Showing posts with label MTM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MTM. Show all posts
Thursday, July 21, 2011
More Random TV GUIDE Ads - DIXIE: CHANGING HABITS
Friday, November 19, 2010
Best Opening Titles Ever
Been super busy with work, travel, PRETTY and various other things in my life. So please enjoy this repost from exactly one year ago today. Yeah, I know I've talked about how much the MARY TYLER MOORE show has influenced my life before, but watching season 5 of the series on DVD has made me once again appreciate the wonderful opening titles. I've decided to take an in depth look at the sequence, which is unparalleled in its greatness. More happens in this brief montage that in most episodes of other TV shows.
It all starts off simply enough with a brilliant blue background, with MARY TYLER MOORE in Peignot Bold popping off in a delicious mustard.
Suddenly the field turns jet black and MARY TYLER MOORE turns to an avocado green with multicolored MTM clones popping out above and below.
The roll continues, soon the screen is filling with multi-colored MARY TYLER MOOREs.
Eleven stacked MARY TYLER MOOREs in a rainbow of colors!
Suddenly the color in the center MARY TYLER MOORE gives way to an image of Mary Tyler Moore!!!
Yup, it's Mary Richards alright. I think she sees me.
She does! Hi Mary!
Fix your hair, Mare.
Hey Mary, don't jaywalk! Nice yellow pantsuit, though.
Oh Minneapolis, where it cold, almost all the time.
Oh wait, it's not cold anymore. In fact, the weather is delightful today! So delightful that series creators James L. Brooks and Allan Burns decide go go for a jog that day.
Back to work, Mary. Hey who's that boozy blond broad who works at WJM? I'd love to see her featured in an episode or two. I bet her name is Rosalie.
Time to wash the car in a football jersey!
Damn - meat is so expensive!
Wonder why nobody else is out shoe shopping at Mary Jane's today?
Awww, Mary bought a plant and now she's riding an escalator.
Now it's time to feed the ducks!
Nobody does a graceful turnaround like Mary.
Hey, who is that old dude you're eating with Mary??? Popular belief is that he's Mary's then-husband and MTM co-founder Grant Tinker. I recall Grant being taller and more handsome, this guy looks more like Merv Griffin to me.
Mary then joins a group of school children for a walk.
Wow - Mary is out on field covering a news story!
Now she's jaywalking again.
Ah, the office building that houses WJM, channel 12.
Mary then gives her boss Lou Grant a bear hug.
Next, co-worker Murray Slaughter gives Mary a slightly inappropriate hug.
And finally news anchor Ted Baxter gets a polite hug.
Oops, but Mary crushed his fedora!
On the subject of hats, that's a pretty groovy one you've got there, Mary.
Hey, what are you doing in the middle of the street? 7th Street and Nicollet Mall is no place to stand during rush hour.
Hazel Frederick is watching you and she is not pleased.
It all ends with the only credit listed. You're gonna make it after all! In May 2002, TV Land erected a statue of Mary Richards in that very spot. Hazel Frederick passed away ten years ago this month at the age of 91.
It all starts off simply enough with a brilliant blue background, with MARY TYLER MOORE in Peignot Bold popping off in a delicious mustard.
Suddenly the field turns jet black and MARY TYLER MOORE turns to an avocado green with multicolored MTM clones popping out above and below.
The roll continues, soon the screen is filling with multi-colored MARY TYLER MOOREs.
Eleven stacked MARY TYLER MOOREs in a rainbow of colors!
Suddenly the color in the center MARY TYLER MOORE gives way to an image of Mary Tyler Moore!!!
Yup, it's Mary Richards alright. I think she sees me.
She does! Hi Mary!
Fix your hair, Mare.
Hey Mary, don't jaywalk! Nice yellow pantsuit, though.
Oh Minneapolis, where it cold, almost all the time.
Oh wait, it's not cold anymore. In fact, the weather is delightful today! So delightful that series creators James L. Brooks and Allan Burns decide go go for a jog that day.
Back to work, Mary. Hey who's that boozy blond broad who works at WJM? I'd love to see her featured in an episode or two. I bet her name is Rosalie.
Time to wash the car in a football jersey!
Damn - meat is so expensive!
Wonder why nobody else is out shoe shopping at Mary Jane's today?
Awww, Mary bought a plant and now she's riding an escalator.
Now it's time to feed the ducks!
Nobody does a graceful turnaround like Mary.
Hey, who is that old dude you're eating with Mary??? Popular belief is that he's Mary's then-husband and MTM co-founder Grant Tinker. I recall Grant being taller and more handsome, this guy looks more like Merv Griffin to me.
Mary then joins a group of school children for a walk.
Wow - Mary is out on field covering a news story!
Now she's jaywalking again.
Ah, the office building that houses WJM, channel 12.
Mary then gives her boss Lou Grant a bear hug.
Next, co-worker Murray Slaughter gives Mary a slightly inappropriate hug.
And finally news anchor Ted Baxter gets a polite hug.
Oops, but Mary crushed his fedora!
On the subject of hats, that's a pretty groovy one you've got there, Mary.
Hey, what are you doing in the middle of the street? 7th Street and Nicollet Mall is no place to stand during rush hour.
Hazel Frederick is watching you and she is not pleased.
It all ends with the only credit listed. You're gonna make it after all! In May 2002, TV Land erected a statue of Mary Richards in that very spot. Hazel Frederick passed away ten years ago this month at the age of 91.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
NBC Fall 1984 - Wednesday
Wednesday evenings on NBC in the fall of 1984 welcomed back peacock net favorites Michael Landon and Victor French (both of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE) in a contemporary family drama called HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN.
The series was a big hit for NBC - landing in the top 25 shows for its first three seasons and continuing until 1989. The show undoubtedly inspired the later CBS hit TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL.
At 9PM, one of my favorite guilty pleasures, THE FACTS OF LIFE was in the middle of its nine season run (1979-88). The show started as a spin-off of DIFF'RENT STROKES with chubby Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae) and a gaggle of girls at the Eastland School including Molly Ringwald as Molly. In 1980 the show got an overhaul and only chubby rich snob Blair (Lisa Whelchel), chubby Jewish adopted chick Natalie (Mindy Cohn) and eventually chubby rollerskating Tootie (Kim Fields) remained. Joining them now was non-chubby tough tomboy Jo (Nancy McKeon). As the show evolved Edna's girls moved on from Eastland to Langley College. Mrs G. went from housemother to dietitian to running Edna's Edibles to a gift shop called Over Our Heads. When Charlotte Rae left the show, Cloris Leachman came aboard as her sister Beverly Ann. Along the way young George Clooney and cerebral palsy afflicted comedienne Geri Jewell made frequent appearances. There were also two NBC TV-movies: FACTS OF LIFE GO TO PARIS (1982) and FACTS OF LIFE DOWN UNDER (1987) which introduced annoying Australian student Pippa. An abysmal 2001 TV-movie called FACTS OF LIFE REUNION aired on ABC as an episode of THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY. Don't ask. In real life, Kim Fields later became the star of the FOX hit LIVING SINGLE and Lisa Whelchel became a right-wing Christian whacko. Nancy McKeon shows up now and again on Lifetime and Mindy Cohn is alive and well.
IT'S YOUR MOVE, airing at 9:30 is notable for introducing us to Jason Bateman. Jason later went on to star in the likable VALERIE/VALERIE'S FAMILY/THE HOGAN FAMILY (1986-91) followed by a string of other short-lived sitcoms including the gay-themed SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS (2001). He, of course, eventually found fame as the star of the hysterical FOX cult hit ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (2003-2006) which he parlayed into feature films. Supposedly there is a AD film in development, which this fan thinks is a bad idea.
IT'S YOUR MOVE lasted only 18 episodes. ST. ELSEWHERE followed at 10PM.
There so much to say about this MTM-produced series that it would require its own post. (Maybe I'll get to that one day). Suffice to say that this medical drama, set at Boston's St. Eligius Hospital, was the best doctor show ever broadcast on US network television. You can keep your ERs, CHICAGO HOPEs and GRAY'S ANATOMYs, ST. ELSEWHERE has already been there and done that tens times better. The show was never a "hit", but it was a critical darling and constant award winner. It ran from 1982 to 1988 and it's powerhouse cast included veteran actors Ed Flanders, Norman Lloyd and William Daniels, and notable "newcomers" like David Morse, Alfre Woodard, Bruce Greenwood, Christina Pickles, Begley, Jr., Stephen Furst, Howie Mandel, Mark Harmon and Denzel Washington. To me, the recent NURSE JACKIE, is the only show that comes close to recapturing the feel of St. Eligius. Tomorrow: Thursday.
The series was a big hit for NBC - landing in the top 25 shows for its first three seasons and continuing until 1989. The show undoubtedly inspired the later CBS hit TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL.
At 9PM, one of my favorite guilty pleasures, THE FACTS OF LIFE was in the middle of its nine season run (1979-88). The show started as a spin-off of DIFF'RENT STROKES with chubby Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae) and a gaggle of girls at the Eastland School including Molly Ringwald as Molly. In 1980 the show got an overhaul and only chubby rich snob Blair (Lisa Whelchel), chubby Jewish adopted chick Natalie (Mindy Cohn) and eventually chubby rollerskating Tootie (Kim Fields) remained. Joining them now was non-chubby tough tomboy Jo (Nancy McKeon). As the show evolved Edna's girls moved on from Eastland to Langley College. Mrs G. went from housemother to dietitian to running Edna's Edibles to a gift shop called Over Our Heads. When Charlotte Rae left the show, Cloris Leachman came aboard as her sister Beverly Ann. Along the way young George Clooney and cerebral palsy afflicted comedienne Geri Jewell made frequent appearances. There were also two NBC TV-movies: FACTS OF LIFE GO TO PARIS (1982) and FACTS OF LIFE DOWN UNDER (1987) which introduced annoying Australian student Pippa. An abysmal 2001 TV-movie called FACTS OF LIFE REUNION aired on ABC as an episode of THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY. Don't ask. In real life, Kim Fields later became the star of the FOX hit LIVING SINGLE and Lisa Whelchel became a right-wing Christian whacko. Nancy McKeon shows up now and again on Lifetime and Mindy Cohn is alive and well.
IT'S YOUR MOVE, airing at 9:30 is notable for introducing us to Jason Bateman. Jason later went on to star in the likable VALERIE/VALERIE'S FAMILY/THE HOGAN FAMILY (1986-91) followed by a string of other short-lived sitcoms including the gay-themed SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS (2001). He, of course, eventually found fame as the star of the hysterical FOX cult hit ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (2003-2006) which he parlayed into feature films. Supposedly there is a AD film in development, which this fan thinks is a bad idea.
IT'S YOUR MOVE lasted only 18 episodes. ST. ELSEWHERE followed at 10PM.
There so much to say about this MTM-produced series that it would require its own post. (Maybe I'll get to that one day). Suffice to say that this medical drama, set at Boston's St. Eligius Hospital, was the best doctor show ever broadcast on US network television. You can keep your ERs, CHICAGO HOPEs and GRAY'S ANATOMYs, ST. ELSEWHERE has already been there and done that tens times better. The show was never a "hit", but it was a critical darling and constant award winner. It ran from 1982 to 1988 and it's powerhouse cast included veteran actors Ed Flanders, Norman Lloyd and William Daniels, and notable "newcomers" like David Morse, Alfre Woodard, Bruce Greenwood, Christina Pickles, Begley, Jr., Stephen Furst, Howie Mandel, Mark Harmon and Denzel Washington. To me, the recent NURSE JACKIE, is the only show that comes close to recapturing the feel of St. Eligius. Tomorrow: Thursday.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Rhoda, Watch Out!!!
Now that season 1 of RHODA has been released on DVD, I really hope we get to see PHYLLIS again too.
After all, Cloris Leachman seems to be experiencing a career renaissance as of late. The series, the second of three MARY TYLER MOORE spinoffs, may not have been all that great, but who can resist this brilliant opening? Complete with a Jerry Herman-inspired theme song...it's one of my all-time faves.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
peignot: the best font ever?
What is it about the font Peignot? When used in color on a black background - it just brings me back to the 1970s - possibly the best era ever for pop culture. So much of what we enjoy today can be traced back to the 70s. 
To me, Peignot will always be the MARY TYLER MOORE font, but also it was used in the incredible opening titles for THE ABC MOVIE OF THE WEEK. Two great pop touchstones that cannot be matched anywhere. This is why I've chosen to base the new look of this blog on the amalgamated look of both these iconic openings.
DOUGSPLOITATION will now look at ALL my pop culture obsessions, not just MOVIES THAT MAKE YOU SAY "HUH". I'll still do movie reviews from time to time, but there's plenty more stuff out there that I feel the sudden need to comment on. This includes websites, dvds, other blogs, live theatre, music, comic books and of course TV!
Well - since we're talking about Peignot and TV let's just say that (THE) MARY TYLER MOORE (SHOW) is the all-time best sitcom ever. No argument there. Despite the recent awkward OPRAH reunion (which, I must admit, skillfully recreated sets from the show) and the horrendous MARY & RHODA TV-movie (which skillfully created a constant feeling of nausea), nothing can ever erase the warm memories of Mary's office life at WJM, and her cozy apartment in the snow-covered Lindstrom house at 119 N. Weatherly in Minneapolis.
Luckily we have the first four seasons on DVD to remind us how great television can be. Hopefully the suits at Fox will one day realize that the rest of the series needs to be made available.
What could possibly be stopping them from releasing more season sets? When crap like PUNKY BREWSTER sells - don't tell me MARY doesn't!
To me, Peignot will always be the MARY TYLER MOORE font, but also it was used in the incredible opening titles for THE ABC MOVIE OF THE WEEK. Two great pop touchstones that cannot be matched anywhere. This is why I've chosen to base the new look of this blog on the amalgamated look of both these iconic openings.DOUGSPLOITATION will now look at ALL my pop culture obsessions, not just MOVIES THAT MAKE YOU SAY "HUH". I'll still do movie reviews from time to time, but there's plenty more stuff out there that I feel the sudden need to comment on. This includes websites, dvds, other blogs, live theatre, music, comic books and of course TV!
Well - since we're talking about Peignot and TV let's just say that (THE) MARY TYLER MOORE (SHOW) is the all-time best sitcom ever. No argument there. Despite the recent awkward OPRAH reunion (which, I must admit, skillfully recreated sets from the show) and the horrendous MARY & RHODA TV-movie (which skillfully created a constant feeling of nausea), nothing can ever erase the warm memories of Mary's office life at WJM, and her cozy apartment in the snow-covered Lindstrom house at 119 N. Weatherly in Minneapolis.
Luckily we have the first four seasons on DVD to remind us how great television can be. Hopefully the suits at Fox will one day realize that the rest of the series needs to be made available.What could possibly be stopping them from releasing more season sets? When crap like PUNKY BREWSTER sells - don't tell me MARY doesn't!
For a great guide to the MTM show , seek out LOVE IS ALL AROUND: THE MAKING OF THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW (1989) by Robert S. Alley & Irby B. Brown. This book has been in my collection since it was published, and I cherish it almost as much as the show itself. 
Also, another great resource for Mary info is MTM: QUALITY TELEVISION published in 1984 by the British Film Institute, which looks at the entire MTM Studio production history, including other great classic shows like THE BOB NEWHART SHOW, RHODA, PHYLLIS, LOU GRANT, WKRP IN CINNCINNATI, NEWHART, THE WHITE SHADOW, HILL STREET BLUES, ST. ELSEWHERE and REMINGTON STEELE. Plus forgotten gems like THE BETTY WHITE SHOW (remember UNDERCOVER WOMAN? the show-within-a-show starring Betty as a 'Pepper Anderson' knock-off), THE TONY RANDALL SHOW and THE DUCK FACTORY. The book also covers pilots and TV-movies made by the company as well, as flops like Mary's two variety shows. 
A fun, book about the MTM spin-off RHODA is the aptly titled ALL ABOUT RHODA by Peggy Herz, which Scholastic published in 1975. This was written for kids! Imagine a kid's book about THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE being published today? I don't think so.
THE ABC MOVIE OF THE WEEK COMPANION by Michael Karol is a fun, loving tribute to the 90-minute TV-movie series that ran from 1968-1975 and introduced us to such classics as Steven Spielberg's DUEL, GO ASK ALICE, BRIAN'S SONG, THE POINT (featuring Harry Nilsson's "Me and My Arrow"), THAT CERTAIN SUMMER and of course THE TRILOGY OF TERROR!!!
Plus the pilots for THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN, WONDER WOMAN (the Cathy Lee Crosby version), THE NIGHT STALKER, KUNG FU and STARSKY & HUTCH all aired originally as ABC MOWs. Cloris Leachman is the common element that ties these two topics together, with her starring in almost as many MOWs as episodes of MTM! The book is cheap ($11.95) and a hoot to read, plus it has Peignot and a Zuni fetish doll on the cover! You can also visit the author online at www.sitcomboy.com
A fun, book about the MTM spin-off RHODA is the aptly titled ALL ABOUT RHODA by Peggy Herz, which Scholastic published in 1975. This was written for kids! Imagine a kid's book about THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE being published today? I don't think so.THE ABC MOVIE OF THE WEEK COMPANION by Michael Karol is a fun, loving tribute to the 90-minute TV-movie series that ran from 1968-1975 and introduced us to such classics as Steven Spielberg's DUEL, GO ASK ALICE, BRIAN'S SONG, THE POINT (featuring Harry Nilsson's "Me and My Arrow"), THAT CERTAIN SUMMER and of course THE TRILOGY OF TERROR!!!
Plus the pilots for THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN, WONDER WOMAN (the Cathy Lee Crosby version), THE NIGHT STALKER, KUNG FU and STARSKY & HUTCH all aired originally as ABC MOWs. Cloris Leachman is the common element that ties these two topics together, with her starring in almost as many MOWs as episodes of MTM! The book is cheap ($11.95) and a hoot to read, plus it has Peignot and a Zuni fetish doll on the cover! You can also visit the author online at www.sitcomboy.com
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