Category: TV

RIP: Tom Snyder

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Tom Snyder, best known for his late night talk show, Tomorrow (which aired at 1am after The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson), died yesterday at the age of 71.

Younger ZONErs may not know of Tom Snyder, but I fondly remember staying up late to catch his show during the summer when I was in junior high and high school. At the time, Snyder seemed like no other talk show host on television. His sets were minimal, but his guests and topics more than made up for the lack of showbiz glitz. He was cool, but not hip. Most of all, Snyder seemed like a real guy, not a tv show host. I enjoyed the hours I spent watching his programs and the memories that remain.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and fans.

Depp Steps into Dark Shadows

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When I was a kid, I loved “Dark Shadows”. For a time it was one of my favorite shows. Barnabas Collins was the man!

Johnny Depp has just signed to play tv’s coolest vampire in a movie version of “Dark Shadows”. Depp is an excellent choice and here’s to hoping that the big-screen versions of Barnabus and “Dark Shadows” live up to the legacy started on the tube.

Shatner’s Raw Nerve

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William Shatner, one of the stars of ABC’s “Boston Legal” [which is on my “Must See TV” list] has agreed to host a celebrity-interview show for the Biography Channel. “Shatner’s Raw Nerve” will be a 30 minute showcase for Shatner to interview guests ranging from politicians to actors [now there’s a stretch]. So how will this differ from other interview shows? William Shatner “will explore life’s most intriguing questions and unearth his guests’ strange and unknown stories.” Thirteen episodes have been ordered and will begin airing in 2008.

I gotta tell ya, I’ll tune in just to hear Shatner’s view on things. So beam me aboard.

Get Funnier [Hopefully]

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I was never a HUGE fan of “Get Smart”. Sure, it had it’s moments, and I can see where “Get Smart” could really work as a movie.

Despite the fact that “Get Smart” has been well cast with Steve Carell [Maxwell Smart], Anne Hathaway [Agent 99], Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson [Agent 23] and Alan Arkin [The Chief], I’m not convinced that it’s going to be a winner. This teaser trailer didn’t change my mind [although I did chuckle at “You did underestimate me and the element of surpraaaahhh – ”

 

Happy 4th!

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Happy 4th of July!

When I was a little kid, the 4th of July was for family and friends to get together for trips to the park [or each others houses] and cookouts. Fireworks were always the capper.

Then when my boys were small we always had family over. My boys would play with their cousins [water fights in the yard, basketball and video games]. We’d grill or BBQ something. And then at night I’d bring out the fireworks. I’d get one of the huge sets from Sam’s Club and the kids from the neighborhood would come down to watch the festivities. Once we’d exploded or launched or sparkled everything we’d head in and catch some episodes of The Twilight Zone marathon running on the SciFi channel.

A few years ago, I could tell my fireworks were no longer the highlight of the evening. My niece, nephew and sons were getting older and while they enjoyed getting together Roman candles and sparklers just weren’t cutting it. Ah, how time moves on.

At least I still have the Twilight Zone Marathon to look forward to! In fact starting at 7:30pm tonight you can catch six excellent episodes in a row [“The Shelter”, “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street”, “The Fear”, “To Serve Man”, “The Invaders” and “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up”.]

Have a relaxing day, don’t eat to much BBQ and be careful with those fireworks!

Top Cult TV Picks

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TVGuide.com posted a list of the All Time Top Cult Shows. And while I’ve got to admit that there were many on the list that I’ve never watched, there were more than a few that brought back fond memories. So, using just their choices, here’s my list of my top ten favorite “cult” shows:
  1. Star Trek (1966-1969) Although I’m definitely not a Trekker [or a Trekkie], I was a huge fan of the series when it originally aired. So from the time I was 8 – 11, Spock was THE MAN. Kirk was cool, but given the choice, I’d be Spock.
  2. Twilight Zone (1959-1964) It’s amazing how well many of these episodes hold up nearly 50 years later. I have so many great memories of watching the Twilight Zone when I was a kid. Thankfully, due to reruns, I was able to re-experience the classic episodes with my sons when they were young. And twice a year, I still tune in for an episode or two when the SciFi Channel does their Twilight Zone Marathons! [The next one starts tomorrow!]
  3. Dark Shadows (1966-1971) It wasn’t until Barnabus Collins was introduced on Dark Shadows [a daytime soap opera] that I tuned in. But like everyone else I was hooked. Soon enough the show was dealing with not only vampires, but werewolves [Quentin was the Man!], ghosts and time-travel. Unfortunately the movies weren’t very good and like many fads just seemed to fade away.
  4. Jericho (2006-present) I’ve been with Jericho since the first episode and have enjoyed how it has focused on the relationships of trying to survive after a nuclear attack. I’m glad that the show is returning and hope that it doesn’t loose it’s momentum. New Episodes start Friday, July 6th at 9pm on CBS.
  5. Lost (2004-present) Lost is another show that I’ve been with from the start. Although it did seem to lose it’s footing, the last few episodes of last season were definitely back on track. Now that a firm end date has been announced I plan to relax and enjoy the rest of the journey.
  6. Beauty and the Beast (1987-1990) My wife and oldest son never missed an episode. He’d have only been 4 when it went off the air… and I have so many good memories of them snuggling together to watch each show. I enjoyed Beauty and the Beast, but it wasn’t ever “Must See TV” for me [unlike my choices for shows 1-5].
  7. Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1989-1999) I enjoyed this when I watched it. But for the real MST3000 experience invite Big Beatty and Chad Hunt over to watch a movie and let them start commenting!
  8. Pee-Wee’s Playhouse (1986-1991) This was another show that I didn’t watch much, but I did enjoy the movie spin-offs.
  9. H.R. Pufnstuf (1969-1971) This one makes the list not because it was a favorite show, but because it brings a smile to my face thinking of how it drove my youngest sister crazy when we called her “Witcheepoo.” I know, I know, but I was an 11 year old. It was my duty to mess with her.
  10. The X-Files (1993-2002) This usedto be my oldest son’s favorite show. He loved it and I loved watching it with him.I don’t know why the “Wild, Wild West” didn’t make the cut. It would have been in my top three for sure.

Simmons Doesn’t Kiss Up

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Although I wouldn’t call The Henry Rollins Show a favorite, I do find myself occasionally tuning in to listen to his rants and his guests. Rollins is extremely opinionated and vocal. The episode today, which featured Gene Simmons of Kiss was particularly interesting because Rollins and Simmons came off as polar opposites.Rollins gives off a working class vibe. Each week he is dressed in t-shirt and jeans and his set has the abandoned warehouse look. It’s obvious that Rollins cultivates the “I’m just an everyman” appeal. Simmons on the other hand, never backed away from how rich he is and that he doesn’t care about how Kiss is perceived. He was cocky, but honest in all of his responses. When Rollins questioned him about how Kiss has merchandised everything from Visa cards to caskets, Simmons stopped him short with his response. Simmons said that ALL bands sell t-shirts and once you cross that line into merchandising it’s no longer about the music. It’s about making a few extra bucks. So why do people get upset that Kiss has optimized their merchandising power? LOL!

Now I’m not a Gene Simmons or Kiss fan [although I did like their song “Beth”], but I have to admit that I found Simmons and his “this is who I really am attitude” interesting. I know that Simmons has his own show on A&E and I’m not intrigued enough to start tuning in. I just wanted to give him props for his honest answers and not “kissing up” or coming across as another “everyman.”

 

Jericho to Rise Again

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It looks like CBS will bring back the recently canceled “Jericho” thanks to thousands of calls, messages and even shipments of nuts from fans of the show. “Jericho” fans arranged for a delivery of 50,000 pounds of peanuts to CBS’s New York offices. In the season finale, a character replies “Nuts!” to a demand that the town of Jericho surrender or be slaughtered. Since the show was canceled, fans of the show joined together and created a concentrated effort to bring the show back. There efforts look to have paid off since a source close to the production has been quoted as saying a decision to bring the show back at least for a midseason run, is imminent.
So Chad, is it ok to stop calling shenanigans on CBS?

Lost in Space Found

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From time to time I enjoy surfing YouTube to see what gems I can find from my childhood. Today I present the season three opening to Lost in Space.

I can remember being in elementary school and Lost in Space was THE show to watch. The show might not hold up as well as I remember it, but I’d still take the Lost in Space  robot over R2D2 and C3PO!

 

Lost is Found

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This weekend my wife and I caught up on our “Lost” viewing… 5 episodes and the two hour season finale. It was a great way to end the season… some questions answered and new mysteries created. We’re excited about the show now that it’s found its way again. Too bad it’s such a long wait until it returns, but it is good news that they are now working towards a definite ending.

Autos from Alex

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One of the cool things about the internet is that it allows people who would otherwise never meet to become “friends.” Let me give you an example.

Alex is from Belgium and regularly visits the StalloneZone and my blog here. Alex sent me a surprise “snail mail” package. In it were three autographed photos:

  1. Laura Harring is an actress who played in seven episodes of “The Shield” as well as a ton of other stuff
  2. DJ Caruso directed four episodes of “The Shield” as well as one of my favorite movies, “The Salton Sea” as well as many other tv shows and feature films
  3. Actor, singer and songwriter Kris Kristofferson co-starred with Sly in “Eye See You,” Mel Gibson in “Payback”
Alex sent these items to me out of pure kindness… all the way from Belgium. I’ve never met Alex, but only a friend would be so nice… thanks to the internet. And a bigger thanks to Alex!

Survivor: My Dilemma

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Last night’s Survivor episode made Earl a millionaire, Dreamz a villain, and Yau-Man a hero. It’s interesting that up until the finale, I hadn’t really heard anyone talking about this season’s Survivor. Sure, it was interesting watching Yau make just the right move at just the right time. Still, the season lacked anyone that you could REALLY root for or against.

Until last night that is. When Dreamz broke his promise to give Yau the immunity necklace, he sealed their fate and handed the million dollar prize to Earl. Yau was voted off the island. That left Dreamz [who everyone now cast in the role of Judas], Cassandra [who had no athletic or survival abilities other than laying low] and Earl [who everybody liked]. In fact, a poll of the jury proved that had Dreamz kept his word, Yau would have won the vote against Earl.

So… I’ve been struggling with my thoughts on Dreamz’s decision to break his word. First left me say that I don’t believe Dreamz when he says that his plan was to always keep the immunity if he won it. Dreamz struggled with his decision. In fact there were tears running down his face when he said he was keeping the immunity necklace. Had it been his plan all along to keep the immunity, he wouldn’t have struggled with his decision. I believe that Dreamz had meant to give the immunity to Yau, but the chance at being one of three to win a million dollars was just too much.

So… here’s my dilemma: knowing that it’s a game where the idea is to outwit, outlast and outplay your opponents… was it wrong for Dreamz to keep the immunity? On one hand, I say, “Of course not. That’s the nature of the game. People do it all the time.” On the other mitt, I say, “But Dreamz promised to God on his children. Doesn’t that take it a step deeper? Also Dreamz accepted a $60,000+ truck. Doesn’t that make it a deal? Didn’t these things make it more than just a promise made in a game??”

I’m not really sure how I feel other than to say:

  • 1] Yau-Man played the game better than any other player from any other season.

  • 2] If Yau couldn’t win, I’m glad Earl did.

  • 3] I wish Dreamz had kept his word.

    4] I think that Dreamz is being untruthful when he says that he never planned to keep his deal… greed to hold of him.

    5] I think if you “promise to God on your children” you’d better stick to your word… even if you’re playing a game.

Am I wrong?

Survivor Finale

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The season finale of “Survivor Fiji” is on tonight. We’re down to:
  • Kenward “Boo” Burns, 34, a construction worker from Lafayette, La. who has won the last two immunity challenges. Boo should be the next to go if he doesn’t win immunity
  • Yau-Man Chan, 54, a computer engineer from Martinez, Calif. who has had the best strategies so far into the game. Yau-Man has become a fan favorite [as well as the one I hope wins it all] due to his kind heart, strategic planning and cunning moves
  • Earl Cole, 35, ad exec from Santa Monica, Calif. is Yau-Man’s strongest alliance. Will Earl be as loyal as Yau?
  • Cassandra Franklin, 42, civil engineer manager from Los Angeles has been flying under the radar. She is the least athletic, and has gone far because she isn’t a threat. She could be the biggest threat to Yau-Man because she [on the sly] provides Dreamz the support he needs
  • Andre “Dreamz” Herd, 25, cheerleading coach from Wilmington, N.C. Talk about a waffler. Dreamz switches alliances so often, he even has a hard time keeping track of what he’s said to who.

I’m pulling for Yau-Man to win it all. If not Yau, then Earl or Boo. Cassandra and Dreams are just lucky to be around this late in the game.