THE TKTV NEWSLETTER
Season 2, Episode 25 aired August 2, 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
When I was a kid, I loved cartoons. When I stayed home sick from school, I could watch cartoons all day long. Even now, there are certain kid cartoons I enjoy watching. Some, like Bugs Bunny and Woody Woodpecker, I love because they remind me of my childhood. Some, like The Animaniacs or The Adventures of Batman, are simply good to watch as an adult.
One cartoon I desperately miss from my childhood is The Transformers. I loved The Transformers. I loved the way they transformed. I loved the way the good guys were cars and the bad guys were planes. I loved the Dinobots, who tried to be good but had a little trouble controlling themselves. I loved that casette-tape player, whose casette tape could turn into a little dog. I even loved those silly female transformers that turned into motorcycles.
Recently, I found myself up at the ridiculous hour of 7:30am, and flipping past the WB, I came across BeastWars, Transformers. I was fascinated. Could it be that I had found my beloved Transformers once again?
In beautiful 3D computer animation, the beasts took over my screen. There were rhinos, and flying dogs, and huge insects...some familiar music, some familiar themes, and one or two familiar names, but my old Transformers were nowhere to be seen. Can someone explain to me what this is? When did it come into existence? Where are the old Transformers? Who are these new beasts? I'll admit, I watch it anytime I'm actually awake at the ungodly hour that it's on, but I don't understand it, and rather than fulfilling my need for my Transformers, it only makes me miss them all that much more.
Welcome to this week's newsletter! A bit late, but actually being sent out on a Monday at least. Kim is having trouble finding a commercial that really pisses her off, but luckily, we have a viewer who found one for her. Other than that, not much is going on in the world of TV these days. Everyone's a little confused about whether George Clooney will be back to guest star on "ER," Jesse Ventura is going to be on a soap opera, and Keenan Ivory Wayans is working on a new show. For all the latest updated news, check out the TKTV News page.
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2. Letters from the viewing audience
From Gerard:
I saw "Eyes Wide Shut" too. Even though I really liked it, I must admit I thought Cruise stuck out like a sore thumb. Overall, it was very Kubrick until Cruise was in any scene. He just didn't fit to me.
Also, I heard from an inside source that Harvey Keitel was supposed to play the role of Zeigler. But he and Cruise have ego clashing issues and Kubrick removed Keitel to keep Cruise happy. Can you confirm this? And if it is true, I think Keitel would have fit in a Kubrick film MUCH better than Cruise did.
(Note from TK: sorry, can't confirm or deny. I didn't hear about this myself. Perhaps another viewer knows something about this?)
From David:
"You Asked For It," the new show on NBC that you mentioned in last week's newsletter, is not new. It's a revival of a 1950s series with the same name and format.
From Alex:
I love that David Duchovny song. I haven't seen the video, but I hear it on the radio in the morning sometimes and it has me cracking up on my way in to work. I am sure the other people on the highway think I am a real weirdo or something.
Glad to hear that David Duchovny has taken the whole thing so well. But, hey, given the character he plays, it seems like he has a quirky sense of humor.
From Angie:
I've kept silent too long!! I have been waiting for Kim to say something about the most obnoxious commercial I've seen in a lifetime of TV. The spot for Preparation H Cooling Gel is the tackiest commercial ever! You know the one I'm talking about. A man and his date/wife are at the movies. The man is squirming in obvious pain. He leaves his seat, almost running, and we cut away to the sales pitch. When we see the man again, he is returning to his seat. He plops down, smiling at his date, as she blissfully eats popcorn.
Every time I see this spot, I EXPECT to see this guy either grab his girl's free hand, or worse yet, stick his hand in the popcorn!! Am I alone on this one? Maybe bad potty-training memories? Anyway, does anyone agree with me?
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
Arghhh! Another week of reruns. And I'd just like to add that this 100 degree weather has rendered me utterly useless to society. But somehow, I have managed to squeak out another column this week (barely). And just for the record, the spot I'm writing about this week is not particularly funny. As a matter of fact, I think I'd have to classify it as down-right cool!
What spot has me laughing? Ray Ban Sunglasses: Sunrise
It's just before dawn. A group of trendy, trim, young people have congregated on a large set of gothic-looking steps. Eerie music fades up and sets the pace for the spot. As the cast all stare straight ahead, we see one more member of this group trying to make his way to the steps. The color of the sky begins to gradually change as each member of the group slides on his requisite dark glasses. We see the late one begin to run toward the group. He sits on the steps just as we see the sun come into view. He pats his chest...searching his shirt pockets. A look of sheer terror comes over his face. The camera zooms out just in time for us to see him burst into flames. Another guy in the group reaches into his pocket, pulls out another pair of glasses, and laughs. "Somebody forgot his RayBan sunglasses!" The entire group starts to laugh.
This spot is very cool. If you haven't seen it yet, you can view it at http://www.commercial-archive.com
Until next 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
Had I gotten this newsletter out on time, I could have told you about the premiere of a new sitcom on CBS tonight. It's called Thanks, and even though it's about pilgrims from England trying to adjust to the New World, Entertainment Weekly says it's surprisingly funny. If you missed it tonight, there will be another new episode next Monday.
Best of Woodstock '99. See what all the hullabaloo was about.
Another new episode of the WB's new sitcom, Movie Stars.
Next Monday the premiere of another new WB show, Katie Joplin.
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: "What 'Sports Night' cast member guest-starred on 'The X-Files?'"
First prize goes to Lindsay, who gave the very complete answer of, "Felicity Huffman (Dana Whitaker on 'Sports Night') guest starred on 'The X-Files' as Dr. Nancy DaSilva, in the 1993 episode 'Ice.'"
Second place prizes go to MikeyJake, Carley B., and Danielle.
This week's question comes from Jena. On "Friends," with whom was Chandler stuck in an ATM vestibule?
Send answers to TK at tk@tktv.net with the subject of tvtrivia.
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6. Favorite Quotes of the Week
Since there's not much new on TV these days, here's a controversial old quote from "Sports Night," the most quotable show on TV.
"What are you afraid of?" -Casey
"Offending people." -Dana
"Who? Our legions of viewers who take Jerry Falwell seriously? Charo's got a bigger fan base." -Casey
"Casey!" -Dana
"No, I know I'm alone on this. I know the vast majority of people consider Jerry Falwell a spiritual pillar of great and gentle wisdom. I know that most people consider him a scholarly and tolerant man who would never judge others harshly just because they were different. I know that most people find his calm leadership to be a gentle soothing beacon at a time of great social chaos. His guidance, for instance, on the great purple Teletubby matter was fraught with the kind of theological sophistication that only Jerry Falwell and a cafeteria full of sixth graders could devise. I know, I'm going way out on a limb, but I think Jerry Falwell's a fat-ass. Who did I just offend? I'm eager to talk to them." -Casey
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7. A totally unrelated link
iBrator
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"In India, 'cold weather' is merely a conventional phrase and has come into use through the necessity of having some way to distinguish between weather which will melt a brass door-knob and weather which will only make it mushy." -Mark Twain