 6 June 1953
"Cowboy G-Men" in episode: "The Woman Mayor" (episode # 1.36) 23 May 1953
"Suspense" in episode: "This Way Out" (episode # 3.54) 4 September 1951
"Pulitzer Prize Playhouse" in episode: "The Wisdom Tooth" (episode # 1.22) 2 March 1951
"Starlight Theatre" in episode: "Be Nice to Mr. Campbell" (episode # 2.6) 25 January 1951
BCnU.....
Tele-Toby
Friday, December 9, 2005
THE HAT SQUAD: JACK COLVIN
In his fine tribute to the actor's most famous role, Tony Figueroa had this to say about Jack McGee in 'The Incredible Hulk':
"As an adult I enjoyed the show again in reruns... and really saw what Jack Colvin brought to the character of McGee. Here was a brilliant reporter who now was down on his luck working at a tabloid (The National Register). He knew that the HULK story would put him at the top of his profession again and became obsessed like Capt. Ahab.
....I cared for McGee because, unlike Ahab, his quest was not a personal vendetta, he just wanted to be respected in his field again."
You'll see a link to Tony's blog off there to the left, "Child of Television". Check it out.
TV SHOWS
"Washingtoon" (1985) TV Series
"The Incredible Hulk" (1978) TV Series .... Jack McGee (1978-1982)
TV PILOTS
The Incredible Hulk: Death in the Family (1977) (TV) .... Jack McGee
The Incredible Hulk (1977) (TV) .... Jack McGee
TV SEQUELS
The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988) (TV) .... Jack McGee
The Incredible Hulk: Married (1978) (TV) .... Jack McGee
TV MOVIES
Exo-Man (1977) (TV) .... Martin
The Spell (1977) (TV) .... Dale Boyce
Benny and Barney: Las Vegas Undercover (1977) (TV) .... Lieutenant Callan
Amelia Earhart (1976) (TV) .... Wilmer Stultz
Knuckle (1975) (TV)
The Crazy World of Julius Vrooder (1974) .... Sergeant
Hurricane (1974) (TV) .... Newscaster
Footsteps (1972) (TV) .... Crowther
Operation Razzle-Dazzle (1966) (TV)
TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"Murder, She Wrote" playing "Chandler Hellman" in episode: "Moving Violation" (episode # 7.13) 3 February 1991
"Murder, She Wrote" playing "Harris Atwater" in episode: "Indian Giver" (episode # 4.10) 29 November 1987
"Scarecrow and Mrs. King" playing "Doneck" in episode: "Bad Timing" (episode # 4.15) 6 February 1987
"MacGyver" playing "Abel Makepeace" in episode: "Silent World" (episode # 2.9) 24 November 1986
"Cagney & Lacey" playing "Delawter" in episode: "The Zealot" (episode # 6.6) 10 November 1986
"Hunter" playing "Michael Varn" in episode: "The Set Up" (episode # 2.19) 25 March 1986
"The Six Million Dollar Man" playing "Dr. Charles Leith"
in episode: "The Dark Side of the Moon: Part 1" (episode # 5.9) 13 November 1977
in episode: "The Dark Side of the Moon: Part 2" (episode # 5.8) 6 November 1977
"Switch" playing "Lieutenant Koehler"
in episode: "Legend of the Macunas: Part 2" (episode # 3.4) 21 October 1977
in episode: "Legend of the Macunas: Part 1" (episode # 3.3) 14 October 1977
"Westside Medical" playing "Dr. Bower" in episode: "The Mermaid" (episode # 1.7) 7 July 1977
"Quincy" playing "Bill Leggett" in episode: "Hit and Run at Danny's" (episode # 2.6) 11 March 1977
"The Bionic Woman" playing "Baron Constantine" in episode: "Kill Oscar: Part 1" (episode # 2.6) 27 October 1976
"The Rockford Files" playing "Preacher" in episode: "A Bad Deal in the Valley" (episode # 2.22) 19 March 1976
"Switch" playing "Detective Sgt. Colder" in episode: "The Case of the Purloined Case" (episode # 1.21) 2 March 1976
"The Six Million Dollar Man" playing "Will Collins" in episode: "Hocus-Pocus" (episode # 3.16) 18 January 1976
"The Rookies" playing "Wolfe Burdett" in episode: "Reluctant Hero" (episode # 4.12) 25 November 1975
"Harry O" playing "Willie" in episode: "Mayday" (episode # 2.7) 23 October 1975
"Baretta" playing "Gowen" in episode: "Double Image" (episode # 2.6) 15 October 1975
"The Invisible Man" playing "Williams" in episode: "Man of Influence" (episode # 1.4) 22 September 1975
"The Six Million Dollar Man" playing "Ed Jasper" in episode: "Look Alike" (episode # 2.17) 23 February 1975
"Petrocelli" playing "Judge" in episode: "The Sleep of Reason" (episode # 1.13) 15 January 1975
"Kojak" playing "Laurie Cherneff" in episode: "Eighteen Hours of Fear" (episode # 1.16) 20 February 1974
"Tarzan" playing "Military Governor" in episode: "The Professional" (episode # 2.14) 5 January 1968
"The Rat Patrol" playing "Luden" in episode: "The One That Got Away Raid" (episode # 1.18) 9 January 1967
BCnU.....
Tele-Toby
"As an adult I enjoyed the show again in reruns... and really saw what Jack Colvin brought to the character of McGee. Here was a brilliant reporter who now was down on his luck working at a tabloid (The National Register). He knew that the HULK story would put him at the top of his profession again and became obsessed like Capt. Ahab.
....I cared for McGee because, unlike Ahab, his quest was not a personal vendetta, he just wanted to be respected in his field again."
You'll see a link to Tony's blog off there to the left, "Child of Television". Check it out.
TV SHOWS
"Washingtoon" (1985) TV Series
"The Incredible Hulk" (1978) TV Series .... Jack McGee (1978-1982)
TV PILOTS
The Incredible Hulk: Death in the Family (1977) (TV) .... Jack McGee
The Incredible Hulk (1977) (TV) .... Jack McGee
TV SEQUELS
The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988) (TV) .... Jack McGee
The Incredible Hulk: Married (1978) (TV) .... Jack McGee
TV MOVIES
Exo-Man (1977) (TV) .... Martin
The Spell (1977) (TV) .... Dale Boyce
Benny and Barney: Las Vegas Undercover (1977) (TV) .... Lieutenant Callan
Amelia Earhart (1976) (TV) .... Wilmer Stultz
Knuckle (1975) (TV)
The Crazy World of Julius Vrooder (1974) .... Sergeant
Hurricane (1974) (TV) .... Newscaster
Footsteps (1972) (TV) .... Crowther
Operation Razzle-Dazzle (1966) (TV)
TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"Murder, She Wrote" playing "Chandler Hellman" in episode: "Moving Violation" (episode # 7.13) 3 February 1991
"Murder, She Wrote" playing "Harris Atwater" in episode: "Indian Giver" (episode # 4.10) 29 November 1987
"Scarecrow and Mrs. King" playing "Doneck" in episode: "Bad Timing" (episode # 4.15) 6 February 1987
"MacGyver" playing "Abel Makepeace" in episode: "Silent World" (episode # 2.9) 24 November 1986
"Cagney & Lacey" playing "Delawter" in episode: "The Zealot" (episode # 6.6) 10 November 1986
"Hunter" playing "Michael Varn" in episode: "The Set Up" (episode # 2.19) 25 March 1986
"The Six Million Dollar Man" playing "Dr. Charles Leith"
in episode: "The Dark Side of the Moon: Part 1" (episode # 5.9) 13 November 1977
in episode: "The Dark Side of the Moon: Part 2" (episode # 5.8) 6 November 1977
"Switch" playing "Lieutenant Koehler"
in episode: "Legend of the Macunas: Part 2" (episode # 3.4) 21 October 1977
in episode: "Legend of the Macunas: Part 1" (episode # 3.3) 14 October 1977
"Westside Medical" playing "Dr. Bower" in episode: "The Mermaid" (episode # 1.7) 7 July 1977
"Quincy" playing "Bill Leggett" in episode: "Hit and Run at Danny's" (episode # 2.6) 11 March 1977
"The Bionic Woman" playing "Baron Constantine" in episode: "Kill Oscar: Part 1" (episode # 2.6) 27 October 1976
"The Rockford Files" playing "Preacher" in episode: "A Bad Deal in the Valley" (episode # 2.22) 19 March 1976
"Switch" playing "Detective Sgt. Colder" in episode: "The Case of the Purloined Case" (episode # 1.21) 2 March 1976
"The Six Million Dollar Man" playing "Will Collins" in episode: "Hocus-Pocus" (episode # 3.16) 18 January 1976
"The Rookies" playing "Wolfe Burdett" in episode: "Reluctant Hero" (episode # 4.12) 25 November 1975
"Harry O" playing "Willie" in episode: "Mayday" (episode # 2.7) 23 October 1975
"Baretta" playing "Gowen" in episode: "Double Image" (episode # 2.6) 15 October 1975
"The Invisible Man" playing "Williams" in episode: "Man of Influence" (episode # 1.4) 22 September 1975
"The Six Million Dollar Man" playing "Ed Jasper" in episode: "Look Alike" (episode # 2.17) 23 February 1975
"Petrocelli" playing "Judge" in episode: "The Sleep of Reason" (episode # 1.13) 15 January 1975
"Kojak" playing "Laurie Cherneff" in episode: "Eighteen Hours of Fear" (episode # 1.16) 20 February 1974
"Tarzan" playing "Military Governor" in episode: "The Professional" (episode # 2.14) 5 January 1968
"The Rat Patrol" playing "Luden" in episode: "The One That Got Away Raid" (episode # 1.18) 9 January 1967
BCnU.....
Tele-Toby
THE HAT SQUAD: JOCELYN BRANDO
It's probably a shame that that she'll forever first be mentioned as the older sister of Marlon Brando. But who knows? As good as she may have been (and I have to admit I wouldn't be able to judge that), perhaps she wouldn't have had the opportunities to work as much as she did had it not been for her sibling's fame.
It's a strange business......
TV SERIES
"Love of Life" (1951) TV Series .... Anna Krakauer (1966-1967)
TV MOVIES
Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land (1983) (TV) .... Mrs. Harvey
Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981) (TV) .... Mrs. Ritter
A Question of Love (1978/I) (TV) .... Mrs. Hunnicutt
TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"Darkroom" playing "Mrs. Mingle" in episode: "Catnip" (episode # 1.11) 25 December 1981
"Dallas" playing "Mrs. Reeves"
in episode: "Mother of the Year" (episode # 3.13) 14 December 1979
in episode: "Secrets" (episode # 3.4) 12 October 1979
in episode: "The Silent Killer" (episode # 3.3) 5 October 1979
in episode: "Whatever Happened to Baby John?: Part 2" (episode # 3.2) 28 September 1979
"Kojak" playing "Mrs. Newfield" in episode: "The Summer of '69: Part 1" (episode # 5.9) 4 December 1977
"Little House on the Prairie" playing "Woman" in episode: "Money Crop" (episode # 1.21) 19 February 1975
"Ironside" playing "Etta Gibbs" in episode: "Puzzlelock" (episode # 2.23) 13 March 1969
"The Virginian" playing "Mrs. Owens" in episode: "Last Grave at Socorro Creek" (episode # 7.16) 22 January 1969
"The Virginian" playing "Ida Martin" in episode: "A Welcoming Town" (episode # 5.26) 22 March 1967
"The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" playing "Emma Jane" in episode: "The Jar" (episode # 2.17) 14 February 1964
"Dr. Kildare" playing "Doris Phillips" in episode: "The Oracle" (episode # 3.13) 19 December 1963
"Arrest and Trial" playing "Mrs. Ware" in episode: "The Quality of Justice" (episode # 1.10) 17 November 1963
"Wagon Train" playing "Mrs. Pulaski" in episode: "The Sam Pulaski Story" (episode # 7.8) 4 November 1963
"The Virginian" playing "Lucy Wallace" in episode: "Strangers at Sundown" (episode # 1.27) 3 April 1963
"Wagon Train" playing "Ada Meyers" in episode: "The Michael McGoo Story" (episode # 6.26) 20 March 1963
"Wagon Train" playing "Grace Lefton" in episode: "The Martin Gatsby Story" (episode # 6.4) 10 October 1962
"Wagon Train" playing "Martha Lane" in episode: "The Mary Beckett Story" (episode # 5.32) 9 May 1962
"Thriller" playing "Myrtle Hooper" in episode: "'Til Death Do Us Part" (episode # 2.24) 12 March 1962
"87th Precinct" playing "Mrs. Mason" in episode: "My Friend, My Enemy" (episode # 1.10) 27 November 1961
"Frontier Circus" playing "Phyllis Jordan" in episode: "The Hunter and the Hunted" (episode # 1.5) 2 November 1961
"Tales of Wells Fargo" playing "Frances Cobb" in episode: "Treasure Coach" (episode # 6.3) 14 October 1961
"Alcoa Premiere" playing "Nurse Slater" in episode: "People Need People" (episode # 1.1) 10 October 1961
"Wagon Train" playing "Lettie" in episode: "The Kitty Allbright Story" (episode # 5.2) 4 October 1961
"Alfred Hitchcock Presents" playing "Della Hudson" in episode: "Make My Death Bed" (episode # 6.37) 27 June 1961
"Wagon Train" playing "Agnes McDermott" in episode: "The Will Santee Story" (episode # 4.31) 3 May 1961
"The Tall Man" playing "Martha" in episode: "The Legend and the Gun" (episode # 1.29) 1 April 1961
"Checkmate" playing "Sarah" in episode: "One for the Book" (episode # 1.24) 18 March 1961
"Laramie" playing "Sarah Willoughby" in episode: "Man from Kansas" (episode # 2.15) 10 January 1961
"General Electric Theater" playing "Margaret Hobbs" in episode: "The Money Driver" (episode # 9.10) 18 December 1960
"Riverboat" in episode: "The Water of Gorgeous Springs" (episode # 2.7) 7 November 1960
"COronado 9" in episode: "The Spinster of Nob Hill" (episode # 1.4) 27 September 1960
"Thriller" playing "Mrs. Sinclair" in episode: "Worse Than Murder" (episode # 1.3) 27 September 1960
"Laramie" in episode: "Cemetery Road" (episode # 1.29) 12 April 1960
"Riverboat" playing "Mrs. Pauley" in episode: "The Night of the Faceless Men" (episode # 1.28) 28 March 1960
"Alfred Hitchcock Presents" playing "Julia Conrad" in episode: "Graduating Class" (episode # 5.14) 27 December 1959
"Lux Playhouse" playing "Madge" in episode: "The Miss and Missiles" (episode # 1.18) 12 June 1959
"Alfred Hitchcock Presents" playing "Alice" in episode: "A True Account" (episode # 4.34) 7 June 1959
"M Squad" playing "Esther Bonsel" in episode: "The Terror on Dark Street" (episode # 2.30) 24 April 1959
"Buckskin" playing "Lucy Corkle" in episode: "Mail-Order Groom" (episode # 1.34) 20 April 1959
"Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond" playing "Ellen Larrabee" in episode: "Emergency Only" (episode # 1.3) 3 February 1959
"State Trooper" in episode: "The Trap That Jack Built" (episode # 3.2) 8 January 1959
"Richard Diamond, Private Detective" playing "Wife" in episode: "Lost Testament" (episode # 2.16) 1 May 1958
"Wagon Train" playing "Millie Bennett" in episode: "The Sally Potter Story" (episode # 1.28) 9 April 1958
"Official Detective" in episode: "The Wristwatch" (episode # 1.12)
"The United States Steel Hour" playing "Ann" in episode: "Thirty Year Man" (episode # 3.20) 28 March 1956
"General Electric Theater" playing "Nurse" in episode: "A Letter from the Queen" (episode # 4.23) 4 March 1956
"The United States Steel Hour" playing "Jane" in episode: "Freighter" (episode # 2.12) 15 February 1955
"Omnibus" in episode: "The Golden Dress" (episode # 2.4) 24 October 1953
"Kraft Television Theatre" in episode: "Ben Franklin" (episode # 4.36) 30 May 1951
"Actor's Studio" in episode: "Greasy Luck" (episode # 1.23) 27 February 1949
"Actor's Studio" in episode: "A Day in Town" (episode # 1.15) 2 January 1949
"Actor's Studio" in episode: "Esther" (episode # 1.8) 14 November 1948
"Actor's Studio" in episode: "The Thousand Dollar Bill" (episode # 1.4) 17 October 1948
BCnU.....
Tele-Toby
It's a strange business......
TV SERIES
"Love of Life" (1951) TV Series .... Anna Krakauer (1966-1967)
TV MOVIES
Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land (1983) (TV) .... Mrs. Harvey
Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981) (TV) .... Mrs. Ritter
A Question of Love (1978/I) (TV) .... Mrs. Hunnicutt
TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"Darkroom" playing "Mrs. Mingle" in episode: "Catnip" (episode # 1.11) 25 December 1981
"Dallas" playing "Mrs. Reeves"
in episode: "Mother of the Year" (episode # 3.13) 14 December 1979
in episode: "Secrets" (episode # 3.4) 12 October 1979
in episode: "The Silent Killer" (episode # 3.3) 5 October 1979
in episode: "Whatever Happened to Baby John?: Part 2" (episode # 3.2) 28 September 1979
"Kojak" playing "Mrs. Newfield" in episode: "The Summer of '69: Part 1" (episode # 5.9) 4 December 1977
"Little House on the Prairie" playing "Woman" in episode: "Money Crop" (episode # 1.21) 19 February 1975
"Ironside" playing "Etta Gibbs" in episode: "Puzzlelock" (episode # 2.23) 13 March 1969
"The Virginian" playing "Mrs. Owens" in episode: "Last Grave at Socorro Creek" (episode # 7.16) 22 January 1969
"The Virginian" playing "Ida Martin" in episode: "A Welcoming Town" (episode # 5.26) 22 March 1967
"The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" playing "Emma Jane" in episode: "The Jar" (episode # 2.17) 14 February 1964
"Dr. Kildare" playing "Doris Phillips" in episode: "The Oracle" (episode # 3.13) 19 December 1963
"Arrest and Trial" playing "Mrs. Ware" in episode: "The Quality of Justice" (episode # 1.10) 17 November 1963
"Wagon Train" playing "Mrs. Pulaski" in episode: "The Sam Pulaski Story" (episode # 7.8) 4 November 1963
"The Virginian" playing "Lucy Wallace" in episode: "Strangers at Sundown" (episode # 1.27) 3 April 1963
"Wagon Train" playing "Ada Meyers" in episode: "The Michael McGoo Story" (episode # 6.26) 20 March 1963
"Wagon Train" playing "Grace Lefton" in episode: "The Martin Gatsby Story" (episode # 6.4) 10 October 1962
"Wagon Train" playing "Martha Lane" in episode: "The Mary Beckett Story" (episode # 5.32) 9 May 1962
"Thriller" playing "Myrtle Hooper" in episode: "'Til Death Do Us Part" (episode # 2.24) 12 March 1962
"87th Precinct" playing "Mrs. Mason" in episode: "My Friend, My Enemy" (episode # 1.10) 27 November 1961
"Frontier Circus" playing "Phyllis Jordan" in episode: "The Hunter and the Hunted" (episode # 1.5) 2 November 1961
"Tales of Wells Fargo" playing "Frances Cobb" in episode: "Treasure Coach" (episode # 6.3) 14 October 1961
"Alcoa Premiere" playing "Nurse Slater" in episode: "People Need People" (episode # 1.1) 10 October 1961
"Wagon Train" playing "Lettie" in episode: "The Kitty Allbright Story" (episode # 5.2) 4 October 1961
"Alfred Hitchcock Presents" playing "Della Hudson" in episode: "Make My Death Bed" (episode # 6.37) 27 June 1961
"Wagon Train" playing "Agnes McDermott" in episode: "The Will Santee Story" (episode # 4.31) 3 May 1961
"The Tall Man" playing "Martha" in episode: "The Legend and the Gun" (episode # 1.29) 1 April 1961
"Checkmate" playing "Sarah" in episode: "One for the Book" (episode # 1.24) 18 March 1961
"Laramie" playing "Sarah Willoughby" in episode: "Man from Kansas" (episode # 2.15) 10 January 1961
"General Electric Theater" playing "Margaret Hobbs" in episode: "The Money Driver" (episode # 9.10) 18 December 1960
"Riverboat" in episode: "The Water of Gorgeous Springs" (episode # 2.7) 7 November 1960
"COronado 9" in episode: "The Spinster of Nob Hill" (episode # 1.4) 27 September 1960
"Thriller" playing "Mrs. Sinclair" in episode: "Worse Than Murder" (episode # 1.3) 27 September 1960
"Laramie" in episode: "Cemetery Road" (episode # 1.29) 12 April 1960
"Riverboat" playing "Mrs. Pauley" in episode: "The Night of the Faceless Men" (episode # 1.28) 28 March 1960
"Alfred Hitchcock Presents" playing "Julia Conrad" in episode: "Graduating Class" (episode # 5.14) 27 December 1959
"Lux Playhouse" playing "Madge" in episode: "The Miss and Missiles" (episode # 1.18) 12 June 1959
"Alfred Hitchcock Presents" playing "Alice" in episode: "A True Account" (episode # 4.34) 7 June 1959
"M Squad" playing "Esther Bonsel" in episode: "The Terror on Dark Street" (episode # 2.30) 24 April 1959
"Buckskin" playing "Lucy Corkle" in episode: "Mail-Order Groom" (episode # 1.34) 20 April 1959
"Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond" playing "Ellen Larrabee" in episode: "Emergency Only" (episode # 1.3) 3 February 1959
"State Trooper" in episode: "The Trap That Jack Built" (episode # 3.2) 8 January 1959
"Richard Diamond, Private Detective" playing "Wife" in episode: "Lost Testament" (episode # 2.16) 1 May 1958
"Wagon Train" playing "Millie Bennett" in episode: "The Sally Potter Story" (episode # 1.28) 9 April 1958
"Official Detective" in episode: "The Wristwatch" (episode # 1.12)
"The United States Steel Hour" playing "Ann" in episode: "Thirty Year Man" (episode # 3.20) 28 March 1956
"General Electric Theater" playing "Nurse" in episode: "A Letter from the Queen" (episode # 4.23) 4 March 1956
"The United States Steel Hour" playing "Jane" in episode: "Freighter" (episode # 2.12) 15 February 1955
"Omnibus" in episode: "The Golden Dress" (episode # 2.4) 24 October 1953
"Kraft Television Theatre" in episode: "Ben Franklin" (episode # 4.36) 30 May 1951
"Actor's Studio" in episode: "Greasy Luck" (episode # 1.23) 27 February 1949
"Actor's Studio" in episode: "A Day in Town" (episode # 1.15) 2 January 1949
"Actor's Studio" in episode: "Esther" (episode # 1.8) 14 November 1948
"Actor's Studio" in episode: "The Thousand Dollar Bill" (episode # 1.4) 17 October 1948
BCnU.....
Tele-Toby
THE HAT SQUAD: CONSTANCE CUMMINGS
Constance Cummings was probably best known for her work in the theatre and in the movies, but she did some TV work in the United Kingdom and here in the United States as well.
But it's one TV credit that leapt out to grab my attention:
Cyrano de Bergerac (1938) (TV) .... Roxane
1938!!!
From what little I've read about the TV industry and its history in England, (mostly in the British Television: An Illustrated Guide), I've often wondered how far ahead they might have been had it not been for the interruption of WWII.
TV MOVIES
Dead Man's Folly (1986) (TV) .... Amy Folliatt
Love Song (1985) (TV) .... Dame Philippa Hatchard
Wings (1983) (TV) .... Emily Stilson
Long Day's Journey Into Night (1973) (TV) .... Mary Tyrone
Nine Bean Rows (1968) (TV) .... Rose
Cyrano de Bergerac (1938) (TV) .... Roxane
TV SPECIALS
Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius (1989) (TV) .... Herself
TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"Jemima Shore Investigates" in episode: "The Crime of the Dancing Duchess" (episode # 1.2) 22 June 1983
"Menace" playing "Rose" in episode: "Nine Bean Rows" (episode # 1.10) 1 December 1970
"The Jazz Age" playing "Rose" in episode: "Nine Bean Rows" (episode # 1.9) 5 November 1968
"Schlitz Playhouse of Stars" in episode: "Night Drive" (episode # 6.18) 15 February 1957
"Screen Directors Playhouse" playing "Louisa Pallant" in episode: "Bitter Waters" (episode # 1.33) 1 August 1956
"Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents" playing "Julia" in episode: "The Scream" (episode # 1.2) 14 January 1953
"Lux Video Theatre" in episode: "Lady from Washington" (episode # 2.46) 7 July 1952
BCnU......
Tele-Toby
But it's one TV credit that leapt out to grab my attention:
Cyrano de Bergerac (1938) (TV) .... Roxane
1938!!!
From what little I've read about the TV industry and its history in England, (mostly in the British Television: An Illustrated Guide), I've often wondered how far ahead they might have been had it not been for the interruption of WWII.
TV MOVIES
Dead Man's Folly (1986) (TV) .... Amy Folliatt
Love Song (1985) (TV) .... Dame Philippa Hatchard
Wings (1983) (TV) .... Emily Stilson
Long Day's Journey Into Night (1973) (TV) .... Mary Tyrone
Nine Bean Rows (1968) (TV) .... Rose
Cyrano de Bergerac (1938) (TV) .... Roxane
TV SPECIALS
Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius (1989) (TV) .... Herself
TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"Jemima Shore Investigates" in episode: "The Crime of the Dancing Duchess" (episode # 1.2) 22 June 1983
"Menace" playing "Rose" in episode: "Nine Bean Rows" (episode # 1.10) 1 December 1970
"The Jazz Age" playing "Rose" in episode: "Nine Bean Rows" (episode # 1.9) 5 November 1968
"Schlitz Playhouse of Stars" in episode: "Night Drive" (episode # 6.18) 15 February 1957
"Screen Directors Playhouse" playing "Louisa Pallant" in episode: "Bitter Waters" (episode # 1.33) 1 August 1956
"Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents" playing "Julia" in episode: "The Scream" (episode # 1.2) 14 January 1953
"Lux Video Theatre" in episode: "Lady from Washington" (episode # 2.46) 7 July 1952
BCnU......
Tele-Toby
THE HAT SQUAD: KEITH ANDES
TV SHOWS
"Search" (1972) TV Series .... Dr. Barnett #2 (1973)
"Paradise Bay" (1965) TV Series .... Jeff Morgan (1965-1966)
"Glynis" (1963) TV Series .... Keith Granville
[There was an episode of 'Murder, She Wrote' which guest-starred Jean Simmons as a mystery novelist and Ken Howard as her husband. It would have been perfect for a reunion between Mr. Andes and Glynis Johns as their characters in this series.]
"This Man Dawson" (1959) TV Series .... Police Chief Col. Frank Dawson
TV MOVIES
Blinded by the Light (1980) (TV) .... Father Adam
The Ultimate Impostor (1979) (TV) .... Eugene Danziger
Doctor Mike (1959) (TV) .... Dr. Michael Grant
The Great Waltz (1955) (TV) .... Johann Strauss, Jr.
THE TOONIVERSE
"Birdman and the Galaxy Trio" (1967) TV Series (voice) .... Ray Randall/Birdman
TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" playing "Darius" in episode: "Buck's Duel to the Death" (episode # 1.22) 20 March 1980
"Caribe" in episode: "One Second to Doom" (episode # 1.9) 14 April 1975
"Cannon" playing "Editor Matthews" in episode: "The Investigator" (episode # 4.20) 26 February 1975
"Cannon" in episode: "Trial By Terror" (episode # 3.11) 21 November 1973
"Gunsmoke" playing "Hasty Starcourt" in episode: "Matt's Love Story" (episode # 19.3) 24 September 1973
"Cannon" playing "A. R. Benning" in episode: "Moving Target" (episode # 2.17) 31 January 1973
"The Streets of San Francisco" playing "Colonel Frawley, US Army" in episode: "Act of Duty" (episode # 1.15) 18 January 1973
"Cannon" playing "Mr. Glen" in episode: "A Deadly Quiet Town" (episode # 1.20) 15 February 1972
"The Bold Ones: The New Doctors" playing "Dr. Iverson" in episode: "Killer on the Loose" (episode # 2.2) 11 October 1970
"Petticoat Junction" playing "Dr. Peter Marlow" in episode: "No, No, You Can't Take Her Away" (episode # 7.25) 28 March 1970
"I Spy" playing "Troy Duncan" in episode: "Now You See Her, Now You Don't" (episode # 3.7) 23 October 1967
"Star Trek" playing "Akuta" in episode: "The Apple" (episode # 2.5) 13 October 1967
[I wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be Mr. Andes' most famous role in Toobworld. At the very least, it will be the one remembered longest.]
"I Spy" playing "Troy" in episode: "Laya" (episode # 3.3) 25 September 1967
"The Andy Griffith Show" playing "Roger Bryant" in episode: "Helen, the Authoress" (episode # 7.24) 27 February 1967
"I Spy" playing "Anderson" in episode: "A Room with a Rack" (episode # 2.21) 8 February 1967
"Daniel Boone" playing "Ben Moore"
in episode: "The Williamsburg Cannon: Part 2" (episode # 3.17) 19 January 1967
in episode: "The Williamsburg Cannon: Part 1" (episode # 3.16) 12 January 1967
"Run for Your Life" playing "Martin Shawe" in episode: "Where Mystery Begins" (episode # 1.7) 29 October 1965
"The Lucy Show" playing "Keith"
in episode: "Lucy the Stunt Man" (episode # 4.5) 18 October 1965
in episode: "Lucy and Joan" (episode # 4.4) 11 October 1965
"Branded" playing "Roy Harris" in episode: "Price of a Name" (episode # 1.16) 23 May 1965
"Death Valley Days" playing "Colonel Rob Hunter" in episode: "Paid in Full" (episode # 13.13) 1 January 1965
"The Outer Limits" playing "Dr. Peter Wayne" in episode: "Expanding Human" (episode # 2.4) 10 October 1964
"The Lucy Show" in episode: "Lucy and the Winter Sports" (episode # 3.3) 5 October 1964
"The Lucy Show" in episode: "Lucy Goes Duck Hunting" (episode # 2.6) 7 November 1963
[Although his character in those two episodes was Lucy's boyfriend, he's not playing the same role in the two later episodes. In those, he's more of a televersion of his Real World self.]
"Perry Mason" playing "Dr. Jesse Young" in episode: "The Case of the Illicit Illusion" (episode # 7.25) 9 April 1964
"77 Sunset Strip" playing "Frank Cassel" in episode: "The Target" (episode # 6.18) 24 January 1964
"Vacation Playhouse" playing "John Granville" in episode: "Hide and Seek" 5 August 1963
"Perry Mason" playing "Dave Weaver" in episode: "The Case of the Skeleton's Closet" (episode # 6.26) 2 May 1963
"G.E. True" playing "Harry Spohr" in episode: "Firebug" (episode # 1.17) 27 January 1963
"The Rifleman" playing "Hank Patterson" in episode: "The Debt" (episode # 4.23) 5 March 1962
"Follow the Sun" in episode: "Marine of the Month" (episode # 1.25) 4 March 1962
"Have Gun - Will Travel" playing "Franz Lister" in episode: "The Piano" (episode # 5.9) 11 November 1961
"Sea Hunt" in episode: "Crime at Sea" (episode # 4.37) 16 September 1961
"The Bell Telephone Hour" in episode: "And There Shall Be Music" 6 January 1961
"Alcoa Theatre" playing "Major Linc Willet" in episode: "Ten Miles to Doomsday" (episode # 2.13) 20 April 1959
"The Gale Storm Show" playing "Gilbert Leeds" in episode: "Don't Give Up the Ship" (episode # 3.15) 20 December 1958
"Goodyear Theatre" playing "David Cramer" in episode: "The Lady Takes the Stand" (episode # 1.16) 12 May 1958
"Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre" playing "Paul Mitchell" in episode: "The Doctor Was a Lady" (episode # 3.18) 27 March 1958
"Playhouse 90" playing "Andy Colby" in episode: "Homeward Borne" (episode # 1.32) 9 May 1957
"Conflict" in episode: "Blind Drop: Warsaw" (episode # 1.10) 22 January 1957
"Producers' Showcase" in episode: "Bloomer Girl" (episode # 2.10) 28 May 1956
"Letter to Loretta" playing "Bill Strawn" in episode: "The Challenge" (episode # 3.20) 15 January 1956
"The Ford Television Theatre" playing "John Foster" in episode: "Johnny, Where Are You?" (episode # 4.5) 3 November 1955
"Celebrity Playhouse" in episode: "Mink Does Something for You" (episode # 1.4) 18 October 1955
"The Ford Television Theatre" playing "Freddy Remington" in episode: "Pretend You're You" (episode # 3.19) 10 February 1955
BCnU....
Tele-Toby
"Search" (1972) TV Series .... Dr. Barnett #2 (1973)
"Paradise Bay" (1965) TV Series .... Jeff Morgan (1965-1966)
"Glynis" (1963) TV Series .... Keith Granville
[There was an episode of 'Murder, She Wrote' which guest-starred Jean Simmons as a mystery novelist and Ken Howard as her husband. It would have been perfect for a reunion between Mr. Andes and Glynis Johns as their characters in this series.]
"This Man Dawson" (1959) TV Series .... Police Chief Col. Frank Dawson
TV MOVIES
Blinded by the Light (1980) (TV) .... Father Adam
The Ultimate Impostor (1979) (TV) .... Eugene Danziger
Doctor Mike (1959) (TV) .... Dr. Michael Grant
The Great Waltz (1955) (TV) .... Johann Strauss, Jr.
THE TOONIVERSE
"Birdman and the Galaxy Trio" (1967) TV Series (voice) .... Ray Randall/Birdman
TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" playing "Darius" in episode: "Buck's Duel to the Death" (episode # 1.22) 20 March 1980
"Caribe" in episode: "One Second to Doom" (episode # 1.9) 14 April 1975
"Cannon" playing "Editor Matthews" in episode: "The Investigator" (episode # 4.20) 26 February 1975
"Cannon" in episode: "Trial By Terror" (episode # 3.11) 21 November 1973
"Gunsmoke" playing "Hasty Starcourt" in episode: "Matt's Love Story" (episode # 19.3) 24 September 1973
"Cannon" playing "A. R. Benning" in episode: "Moving Target" (episode # 2.17) 31 January 1973
"The Streets of San Francisco" playing "Colonel Frawley, US Army" in episode: "Act of Duty" (episode # 1.15) 18 January 1973
"Cannon" playing "Mr. Glen" in episode: "A Deadly Quiet Town" (episode # 1.20) 15 February 1972
"The Bold Ones: The New Doctors" playing "Dr. Iverson" in episode: "Killer on the Loose" (episode # 2.2) 11 October 1970
"Petticoat Junction" playing "Dr. Peter Marlow" in episode: "No, No, You Can't Take Her Away" (episode # 7.25) 28 March 1970
"I Spy" playing "Troy Duncan" in episode: "Now You See Her, Now You Don't" (episode # 3.7) 23 October 1967
"Star Trek" playing "Akuta" in episode: "The Apple" (episode # 2.5) 13 October 1967
[I wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be Mr. Andes' most famous role in Toobworld. At the very least, it will be the one remembered longest.]
"I Spy" playing "Troy" in episode: "Laya" (episode # 3.3) 25 September 1967
"The Andy Griffith Show" playing "Roger Bryant" in episode: "Helen, the Authoress" (episode # 7.24) 27 February 1967
"I Spy" playing "Anderson" in episode: "A Room with a Rack" (episode # 2.21) 8 February 1967
"Daniel Boone" playing "Ben Moore"
in episode: "The Williamsburg Cannon: Part 2" (episode # 3.17) 19 January 1967
in episode: "The Williamsburg Cannon: Part 1" (episode # 3.16) 12 January 1967
"Run for Your Life" playing "Martin Shawe" in episode: "Where Mystery Begins" (episode # 1.7) 29 October 1965
"The Lucy Show" playing "Keith"
in episode: "Lucy the Stunt Man" (episode # 4.5) 18 October 1965
in episode: "Lucy and Joan" (episode # 4.4) 11 October 1965
"Branded" playing "Roy Harris" in episode: "Price of a Name" (episode # 1.16) 23 May 1965
"Death Valley Days" playing "Colonel Rob Hunter" in episode: "Paid in Full" (episode # 13.13) 1 January 1965
"The Outer Limits" playing "Dr. Peter Wayne" in episode: "Expanding Human" (episode # 2.4) 10 October 1964
"The Lucy Show" in episode: "Lucy and the Winter Sports" (episode # 3.3) 5 October 1964
"The Lucy Show" in episode: "Lucy Goes Duck Hunting" (episode # 2.6) 7 November 1963
[Although his character in those two episodes was Lucy's boyfriend, he's not playing the same role in the two later episodes. In those, he's more of a televersion of his Real World self.]
"Perry Mason" playing "Dr. Jesse Young" in episode: "The Case of the Illicit Illusion" (episode # 7.25) 9 April 1964
"77 Sunset Strip" playing "Frank Cassel" in episode: "The Target" (episode # 6.18) 24 January 1964
"Vacation Playhouse" playing "John Granville" in episode: "Hide and Seek" 5 August 1963
"Perry Mason" playing "Dave Weaver" in episode: "The Case of the Skeleton's Closet" (episode # 6.26) 2 May 1963
"G.E. True" playing "Harry Spohr" in episode: "Firebug" (episode # 1.17) 27 January 1963
"The Rifleman" playing "Hank Patterson" in episode: "The Debt" (episode # 4.23) 5 March 1962
"Follow the Sun" in episode: "Marine of the Month" (episode # 1.25) 4 March 1962
"Have Gun - Will Travel" playing "Franz Lister" in episode: "The Piano" (episode # 5.9) 11 November 1961
"Sea Hunt" in episode: "Crime at Sea" (episode # 4.37) 16 September 1961
"The Bell Telephone Hour" in episode: "And There Shall Be Music" 6 January 1961
"Alcoa Theatre" playing "Major Linc Willet" in episode: "Ten Miles to Doomsday" (episode # 2.13) 20 April 1959
"The Gale Storm Show" playing "Gilbert Leeds" in episode: "Don't Give Up the Ship" (episode # 3.15) 20 December 1958
"Goodyear Theatre" playing "David Cramer" in episode: "The Lady Takes the Stand" (episode # 1.16) 12 May 1958
"Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre" playing "Paul Mitchell" in episode: "The Doctor Was a Lady" (episode # 3.18) 27 March 1958
"Playhouse 90" playing "Andy Colby" in episode: "Homeward Borne" (episode # 1.32) 9 May 1957
"Conflict" in episode: "Blind Drop: Warsaw" (episode # 1.10) 22 January 1957
"Producers' Showcase" in episode: "Bloomer Girl" (episode # 2.10) 28 May 1956
"Letter to Loretta" playing "Bill Strawn" in episode: "The Challenge" (episode # 3.20) 15 January 1956
"The Ford Television Theatre" playing "John Foster" in episode: "Johnny, Where Are You?" (episode # 4.5) 3 November 1955
"Celebrity Playhouse" in episode: "Mink Does Something for You" (episode # 1.4) 18 October 1955
"The Ford Television Theatre" playing "Freddy Remington" in episode: "Pretend You're You" (episode # 3.19) 10 February 1955
BCnU....
Tele-Toby
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