Have you ever loved a TV show and had it simply end? Without warning your heart is full of the things it makes you feel and then someone, probably a studio executive, pulls the rug out from under your feet. I bet it has happened to all of us. Maybe your show was Sports Night or maybe it was The Dresden Files. Maybe it was Moonlight or maybe it was Jericho. Was it Emily's Reasons Why Not - which only aired one episode? I recently watched and in some cases rewatched, three TV series that ended too soon and it wasn't the fault of the viewers or the creative talent behind the shows, but the blame rests on Networks almost exclusively.
American Gothic - American Gothic is an American satirical horror series created by Shaun Cassidy. The show first aired on CBS beginning on September 22, 1995. It was cancelled after one season. To the dismay of many fans CBS never treated American Gothic with any respect. It moved the show to different days and time slots repeatedly. Perhaps the biggest disservice done to this show was the fact that in an series with an ongoing story arc, CBS ran the episodes out of order. How could fans possible follow that and give the show a decent rating? The series is not perfect, but it was ahead of it's time. NBC Universal's horror-themed cable channel Chiller, which launched March 1, 2007, began airing American Gothic for the first time on American television in over a decade. You can find it there or view it free in order at Hulu.com.
Firefly - Firefly is an American Emmy award winning science fiction television series created by writer/director Joss Whedon under his Mutant Enemy Productions. Whedon served as executive producer. This series was a futuristic western, remaining true to the western genre while telling the story in outer space. It's realism and humor put it in a class of its own. Firefly premiered in the United States and Canada on the FOX network on September 20, 2002. It was canceled after only eleven of the fourteen produced episodes were aired. Despite the series' relatively short life span, it received strong sales when it was released on DVD, and has impressive fan support campaigns. The film Serenity was based on the TV series. Whedon had to fight with FOX executives from the beginning to make the show he proposed to them and they accepted in the first place. In 2005, New Scientist magazine's website held an internet poll to find "The World's Best Space Sci-Fi Ever". Firefly came in first place, with its cinematic follow-up Serenity in second. I couldn't agree more. It is also available on Hulu.com, including the never aired pilot and remaining episodes.
Veronica Mars - Not your typical high school show. What took me so long to find this gem? It has the distinction of lasting for three seasons. This is at least three seasons short of how long it should have lasted. Veronica Mars is an American television series created by Rob Thomas. The series began on September 22, 2004, during UPN's last two years, and ended on May 22, 2007, after one season on UPN's new network, The CW. This show is part murder mystery, part high school and college drama, and part social commentary told with sarcasm and off-beat humor. The series was about a student, Veronica Mars, who progressed from high school to college during the series while moonlighting as a private detective working under the wing of her detective father, Keith Mars. It was so well written, so fresh and exciting - until The CW interfered and made the creative team do things the network's way. Rob Thomas has stated he wanted to take Veronica into the FBI as a rookie recruit. Alas it was not to be - at least not on the small screen. CW Entertainment President Dawn Ostroff felt that viewers got too confused by the original VM format, and thought a new format would allow new viewers to start watching at any point in the season. In spite of complying with this and shortening the season, in spite of Ostroff announcing in January 2007 that she was pleased with the gradual ratings improvement of Veronica Mars, the series was put on hiatus after the February sweeps to air a new reality series, Pussycat Dolls. When the hiatus ended, the series returned for the last episodes of the season with non-serialized plots. Ostroff announced that Veronica Mars was not part of the new primetime lineup and was not coming back. The first season is available to view on WB.com.
These three shows were critically acclaimed, in varying degrees; none more than Veronica Mars. They had solid audiences and well-told stories. All were killed before their time by executives who don't really care what you or I think, they believe they know better than we do and even more disturbing they think they know what we like and need better than we do. I think on other networks, at different times, they may have flourished. All are available on DVD and in part at least on line. If you're looking for something unique, well written and extremely entertaining, check them out.
TVG Blogger TV Series Proposal - New and Exciting!
Dear Studio Execs,
We at here at the TVG BFZ would like to propose a series be added to your line up. It comes complete with story and characters. It will mostly be a drama, but as with so many good shows today, will have elements of comedy as well. Please see the proposed series description laid out for you below. We look forward to hearing from you concerning this innovative and exciting idea.
Series Title: The Travels of Mr. Furley and Chicken Vee
Photo #1
The series is the story of a young man, Mr. Furley, searching the old west for the meaning of life. His traveling partner is Chicken Vee, a woman appearing to be a chicken, but who is a animorphed Native American holy woman. As the action begins Mr. Furley is around 25 years old, although the story relies heavily on the use of flashbacks to when he was ten years old and first met Chicken Vee. Furley was taught the true path to enlightenment by Vee - beginning with her slapping that cigarette right out of his mouth. We will explain in the pilot why a holy woman would decide to be a rooster rather than a hen - it has everything to do with not laying eggs both actually and metaphorically.
Photo #2
In the series pilot, we will see Mr. Furley leaving his mother, Marci Furley, behind at their Southern California ranch to begin his search for truth, enlightenment, and the meaning of life. In a dream Chicken Vee sees two wise women in the California wine country who can tell them the meaning of life. So, barely escaping being robbed by highway men, they are able to find the vineyards. Instead of a wise woman they find Mannie and Molly (see picture #3 below). This sets off a chain of hilarious events where Chicken Vee is almost bottled and sold as a fine Merlot. It is then they realize Chicken Vee misinterpreted the dream and it was not a wise women but whiny women they'd find. So, when a gypsy named Dishy Trishy (see picture #4 below) shows up in her wagon and reads Mr. Furley's palm, as well as giving him the night of his life, our heroes head for Oregon to find a man with a special gun, which gives the shooter of the gun all knowledge.
Episode 2 picks up our friends Mr. Furley and Chicken Vee as they reach a gold mine town in Northern California called Iggy's Bottom. The town is full of old, filthy miners who keep talking about how nice Iggy's Bottom is and our heroes only see run down shacks, a general store and a Saloon named Iggy's so they are perplexed - as none of it looks too nice. They later discover the miners are speaking of the proprietor of the Saloon - Iggy, and she really does have a nice bottom. (See picture #5) Iggy is a Madam with many talents and many beautiful woman working for her - but her star is the Asian beauty - Princess Fi. (See picture #6). Mr. Furley forgets all about finding the meaning of life when he meets the Princess and falls madly in love with her. Not until he discovers PF (as he affectionately calls her) chasing Chicken Vee around to cut off her head and fry her for supper does he come to his senses. Our friends leave Iggy's Bottom and head for Oregon at the end of the episode, with a meaningful contemporary song heard as they walk into the sunset.
Episode 3 brings us finally to Oregon and to the Fancy Bad Guys gang lead by the notorious Ranger. He is on possession of the 'Gun of Knowledge' (see picture #7 and 8) and rules half of Oregon with his gang members consisting of: his nasty but good looking right hand man - NYJoey, his gun toting, cigar smoking mama - Julie, his deadly accountant and assasin - Megan, and his gang of filthy thugs including Pann, Met, Indy, Kath, Kris, Lynn, Mos and Doc Lacey. This episode is still being written so changes may be made in casting and story. Of course romantic elements are needed in every episode as we expect Mr. Furley to score every week, so we have Miss Candice, the comely school marm and part-time dancer in this episode as well. We are looking for a catch phrase for Furley to indicate he has a high libido. Suggestions for this phrase are welcome.
The remaining episodes will include characters such as:
Famin - the big Broadway Producer who wants to make a musical of Mr. Furley and Chicken Vee's travels. She travels with her secretary, April - who is actually a spy for another producer we may meet later.
Zia - the mysterious disappearing story teller with a story of her own - and a hollow wooden leg.
Amber - the hooker with the heart of gold and the soul of a pirate. She actually was a pirate but we're not sure how that history will weave into this story.
Colonel Philly - a man with an idea for a restaurant chain that involves a secret recipe and Chicken Vee.
Cindy - the Riverboat gambler who wins Chicken Vee for a short time but Mr. Furley wins her back in a no holes barred game of Texas Hold 'Em.
Teryl Rothery has agreed to guest star as Janet - the woman from another time and planet being chased by an intergalactic stalker - John Stone.
Saving our most special guest star for the very last episode of the series - the lost David Flores is found and all wisdom returns to the west. But this is just in an early stage of development.
The list goes on and on in an endless scenario of possibilities. There are parts for Chappy, Curl, MaryPat, Rod, MysticKitty, Geets, Pengy - you name them, we can write them in. Perhaps Chicken Vee will fall in love, perhaps Mr. Furley will temporarily go blind, perhaps our heroes will stumble across characters from old lost series like Bonanza or Big Valley. See how very versatile this can be?
This series has the potential to successfully run for years and make you all richer and me able to buy a tank of gas! Please let us know what your decision is as soon as possible so we can complete work on this new exciting show. In the meantime the members of the BFZ will be posting their own ideas on the thread below. They are all so clever they will find ways to work themselves into the stories. One question - is this allowed under WGA rules? Please get back to me on this.
I had to start this with something sweet and innocuous so it doesn't get deleted immediately. Not that I intend this to be inflammatory or rated anything above the acceptable G rating for TVG. I want it to be honest however. So, I will attempt not to slam or defame in any way so there will be no reason to delete this blog. If it is deleted we'll all know something insidious is going on.
I've had it suggested to me I become someone else to blog here. But that isn't my style. It never has been. I will go away forever before I do that. I might change my name from time to time as a joke and maybe even because I need a change. But you'll always know it is me. I'm an honest person - my friends know that about me and accept it. My friends accept me as I am or they are not friends.
I called this the History of TVG Community Blogs for a reason. I've been coming to TVG almost since the site went online. At first just to check listings. Eventually I sent time in the section recapping the TV the night before and polling what everyone thought was the best TV. This was before even the Watercooler existed. When TVG started the blog section many people who were regulars around here had a fit. It was changing and they were having none of it. I consistently posted to give it a chance, see how it was. When the blogs began I read them for a week before joining as a blogger. I mostly wanted someone to exchange ideas about Lost.
Since the blogs began, TVG has expanded to have Fan Groups and Message boards. Each time people have complained. Each time a small group of us have remained and stuck with it. In spite of attacks by Gremlins - which are really just technical issues that seem like attacks - we've stuck it out loyally. We felt like we had a friend in David Flores and even when he could do little to help us, having him in our corner made all the difference in the world to us sticking it out. I, as well as many others here, have hung in tough through some months and months and years of development. We've supported and promoted TVG. I put a link on my Blogger blog nearly two years ago. We have Flair at Facebook made by Megan we all keep up on our boards - or did.
In spite of all this, us long term members seem to be the ones suddenly being targeted for attack. We are censored, deleted, and disrespected. It's gotten so much worse since David left. It's like no one is there at all. I sent one message that was never responded to at all. I've been told by others they've sent many and never heard a thing back. Not that long ago either David or Jay would respond almost immediately to everything. Have all the rats abandoned ship? Are we the only fools left tending the boat? Except for the censors, that is.
It's hard to walk away from a many friends. I've never intended to do that. I've taken breaks in the past and it has gotten better. Maybe this will stay up since there is nothing in it that should get it deleted. If it doesn't I'll have confirmation that something is really amiss here. I have spent so many hours laughing with good friends at TVG - even yesterday. This turn of events just sucks the joy out of it for me.
I hope any of you that care, about this place or me, will leave your words here below to let them know how you feel.
Good Ideas Accepted Here
And You Thought All the Innovative Ideas Were Taken?
Think again!
I posted on another blog this stairway design. How smart is this?
I put that under "good" idea. But not all innovative ideas are good, are they? This next one is something my last employer probably would have loved. It is not, however a good idea.
Some things might not be absolutely necessary but they are still really cool ideas. Like this one:
Some things might not be absolutely necessary but they are fun ideas! Like this one:
Some things might not be absolutely necessary and they also seem - well just wrong! Like this one:
Yes there are others that whether we need them or not are just ingenious and really could make life easier at times. Like these:
What about you? Got any good ideas?
Take My Tour through the UK: Special Stops in Ireland and Scotland
Let me be your travel guide through the BBC worlds of Ballykissangel in Ireland, Lochdubh in Scotland and Dibley Parish in England. Each offer different highlights for the seasoned TV traveler. We begin in Ballykissangel.
Ballykissangel is the name of a series created by Kieran Prendiville, running from 1996 through 2001. I begin our tour here because it is the first of the three BBC series I watched. It was largely filmed in the small village of Avoca Ireland, with the action surrounding the people of the area as they mostly visit the Pub and their local Catholic Church. The new priest coming to town was the premier episode and with subsequent years and new Priests, the church was a focal point of the show. It definitely relied on the character of the area, both in it's people and customs. Signs were given in English and Gaelic, although little Gaelic was spoken. There was a strong sense of community, a strong sense of Irish and Catholic pride mixed with the questioning of faith. The show was most definitely both a drama and a comedy, mixing these elements very skillfully.
Hamish MacBeth is the name of the series running from 1995-1997 and starred probably the only really famous person in all the series, Robert Carlyle. The first thing he did after this series was the lead in the movie, The Full Monty. His character, Hamish MacBeth is the central character on which almost all action is pivoted. He is the constable in the small Scottish town of Lochdubh (pronounced Lock - dew). The filming for this series was mostly done in Kyle of Lochalsh and the Highlands, Scotland. The scenery alone makes this show a worthy stop. Once again the characters of the area are the element giving this series life, both in custom and language. The schools in Scotland require Gaelic be spoken, so a fair amount was heard in the series. It also centers much of the action in the Pub, but depends on the outdoors much more than either of the other two locations on our stop. This is again both a drama and a comedy with a slight edge toward drama.
The Vicar of Dibley is the final series. This came recommended by another blogger, I believe it was Tazzy. We had borrowed the first set of DVD's from a friend so decided to visit the parish of Dibley as soon as we were done in Lochdubh. This show ran from 1994-2007, so we haven't watched the whole series. Unlike the other two series, this one is a studio shoot for the most part, made in the UK. The action centers around an Anglican church and begins at a time when woman were first allowed into the priesthood. Dawn French plays the Vicar of Dibley, who is not only a woman, she ogles men, eats chocolate and loves rock and roll. The conservative world of the small village of Dibley is thrown into a tizzy. The humor is sometimes hard to understand for me because, like Faulty Towers, it depends on pop culture of the time and political humor. It is very English-centric. So, I don't get it all the time. But when I do it is side splitting. There is heavy reliance again on characters both unique and recognizable. Each episode has a meeting of the church council and provide much of the foundation for the comedy that ensues. This is definitely your standard English sitcom.
All three locations hold something unique and appealing for the weary summer television traveler. Whatever your interests may be, should determine your destination. The most refreshing aspect of all these series is that characters are played by average looking people: some too thin, some too fat, some tall, some short, and some just plain goofy looking. I enjoyed that particular aspect and the break from the thin, model perfect characters in so many US television series. Plus I got to see so much of two of the places I dream to visit - Ireland and Scotland. So for me, it was all good!
This article fascinated me so much so I thought you might enjoy reading part of it. For those who think the world is tied up in a neat bow with one answer - read on.....
Black and white twins: Brothers from the same mother
By Linda Dahlstrom
This is an actual picture of the babies
Some things aren’t always black and white. Then again, sometimes they are – like the twin sons born July 11 to a German couple.
The first baby that was born, Ryan, has light skin and blue eyes. His brother, Leo, is dark-skinned with brown eyes.
"None of us could believe it," the maternity ward's head doctor, Birgit Weber, told one news source. "Both kids have definitely the same father." Stephan Gerth is German and white. His wife, Florence Addo-Gerth, is from Ghana and has dark skin.
It was “a real surprise,” Gerth told the German newspaper Die Welt, adding that the most important thing to him isn’t color, but that everyone is healthy.
These brothers are a very rare pair The odds are one in a million, say doctors, but it can happen with fraternal twins due the genetic soup in our backgrounds. Peter Propping, former director of the Institute for Human Genetics at Bonn University, told Die Welt that the black mother may have had some white ancestors, or that the white father may have had black ones. Very occasionally, the roll of the DNA die may cause the baby of biracial parents to inherit only the genetic coding for one color.
Rare though they are, the German twins do have some company. In the past few years, at least three mixed race couples have welcomed twins who were also black and white. ▪ In 2005, British couple Kylie Hodgson and Remi Horder, both born to mixed-race parents, had twin girls – one who is blond and fair-skinned and one who has dark coloring. ▪ In 2006, Kerry Richardson, who is of Nigerian and English descent, and her partner, who is white, gave birth to twins who were both born light-skinned. But as they got older, one got darker while the other got lighter. ▪ Natasha Knight, of Australia, welcomed a blue-eyed blond baby girl and her sister, who has brown hair, eyes and dark skin in 2006. Knight’s older daughter has blond hair, blue eyes and light olive skin. Knight is of Jamaican and English descent; the father is German.
Stephan Gerth and Florence Addo-Gerth, the parents of the newest set of “black and white” twins, know they’ll face some incredulous stares. "I imagine sitting in a playground where the other mothers will call me crazy when I tell them the boys are twins," Florence told www.peacefmonline.com.
Be careful what you wish for, 'Cause you just might get it all. You just might get it all, And then some you don't want. Be careful what you wish for, 'Cause you just might get it all. You just might get it all, yeah.
Oh, well I'm going home, Back to the place where I belong, And where your love has always been enough for me. I'm not running from. No, I think you got me all wrong. I don't regret this life I chose for me. But these places and these faces are getting old. I said these places and these faces are getting old. So I'm going home. I'm going home. (Chris Daughtry - Home)
Celebrate You Home
Uneasy highway, Traveling where the westerly winds can fly, Somebody tried to tell me, But the men forgot to tell me why,
I gotta count on being gone, Come on woman, come on daddy, Be what you want from me, Im this strong, Ill be weak
Please, celebrate me home, Give me a number, Please, celebrate me home Play me one more song, That Ill always remember, I can recall, Whenever I find myself too all alone, I can make believe Ive never gone, I never know where I belong, Sing me home. (Kenny Loggins - Celebrate me Home)
All that you want can be
When I think of home I think of a place where there's love overflowing I wish I was home I wish I was back there with the things I been knowing
Wind that makes the tall trees bend into leaning Suddenly the snowflakes that fall have a meaning Sprinklin' the scene, makes it all clean
Maybe there's a chance for me to go back there Now that I have some direction It would sure be nice to be back home Where there's love and affection And just maybe I can convince time to slow up Giving me enough time in my life to grow up Time be my friend, let me start again
Suddenly my world has changed it's face But I still know where I'm going I have had my mind spun around in space And yet I've watched it growing
If you're list'ning God Please don't make it hard to know If we should believe in the things that we see Tell us, should we run away Should we try and stay Or would it be better just to let things be?
Living here, in this brand new world Might be a fantasy But it taught me to love So it's real, real to me
And I've learned That we must look inside our hearts To find a world full of love Like yours Like me
Like home... (The Wiz - Home)
You've made it
Everybody be glad Because the sun is shining just for us Everybody wake up Into the morning into happiness Hello world It's like a different way of living now And thank you world We always knew that we'd be free somehow In harmony And show the world that we've got liberty
It's such a change For us to live so independently Freedom, you see, has got our hearts singing so joyfully Just look about You owe it to yourself to check it out Can't you feel a brand new day? Can't you feel a brand new day? Can't you feel a brand new day? Can't you feel a brand new day? (The Wiz - Brand New Day)
RevVee girl, I'm here to say Been singing in - my head all day. Blame Joss Whedon for me wanting to - stop - the world. Dr. Horrible's blog has got me - in - a whirl.
So, to you, my dear friend Singing isn't where - this story ends Wish I had a freeze ray to - stop - the world. Would stop it until you're better - my - sweet girl.
And Some real lyrics from Dr. Horrible that I think fit you too.... (thanks to Mannnie for these):
Here’s a story of a girl Who grew up lost and lonely Thinkin’ love was fairy tales And trouble was made only for me
Even in the darkness Every color can be found And every day a rain brings water Flowing to things growing in the ground
Elvis vs JXL - A little less conversation
Elvis sang it and I will comply. Enjoy this video. I sure do!!
In the world of online blogging, a Troll can mean several things. In this case I am using it to identify posters who have lately come on these blogs simply to post lies and rumors as facts and spoilers. This is a use of the word Troll to include the practice of playing a seriously misinformed or deluded user, even in newsgroups where one was not a regular.
There isn't much you can do about it. I've decided to press the report abuse button every time I see this sort of thing. I mean, if they can delete posts which are not harmful around here, why can't they delete lies posted as truths? I'm always willing to consider anything any one posts, if they can back it up with a link to a real person or official news place. But this fiction is getting to be too much!
Vee we hope you are feeling well enough today to post! In the meantime here are some messages from me. Sorry for the repeats, but I think you need them!
Our Kind of Man, Vee!
RevVee's Daily Blog
Hey Vee! If you stop I left you some music to listen to. I know Madonna and Justin Timberlake might not be your cup of tea, but hey, this song makes you want to move! So when you can I suggest you dance every day as it is essential for the soul!
