TVQ, The Year Long Season..(And What's The Deal With Those Hewitts?)

The U.S. TV 'season' needs to be redefined. It used to be a whack of new shows would premiere in the fall, usually September...and then depending how they fared, some would survive and some would be cancelled...and a slew of mid-season replacement series would hit the air, usually in January.

Not anymore.

In the past decade, we've watched as several of the U.S. cable nets began to premiere new series in the summertime, some to moderate success. HBO and Showtime began specifically premiering series 'off prime', as in during the so-called 'down times' like March and June.

And over the next several weeks, there will be no less than 11 series premiering, and at least 5 favourites returning to the airwaves. That's a lot of new TV to have to keep track of again.

This USA Today article examines how the networks have fared thus far with their 2006/07 slate and profiles some of these new series. And this complimentary USA Today article attempts to explain this emerging trend in programming and scheduling. Most of it seems to relate to either trying to avoid 'The Idol', or trying to let existing series eventually find an audience.

At any rate, it seems we're almost at the point of expanding 'pilot season' to being all year round; and should start to question the value of 'sweeps months' and how relevant they really are anymore.

Nevertheless, these new shows TVQ better be spectacular.

TVQ measures the familiarity and appeal of all regularly scheduled broadcast programs, in all scheduled dayparts, to determine targeted audience attraction.

The strength of a program is not always apparent in Nielsen ratings. Programs often succeed when their early TVQ Scores predict on-air success, before the Nielsen ratings can catch up. Programs can achieve strong Nielsen ratings and not have strong appeal. The weak appeal is camouflaged by the "lead-in" and "lead-out" programs.

TVQ measures how much an audience likes the programs.

When I was on U.S. shows and we were looking for a 'star', network and company execs would always be asking if the person we might suggest had 'good TVQ'. I always wondered what that meant exactly. Good 'television' quotient? Bottom line was whether the performer was recognizable to audiences and were they generally liked by viewers.

But looking into it today, stars seem to get categorized as to whether or not they have good Performer Q.

Performer Q measures the familiarity and appeal of personalities in a variety of categories to determine targeted audience attraction. Performer Q data enables clients to make informed decisions about a specific personality's demographic appeal and/or examine the field of possible alternatives.

So in a (somewhat) related topic (and speaking of returning supposed favs), will someone explain to me the Jennifer Love Hewitt attraction?

No offense, but 'Ghost Whisperer' is like watching paint dry while having a tooth extracted... yet it continues to perform well. And a quick review of J LoH's other recent movies and/or television shows reveals nothing to get excited about...at least not in the acting department. Then why the love? And the answer can't just be her boobs. There are many actresses with nice boobs. In fact, most if not all of them have nice boobs. Besides, a good portion of her fans appear to be female. So how come her TVQ/Performer Q is so darn high?


It can't all be attributed to 'Party Of Five', can it?

SONG&ARTIST? - "Say that you'll be true
Say that you'll be true
Say that you'll be true
And never leave me blue..."

Hospital Blues...

Wasn't that an early Neil Young tune?

Feel like I'm just sucking up for the sympathy comments here, but spent much of the past 24 hours in the hospital ER again and then the children's ward after my youngest daughter began vomiting and coughing up blood after not sleeping or eating for a day. She's had a cold/flu off and on for that past couple weeks. Monday she seemed fine. Tuesday afternoon she started fading again and came home from school. Wednesday afternoon? Hospital bound...and ironically, she was examined in an ER room two doors down from where the parental unit was back on the weekend. Interns and nurses were saying hello and welcoming me back.

Speaking of the parental unit, physical recovery is on track...but several disconcerting side effects have emerged that have everyone at the hospital baffled. Not good. House? Where are you?!

NY Bro dropped everything to come back home and help out, but is presently stranded in Toronto in the blizzard that enveloped the prairies most of Wednesday (right, forgot about that....getting stuck twice trying to get to University to cancel class I teach and then again trying to get back to the hospital).

But no need to comment...I'm sure far more people out there had tougher days (a quick stroll around the pediatric ward in any hospital will show you that...heartbreaking). It's just a quick update and back to the hospital. Young one (who doesn't have mono as first thought) and old one should be released tomorrow if no complications ensue. Thanks to friends and family for stepping up and helping out.

Friday Fun are some spoof PSA's from the gang at 'The Office'.



Oh, and as far as the previous post...let's just say I've never hitchhiked in my life, nor ever been manhandled by security...but as for nailing Susanna Hoffs, I prefer to remember it as 'making love'.

Be well.

Five Things You Probably Didn't Know About Me...

...and one of them isn't true.


1. I grew up in a house of pets which at one time had 13 cats when two females had kittens at the same time. There was also a dog, some gerbils, and a couple of rabbits. And no, we didn't live on a farm.

2. I once spent ten days in the hospital waiting to pass a kidney stone that was 'stuck'. Morphine is a beautiful thing. Everyday began with a discussion of whether to operate or not. I chose to wait it out. Like I said, morphine is a beautiful thing.

3. I hitchhiked halfway across Canada to see a Bangle's concert, and was hauled away by security when I tried to get Susanna Hoffs to sign my ticket. Oh Susanna!

4. While at a Toronto Film Festival party, I lent actor Eric Roberts a cigarette, but was so starstruck that when he tried to engage me in conversation, I dried up and pointed to my throat and said I had laryngitis. He finally gave up and wandered off shaking his head.

5. I wrote record reviews for my high school and university newspapers in my column entitled 'DISC-ussion'. Albums were graded out of 10. My fav review was of a Trooper lp that concluded it was "just a 3 dressed up as a 9."


Which one is false? Knock yourselves out.

"The Indigent And The Haunted...

...cling to me."

That was a Jay Leno line he told to Letterman way back before Jay took over the Tonight Show (and was still funny). He was referring to being on the road doing standup and the types of characters and personalities that would corner him after a show.

I used to work at the local library...off and on for about eight years from age 16 to age 24. I started out as a lowly Junior Page...primarily responsible for putting returned books, records, cassettes, etc. back out on the shelves - though I learned a lot about life whilst 'back in the 'stacks''. See, there were eight of us pages, seven teenage girls and me. The Magnicent Seven were highlighted by Glorious Gloria who was sweet and simple and liked long walk and talks...and Wicked Wanda, who was very well developed for her age and would say so - a young male library workers wet dream.


But I digress...

I was then promoted to Senior Page, and was able to check out items for patrons (and take overdue fines). Next I moved upstairs to the audio-visual dept., and as a Clerk 1 did the above as well as overseeing the records and audio cassettes, plus cleaning and lending the vast collection of 16mm films (before they slowly began to give way to video cassettes). I ended up downstairs in the basement selling tickets and projecting movies for what was essentially the city's only rep film theatre.

Prior to working there I practically lived at my local building of books. Regular readers of Uninflected might recollect I grew up essentially without a television, and so I read like a fiend. They knew me by name as I would trudge, bike, bus each week over to the nearest library and take out at least 8-10 books. I was the kid the librarians would ask the opinion of a book to know whether to recommend it to another patron...cuz I'd read them all.

Good times, my library days. Good times...

And while I was there, either visiting or employed, there were always 'the regulars'. Usually loners, eccentrics, oddballs, kooks...most were homeless or suffering from schizophrenia or mental illness...they were people that lived at the library more than I did. And they would park themselves in their usual chairs or corners around the library and wile away their days in the one place in town they were more or less left alone.

There was Doris, wigged and sporting too much lipstick and mascara... parading around in a fur coat all year long. And Zane, who paced and muttered loudly before spontaneously cussing and swinging wildly at an invisible assailant. And of course, Donny, who carried a large bag of rubber balls and would stack them around his chair and talk to each of them, sometimes even kissing one.


I remember being a bit freaked out by some of these people and their behavior when I first encountered them...but they were harmless and soon became familiar faces. I'd nod and say hello. And most times they'd acknowledge me. Some would take the nod as an invitation for conversation...oh my, some of the discussions I had.

"The indigent and the haunted cling to me..."

I still 'heart' my local library. These days, however, it's less for the books and more for the privilege of borrowing series TV dvd's. A couple weeks ago it was 'X Files - Season 8'. This past week it was 'L&O: Criminal Intent - Season 1' and 'The Complete Freaks and Geeks' (the latter to rewatch...swoon). And when I go I drag my kids along and insist they explore a bit and take out a couple of books. I try to impress upon them how much the library meant to me growing up, but it's tough. They usually grumble and ask 'When are we leaving?' too often.

See, times have changed. Nobody goes to their library like they used to...not with all yer computers and internets and video games and TV shows and movies. Seriously, I've gone and found the library near empty of late. Found it quiet...too quiet...and that's pretty sad if you ask me.


But a lot of the regulars are still there. I recently went through the interesting experience of my son getting freaked out seeing a now gray-haired Donny kissing his rubber balls (yes, still!). I had to convince my son that Donny was 'okay' and to not be afraid and that I actually kinda liked seeing Donny still kicking around joint. My son gave me a strange look. Then Donny glanced over and nodded at me. I smiled and waved back. But instead of responding, Donny looked around a little anxiously and then began putting his balls back in his big netted bag.

And right then and there I wondered if Donny and all the other 'regulars' had been looking at me all these years and thinking:

"The indigent and the haunted cling to me..."

SONG&ARTIST? - "You were caught on the cross fire

of childhood and stardom,

blown on the steel breeze.

Come on you target for faraway laughter,

come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!"

Pollack Does Walken (And The New Yorker Does Time)

...no, not prison, nor Time Magazine...but 'time' (as in tick tock) in the movies in a fascinating and very well-written essay about non-linear narrative techniques being used more and more in recent mainstream films (Babel; 21 Grams; Syrianna; Momento) and what it all means...."wooooo"....no really, it's a good read.

And swinging to the other end of the pendulum, an excerpt from the foul-mouthed yet hilariously insightful documentary about one baaaaad ass joke, 'The Aristocrats'...(though this clip is pretty clean, relatively speaking)...Kevin Pollack imitates Christopher Walken...



"Ask the name first, then get 'em out the door..."

From the intellectual to the infantile, something for everyone.

Black (Donnellys) And Blue (Bruises)

Parental unit update: latest series of tests seemed to rule out tumour...so that's a good thing. Next set of tests will try and determine what did in fact cause blackout and seizures. Downside is any seizure at all means no driving a vehicle for at least 6 months...that will need some planning and figuring out. At any rate, other than bruises continuing to mysteriously appear and a few short spells of disorientation, health is definitely improving. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and best wishes...very thoughtful.

But nevertheless, a stressful weekend. I needed a distraction...

And found it in 'The Black Donnellys' premiere tonight...New York's Hell's Kitchen...four tight Irish American brothers...gritty dramatic television a la Showtime's 'Brotherhood'....DMc either had an hour long woody or was cursing at his tv set: "...that's my life you're trashing, Haggis!"

But seriously...fav tv critic Aaron Barnhart digs it so it must be good, and it is...but in a 'not really mainstream primetime major network series' kinda way. Which means, I dunno...I don't really see it lasting, so let's enjoy it while we can. But note to NBC, I know you were looking for the big lead in from 'Heroes', but these two shows don't jive together at all. Pair Donnellys up with one of the Law & Order's (SVU?) because I see a lot of the Heroes crowd turning off.

So other than wondering if the 'narrator' was a series convention or just a pilot device to introduce us to the world and characters (as in, I'm not sure if I'd like it to continue), it was a good solid hour of tv. Kudo's to Paul Haggis and company. And speaking of Haggis, Barnhart concludes his review by pointing out:

Paul Haggis, by the way, is Canadian, which may explain why he wrote the only live-action prime time program ever to air in the United States about a Mountie ("Due South").Well, turns out there's a Canadian connection here, too, however tangential: The show's title, "The Black Donnellys," is a reference to some sort of notorious event that every Canadian apparently knows by heart. Unfortunately, the information at donnellys.com makes the case sound horribly complicated — like the two-line rule in hockey — so I'll leave it at that.

Does every Canadian know this story by heart? I mean, I'd heard about it (though not sure where or when), but it wasn't like some bedtime story we all got told. And isn't the two-line rule in hockey caput now? Barnhart!! "shakes fist" Ah well...

When Life Is Like A House Episode...(With A Little ER Thrown In For Fun)

An exhausting, tension-filled, emotionally challenging weekend...no, not while watching the Oscars, but while at the side of one of the parental units after they suffered a seizure induced collapse.

Gashes, convulsions, bruises, neck injuries...EMT's...ambulance rides (first time ever anyone in our family calling "911") ...emergency rooms...neck braces and back boards...lots of blood...orderlies using restraint (it's very shocking to witness a parent flailing and striking out and saying 'who are you?' and 'where am I?')...x-rays upon x-rays...hospitalization cards...IV lines and sedatives...CT scans...sutures and stitches...beeping monitors...pacing corridors (wondering things like: "I sure hope they mop down that ER room after each patient because there's blood smears everywhere.") ...eventual righting of senses and bearings...some recognition and comprehension...hospital admittance...relaxing a bit...waiting for a room...more CT scans (wondering "...what does anomolous areas in CT scans mean and if this was a 'House' episode, when would he call for an MRI?")...more tests...getting a room...new medications...flowers and cards...books and magazines...tiny tv's...fitful sleep...waiting for specialists...ultimately, more questions than answers...

Unfortunately, all of the above took place on my parents 50th wedding anniversary weekend. I'm sure they would've prefered a cake. For now, it seems, everything seems to have stablized for the parental unit in question....however a week of testing now awaits. But a tip of the hat to emergency room doctors and nurses everywhere...that's one gig I know I couldn't handle, and I'm grateful there's good people out there who can.

p.s. Way to go Marty!

SONG&ARTIST? - "I've been first and last
Look at how the time goes past
But I'm all alone at last
Rolling home to you."

"It's Only A Model..."

Friday Fun in the form of a rhyming game (as in, what rhymes with Camelot?) from Monty Python, the masters of funny things like silly walks and singalongs.



Because it makes me smile...

Whedon Power!

Well, if I've learned anything this past 24 hours, it's that Joss Whedon and the residual effect of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' is more powerful/expansive/far-reaching than Hart Hanson and 'Bones'.

How do I know this?

Well, this modest little outfit called Uninflected Images averages around a 100 visits a day. When I posted the Hanson interviews last month, they were linked to about a dozen sites and visits jumped to around 200 a day for that week...peaking at 262 on one day.

Yesterday, my little ramble about writing tv mysteries with several references to Whedon was linked up to Whedonesque, and visits here have averaged well over 100 an hour since then. An hour. This day isn't half done and there's already over a thousand visits.

Makes the head swim. Or speculate about the possibilities.

Like how can we use the internets to help fix Canadian tv?

Or even help me get another gig.

Joss?

.

Same As It Ever Was?

For the sake of Canadian TV, let's hope not.

After several weeks of uncertainty and unrest, yesterday Shaw Communications agreed to resume its payments to the CTF (Canadian Television Fund), and today Playback reports that after a hiccup last Friday, the ACTRA strike has been resolved...again.

So, there you go.

Of course, there's a lot of talk of inquiries and studies to take place and committees to be formed to make recommendations to revamp the industry. And the talks will be led by government officials and the CRTC and broadcaster and cable representatives, and I'm sure the unions will be in there somewhere - but where will we...the creatives and story-tellers...be? Or better yet, if we are there at the table, what do we want?

I'll say it again...what do we want?

First, go check out what the Mad Pulp Bastard at DISContent thinks about the Canuck TV situation, and then read his suggestions to make it better. A lot of his ideas are very reasonable.

And then go by The Legion of Decency and let Jim Henshaw know what you think might help. I don't know much, but if I know anything, it's that Jim will do his damnedest to get heard.

Let's not sit on our hands. It's not over, it's just beginning.

Twisting And Turning...

Now that I'm so old (and wise?), I'm going to talk a little bit about writing TV mysteries because it's at the front of my brain right now. But I'll try to be brief as I'm not much for tips and I'm sure Epstein or Espenson or August or whoever has already covered this topic much better than I ever could.

First, decide whether your mystery is "open" (meaning the viewer knows whodunit from the start), or whether it is "closed" (meaning we the viewer find out what or who the killer is the same time that the hero does).

Paraphrasing Lee Goldberg from the Mystery Readers Journal:

An open mystery works when both the murderer, and the viewer, think the perfect crime has been committed. The pleasure is watching the hero unravel the crime, and find the flaws you didn't see. A closed mystery works when the murder seems impossible to solve, and the clues that are found don't seem to point to any one person, but the hero sees the connection you don't and unmasks the killer with it.

According to Goldberg, 'Columbo' mysteries were always open. In more recent television shows, we see open mysteries on 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent', even 'Heroes' and 'Dexter' are open to some degree, and a lot of the 'X Files' were open mysteries (as in we usually knew 'who' or 'what' was up to no good, we just didn't know 'how' they were doing it)....but just about everything else on tv these days are closed mysteries or a mix of the two (as in they start closed, and then open up). The CSI's, the Law and Order's, Medium, Criminal Minds, Cold Case, Without A Trace...and even more dramatic shows like House are all structured around a closed mystery.

Some shows (like House) will hold off solving the mystery and revealing the killer (or disease) until almost the very end (Act 4, or is it Act 5 these days?), but most shows reveal the killer/'monster either at the mid point or by the end of act 3 so the hero can 'catch' whoever or whatever the bad guy is. (I say whatever because I'm primarily experienced in genre mysteries (sci fi, paranormal, etc.) where the bad guy can be a bad 'thing'.).

And when it comes to constructing the plot for good genre mysteries (Supernatural; Eureka; Stargate; X Files; Buffy; Angel; Dresden Files; etc.), there is one question to always be asking:

What is it...what is it really.

(In the case of procedurals and investigative mystery programs like 'Veronica Mars', the mantra becomes: Who is it...who is it really.)

Take that tip to the bank, baby.

We put this principle into practice constantly on 'Outer Limits', 'Earth: Final Conflict', and 'Psi Factor' (as in, if it looked like a werewolf wreacking havoc, it damn well better not turn out to be a werewolf). And we studied and learned from the master, Joss Whedon.

Whedon (Buffy, Angel, Firefly) and his disciples execute this principle to perfection in their shows. It was always a closed mystery, and would usually remain that way until the mid point or end of the third act. If you thought Buffy was losing her powers and Giles was out to harm her, it would turn out that Giles was preparing his Slayer for a rite of passage test set for her 18th birthday. Or if Buffy thought some swamp creatures were eviscerating members of the school swim team, it would turn out that the swimmers were actually turning into creatures themselves because of all of the steroids the coach was feeding them.

What is it...what is it really.

Of course, this is just one aspect to telling a good mystery story. To take it to the next level, you also need to pick an overall theme to flesh out the episode. Whedon would take something dramatic like 'breaking up with a friend' or 'losing your virginity' and let the character conflict drive the drama in conjunction with the unfolding mystery. Yet he always kept you on your toes, and tended to not only play the 'what is it...what is it really' card in the overall story, but even within individual scenes.

Here's the opening from his pilot for the 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' TV series...

TEASER

EXT. BERRYMAN HIGHSCHOOL – NIGHT

The buildings of the affluent Southern California school gleam darkly in the moonlight. We TRACK about the campus – it's deserted.
INT. HALL – CONTINUOUS

TRACK through the halls. Nothing.

INT. CLASSROOMS – CONTINUOUS

Silent.

We track along the wall, past the maps and drawings tacked up on it, past the window, which SHATTERS in our faces!

It's just a single pane, knocked in by someone's hand. It unlocks the window and slides it up.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE BUILDING – CONTINUOUS

The intruder is a college age BOY, a timid GIRL beside him. She looks about nervously.

GIRL
Are you sure this is a good idea?

BOY
It's a great idea! Come on.

INT. CLASSROOM – CONTINUOUS

As they climb in. She peers around some more as he shuts the window behind them.

GIRL
You go to school here?

BOY
Used to.

GIRL
It's nice.

BOY
It gets better. Come on.

CUT TO:

INT. BACKSTAGE – A BIT LATER

He leads her through the back of the school theater and

ANGLE: ON STAGE

which is lavishly dressed as an over-sized alley set: a huge wooden fence, trash cans, etc. It looks suspiciously like the set of CATS. She wanders through it a bit.

GIRL
Wow…

Suddenly the curtains open, revealing the empty auditorium, and the foot lights come up. The boy has worked all this from the side of the stage. He comes up to her.

BOY
Cool, huh?

GIRL
I'm sure we're not supposed to be here…

He moves to kiss her, but she turns suddenly, real fear crossing her face.

GIRL
What was that?

BOY
What was what?

GIRL
I heard a noise.

BOY
It's nothing.

GIRL
Maybe it's something…

BOY
Maybe it's some Thing…

GIRL
That's not funny.

He looks about them. The place is dark shadowy. She cowers behind him.

BOY
Hello…?

Silence.

BOY
There's nobody here.

GIRL
Are you sure?

BOY
I'm sure.

GIRL
Okay…

She bares HORRIBLE FANGS and BURIES them in his neck.

BLACKOUT.

OPENING CREDITS.


Simple. Clean. Effective. And with a Twist. A nervous girl is led into a school by a horny boy. It's late at night. It's a little creepy. He's a little creepy. We're nervous. We're concerned for her well-being. And it turns out he's the one we should have been concerned for. A perfect example of good 'what is it...what is it really' mystery story-telling, from the man who had Buffy the vampire slayer fall in love for the first time with...a vampire, of course (albeit one with a soul).

Not to over simplify things, or to suggest that there's not more to it all than this...but you'll be a lot further ahead in the game if you begin with...

What is it...what is it really.

There...my two cents about writing television mysteries. Go knock one out of the park.

SONG&ARTIST? - "Romeo was restless, he was ready to kill.

He jumped out the window cause he couldn't sit still.

Juliet was waiting with a safety net.

He said "Don't bury me cause I'm not dead yet"..."

Presents Of Mind...

...otherwise known as 'clever gifts', which is what showed up in the comments section of the previous post under the profile Happy 45th Birthday Will Dixon. With a blog and everything.

Very clever. Tip of the hat.

Thanks.

Speaking Of...Not Much At All

I'm having a hell of a time coming up with anything interesting to write about, so here's some odds and ends.


Anyone who's doing their homework has already perused these lists of ordered pilots for the upcoming U.S. fall tv season. I'd happily write about what shows the Canadian networks have in development or have ordered pilots for...but we don't roll that way up here. I'm not sure what way we roll exactly anymore (and frankly, am getting a little exhausted debating about or analyzing the Canuck system), but regarding the American pilots, the consensus is pretty uninaminous...yawn - less serializations, lots of procedurials, lighter dramas. Which doesn't really mean anything because a unoriginal sounding premise can still sparkle once it hits the our tv sets...

Speaking of homework, I'm still teaching the University tv/film producing class. And as usual, I'm amazed that by the second or third class I can peg every student into one of three categories. Out of seventeen students, 1-2 seem to have their head in the game and show a lot of promise; 8-10 are just treading water...they're trying and aren't idiots, but just don't have that spark; and 3-4 who shouldn't even be there (miss every other class, don't contribute when in class (lots of resting head on desks), hand in half-assed assignments, etc.). I try to get excited about turning around some of those in the middle and helping bump them up a notch. But otherwise, it's pretty discouraging (sorry if any of the students are reading this, but it's true - if offended, prove me wrong).

Speaking of pretty discouraging, I found it shocking that this class, made up of 3rd and primarily 4th year students... many of whom are graduating this year...had never heard of Playback Magazine (Canada's film/tv industry newspaper). And only two had heard of Variety...heard, not even read. I'm not sure if this is more of an indictment of the students, or the film and video program at the school, but I impressed upon them how important it is to stay connected to what is going on out there.

Speaking of staying connected, I'm always interested in what 'the kids' are into these days. So I also found it discouraging when I asked: "What are your fav tv shows? What is appointment television for you?"...and the first answer I got back accompanied by several nods of agreement was...Youtube. Youtube? Um...that's not a show, guys. I pushed harder, and eventually heard someone say 'Dexter' and 'Heroes', someone else say 'Entourage', mentions of the odd Life Channel or Discovery Channel series, then the 'Daily Show' and 'Colbert Report' got some nods...very little knowledge or interest at least in Canadian shows (though one of the keeners said he downloaded 'Little Mosque' and had watched every ep - didn't love it but was willing to keep an eye on it).

So I asked again for the list of shows they watched regularily just to keep tabs on what the rest of the world was watching or even for good story-telling models...lots of shrugs and blank stares. When I asked 'why not?' - all I got back was... 'I hate commercials' and 'Most of it's boring'.
A bit of a discussion ensued, but it turned into white noise for me...How do I come up with ideas for shows and series that might appeal to these guys...the 18-30 year olds? The Youtube Show?

Speaking of 'the kids', my NY bro sent me this interesting article from New York magazine entitled 'Say Everything'. It's about the internet/blogging/texting/myspace generation and their tendancy to put anything and everything about themselves 'out there' for the world to see and read. As it says, the future belongs to the uninhibited. The kids just don't seem to care that much anymore as public and private becomes more and more blurred. The article closed with this:

Right now the big question for anyone of my generation seems to be, endlessly, “Why would anyone do that?” This is not a meaningful question for a 16-year-old. The benefits are obvious: The public life is fun. It’s creative. It’s where their friends are. It’s theater, but it’s also community: In this linked, logged world, you have a place to think out loud and be listened to, to meet strangers and go deeper with friends.

And, yes, there are all sorts of crappy side effects: the passive-aggressive drama (“you know who you are!”), the shaming outbursts, the chill a person can feel in cyberspace on a particularly bad day. There are lousy side effects of most social changes (see feminism, democracy, the creation of the interstate highway system). But the real question is, as with any revolution, which side are you on?

Because the truth is, we’re living in frontier country right now. We can take guesses at the future, but it’s hard to gauge the effects of a drug while you’re still taking it. What happens when a person who has archived her teens grows up?

Will she regret her earlier decisions, or will she love the sturdy bridge she’s built to her younger self—not to mention the access to the past lives of friends, enemies, romantic partners? On a more pragmatic level, what does this do when you apply for a job or meet the person you’re going to marry? Will employers simply accept that everyone has a few videos of themselves trying to read the Bible while stoned? Will your kids watch those stoner Bible videos when they’re 16? Is there a point in the aging process when a person will want to pull back that curtain—or will the MySpace crowd maintain these flexible, cheerfully thick-skinned personae all the way into the nursing home?

Interesting questions, no? And speaking of nursing homes, this old man's heading back to his 'young boy coming of age on the prairie' script while watching 'Rockford Files' reruns.

Happy Family Day/President's Day.

.

This Could Very Well Lead To The End Of The World...of Warcraft

South Park episode. 'Make Love Not Warcraft'.




Friggin' brilliant.


ps watch ASAP as it will probably be taken down soon.

Misdirection...In A Bad Way

Got in my quota of tween movies yesterday. There was Disney's 'Jump In' on Family Channel here in Canada...the highest rated family movie ever to premiere on the Disney Channel in the U.S. since 'High School Musical' (or maybe it even outperformed it). A by the numbers 'Rocky' meets rope-jumping story that didn't offend, but didn't push any boundaries. For that, my kids loved it.

Because first, it was off to the theatre with my ten year olds to see 'Bridge To Terabithia'. Word to the wise...all is not as it appears to be.

Marilyn at Glutton For Culture gave a heads up as to what to expect from the film. A few reviews also indicated it wasn't as it was being advertised (as in a 'Chronicles of Narnia' clone), and it was in fact, more like 'Stand By Me' or 'My Girl' (or for us old folk, 'Old Yeller').



**Spoilers Alert**

Terabithia is a serious coming of age drama, and one of the main characters (pictured above) dies. It comes out of left field, and you could've dropped a pin in the theatre....followed by whispers of 'X isn't really dead, right?'...followed by streaming tears when they started to realize that a main character really had died.

'I dropped a few,' my son admitted as we drove away from the theatre. But not before exclaiming 'Terabithia SUCKS!" My daughter was even more vocal in her displeasure.

They were SOOOOO incensed. On and on into the night, they kept asking why and how and who would make a movie that did that...and me trying to explain that what happened was maybe the point because life can be like that didn't help.

Because of their expectations when entering the theatre.

My kids are growing up. And starting to realize that death is part of life. But they didn't expect to or want to feel that at this movie. They felt blindsided...and rightfully so. The film was promoted as a fantasy adventure...I swear they used every frame of the 'magical forest creatures' in the commercials because there really wasn't that much. Very misleading.

That said, it's not a bad little movie - quite good actually...but not the bill of goods that was sold.

'Old Yeller', 'Where The Red Fern Grows', or 'Ring of Bright Water' are some of my earliest memories of films that left me upset, dropping some tears. But I don't remember being tricked, or feeling angry.

My kids, however, were PISSED. And for this, Disney should be ashamed for the way they advertised 'Bridge To Terabithia'.

More Bones and House(s)

Variety reports today that Fox Television renews the tv series 'Bones' and 'House' each for another season (Diane squeals).

Fox is showing some early love for "House" and "Bones," picking up both for next season. News is no surprise for "House," which will enter its fourth season this fall. Show, which launched to tepid numbers, eventually burst into a mega-Nielsen performer and now is one of Fox's top-rated tentpole dramas. "Bones," meanwhile, hasn't yet turned into a blockbuster but has seen its fortunes improve at the net, turning into a decent player for Fox.

Season to date, "House" has averaged a strong 7.1 rating/18 share in adults 18-49, as well as 17.4 million viewers. It's Fox's top-rated scripted skein, and No. 3 among all webs with adults 18-49. As for "Bones," the drama has averaged a 3.1 rating/8 share in adults 18-49 season to date, as well as 8.8 million viewers.

But according to the Neilsen ratings, 'Bones' has been topping 11 million the past several weeks, prompting the early renewal I presume (though I figure Hart's appearance here at Uninflected is the real reason).

Ah, the joy of the early pickup. As brutal as early cancelation must feel, the early pickup must feel spectacular.

Congrats to Canucks Hart Hanson (Bones) and David Shore (House) for their well earned success...very nice.

Forget It, He's On A Roll...

John Doyle and DMc seem to think the creative community making tv in Canada could use us a Bluto (or at least an Otter). 'Animal House' meets Jim Shaw, Bev Oda, the CTF, and the CRTC...now that would be some serious Friday Fun. But until that day...



Because it makes me smile...

It's All Fine And Good Until It Happens To You...

As writers we're constantly begging, borrowing, stealing...from our lives. And especially in series television where you have to quickly come up with interesting and unique characters (usually secondary or guest roles). And it's a challenge to make these characters feel and sound unique each and every time. So you borrow from the lives and traits and quirks of your family and your friends and colleagues...the people you know. It's your 'go to' bag of tricks.

Over the years, I know I've named a lot of characters after friends of mine. And I'm sure I've borrowed a trait or two from someone I know and plugged it into 'the ornery detective' so as to flesh out his character a bit. It's okay, it's what we do...

So yesterday I was sick as a dog, and was watching with one eye 'Stargate SG:1' on the Space channel. And there was an episode on called 'Heroes' from Season 7 I believe. It was an unusual episode that ran outside the box a bit (which is prone to occur with most long running series - 'X Files' and 'Buffy' and 'Angel' all started turning themselves upside down after a while). It was framed around a reporter doing a documentary behind the scenes of SG:1 and thus mixed video/interview footage with dramatic footage. And this storyline was intercut with a SG:13 expedition mission over on a planet somewhere.

Anyway, the leader of this expedition was played by Adam Baldwin and his first scene began with his team arriving via a stargate and heading out to do some exploring.

And something in what the Baldwin character said or how he said it rang a faint bell for me.

Then he was referred to as Colonel Dixon. I sat up a bit. And then the following scene played out (lifted from the Gateworld: Stargate Transcripts website)...


Still offworld, SG-13 walk through some trees.

DIXON: Yeah, all night screaming, projectile vomiting, nuclear diapers. You have no idea. The reason they make them so damn cute is so you won't smother them in their sleep.

WELLS: Sir, you have four kids.

DIXON: Yeah, why do you think I love my job so much? Don't get me wrong I love the little buggers to death but trust me, having four kids makes going through the Stargate and facing off alien bad guys look like nothing. This is relaxing.

WELLS: Then why'd you have four?

DIXON: Well, one's pretty bad but you figure you got to have two so the little guy can have a brother or sister right? Then you have two boys and the wife says she wants a girl, so you figure, hell, three can't be much worse than two right? But you don't relise your brain is fried because you haven't slept and after three, four is no big deal. So then you're so deep in that nothing seems to matter anymore. It's chaos. You just try to make it through each day alive. In the end you spend all the energy you have left trying to get them into bed, only to lay awake praying they don't get hooked on drugs, hurt, or worse, wind up dead in an alley somewhere.

WELLS: Can't wait, sir.

DIXON: Ah miracle of birth my ass. I'll tell you what a miracle is...birth control that works.

SG-13 walk into a clearing. Before them is an ancient city.

DIXON: Well, I'll be damned.

BALINSKY: I win.

And it seems pretty clear that Colonel Dixon is me. Or more or less based on me. I looked it up online and the episode was written by Rob C. Cooper...and years ago, Rob and I'd had a version of that very conversation when we worked together on 'Psi Factor' - a 'life with kids and when to have kids' discussion. He was yet to be a parent, I had just had numbers 3 & 4 (twins).

"Hey, that's my life you're talking about here, pal?"

Oh right, Beg, borrow, and steal...it's what what we do.

Anyway, it was kinda cool...a compliment of sorts - but the episode was a two parter...a 'To Be Continued'. I presume Rob was paying his respects by naming the character after me, but until I watch Part 2, I don't know if Colonel Dixon gets to be 'a hero' and is reunited with his kids? Or is he the goat or bum or even worse, gets his ass shot off by the Goa'ulds.

We shall see.

Bye Dwight...

Some mid-week levity as Joss Whedon talks about directing an episode of 'The Office', replete with his very own special stamp of the 'Buffy'.



"Smiles"

Okay, template silliness behind me, the shotgun shack known as Uninflected Images is back in business...same as it ever was...same as it ever was. And not to worry, I'll soon restock the links shelves on the sidebar.

Thanks for your patience and support...as always, it is appreciated.


Oh, and Happy 'Valentines' Day. Share a smile, feel the love - keep those ventricles pumping...

How's This Template?

I dunno anymore...and after NY Bro sent me an email marked 'Urgent' and stating:

Will, that new template is horrible, looks like an old binary system Mac from 1985 – go back!!!

...I felt pressured to try something else.

Look, my bar is set pretty low...'not embarrassing' is actually what I shoot for...but still wanting it to be at least somewhat appealing to the eye.

Too much red? Go back to what it was? No one cares...


EDIT: Okay, back to reasonable facsimile of what it was...done.