S. Epatha Merkerson appeared on two episodes of 'The Closer', but as Doctor Rebecca Dioli, not as Lt. Anita Van Buren whom she has portrayed on 'Law & Order' since 1991.
Now, normally I would have bemoaned this as a missed opportunity to get a great crossover, one that would cement the place of 'The Closer' in the TV Universe. (For Toobworld, it's already a given, but the Westphallians need the confirmation that can be traced back to 'St. Elsewhere'.)
However, I used to be an actor and on a limited basis I know what it's like to be playing the same role for way too long. I'm sure that after 16 years, Ms. Merkerson jumped at the chance to play anyone else but the Lieutenant, especially when the show has such a high profile as 'The Closer' enjoys - being one of the top cable shows on the air.
But I'd still like to see a link made between 'The Closer' and some other series more firmly entrenched in the TV Universe.
BCnU!
Toby OB
Saturday, August 11, 2007
NEW @ TOOBWORLD CENTRAL, VACATION EDITION
My vacation is basically over; I go back to work tomorrow night. But for tonight, I'm acclimating myself to being back in NYC, and getting the rare chance to listen to Vin Scelsa's radio show on WFUV, "Vin Scelsa's Idiot's Delight".
So while I'm hanging out online, hoping to hear from my Li'l Buddy Sean - the father of my god-daughter - over in Taiwan, I thought it was a good time to post my latest addition to the Toobworld DVD Library.
While stocking up on supplies to bring back to NYC, I found a copy of the first season of 'How I Met Your Mother' at BJ's Warehouse for less than 17 bucks. Amazon.com couldn't even beat that, so I picked it up. For me, 'HIMYM' is one of the top five sitcoms on the air today.
That same day I also got the movie "Hot Fuzz", which I had already seen three times.
My brother Bill also burned a few CDs for me - one of Good Brother Earl and the other for Old Crow Medicine Show, both bands I heard from his collection while up at "The Lake".
BCnU!
Toby OB
So while I'm hanging out online, hoping to hear from my Li'l Buddy Sean - the father of my god-daughter - over in Taiwan, I thought it was a good time to post my latest addition to the Toobworld DVD Library.
While stocking up on supplies to bring back to NYC, I found a copy of the first season of 'How I Met Your Mother' at BJ's Warehouse for less than 17 bucks. Amazon.com couldn't even beat that, so I picked it up. For me, 'HIMYM' is one of the top five sitcoms on the air today.
That same day I also got the movie "Hot Fuzz", which I had already seen three times.
My brother Bill also burned a few CDs for me - one of Good Brother Earl and the other for Old Crow Medicine Show, both bands I heard from his collection while up at "The Lake".
BCnU!
Toby OB
PAGING "MY BOYS"
"Studio 6H is where we do 'The Girlie Show'.
Did you all see Tracy Jordan make a special appearance the other night?
Wasn't that exciting!?
That is what we in the show business like to call a cameo."
Kenneth Parcell
'30 Rock'
Jack McBrayer appeared on the first episode of 'My Boys' for the second season, "The Promise Of A New Season". His character was un-named, and only was onscreen for less than a minute, but somehow he became the mortal enemy of Kenny Morritori's new, very pregnant girlfriend while they were all at Crowley's bar.
McBrayer is best known today for playing Kenneth Ellen Parcell, the sweetly simple page working for NBC at '30 Rock'. But he's not chained to life in New York City because of his job. (First off, he's from farther south.) So it's entirely pozz'ble, just pozz'ble, as Vincent Van Gopher would say, that maybe Kenny had to go to Chicago on NBC business for either Jack Donaghy, Liz Lemon, or more likely, for Tracy Jordan, the star of 'TGS with Tracy Jordan'.
Just by chance his path crossed with Kimmy at the Crowley's bar, and unlike her new boyfriend, this was one Kenny with whom she did not get along.
Kenny: It's Kimmy's business and she can be sensitive.
Kimmy: There's the dick head from the bar!
As always with Toobworld, this can't be a proven link. But should Jack McBrayer ever appear as Kenny the Page in any other NBC show, this would be the hypothetical link that could garner him a berth in the TV Crossover Hall of Fame on the Birthday Honors List.
BCnU!
Toby OB
"You are a puzzle, Kenneth Ellen,
And I'm going to solve you. Yes I am."
Jack Donaghy
'30 Rock'
And I'm going to solve you. Yes I am."
Jack Donaghy
'30 Rock'
Saturday, August 4, 2007
UNREADY FOR EDDIE
So for those few of you who may have been wondering where I've been the last week, I'm in the middle of vacation. I've had the temptation to post a few times - such as with my theoretical connection between 'Dead Like Me' and 'Eureka' and a connection between '30 Rock' and 'My Boys' - but I vowed that I'd make it a real vacation all around.
However....
I just wanted to tell you about my "dinner date" with my sister and my 2½ year old nephew last night because it could have been a TV related adventure. But as usual with my "living on the periphery" existence, it didn't come off as my sister planned....
She wanted to surprise me with the location and the reason for the trip, but finally let me know since my dislike for embarrassing surprises is well known in my family. Apparently there was to be a car show in Litchfield, and afterwards one of the "stars" appearing at it was going to be signing autographs at a Torrington MacDonald's: Butch Patrick, who played Eddie Munster on 'The Munsters'.
However, there was supposedly a torrential downpour in Litchfield and the car show was called off. So the chain of events led him to cancel out the Golden Arches appearance.
Not that it really mattered; I got to hang out with Leah and Tommy, and we got two Superman toys from Happy Meals. So one's for me, kept mint in the box; not a bad thing.
But it would have been cool to meet a contemporary who portrayed a great figure of Toobworld.
See you when I get back!
BCnU!
Toby OB
However....
I just wanted to tell you about my "dinner date" with my sister and my 2½ year old nephew last night because it could have been a TV related adventure. But as usual with my "living on the periphery" existence, it didn't come off as my sister planned....
She wanted to surprise me with the location and the reason for the trip, but finally let me know since my dislike for embarrassing surprises is well known in my family. Apparently there was to be a car show in Litchfield, and afterwards one of the "stars" appearing at it was going to be signing autographs at a Torrington MacDonald's: Butch Patrick, who played Eddie Munster on 'The Munsters'.
However, there was supposedly a torrential downpour in Litchfield and the car show was called off. So the chain of events led him to cancel out the Golden Arches appearance.
Not that it really mattered; I got to hang out with Leah and Tommy, and we got two Superman toys from Happy Meals. So one's for me, kept mint in the box; not a bad thing.
But it would have been cool to meet a contemporary who portrayed a great figure of Toobworld.
See you when I get back!
BCnU!
Toby OB
Saturday, July 28, 2007
ECHOES RE-"CAPPED"
"In your virgin mind, women are like these mythical creatures - like unicorns with breasts. That's a myth. Women are just normal people with breasts." - Cappie, 'Greek'
"I like to think of girls as round men." - Carter Nash, 'Captain Nice'
"I like to think of girls as round men." - Carter Nash, 'Captain Nice'
Friday, July 27, 2007
TWILIGHT ZONK
One day during her second week as a secretary at the Sterling-Cooper advertising agency, Peggy was given the "grand tour" of the offices. When Paul started doing his impression of Rod Serling hosting 'The Twilight Zone' ("Submitted for your approval..."), Peggy didn't pick up on the reference. As she explained, she didn't like science fiction.
Her attitude worried Paul because there were rumors that CBS might cancel the show. (Whether his fears stemmed from just being a fan or because the agency was buying ad time for its clients on the show is unclear.) But luckily for him, Peggy proved to be in the minority. As time went on, 'The Twilight Zone' became one of the most enduring classics of Television, perhaps the culmination of the medium's "Golden Age". It's become so ingrained in our psyche that the phrase "The Twilight Zone" has moved beyond just being a pop culture reference to actually refer to those surreal, bizarre moments in our lives.
(An interesting bit of trivia in this episode, which may have been deliberate on the part of Matthew Weiner, the writer: even though the agency's clients might have been sponsoring 'The Twilight Zone', ad exec Don Draper's mistress and even his own children were ignoring it in favor of its competition on NBC, 'People Are Funny'. When 'The Twilight Zone' debuted, 'People Are Funny' was already a ratings powerhouse on Friday nights.)
Along with 'Star Trek', 'The Twilight Zone' is one of the biggest sources of Zonks in Toobworld. (For the uninitiated, Zonks are references to other TV shows as TV shows, when they should be sharing the same universe as the show making the reference.)
For the most part, the show should be be considered part of the main TV Universe, but there are certain episodes which must be located on other planets ("Eye Of The Beholder" and "The Invaders", for example) or in a parallel dimension (like "Number Twelve Looks Just Like You").
As for Rod Serling's participation as the on-screen narrator, he is the inspiration for the term "serlinguist", those TV characters who can talk to the viewers at home in the Trueniverse. Yet at the same time, he is the creative force behind the show in Toobworld as well. ('Perry Mason' mentions that he and Serling are old friends in one of the episodes of his courtroom drama.)
So even though most of the episodes have taken place on Earth Prime-Time ("Where Is Everybody?", "Nick Of Time", "Long Distance Call", "Nightmare At 20,000 Feet" etc), other TV characters have made references to the show when they've found themselves in freaky situations.
Here are a few examples:
"Next stop - 'The Twilight Zone'." - Detective Christine Cagney, 'Cagney And Lacey'
"I think I've seen this on 'The Twilight Zone'." - Mary, 'Night Court'
"It's like 'The Twilight Zone' around here, Wolf." - Jack Cafferty, 'The Situation Room'
JERRY: You know, this is like that Twilight Zone where the guy wakes up, and he's the same - but everyone else is different!
KRAMER: Which one?
JERRY: They were all like that!
- 'Seinfeld'
"I just had the weirdest experience. It was like something out of 'The Twilight Zone'!" - Larry Dallas, 'Three's Company'
"It was weird! It was like 'The Twilight Zone'! Only it wasn't in black and white." - Richard Addison, 'Moonlighting'
"This is weird! It's like 'The Twilight Zone'! I kind of half-expect Rod Steiger to just walk out here...." Jackie Thomas, 'The Jackie Thomas Show'
(Trust me, his use of "Steiger" was not a transcription error on my part!)
One good thing about the reference in the second episode of 'Mad Men' is that we can now use it to narrow down the date of the show to be more precise than just saying it takes place in 1960.
CBS announced that 'The Twilight Zone' would run the full complement of episodes for the first season on February 10th, 1960. But it would not be until May 11th of that year before CBS confirmed that the show would be renewed for a second season.
Although General Foods and Kimberly-Clark were the sponsors of the first season, the sponsors for Year Two would be General Foods and Colgate-Palmolive. Colgate-Palmolive is definitely a client of Sterling Cooper. (They manufacture Right Guard, the product in the ad campaign spotlight this week.) So it could be that Paul was worried about the show's cancellation because he was involved in putting the deal together to bring in Colgate-Palmolive as a sponsor the following year.
Therefore, I'm thinking that at least with the second episode of 'Mad Men', it's taking place at some point in April of 1960. The weather seems pleasant enough for people to be outside without coats (as we see with the divorcee who's moving in down the street from the Drapers). And the lawns are a deep green, which probably means they've had time to flourish for at least a few weeks in warmer weather.
[My thanks to Marc Scott Zicree's excellent book, "The Twilight Zone Companion" for the information... informatin... information.... And I'm glad he corrected a chronological error with the second edition!]
BCnU!
Toby OB
Her attitude worried Paul because there were rumors that CBS might cancel the show. (Whether his fears stemmed from just being a fan or because the agency was buying ad time for its clients on the show is unclear.) But luckily for him, Peggy proved to be in the minority. As time went on, 'The Twilight Zone' became one of the most enduring classics of Television, perhaps the culmination of the medium's "Golden Age". It's become so ingrained in our psyche that the phrase "The Twilight Zone" has moved beyond just being a pop culture reference to actually refer to those surreal, bizarre moments in our lives.
(An interesting bit of trivia in this episode, which may have been deliberate on the part of Matthew Weiner, the writer: even though the agency's clients might have been sponsoring 'The Twilight Zone', ad exec Don Draper's mistress and even his own children were ignoring it in favor of its competition on NBC, 'People Are Funny'. When 'The Twilight Zone' debuted, 'People Are Funny' was already a ratings powerhouse on Friday nights.)
Along with 'Star Trek', 'The Twilight Zone' is one of the biggest sources of Zonks in Toobworld. (For the uninitiated, Zonks are references to other TV shows as TV shows, when they should be sharing the same universe as the show making the reference.)
For the most part, the show should be be considered part of the main TV Universe, but there are certain episodes which must be located on other planets ("Eye Of The Beholder" and "The Invaders", for example) or in a parallel dimension (like "Number Twelve Looks Just Like You").
As for Rod Serling's participation as the on-screen narrator, he is the inspiration for the term "serlinguist", those TV characters who can talk to the viewers at home in the Trueniverse. Yet at the same time, he is the creative force behind the show in Toobworld as well. ('Perry Mason' mentions that he and Serling are old friends in one of the episodes of his courtroom drama.)
So even though most of the episodes have taken place on Earth Prime-Time ("Where Is Everybody?", "Nick Of Time", "Long Distance Call", "Nightmare At 20,000 Feet" etc), other TV characters have made references to the show when they've found themselves in freaky situations.
Here are a few examples:
"Next stop - 'The Twilight Zone'." - Detective Christine Cagney, 'Cagney And Lacey'
"I think I've seen this on 'The Twilight Zone'." - Mary, 'Night Court'
"It's like 'The Twilight Zone' around here, Wolf." - Jack Cafferty, 'The Situation Room'
JERRY: You know, this is like that Twilight Zone where the guy wakes up, and he's the same - but everyone else is different!
KRAMER: Which one?
JERRY: They were all like that!
- 'Seinfeld'
"I just had the weirdest experience. It was like something out of 'The Twilight Zone'!" - Larry Dallas, 'Three's Company'
"It was weird! It was like 'The Twilight Zone'! Only it wasn't in black and white." - Richard Addison, 'Moonlighting'
"This is weird! It's like 'The Twilight Zone'! I kind of half-expect Rod Steiger to just walk out here...." Jackie Thomas, 'The Jackie Thomas Show'
(Trust me, his use of "Steiger" was not a transcription error on my part!)
One good thing about the reference in the second episode of 'Mad Men' is that we can now use it to narrow down the date of the show to be more precise than just saying it takes place in 1960.
CBS announced that 'The Twilight Zone' would run the full complement of episodes for the first season on February 10th, 1960. But it would not be until May 11th of that year before CBS confirmed that the show would be renewed for a second season.
Although General Foods and Kimberly-Clark were the sponsors of the first season, the sponsors for Year Two would be General Foods and Colgate-Palmolive. Colgate-Palmolive is definitely a client of Sterling Cooper. (They manufacture Right Guard, the product in the ad campaign spotlight this week.) So it could be that Paul was worried about the show's cancellation because he was involved in putting the deal together to bring in Colgate-Palmolive as a sponsor the following year.
Therefore, I'm thinking that at least with the second episode of 'Mad Men', it's taking place at some point in April of 1960. The weather seems pleasant enough for people to be outside without coats (as we see with the divorcee who's moving in down the street from the Drapers). And the lawns are a deep green, which probably means they've had time to flourish for at least a few weeks in warmer weather.
[My thanks to Marc Scott Zicree's excellent book, "The Twilight Zone Companion" for the information... informatin... information.... And I'm glad he corrected a chronological error with the second edition!]
BCnU!
Toby OB
"I must be dreaming!
Either that, or I'm in the Twilo Zone!"
Rob Petrie
'The Dick Van Dyke Show'
Either that, or I'm in the Twilo Zone!"
Rob Petrie
'The Dick Van Dyke Show'
WISHFUL LINKING
Now that the "death march with cocktails" (as Tim Goodman calls it) officially known as the TCA press tour is over, I'd like to take a look at some of those shows returning in the fall as well. I thought I'd use my wish-craft to put together a list of classic TV characters whom I think would make for a nice guest appearance in one of those "very special episodes" that usually crop up during Sweeps.
'UGLY BETTY'
Gloria Bunker Stivic ('All In The Family', 'Gloria')
In the years since her spin-off 'Gloria', Sally Struthers' most famous character may have moved back to her home borough in New York City. We know that her son Joey Stivic visited his grandparents' former home in the pilot episode of '704 Houser', and since the Cumberbatches were now living there, Gloria would have to find a new residence. She could even become a recurring character in Betty's neighborhood, perhaps even a romantic interest for Ignacio.
'30 ROCK'
Mary Richards Cronin ('The Mary Tyler Moore Show')
Lemon and Mayr... what a combo that would be! We know from the TV movie "Mary And Rhoda" that Mary lives in Manhattan now and is back in the TV news business. Perhaps she could produce a news profile on Liz or Tracy or better yet, on Jack! And maybe she could have a meltdown when meeting with Mr. Geis, one of the network's head honchos. "Oh, Mr. Geis!!!!"
'MEN IN TREES'
Maurice Minnifield ('Northern Exposure')
A trip to Elmo from Cicely on business could bring the ex-astronaut into town where his somewhat neanderthalish, chauvinistic attitudes would lead to him butting heads with Marin.
'BOSTON LEGAL'
Richard Fish & John Cage ('Ally McBeal')
We've seen representatives from other law firms visit the offices of Crane, Poole, & Schmidt in the past. And since Fish & Cage are alumni of another David E. Kelley series, it would seem like a natural for them to make an appearance here. It's not like DEK would be afraid of making a cross-network crossover.... After all, he's had a lot of experience with that in the past.
'SUPERNATURAL'
Fox Mulder ('The X-Files')
David Duchovny's recent announcement at the TCA press tour that plans are in the works for a new movie based on his former show would probably negate any chance for Spooky's appearance on this show. Of course, once the movie was finished, an appearance on 'Supernatural' might make for a nice transistion/set-up for the movie, advance publicity. The fact that Sam and Dean travel all over the country investigating the types of cases that Mulder lived for makes it an ideal showcase for his return. But the rival network stigma might also be a factor in keeping this from happening. (Would've been cool though!)
Finally, here are two suggestions that would have to wait until next summer....
'KYLE XY'
John Doe ('John Doe')
Both John and Kyle were introduced in the same manner - naked in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, with no memory of who they are or were. Since 'John Doe' ended with no real resolution, perhaps they could use the recent news about the 'Vanished' wrap-up coming to 'Bones' as inspiration. Perhaps we could learn that the origins of 'John Doe' can be found at Madacorp.
'THE CLOSER'
Lt. Columbo ('Columbo')
The Lieutenant must be considered a legend by everybody in the High Priority Homicide division. And he may have had assistance from Flynn and Provenza earlier in their careers when they were just starting out as detectives on the force. It might be fun to see how Columbo, known for working alone and with his old-fashioned sense of crime-solving style, would mesh with Deputy Chief Johnson's team. And we KNOW his bumbling demeanor would probably drive the hyper-tense Brenda straight up the wall.
So those are just a few suggestions I had for "mash-ups", all for the greater glory of Toobworld!
Do you have any you'd like to share?
BCnU!
Toby OB
'UGLY BETTY'
Gloria Bunker Stivic ('All In The Family', 'Gloria')
In the years since her spin-off 'Gloria', Sally Struthers' most famous character may have moved back to her home borough in New York City. We know that her son Joey Stivic visited his grandparents' former home in the pilot episode of '704 Houser', and since the Cumberbatches were now living there, Gloria would have to find a new residence. She could even become a recurring character in Betty's neighborhood, perhaps even a romantic interest for Ignacio.
'30 ROCK'
Mary Richards Cronin ('The Mary Tyler Moore Show')
Lemon and Mayr... what a combo that would be! We know from the TV movie "Mary And Rhoda" that Mary lives in Manhattan now and is back in the TV news business. Perhaps she could produce a news profile on Liz or Tracy or better yet, on Jack! And maybe she could have a meltdown when meeting with Mr. Geis, one of the network's head honchos. "Oh, Mr. Geis!!!!"
'MEN IN TREES'
Maurice Minnifield ('Northern Exposure')
A trip to Elmo from Cicely on business could bring the ex-astronaut into town where his somewhat neanderthalish, chauvinistic attitudes would lead to him butting heads with Marin.
'BOSTON LEGAL'
Richard Fish & John Cage ('Ally McBeal')
We've seen representatives from other law firms visit the offices of Crane, Poole, & Schmidt in the past. And since Fish & Cage are alumni of another David E. Kelley series, it would seem like a natural for them to make an appearance here. It's not like DEK would be afraid of making a cross-network crossover.... After all, he's had a lot of experience with that in the past.
'SUPERNATURAL'
Fox Mulder ('The X-Files')
David Duchovny's recent announcement at the TCA press tour that plans are in the works for a new movie based on his former show would probably negate any chance for Spooky's appearance on this show. Of course, once the movie was finished, an appearance on 'Supernatural' might make for a nice transistion/set-up for the movie, advance publicity. The fact that Sam and Dean travel all over the country investigating the types of cases that Mulder lived for makes it an ideal showcase for his return. But the rival network stigma might also be a factor in keeping this from happening. (Would've been cool though!)
Finally, here are two suggestions that would have to wait until next summer....
'KYLE XY'
John Doe ('John Doe')
Both John and Kyle were introduced in the same manner - naked in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, with no memory of who they are or were. Since 'John Doe' ended with no real resolution, perhaps they could use the recent news about the 'Vanished' wrap-up coming to 'Bones' as inspiration. Perhaps we could learn that the origins of 'John Doe' can be found at Madacorp.
'THE CLOSER'
Lt. Columbo ('Columbo')
The Lieutenant must be considered a legend by everybody in the High Priority Homicide division. And he may have had assistance from Flynn and Provenza earlier in their careers when they were just starting out as detectives on the force. It might be fun to see how Columbo, known for working alone and with his old-fashioned sense of crime-solving style, would mesh with Deputy Chief Johnson's team. And we KNOW his bumbling demeanor would probably drive the hyper-tense Brenda straight up the wall.
So those are just a few suggestions I had for "mash-ups", all for the greater glory of Toobworld!
Do you have any you'd like to share?
BCnU!
Toby OB
PUSHING OUT DAISY
My friend Michael tells me that with the production of the 'Dead Like Me' movie soon to be underway, the creators are looking to recast the role of Daisy Adair. Daisy was a member of the team of Reapers on the series who was played by Laura Harris.
I'm sure most of the speculation about this revival has been centering on whether or not Mandy Patinkin might return as Rube Sofer now that he's severed his ties to 'Criminal Minds'. It doesn't look likely based on this synopsis of the movie from Bloody-Disgusting.com:
“When Calvin Kane, a slick businessman who couldn't care less about helping the newly dead, takes over Rube's [the character played by Patinkin] Head Reaper duties, all hell breaks loose, bringing out the worst in Daisy, Roxy, and Mason. George, however, is determined to set her latest, botched reap right, especially because the boy who was supposed to die, Hudson Hart, is her little sister Reggie's secret boyfriend. In the process, George and Reggie re-connect for real, for the first time.”
But from a Toobworld perspective, it's the rumor about Daisy that concerns me more.
I'd rather see them start fresh rather than recast the role. Daisy was already an addition to the cast; Laura Harris replaced Rebecca Gayheart, whose character of Betty decided to let her soul leap into the Unknown. The same could be used as a splainin as to why Daisy is no longer a member of Rube's team. And a new Reaper could be introduced either as a sub-plot or with just a quick line tossed off to note the change in the line-up.
As Ellen Muth said in her MySpace page, "We all hate change but it has been two years since season 2 so there has to be evolution.” So part of that evolution should have been the exit of Daisy entirely from the scene and a new character brought in.
However, after reading more about the upcoming movie at Wikipedia, my complaints would have fallen on deaf ears; the script seems to be locked in with Daisy's acting background playing a pivotal part.
And so it goes.....
The concept of these Reapers leading dull afterlives with celestial civil servant occupations already demands the willing suspension of disbelief. (And gets it easily, I'd say.) But recasting a previously existing character just reminds the audience that it's just another TV show.
Or, in this case, movie.....
I'm just sayin', is all.
BCnU!
Toby OB
I'm sure most of the speculation about this revival has been centering on whether or not Mandy Patinkin might return as Rube Sofer now that he's severed his ties to 'Criminal Minds'. It doesn't look likely based on this synopsis of the movie from Bloody-Disgusting.com:
“When Calvin Kane, a slick businessman who couldn't care less about helping the newly dead, takes over Rube's [the character played by Patinkin] Head Reaper duties, all hell breaks loose, bringing out the worst in Daisy, Roxy, and Mason. George, however, is determined to set her latest, botched reap right, especially because the boy who was supposed to die, Hudson Hart, is her little sister Reggie's secret boyfriend. In the process, George and Reggie re-connect for real, for the first time.”
But from a Toobworld perspective, it's the rumor about Daisy that concerns me more.
I'd rather see them start fresh rather than recast the role. Daisy was already an addition to the cast; Laura Harris replaced Rebecca Gayheart, whose character of Betty decided to let her soul leap into the Unknown. The same could be used as a splainin as to why Daisy is no longer a member of Rube's team. And a new Reaper could be introduced either as a sub-plot or with just a quick line tossed off to note the change in the line-up.
As Ellen Muth said in her MySpace page, "We all hate change but it has been two years since season 2 so there has to be evolution.” So part of that evolution should have been the exit of Daisy entirely from the scene and a new character brought in.
However, after reading more about the upcoming movie at Wikipedia, my complaints would have fallen on deaf ears; the script seems to be locked in with Daisy's acting background playing a pivotal part.
And so it goes.....
The concept of these Reapers leading dull afterlives with celestial civil servant occupations already demands the willing suspension of disbelief. (And gets it easily, I'd say.) But recasting a previously existing character just reminds the audience that it's just another TV show.
Or, in this case, movie.....
I'm just sayin', is all.
BCnU!
Toby OB
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
VANISHED BONES
This is from E! Online:
"Do you remember that 'Vanished' show with Gale Harold from last season that vanished from the airwaves? I hear that the mystery from that show is going to be resolved on 'Bones' this season. Fabulous, yes?"
I have yet to find any other verification of this story, but I'll be watching it with great interest!
Anybody ever hear of something like this happening before? Where the resolution of one show is taken care of on another series after the first one is cancelled? I'm thinking it must have happened with some show that was a spin-off of another, like one of the 'Star Trek' or 'Law & Order' franchise shows. But I think this might be a first for two series unrelated to each other.
The closest thing that comes to mind is an episode of 'Diagnosis Murder' which updated a case from 'Mannix'. In that instance, it was more a case of filling in a few loopholes caused by the original script which caused the original case to make more sense. There was also an episode of 'Murder, She Wrote' which brought closure to a film noir classic.
This is something I always hoped for with a show like 'Coronet Blue', and as long as Frank Converse is still alive, the hope is alive. Resolution for that long-ago summer series could be easily wrapped up on a show like 'CSI: NY' or 'Without A Trace'.
Think of all those shows that either ended on a cliff-hanger, or were cancelled before their time. There must be a show out there for each of them! ('Doctor Who' quickly comes to mind as the deus ex machina to resolve many of them set in the past.)
BCnU!
Toby OB
[Thanks to Rob of "The Medium Is Not Enough" for the tip.]
"Do you remember that 'Vanished' show with Gale Harold from last season that vanished from the airwaves? I hear that the mystery from that show is going to be resolved on 'Bones' this season. Fabulous, yes?"
I have yet to find any other verification of this story, but I'll be watching it with great interest!
Anybody ever hear of something like this happening before? Where the resolution of one show is taken care of on another series after the first one is cancelled? I'm thinking it must have happened with some show that was a spin-off of another, like one of the 'Star Trek' or 'Law & Order' franchise shows. But I think this might be a first for two series unrelated to each other.
The closest thing that comes to mind is an episode of 'Diagnosis Murder' which updated a case from 'Mannix'. In that instance, it was more a case of filling in a few loopholes caused by the original script which caused the original case to make more sense. There was also an episode of 'Murder, She Wrote' which brought closure to a film noir classic.
This is something I always hoped for with a show like 'Coronet Blue', and as long as Frank Converse is still alive, the hope is alive. Resolution for that long-ago summer series could be easily wrapped up on a show like 'CSI: NY' or 'Without A Trace'.
Think of all those shows that either ended on a cliff-hanger, or were cancelled before their time. There must be a show out there for each of them! ('Doctor Who' quickly comes to mind as the deus ex machina to resolve many of them set in the past.)
BCnU!
Toby OB
[Thanks to Rob of "The Medium Is Not Enough" for the tip.]
"HAPPY DAYS" FOR "JOHN FROM CINCINNATTI"?
Seven episodes of 'John From Cincinnatti' have aired; there are only three to go. And as much as I'm digging this series, I'll be surprised if it gets the green light for a sophomore season.
So I'm thinking it's crunch time in the home stretch and David Milch & Co. will have to buckle down to bring the story to the stunning conclusion I'm expecting in those final three eps. And that means that there probably won't be any leeway to ramble off on topics that don't relate to the main storylines... like, say, who the parents of motel owner Barry Cunningham are/were.
If the subject never comes up, here's my suggestion - he's the son of Richard and Lori Beth Cunningham, as seen in 'Happy Days'.
Imperial Beach, California, is a long way from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but here's my splainin: After serving his hitch in the Army stationed in Greenland, and after a lifetime of Wisconsin winters, Richie and his wife decided to move to a warmer clime. And so the Cunninghams found themselves either in "IB" or in the surrounding environs where they raised a family, including their troubled son Barry.
As usual with my theories of relateeveety, none of that can be proved. But like Vincent Van Gopher would say, it's pozz'ble; it's pozz'ble.
BCnU!
Toby OB
So I'm thinking it's crunch time in the home stretch and David Milch & Co. will have to buckle down to bring the story to the stunning conclusion I'm expecting in those final three eps. And that means that there probably won't be any leeway to ramble off on topics that don't relate to the main storylines... like, say, who the parents of motel owner Barry Cunningham are/were.
If the subject never comes up, here's my suggestion - he's the son of Richard and Lori Beth Cunningham, as seen in 'Happy Days'.
Imperial Beach, California, is a long way from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but here's my splainin: After serving his hitch in the Army stationed in Greenland, and after a lifetime of Wisconsin winters, Richie and his wife decided to move to a warmer clime. And so the Cunninghams found themselves either in "IB" or in the surrounding environs where they raised a family, including their troubled son Barry.
As usual with my theories of relateeveety, none of that can be proved. But like Vincent Van Gopher would say, it's pozz'ble; it's pozz'ble.
BCnU!
Toby OB
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