Question: I keep hearing discussions about how good TV is these days with too many quality shows for any person to watch (Mad Men, Dexter, The Wire, Battlestar Galactica, and so on). But I remember the rave reviews and accolades past shows (like Hill Street Blues or St. Elsewhere, for example) got when they were initially airing. And I loved these shows when they originally aired. But recently I watched a few episodes of these programs that I found in a box of old videotapes and, well, disappointed sums up my feelings. I found the acting stiff, the pacing uneven, the writing tedious, the directing flat and the characterizations cartoonish. Neither run of episodes could hold a candle to any of the shows I watch these days. (I enjoyed the old commercials more!) People grow and tastes change, I know. But shouldn't "artistic" quality hold up longer? Are we spoiled by the supposed quality of today's television, or will I watch my Mad Men Season 1 DVDs 20 years from now and feel the same ...
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Diagnosis Murder courtesy Paramount, St. Elsewhere courtesy 20th Century Fox, ER by Paul Drinkwater/NBC
Wanna play doctor? ‘Cause a whole bunch of our TV favorites have and scored big time. On screen, of course. And seeing how I have seen way too many doctors in the last week — two friends had babies and I had a checkup all within four days — I decided that it was the perfect time to examine some of the best medical shows on DVD. So turn your head, cough and please find someone to call me in the morning!Becker — Before Ted Danson got his creep on for Damages, he was a nasty Harvard-educated House in the Bronx from ’98 to ’04 in this surprisingly tart CBS comedy. A merciful far cry from the Tiffany network’s insult-coms of the last few years, the first season is finally available and totally worth the coin. To sweeten the deal, I’ll just add that Star Trek deliciousness Terry Farrell is on deck as the diner boss who wants to both fork Dr. Jerk and do something to him that sort of sounds like fork. Got it? Good.Buy Becker on Amazon.comER — Do...
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Ed Begley Jr. and his wife, Rachelle Carson, Living with Ed
Although Ed Begley Jr. was recently killed off Veronica Mars, in reality he's all about staying alive. A veteran character actor who came to fame — and collected six Emmy nods — as St. Elsewhere's bumbling Dr. Victor Ehrlich, Begley is also a longtime environmental activist intent on helping the planet. Unlike many of his entertainment peers who ride around in gas-guzzling SUVs and live in mansions, Begley resides in a modest solar-powered home, drives an electric car and even takes the bus.
While fans admire his dedication, they don't have to live with him. His blonde-bombshell, image-conscious actress wife, Rachelle Carson, does, however, and she often finds hersel
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Question: Hey, Matt. I just wanted to get your opinion on the series finale of Alias. I have been a faithful fan from Season 1 and have written in to your column asking about Alias all the time. However, I felt the writers wrote a rather depressing ending. I mean, Renee, Nadia, Tom, Irina and Sloane all were killed, not to mention my favorite, Jack! I thought that Jack's death was totally unnecessary and mean-spirited toward the fans who have loved him from the first season on. And Irina, what's the deal? Why did they make her so evil? I mean, she saved the world at the end of Season 4 and then turned into her evil sister, Elena! It did not sync up and felt rather like a betrayal. Yes, I understand Rambaldi "changes you," but c'mon. I mean, I was happy with Sydney and Vaughn ending up together and Dixon as director, etc. But it was the finale. Make the fans happy all around; what can it hurt? I was waiting for Isabelle to run in and say, "Grandpa Jack!"
Answer: For my own analysis (one
...
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Meredith Baxter, David Birney, Bridget Loves Bernie
Question: A long time ago there was a sitcom set in New York (I think). It involved a Jewish boy and a Catholic girl who got married. (I might have their religions reversed.) Of course, the usual problems developed. I want to say it was called Beth and Bernie. Am I right? Thanks.
Answer: Close, A.C. Actually, you're thinking of Bridget Loves Bernie, a sitcom that debuted on CBS in September 1972 in a cushy slot between All in the Family and Mary Tyler Moore. David Birney (St. Elsewhere, the TV version of Serpico) play
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Rebecca Holden and David Hasselhoff, Knight Rider
Question: On the show Knight Rider, what did K.I.T.T. stand for?Answer: Why, he and partner/driver Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff) stood for truth, justice and single-handedly lowering the auto-industry fleet's miles-per-gallon average by 10 miles or so. Weren't you watching?
Actually, K.I.T.T. stood for Knight Industries Two Thousand, the model name for the superpowered, computer-sentient car built by dying rich guy Wilton Knight. The hit series ran on NBC from September 1982 to August 1986, and as fans will know, Knight rescued undercover cop Michael Young, who'd been shot in the face while on the job. He paid for his plastic surgery, giving Young a new mug and a new name (Knight, which smacked of some ego, I thought) in the process. Then he handed his creation the keys to K.I.T.T., a black Trans Am with a
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Question: Your comments on the Night Court actors reminded me that I had a crush on the woman who played the court clerk before Mac. What was her name, and did she do anything else besides Night Court?Answer: That she did, and that she does, Bill. You're thinking of actress Karen Austin and her character, court clerk Lana Wagner, who was replaced on the comedy after a season by Charlie Robinson's Mac Robinson.
Austin did a lot of guest work on such series as Happy Days,
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Question: I have a suggestion to save Commander in Chief: Kill the president's husband (or at least divorce them). The plotline that has erased my interest for Chief is the idea of watching Mackenzie's husband as a "supporting" chief of staff. The entire concept is boring and offensive to the original concept: a woman capable of being the president of the United States. I am sorry, but I signed up for a show that leaves the man in the house while his wife is running the country, not this annoying double team formed by a married couple. So by killing the husband, you'll add a huge dramatic twist, plus the chance to get back on track. What do you think about my suggestion? Is there another way to creatively save Commander in Chief? Hopefully ABC will give the show a chance. However, I think if ABC wants to save a show, they should go with Invasion, since that one is completely flawless. Thanks for taking the time to read my question.
Answer: Is anyone listening? Fan as I have been of Kyle
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Question: Terence Knox played in a series before Tour of Duty. What was that series? Its like a spy and rescue series. I think the female may been Susan St. James. The theme song was "Looking for a Hero," sung by Bonnie Tyler.Answer: I'm not able to make all the details match, Pandy (the timing, the costar, Tyler's "Holding Out for a Hero," etc.), but it sounds like you may be talking about Rescue 77. And if you aren't, my crack readership will spank me and steer me in the right direction, and I'll update you in a later column.
Knox (St. Elsewhere) play Dr. Griffith in the contemporary version of the hit '70s series
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The Book of Daniel's Susannah Thompson, Aidan Quinn and Alison Pill
I'm pretty sure I'm still dreaming. As far as I can tell, this dream started a year and a half ago, so it's actually still June 2004, it's 3:30 in the morning, and I "wake up" with the first scene vividly playing out in my head: His daughter's been arrested. This guy (I hadn't even come up with names yet) has to go pick up his teenage daughter at a police station, way down in Riverdale, in the middle of the night. What the heck was she doing in Riverdale?! He's worried to death. He's angry. He's scared. But more than anything... he's uncomfortable. He is a WASP, after all — they don't go to police stations. And certainly not in the middle of the night! By the time he gets her and his wife home, it's dawn; they have to get ready for church. As he sits alone in his car, he reaches for the biggest obstacle in his life right now — his Vicodin. Then... Smash Cut to: the Pulpit. He's a priest! That's it. That's my way in. I finally found my way into a world that's bee
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