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DO
NOT DISTURB Is Fox capable of mounting a decent sitcom anymore? How long has it been since they've launched a comedy that the audience responded to? Arrested Development in 2003 perhaps, but tune in was light, the critics kept that one alive. We're a long way away from the network's salad days of Married With Children, The Simpsons, Herman's Head, Get A Life, and That '70s Show. Last year's Back To You did OK and might have made it to a second season if the production hadn't been so top heavy with expensive stars. Fox won't have that problem this time around, Do Not Disturb comes from Back To You producer Abraham Higginbotham but this new production is loaded down with unknowns. The series focuses on Rhonda, played by the wonderful Niecy Nash (Reno 911), the HR director of a snazzy New York City hotel and her wacky - but loveable, they have to be loveable - co-workers. It's a claustrophobic show, thoroughly predictable, banally written; the pilot for Do Not Disturb percolates with been there done that. It's a multicultural rainbow of stereotypes with no payoff, saved only by Nash's ability make any tired line or worn out scenario seem fresh. Writer / producer Higginbotham was a producer for Will & Grace and Arrested Development, if you enjoyed those series (I didn't) you may find this one easy on the eyes. As you might guess, there is a prominent gay presence in this ensemble - a silly, feckless character, of course - but then almost every 'type' is represented: the clueless blonde, the shallow lothario, the sassy black girl, the wise overweight chick, you get the idea... Far too broad and over-the-top, Do Not Disturb is all snap, crackle and no pop. What is does have is plenty of potential, the cast is a talented group and the premise is loose enough to accommodate almost any situation. You can't always judge a series by the first show alone. This show could end up being the hit Fox is looking for. There is probably enough lowest common denominator appeal to put this one in the winner's circle. After all, if the grotesquely unfunny lead in 'Til Death can draw enough viewers to get renewed the bar can't be set that high. Do Not Disturb airs Wednesday night, September 10th at 9:30 ET/PT on Fox. Thursday,
September 4, 2008 - 10:05am
TWO
SAD PASSINGS In the early 1950's, Keller was introduced to show business after his family moved to NYC and he joined Sid Caesar's writing staff in 1955. He worked with Mike Stewart, Neil Simon, Woody Allen and Larry Gelbart on Caesar's Hour, a spinoff of Your Show Of Shows which went on to become one of early TV's most popular satirical variety programs. He would work for Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore, Dick Van Dyke, Danny Kaye, and Sophia Loren and won an Emmy for a special that starred Carol Channing. Aside from his work as a scriptwriter, Mr. Keller was also a composer, songwriter and a jazz musician. Keller, along with the other comedy writers on Your Show Of Shows and Caesar's Hour would become the basis for Neil Simon's stage comedy Laughter On The 23rd Floor. Bill Melendez died yesterday at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, he was 91 years old. A veteran cartoon animator, Mr. Melendez began his career working for Walt Disney and later for Warner Brothers during the 1940's using his real name J. C. Melendez. In 1948, he would leave Warner's "Termite Terrace" studios for other venues. Melendez produced and directed TV commercials and films for UPA, Playhouse Productions, and John Sutherland Productions. It was during an assignment with the J. Walter Thompson ad agency in 1959 that he was first introduced to Charles Schultz' "Peanuts" characters. The agency wanted to use Schultz' characters for a Ford TV ad, Melendez was hired to work on the commercial. In the mid 1960's, teaming up with Lee Mendelson, the pair would create, produce and present many Charlie Brown animated specials for CBS, four feature length animated films, and numerous commercials for many sponsors including "Dolly Madison Snack cakes and Met Life Insurance. Mr. Melendez would also produce the Garfield The Cat TV specials and cartoon series, Babar Comes To America and The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. He also appeared on CBS TV's popular game show To Tell The Truth and in 1987 won an Emmy for an animated special featuring another popular comic strip character, Cathy. He also provided the sounds for Charlie Brown's dog Snoopy and for Snoopy's bird pal Woodstock. Unlike the character in the comic strips, Snoopy never spoke in the specials. Melendez made sure that Snoopy only made grunting sounds and squeals. (Snoopy only spoke in one TV special, the animated version of the Off-Broadway musical comedy You're A Good Man Charlie Brown in the 1980s where Snoopy was performed by Don Potter.) Melendez also appeared on TV tributes to both Charlie Brown and to his creator Charles ("Sparky") Schultz. Mr. Melendez' last TV credit was as producer for He's A Bully Charlie Brown which was released two years ago. Despite his passing, Mr. Melendez' animation studios will continue to create and produce quality cartoons and commercials. Thursday,
September 4, 2008 - 9:35am
NEW
SHOW REVIEW Believe it or not, Howard Stern's radio carnivale has been around for 25 years. I listened for a few years in the 1990s, his local NYC TV show in the 1980s was other wordly funny. Why isn't that on DVD? Beat the Booey is booey-liscious, Howard Stern fans will surely lap it up. There are some hilarious clips from the Stern show, Jon Hein does a great job hosting and the contestants are a nice mix of fruits and nuts. Of course, there's no shortage of scantily clad young ladies to be seen. This series airs for 5 episodes beginning Thursday, September 4th on Howard TV On Demand. Wednesday,
September 3, 2008 - 8:55am
JERRY
REED Reed was a great talent who had a short burst of hit songs in the early-1970s that were outasite, songs like 'Amos Moses,' 'She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft),' and 'When 'You're Hot You're Hot.' He was even animated on an episode of The New Scooby Doo Movies and hosted his own summer replacement variety show. Then he shot to movie stardom as the Snowman in Smokey & the Bandit and his biggest hit tune (I'm guessing) 'East Bound and Down.' He later went on to co-star in two short-lived primetime dramas, Nashville 99 in 1977 and Concrete Cowboys in 1981. Here's Jerry with Chet Atkins with 'I'll Say She Does' on The Jerry Reed When You're Hot You're Hot Hour from 1972.
From a 1983 concert, 'When You're Hot You're Hot' - Jerry talks about being on Glen Campbell's variety program.
Finally, Jerry with Glen Campbell on Tom Jones' show doing 'In the Pines' and 'Muddy Water.'
Wednesday,
September 3, 2008 - 7:59am
READ
THIS Monday,
September 1, 2008 - 11:25am
NEW
SHOW REVIEW It's a bit preposterous that Scotland Yard would need the FBI to help with a couple of straight up murder investigations, but I was willing to go along. What we get is a dry, run of the mill, solve-the-crime-at-the-end-of-the-show procedure, hardly the best episode of the series run. I missed the end of season three but apparently my favorite character, Zack, had some bad luck dealing with a serial killer and isn't along for the ride. Diehard fans may be pleased with this two-parter, it's surprisingly romantic and the ending to part one provides a jolt; but judging from the first outing this fall, Bones could be losing steam. Entertaining as far as it goes, easy on the eyes, pleasant enough to watch, just not as sparkling as it used to be. Bones season 4 premieres Wednesday, Sept. 3 (8:00-10:00pm ET / PT) on FOX. Monday,
September 1, 2008 - 8:45am
BIT
& PIECES
Everybody's talking about BBC America's Skins. It's a coming of age comedy-drama starring Nicholas Hoult who was so incredible in About a Boy. For added authenticity, the writing staff are all under the age of 22. Here are some video previews, see if you're interested:
SKINS airs Sundays @ 10pm/9c. In a previous post I mentioned the Cap'n Mitch (TV Pow!) show in Sacramento. Kevin Butler wants you to know that, "Mr. Mitchell Agruss, aka Cap'n Mitch, began his career in local kids TV as Capt. Solomon C. Whiskers on the local New Haven, Ct. edition of The Popeye Theater back in the late 1950's and into the 1960s." Hey, just in case you're on Jeopardy one day... Monday,
September 1, 2008 - 5:55am
TWIN
CITIES FUN Axel
and His Dog is a funny and fascinating look at the early days of Twin
Cities television and a touching testament to friendship. Written by original
cast member Don Stolz, poignant real life stories of the Axel children's
show TV cast are balanced by the show's signature zany comedy. Lakeshore
Players Theatre Axel
& His Dog Saturday,
August 30, 2008 - 8:33am
THIS
WEEKEND IN LA
Shotgun is a busy guy these days and a great ambassador for the Oldies station. Next weekend he’s hosting a K-Earth 101 winners lunch at The Disneyland Resort. Then the next day he’s taking two listeners via First Class to the Big Island of Hawaii for 5 days and 4 nights where he’ll do his show for a week. Friday,
August 29, 2008 - 1:50pm More new show reviews to follow! |
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I
just read the sad news that Jerry Reed passed away on Monday from complications
due to emphysema. He was 71. 
Season
four of Bones opens with Dr. Brennan and Agent
Booth in London where they come across their British counterparts after
an American tabloid star falls victim to murder and a member of the Royal
Family is suspected. This naturally requires a delicate personal touch,
who better than Brennan and Booth?
