THE TKTV NEWSLETTER
Season 3, Episode 17 aired May 1, 2000

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

Well, I watched the first half of "Arabian Nights" on ABC last night, but it looks like I won't be watching the second half. As of last night at midnight, Time Warner cable has stopped carrying ABC in eleven major markets (including New York City). Instead they're broadcasting a blue screen with "Disney has taken ABC away from you" on it. Scrolling beneath that bold statement is text saying that Disney is trying to make Time Warner customers "walk the plank" and explaining how it's all Disney's fault for rejecting Time Warner's very reasonable offers for extension of service.

I hope they all work out their issues soon. I am curious to see how this will affect ABC's ratings and Time Warner's customer base, depending on how long it lasts.

The first half of ABC's miniseries was beautiful. There were lovely special effects, decent acting, and gorgeous sets and costumes. The only problem I found was that I had a very hard time understanding what everyone was saying. I think they paid too much attention to appearances and not enough to sound quality.

"Sports Night" is coming back to ABC! They're going to show the two-part season finale starting next week. Meg will be writing us a guest article next week to explain why it is crucial that you watch this momentous event (if you are getting ABC at the time).

For some reason NBC seems to be banking on the future big-time. They've just renewed "Law & Order" and "ER" through 2004. That's a big commitment! Never mind the fact that they also renewed "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" through 2002. Well, I guess they know a good thing when they see it, but I don't really see how much more steam "ER" could have, especially if there are more big cast turnovers.

Enjoy the newsletter and all the exciting shows airing for May sweeps!

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2. Letters from the viewing audience

From Andrea:
Know what show I'm continually surprised by? No, not Dharma and Greg, tho' I love that show and it's set on my VCR every week, but King of Queens. I liked Leah Remini since Fired Up, that cute-but-doomed-to-fail show about a woman's boss moving in with her to start a business together. It was painful because I really liked Sharon Lawrence too, but oh well, it wasn't all that compelling and it freed up Leah for King of Queens, top on my shows-you-should-be-watching-but-aren't. It's just a wacky show about this couple in Queens and situations they get into. I usually accidentally watch this show and am always surprised when I hear myself laugh. =) I love Kevin James as the goofy husband who means well but like sitcom men, just misses the mark bythatmuch. I can do without Jerry Stiller, but I'll tolerate him for the 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

Thanks for "tuning in" once again, gang. Let's get straight to the show...

What spot has me laughing? Mercedes: Push The Button

Don't you just love those little surprises in life? You know what I mean... a cool prize in the Cracker Jack box, "You're a winner" under a soft drink cap, a surprise resolution to a cliffhanger on your favorite show... All these little things make life a little better, not to mention making a good commercial great. My pick of the week is a perfect example. The spot has the feel of a movie trailer--quick edits, ultra closeups, intense music. It makes us pay attention because we can't identify it. We don't know what it's advertising until it's over.

It goes like this:

"Western United States: 2100 Hours" appears in the lower left corner of the screen. Behind it, we see video of a dimly lit roadway. It cuts to a close up of a woman's face.

"Open the box and push the button," she commands.

The driver responds, "What if you're wrong?"

"We have no options."

"Do you realize--"

"I am ordering you to push that button, mister"

"We cannot do this."

"Speak for yourself," as the camera changes to a strange shot from inside the console of the car. She peers into it and as she pushes the button, the driver screams, "Noooooo!"

Then we get a long shot of the car. It's sitting at the intersection we first saw in the opening shot. Hazard lights are blinking. It cuts back to the driver, his head down on the steering wheel.

We hear a voice come up, "Mercedes Benz Client Assistance Center"

"Hi. We need some directions" the woman responds.

"No problem."

The announcer "Now Mercedes Benz comes with Tele Aid -- a direct link to help..." Then Blah... Blah... Blah... and your average commercial disclaimers and it's over.

Do you remember the first time you saw it? Did you know what was coming? I didn't and that's what makes it fabulous. Enough said.

What spot has me cringing? Yahoo: Quasi, AU

As a rule (and of course rules are make to be broken), I like Yahoo's "Do You Yahoo?" campaign. The spots lean toward the fresh and new and tend to give me a giggle. But this one just aggravates me. Here's why...

We rely on the idea that we suspend our disbelief in order to enjoy a good movie. We might even do it for the sake of a really intense television show. But suspension of disbelief requires one major factor in order to occur: time. The audience needs time to become involved in the story and identify with the characters. In a 30 second commercial, we don't have that time.

So excuse me if I have a little trouble believing that Joe Schmoe who lives in a renovated bus in the middle of the Australian outback can pull off what he does in this commercial. He sees a special bulletin on television informing him that a comet or an asteroid or some other big ball of fire is going to crash into his town (if you can call it that). Before it hits, he has time to log on to Yahoo! Shopping, order 12 dozen pillows, have them delivered, unpack them, and strategically place them on top of his bus/house so that when the comet hits, it just bounces off.

Uuuuhhhhh... I don't think so.

TKTV is always looking for new guest writers. Do you have an idea for an article? Write to TK with the subject of "guestwriter."

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4. Don't miss

And so the season finales begin...
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: which previous "Beverly Hills 90210" regular cast members will be returning for the series finale which airs May 17th, 2000?

First prize goes to Jennifer L. Congratulations!

Honorable mentions (sorry, without prizes, but keep trying) go to Carolyn C. and Jena.

I got a lot of answers to this one, but only about half of them were correct. The correct answer was Tiffani-Amber Thiessen (who is now going by Tiffani Thiessen) and Gabrielle Carteris. (Val and Andrea for those of you who don't remember.)

This week's question is: what current CBS sitcom star voices a character on Fox's "King of the Hill?"

Don't forget, this trivia quiz is sponsored by myTVshop, where you can get all your favorite TV merchandise.
http://www.mytvshop.com

Send answers to TK at tk@tktv.net with the subject of tvtrivia. Winners will be chosen at random from all the correct answers.

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6. Favorite quotes of the week

From Will & Grace
Jack: "Heterosexual marriage is just wrong. I mean, if God had intended man and woman to be together he would have given them both penises."
Will: "I believe I heard Pope Ru Paul II say that."

From Judging Amy
Maxine: "Why is it so hard for you to believe that I'm attractive to men?"
Peter: "Uh, you're my mother."
Maxine: "And I got that way by being attractive to men."

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7. A totally unrelated link

Mr. Methane - The World's only Performing Flatulist

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Happy May Day!