THE TKTV NEWSLETTER
Season 2, Episode 24 aired July 26, 1999

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CONTENTS
1. Intro
2. Letters from the viewing audience
3. Kim's Commercial Comments
4. Don't miss
5. TV Trivia
6. Favorite quotes of the week
7. A totally unrelated link


1. Intro

Well, I saw "Wild Wild West" last weekend with my friend Tanya. I know, now you're asking, "Why would you go see that?" Well, I really like Kevin Kline, I really like Will Smith, and Barry Sonnenfeld has directed some pretty cool stuff in the past (particularly for TV, but that's another story). But even two incredible comedic actors couldn't save this movie. I started to give up when Will Smith was required to repeat the line, "That is a man's head," at least four times. No matter how well he delivered the final repeat, it just wasn't funny anymore. By the time Smith effortlessly destroyed a man weilding large rusty knives and kicked him out a window saying, "No more Mr. Knife-guy," all I could do was groan in agony.

The only sort-of saving grace was the giant mechanical tarantula. It was just beautiful. Not only did I think the special effects were well done, but whoever came up with that tarantula and designed it was incredibly inventive. Unfortunately, special effects are no reason to see a movie (except maybe a "Terminator" movie). I'd let this one go by, even on video.

However, the day after being disappointed by "Wild Wild West," I went with my cousin to see Stanley Kubrick's grand finale, "Eyes Wide Shut." Even with the "digital fig-leaves" that everyone is moaning about in the entertainment industry (Have you heard about this? Apparently digital people were added into the orgy scene just for the U.S. release of the movie so that they carefully blocked certain parts of certain scenes. The distributors swear that Kubrick okayed this before he died. Now I have to go see the movie in Europe to see what I missed.) it was an incredibly racy movie, and just as confusing as you expect Kubrick to be. The thing that really stood out to me was the incredible acting by Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. I've always thought they were decent actors, and I've been fairly impressed with some stuff that Nicole Kidman has done in the past, but they really blew me away in this movie. Oh, and neither of them are that bad to look at either.

Have you heard the David Duchovny song yet? A woman named Bree Sharp wrote a song called "David Duchovny" whose refrain is, "David Duchovny, why won't you love me?" It's been getting some air time mainly because of the "fake" video that was produced for it. The story goes that a friend sent the song to Duchovny himself, who shared it with Will Shivers and Charles Forsch, two of the production assistants on "The X-Files." These two guys made a music video that features celebrities like Brad Pitt, Jenna Elfman, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Janeane Garofalo, Whoopi Goldberg, Garry Shandling, Rosie O'Donnell, Kiss, and Gillian Anderson lipsynching the song. I've been trying to find it on the web, but every time I find a link for it it seems to be expired. Curious.

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2. Letters from the viewing audience

From Commissioner Gordon to Kim:
I am not sure what it is that has you crying over the Oreo O's commercial. You say you don't want to be treated like a 3rd grader, but isn't that the target audience? The only time I have seen this spot is in the morning as I am shaving to "Pokemon", or shining my shoes to "Beast Wars". Furthermore, I actually commend Oreo O's for their ad. I believe it is reminiscent of wacky shows like Pee Wee's Playhouse that was, in my opinion, a work of genius thwarted by a society embarrassed by it's own sexuality. As for the part about "hate[ing] any advertising that attempts to simulate news," perhaps you are just a little embarrassed that this commercial reminds you of your adult responsibilities to be watching NY1 or a major network at 7:00am instead of flipping back and forth between UPN and the WB. Don't be ashamed. Feel relief that you start your day with cows in dog houses, rather than war, crime, and "a special look at how you can squeeze into a smaller bikini this summer". Happy cartooning.

Letters from the viewing audience are always welcome. Please email any opinions, questions, comments, or random thoughts to TK at tk@tktv.net with the subject of "letters." Letters may be edited for length or content.

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3. Kim's Commercial Comments

Another week has come and gone without "new" television shows. It's this time of year that I realize I probalby do watch too much tv-- you know, when I'm sitting around, bored, channel-surfing... about to go crazy because there literally is NOTHING on I want to watch. I realize I've seen all the first-runs of my regular shows... plus I've watched the reruns of everything else. Pathetic, huh? Yeah, yeah. I know. But honestly, what have you been doing this summer?

What spot has me laughing? Volkswagen: The Chase

This commercial opens as if we're in the middle of the big scene in an action movie. Some guy is being chased out the back window of a tall building. He heads down the fire escape, jumps into a dump truck, then onto a motorcycle.

As he speeds away we see the three men who are chasing him. One, a Law & Order type in a powder blue suit, another reminiscent of Starsky & Hutch in a leather suit and retro shirt. They chase him on foot for a few seconds before they decide they need to requisition a car.

The camera pans the street as they check out their options. The blue sportscar? No. The minivan? Definitely not. The Volkswagen Passat? Oh yeah... A sly grin crosses the face of powder-blue-suit-wearing Law & Order guy. The others follow. They flash their badges at the driver of the car as they pile into the front and back seats.

"Follow that car!" shouts Powder-blue. The driver hesitates for a second, only to be prompted by "DO IT!" He puts the car into gear and takes off. As he maneuvers down alleys, oncoming traffic, and a closing garage door, Powder-blue shouts instructions at him. What the cop doesn't realize is that the driver has started to enjoy himself.

"Nice car," says Starsky/Hutch cop. "Hang on," says the driver. "I saw this in a movie once," as he gets airborne after the motorcycle.

This commercial has great music, is full of nostalgia, and is so quick and action-packed one can't help but watch it. If you haven't seen it, you can view it at http://www.adcritic.com

That's it for me, folks! Have a great week!


TKTV is always looking for new guest writers. Do you have an idea for an article? Write to TK at tk@tktv.net with the subject of "guestwriter."

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4. Don't miss

Fox is still showing new episodes of the fabulous comedy That '70's Show over the summer. Don't miss tonight's episode at 8pm ET when Mitch Pileggi from The X-Files guest stars as a swinger...yes, THAT kind of swinger.

If you missed the pilot of the WB's new comedy, Movie Stars, starring Harry Hamlin and Jennifer Grant, you can catch it again, tonight, at 9pm. Then you'll be better informed to watch the new episode that airs Sunday at 9pm.

This Friday is finally the series finale of the much plagued UPN series, Legacy. Catch it at 8pm ET.

NBC, following in the steps of Fox, has a new series premiering on Sunday, August 1, called You Asked for It. Its description is "earth-defying and mind-boggling rituals, stunts and behavior from all over the world." I wouldn't watch it, but you might. It's hosted by Phil Morris, and the first episode features an invention that withstands bear attacks, a girl cries glass tears and a high-speed parallel parker.

For details and lots more fun TV to look forward to, see
http://www.tktv.net/index.html?/upcoming.html

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5. TV Trivia

Last week's question was: "Which star of 'The Practice,' other than Marla Sokoloff, once guest starred on 'Party of Five?' Bonus: what role did this person play on 'Party of Five?'"

First prize goes to Kirsten D., who not only answered first, but also answered the bonus question. The answer is Kelli Williams, who portrays Lindsay Dole on "The Practice," and in the first season of "Party of Five" played Annie Alcott, the daughter of the man that killed the Salinger parents by driving drunk.

Second place prizes go to Erica B., MikeyJake, Alex B., Elizabeth S., Lindsay, Rachel V., Brad W., jenoy, and Miko. They pretty much all got the bonus question as well.

This week's question comes from Rachel. What "Sports Night" cast member guest-starred on "The X-Files?" I didn't even know the answer to this one, so good luck!

Send answers to TK at tk@tktv.net with the subject of tvtrivia.

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6. Favorite Quotes of the Week

From "That '70's Show"
"C'mon on in. Make yourself at home. I'm outta beer, but if you want you can break something." -Hyde

and

"Eric, I'm sure she's not abandoning Steven, she's his mother." -Kitty
"Mom, her exact words were, 'I know I'm your mother, but I'm abandoning you, Steven.'" -Eric

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7. A totally unrelated link

The Hunger Site

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When someone annoys you, it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head.