THE TKTV NEWSLETTER
Season 2, Episode 40 aired December 13, 1999

CONTENTS
1. Intro
2. Letters from the viewing audience
3. Kim's Commercial Comments
4. Don't miss
5. TV Trivia
6. Brain Food
     -by guest writer Meg Tangirala
7. Favorite quotes of the week
8. A totally unrelated link

1. Intro

Wow, I didn't think I could get the newsletter out later than I did in the past, but apparently, I'm reaching for new heights this week. Apologies to those of you who get your email at work and won't get a chance to read this until Tuesday. In my defense, I had a friend visiting for a long weekend, and I just had to go out Christmas shopping with her instead of sitting at home and writing a newsletter.

Luckily, I can keep this short, since we have a fabulous guest article from TKTV's newest webmistress, Meg, on her favorite new show, "Now & Again." Don't forget to check out her site, too, at http://nowandagain.tktv.net.

Did anyone see "The X-Files" last night? I find that I seldom realize how ridiculous a TV show is when I'm watching it by myself, but when I have company, suddenly I become embarrassed to be watching the show when it's really bad. My boyfriend has ruined "The X-Files" for me, by commenting on silly it's gotten of late. I was happy in my ignorance, admiring Chris Carter's genius and the subtle layers of the season premiere and the questions that, when answered, simply ask more questions. It all seemed deep and mysterious and surreal and... well, now it just seems kinda silly.

How could Mulder and Scully have been through everything they've been through, and then just go back to leading their normal lives, investigating things like a guy with really good luck? And where does Mulder come up with these things? A guy falls from the top of a building, miraculously lives, and suddenly he's a guy with really good luck? It was a fun episode, I was entertained, but I'd like to see some evidence before Mulder jumps to these always-right conclusions. And hasn't Scully realized by now that her scientific explanation never holds water? She's supposed to be some brilliant FBI medical mind, so why is it that I figured out that Mulder is always right, and she hasn't?

Rumor has it this is going to be the series' last season, and I have to say, I think it might be time to let it go. Chris Carter wants to hang on, and I don't blame him after seeing the success (or rather, lack thereof) of his two latest ventures, "Millennium," which crawled along for a low-rated season and a half, and "Harsh Realm," which lasted all of three episodes this past fall. Luckily, David Duchovny has realized that it's time to move on, and has said that he will not be renewing his contract when it's up at the end of this season. Strangely enough, Gillian Anderson's original contract was a year longer than Duchovny's, so apparently, they can keep her for another season if they want to. More interesting is that she has publicly said that she also has no intention of staying for a seventh season, although she hasn't explained how she'll get out of her contract.

In any case, I look forward to bidding the show a fond farewell this spring, and I'm desperately hoping for a happily ever after, even if it still leaves me with more questions.

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2. Letters from the viewing audience

From Rob:
I'm so tired of Martha Stuart and her Ego that I just have to share this little tidbit w/as many people as I can.

Martha Stuart does NONE of the hands on crafts projects on her show.

Not for union reasons. Not for time considerations. But because she is an ultimate, total clutz. All of the work is done by hand models.

This is not a wild rumor. This is firsthand knowledge from a woman who propped the show for just under two weeks. (She left when she found herself having to chant "don't slap martha, don't slap martha" under her breath in order to restrain herself. She's a very happy local 1 props person now...)

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

Wow. Where does the time go? The holiday season is absolutely upon us and here I am, sitting at the computer, when what I need to be doing is shopping. Boy, do I hate to shop. I am so not the stereotypical female when it comes to shopping. I have tried to do a fair amount of my Christmas shopping online. It's so nice not to have to fight those crowds. Aside from the shopping, I do love the holidays. It's the only time of the year when I get even remotely domestic. I love decorating the house, making goodies, and watching all those great holiday classics. This week, I caught a fantastic new Christmas movie. Watch for "If You Believe," a Lifetime original movie starring Ally Walker (Profiler). Lifetime is running the movie quite often during the coming month, so you should be able to catch it if you try. Anyway, that's my recommendation for the week. Now on to the commercials...

What spot has me laughing? Snickers: Grossly Large Monster

In the tradition of those old Godzilla movies comes this clever spot for Snickers. When I first saw it I wasn't sure if I liked it. It's a little on the hokey side. It features crowds of people, dwarfed by skyscrapers and a huge monster, running through the city streets. The monster stomps through the streets, demolishing everything he touches. Then he picks up a bus full of commuters. He raises the bus up, and breaks it in half -- throwing one half into a nearby building. We get a pretty cool shot from one end of the bus of the monster's eye, followed by a shot looking down to the other end where the driver, I think, is hanging on for dear life. Then we see the "grossly large monster" again as he shakes the bus. He sticks one of his grossly large fingers down inside the bus, trying to pick the little man out. The announcer comes up and asks, "Hungry?" Should've had a Snickers.

I have to laugh when I see it. It's quite clever because you know it's a commercial. I found myself wondering what in the world this could possibly be advertising. You can see it at http://www.adcritic.com!

What spot has me crying? Victoria's Secret: Desire (Stephanie and Heidi)

These two spots are supposed to advertise Victoria's Secret's new line of bras. All I've gotten out of them is an eyeful of Stephanie's and Heidi's breasts. The announcer asks, "What is desire?" The model on-screen responds with some trite remark like, "Desire is the love of one man." Who really knows what they're saying? The models in these commercials may as well be nude. Very little is left to the imagination and I find them offensive. Now let me say up-front that I believe it's the right of these women to go on TV in their underwear. But I don't have to like it. Of course, my husband finds nothing whatsoever wrong with the commercials. He rather likes them. As do most every other red-blooded American man out there, I suppose. Too much sex. Too much skin. Not enough information. I am a woman, most likely in their targeted demographic, and I had no idea what product they were advertising until I went to Victoria's Secret's website, doing my homework for this column. I guess people are probably paying attention to this commercial, but I doubt they're running out to buy the bras.

Ah, well... Until next week.

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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: 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?

First prize goes to Lindsey, who was the first to correctly answer Amy Hathaway.

Second prizes go to Alison C. and Todd C. - the only other people to answer correctly.

This week's question is: what famous country singer had a short-lived starring role on the soon-to-be cancelled NBC soap opera, "Sunset Beach?" Bonus if you can remember what disease she had.

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

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6. Brain Food by Meg Tangirala

I swore to never get hooked to a show on Friday nights. That's the night when I normally go out. That's the night most movies open and I love seeing movies on opening night.

But I've gladly given it all up. I convince my friends to go out on Saturday nights instead of Fridays. From 8:56 pm until 10:00 pm on Friday nights I'm glued to CBS. I start a few minutes early so I don't even miss the promo. So, what is it, already?

"Now and Again."

It stars Eric Close (late of "Magnificent 7"), Margaret Colin ("Independence Day") and Dennis Haysbert (Pedro Serrano in all of the "Major League movies).

You might have heard the promos. You might have read a review in Entertainment Weekly or People Magazine. Or seen something about it on "Entertainment Tonight" or "Access Television".

The show where they saved John Goodman's brain?

What's the show really about? That's a little hard to explain. It has sci-fi elements, drama, romance and comedy - all rolled brilliantly together.

If I started to describe the premiere episode, entitled "Origins", I'd fill several pages. Basically, the story so far is:

Michael Wiseman (played in the pilot by John Goodman) fell in front of an "F" train and died, but his brain was saved. Why? To go into the body of a perfectly engineered genetic body. The result is the new Michael (a quite magnificent Eric Close), who's got the body of a 26-year-old, but with the mind of a 40-something-year-old insurance salesman.

He can hold his breath for 6.5 minutes, run 35 miles an hour and lift 1000 pounds. But all he really wants are his wife and daughter back. Which he can't.

That's the catch. In return for not dying, Michael can never see the people he loves most in the world for fear that they may be killed to keep the top-secret project top-secret.

His only contact with the outside world is his mentor, Dr. Theodore Morris (Dennis Haybert). He, quite wonderfully, plays the straight man to Eric Close's dry sense of humor. It's Dr. Theo that's stopping Michael from seeing his family. And that puts Michael in one dangerous situation after another.

But, of course, Michael somehow manages to see his daughter (Heather Matarazzo) and wife (Margaret Colin). The chemistry between Eric Close and Margaret Colin (Lisa) is terrific. Heather (her character's name is Heather also) is a wonderful actress also and, at 16, she plays at being a teenager better than most of the 20-year-olds on "Dawson's."

Michael even gets to see his best friend, Roger (Gerrit Graham). They have some great moments together. Roger is a slimy weasel and Michael's just a nice guy and the two work great together.

Sometimes the story revolves around Michael and his family, which makes for great romance and drama. Sometimes the story has something to do with Michael saving the world, or his little corner of it, at least. Then the show is also full of sci-fi elements and special effects. Sometimes the stories combine and overlap and sometimes they run parallel courses. And there's humor sprinkled about.

You never know where creator Glenn Gordon Caron (also famous for the much-missed "Moonlighting") will take this show. It's completely unpredictable.

So, what is it? As I said, it's a little hard to explain. But whatever it is, it's one of the best dramas/comedies/sci-fi/romances on TV. (To get more detailed information, check out my new site on TKTV at http://nowandagain.tktv.net.)

And check out "Now and Again" on CBS at 9:00 pm.

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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7. Favorite Quotes of the Week

From "Party of Five"
"I'm a couple of dates and some pillow talk away from a big-time commitment." -Bailey

From "Dilbert"
"We're relaunching the dupey product line next week as a pizza topping." -the boss
"You can't do that. The dupeys are sentient beings." -Dilbert
"If by sentient, you mean good eatin', I think we're on the same page." -the boss

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8. A totally unrelated link

Death by Lightsaber

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"Guys are lucky because they get to grow mustaches. I wish I could. It's like having a little pet for your face." -Anita Wise