THE TKTV NEWSLETTER
Season 2, Episode 39 aired December 6, 1999

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

Is there some quota that people have to fill for the size of a television show's cast? It seems like so many shows are so stacked with cast members that they don't know what to do with them. On "Judging Amy," Amy has a brother, Peter, and a sister-in-law, Gillian, who didn't even appear on the show for many episodes in a row, and yet the actors who portray these characters appeared in the opening sequence every week. When they did make a rare appearance, it was to stop by the family house, say a few lines, and disappear. Luckily, it looks like the producers woke up recently and realized that they were missing two cast members. Although I would have rather seen them written off all together, I'm glad that if they're going to stay a part of the show, that they're actually being used.

And why did "Party of Five" keep Jeremy London as Griffin? Yes, London is cute, and yes, Griffin is a great brooder, but he's the ex-husband of one of the Salinger siblings, and although he's remained friendly with the family, he's had no storyline and no real connection except flitting in and out of the kitchen occasionally. Now, suddenly, we're supposed to care about him again because he has been in a motorcycle accident... even though he said maybe a total of four lines from the beginning of the season until Thanksgiving.

"Charmed" had Dorian Gregory in its opening sequence for the entire first season. He played Detective Morris, the oldest Charmed sister's sometime-boyfriend's partner. Whatever. He just sat around being frustrated by unexplained phenomena, and, with his partner, running after warlocks that disappeared before he got there. He mercifully disappeared after his partner was killed off at the end of the first season, but he shouldn't have been a starring member of the show in the first place.

What exactly is Pauley Perrette doing on "Time of Your Life?" She's the superintendent of the building in which Sarah and Romy live, in case you didn't know, and she's in the opening sequence of the show. At one party once she sort of got together with a nerdy guy. That's it. She's never once had her own storyline. Why is she even in the cast?

At least there is the occasional show that comes to its senses quickly. Kudos to "Ladies Man" on CBS for realizing within a few episodes that there was no place for Jimmy's ex-wife, played by Park Overall, and making her quietly disappear.

There are also the shows that bring on guest stars and realize that they are making their own place on the show, and wisely add them to the cast. Good examples of this are the addition of Greg Grunberg and Amanda Foreman to "Felicity," the addition of Kerr Smith and Meredith Monroe to "Dawson's Creek" (although they shouldn't have had to wait through the whole second season as special guest stars), and the addition of the fabulous Dorie Barton to "Stark Raving Mad" as Henry's prim-and-proper control-freak girlfriend Tess.

So, producers, hear ye well, the lesson to be learned here is not to force a character, but to let them evolve. It should become clear within a few episodes whether or not the character is a keeper, and if they say less than eight words in one month, chances are it's time to cut your losses and axe them. Now would someone please explain to my why "Angel" just lost one third of its starring cast by killing off Doyle?

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2. Letters from the viewing audience

From Keith:
X-Files had Millenium people and zombies in it, two of my favorite things. Plus, it's always fun when Scully gets totally baffled by a supernatural event and can come back the next week as if nothing has happened to shake her faith in rational explanations.

From Alexis:
Just out of curiosity, why does Leo keep commenting on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," without ever watching an episode? It just doesn't make sense to comment on something you've never seen, and write an article that contains so many words like "supposedly" and "I've heard." Articles are much more interesting when written by people who have actually seen the show they are commenting on, and know exactly what they are talking about, instead of constantly boasting about how they've never seen that particular show.


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

Some weeks are easier than others when it comes to writing Kim's Commercial Comments. Let's face it -- there are fantastic weeks for television; and those fantastic weeks are usually followed by some pretty uneventful ones. In my never-to-be-humble opinion, we have just experienced the latter. Which also means that I haven't seen very many memorable commercials. In fact, the two campaigns I'm writing about this week, I've discussed before. But, in each case, their latest efforts are worthy of revisiting. So let's get to it.

What spot has me laughing? Gap: That's Holiday

Once again, I have to stray from my usual. "Laughing" is definitely not an accurate description of my reaction to these spots. But I do thoroughly enjoy them. There's a regular version and a kid's version (in case you're wondering why I'm suddenly referring to them as "them" instead of "it").

These commercials are visually stunning. They have used visual effects to produce a kaleidoscope-esque result. Images of festively-clad people in Gap clothing multiply and divide across the television screen. I can't begin to do justice to the way these spots "look" with words. They are absolutely meant for television. You must see them. And when you do, you'll want to point them out to those around you the next time you have the chance.

I know I haven't given you much in the way of a description, but these are not the type of commercials I normally write about. There's no story or gimmick or clever pun. There are only spectacular visual effects. And those effects are so cool that I found them worthy of mentioning. If you haven't had the opportunity to see them yet, you can check them out at adcritic.com.

What spot has me crying? Old Navy: Charades & The Other One

Does it seem like I can't say something nice about Gap commercials without complaining about Old Navy? Yes? I thought so. Oh well. Here I go, anyway.

Sister, Sister and Brother, Brother are back in these two equally offensive commercials that have somehow managed to hit the airwaves.

In the first one we are subjected to a painful game of charades where the only intelligent gesturing going on is outside of the television and inside my living room where I am swiftly reaching for the remote. And let me say that I am not a channel surfer. But after seeing this one the first time and then accidentally watching it the second time, I sprint for the remote control when I see even a glimpse of it.

I don't really think you need a lot of explanation here. It's just the same old goofy humor with those two sets of twins from the Tech Vest spots. In the one I have affectionately titled "The Other One", the girls are getting ready for a date with Brother, Brother when they discover they're wearing the same tech vest. Of course, their instict is to turn the other side out. And of course, they both do it so they're wearing the same thing again.

When the doorbell rings, the boys are wearing identical vests... surprise! And somehow they wind up with a burned dinner???? Who knows. Maybe I'm not paying attention to these spots and that's why they seem so stupid.

Or maybe not.


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 current TV star played a child character in a movie which was played as an adult by Natasha Henstridge?

First prize goes to Meg T., who was the first to correctly answer Michelle Williams ("Dawson's Creek"). The movie, by the way, was "Species."

Second prizes go to Tanya S., ckstern, Brandy T., Josie H., Allan J. (who said it was suprisingly easy), velveeta, Mare, Monique, Erica B., and Alison C. - the next ten people to answer correctly.

This week's question is from Jen, who runs the TKTV Felicity site. Along with Scott Foley, this actress appeared on the premiere episode of "Zoe, Duncan, Jack, & Jane," and was also a guest star on "Felicity" during the show's first season. Who is she?

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

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6. Favorite Quotes of the Week

From "Ally McBeal"
"I thought I'd try being nice. I'm bored with my character." -Ling

From "That '70's Show"
"Come on, Donna, you know smoking causes cancer." -Eric
"I know, but it makes me look cool, so it's an even trade." -Donna

From "Star Trek: Voyager"
"I suppose it all started in the holodeck. Doesn't it always?" -Barclay

From "Two Guys and a Girl"
"How was the gym?" -Berg
"Everything in there was so heavy." -Pete

From "Stark Raving Mad"
"Like Martha Stewart says, if you leave nothing to chance, nothing will go wrong. And she has four houses." -Tess

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7. A totally unrelated link

Charity Frogs

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Monday is an awful way to spend one seventh of your life.