There's a new version of the legend of Robin Hood currently airing in England. The original TV production with Richard Greene as the fabled archer is the official version for Earth Prime-Time. The version which starred David Dixon as Prince John is my choice for the 'West Wing' dimension. (It had that Machiavellian, backroom politics feel to it.)
The more mystical adaptation which Showtime aired in the 1980s, with both Michael Praed and Jason Connery as different Robins, is the standard bearer for Earth Prime-Time/Delay.
And in the late 1990s, there was still another attempt on his life, so to speak, with 'The New Adventures Of Robin Hood'. In two years, both Robin and Maid Marian were recast, but even the addition of Christopher Lee as a sorceror couldn't save a show where the dialogue contained such lines as "Let's go kick their butts!"
I wouldn't wish that series on even the worst alternate dimension imaginable! Like the Earth Prime-Time/QVC......
'When Things Were Rotten' shares dimensional space with 'That's My Bush!' and 'The Secret Files Of Desmond Pfeiffer'.... not sure yet what to call that dimension, but "Earth Prime-Time/Dolt" works for now.
(There's also the George Segal TV movie which I'm fairly certain could have been a pilot for a new series. That could have worked in that dimension as well.)
But had that Mel Brooks production not existed, I might have been willing to dump this new version of Robin Hood over in that dimension.
Why? Check out what Rob Buckley had to say about the show today.....
"'Robin Hood', depending on whom you talk to, either got really good (a regular got killed) or really bad (Robin fires pies over Nottingham Castle's walls) during the fourth episode. "
Yea verily, m'Lord. Nyucketh, nyucketh, nyucketh!
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
HALLOWEEN IN TOOBWORLD, 2006
In the run-up to Halloween, there really was only one new Halloween offering this season which caught my interest as a caretaker for Toobworld: ABC Family added another remake to Earth Prime-Time/Delay last Sunday, "The Initiation Of Sarah". It was about two sisters who were going to the same university, but who wound up pledging to different sororities... both of which practiced their own special forms of magic.
If it sounds familiar, then maybe you enjoyed a steady diet of ABC's movies of the week back in the 1970s. "The Initiation of Sarah" was broadcast in 1978 with Kay Lenz in the lead role.
(And whatever happened to Kay Lenz? You know, there's been a trend of bringing back stars of TV's past to play the parents of Today's TV stars. So howzabout Kay Lenz to play Robin Schablonski's Mom on 'How I Met Your Mother'?)
Anyway, as "The Initiation Of Sarah" is a remake, it must be relegated to the aforementioned Earth Prime-Time Delay; not exactly unexpected.
But here's the interesting twist: in both versions there is a character who shares the same telegenetic makeup as a character in the other version, but they are not the same character. (The Real World reason is that Morgan Fairchild played both roles.)
In the 1978 version, it is sorority member Jennifer Lawrence. In the new version, she is Trina Goodwin, the mother of the two main characters. Like Jennifer, Trina was also a member of that sorority; one who never gave up her wicked ways completely..
The temptation is there to say they were the same character. Perhaps an argument could be made that Jennifer Lawrence changed her name and History repeated itself. I'm not sure if she died or lived in the original televersion, but the path not taken could have caused the catalyst to create an alternate dimension.
But as I want to always keep the TV Universe simplified, I think it's best just to jettison the new version straightaway. It'll be in good company there in the delayed Toobworld with other Halloween-themed fare such as 'The New Addams Family' and the later version of 'Kolchak, the Night Stalker'.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
If it sounds familiar, then maybe you enjoyed a steady diet of ABC's movies of the week back in the 1970s. "The Initiation of Sarah" was broadcast in 1978 with Kay Lenz in the lead role.
(And whatever happened to Kay Lenz? You know, there's been a trend of bringing back stars of TV's past to play the parents of Today's TV stars. So howzabout Kay Lenz to play Robin Schablonski's Mom on 'How I Met Your Mother'?)
Anyway, as "The Initiation Of Sarah" is a remake, it must be relegated to the aforementioned Earth Prime-Time Delay; not exactly unexpected.
But here's the interesting twist: in both versions there is a character who shares the same telegenetic makeup as a character in the other version, but they are not the same character. (The Real World reason is that Morgan Fairchild played both roles.)
In the 1978 version, it is sorority member Jennifer Lawrence. In the new version, she is Trina Goodwin, the mother of the two main characters. Like Jennifer, Trina was also a member of that sorority; one who never gave up her wicked ways completely..
The temptation is there to say they were the same character. Perhaps an argument could be made that Jennifer Lawrence changed her name and History repeated itself. I'm not sure if she died or lived in the original televersion, but the path not taken could have caused the catalyst to create an alternate dimension.
But as I want to always keep the TV Universe simplified, I think it's best just to jettison the new version straightaway. It'll be in good company there in the delayed Toobworld with other Halloween-themed fare such as 'The New Addams Family' and the later version of 'Kolchak, the Night Stalker'.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
OWOOOOOHA! It's real scary, keeds!
Halloween has really come into its own as a holiday in Toobworld over the last twenty years. And I think the thanks for that go more to 'Roseanne' than to 'It's A Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'. All of the other shows took their cue from the Conners' Halloween spectaculars when they realized there was comedy gold in them thar costume ideas for a big party scene. (See "Slutty Pumpkin" from the first season of 'How I Met Your Mother' - Oops! Too late! It aired last night!)
My personal favorite Halloween episode from a TV series?
"Take Me To Your Louden" from 'Newhart':
"Michael seeks to create an Orson Welles-style panic when he programs The War of the Worlds on Halloween night. Dick desperately tries to control the panicked guests at the inn's costume party."
[from TV.com]
As for my sitcom life, I have to work at the hotel tonight. I figure I'll wear the same costume I do every year. My TV Land cap, my NBC logo baseball jacket, my Late Night with David Letterman sweatshirt, and my CBS backpack.
I go out as a rerun......
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Halloween has really come into its own as a holiday in Toobworld over the last twenty years. And I think the thanks for that go more to 'Roseanne' than to 'It's A Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'. All of the other shows took their cue from the Conners' Halloween spectaculars when they realized there was comedy gold in them thar costume ideas for a big party scene. (See "Slutty Pumpkin" from the first season of 'How I Met Your Mother' - Oops! Too late! It aired last night!)
My personal favorite Halloween episode from a TV series?
"Take Me To Your Louden" from 'Newhart':
"Michael seeks to create an Orson Welles-style panic when he programs The War of the Worlds on Halloween night. Dick desperately tries to control the panicked guests at the inn's costume party."
[from TV.com]
As for my sitcom life, I have to work at the hotel tonight. I figure I'll wear the same costume I do every year. My TV Land cap, my NBC logo baseball jacket, my Late Night with David Letterman sweatshirt, and my CBS backpack.
I go out as a rerun......
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Monday, October 30, 2006
"TRAVELER" INSURANCE?
TVSquad reported this news about a show I've been anticipating for the mid-season:
"The news is not so good for the ABC midseason replacement 'Traveler', about a friend who frames two best friends for a bombing (the preview looks great). ABC has chopped that order from 13 episodes to 8 episodes, so they can wrap up the storyline.
Hmmm...maybe this is the first proof that the networks are beginning to understand viewer frustration at getting into serialized dramas and then leaving viewers hanging by cancelling the shows after only a few episodes."
I'm pretty sure I voiced my support of this idea, S.O.P. over in Britain, here in "Inner Toob". If so, I'll soon find out if that was just an empty declaration on my part. I do want to see 'Traveler'; I'm really jazzed on the idea; and if it does turn out to be really exciting, I'd want to see it continue.
On the other side of the coin, I think the theory works that if forced to tell the story in a condensed time-frame, they could have a more powerful story on their hands. I've always said 'The Sopranos' would have been the greatest thing ever if Tony actually killed Livia in that first season and thus endeth the series. Instead it's piddling itself into oblivion.
We shall see.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
"The news is not so good for the ABC midseason replacement 'Traveler', about a friend who frames two best friends for a bombing (the preview looks great). ABC has chopped that order from 13 episodes to 8 episodes, so they can wrap up the storyline.
Hmmm...maybe this is the first proof that the networks are beginning to understand viewer frustration at getting into serialized dramas and then leaving viewers hanging by cancelling the shows after only a few episodes."
I'm pretty sure I voiced my support of this idea, S.O.P. over in Britain, here in "Inner Toob". If so, I'll soon find out if that was just an empty declaration on my part. I do want to see 'Traveler'; I'm really jazzed on the idea; and if it does turn out to be really exciting, I'd want to see it continue.
On the other side of the coin, I think the theory works that if forced to tell the story in a condensed time-frame, they could have a more powerful story on their hands. I've always said 'The Sopranos' would have been the greatest thing ever if Tony actually killed Livia in that first season and thus endeth the series. Instead it's piddling itself into oblivion.
We shall see.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
GO AWAY, KITTY, YA BOTHER ME
Bob Sassone of TVSquad.com has published his latest list of "The Five"; the topic of which is always centered around TV, of course.
This time out, the category is "Five New Characters That Bother Me".
At the end he writes, "I'm sure you can come up with other examples."
Which of course I saw as a meme challenge.
So here's the list I offered up:
"Okay, my five most annoying new characters of the TV season:
1) Harriet Hayes, "Studio 60": I've decided that it isn't the fault of the actress; she's doing the best she can with the material. But when character after character praise you to the heavens for how talented you are as a comic actress and a singer, you better deliver the goods. So the blame here rests with Sorkin.
2) Ianto, "Torchwood": This guy has the Willie Armitage type of role that Peter Lupus played on "Mission: Impossible" - the goto guy for the transportation and supplies for each missioin. But the actor who plays him is so colorless, I wonder if this is symptomatic of all the Welsh. In recent years, it's the type of role that would have been played by hip computer expert guys like Auger in "Earth: Final Conflict" or the guy they have now on shows like "Vanished" or the CSI's. The role needs somebody who's of a different race/nationality perhaps, or at least someone who's interesting.
3) Isaac, "Heroes" - Too mopey, needs a bath, and would it kill him to turn on a light in his studio?
4) Kitty, "Brothers & Sisters" - It's all due to the actress. I was tired of Calista Flockhart before "Ally McBeal" finally ground to a halt. And even trying to look beyond that, the character is an automatic turn-off as well. There have been characters in the past I've disagreed with politically or morally on other shows whom I've found interesting. Not Kitty.
5) The bartender/other woman on "Jericho". Not really the type of role I can see being around for the long haul, and the actress doesn't bring anything to the part to overcome that. How long before the radioactive mutants from Wichita take her out?
Limiting it to just five spares a couple of folks up in Elmo, Alaska....."
Now let's hear from you! I'd love to have you post them here in the comments, or send along the link to your own blog if you post them there......
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
This time out, the category is "Five New Characters That Bother Me".
At the end he writes, "I'm sure you can come up with other examples."
Which of course I saw as a meme challenge.
So here's the list I offered up:
"Okay, my five most annoying new characters of the TV season:
1) Harriet Hayes, "Studio 60": I've decided that it isn't the fault of the actress; she's doing the best she can with the material. But when character after character praise you to the heavens for how talented you are as a comic actress and a singer, you better deliver the goods. So the blame here rests with Sorkin.
2) Ianto, "Torchwood": This guy has the Willie Armitage type of role that Peter Lupus played on "Mission: Impossible" - the goto guy for the transportation and supplies for each missioin. But the actor who plays him is so colorless, I wonder if this is symptomatic of all the Welsh. In recent years, it's the type of role that would have been played by hip computer expert guys like Auger in "Earth: Final Conflict" or the guy they have now on shows like "Vanished" or the CSI's. The role needs somebody who's of a different race/nationality perhaps, or at least someone who's interesting.
3) Isaac, "Heroes" - Too mopey, needs a bath, and would it kill him to turn on a light in his studio?
4) Kitty, "Brothers & Sisters" - It's all due to the actress. I was tired of Calista Flockhart before "Ally McBeal" finally ground to a halt. And even trying to look beyond that, the character is an automatic turn-off as well. There have been characters in the past I've disagreed with politically or morally on other shows whom I've found interesting. Not Kitty.
5) The bartender/other woman on "Jericho". Not really the type of role I can see being around for the long haul, and the actress doesn't bring anything to the part to overcome that. How long before the radioactive mutants from Wichita take her out?
Limiting it to just five spares a couple of folks up in Elmo, Alaska....."
Now let's hear from you! I'd love to have you post them here in the comments, or send along the link to your own blog if you post them there......
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
ON THE FITZ AGAIN
Tonight BBC-America presents "Cracker: A New Terror", marking the first appearance of Fitz, as played by Robbie Coltrane, in ten years.
In England, the title was "Cracker: Nine-Eleven". I guess it was assumed we can't handle the subject matter displayed in the movie's name.
I'm fairly certain the movie takes place in 2006, but I'm not sure yet as to exactly when this year it's supposed to have occurred. I wonder about this because it was first shown in Israel back in June, Germany in August, and I think just a few weeks ago in Great Britain.
As it's been ten years since we last saw the forensic psychiatrist in action, this TV movie serves as an excellent example of Toobworld's basic premise:
Even though a show may be cancelled, or a character leaves a series (alive, of course), that doesn't mean that they cease to exist in the TV Universe. Their lives continue even though we don't get to watch.
The best example of this, of course, is 'Star Trek', which lay fallow for about ten years (save for the animated series, but that's set in the Tooniverse) before those characters were pressed back into service with "Star Trek: The Motion Picture".
Yes, it is part of the Cineverse, but it's one of those rare occasions when Toobworld absorbs cosmic material from another universe created from Mankind's imagination.
Since the last time we saw Fitz, he and his wife have retired to Australia, and have only returned to England to attend their daughter's wedding. And as would happen to Jessica Fletcher in these situations, Fitz gets dragged into a murder investigation that pulls in elements from the 9/11 attacks and the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland.
I'm not that familiar with Australian TV series, so I don't have any theoretical crossovers to make based on Fitz's new homeland. I don't even know yet in which city he lives Down Under, which is an important factor in choosing such crossovers. Could he have been involved with the 'Water Rats' crew, for instance? Can't say without knowing where he lived.
But there's one hypothetical link I'd like to propose: In flying from Australia back to England for the wedding, perhaps Fitz and his wife booked their passage with Oceanic Airlines as seen in 'Lost'! Maybe the Sydney-L.A. route is still grounded because of the bad publicity from the September, 2004 crash of Flight 815, but that doesn't mean they had to indefinitely suspend all their air traffic routes.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
In England, the title was "Cracker: Nine-Eleven". I guess it was assumed we can't handle the subject matter displayed in the movie's name.
I'm fairly certain the movie takes place in 2006, but I'm not sure yet as to exactly when this year it's supposed to have occurred. I wonder about this because it was first shown in Israel back in June, Germany in August, and I think just a few weeks ago in Great Britain.
As it's been ten years since we last saw the forensic psychiatrist in action, this TV movie serves as an excellent example of Toobworld's basic premise:
Even though a show may be cancelled, or a character leaves a series (alive, of course), that doesn't mean that they cease to exist in the TV Universe. Their lives continue even though we don't get to watch.
The best example of this, of course, is 'Star Trek', which lay fallow for about ten years (save for the animated series, but that's set in the Tooniverse) before those characters were pressed back into service with "Star Trek: The Motion Picture".
Yes, it is part of the Cineverse, but it's one of those rare occasions when Toobworld absorbs cosmic material from another universe created from Mankind's imagination.
Since the last time we saw Fitz, he and his wife have retired to Australia, and have only returned to England to attend their daughter's wedding. And as would happen to Jessica Fletcher in these situations, Fitz gets dragged into a murder investigation that pulls in elements from the 9/11 attacks and the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland.
I'm not that familiar with Australian TV series, so I don't have any theoretical crossovers to make based on Fitz's new homeland. I don't even know yet in which city he lives Down Under, which is an important factor in choosing such crossovers. Could he have been involved with the 'Water Rats' crew, for instance? Can't say without knowing where he lived.
But there's one hypothetical link I'd like to propose: In flying from Australia back to England for the wedding, perhaps Fitz and his wife booked their passage with Oceanic Airlines as seen in 'Lost'! Maybe the Sydney-L.A. route is still grounded because of the bad publicity from the September, 2004 crash of Flight 815, but that doesn't mean they had to indefinitely suspend all their air traffic routes.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME TOOB-BALL?
Tonight, ABC's biggest new hit, 'Ugly Betty', gets its first crossover!
With Monday Night Football?
Actually it will happen on the pre-game show on ESPN, 'Monday Night Countdown' at 7 pm, EST. Mode magazine editor in chief Daniel Meade and his rival for the job, Amanda, will try to instill some fashion sense into Bill Belichick, the head coach of the New England Patriots. As part of the "plot", they're doing this in an attempt to lure more male readers to the fashion magazine, so at least it makes sense, story-wise.
Unfortunately for them, Betty Suarez gets hold of the Photoshopped results and adds her own touches - which probably mean oversized glasses and a poncho, and maybe even braces!
Toobworld takes in all manner of shows, but I never would have guessed 'Monday Night Countdown' to find itself in that tally.
And apparently, this isn't the first crossover 'MNC' has done with a show from its parent network, ABC. I heard that Ted Danson's psychiatrist from 'Help Me, Help You' (which I've yet to see due to scheduling conflicts) showed up last week to do a bit of head-shrinking with Terrell Owens. And Owens is already represented in Toobworld appearances with 'Sesame Street' and that controversial opening sketch for 'MNF' last year with Nicolette Sheridan of 'Desperate Housewives'.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
With Monday Night Football?
Actually it will happen on the pre-game show on ESPN, 'Monday Night Countdown' at 7 pm, EST. Mode magazine editor in chief Daniel Meade and his rival for the job, Amanda, will try to instill some fashion sense into Bill Belichick, the head coach of the New England Patriots. As part of the "plot", they're doing this in an attempt to lure more male readers to the fashion magazine, so at least it makes sense, story-wise.
Unfortunately for them, Betty Suarez gets hold of the Photoshopped results and adds her own touches - which probably mean oversized glasses and a poncho, and maybe even braces!
Toobworld takes in all manner of shows, but I never would have guessed 'Monday Night Countdown' to find itself in that tally.
And apparently, this isn't the first crossover 'MNC' has done with a show from its parent network, ABC. I heard that Ted Danson's psychiatrist from 'Help Me, Help You' (which I've yet to see due to scheduling conflicts) showed up last week to do a bit of head-shrinking with Terrell Owens. And Owens is already represented in Toobworld appearances with 'Sesame Street' and that controversial opening sketch for 'MNF' last year with Nicolette Sheridan of 'Desperate Housewives'.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Sunday, October 29, 2006
RETAINING THE "LOST" AUDIENCE - A MODEST PROPOSAL
In Sunday's New York Times, there's an article about the current state of serialized dramas on TV, which were supposed to be the big rage this season. And at one point, the author (Bill Carter) has this to say about 'The Nine':
[W]ill we ever know what “The Nine,” ABC’s drama about characters held hostage in a bank robbery, was supposed to add up to? It has the built-in advantage of following directly after “Lost,” but in its first four outings, it has frittered away an enormous number of viewers. That’s even more than “Invasion,” the serialized drama that last year tried to march into viewers’ homes on the heels of “Lost.”
It's not the fault of 'The Nine', just as it wasn't the fault of 'Invasion', that they are losing so much of the audience from 'Lost'. (Although truth to tell, 'Invasion' began so maddeningly slowly that I found it boring and walked away. I know plenty of people - from what I've seen in online "testimony" - did the same thing. When my Kryptonian Iddiot friend Brian-El urged me to keep with it, that it was getting better, it was already too late. My mind rebelled against the idea.)
The problem lies in 'Lost' itself. Don't get me wrong; I think it's a fantastic show. I'm obsessed by it, and I know it will always be in my top 5 faves of all time (right up there with 'The Prisoner', 'The Mary Tyler Mooer Show', 'Columbo', and 'The Dick Van Dyke Show').
But as soon as 'Lost' is over on Wednesday nights, I'm not in the mood to watch any more TV. It doesn't matter what show it is, or on what network. I just want to get to my computer and find like-minded fans to discuss what we just saw and perhaps find out somethings that I might have missed. (Like the appearance of Julie Ow in this year's season opener as a nurse in Jack's flashback - she was the nurse in Locke's flashback from "Deus Ex Machina".)
This was especially bad during the first season when the 'Lost' mania/fever was particularly intense. At that time, the show aired at eight o'clock EST, and I would automatically switch over to NBC to watch 'The West Wing', one of the shows in my top ten all-time faves. But as I got more caught up in the mysteries of the island and the "Lostaways", the less inclined I was in following the doings of my favorite occupants of the Oval Office. I would have to tape 'The West Wing' and watch it the next morning after my 'Lost' high had subsided.
Moving 'Lost' to the nine o'clock hour by the second season proved just as detrimental to not only 'Invasion' but also to any 10 pm show on the other networks, like 'Law & Order' on NBC and CBS' 'CSI: NY'. (Luckily by that point, NBC had also blinked and moved 'The West Wing' to Sunday nights. Otherwise, with my antiquated viewing system, I'd have to abandon it entirely for 'Lost'.)
This is going to happen to any show which ABC puts in the timeslot immediately following 'Lost', as well as to the competition on the other networks.
So here's my modest proposal: ABC should stop using 'Lost' in the 9 o'clock anchor position on Wednesday nights and instead move it to the 10 o'clock hour. Put on compatible shows to precede it (Much as I dislike it, 'Dancing With The Stars' is still a good way to begin the night at 8 pm.) and then the network suits don't have to worry about losing the follow-up audience, as the affiliates take over with their 11 pm newscasts. Sure, they're not going to be thrilled to see the drop in the ratings, but a news broadcast is certainly cheaper to produce than an hour-long drama.
And not that ABC should care about this, but this arrangement would work for its rivals as well. Their competition for the 10 o'clock hour would be starting off with almost equal footing and could compete for the hearts and minds and eyes of the viewership. (They'll never win over the dedicated 'Lost' fan base, but there are... um, the Others who are not so sure about joining 'Lost' so deeply into its complicated puzzle of a storyline.)
So that's my modest proposal. Had 'The Nine' preceded 'Lost' at 9 pm, it might be doing better now carrying the audience share from 'Dancing With The Stars' and delivering that to 'Lost' which would still bring in even more from the hardcore fans.
And by the way, throwing in a few in-joke references to 'Lost' in "The Nine" (Nick the cop used to work with Ana Lucia Cortez on the LAPD, perhaps. Hurley had his multi-millions in accounts with Fidelity Republic Bank, etc.) would help bring the 'Lost' fans to that earlier hour.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
[W]ill we ever know what “The Nine,” ABC’s drama about characters held hostage in a bank robbery, was supposed to add up to? It has the built-in advantage of following directly after “Lost,” but in its first four outings, it has frittered away an enormous number of viewers. That’s even more than “Invasion,” the serialized drama that last year tried to march into viewers’ homes on the heels of “Lost.”
It's not the fault of 'The Nine', just as it wasn't the fault of 'Invasion', that they are losing so much of the audience from 'Lost'. (Although truth to tell, 'Invasion' began so maddeningly slowly that I found it boring and walked away. I know plenty of people - from what I've seen in online "testimony" - did the same thing. When my Kryptonian Iddiot friend Brian-El urged me to keep with it, that it was getting better, it was already too late. My mind rebelled against the idea.)
The problem lies in 'Lost' itself. Don't get me wrong; I think it's a fantastic show. I'm obsessed by it, and I know it will always be in my top 5 faves of all time (right up there with 'The Prisoner', 'The Mary Tyler Mooer Show', 'Columbo', and 'The Dick Van Dyke Show').
But as soon as 'Lost' is over on Wednesday nights, I'm not in the mood to watch any more TV. It doesn't matter what show it is, or on what network. I just want to get to my computer and find like-minded fans to discuss what we just saw and perhaps find out somethings that I might have missed. (Like the appearance of Julie Ow in this year's season opener as a nurse in Jack's flashback - she was the nurse in Locke's flashback from "Deus Ex Machina".)
This was especially bad during the first season when the 'Lost' mania/fever was particularly intense. At that time, the show aired at eight o'clock EST, and I would automatically switch over to NBC to watch 'The West Wing', one of the shows in my top ten all-time faves. But as I got more caught up in the mysteries of the island and the "Lostaways", the less inclined I was in following the doings of my favorite occupants of the Oval Office. I would have to tape 'The West Wing' and watch it the next morning after my 'Lost' high had subsided.
Moving 'Lost' to the nine o'clock hour by the second season proved just as detrimental to not only 'Invasion' but also to any 10 pm show on the other networks, like 'Law & Order' on NBC and CBS' 'CSI: NY'. (Luckily by that point, NBC had also blinked and moved 'The West Wing' to Sunday nights. Otherwise, with my antiquated viewing system, I'd have to abandon it entirely for 'Lost'.)
This is going to happen to any show which ABC puts in the timeslot immediately following 'Lost', as well as to the competition on the other networks.
So here's my modest proposal: ABC should stop using 'Lost' in the 9 o'clock anchor position on Wednesday nights and instead move it to the 10 o'clock hour. Put on compatible shows to precede it (Much as I dislike it, 'Dancing With The Stars' is still a good way to begin the night at 8 pm.) and then the network suits don't have to worry about losing the follow-up audience, as the affiliates take over with their 11 pm newscasts. Sure, they're not going to be thrilled to see the drop in the ratings, but a news broadcast is certainly cheaper to produce than an hour-long drama.
And not that ABC should care about this, but this arrangement would work for its rivals as well. Their competition for the 10 o'clock hour would be starting off with almost equal footing and could compete for the hearts and minds and eyes of the viewership. (They'll never win over the dedicated 'Lost' fan base, but there are... um, the Others who are not so sure about joining 'Lost' so deeply into its complicated puzzle of a storyline.)
So that's my modest proposal. Had 'The Nine' preceded 'Lost' at 9 pm, it might be doing better now carrying the audience share from 'Dancing With The Stars' and delivering that to 'Lost' which would still bring in even more from the hardcore fans.
And by the way, throwing in a few in-joke references to 'Lost' in "The Nine" (Nick the cop used to work with Ana Lucia Cortez on the LAPD, perhaps. Hurley had his multi-millions in accounts with Fidelity Republic Bank, etc.) would help bring the 'Lost' fans to that earlier hour.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
O'BSERVATION: FOX & THE FAT-HEAD
Sadly, I think Michael J. Fox's life will one day be the subject of a TV movie, more for his battle with Parkinson's than for his achievements as an actor. I just hope it doesn't get that tawdry "Behind The Scenes" treatment, most recently seen with the cast of 'Diff'rent Strokes'.
And at some point in the second hour of that TV movie, a pivotal scene will be his involvement in the 2006 election, campaigning for candidates who support stem cell research. And with that will come the portrayal of Rush Limbaugh, who spoke out against Fox. (He apparently went so far as to claim that Fox was "acting" out the symptoms of Parkinson's and not really experiencing them.)
I don't know who they would cast as Limbaugh, but that actor is going to have a tough time of it. After all, any dramatization of that bloated gasbag will be a pale copy to the original.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
And at some point in the second hour of that TV movie, a pivotal scene will be his involvement in the 2006 election, campaigning for candidates who support stem cell research. And with that will come the portrayal of Rush Limbaugh, who spoke out against Fox. (He apparently went so far as to claim that Fox was "acting" out the symptoms of Parkinson's and not really experiencing them.)
I don't know who they would cast as Limbaugh, but that actor is going to have a tough time of it. After all, any dramatization of that bloated gasbag will be a pale copy to the original.
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
Saturday, October 28, 2006
LINKS TO THE LEFT UPDATE
Updated my list o' links to the left there, adding three more sites you may like to visit:
eTV Reviewer
Creatively Progressing
TVaholic
As always, there was no sense of priority for the placement of these links. I just put them where they would best fit in with the others.
Check them out and see if they fulfill your Toobworld needs.....
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
eTV Reviewer
Creatively Progressing
TVaholic
As always, there was no sense of priority for the placement of these links. I just put them where they would best fit in with the others.
Check them out and see if they fulfill your Toobworld needs.....
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
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