FIRST EPISODE O'BSERVATIONS - "STAR TREK: DISCOVERY"

I posted my first impressions of the new 'Star Trek' series, 'Star Trek: Discovery', to Facebook right after the debut episode ended:

STAR TREK DISCOVERY
1) I saw no reason to follow to the CBS platform. 
2) Klingons looked more like the Black Lectroids. 
3) The series occupies an alternate TV dimension.

The next morning, I added a few more comments:

 As per the examples I posted, it all came down to the recastaway problem. James Frain as Sarek and Rainn Wilson as Harry Mudd look nothing like Mark Lenard (a TVXOHOF member) and Roger C. Carmel respectively. And the Klingons magnified that situation. 

Why did the PTB feel the need to tie the new series in that closely to its own history? I'm sure the fan base would have accepted its legitimacy with all new characters. And setting it that far back into its own history seriously constricts story possibilities. There will be Zonks aplenty. There lready are discrepancies because of the Klingon physical appearance and because of the Klepian science officer Saru. Why did we never see his species in the future? (The same question I had about Dr. Phlox in 'Enterprise'.)

'Star Trek' was one of the first TV series to use the alternate dimension concept, so I don't see this as a loss for the main Toobworld. I imagine most of these characters did exist in Earth Prime-Time, but conforming to what was previously established by the original series and the other spin-offs. (Especially the Klingons!) I also don't see it as being part of the Nu-Trek Universe of JJ Abrams. (Again, the recasting of Sarek.)

Had they set this farther in the Future, beyond 'TNG' and 'DS9', with the proper alterations to the script, I think I would have accepted it into the mosaic of Toobworld.  And that would include the alterations to the look of the Klingons.  There were already too many splainins as to why their appearances changed three times in the original timeline.  Going back to add one more seems like one too many; when it was a topic of discussion, somebody should have brought it up.  But going forward, it might be more believable to have it happen yet again, as a result of some genetic anomaly perhaps.

I think my main problem with the new series is the format and I've felt the same way since 'Voyager'.  It's old; it's tired.  Despite all of the new bells and whistles, they will still focus on the main bridge crew of about nine characters, mostly button-holed into the same staffing positions. At least there were some variations in 'Deep Space Nine'.

What they need to do is explore other facets of the 'Star Trek' universe.  And I had an idea along those lines for years; I offered it up freely in the past and do so again.

I would create a 'Star Trek' series which focused on a different aspect of Starfleet - Section 31.

Section 31 was the name of an officially-nonexistent and autonomous clandestine organization which claimed to protect the security interests of United Earth and, later, the United Federation of Planets. Loosely speaking, it was Starfleet's black-ops division, operating separately from and usually without the knowledge of Starfleet Intelligence (though it often recruited members of Starfleet Intelligence). Section 31 was also somewhat comparable to the Romulan Tal Shiar or Cardassian Obsidian Order – unlike these other organizations, however, Section 31's very existence was a deeply buried secret, known only to a handful of people beyond its own membership. (DS9: "Inquisition")

Perhaps Section 31's darkest aspect was that, while it had existed since the beginning of Starfleet, it was practically autonomous, having operated for over two centuries with no oversight or accountability whatsoever, even free to kill those it deemed a threat to Federation interests at its own discretion. (DS9: "When It Rains...") Some high-ranking Starfleet admirals and intelligence personnel at times seemed to be vaguely aware that Section 31 existed, though giving them only very broad objectives. (DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges") At other times, Section 31 appeared to be an outright puppet master to Starfleet, directing the actions and even overall political policies of the Federation itself. (DS9: "Extreme Measures")

The series could have wide-ranging plot-lines, going anywhere and everywhere in the galaxy.  The cast could have comprised of two Section 31 agents - a true Mulder/Scully dynamic of a male and a female.  He would be a Bajoran, plagued by the tell-tale nose deviation when it came to undercover assignments but a bit of a hot-shot show-off, and she would be a shape-shifter - either a Founder from the Dominion or a human who had that type of ability in her genetic history.  (We've seen them before in "Small Potatoes" ['The X-Files'] and "The Four Of Us Are Dying" ['The Twilight Zone'].)  Their boss should be a 'Nero Wolfe' type who can't leave its office.  And from 'Star Trek' lore, I think we can find the species it's from - a Medusan, who has to live in a box unseen by others because it was so ugly to humans.

A few other agents or just office personnel to round out the cast.  A recurring master villain any species.  A malfunctioning space vehicle.  It'll write itself.

Sure it's full of cliches, but it's still not the same ol' 'Star Trek'.  More of a combination of 'Doctor Who' and 'The Office' with a touch of 'Moonlighting'.

And it would have been more fun than 'Discovery'.....

BCnU!

TWO FOR TUESDAY - TWO SAM FRANKLINS! UM, PLUS ONE.....

Those in Team Toobworld who have been following me for awhile know that I'm O'Bsessive over the tiniest trivial details to be found in TV shows.

But I'm just one guy; I'm not Argus Panoptes - I am not all-seeing.  And so a lot of stuff will slip by me - even in episodes which I watch over and over again.

Thankfully, I'm not alone in actually paying attention to the details.  

And that's why Toobworld Central is tipping the Topper today to Stuart Robertson.

I'll let Stuart share his discovery: 

Check out the autograph on the photo on the wall in "Exercise In Fatality". Hospital waiting room scene.

Sam Franklin.

Possibly the same artist Sam Franklin from "Suitable For Framing".

What do you think?

I think it's a fantastic find!  Sure, I'm usually looking for the connections which can be made between TV series, but just as important are the links forged between the episodes of a show which strengthen its sense of its own history.

I've had my eye on Sam Franklin in the past (although that striped tank top makes me want to look away.)  He shares the same name as a certain butcher also in Los Angeles....

I'm thinking that both men were related; that they shared a common ancestor, a grand-father perhaps, with the same name.  And that Sam Franklin must have done something in Toobworld's past which would warrant his family in honoring him, not just once but twice over.

And it could even be that it was such an extraordinary thing which the elder Sam Franklin did, that other, unrelated Franklin families thought his name would be an honor in their family ranks.  (One such Sam Franklin was a former multi-millionaire who spent the last of his fortune to buy the London-based Hotel Babylon located somewhere near Piccadilly Circus.)

We could even claim theoretical links to other shows from just the paintings seen in the backgrounds of other TV series, if they resemble the artistic style of Sam Franklin the painter.  (Not the butcher.)  Who knows?  If I find enough of such examples and can make the unassailable case for them being the work of Sam Franklin, he might even one day find himself in the TV Crossover Hall of Fame.

Not that I'm actually going to search Toobworld for pictures that look like THAT!

So here’s to you, Stuart Robinson.  (Sorry. I felt a song going off….) Thank you for finding Sam’s signature on that painting.

My thanks again to Stuart Robertson for sparking this post!

BCnU!

PRODUCT UNBECOMING - PURELL

Currently I have a visiting nurse service coming by once a week.  (Nothing to worry about now, but still....)  And the topic of the hand sanitizer Purell came up.  I mentioned that Purell has become like Xerox and Kleenex - trade-marked brand names which are becoming generic through constant use.  

Out of curiosity, I checked the IMDb to see how often the product Purell was mentioned in dialogue from Earth Prime-Time.

I don't know if these were the only examples; there may be more that were never submitted.

'Modern Family'
Episode:
Planes, Trains and Cars (2012)

[Cameron tosses Bunny to Mitchell; it sails past him and lands in the train just as the train doors close]
Mitchell Pritchett:
No! No, no, no, no, no, no, no! No!
Lily Tucker-Pritchett:
Bunny!
Cameron Tucker:
How did you miss that, Mitchell?
Mitchell Pritchett: 

Mr. Conductor! I-I... what? I was Purelling! 

And it's me; why would you toss it?

'The Big Bang Theory' 
Episode:
The Launch Acceleration (2012)

[Sheldon Cooper runs outside]
Jimmy: 

Uh, where is he going?
Leonard Hofstadter: 

He keeps emergency Purell in the car.

'Community'
Episode:
Accounting for Lawyers (2010)

Annie Edison:
Fourth floor, room 470. First, he said it was 69.
I wanna rub Purell on my brain.

'2 Broke Girls'
Episode:
And the Kosher Cupcakes (2012)

Max Black:
You realized I replaced that Purell with K-Y, right?
Caroline Channing:
Max, please say you're kidding.
Max Black:
Of course I'm kidding. I can't afford lube. I just use my tears.
Caroline Channing:
Max seriously, don't mess with my hand sanitizer. 

I've already caught poverty this year and I refuse to catch the flu.

BCnU!

VIDEO SUNDAY - A TURKISH DELIGHT FOR "COLUMBO" FANS

The TV networks in nations around the world have borrowed from each other for decades now.  Usually they buy the rights to the concept; sometimes they just steal the idea.

Most of the time they make the appropriate changes to reflect their own culture, espeically the names of the characters.  (This doesn't always happen with the adaptations from England to the United States since they already share the language - 'Shameless' is a shameful example.  I had to banish the American version to another TV dimension because they couldn't bother changing the surnames, not even the first names!  At least 'All In The Family' ['Til Death Do Us Part'], 'Sanford And Son' ['Steptoe And Son'], and 'Three's Company' ['Robin's Nest'] made the effort to change the character names.  'Amanda's (By the Sea)' went so far as to change the gender of the main character! ['Fawlty Towers'])

Here we have a Turkish adaptation of 'Columbo'.  The character name was barely changed ("Colombo") and with the same costume, it could just as easily be a parody as a remake.

So I'm not yet sure where to place this in the greater Toobworld firmament.  Earth prime-Time?  Because of recasting, this is a different person, not the Lt. Columbo we know.) Turkish Toobworld? (Somehow I can't picture an Earth dominated by the country of Turkey so that even Lt. Columbo would be speaking their language.)

At any rate, here's the Turkish adaptation of 'Columbo'.  If you've got an hour and a half to spare and even if you can't understand the language, it might be a fun diversion for a fan of the original.....

BCnU!

SATURDAY SOUNDTRACK - A MAJOR DISTRACTION

Yeah. You're seeing the right title card up there.

If you know me, you know I can't stand these so-called "reality" shows about vapid young people full of angst in hormonal overdrive.

But I watched the episode of this show which aired this week because a friend of mine was involved in it.  Natalie Major is a singer of beauty, strength & perseverance, and an amazing talent.  And the show sampled her version of "Follow The Leader", which they credited as it played on the soundtrack:

 

Every so often I've used the Saturday Inner Toob slot to feature music used on TV and this is along those same lines.  Natalie has been sharing her gift via YouTube and I'd like to showcase some of those videos with you so that you can see how talented she is.

Next step for Natalie: we have to see her "televersion" appear in some fictional club - perhaps in some CW series.

I think Natalie tours?  If so, maybe we'll see her in Riverdale one day!

BCnU!

THE MEME OF SUMMER 2017: BEACH BLANKET B-I-N-G-O

IT'S THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER!  YAAAAAY!

Oops.  Wrong end of the season.....

But as the summer season winds down (Relax - there's plenty of time to enjoy good weather!), it is time to put away some of the things from the Summer - beach toys, vacation books and for us: the Christie Beach Memes.

You heard what happened, I'm sure.  NJ Governor Chris Christie ordered all of the public beaches closed for the Fourth of July but then used the beach connected to the Governor's beach house without anybody on either side of him and his family and friends.

Drone pictures of him beached on the sand surfaced and quickly were decimated with photoshop derision.  There's even a Facebook page dedicated to these memes!

So to pay tribute to this past summer, I gathered some of the best Chris Christie Beach Chair memes, focusing only on the TV-oriented ones.

Thank the gods I don't have to consider any of these to be part of the TV Universe!

Some of you may think the captions aren't necessary, but not everybody has the encyclopedic knowledge enjoyed by Team Toobworld.

'Game of Thrones' seems to have the edge with the number of memes, but after that season finale, I'm not surprised.  As of this writing, a few days after the series finale, I can't believe I haven't seen any dealing with 'Twin Peaks'.  That red-curtained room in the Black Lodge would have been a natural setting!

'GAME OF THRONES'

 

 

 

'SEINFELD'

 

'THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES'

'THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW' (WITH THE BEATLES)

'TONIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON'

'IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA'

'SURVIVOR'

'THE PRICE IS RIGHT'

'THE SIMPSONS'

'ALL IN THE FAMILY'

'FRIENDS'

'THE JOY OF PAINTING'

'THE BIG BANG THEORY'

'GILLIGAN'S ISLAND'

'SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE'

'I LOVE LUCY'

A FICTIONAL MOVIE BASED ON 'STAR TREK'

'STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES'

THE MUPPET SHOW

'SOUTH PARK'

'AMERICAN IDOL'

'KNIGHT RIDER'

'BEAVIS & BUTTHEAD'

'THE HONEYMOONERS'

'MARRIED... WITH CHILDREN'

'THE JERRY SPRINGER SHOW'

'THE OFFICE'

'SCOOBY DOO, WHERE ARE YOU?'

'THE FLASH'

'RICK AND MORTY'

'OPRAH'

'SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS'

 

 

'THE WALKING DEAD'

'THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR'

'THE ODD COUPLE'

'ROSEANNE'

'THE SOPRANOS'

 

'THE FLINTSTONES'

'PEANUTS'

'HOLLYWOOD SQUARES'

'BREAKING BAD'

'ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN'

 

'JOEL OSTEEN'/'PRAISE THE LORD'

 

And from my favorite TV show.....

'DOCTOR WHO'

I'll hopefully be adding more until this day arrives.  (And then - for the sake of George Reed's sanity - I'll stop.)

Aaaaand......  We're out of here!

BCnU!

O'BSERVATION:
If you're not sick of this type of meme and want to see how he was treated with regards to other media, check out the CHRISTIE BEACH CHAIR MEMES page on Facebook.