In our last gripe, I mentioned about our favorite sweetheart, Carrie Underwood, communicating with her fans on the 'net. Well, it did not surprise me that now more and more celebrities are putting up official web sites. This past week, Tom Cruise ("Legend") initiated his own official site as a response to fans wanting to get a way for Jack O' The Green himself to have his own "minutes of fame" on the Internet. I think that is cool. But, one thing we all have to remember. When it comes to celebrities' official web sites, even they are like real people...they need to be treated with respect and dignity. So, say for instance, one would try and contact Carrie or Tom via their web sites. What they say can affect their lives forever (there is such a thing as "fan stalking"), so choose your kind words nicely and there should be absolutely no problem at all. We'll all get along just fine. Who knows? Maybe they will contact you personally!!!
Final note: We all have heard by now that Alexander Courage passed away last week at 88. While Superman fans will remember him for his re-working of John Williams' music for "Superman IV", he will be best remembered for the famous "Star Trek" TV theme. It was fresh in our minds when it debuted in 1966, and it still does now. May he rest in peace.
Til next week...
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Carrie, Mike, and the Kitchen Sink
Trying to fit three subjects into one gripe...well, let's see how this goes.
First, if you can grab a hold of Carrie Underwood's latest album, "Carnival Ride", you are in for one heck of a ride (no pun intended). In the few short years since she won "American Idol", Carrie has become one of the greatest young entertainers since Celine Dion burst onto the scene in the 1980s. Carrie has won every single major music award, and her powerful vocals on this album are proof positive that she is definitely the next Celine. I have heard several tracks from this album, including her latest single, "Just A Dream". With all that star power behind her, she is poised to be truly a legend. And she's only 25! By the way, and for the record, she's been on "Saturday Night Live" twice--I didn't see them, simply because she didn't appear in any sketches. But wouldn't it be nice if she did on her next appearance? Or even host the show? Anyway, somewhere on the Internet she has a blog site of her own to communicate with her fans, so do your searching and check it out. Also check out her latest album.
Next, a little salute to a good friend who I (and other Superman movie fans) have had the pleasure of doing an Internet chat session some years back. Mike Matessino is truly one to help the cause of preserving movie soundtracks and contribute his input on major LaserDisc and DVD releases. Some time back, I had the opportunity to see the documentary on the "re"-making of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" Director's Edition. Mike has helped to bring the first "Star Trek" movie its continuing cult status nearly 30 years after its original release. His work on numerous video re-issues of "The Sound of Music" and others has been substantial. His soundtrack work is no exception. His latest project, of course, is the reissue of the scores to all four Christopher Reeve "Superman" movies, compiled together into a box set, "Superman: The Music". The first edition was a sell-out, and the second edition, due out very shortly, promises to do just as well. I have yet to bring myself to get a copy, but when I do, it will be worth waiting for. Oh, did I mention I still have the 2000 Rhino 2-CD reissue which Mike also helped to produce? I have no intention of letting it go on eBay...not for all the rice in China! Hopefully for a future blog I'll ask Mike what would be the one soundtrack or DVD project he'd like to tackle the most.
Finally, and here's the "Kitchen Sink"..."Juno". This award-winning but highly overlooked film is a must-see. It's not to be seen for the plot (a troubled teenager gets pregnant and wants to give away her baby), but for the quirkiness and funny moments that make this a great film. Ellen Page (in the title role) really takes on teenage life to the hilt! The supporting cast (headed by Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner) helps to propel the story. I'd check it out tonight, if I were you.
Whew! Three gripes in one. Never thought I'd get that far. See ya later.
First, if you can grab a hold of Carrie Underwood's latest album, "Carnival Ride", you are in for one heck of a ride (no pun intended). In the few short years since she won "American Idol", Carrie has become one of the greatest young entertainers since Celine Dion burst onto the scene in the 1980s. Carrie has won every single major music award, and her powerful vocals on this album are proof positive that she is definitely the next Celine. I have heard several tracks from this album, including her latest single, "Just A Dream". With all that star power behind her, she is poised to be truly a legend. And she's only 25! By the way, and for the record, she's been on "Saturday Night Live" twice--I didn't see them, simply because she didn't appear in any sketches. But wouldn't it be nice if she did on her next appearance? Or even host the show? Anyway, somewhere on the Internet she has a blog site of her own to communicate with her fans, so do your searching and check it out. Also check out her latest album.
Next, a little salute to a good friend who I (and other Superman movie fans) have had the pleasure of doing an Internet chat session some years back. Mike Matessino is truly one to help the cause of preserving movie soundtracks and contribute his input on major LaserDisc and DVD releases. Some time back, I had the opportunity to see the documentary on the "re"-making of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" Director's Edition. Mike has helped to bring the first "Star Trek" movie its continuing cult status nearly 30 years after its original release. His work on numerous video re-issues of "The Sound of Music" and others has been substantial. His soundtrack work is no exception. His latest project, of course, is the reissue of the scores to all four Christopher Reeve "Superman" movies, compiled together into a box set, "Superman: The Music". The first edition was a sell-out, and the second edition, due out very shortly, promises to do just as well. I have yet to bring myself to get a copy, but when I do, it will be worth waiting for. Oh, did I mention I still have the 2000 Rhino 2-CD reissue which Mike also helped to produce? I have no intention of letting it go on eBay...not for all the rice in China! Hopefully for a future blog I'll ask Mike what would be the one soundtrack or DVD project he'd like to tackle the most.
Finally, and here's the "Kitchen Sink"..."Juno". This award-winning but highly overlooked film is a must-see. It's not to be seen for the plot (a troubled teenager gets pregnant and wants to give away her baby), but for the quirkiness and funny moments that make this a great film. Ellen Page (in the title role) really takes on teenage life to the hilt! The supporting cast (headed by Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner) helps to propel the story. I'd check it out tonight, if I were you.
Whew! Three gripes in one. Never thought I'd get that far. See ya later.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Is the game show genre dying?--(Part II: Concentrate, now)
In a previous gripe, I talked about the possible demise of the daytime game show in the light of the recently announced Daytime Emmy nominations...in fact, game shows in general, whether it be daytime or nighttime.
We have a further problem here...one called NBC, a network that's languishing in 4th place in the ratings. I mean, here is a network that somehow helped to revive the nighttime game show with "Weakest Link", "Deal or No Deal", "1 vs. 100", etc. But what could possibly be done to raise the Peacock network's ratings?
This year, NBC is poised to do something in the ratings. They have the Beijing Olympics coming this summer, and next February, Super Bowl XLIII. Now, what new show could possibly top the latter, if not follow it?
Well, you see, there's this property that NBC has been sitting on for the past 15 years, a game show they themselves own the rights to. It was created by Jack Barry, a game show pioneer whose own career was nearly destroyed by the game show scandals of the 1950s, but redeemed in the '70s when he created "Joker's Wild", a show he hosted until his death in 1984.
It's a game show built upon a simple children's game idea of matching and remembering, then solving a rebus puzzle in order to win prizes. Too old to remember, "Concentration"?
The original version ran from 1958 through 1973, with hosts ranging from Hugh Downs to Ed McMahon to the late Bob Clayton. A mere few months later two other legendary game show pioneers, Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, brought the show back in syndication, with new elements added but retaining the spirit of the original show (yes, I remember vividly that version with Jack Narz). And finally, in 1987, "Classic Concentration" (made by the same Goodson/Todman production team) made its debut with Alex Trebek, who by that time was in his third year hosting "Jeopardy". But yet again, new elements were added but without destroying the spirit of the original.
This year happens to be the 50th anniversary of the debut of the original "Concentration". Having seen all three versions of this in my lifetime, I can tell you this is one of the greatest game shows ever on television, and one that was ahead of its time.
Since the last version of "Concentration" went off the air in 1991, NBC has made several attempts to bring the show back, but to no avail. And yet, "Concentration" fever is out there, its spirit remaining in all new board games, hand-held games, and even on the Internet.
Now, having said all of that, the question is, don't you think the time is right for NBC to finally update this show to the high standards of game shows of today, such as "Deal or No Deal", or even "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire"?
I think so. Here's how the new "Concentration" might be like: of course, you have to start with two contestants playing the classic game. To save time, put 20 squares on the board instead of 30 (for the earlier versions) or 25 (for "Classic"). Of course, add prizes like trips or cars, or even cash. The winner of the first game will meet the winner of the second. Then, here's where it gets exciting...the end games would have no tiles to match, but a "Weakest Link"-type end game where whoever solves the most puzzles goes on to something like "The Final Match" for a grand prize of $100, 000!!! Won't be surprised if this new format gets to a "million dollar tournament". Now that would really raise NBC's ratings.
Who would NBC have in mind for a producer? I can think of two...the producer/creator of "American Idol", Simon Fuller, and the man who unsuccessfully brought "Weakest Link" to the U.S. (also on NBC), Phil Gurin (who, incidentally, has since gone on to produce more successful shows and specials).
The format? One hour long, of course, beginning with ten episodes just to keep in line with the budget.
And the host...I'll give you a hint...she (yes, she!--watch out, Anne Robinson) would be the perfect host for the new version, one who won "American Idol" herself, and the first such winner to win all three major music awards. I won't mention her name, but...
...you guys figure out all the rest. As for the guys at NBC, take note of this blog!!! You might just have the ultimate revival of a classic. Will "Concentration" return in 2009? It's up to you, NBC/Universal.
Note in passing: NBC (or, in a sense, Universal Media Studios) owns the format rights to "Concentration", having obtained them from Barry and Enright after the legendary game show scandals of the 1950s.
P.S. If what I just said comes to pass, can anyone give me tickets to the premiere?
We have a further problem here...one called NBC, a network that's languishing in 4th place in the ratings. I mean, here is a network that somehow helped to revive the nighttime game show with "Weakest Link", "Deal or No Deal", "1 vs. 100", etc. But what could possibly be done to raise the Peacock network's ratings?
This year, NBC is poised to do something in the ratings. They have the Beijing Olympics coming this summer, and next February, Super Bowl XLIII. Now, what new show could possibly top the latter, if not follow it?
Well, you see, there's this property that NBC has been sitting on for the past 15 years, a game show they themselves own the rights to. It was created by Jack Barry, a game show pioneer whose own career was nearly destroyed by the game show scandals of the 1950s, but redeemed in the '70s when he created "Joker's Wild", a show he hosted until his death in 1984.
It's a game show built upon a simple children's game idea of matching and remembering, then solving a rebus puzzle in order to win prizes. Too old to remember, "Concentration"?
The original version ran from 1958 through 1973, with hosts ranging from Hugh Downs to Ed McMahon to the late Bob Clayton. A mere few months later two other legendary game show pioneers, Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, brought the show back in syndication, with new elements added but retaining the spirit of the original show (yes, I remember vividly that version with Jack Narz). And finally, in 1987, "Classic Concentration" (made by the same Goodson/Todman production team) made its debut with Alex Trebek, who by that time was in his third year hosting "Jeopardy". But yet again, new elements were added but without destroying the spirit of the original.
This year happens to be the 50th anniversary of the debut of the original "Concentration". Having seen all three versions of this in my lifetime, I can tell you this is one of the greatest game shows ever on television, and one that was ahead of its time.
Since the last version of "Concentration" went off the air in 1991, NBC has made several attempts to bring the show back, but to no avail. And yet, "Concentration" fever is out there, its spirit remaining in all new board games, hand-held games, and even on the Internet.
Now, having said all of that, the question is, don't you think the time is right for NBC to finally update this show to the high standards of game shows of today, such as "Deal or No Deal", or even "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire"?
I think so. Here's how the new "Concentration" might be like: of course, you have to start with two contestants playing the classic game. To save time, put 20 squares on the board instead of 30 (for the earlier versions) or 25 (for "Classic"). Of course, add prizes like trips or cars, or even cash. The winner of the first game will meet the winner of the second. Then, here's where it gets exciting...the end games would have no tiles to match, but a "Weakest Link"-type end game where whoever solves the most puzzles goes on to something like "The Final Match" for a grand prize of $100, 000!!! Won't be surprised if this new format gets to a "million dollar tournament". Now that would really raise NBC's ratings.
Who would NBC have in mind for a producer? I can think of two...the producer/creator of "American Idol", Simon Fuller, and the man who unsuccessfully brought "Weakest Link" to the U.S. (also on NBC), Phil Gurin (who, incidentally, has since gone on to produce more successful shows and specials).
The format? One hour long, of course, beginning with ten episodes just to keep in line with the budget.
And the host...I'll give you a hint...she (yes, she!--watch out, Anne Robinson) would be the perfect host for the new version, one who won "American Idol" herself, and the first such winner to win all three major music awards. I won't mention her name, but...
...you guys figure out all the rest. As for the guys at NBC, take note of this blog!!! You might just have the ultimate revival of a classic. Will "Concentration" return in 2009? It's up to you, NBC/Universal.
Note in passing: NBC (or, in a sense, Universal Media Studios) owns the format rights to "Concentration", having obtained them from Barry and Enright after the legendary game show scandals of the 1950s.
P.S. If what I just said comes to pass, can anyone give me tickets to the premiere?
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Is the game show genre dying?
Let's play a game for a second...can you tell me how many game shows were on television in 1975? Answer: 26. That is the most number of game shows in any one season in television history.
Yesterday, the Daytime Emmy Award nominations were announced. Only three game shows were nominated, and, I'm sorry to say, the most popular game show ever on television, "Wheel of Fortune", is not on the list (yes, it has never won an Emmy in the 33 years it's been on, that's an even longer losing streak than Susan Lucci, who by the way, was not nominated this year again). The three game shows that were nominated are "Jeopardy!", "Cash Cab", and "The Price Is Right".
The lack of nominees is proof positive that the daytime game show is on its way out. Out of all those popular game shows we grew up on ("Pyramid", "Press Your Luck", "Hollywood Squares", to name a few), "Price" is now the only network game show left on daytime television. The rest are either syndicated or on cable networks. But the fact is, people are now turning to talk shows like "Regis and Kelly"and "Montel". And this fall, even more talk shows will pop up, all trying to dethrone "Oprah" as the top of the talk show heap.
People are becoming no longer interested in daytime game shows simply because of changing times and habits. They're finding these shows no longer entertaining and interesting.
Now notice I was talking about daytime game shows. Nighttime is a different story altogether. You see, on the other hand, we're seeing more and more of the nighttime game shows like "Deal or No Deal", "American Idol", "Don't Forget The Lyrics", etc. But even that genre is becoming less interesting too. The lower the ratings for some of these nighttime game shows are, the more likely they'll use celebrity editions (that's what doomed the British import "The Weakest Link" in the U.S.). The logic behind these nighttime game shows: to boost ratings. Apparently Fox is getting more mileage from developing nighttime game shows. Take a look at their recent "The Moment of Truth". The more "truth" (read: primetime talk trash), the better their ratings will be.
But from the looks of things, if this trend does keep up, the game show genre will go the way of the "do-do", as other television genres like the Western and Variety show kinds have gone.
Is that your final answer?
Yesterday, the Daytime Emmy Award nominations were announced. Only three game shows were nominated, and, I'm sorry to say, the most popular game show ever on television, "Wheel of Fortune", is not on the list (yes, it has never won an Emmy in the 33 years it's been on, that's an even longer losing streak than Susan Lucci, who by the way, was not nominated this year again). The three game shows that were nominated are "Jeopardy!", "Cash Cab", and "The Price Is Right".
The lack of nominees is proof positive that the daytime game show is on its way out. Out of all those popular game shows we grew up on ("Pyramid", "Press Your Luck", "Hollywood Squares", to name a few), "Price" is now the only network game show left on daytime television. The rest are either syndicated or on cable networks. But the fact is, people are now turning to talk shows like "Regis and Kelly"and "Montel". And this fall, even more talk shows will pop up, all trying to dethrone "Oprah" as the top of the talk show heap.
People are becoming no longer interested in daytime game shows simply because of changing times and habits. They're finding these shows no longer entertaining and interesting.
Now notice I was talking about daytime game shows. Nighttime is a different story altogether. You see, on the other hand, we're seeing more and more of the nighttime game shows like "Deal or No Deal", "American Idol", "Don't Forget The Lyrics", etc. But even that genre is becoming less interesting too. The lower the ratings for some of these nighttime game shows are, the more likely they'll use celebrity editions (that's what doomed the British import "The Weakest Link" in the U.S.). The logic behind these nighttime game shows: to boost ratings. Apparently Fox is getting more mileage from developing nighttime game shows. Take a look at their recent "The Moment of Truth". The more "truth" (read: primetime talk trash), the better their ratings will be.
But from the looks of things, if this trend does keep up, the game show genre will go the way of the "do-do", as other television genres like the Western and Variety show kinds have gone.
Is that your final answer?
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