The plotline for the premiere episode of 'The Minor Accomplishments Of Jackie Woodman' on IFC hinged on bumping into (literally) Sally Kellerman. As a follower of the Step-Up cult, Ms. Kellerman was spacey, self-centered, and by the end, scarily evil.
It was probably the most destructive depiction of one's self in a sitcom since Lloyd Bridges portrayed himself on 'Ned & Stacey' as a kleptomaniac neo-Nazi cross-dresser.
Also appearing as themselves in the episode were Merrill Markoe and 'Simpsons' producer Sam Simon. And both of them were the epitome of Hollywood's two-faced denizens.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Saturday, August 5, 2006
TIME "LOST"
At the recent Comic-Con in San Diego, 'Lost' producer Damon Lindelof was asked about the fact that each season only seems to cover just a few weeks of time.
"You're making a basic assumption that they've been there as long as [the characters] think they've been there," replied Lindelof. He hinted that perception may be changed in season 3.
This information seems to back up by a spoiler provided by a 'Lost' fanatic who calls himself "The Misfit". On his blog ("TheMisfitIsHere"), he claims that "The interrelationship between the outside world and the island will be something that will be a part of Season 3."
If so, such a discrepancy between the time spent on the island and the "real time" of the outside world will help the producers avoid dealing with a real-life event that surely must have some kind of impact even in the fictional realm of Toobworld: the tsunami that wiped out thousands of lives right after Christmas of 2004.
As is the case with the World Trade Center destruction on 9/11 and the current war in Iraq, any TV show that would have some connection to such a devastating event should address it and not ignore it. Otherwise I think it would be not only an insult to the intelligence and maturity of the viewer, but also an indignity to the memory of those thousands who perished in the onslaught of Nature that day.
And since the island of 'Lost' is in that general vicinity, and Oceanic Flight 815 crashed near the end of September of 2004, eventually the show would have to address the tragedy of the Boxing Day Tsunami.
Up until the statement made by Lindelof, there was a generally accepted timeline for the events on the island. The first season was roughly just over 40 days in length; and based on the statements made by Desmond upon his return to the island, he was only gone for about two weeks on his boat, trying to escape. So the entire second season must have been squeezed into that fourteen day time frame.
That would put the timeline for 'Lost' at about the middle of November, nearly. A month later and the tsunami would wreak havoc on the mainland, and perhaps on the island itself. Within the "reality" of 'Lost', perhaps the creation of the tsunami could be linked to the ultimate destruction of the Hatch in the season finale; an event that might have shifted the tectonic plates in the region and ultimately cause the earthquake which created the tsunami.
But now, if it's true that time is passing slower in the outside world than it is in the perception of the castaways, then the producers of 'Lost' can avoid any mention of that cataclysm for probably as long as they want. They could even get through the projected five seasons of the series without ever having to worry about it.
Had they left the timeline for the island to run naturally, then eventually they would have to address it, because the Boxing Day Tsunami is going to become part of the fictional reality of Toobworld officially. Filming has begun in Phuket (which was mentioned on 'Lost') and Khao Lak in Thailand for a mini-series co-produced by HBO and the BBC.
Tim Roth and Toni Collette are starring in the production, along with Sophie Okonedo, Hugh Bonneville and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Other actors involved include Gina McKee, Kate Ashfield, Samarit MacHielsen and Grirggiat Punpiputt.
As you can imagine, a lot of the local populaton weren't too pleased with the idea of a TV movie swooping in to - as they saw it - capitalize on their personal tragedies in the aftermath of the disaster.
Had the timeline been allowed to play out naturally, who knows when it may have occurred in the show. Third season? Fifth? This new bit of sci-fi technobabble will now help the producers from ever having to address it at all.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
"You're making a basic assumption that they've been there as long as [the characters] think they've been there," replied Lindelof. He hinted that perception may be changed in season 3.
This information seems to back up by a spoiler provided by a 'Lost' fanatic who calls himself "The Misfit". On his blog ("TheMisfitIsHere"), he claims that "The interrelationship between the outside world and the island will be something that will be a part of Season 3."
If so, such a discrepancy between the time spent on the island and the "real time" of the outside world will help the producers avoid dealing with a real-life event that surely must have some kind of impact even in the fictional realm of Toobworld: the tsunami that wiped out thousands of lives right after Christmas of 2004.
As is the case with the World Trade Center destruction on 9/11 and the current war in Iraq, any TV show that would have some connection to such a devastating event should address it and not ignore it. Otherwise I think it would be not only an insult to the intelligence and maturity of the viewer, but also an indignity to the memory of those thousands who perished in the onslaught of Nature that day.
And since the island of 'Lost' is in that general vicinity, and Oceanic Flight 815 crashed near the end of September of 2004, eventually the show would have to address the tragedy of the Boxing Day Tsunami.
Up until the statement made by Lindelof, there was a generally accepted timeline for the events on the island. The first season was roughly just over 40 days in length; and based on the statements made by Desmond upon his return to the island, he was only gone for about two weeks on his boat, trying to escape. So the entire second season must have been squeezed into that fourteen day time frame.
That would put the timeline for 'Lost' at about the middle of November, nearly. A month later and the tsunami would wreak havoc on the mainland, and perhaps on the island itself. Within the "reality" of 'Lost', perhaps the creation of the tsunami could be linked to the ultimate destruction of the Hatch in the season finale; an event that might have shifted the tectonic plates in the region and ultimately cause the earthquake which created the tsunami.
But now, if it's true that time is passing slower in the outside world than it is in the perception of the castaways, then the producers of 'Lost' can avoid any mention of that cataclysm for probably as long as they want. They could even get through the projected five seasons of the series without ever having to worry about it.
Had they left the timeline for the island to run naturally, then eventually they would have to address it, because the Boxing Day Tsunami is going to become part of the fictional reality of Toobworld officially. Filming has begun in Phuket (which was mentioned on 'Lost') and Khao Lak in Thailand for a mini-series co-produced by HBO and the BBC.
Tim Roth and Toni Collette are starring in the production, along with Sophie Okonedo, Hugh Bonneville and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Other actors involved include Gina McKee, Kate Ashfield, Samarit MacHielsen and Grirggiat Punpiputt.
As you can imagine, a lot of the local populaton weren't too pleased with the idea of a TV movie swooping in to - as they saw it - capitalize on their personal tragedies in the aftermath of the disaster.
Had the timeline been allowed to play out naturally, who knows when it may have occurred in the show. Third season? Fifth? This new bit of sci-fi technobabble will now help the producers from ever having to address it at all.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Friday, August 4, 2006
NEW @ TOOBWORLD CENTRAL
I went into FYE today with only one purchase in mind - the recently released DVD box set of the single season 'The Adventures Of Brisco County, Jr.'......
It's recommended price was $99.97. FYE lopped off another ten. With my Backstage Pass discount.....
It was still too much. I'll take my chances with Amazon.com.
So instead, I picked up these three beauties for less than the price I would have paid for just Brisco's box.
Now had it been Dixie Cousins' box......Giggety giggety giggety!
1) "The Point" by Harry Nilsson and narrated by Ringo Starr
I remember seeing this on ABC in those BC years (before cable). Back then, I KNOW it was narrated by Dustin Hoffman.
I wonder if, when I was a teenager, I would ever consider the concept of a Beatle as a replacement to be something of a let-down....
2) 'Hazel' - The complete first season
I used to love this show, but it lost something for me when Don DeFore and Whitney Blake were written out of the show to be replaced by other actors. Shirley Booth is fantastic however and her sheer force of will as this maid kept me from abandong the sitcom after the changeover.
This set is all 35 episodes from the first season on two discs.
3) 'Make Room For Daddy' - the complete fifth season
I didn't see the first four seasons offered there, so I wondered if they're even available. This could be a case like with 'The Joey Bishop Show' which began with the second season for its release of boxed sets.
The set also includes the episode which launched 'The Andy Griffith Show', footage of Danny performing with some of the Rat Pack, and for pure schmaltz, Danny's story about his relationship with St. Jude.
I have a feeling it will also include info on how to donate.
"Me and my dinero......"
Sorry, Schmilsson.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
It's recommended price was $99.97. FYE lopped off another ten. With my Backstage Pass discount.....
It was still too much. I'll take my chances with Amazon.com.
So instead, I picked up these three beauties for less than the price I would have paid for just Brisco's box.
Now had it been Dixie Cousins' box......Giggety giggety giggety!
1) "The Point" by Harry Nilsson and narrated by Ringo Starr
I remember seeing this on ABC in those BC years (before cable). Back then, I KNOW it was narrated by Dustin Hoffman.
I wonder if, when I was a teenager, I would ever consider the concept of a Beatle as a replacement to be something of a let-down....
2) 'Hazel' - The complete first season
I used to love this show, but it lost something for me when Don DeFore and Whitney Blake were written out of the show to be replaced by other actors. Shirley Booth is fantastic however and her sheer force of will as this maid kept me from abandong the sitcom after the changeover.
This set is all 35 episodes from the first season on two discs.
3) 'Make Room For Daddy' - the complete fifth season
I didn't see the first four seasons offered there, so I wondered if they're even available. This could be a case like with 'The Joey Bishop Show' which began with the second season for its release of boxed sets.
The set also includes the episode which launched 'The Andy Griffith Show', footage of Danny performing with some of the Rat Pack, and for pure schmaltz, Danny's story about his relationship with St. Jude.
I have a feeling it will also include info on how to donate.
"Me and my dinero......"
Sorry, Schmilsson.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
WISH-CRAFT: "EUReKA" & "STAR TREK"
'Eureka', Oregon, may be a small town, but there still must be plenty of people working and living there so that we'll always have new faces to meet. (It can't ALWAYS be Henry Deacon who helps Sheriff Jack Carter out in emergencies, can it?)
With that in mind, I'd like to suggest one scientist I'd like to see as not only living in Eureka, but also working in Section 5 up in the Global Dynamics facility.
Jackson Roykirk.
Roykirk grew up in Carbon Creek, Pennsylvania, where he unknowingly encountered three Vulcans who had become stranded there. ('Enterprise' - "Carbon Creek")
When he grew up, he designed an interstellar probe that was originally programmed to seek out new life. The probe was launched in August of 2002.
Its name was "Nomad"..... ('Star Trek' - "The Changeling")
Roykirk doesn't have to figure in any major plot point; it would be nice just to have him introduced to Sheriff Carter, at the Cafe Diem, perhaps.
He should resemble the photo that was displayed of him in that episode of 'Star Trek'. Roykirk was portrayed by 'Star Trek' director Marc Daniels in that photo. So the actor chosen to play him on 'Eureka' must be burly and bearded as well.
And it's not as if Roykirk was going to be onscreen long enough to make that deep an impression; just a quick in and out, meet and greet would suffice. (Of course, with frame grabs and high def resolution, inevitably someone would have the comparison photos up online within minutes after the episode was broadcast!)
It's a simple request: get the minor character of Jackson Roykirk from 'Star Trek' to appear on 'Eureka' and thus make the connection between the two series.
Here's hoping somebody makes it so.....
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
With that in mind, I'd like to suggest one scientist I'd like to see as not only living in Eureka, but also working in Section 5 up in the Global Dynamics facility.
Jackson Roykirk.
Roykirk grew up in Carbon Creek, Pennsylvania, where he unknowingly encountered three Vulcans who had become stranded there. ('Enterprise' - "Carbon Creek")
When he grew up, he designed an interstellar probe that was originally programmed to seek out new life. The probe was launched in August of 2002.
Its name was "Nomad"..... ('Star Trek' - "The Changeling")
Roykirk doesn't have to figure in any major plot point; it would be nice just to have him introduced to Sheriff Carter, at the Cafe Diem, perhaps.
He should resemble the photo that was displayed of him in that episode of 'Star Trek'. Roykirk was portrayed by 'Star Trek' director Marc Daniels in that photo. So the actor chosen to play him on 'Eureka' must be burly and bearded as well.
And it's not as if Roykirk was going to be onscreen long enough to make that deep an impression; just a quick in and out, meet and greet would suffice. (Of course, with frame grabs and high def resolution, inevitably someone would have the comparison photos up online within minutes after the episode was broadcast!)
It's a simple request: get the minor character of Jackson Roykirk from 'Star Trek' to appear on 'Eureka' and thus make the connection between the two series.
Here's hoping somebody makes it so.....
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Thursday, August 3, 2006
BAUER HOUR
When 'Boston Legal' ended its second season in May, I was afraid we had seen the last of Denise Bauer at the law firm.
After all, she had just been told by Shirley Schmidt that she had no future at Crane Poole & Schmidt. And as she headed dejectedly back to her office, perhaps for the last time, there waiting for her was Daniel Post... with a marriage proposal.
So it would have been a bittersweet parting; at least she'd be happy, right? Ultra-rich guy - who was probably at death's door and who might leave her his entire fortune.
But she had been such a fun character to watch over the season. And who doesn't enjoy watching Julie Bowen?
But it looks as though we may get a reprieve. We may get to keep Bauer in Beantown a little while longer.
Thanks to SpoilerFix.com, here's a preview of the first two episodes for the third season:
Episode 3.01 - Can't We All Get a Lung? [Airing September 26]: Denise is engaged to Daniel Post (Michael J. Fox), but she questions her choice when he is accused of buying a lung from a man dying of cancer, Tom Raulston. Tom's daughter, Megan, wants her father to keep fighting and testifies against them that Daniel agreed to pay for her college education in exchange for the lung.
Episode 3.02 - Pro Ana No Bono: Denise and Brad act awkward around each other.
Of course, that second episode, things don't look too good for Daniel no matter how the lung story turns out.
And whether or not Denise stays around beyond that?
We shall have to wait and view.....
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
After all, she had just been told by Shirley Schmidt that she had no future at Crane Poole & Schmidt. And as she headed dejectedly back to her office, perhaps for the last time, there waiting for her was Daniel Post... with a marriage proposal.
So it would have been a bittersweet parting; at least she'd be happy, right? Ultra-rich guy - who was probably at death's door and who might leave her his entire fortune.
But she had been such a fun character to watch over the season. And who doesn't enjoy watching Julie Bowen?
But it looks as though we may get a reprieve. We may get to keep Bauer in Beantown a little while longer.
Thanks to SpoilerFix.com, here's a preview of the first two episodes for the third season:
Episode 3.01 - Can't We All Get a Lung? [Airing September 26]: Denise is engaged to Daniel Post (Michael J. Fox), but she questions her choice when he is accused of buying a lung from a man dying of cancer, Tom Raulston. Tom's daughter, Megan, wants her father to keep fighting and testifies against them that Daniel agreed to pay for her college education in exchange for the lung.
Episode 3.02 - Pro Ana No Bono: Denise and Brad act awkward around each other.
Of course, that second episode, things don't look too good for Daniel no matter how the lung story turns out.
And whether or not Denise stays around beyond that?
We shall have to wait and view.....
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
THE LEAGUE OF THEMSELVES: TONY BENNETT
Earlier today I mentioned how Lenny Bruce would have turned 80 this year had he not died forty years ago today.
Well, today happens to be the 80th birthday of another performer, the legendary crooner Tony Bennett.
Tony Bennett has made many appearances on TV talk shows and variety shows and in plenty of TV specials over the years, and he had his own variety show back in 1956. He's appeared with everybody from Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra to Jackie Gleason, Hugh Hefner, and even Howard Stern.
If I'm not mistaken he also appeared on '60 Minutes' to discuss his sideline as a painter.
Tony Bennett has contributed a few characters to the roster of Toobworld. These include a fellow named Maximillian in five episodes of '77 Sunset Strip', a visitor to 'Evening Shade', Arkansas, by the name of Tony Lombardi, and Danny Williams' Lebanese cousin Stephen from Toledo who wanted to be a singer and not a haberdasher. (I wonder if he knew Max Klinger back in Toledo?)
But he made plenty of appearances as himself in fictional settings, mostly in sitcoms. So the birthday boy is eligible for induction into the Crossover Hall of Fame as an honored member of the League of Themselves.
"The Simpsons"
- Bart vs. Lisa vs. the Third Grade (2002) TV Episode (voice)
- Dancin' Homer (1990) TV Episode (voice)
"Cosby"
- The First Gentleman (1998) TV Episode
"Space Ghost Coast to Coast"
- Joshua (1998) TV Episode
"Muppets Tonight"
- Episode #1.6 (1996) TV Episode
"Suddenly Susan"
- A Kiss Before Dying... on Stage (1997) TV Episode
"Cybill"
- Zing! (1995) TV Episode
"SCTV Network 90"
- The Great White North Palace (1982) TV Episode
"King" (1978) (mini) TV Series
As you can see, Tony Bennett does have a toon version of himself in the Tooniverse. And his appearance in the mini-series about Martin Luther King, Jr. might mean that he has a counterpart in an alternate dimension, in much the same way Mel Torme had in an episode of 'Sliders'. (As for working with Muppets, which he also did in "Elmopalooza!", that's definitely to be found in Earth Prime-Time, the main Toobworld.)
At any rate, Tony Bennett is still going strong and here's hoping he gets the chance to appear in a few more TV shows as himself.
Maybe crooning one of Charlie Harper's jingles on 'Two And A Half Men'!
Happy Birthday, Mr. Bennett!
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Well, today happens to be the 80th birthday of another performer, the legendary crooner Tony Bennett.
Tony Bennett has made many appearances on TV talk shows and variety shows and in plenty of TV specials over the years, and he had his own variety show back in 1956. He's appeared with everybody from Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra to Jackie Gleason, Hugh Hefner, and even Howard Stern.
If I'm not mistaken he also appeared on '60 Minutes' to discuss his sideline as a painter.
Tony Bennett has contributed a few characters to the roster of Toobworld. These include a fellow named Maximillian in five episodes of '77 Sunset Strip', a visitor to 'Evening Shade', Arkansas, by the name of Tony Lombardi, and Danny Williams' Lebanese cousin Stephen from Toledo who wanted to be a singer and not a haberdasher. (I wonder if he knew Max Klinger back in Toledo?)
But he made plenty of appearances as himself in fictional settings, mostly in sitcoms. So the birthday boy is eligible for induction into the Crossover Hall of Fame as an honored member of the League of Themselves.
"The Simpsons"
- Bart vs. Lisa vs. the Third Grade (2002) TV Episode (voice)
- Dancin' Homer (1990) TV Episode (voice)
"Cosby"
- The First Gentleman (1998) TV Episode
"Space Ghost Coast to Coast"
- Joshua (1998) TV Episode
"Muppets Tonight"
- Episode #1.6 (1996) TV Episode
"Suddenly Susan"
- A Kiss Before Dying... on Stage (1997) TV Episode
"Cybill"
- Zing! (1995) TV Episode
"SCTV Network 90"
- The Great White North Palace (1982) TV Episode
"King" (1978) (mini) TV Series
As you can see, Tony Bennett does have a toon version of himself in the Tooniverse. And his appearance in the mini-series about Martin Luther King, Jr. might mean that he has a counterpart in an alternate dimension, in much the same way Mel Torme had in an episode of 'Sliders'. (As for working with Muppets, which he also did in "Elmopalooza!", that's definitely to be found in Earth Prime-Time, the main Toobworld.)
At any rate, Tony Bennett is still going strong and here's hoping he gets the chance to appear in a few more TV shows as himself.
Maybe crooning one of Charlie Harper's jingles on 'Two And A Half Men'!
Happy Birthday, Mr. Bennett!
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
WISH-CRAFT: "LAW & ORDER" & "THE CLOSER"
Since Toobworld Central is celebrating 'Law & Order' all year in the Toobworld Crossover Hall of Fame, I've been giving a lot of thought to possible expansions for the franchise - not in actual spin-offs, but rather in crossovers. And I think I have one that just might work......
'Law & Order' has been particularly beneficial for TNT. The joke is that you can turn on TNT at any point during the day and you'll land on an episode of 'Law & Order'. (For me, it's usually the episode about the defective pacemakers.)
As such, the deal with TNT has been quite lucrative for Wolf Films, and I would think it's in the best interests of both parties to make sure the arrangement continues. And I think they should also find a way to make their collaboration grow.
One way would be through an original crossover, from one network to the other; a crossover that involved 'Law & Order' on NBC and TNT's own 'The Closer' starring Kyra Sedgwick.
'Law & Order' has been on the air for a long time, and there's been quite a revolving door when it comes to the cast members over the years. Because of this, I think the best solution to overcoming any production stumbling blocks between the two production companies would be to make this a one episode crossover which would be part of the scheduled lineup for 'The Closer' and featuring characters from 'Law & Order' who are no longer part of the regular cast.
This solution would eliminate any contrived shuttling of characters back and forth between Los Angeles and New York City which has hobbled crossovers between 'Las Vegas' and 'Crossing Jordan' in the past. The case would be in LA's jurisdiction, and any characters from 'Law & Order' who are involved would already be out there, perhaps having retired from practicing law in Manhattan or serving as a detective there.
But if they're out in Los Angeles for nonprofessional reasons, then how can they become involved with an official police investigation into a high-priority murder by Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson's team?
That's easy enough - make the 'Law & Order' character the initial suspect.
I'm not a fanfic writer; I'm just a fanfic enabler. So here's my idea of how to do the storyline so that it could work......
'Law & Order' did a three-part story back in its seventh season which had the characters shuttling back and forth between the Big Apple and the City of Angels. They were investigating the murder of a film studio executive, whose dismembered body had been fished out of the river. (They traced her identity through her breast implants. It has nothing to do with my idea, but I wanted to mention that because I have the mind of a 14 year old Catholic school boy and it makes me giggle.)
At first they suspected the exec's personal trainer and when he fled back to LA, they followed right after. Once out there, however, the investigation took a new turn and they focused instead on a movie director who was the ex-husband of the victim.
During all of this, Detective Rey Curtis began a flirtatious friendship with another executive at the studio, Lisa Lundquist. Previously, Curtis had apparently had an extramarital fling and when his wife found out, she tossed him out.
But even though Lisa was not only receptive to the idea of romancing the NY cop, but actively pursuing it by kissing him, Curtis retreated from spending the night with her. Still, she kept up the pressure on him, following him to New York (although on official company business) and inviting him out on her yacht when he had to return to LA. There she dangled before him not only the chance to have a relationship with her, but also a cushy job in security which would include trips around the world and the chance to rub elbows with some of Tinseltown's brightest and biggest stars.
But Rey Curtis still had hopes of making things right with his wife and reuniting with her and their daughters, so he not only turned down the job but also broke off things with Lisa before they even had a real chance to get started.
It didn't help much as his relationship with her was dragged into the trial and twisted during testimony to look worse than it really was. And when Lisa called Rey at home while he was trying to reconcile with his wife, it nearly caused a permanent rift in his marriage.
But all worked out well for the Curtis family, with only his wife's MS ailment still casting a shadow over their home life. It finally progressed to the point where he had to take a leave of absence from the force to care for her and raise his daughters.
And that's how it stands for the status of Detective Rey Curtis and 'Law & Order'. Benjamin Bratt, who played Curtis, returned to NBC last year with 'E-Ring'; but since that series failed, perhaps he might be receptive to the idea of bringing back Rey Curtis for a one-shot on 'The Closer'.
To make him a possible suspect in a murder case to be investigated by Chief Johnson's team, I think the most obvious choice for victim should be Lisa Lundquist. The main reason, from a real-world standpoint, is that the role had been played by Lauren Graham, who at this time is pretty much occupied with 'Gilmore Girls' over on the new CW. Since 'The Closer' begins after the fact of the murder, we wouldn't need her participation at all. (If she was found suspiciously drowned near her abandoned yacht, the effects of submersion in the ocean would pretty much demand the use of a dummy to mimic the decay of the body.)
Motive could certainly be supplied - perhaps after all these years, maybe Rey did once again pick up on the opportunity to have an affair with her; and accepted the security position as well. (And so as not to make a former hero on 'Law & Order' look like a sleazeball, let's assume his wife has passed away from the MS. So his relationship with Lisa could be seen as acceptable.)
But when he finally decided to end the affair, maybe she threatened his job which he needed to support his daughters. So on the surface, Rey Curtis would look like a good candidate for a suspect.
There could be a small scene perhaps where Chief Johnson calls back to the 27th Precinct in New York and talks to Lt. Anita Van Buren; getting details on Rey Curtis as a cop and as a person. That would then solidify the crossover aspects with 'Law & Order'. Or failing that, perhaps Lt. Van Buren could make mention of the case in passing during a later episode of her own show.
Eventually, Rey Curtis should be eliminated as a suspect. (God forbid I should ever suggest he turns out to be the actual murderer! Besides, Chris Noth beat me to that idea with the tele-movie "Exiled"......)
Perhaps in his capacity as a security officer at the studio, he could offer his services and expertise to Brenda's team; eventually helping them collar the real killer. This could lead to the type of scene where Brenda Leigh offers Rey the chance to join her high priority team. But since he has to put his daughters first, he'll stick with the security job. "More pay, less hours" type of reasoning.
One thing they would have to do to keep the reality of the crossover intact - make sure that Rey Curtis never shares a scene with JK Simmons as Chief William Pope. Otherwise the audience viewing at home would wonder why Curtis doesn't mistake him for Dr. Emil Szoda!
It's just an idea, yet another Toobworld Wish-craft, that I'm throwing out for consideration.
Thank yew. Thank yew ever so much......
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
'Law & Order' has been particularly beneficial for TNT. The joke is that you can turn on TNT at any point during the day and you'll land on an episode of 'Law & Order'. (For me, it's usually the episode about the defective pacemakers.)
As such, the deal with TNT has been quite lucrative for Wolf Films, and I would think it's in the best interests of both parties to make sure the arrangement continues. And I think they should also find a way to make their collaboration grow.
One way would be through an original crossover, from one network to the other; a crossover that involved 'Law & Order' on NBC and TNT's own 'The Closer' starring Kyra Sedgwick.
'Law & Order' has been on the air for a long time, and there's been quite a revolving door when it comes to the cast members over the years. Because of this, I think the best solution to overcoming any production stumbling blocks between the two production companies would be to make this a one episode crossover which would be part of the scheduled lineup for 'The Closer' and featuring characters from 'Law & Order' who are no longer part of the regular cast.
This solution would eliminate any contrived shuttling of characters back and forth between Los Angeles and New York City which has hobbled crossovers between 'Las Vegas' and 'Crossing Jordan' in the past. The case would be in LA's jurisdiction, and any characters from 'Law & Order' who are involved would already be out there, perhaps having retired from practicing law in Manhattan or serving as a detective there.
But if they're out in Los Angeles for nonprofessional reasons, then how can they become involved with an official police investigation into a high-priority murder by Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson's team?
That's easy enough - make the 'Law & Order' character the initial suspect.
I'm not a fanfic writer; I'm just a fanfic enabler. So here's my idea of how to do the storyline so that it could work......
'Law & Order' did a three-part story back in its seventh season which had the characters shuttling back and forth between the Big Apple and the City of Angels. They were investigating the murder of a film studio executive, whose dismembered body had been fished out of the river. (They traced her identity through her breast implants. It has nothing to do with my idea, but I wanted to mention that because I have the mind of a 14 year old Catholic school boy and it makes me giggle.)
At first they suspected the exec's personal trainer and when he fled back to LA, they followed right after. Once out there, however, the investigation took a new turn and they focused instead on a movie director who was the ex-husband of the victim.
During all of this, Detective Rey Curtis began a flirtatious friendship with another executive at the studio, Lisa Lundquist. Previously, Curtis had apparently had an extramarital fling and when his wife found out, she tossed him out.
But even though Lisa was not only receptive to the idea of romancing the NY cop, but actively pursuing it by kissing him, Curtis retreated from spending the night with her. Still, she kept up the pressure on him, following him to New York (although on official company business) and inviting him out on her yacht when he had to return to LA. There she dangled before him not only the chance to have a relationship with her, but also a cushy job in security which would include trips around the world and the chance to rub elbows with some of Tinseltown's brightest and biggest stars.
But Rey Curtis still had hopes of making things right with his wife and reuniting with her and their daughters, so he not only turned down the job but also broke off things with Lisa before they even had a real chance to get started.
It didn't help much as his relationship with her was dragged into the trial and twisted during testimony to look worse than it really was. And when Lisa called Rey at home while he was trying to reconcile with his wife, it nearly caused a permanent rift in his marriage.
But all worked out well for the Curtis family, with only his wife's MS ailment still casting a shadow over their home life. It finally progressed to the point where he had to take a leave of absence from the force to care for her and raise his daughters.
And that's how it stands for the status of Detective Rey Curtis and 'Law & Order'. Benjamin Bratt, who played Curtis, returned to NBC last year with 'E-Ring'; but since that series failed, perhaps he might be receptive to the idea of bringing back Rey Curtis for a one-shot on 'The Closer'.
To make him a possible suspect in a murder case to be investigated by Chief Johnson's team, I think the most obvious choice for victim should be Lisa Lundquist. The main reason, from a real-world standpoint, is that the role had been played by Lauren Graham, who at this time is pretty much occupied with 'Gilmore Girls' over on the new CW. Since 'The Closer' begins after the fact of the murder, we wouldn't need her participation at all. (If she was found suspiciously drowned near her abandoned yacht, the effects of submersion in the ocean would pretty much demand the use of a dummy to mimic the decay of the body.)
Motive could certainly be supplied - perhaps after all these years, maybe Rey did once again pick up on the opportunity to have an affair with her; and accepted the security position as well. (And so as not to make a former hero on 'Law & Order' look like a sleazeball, let's assume his wife has passed away from the MS. So his relationship with Lisa could be seen as acceptable.)
But when he finally decided to end the affair, maybe she threatened his job which he needed to support his daughters. So on the surface, Rey Curtis would look like a good candidate for a suspect.
There could be a small scene perhaps where Chief Johnson calls back to the 27th Precinct in New York and talks to Lt. Anita Van Buren; getting details on Rey Curtis as a cop and as a person. That would then solidify the crossover aspects with 'Law & Order'. Or failing that, perhaps Lt. Van Buren could make mention of the case in passing during a later episode of her own show.
Eventually, Rey Curtis should be eliminated as a suspect. (God forbid I should ever suggest he turns out to be the actual murderer! Besides, Chris Noth beat me to that idea with the tele-movie "Exiled"......)
Perhaps in his capacity as a security officer at the studio, he could offer his services and expertise to Brenda's team; eventually helping them collar the real killer. This could lead to the type of scene where Brenda Leigh offers Rey the chance to join her high priority team. But since he has to put his daughters first, he'll stick with the security job. "More pay, less hours" type of reasoning.
One thing they would have to do to keep the reality of the crossover intact - make sure that Rey Curtis never shares a scene with JK Simmons as Chief William Pope. Otherwise the audience viewing at home would wonder why Curtis doesn't mistake him for Dr. Emil Szoda!
It's just an idea, yet another Toobworld Wish-craft, that I'm throwing out for consideration.
Thank yew. Thank yew ever so much......
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? OR JUST PLAIN "LOST"?
When it comes to the cutting edge of technology, I'm still a rather dull blade. For example, I'm a dinosaur when it comes to getting online; a "dialupagus". And I still use a VCR rather than TiVo or other DVR system.
So I've basically been sitting out the whole online 'Lost' experience, preferring just to read about the stuff that people find through the various web links and whatnot. At best, I have seen the Rachel Blake outburst at Comic-Con, thanks to YouTube.com.
Perhaps it will all end up in a DVD boxed set, perhaps not.
But I was curious if any of my small coterie of email Lostaway friends (mostly Iddiots from the Idiot's Delight Digest group) were playing along.
So I asked them:
What are your feelings about all the little Lost extras popping up on the web, on your cell phone, in your bookstore? If you are a Lost fan, do youfind them as addicting as the show itself, or do you mostly just ignore them?
And Brian-El replied:
I take it you haven't been playing the game. So far, people are reallyannoyed because all we've found out is that McIntyre ("makes family values a priority") is having an affair, another dude didn't go to the school listed on his resume, contracts (like with Jeep) have been canceled due to some unknown event, and Hanso himself hasn't been seen in public for over four years.
But, of course, the game has just begun.
I started to do all the various stuff, looking for hints when I got stuck, etc. But it seemed to be yielding very little in terms of helpful show-connected information, so when I got busy with work & vacation planning, I stopped doing it. However, with this new link you provided--
http://www.dharmasecrets.com/forum/index.php/topic,5033.0.html
I may just try and catch up with it to see what's going on.
So a partial answer to your question is: clearly I don't find it as addicting as the show itself. And I'm upset that ABC has stopped showing reruns (are reruns of "George Lopez" really more lucrative??), 'cause now that I have TiVo, I had been taping all the episodes and was going to watch them in order (starting with the Season 1 DVD) a couple of weeks before the new season started. Now I'll have to wait for the Season 2 DVD to come out.
Brian L.
How about the rest of you? Anybody out there want to share their experiences with the online 'Lost' stuff?
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
So I've basically been sitting out the whole online 'Lost' experience, preferring just to read about the stuff that people find through the various web links and whatnot. At best, I have seen the Rachel Blake outburst at Comic-Con, thanks to YouTube.com.
Perhaps it will all end up in a DVD boxed set, perhaps not.
But I was curious if any of my small coterie of email Lostaway friends (mostly Iddiots from the Idiot's Delight Digest group) were playing along.
So I asked them:
What are your feelings about all the little Lost extras popping up on the web, on your cell phone, in your bookstore? If you are a Lost fan, do youfind them as addicting as the show itself, or do you mostly just ignore them?
And Brian-El replied:
I take it you haven't been playing the game. So far, people are reallyannoyed because all we've found out is that McIntyre ("makes family values a priority") is having an affair, another dude didn't go to the school listed on his resume, contracts (like with Jeep) have been canceled due to some unknown event, and Hanso himself hasn't been seen in public for over four years.
But, of course, the game has just begun.
I started to do all the various stuff, looking for hints when I got stuck, etc. But it seemed to be yielding very little in terms of helpful show-connected information, so when I got busy with work & vacation planning, I stopped doing it. However, with this new link you provided--
http://www.dharmasecrets.com/forum/index.php/topic,5033.0.html
I may just try and catch up with it to see what's going on.
So a partial answer to your question is: clearly I don't find it as addicting as the show itself. And I'm upset that ABC has stopped showing reruns (are reruns of "George Lopez" really more lucrative??), 'cause now that I have TiVo, I had been taping all the episodes and was going to watch them in order (starting with the Season 1 DVD) a couple of weeks before the new season started. Now I'll have to wait for the Season 2 DVD to come out.
Brian L.
How about the rest of you? Anybody out there want to share their experiences with the online 'Lost' stuff?
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
"I AM THE F#%$@ING GAME, PAL!"
It isn't just the sci-fi shows that give you the great little extras to seek out online.
Here's a chance to check out the acting resume for "Johnny Drama" Chase.....
Here's a chance to check out the acting resume for "Johnny Drama" Chase.....
THE HAT SQUAD: REMEMBERING LENNY
Forty years ago today, revolutionary comic Lenny Bruce died of a drug overdose. Had he lived, he would have been 80 years old this year.
As himself, Lenny Bruce appeared on 'Playboy After Dark', and his work can be seen in archival footage for several documentaries.
But he does have televersions; actors playing him in a TV movie and in a TV series. It would be nice to keep both performances in the same TV dimension; making the claim that the difference in appearance could be attributed to his abuse of drugs, perhaps.
The Weasel King Pauly Shore played Bruce in "Hefner: Unauthorized", which was broadcast in 1999. As it beat the other contender to the airwaves by 3 years, this should be given the right to be installed as THE televersion of Lenny Bruce.
However, Hugh Hefner has built up a steady list of credits over the years to bolster his standings in the League of Themselves, and that would toss the TV movie into a parallel dimension.
As for Rich Vos' appearance as the original shock-meister on an episode of 'American Dreams', I'm still conflicted about what exactly should be the fate of that series in the overall scheme for Toobworld. It's not so much the use of the TV show 'American Bandstand' as an anchor around which the stories revolve; I don't even have a problem with all of the musical stars who did cameos on the program as the televersions for their counterparts back in that era.
My hesitation stems from an appearance by Paris Hilton as Barbara Eden as she looked in her harem outfit while she filmed 'I Dream Of Jeannie' - a TV sitcom that should exist within the same dimension as 'American Dreams'.
Oh, and the fact that it was Paris Hilton playing the role. She turned the lovely and effervescent Ms. Eden into a lobotomized zombie.
Somebody should blink Paris Hilton into the cornfield......
What was I talking about? Oh yeah, Lenny Bruce......
Perhaps someday a TV movie will be made about the life of Lenny Bruce; one which will be the definitive portrayal of the comic and the turbulent times in which he lived. But it may prove to be a daunting task when the "Cineverse" has already provided Bob Fosse's version starring Dustin Hoffman.
In the meantime, there is the archival footage and documentaries, the record albums, and a great cartoon short that brought one of his routines to life:
"Thank You, Masked Man".
BCnU.....
Tele-Toby
As himself, Lenny Bruce appeared on 'Playboy After Dark', and his work can be seen in archival footage for several documentaries.
But he does have televersions; actors playing him in a TV movie and in a TV series. It would be nice to keep both performances in the same TV dimension; making the claim that the difference in appearance could be attributed to his abuse of drugs, perhaps.
The Weasel King Pauly Shore played Bruce in "Hefner: Unauthorized", which was broadcast in 1999. As it beat the other contender to the airwaves by 3 years, this should be given the right to be installed as THE televersion of Lenny Bruce.
However, Hugh Hefner has built up a steady list of credits over the years to bolster his standings in the League of Themselves, and that would toss the TV movie into a parallel dimension.
As for Rich Vos' appearance as the original shock-meister on an episode of 'American Dreams', I'm still conflicted about what exactly should be the fate of that series in the overall scheme for Toobworld. It's not so much the use of the TV show 'American Bandstand' as an anchor around which the stories revolve; I don't even have a problem with all of the musical stars who did cameos on the program as the televersions for their counterparts back in that era.
My hesitation stems from an appearance by Paris Hilton as Barbara Eden as she looked in her harem outfit while she filmed 'I Dream Of Jeannie' - a TV sitcom that should exist within the same dimension as 'American Dreams'.
Oh, and the fact that it was Paris Hilton playing the role. She turned the lovely and effervescent Ms. Eden into a lobotomized zombie.
Somebody should blink Paris Hilton into the cornfield......
What was I talking about? Oh yeah, Lenny Bruce......
Perhaps someday a TV movie will be made about the life of Lenny Bruce; one which will be the definitive portrayal of the comic and the turbulent times in which he lived. But it may prove to be a daunting task when the "Cineverse" has already provided Bob Fosse's version starring Dustin Hoffman.
In the meantime, there is the archival footage and documentaries, the record albums, and a great cartoon short that brought one of his routines to life:
"Thank You, Masked Man".
BCnU.....
Tele-Toby
"Life's a series of bad jokes,
And Death tops them all."
Dinner Guest
'The Saint'
And Death tops them all."
Dinner Guest
'The Saint'
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