THE TKTV NEWSLETTER
Season 2, Episode 30 aired September 27, 1999

For subscription requests, simply email me personally at tk@tktv.net.

CONTENTS
1. Intro
2. Letters from the viewing audience
3. I Want a Hero      -by guest writer Meg Tangirala
4. Don't miss
5. TV Trivia
6. Favorite quotes of the week
7. A totally unrelated link

1. Intro

I just saw this wonderful commercial from, of all companies, Pfizer. A woman collapses into a chair on a porch absolutely exhausted. She tells us the story of how her entire family went to the lake today, including the dog. The dog had been suffering from arthritis, but their veterinarian told them about new medications to treat arthritis, and as we can see from the flashbacks of her story, the yellow Labrador is running, swimming, jumping, and chasing balls like a puppy. "Isn't that right, Lady?" she asks as she looks down at the still vivacious dog next to her, and presses the button on a baseball throwing machine that launches yet another tennis ball for the dog to chase.

So this newsletter is dedicated to my yellow Labrador puppy, Lady, who has been in my family since I was eleven years old, and is now going on fourteen. May she romp for many more painless years.

So how was your premiere week? Mine was lost in a sea of decisions: what to watch, what not to watch. Some of my favorites so far: "Jack & Jill" on the WB and surprisingly, "Ladies Man" on CBS.

As far as family sitcoms go, "Ladies Man" is refreshingly funny, starring Alfred Molina as a lone man in a family of women. Sharon Lawrence, as his wife, might finally have a role that fits after leaving "NYPD Blue," we welcome Betty White back to TV as his mother, and Katie Volding, as the awkward teenage daughter who gets arrested for shoplifting in the pilot episode, is endearing without being sappy. The only disappointment was Stephen Root ("Newsradio") as the best friend. He's silly and pathetic, and Root's talents, which I consider to be many, are wasted. Although I've never been one to recommend much on CBS, if you're looking for a good old-fashioned sitcom, give this one a try, Mondays at 8:30pm.

The most noticeable thing about the WB's new drama, "Jack & Jill," is that it is chock full of really beautiful people. Yeah, okay, so that's nothing new for TV, and certainly nothing new for the WB, but at least these beautiful people can act. I also find the premise refreshingly unique. Jack is a girl, come to New York from Newport, RI after finding out at the altar that her fiance slept with her maid of honor. Jill is a guy, living in New York and debating whether or not to move in with his fabulous girlfriend. So far, it doesn't sound that unusual, right? Hold on. They meet, they flirt, and they decide to be friends. The sexual tension is there, but Jill does decide to move in with his girlfriend, and Jack does decide that maybe she shouldn't heal her broken heart by rebounding quite that quickly. The supporting cast is strong, the on-location New York scenes make me happy, and I look forward to many more episodes of this quirky new drama. Sundays at 9pm on the WB. (Last weird thing... the piano background music for the show reminds me a little too much of "Will & Grace," which has an eerily similar title as well.)

Did you watch the "Law & Order" spin-off, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit?" I appreciated that Munch referred to his old show, "Homicide," even though I didn't watch it. I like the fact that SVU has a little more humor in it than the original "Law & Order." Mariska Hargitay, as Detective Olivia Benson, looks a little too much like Angie Harmon ("Law & Order") for comfort. It's cool the way that they used the same theme song, only modified, but they took out all my favorite parts from it. I enjoyed it, but it still wasn't as tasty as the original.

Last but not least, although CBS's "Judging Amy" is a total rip-off of NBC's "Providence," at least they have some refreshing music in it which makes it stand out.

We're missing Kim's Commercial Comments this week, because Kim is moving. Good luck, Kim! Instead, we have a wonderful guest article by admitted "Sports Night" fan Meg Tangirala. Hope you enjoy the newsletter!

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2. Letters from the viewing audience

From Jennifer on "Get Real":
Hooray that I am not the only one who thinks this show is great! I love the cheesy jazz music that plays whenever the characters are bantering back and forth ... especially that adorable breast-obsessed younger brother. He is just too funny! I also love the cinematography (can that apply to TV? - sorry no film school savvy here) (although they ripped off the refrigerator shot from Party of Five). Did you see the picnic table scene? Older brother laying on the table and younger brother comes and lays on one bench, sister comes and lays on the other and the three of them discuss, bicker, get pissed off and the older brother ends up right back where he started, alone again... poignant, artistic... all around fabulous! (Did anyone read into the fact that the sister and younger brother exchanged the under-the-table glance emphasizing that they are on the same level while the older brother is in a realm all to himself? Oh, whoops...was that just me?)

I also love that they switch back and forth from verbal dialog to the Wonder Years-ish narration... it rounds out the characters and makes them more believable. My only criticism was that the older brother could use a few more acting lessons...at least How To Cry And Make It Believable 101 would be a start. (hehe) Excellent show! Can't wait for more! (Translation: please, Please, PLEASE don't let them cancel it before it really gets a chance.)
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. I Want a Hero by Meg Tangirala

I am a single female getting closer to thirty. Every minute. I date (less and less these days) and I have all sorts of conversations about men with men and women. I talk about and think about men everywhere: at home, at work, at record stores, in supermarkets, you name it. I want to settle down and get married someday.

But, I want a man. With a capital "M".

I don't want "Men Behaving Badly" wannabes. Take Jay Mohr on FOX in "Action." What's so great about a guy who apparently cares for his uncle (the head of security) but feels no remorse for dragging a prostitute by his car for several blocks and turning it into a premiere ploy?

Then there's William H. Macy in the TV movie on TNT called "A Slight Case of Murder". He's completely non-redeemable. He accidentally kills one of his girlfriends. Accidentally, I can sorta buy. Then, he covers it up, but ends up getting blackmailed. He turns the tables and blackmails his blackmailer. His other steady (the wonderful Felicity Huffman on "Sports Night") is deceived time and again and even at the end believes him to be a good guy. And all the while, he's screwing the investigating detective's wife.

So, what do I want? Well, I'm looking for a hero.

I want a man who will make me laugh. Who can say things that make me cry. Who has a strong moral sense. Who's not afraid of a take-charge woman. Who doesn't hide behind every Rob Schneider-"boys-will-be-boys" caricature. Who makes mistakes. And owns up to them. And when things are really bad, I want a man, who will not attempt to solve my problems, but will just hold me.

I will gladly take "Sports Night's" Dan Rydell. He'd be the first to admit that he's not perfect, but he's there when you need him (and even when you don't).

Give me Eric Camden (from "7th Heaven"), who knows when he is in charge and when to get the heck out of his wife, Annie's, way before she kills him.

I'll even take Eric's son Matt Camden, who finally shaved the little goatee and moved out of the house. He's never had to work a day in his life, but boy can he keep his brothers and sisters in line (not an easy job) and he's got a great sense of right and wrong.

And then there's Pacey Witter's ("Dawson's Creek") clumsy, yet endearing attempts at being a man Andie can depend on.

I want a man who'll make me want to tune in to him in real life, time and again. I WANT witty, slightly sappy and 100 percent manly.

I can't seem to find him in real life, but for now, I'll keep flipping channels and dreaming.

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

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 indie film queen made her start as Tess Shelby on "As the World Turns?"

First prize goes to MikeyJake, for correctly answering Parker Posey even though he spelled her name wrong. :)

Second prizes go to Lindsay, PARTYOFFIV, Josie H., Meg, Maria, and Tom J.

This week's question is from trivia whiz MikeyJake. What current leading lady got her start on a show called "Girl Talk," the TV version of the board game?

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

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6. Favorite Quotes of the Week

From "7th Heaven"
"Nepotism is the backbone of the American work force." -Lucy

From "Felicity"
"We're roommates again?" -Felicity
"That was kinda my reaction too except angrier and louder, and in between 'we're' and 'roommates' I added a word." -Meghan

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7. A totally unrelated link

The Daily Tease

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If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.