THE TKTV NEWSLETTER
Season 3, Episode 1 aired January 3, 2000

CONTENTS
1. Intro
2. Letters from the viewing audience
3. Stark Raving Bad
     -by guest writer Meg Tangirala
4. Don't miss
5. TV Trivia
6. A totally unrelated link

1. Intro

Well, I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year. As suspected, nothing blew up, there were no power outages, no one rioted or looted, and Times Square was amazingly crowded. TV coverage for all the millennial parties was impressive. Okay, I really have no idea how impressive it was or wasn't, because I actually had better things to do for New Year's than watch TV. I watched the ball drop on some channel or other, and then got lost in a world of champagne....

Since I have been watching very little TV in general over the holidays, I will say only one thing. If you are not watching "Now and Again" on CBS, start now. It's movie-quality TV, with good writing, incredible direction, gripping plots, likeable characters, and genuine acting.

Also, with the New Year, we have the launch of a fabulous new site. It's called myTVshop, and the URL is, of course, http://www.mytvshop.com. Shield your eyes. There's a really bright green thing going on as it loads.

The site was designed by my good friends over at Interocity, and has everything you've ever wanted to buy in regards to TV merchandise. What's particularly cool is that since they're just starting up, they're looking for input from potential shoppers about what should be on the site. If you're looking for something and you can't find it, let them know, and it just might be there the next time you visit.

And while you're there, check out a little column called TK Talk. It might just seem eerily familiar.

This week, Kim has been pre-empted by Meg, with her tell-me-what-you-really-think opinion of NBC's latest Thursday sludge, "Stark Raving Mad." Feel free to write to Kim care of me and tell her how much you miss her. Enjoy the first newsletter of 2000!

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2. Letters from the viewing audience

From Paisley:
I swear I thought I had dreamed the whole Star Wars Holiday Special. I was sure I had. But now it all comes flooding back... I even had the read-along book! (Between this and the memory of my Donny and Marie dolls with the purple outfits, I'm sure it's time for therapy.)

Well, I guess on the bright side, it's good to know I wasn't *dreaming* about wookies.

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. Stark Raving Bad by Meg Tangirala

I was flipping channels and came across the beginning of "Stark Raving Mad" on Thursday night. With nothing else even remotely tempting and having seen its ratings kick major butt week after week, I decided to settle down to watch my first episode.

There was something vaguely familiar about the show, almost from the beginning. No, it wasn't just that I got every gag (and I mean that a little literally) a full 5 minutes before the writers of this show did. There was something that I couldn't put my finger on.

The fabulous apartment, inhabited by a "creative" person with lots of whimsy. This apartment is the center stage for the action. And every week, the insipid writers have to come up with inane reasons why the "gang" should all meet in this location.

It was starting to become a little clearer. Let's see. There was a man with a knit cap, who may have been either stoned or extremely stupid (or both). Put a pair of skates on him - poof! - hey -- it's Charlie. Only not as lovable.

The chick with the attitude who lets herself in. Obviously Annie Spadero - with less oomph!

I'm guessing Neil Patrick Harris is the Richard wannabe - who looks down on everything, but secretly "gets" it all in the end.

And Tony Shalboub (whose talents are yet again being wasted!) is - yes, Caroline. As in "Caroline in the City." "Stark Raving Mad" is a watered-down version of a show that wasn't that great a show to begin with.

Well, considering I only watched 15 minutes of one episode, I feel confident that I made the right decision to NOT watch this pathetic show that's recycling other pathetic shows.

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

In amongst the leftover holiday reruns, we have:

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: who sang the theme song to the television show "21 Jump Street?" Bonus if you know what show she's on now.

First prize goes to Tanya S., who was the first to correctly answer Holly Robinson Peete (although she didn't have the Peete when she sang it). She not only starred on the show, but sang the theme song as well.

Second prizes go to Heather C., David A. (who also got the bonus: Holly Robinson Peete is currently on "For Your Love"), MikeyJake (bonus!), Monica B., Allan J., Laura P., Laura MaxJesseMe (half a bonus), Kathy Partyoffiv (bonus!), Scott S. (bonus!), Christine E. (bonus!) - the next ten people to answer correctly.

This week's question is: in honor of the series finale of "Sunset Beach," when did this Aaron Spelling daytime soap opear first premiere on NBC?

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

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6. A totally unrelated link

The Gallery of the Absurd

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The Y2K is more scared of you than you are of it.