Showing posts with label drama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drama. Show all posts
Friday, March 1, 2013
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Happy 50th Birthday, Kristy McNichol
Here's a post from a few years back, slightly updated. To me, September 11th will always be remembered as Kristy McNichol's birthday. 
Born 50 years ago today in Los Angeles, Kristy is best known for her roles as tomboy 'Buddy' Lawrence on the ABC drama series FAMILY (1976–80) and later as tomboy-ish Barbara on the NBC sitcom EMPTY NEST.
Kristy's first TV series was the CBS drama APPLE'S WAY (1974). 
The short-lived family series was unfortunately scheduled Sunday evenings at 7:30PM opposite the still-popular THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY on NBC.
Then came FAMILY, the highly acclaimed series for which McNichol won two Best Supporting Actress Emmy Awards. 
I remember watching this show with my parents, and wishing that my family was more like the Lawrences.
In 1977 and 1978 McNichol appeared on two Carpenters Christmas specials.
Following in Karen and Richard's footsteps, Kristy and her brother Jimmy recorded an album, Kristy & Jimmy McNichol, and released a single covering the Chiffons 1963 hit "He's So Fine".
Also in 1978, she starred in the acclaimed NBC TV-movie SUMMER OF MY GERMAN SOLDIER and had a role in the hit Burt Reynolds comedy THE END. 
I still think THE END was the best film Burt ever starred in.
Then came LITTLE DARLINGS. This dirty little 1980 teen comedy co-starred teen rival Tatum O'Neal.
Kristy and Tatum played high school girls away at summer camp involved in a contest to lose their virginity to Matt Dillon.
I cannot tell you how much I loved this film when I saw it in high school. 
I so wanted to be friends with slutty girls like Kristy and Tatum...and boys like Matt.
After the success of LITTLE DARLINGS, Kristy appeared with Dennis Quaid and Mark Hamill in THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA (1981), based on the wacky Vicki Lawrence song from the early 1970s. 
From what I recall, the film does not tell the same story as the song.
Later that year, Kristi co-starred with Marsha Mason in Neil Simon's ONLY WHEN I LAUGH and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress.
McNichol's next project was the ill-conceived musical THE PIRATE MOVIE, co-starring THE BLUE LAGOON's frequently naked gay icon Christopher Atkins.
This film was a crazy Gilbert & Sullivan mash-up that I tried watching about a year ago and it made my head hurt.
Next up came WHITE DOG, a controversial and highly acclaimed 1982 drama directed by Samuel Fuller, based Romain Gary's 1970 novel of the same title. The film depicts the intense struggle of a dog trainer named Keys (Paul Winfield), trying to retrain a dog that is trained to attack any black person. The film carries a powerful anti-racism message, but due to its sensitive subject matter it received very minimal release. It is currently out on dvd as part of The Criterion Collection.
When McNichol stormed off the set of the film JUST THE WAY YOU ARE, rumors of alleged drug use made Kristy a tabloid darling. 
She was diagnosed with clinical depression, and she eventually completed the film, but her professional reputation was damaged.
After taking a few years off, Kristi was ready to work again. In 1988, she was cast in EMPTY NEST, a spin-off from the huge Susan Harris hit, THE GOLDEN GIRLS. 
Kristi seemed happy, healthy and looked great. But unfortunately her on-set behavior soon became an issue and was she let go from the series 1992 when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. 
She did return to the series for the final episode in 1995, which became her last screen appearance to date.
Since 1995, Kristy has only taken voiceover roles. Her last public statement was in June 2001, when she said: "A lot of people have wondered what I've been up to. I retired from my career after 24 years. My feeling was that it was time to play my biggest part — MYSELF! I must say that it has been the best thing that ever happened to me. So many fans are disappointed that I'm not currently acting, however some may not realize that the process I'm in at this time is necessary and vital for my personal happiness and well-being."
Happy Birthday Kristy, this fan hopes to see you on screen again one day soon.
Born 50 years ago today in Los Angeles, Kristy is best known for her roles as tomboy 'Buddy' Lawrence on the ABC drama series FAMILY (1976–80) and later as tomboy-ish Barbara on the NBC sitcom EMPTY NEST.
Kristy's first TV series was the CBS drama APPLE'S WAY (1974). 
The short-lived family series was unfortunately scheduled Sunday evenings at 7:30PM opposite the still-popular THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY on NBC.
Then came FAMILY, the highly acclaimed series for which McNichol won two Best Supporting Actress Emmy Awards. 
I remember watching this show with my parents, and wishing that my family was more like the Lawrences.In 1977 and 1978 McNichol appeared on two Carpenters Christmas specials.
Following in Karen and Richard's footsteps, Kristy and her brother Jimmy recorded an album, Kristy & Jimmy McNichol, and released a single covering the Chiffons 1963 hit "He's So Fine".
Also in 1978, she starred in the acclaimed NBC TV-movie SUMMER OF MY GERMAN SOLDIER and had a role in the hit Burt Reynolds comedy THE END. 
I still think THE END was the best film Burt ever starred in.
Then came LITTLE DARLINGS. This dirty little 1980 teen comedy co-starred teen rival Tatum O'Neal.
Kristy and Tatum played high school girls away at summer camp involved in a contest to lose their virginity to Matt Dillon.
I cannot tell you how much I loved this film when I saw it in high school. 
I so wanted to be friends with slutty girls like Kristy and Tatum...and boys like Matt.
After the success of LITTLE DARLINGS, Kristy appeared with Dennis Quaid and Mark Hamill in THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA (1981), based on the wacky Vicki Lawrence song from the early 1970s. 
From what I recall, the film does not tell the same story as the song.
Later that year, Kristi co-starred with Marsha Mason in Neil Simon's ONLY WHEN I LAUGH and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress.
McNichol's next project was the ill-conceived musical THE PIRATE MOVIE, co-starring THE BLUE LAGOON's frequently naked gay icon Christopher Atkins.
This film was a crazy Gilbert & Sullivan mash-up that I tried watching about a year ago and it made my head hurt.
Next up came WHITE DOG, a controversial and highly acclaimed 1982 drama directed by Samuel Fuller, based Romain Gary's 1970 novel of the same title. The film depicts the intense struggle of a dog trainer named Keys (Paul Winfield), trying to retrain a dog that is trained to attack any black person. The film carries a powerful anti-racism message, but due to its sensitive subject matter it received very minimal release. It is currently out on dvd as part of The Criterion Collection.
When McNichol stormed off the set of the film JUST THE WAY YOU ARE, rumors of alleged drug use made Kristy a tabloid darling. 
She was diagnosed with clinical depression, and she eventually completed the film, but her professional reputation was damaged.
After taking a few years off, Kristi was ready to work again. In 1988, she was cast in EMPTY NEST, a spin-off from the huge Susan Harris hit, THE GOLDEN GIRLS. 
Kristi seemed happy, healthy and looked great. But unfortunately her on-set behavior soon became an issue and was she let go from the series 1992 when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. 
She did return to the series for the final episode in 1995, which became her last screen appearance to date.
Since 1995, Kristy has only taken voiceover roles. Her last public statement was in June 2001, when she said: "A lot of people have wondered what I've been up to. I retired from my career after 24 years. My feeling was that it was time to play my biggest part — MYSELF! I must say that it has been the best thing that ever happened to me. So many fans are disappointed that I'm not currently acting, however some may not realize that the process I'm in at this time is necessary and vital for my personal happiness and well-being."Happy Birthday Kristy, this fan hopes to see you on screen again one day soon.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
More Random TV GUIDE Ads - Bush Doctor
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.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wouldn't Watch Them with a 10 Foot Poll
A recent Harris Poll released last week asked American "adults" to pick their "two or three favorite television shows of all time." All time, to me = since the birth of television. 1948 or so til today. All time.
Among the top 15 shows getting the most nods, it shocked me that only 2 are considered true classics: M*A*S*H at No. 2 and STAR TREK at No. 13. So, you may ask "what were the other 11 shows that these people call their all-time faves?"
Well, let's get started with No. 15:
No. 15: GREY'S ANATOMY (ABC, 2005-current) - Okay, how could something that premiered 4 years ago be your all-time favorite? I've never seen a full episode.
I must be missing something amazing.
No. 14: THE SIMPSONS (FOX, 1989-current) - Holy shit, THE SIMPSONS has been on for TWENTY years. God I'm getting old. Even though I think I stopped watching this show on a regular basis about 10 years ago, it's still funny and irreverent. The feature film was enjoyable as well. I guess it can pass for an all-time favorite.
No. 13: STAR TREK (NBC, 1966-69) - No objection.
No. 12: LAW & ORDER (NBC, 1990-current) Since this show has been on, I've lived in three major cities, had 8 different jobs and did all sorts of crazy shit. Somehow I've only managed to see one episode of this peacock network warhorse. I think I saw LAW & ORDER: SVU twice though. I know people who love this show, so I'll give it a pass.
No. 11: FAMILY GUY (FOX, 2000-current) A show that was cancelled twice for low ratings somehow managed to survive and became the zombie that refuses to die. I've tried at least a dozen times to watch this show (usually because friends think it's so goddamn brilliant) only to find out that it is not only NOT brilliant, but one of the most unfunny and offensive shows ever created. Believe me, I enjoy offensive comedy - when it's actually funny.
No. 10: ER (NBC, 1994-2009) This show finally called it quits. I saw one episode years ago. It was well done, but it made me uneasy and nervous. Give me ST. ELSEWHERE any day.
No. 9: LOST (ABC, 2004-current) Never watched it. Sorry.
No. 8: TWO AND A HALF MEN (CBS, 2003-current) Who are these people who voted for this show??? Please have them captured and made incapable of reproducing. Thank you.
No. 7: FRIENDS (NBC, 1994-2004) "I'll be there for you..." for 10 seasons. I watched the first 5 or 6. Okay, I really liked it for a while. I'm gay.
No. 6: SEINFELD (NBC, 1989-98) Okay, I was a huge SEINFELD fan - when it first aired. But I haven't been able to watch reruns since it went off the air...I wonder why?
No. 5: 24 (FOX, 2001-current) Never watched even a minute of this right-wing propaganda. Never will.
No. 4: NCIS (CBS, 2003-current) What the fuck? I've never met anyone who has ever watched this show. Most people haven't even heard of it.
No. 3: HOUSE (FOX, 2004-current) My sister is a fan of this show. I watched an episode with her when she visited me last year. It was okay, nothing special. Eh.
No. 2: M*A*S*H (CBS, 1972-83) This anti-war sitcom is a true classic despite Loretta Swit's awful un-1950s hairstyle.
No. 1....Are you ready for this? Any guesses?
MARY TYLER MOORE ? - Nope.
ALL IN THE FAMILY ? - Oh no.
THE COSBY SHOW? - No-no.
ROSEANNE? - A big no.
CHEERS? - Hell no.
HILL STREET BLUES ? - No way.
THE SOPRANOS ? - Haven't got a prayer.
MARRIED: WITH CHILDREN? - Um, okay...I was kidding.
EVERBODY LOVES RAYMOND? - Apparently not so much.
I LOVE LUCY???!!! - waaaaah...Ricky...
What ever can it ever be? What is America's ALL-TIME favorite TV show??? Drumroll please...
No 1: CSI (CBS, 2000-current) Give me a fucking break. This is the all-time favorite TV series among American adults??? CSI??? All I've got to say is..."is it too late to move to Canada?".
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