Category: TV

“The Shield”

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I was ready to write a ZONE piece about Andrew Vachss, or a cool series of sketchbooks that I found on the web, but then I read this article.

If you’re a ZONE regular then you know that I’m a huge fan of The Shield. I was intrigued by the ads for the premiere and it’s ending hooked me. The writing and acting is first rate. ALL of the characters come off as real people. The Shield racked up numerous positive reviews and awards during it’s first season. The question was could they do it again?

As the second season comes to a close, I find myself enjoying The Shield more than ever. In case you haven’t checked it out, FX is going to run a Shield marathon of all of this season’s episodes.

That’s it until tomorrow, when I’ll probably tell you about Andrew Vachss or this cool series of sketchbooks.

Fred Rogers – RIP

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“Won’t you be my neighbor?”

FRED ROGERS, aka Mr. Rogers, died today at the age of 74 from stomach cancer. ROGERS was best known for his children’s show, “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” He first went on the air in 1954 and entertained and educated millions of children over the years. From all I’ve read, FRED ROGERS was truly a kind and gentle soul.

Our prayers go out to his friends and family.

I’d have been proud to have been his neighbor.

Sammy’s Pleasant Nightmares!

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Everybody loves Sammy Terry. Well, everybody that knows him.

If you’re a longtime reader of this blog, then you probably remember that I wrote about Sammy Terry not a year ago. [Here’s the link if you want to catch up.]

Sammy hosted Nightmare Theater  on Friday nights at 11:00pm. Sammy would rise from a coffin, introduce himself and after a brief monologue about many things [including the movie we were about to see, would invite us to watch – if we dared!

So there we’d be, huddled in the dark, with our popcorn waiting for the monster of the week to appear and scare us! Sammy would return before the movie after commercial breaks with more of his dry humor… and then again, at the end of the movie, Sammy would make his final appearance. Before returning to his coffin, he would always wish us “Pleasant Nightmares!” followed by maniacal laugh.

What’s really cool is that Jerrald Hawkins has created a fan site and movie club dedicated to Sammy Terry. Jerrald has remastered old tapes of Sammy presenting movies. On the last Friday of each month, club members start their tapes at 11PM. Not only are members watching the movies “together” but at the same time they’re also able to take part in a live chat via Jerrald‘s site!

What could make this even better? Well, the tapes are professionally produced. They come in plastic cases with labels giving details of the movie, pictures of SAMMY and his logo… plus Jerrald sends them to members for the cost of the mailing! If this sounds like something you’d like then check out Jerrald’s site!

Even if you’ve never heard of SAMMY TERRY, you’re gonna love him because…… Everybody loves Sammy Terry! [“Until next time… Pleasant Nightmares!]

Alias Worth the Effort

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I’m adding another show to my “Must See TV” list. It’s not a new show, and it’s one that I’ve regularly watched since it’s premiere. It’s called Alias  and is on ABC Sunday nights at 9PM. You’re probably wondering why I’m just now adding “Alias” since I watch it every week. Good question.

The reason is, Alias  is not an easy show to get into. It’s about a young woman who is a double agent for the CIA against an organization known as the Agency which has ties throughout the world and does really bad stuff [not quite world domination stuff but bad none the less]. The agent’s father is also a double agent working toward the same goal… her mother was a double agent for the Russians but now may [or may not ] be working with the CIA. Her fiance was murdered when she told him about her connections but she now is getting involved with…

Did I loose you in there? Probably so… and therein lies the problem. The show is GREAT for fans who’ve been following from the start. The plot twists and character development have really worked. The action and production values are on par with most movies… but even given all that… for those unfortunate souls who’ve just tuned in for the first time, it probably was very confusing.

Well that’s all about to change. The next few weeks will be a great jumping on point for anyone who wants to give the show a try. In addition to the regular cast [JENNIFER GARNER, VICTOR GARBER, LENA OLIN, RON RIFKIN, MICHAEL VARTAN] there will be guest stars such as RUTGAR HAUER, ETHAN HAWKE, and CHRISTIAN SLATER. So give it a shot. Who knows, maybe it’ll make your “Must See TV” list.

The Shield Wins Two

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I was really happy with the two wins yesterday. No, not the Bucs and the Raiders [although I was pulling for both of them]. I’m talking about “The Shield” winning a Golden Globe for Best Dramatic Series and for MICHAEL CHIKLIS picking up one for Best Dramatic Actor.

“The Shield” has been in my “Must See TV” category since it’s premiere. I usually tell people that it’s one of the two best shows going, but with yesterday’s win, I’ll drop the two.

Michael Jackson’s Face

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MICHAEL JACKSON‘s face has made the news again. Or at least it will when it is the subject of a special edition of NBC‘s “Dateline” set to air at 10 p.m. EST Feb. 17th. When I first heard about this, it struck me as funny that a “news” program would seriously cover such a silly subject… but I have to admit I was kind of intrigued.

No one can dispute that MICHAEL JACKSON is an extremely talented individual. But it would also be hard to argue that he’s not getting more and more bizarre as the years go by. Thinking about the changes that have occurred in his behavior and his face, one could almost argue that as his actions get stranger his nose gets smaller. After MJ holding his baby over a fourth floor balcony, I might just have to tune to see if he still has one.

Richard Crenna – RIP

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RICHARD CRENNA, the Emmy award-winning actor has died. He was 76.

Mr. CRENNA, whose credits included all three “Rambo” films, “Body Heat,” the classic suspense film “Wait Until Dark,” as well as many other roles, died of pancreatic cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

RICHARD CRENNA is survived by wife and three adult children. A public service is to be held Jan. 25.

Sometimes Wrong is Right?

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There’s been a lot of talk about “Joe Millionaire” the reality show on Fox. It scored high ratings with tons of people tuning in to see twenty single women competing for the attention of a bachelor that they are led to believe is a millionaire. The catch is that he isn’t. He’s a normal guy who brings down about $20,000 a year.

First of all, why anyone would care a bit about women fighting to “win” the attention of any guy is beyond me. I guess I’m alone in that respect though. There have been a bunch of shows just like it… “Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire”...”The Bachelor”… “The Bachelorette”… and now this… and I’m sure others to come.

What gets me is that if a guy was trying to pass himself off as a millionaire in order to get women, we’d call him a jerk. Yet a network does it and scores a ratings hit.

The Shield Scores

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The Shield  premieres January 7th at 10PM. If you’ve missed some episodes along the way, I’d suggest that you check out “The Shield” Marathon starting tonight. FX will run back to back episodes each night at 10PM January 1st – 6th. This will lead right into the new season. “The Shield” is widely considered to be one of the best shows on tv. And rightly so.

MICHAEL CHIKLIS [the lead actor] earned basic cable’s first ever Primetime Emmy® Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. CHIKLIS also captured the Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Drama.
“The Shield” picked up Emmy nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for creator SHAWN RYAN, and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for CLARK JOHNSON, both basic cable firsts. The series also received Television Critics Association Award nominations in the categories of New Program of the Year, Outstanding Achievement in Drama and Program of the Year.

Even without all the awards, I’d still recommend it as a “don’t miss” show. Check out what I wrote way back on April 14, 2002! [Oh, and for you STALLONE fans reading this, CARL WEATHERS is set to appear in episodes later this season.]

New Years Means Twilight Zone

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One of our New Year’s Eve traditions [in addition to running movies, having good food, and setting off fireworks for my sons, nieces, nephews and well, myself] is to catch several episodes from Sci-Fi‘s Twilight Zone Marathon. I really love the idea of a TZ Marathon. Even though I rarely catch more than a few episodes, knowing that they’re available makes me smile.
For the last TZ Marathon, I recommended  Terror at 20,000 Feet and To Serve Man. They’re my favorites. If you can only catch two, then they’re the two.

Looking for more? The Invaders starts at 9:06pm on December 31st. An old woman alone, in a remote cabin with no neighbors or electricity is attacked when a small spaceship with invaders arrives!

The Shelter airs at 10:45 the same night. Several good friends who are also neighbors have gotten together to celebrate Dr. Stockton’s birthday. Everything is swell until there is an emergency announcement: the U.S. is in danger of an attack! The President warns everyone to seek immediate shelter — just the kind of shelter that Dr. Stockton has. Unfortunately there’s not room for everyone. Just what will friends do to each other in order to get a chance at survival? You’ll know if you watch!

  • Updated 5/14/23

RIP – Kenneth Tobey

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I really wasn’t planning an update on Christmas, but I just read that Kenneth Tobey died on December 22nd at the age of 85. Mr. Tobey appeared in 100 movies and nearly as many tv shows usually playing a cop or soldier. He is probably best known for his role as Captain Patrick Hendry in the original “The Thing From Another World.”  Reading that Mr. Tobey had passed, reminded me of just how many times he entertained me.

Some of Kenneth Tobey’s feature film appearances include: He Walked by Night; Twelve 0’Clock High; The Gunfighter;  The Thing From Another World; The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms; It Came from Beneath the Sea; The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit; Gunfight at the O.K. Corral; Marlowe; Billy Jack; The Candidate; Walking Tall; Dirty Mary Crazy Larry; Baby Blue Marine; Airplane; The Howling; Strange Invaders; Innerspace; Big Top Pee-wee; and Single White Female.

Some of Kenneth Tobey’s television appearances include: The Lone Ranger; Rawhide; Dragnet; Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier; Father Knows Best; The Magical World of Disney (5 episodes); Wanted: Dead or Alive; Alfred Hitchcock Presents; Bat Masterson; The Rebel; 77 Sunset Strip; Bronco; Death Valley Days; The Danny Thomas Show; Have Gun – Will Travel; Sea Hunt; Perry Mason (3 episodes); Our Private World (10 episodes); Daniel Boone; Daktari (2 episodes); I Spy (7 episodes); Judd for the Defense; Family Affair; It Takes a Thief; The Virginian (4 episodes); The F.B.I.; Lassie (6 episodes); Bonanza (2 episodes); Longstreet; Cade’s County; Cannon; Gunsmoke (4 episodes); Night Gallery; Alias Smith & Jones (2 episodes); Kung Fu; Mannix (3 episodes); Adam-12 (3 episodes); Ironside (2 episodes); The Rookies (3 episodes); McMillan & Wife; Police Story (2 episodes); Get Christie Love (2 episodes); Columbo; Starsky & Hutch; Little House on the Prairie; The Streets of San Francisco (3 episodes); Days of Our Lives (4 episodes); The Rockford Files (2 episodes); Emergency! (4 episodes); Barnaby Jones (3 episodes); Falcon Crest; The Twilight Zone (1986); Hunter; Night Court (2 episodes); LA Law (2 episodes) and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

I’m not sure where I first saw Kenneth Toby.  He appeared on so many favorite television shows and movies of my youth.  I’ll always remember him best from The Thing From Another Planet.  Any production that he appeared in was better for him being part of it.  If any actor had just his movie or just his television resume, they would have a fulfilled career.  Kenneth Toby had both and that speaks to his level of talent and professionalism.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kenneth Toby’s family, friends and fans.
– Revised 5/14/23

Emmy Predictions 2002

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The Emmy Awards are on tonight, and there are a few shows/actors that I hope win.

In the best DRAMA category, I am pulling for West Wing but I wouldn’t be upset if 24 won against CSI, Law and Order, and Six Feet Under.

In the COMEDY category, it would appear that Friends is a lock against Curb Your Enthusiasm, Everybody Loves Raymond, Sex and the City and Will & Grace.

For best WRITING for a DRAMA series, there are several very worthy contenders. I would like to see The Shield • Pilot • Shawn Ryan, Writer win because it was such a groundbreaking episode, but it would be hard to argue against Alias • Truth Be Told (Pilot) • J.J. Abrams, Writer; ER • On The Beach • John Wells, Writer; 24 • Midnight – 1:00 a.m. (Pilot) • Joel Surnow, Robert Cochran, Writers; or The West Wing • Posse Comitatus • Aaron Sorkin, Writer.

The LEAD ACTOR in a DRAMA is another tough category. I am going to pull for either Michael Chiklis as Detective Vic Mackey in The Shield or Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer – 24 who are up against Michael C. Hall as David Fisher – Six Feet Under, Peter Krause as Nate Fisher – Six Feet Under and Martin Sheen as Josiah Bartlet – The West Wing.

I’m gonna pull for Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow star of Alias for the LEAD ACTRESS in a DRAMA category. She’s up against Amy Brenneman as Judge Amy Gray – Judging Amy; Rachel Griffiths as Brenda Chenowith – Six Feet Under; Frances Conroy as Ruth Fisher – Six Feet Under; and Allison Janney as C.J. Cregg – The West Wing.

The SUPPORTING ACTOR in a DRAMA is dominated by West Wing actors and my choice is John Spencer as Leo McGarry – The West Wing up against Victor Garber as CIA Agent Jack D. Bristow – Alias; Freddy Rodriguez as Federico Diaz – Six Feet Under; Dulé Hill as Charlie Young – The West Wing; Bradley Whitford as Josh Lyman – The West Wing; and Richard Schiff as Toby Ziegler – The West Wing.

These are the categories in which I am “pulling” for a winner. I would have given my predictions in other categories but it’s time for me to plan out my viewing for the week. ; )

Join the TZ Marathon

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When I was a kid one of my biggest pleasures was watching scary movies or tv shows. I still get a big kick out of ’em in fact. What’s even cooler is that now my kids enjoy them just as much as I do.

I’m not talking about today’s gory bloodfests, but instead shows like the old Universal Monster movies and American-International Films. As far as tv shows, none is better at this genre than the original Twilight Zone!

The Sci-Fi channel is running a two day marathon of Twilight Zone episodes starting at 7AM today. If you plan to check out any, let me recommend two.

The first, pictured above, is “Terror at 20,000 Feet.” A man who has just been released from a mental institution sees a creature on the wing of a plane trying to destroy the engine… only no one else sees it. Is he having a relapse?

The second, pictured above, is called “To Serve Man.” Aliens arrive on Earth and all indications are they come in peace… but do they really?

These are just two of many excellent episodes.

Even if you can’t watch them all [and who can?], maybe you can plan to tune in to see an old favorite or one you’ve never seen before. I know that I will…

And for just a little while I’ll be a kid again, up on the couch hoping that someone else besides me and Bill Shatner sees the creature on the wing!

The Good Old Wild Wild West

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When I was a kid I loved The Wild, Wild West.  Everything about this show was flat out cool.

James West [played by Robert Conrad] and Artemus Gordon [Ross Martin] were a team of Secret Service agents protecting our country from all sorts of evil. Think James Bond in the Wild West.

Did I say that everything about the show was cool? Good. Because everything about it was cool. And I mean everything.

Conrad and Martin were perfectly cast as West and Gordon. They had a rapport that seemed real. Although the series was set in the time period following the Civil War, a science fiction element was involved in many of the episodes. West was given cool gadgets a la James Bond… and the fight / action scenes were the best on tv.

The show title sequence featured an animated cowboy in four different scenes with great theme music. Each commercial break ended with a cliffhanger and the scene would freeze, change into a line drawing and then replace a drawing on a title card.

The series was definitely ahead of it’s time. It spawned two tv movies [not nearly as good] and a big screen movie staring Will Smith and Kevin Kline as West and Gordon which was really bad. I’d like to have seen Tom Cruise as West but the script was so bad, that I doubt that he’d have done much better with the project.

 When I was a kid, I loved the television show “The Wild, Wild West.”

I still do.

Good Television

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I’ve always loved good television. Due to time constraints with the job, family, and other interests, I try to limit the time I spend in front of the tube. This season I have found myself watching more programs…

Boston Public continues to be the “must-see” show on Monday. The finale will be a great capper to another fine season.

Tuesday is my favorite night for tv. 24 followed by The Shield. 24 has had a great run, and I wonder how they will follow it up? The real-time format made it very interesting. I hope they figure out a way to do more. The Shield pushes all of the boundaries yet does it with great acting and storylines. I’ve been with it (and 24) from the start and hope to never miss an episode.

West Wing is another “must-see” show. Perhaps only The Shield can match it’s great ensemble of actors.

Survivor and ER round out the shows that I make a point to never miss. Survivor is riding a new wave of popularity due to the “never know what will happen next” feel of this run. ER bid farewell to Doctor Green (and why wasn’t Dr. Ross at the funeral??) but there’s still life left in the series.

Yeah, it’s been a great season for tv. I’ve found myself watching more than ever… but I can’t complain since I’ve always loved good television.