Poll Results - Which Of The New FOX Shows Sounds
Most Promising

I admit that posting around here has been in a bigger slump for a while than the Washington Nationals (my former beloved Montreal Expos *sniffle*) but it almost completely slipped my mind just how long ago I started this poll until I put up yesterday's post.

I'm going to put part of the blame on my new toy. Yeah I broke down and bought my first MP3 player, a 2 Gig iPod Shuffle. Yeah, it's not much and I can't watch movies or TV on it (but then again here in Canada there isn't the choice in that area that you find south of the 49^th) but it serves my purposes. All of the used space is occupied by podcasts, including three of Leo Laporte's (TWiT, Window's Weekly, and The Tech Guy), a couple of TV podcasts (TV Addict, and the Hypa-Space podcast from the Canadian science fiction network Space), and old radio shows from something that calls itself the Old Time Radio Network. I download a lot of those. (This gives me a chance to ask a question of Ivan; the other night I was listening to an episode from a show called Frontier Town. The lead actor was unmistakably Jeff Chandler, a voice I recognise from years of hearing episodes of Our Miss Brooks; however in this he was billed as "Tex Chandler" a name that doesn't appear in his IMDB entry, which means he never used it in a movie. How long did Tex stick around before Jeff took over?) One of these days I'm going to have to put some music on this gadget.

Oh and did I happen to mention that five and a half year old nephew rode Space Mountain at Disneyland five times ? in two days? The only thing that kept him off the Indiana Jones Adventure ride was the height restriction. This is an example of parental guidance over some arbitrary, non-safety related, restriction based solely on age ? his father knows what Brian can take and went with him on those rides. The Disney restrictions aren't based on "this is too intense for a five year-old" they're based on "we can't make the safety equipment on this ride work for someone shorter than 48 inches regardless of age." Parents know their children because for them children are individuals rather than an arbitrarily defined, identical, mass.

Okay, right, the poll results. There were nine respondents this time through. Tied for last place, with no votes, were Do Not Disturb, Secret Millionaire, and what is rapidly becoming the troubled Sit Down, Shut Up. Tied for second place with one vote each (11%) were Fringe, The Cleveland Show, and "They all sound like a big steaming pile of poo." But the big winner, with six votes (67%) is Dollhouse.

This one is clearly a triumph for my fellow Whedonistas. But let's not get complacent folks. After all, this is FOX, the network that killed Firefly, shut off Wonderfalls, sounded last call for Tru Calling and said over on Drive. In other words they haven't exactly been friendly to Joss and his crew. I am looking forward to this show but then I'm also looking forward to Fringe, a show which has a distinct X-Files feel to it. These two shows look fantastic and if they can live up to the previews they could be the big successes for FOX this year. Certainly they're about the only shows that set the FOX line-up apart from a big steaming pile of poo. Do Not Disturb looks like a poor replacement from even the lacklustre Back To You. The Cleveland Show seems innocuous enough, although it's likely to be a lightning rod for the PTC thanks to the fact that it is being produced by Seth McFarlane. As opposed to Secret Millionaire which is almost certain to be beloved by the PTC for being "touching" and "heartwarming." So far as Sit Down, Shut Up goes, I wonder if it will even be broadcast. There's a dispute between the writers, who were assured that the show would be covered by the Writer's Guild contract, and the production companies, who insist that the writers will be covered by IATSE's Cartoonist Guild contract. At this writing the dispute has yet to be settled, and the writers have yet to go to work.

New poll dealing with the CW's new shows will be up shortly. It is going to be complicated because of The CW's deal with Media Rights Capital (MRC). No previews, and very few details, are available for the four MRC shows, so I'll have to provide brief summaries for the shows with the poll.

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THE HAT SQUAD: DON S. DAVIS

Don S. Davis had that look to fill a particular need among characters - a man in power, perhaps a bit full of himself, somewhat stuffy and officious, and yes, a bit dull. I'm not saying this as an insult. There are characters out there like that in Toobworld, and Don S. Davis could capture that description in just moments upon entering the scene. It was that stocky, bald image with the deep monotone of a voice, I think.

It was with his role as General George Hammond on 'Stargate: SG-1', however, that we got to see the fully rounded portrayal he was capable of.

Don S. Davis passed away the other day. He was 65 years old. The 'Stargate SG-1' website "Gateworld" marked the sad news:

"With great sadness we must report that veteran actor Don S. Davis passed away on June 29, 2008. He was 65 years old.Don co-starred on Stargate SG-1 for the show's first seven years, helping to launch the enduring science fiction franchise. Davis played Major General George Hammond, base commander and a father figure to many of the show's characters.He is also well-known for his portrayal of Major Garland Briggs in Twin Peaks."

I would add to this that he was also well-known in the TV cult community for his portrayal of Scully's father in 'The X-Files'.

Although I watched 'Wiseguy' and 'Northern Exposure', it wasn't until 'Twin Peaks' that I really noticed Don S. Davis. In fact, he is responsible for the one quote from that show that I still remember:

"The owls are not what they seem."

I always wished we could have found out what that meant.....

Here are the list of TV series roles Don S. Davis added to the registrar of Toobworld:

"Stargate SG-1" - Major General George Hammond

"Stargate: Atlantis" - Major General George Hammond Home (10 September 2004)

"Twin Peaks" (16 episodes) - Major Garland Briggs

"Broken Badges" - Chief Sterling Pilot (24 November 1990) Westside Stories (1 December 1990)Chucky (22 December 1990)

"Madison" - Mr. Winslow Family Passions (1 January 1994) Learning Curves (1 January 1994)Can't Get No Satisfaction (1 January 1995) Taking Care of Business (1 January 1995) House of Cards (1 January 1995) Family Affairs (1 January 1995)Love You Forever (1 January 1996)

"The Guard" - ChuckWhen I'm Sixty Four (12 February 2008)

"Supernatural" - TrotterSin City (25 October 2007)

"Flash Gordon" - Mr. MitchellConspiracy Theory (19 October 2007)Revolution: Part 1 (1 February 2008)

"Psych" - Mr. McCallumPilot (7 July 2006)

"The Dead Zone" - Senator Harlan EllisVanguard (7 August 2005)Saved (28 August 2005)Forbidden Fruit (18 June 2006)

"The West Wing" - Reverend Don ButlerIn God We Trust (23 March 2005)

"Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service" - MTAC Control OfficerChained (14 December 2004)

"Andromeda" - Avineri The Eschatology of Our Present (22 October 2004)

"The Twilight Zone" - Dr. Tate Memphis (26 February 2003)

"The Chris Isaak Show" - Del Farm Boys (4 June 2002)

"Just Cause" - Thornton Pilot: Part 1 (1 January 2002)

"Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show" - Mr. Washington Honey, It's No Fun Being an Illegal Alien (28 November 1998)

"The Sentinel" - Wilton Fisker Crossroads (22 April 1998)

"Viper" - Lloyd Street Pirates (25 November 1996)

"Poltergeist: The Legacy" - Harold Taggart The Inheritance (30 August 1996)

"Profit" (2 episodes) - former Sheriff CrewPilot (8 April 1996)
Hero (15 April 1996)

"The Outer Limits" Living Hell (12 May 1995) - Detective Wilson The Voice of Reason (20 August 1995) - General Callahan

"The Marshal" - Tiger Larkin Pilot (31 January 1995)

"M.A.N.T.I.S." - Admiral Farallon Tango Blue (2 September 1994)

"Northern Exposure" - Lloyd Hillegas Blood Ties (16 May 1994)
"Cobra" - Thorne A Few Dead Men (17 February 1994)

"Birdland" - Birdwell Grand Delusion (9 February 1994)

"The X Files" - Captain William Scully Beyond the Sea (7 January 1994) One Breath (11 November 1994)

"Highlander" - PalanceThe Return of Amanda (8 November 1993)

"Street Justice" - Sargeant Pritchard Honor and Trust (13 February 1993)

"Knots Landing" - Warden Vernon Howard Little Girl Lost (9 April 1992)

"Nightmare Cafe" - Sheriff Dan Filcher Aliens Ate My Lunch (3 April 1992)

"L.A. Law" - Judge Richard Bartke Bound for Glory (22 March 1990)

"Booker"Flat Out (12 November 1989) - Prison Guard Crazy (15 April 1990) - Judge

"Unsub" Burn Out (14 April 1989)

"Bordertown" - Josiah Richmond Over the Line (18 February 1989)

"Wiseguy" - Dr. Morris Stairway to Heaven (1 February 1989)

"The Beachcombers" - Howard Usher The Bay Mystery (1 January 1988)

"MacGyver" Blow Out (21 December 1987) - Cement Truck Driver The Endangered (2 May 1988) - Wyatt Porter

"The New Adventures of Beans Baxter" - Agent Ruck Beans Finds His Dad But...: Part 1 (26 September 1987)

"21 Jump Street" Blindsided (31 May 1987) - Principal Harris Chapel of Love (14 February 1988) - Frank School's Out (22 May 1988) - Principal 2245 (5 February 1990) - Prison Warden Film at Eleven (9 February 1991)

"Joanie Loves Chachi" - Benny Goodbye Delvecchio's, Hello World (25 November 1982)

Just a few O'Bservations.....

1] Behind the scenes back in the real world, Davis did stand-in work for Dana Elcar on 'McGyver'. So the argument could be made that his character of Thornton in the pilot episode of 'Just Cause' could have been related to Pete Thornton.

2] Could it be that Lloyd Hillegas of 'Northern Exposure' might have also been Lloyd in an episode of 'Viper'?

3] Could the prison warden he played in '21 Jump Street' have been Vernon Howard, the warden he played in an episode of 'Knots Landing'?

4] As General Hammond, Davis is eligible for entry into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame, although perhaps on an honors list. After 'Stargate SG-1' and 'Stargate: Atlantis', his third qualification is due to his participation in the upcoming direct-to-video "Stargate: Continuum".
5] The judge played by Davis on 'Booker' could be Judge Bartke from 'L.A. Law'.6] Did his prison guard in an episode of 'Booker' could have landed his job thanks to his family ties - specifically to Warden Vernon Howard of 'Knots Landing'.
7] I think it's a fair assumption to make that the two principals he played on '21 Jump Street' are one and the same man.

I'll have a second part to this Hat Squad tribute soon, with his other Toobworld roles from TV movies.

But for now, as Red Skelton would say, "May God Bless...."
BCnU...
Toby OB


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Robert Picardo and Joseph Mallozzi on season five
of Stargate Atlantis

Filed under: Stargate, Interviews, Reality-Free

After a fairly brief hiatus (only 4 months) Stargate Atlantis returns to the SciFi channel with all new episodes starting on July 11th. Now entering its fifth season, the show is reaching a turning point thanks to a number of off-season cast changes. First and foremost in is the replacement of Amanda Tapping's Colonel Samantha Carter as administrator of Atlantis with Robert Picardo's Richard Woolsey. This is one year after Tapping replaced Tori Higginson on the show. It's an interesting turn of events since Woolsey has not been the most popular of characters in the entire Stargate franchise. And, as the character has never been a people person, there is bound to be some conflict between members of the Atlantis team and himself.

Continue reading Robert Picardo and Joseph Mallozzi on season five of Stargate Atlantis

 

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Lichman & Rizov "Live" at Grassroots Fourteen,
Ep. Tavern: "We've Got Vadim's Number: An Armond White Tale," with Michael Tully & James M. Johnston

By John Lichman & Vadim Rizov[Editor's Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the commenters, and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or opinions of The House Next Door.]Hey Faithful Listeners,Wowie zowie. We[...]

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New Desktop Wallpapers and IM Icons

Customize your desktop with a gallery of photography from the second season of Mad Men. New instant messenger icons and desktop wallpapers are available for both Mac and PC.  Choose from this full cast shot (at right), a shot of Don Draper in Grand Central Station as the crowd rushes around him, a shot of Peggy and Pete in the Sterling Cooper offices and more.

Download Wallpapers and Icons »

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http://blogs.amctv.com/mad-men/2008/07/downloads.php

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"Lost" Star Movie Deal: Sawyer Stays Cool

Reports all over that Josh Holloway, who plays the unrepentant tough guy, low-life, hunk and sometime hero Sawyer on ABC's "Lost," has snagged a movie deal. THR says Holloway has been cast in the Polish Brothers new flick, "Stay Cool."...

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The final six deaths on Six Feet Under - VIDEO

Filed under: OpEd, Video, Obituaries, Retro Squad, TV Squad Lists, Reality-Free, Six Feet Under

Fans of Six Feet Under were floored, when at the end "Ecotone" (the fourth to last episode of the series) Nate finally succumbed to his AVM and passed away. His death earned one of the few "end of episode epitaphs" featured on the show.

Fortunately for Nate and his family, everyone had a chance to say good-bye. Claire and David spent hours in the hospital room with him, as did Ruth. Even Brenda visited, despite knowing about the affair with Maggie - until Nate says no more; we're done.

As fans, we cried. We mourned. We couldn't imagine the final three episodes of one HBO's finest programs without it's main player. Of course, we knew he'd be back - dead. That was a given, but it's still not the same. Little did we know what was in store for us.

A whole lot more crying.

Continue reading The final six deaths on Six Feet Under - VIDEO

 

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"America's Got Talent" Hits Bottom

Worst audition ever? I didn't see the telecast but NBC and "America's Got Talent" are still making the most out of it online. The contestant: A woman named Busty Heart, with freakishly and presumably artificial breast. Her talent: Smashing a...

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It's lights, camera, New York this summer - VIDEO

Filed under: Industry, OpEd, Video, Celebrities, Super Skank Wednesday

VH1 diva Tiffany "New York" Pollard is back this summer for another chapter in her celebreality life. New York Goes to Hollywood premieres in August and will follow your favorite H.B.I.C. as she leaves Tailor-Made behind and tries to make it in Tinsel Town.

To rev up for the new show, VH1 put together a set of promos that have New York acting as classic Hollywood characters. She plays Dorothy from Wizard of Oz: "Toto, where the f*ck are we?" She plays Marilyn Monroe in that classic scene where the blonde starlet walks over the sidewalk grate. However, New York uses the breeze from the passing subway car to dry her nails and her nether regions. Whatever works, right? Finally, New York plays Forrest Gump and imparts some wisdom about life and chocolates.

The videos are after the jump. All three are stupid and unfunny. And all three prove the New York's new show is going to be a blast. Check it out and let me know what you think.

New York Goes to Hollywood premieres August 4th at 9 p.m. ET on VH1.

Continue reading It's lights, camera, New York this summer - VIDEO

 

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Have You Ever Gone to See a Drive-In Movie

The drive-in movie theater conjures up all kinds of romantic ideas of date night and steamy make-out sessions in old-timey cars. I was lucky enough to grow up in a town with a drive-in, and my Summer weekends were full of two-for-the-price-of-one screenings, huge tubs of popcorn and extra-large Dr Peppers, and lots of family-friendly movies under the stars.

Drive-ins are definitely still out there; this site has a pretty comprehensive list. But in these modern times with Netflix, iTunes, and OnDemand, I'm wondering if people are still going ? or if you've ever even had the chance?

Source

Have You Ever Gone to See a Drive-In Movie? Yes! They are so fun. No. I don't even know where one is. I went once or twice, but I don't think I'd go again. Other (I'll tell you below)

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