"Trapper John, M.D." wasn't even the first spinoff of the 1970s.

Spin-offs go way back. The earliest I remember was "Pete & Gladys," spun off "December Bride" around 1960. Pete was a character on "December Bride" who always was seen visiting, making references to his unseen wife Gladys, who never came with but finally showed up on the spinoff in the body of actress Cara Williams. If I remember right, "Pete & Gladys" remained on the air a season or two after "December Bride" was cancelled, though its total run was shorter.

I won't say who played Pete, because in 1983 the same actor would star in another spinoff where once again we finally met the wife we had never seen but whom he only spoke about in the series that spawned the spinoff. Maybe TK wants to use it for a trivia question.

Okay, so who is the rich, egocentric guy named Kimble at last week's "totally unrelated link?"

As far as automobile commercials go, you've gotta comment on the new Mercedes spot that focuses on their attention to Safety. The spot basically itemizes every safety issue surrounding the automobile industry including Anti-lock brakes, side impact air bags, traction control, child restraint seats, crash testing, crumple zones and every other conceivable safety concept known to mankind. It's all very tastefully narrated by grainy black and white figures with the rest of the commercial is in color. The exception is that the commercial is quick to point out that pretty much every idea had been created and tested by Mercedes decades ago, while U.S. and Japanese car companies were still picking their noses and cutting costs by ignoring the consumer safety issues and offering fuel efficiency and dual cup holders.

Once again the Germans prove that it's not a car unless it's a Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Audi, or Volkswagon. Take your pick. There is a car for every financial income.

Note from TK: as far as I know, Kim (at kimble.org) is just someone who likes to play with Flash. And I'm not sure I would conclude that he's rich.

Hey, I just checked out those Honda commercials. God, they are so weird. I have a major case of the willies happening here. I am with you, they make no sense. I wish somebody would explain the hidden meaning to me. I am baffled!!!

The dogs in the Honda commercial are the "creation" of artist Bill Wegman. He's been around about 15 years, dressing up his Weimaraners (Man Ray & Fay Ray and their puppies). He's done a book on Cinderella, etc. with the dogs. I guess there's a lot of affection/recognition among his fans for the "look." The dogs have even been on the cover of People (or perhaps it was Life).

Note from TK: right! Now I remember. In fact, Wegman's dogs made another TV appearance on last year's WB sitcom "Zoe, Duncan, Jack, & Jane" when Duncan got a job walking them while Wegman was out of town.

So, how do you keep the show fresh and tempting while satisfying the public's inevitable need for a satisfying climax? Well, it looks like we won't have to wonder; we can just watch. As I'm sure you all know by now, someone named John Carpenter won a million dollars the other night. I've heard (having still not seen the show) that he got there without using any of his lifelines, and then poignantly used his "call-a-friend" to phone *his father* before he answered the last question. Apparently he said something to the effect of, "Dad, I just want to let you know that I'm about to win a million dollars." Maybe I'm cynical, but this just reeks of 'Quiz Show' to me. All-American boy wins All-American show, but does it gracefully, humbly, and in the ultimate Kodak Moment. Oh, wait. The web site says that he works for the IRS. I guess it must be real after all.

So it'll be interesting to see what happens when the show returns for its next run. Will the American populace, appetites whetted by having witnessed the minting of one millionaire, come back in throngs to see more? Or will the novelty have worn off, leaving ABC shrugging its shoulders and wondering "What happened?" as America tunes in to watch John Carpenter risk his million for 2.2 million on Fox's "Greed"?

Pentultimately, there was a brilliant piece in the New York Times on the two shows (WWTBAM and Greed) and what they represent as touchstones of American popular culture. It was fascinating, and made me realize how much of a hack I am. You should tell your readers to forget all about my article and read that one instead. Makes ya wonder what good an Ivy League education is . . . ;)

Finally, they never called and the number has now been disconnected. I am no longer a fan of WWTBAM.

With the cancellation of Wasteland, is there anyone who worked on last year's Cupid who still has a current day job? Jeremy Piven's series did not even get started, and to my limited knowledge he has TV plans. Rob Thomas, the creator, quit Snoops and now Paula Marshall has followed his lead. Now Wasteland is done and therefore so is Jeffrey D. Sams's job there. What bad luck for that group. (Maybe someone can get them all back together on a revival of Cupid. OK, probably not.)

Note from TK: Rob Thomas has joined Fox's "Get Real" as a consulting producer.

• Tom Arnold and Tara Lipinski guest on Veronica's Closet
• Farrah Fawcett guests on Ally McBeal
• Jake confronts that man that took his eyesight on Becker
• Gregory Hines begins his guest stint on Will & Grace
• On Party of Five, a motorcycle accident rocks the Salingers' world
• The return of Action to Fox with a special two-parter
• Isaac Hayes guests on The Hughleys