THE TKTV NEWSLETTER
Season 3, Episode 8 aired February 21, 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

I love February sweeps. Okay, well, as far as the TV industry goes, I think sweeps are kind of stupid, but as a TV viewer, sweeps periods are just full of good TV. I don't just mean stunts like guest stars and crossovers (okay, but crossovers can be lot of fun), but the fact that some of the most pivotal episodes of serial dramas are often aired during sweeps, to be sure that the die-hard fans can't help but tune in.

For instance, there was this whole closure thing with Mulder's sister on "The X-Files." (Yes, last week's episode was actually called "Closure.") Like any good episode of the "The X-Files," it left a lot of unanswered questions, but it was still a crucial episode if you've been following the tragedy of Mulder's life for the last six seasons. However, gimmicks are good too. Last night's episode (aptly titled "X-Cops"), in which the "Cops" camera crew followed around Mulder and Scully, was beautifully done. Some of the looks that Scully threw the camera crew tailing her were classic. Gillian Anderson might do well to look into a comedy acting career after "The X-Files" has gone the way of "Seinfeld" and "Mad About You."

Ooh, and "Buffy" has been so good lately. The whole story line of Riley and the Initiative came to a head at the perfect time. They've been building to it all season! And this week and the week after we get the gimmick of the return of Faith. I always knew Joss Whedon hadn't forgotten about her. (By the way, did anyone else think that last week's monster, Adam, looked a lot like a Borg drone? I think the Buffy/Angel folks are running out of costume ideas for their bad guys, so they're ripping off Star Trek.)

On Buffy's brother show, "Angel," we get to learn more about Angel's past, his relationship with his family, and what he was like when he was a young and very bad vampire. Those were always the best episodes of "Buffy," when Angel would have flashbacks to his younger days.

Who caught "Now and Again" last week? I think they created that whole episode just as a way to bring John Goodman back for February sweeps, but the end result was a beautiful episode in which we not only got to see the Wisemans when they were a whole family, but also got to see just how much Theo actually cares for Michael as a person and not just a project.

I am so looking forward to the upcoming episode of "Party of Five," in which we get to see what the kids' lives would be like if their parents hadn't died six years ago. It's not that different from last week's "Friends" in which we got to see what the friends' lives would be have been like if Rachel had married Barry, Ross's wife Carol hadn't figured out she was gay, Joey hadn't lost his job as Dr. Drake Ramoray on "Days of Our Lives," Monica was still fat, Phoebe had taken a job offer as a stock broker, and Chandler had had the guts to quit his job and become a comedy writer. Okay, so the "Party of Five" episode will probably be very different in that I have a feeling it's going to make me cry, while "Friends" had me falling off my seat laughing.

"Ally McBeal" stars are dropping like flies. First Gil Bellows and then Courtney Thorne Smith both announced that they were leaving at the end of this season. David E. Kelley has already said that he will be adding two new lawyers to the firm of Cage & Fish before the season finale to make the transition seamless. I can't wait to see who he picks this time. I still wish he had held onto Jesse L. Martin (Ally's doctor love last season). Martin's talents and good looks are wasted on "Law & Order." Not that "Law & Order" isn't a great show, but it doesn't often use the acting talents of its detectives.

Speaking of "Law & Order," I've always known that the Broadway stage and television had a lot of crossover when it came to talent, but I was particularly psyched when I saw the Stephen Sondheim review "Putting it Together" last Friday, and then watched "Law & Order" this week and saw the same amazing actress. Her name is Ruthie Henshall, and she looks sort of like a cross between Marlee Matlin and Jodi Foster. She was great as the cold-hearted lesbian author on "Law & Order" last week, but she was even better as the Young Woman in Sondheim's review, particularly when she performed one of my favorite numbers from "Dick Tracy" entitled "Sooner or Later."

P.S. Why is it that Ty Davis has to do a running chase in every single episode of "Third Watch?" It's like Ty alone is in the cast of "Baywatch" while everyone else is guarding the streets of New York.

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2. Letters from the viewing audience

From Judith:

Regarding Kim's confusion about the Teri Hatcher/Howie Long Radio Shack commercials, it's no different than when Polaroid (I think) teamed James Garner and Mariette Hartley for a series of commercials years ago. Each was recognizable on his/her own, albeit Garner was more so than Hartley. Nothing in particular tied them together, but their banter in the commercials was very amusing. There doesn't always have to be a reason as long as it sells. I haven't seen the Teri Hatcher/Howie Long commercials, but since neither rings my bell I bet the commercials wouldn't amuse me the way the Garner/Hartley ones did. But then again, amused as I was by James and Mariette, I didn't buy a Polaroid camera.

From Trey:

I can't agree with the assesment of the Rock's appearance on "Voyager." I wish he had a bigger part in the episode! I love the way he played to the "crowd" like he does at the wrestling shows. But, I guess to each his own.

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

Well, TV fans, after a pretty rough week at work, I'm not sure how witty I'm going to be today. Perhaps you all will cut me a little of the proverbial slack, eh? First of all, I'd like to thank those who responded to last week's column about the Radio Shack commercials featuring Teri Hatcher and Howie Long. It looks like you guys agree with me that there is no connection between the two, other than their celebrity status. So, I am still annoyed, but now I'm annoyed with company... so that makes all the difference.

On another note, I read with disappointment that FedEx has pulled their marvelous "Wizard of Oz" spot that premiered during last month's Super Bowl. It seems that the company was under pressure to do so since the spot (I'm paraphrasing here) encouraged kids to inhale helium. Give me a break, already. I won't get on my political soapbox, here, but we are getting to the point where this kind of thing is absolutely ridiculous. If kids are inhaling helium, or glue, or whatever, how about finding their parents and holding them responsible? We really have to stop blaming the media for all of our problems in this country and take responsibility for ourselves. Okay, sermon over.

As for this week's commercials, let me warn you. There may very well have been a wealth of new spots out there this week that I have not yet seen. You see, where I live, if it so much as rains, the local weather people tend to freak out and interrupt programming to ensure that all viewers are aware of "the threat" of severe weather. And so, no less than three nights of the week, I fell victim to their over-reactions and missed LOTS of television. Okay, okay... I know. Enough whining, already... on to the commercials!

What spot has me laughing? Pets.com: The Sock "Pup" spots

I know you all have seen at least one of the Pets.com commercials featuring the sock puppet dog with the microphone. You might say he's a "roving reporter" for Pets.com. If he's not interviewing your average man on the street, he's riding along with the Pets.com driver on deliveries or attempting to bribe a doorman with "three dollars.. no, four dollars." These spots are pure genius in their originality and good, clean, fun! The voice of the puppet is incredibly unique. It demands that we try to imitate it. I'm not very good at it, but my husband can get pretty close.

I think the appeal of these spots is definitely the fun factor. They don't take themselves too seriously, either, as evidenced by the occasional shot of the arm up the puppets... well, you get it.

These spots are online at adcritic.com, in case you haven't yet had the pleasure. I suggest starting with "Deliveries" and working your way through the list from there. Don't miss "If You Leave Me Now." They're worth the short wait for the download.

What spot has me cringing? Velveeta: Chili Dip Charades

This spot has been around for a while. In fact, I'm sure I've seen it at least two dozen times. And to be honest, it didn't annoy me, at first. But it's time to retire this one, folks. A commercial is no longer effective when it hangs around for such a long period of time. People have it memorized by now, for crying out loud. Okay, so let me give you the details, in case you're the one person who hasn't seen it.

A group of friends are gathered in someone's den, playing charades. A guy gets up and walks to the kitchen and begins to make a HUGE bowl of Velveeta Chili Dip. The dip is ready, almost instantly, and he begins to scoop it up, stuffing his mouth full with bite after bite. He is so involved with the dip that he doesn't even notice that his friends think he's acting out a movie title. They're guessing like crazy while he's finishing off the entire bowl of chili dip. He scoops up the last bite and one of the friends says "What a pig!" Then everyone yells "BABE!" Mr. Chili Dip looks startled by this and replies, "Is it my turn?"

So that's it. And again, the commercial itself is not particularly offensive. I've been mostly unaffected by it up until now. But now, it's time to let it go. File it away in the old commercial graveyard. Send it into not-so-early retirement. Whatever it takes... I've seen enough!

Until next week...

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

February sweeps in high gear... 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: in what years did Robert Guillaume win his Emmys for his title role in the defunct series, "Benson?"

Okay, so this one was kind of confusing. I probably should have worded it differently. Unfortunately (for us, but not for Guillaume), Robert Guillaume played the role of Benson on two shows, "Soap" and "Benson." In 1985, he won an Emmy for best lead actor in a comedy series for "Benson," but in 1979, he won an Emmy for best supporting actor in a comedy series for "Soap." So I took both answers as correct. If you said 1985, or 1985 and 1979, you were in the running for first prize. Sorry about the confusion.

First prize goes to Scott S.! Congratulations!

Honorable mentions (sorry, without prizes, but keep trying!) go to Lela K. and Andrea T.

This week's question is: how many actors have played the role of Griffin Holbrook on "Party of Five" and what are their names?

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.

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6. Favorite Quotes of the Week

From "Spin City"
Mike: "Fine, fine... date the Duke of Dork."

From "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
Buffy: "Spell it out for me. I feel an attack of dumb blonde coming on."

From "Norm"
Norm: "Look, Weiner Dog, I'm sorry I had to throw you out of the bedroom last night but your barking was driving Jenny crazy. Just because your people invented that position gives you no right to criticize."

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7. A totally unrelated link

My Boot - Online movies collection

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Two-thirds of the world's eggplant is grown in New Jersey