The news that Mandy Moore was set to guest star on How I Met Your Mother was barely cold, before the news broke that fellow songster Enrique Iglesias would be guest starring, too. Iglesias will be playing a love interest for Robin. Maybe he’ll be her “Hero?” I know. Bad joke.
Everyone knows if you’re not a woman on Wisteria Lane, your chances of getting out alive are slim. Rumors are swirling that a male cast member will get a toe tag this year on Desperate Housewives. I hope it’s Bree’s creepy husband who goes to that eternal slumber. Meanwhile, cutie Nathan Fillion has signed on for Desperate Housewives this season. I think I speak for all of us when I say, “Watch your back, dude.”
Reality TV fans, NBC has given the go ahead to new seasons of America’s Got Talent and Last Comic Standing. America’s Got Talent is the summer’s most watched program, with 12.1 million total viewers, proving once again that America May Have Talent, but not good taste, when it comes to television.
Former real-life spouses Rick Fox and Vanessa Williams will reteam on Ugly Betty this season. Fox is reportedly playing Williams’ onscreen bodyguard. Daniel Meade, take note.
One of my favorite TV journalists got married this summer: Kristin Veitch at E!Online. Veitch does the popular Watch With Kristin column. Congratulations to Kristin and Joao on their nuptials. You can check out the lovely bride’s photos at E!Online.
Remember Potsie Weber from Happy Days? His portrayer Anson Williams is now behind a line of skin care products coming soon to a CVS store near you. The line is called Starmaker and is currently used on the TV shows Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives. The products include Micropearl Resurfacing, Hollywood Hands, and Pearl Moisturizing, Anti Wrinkle Mist. Hmmm…if those products can make my skin look as good as the Desperate Housewives, I’m in.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Tube News
Subscribe by RSSTuesday, July 17, 2007
Scott Baio is 45 and single and now we know why
The new reality show on VH1 titled Scott Baio is 45 … and Single should have been called Scott Baio is 45 and single … because he’s a jerk to women.
In the debut episode, Baio met with a life coach and did some soul searching as to why he’s middle aged and never been married. It’s evident from the first few sit-downs with his former girlfriends that Baio is a commitment-phobe who has had problems with fidelity.
Still, I can’t stop watching. Yes, I may need a life coach after watching this train wreck, but the show is uber-entertaining. It’s my new TV crack.
In the premiere, we learned that Baio hates Happy Days reunions, fan gatherings, autograph signings and all things related to his Chachi past. Frankly, that hurts a little. That show and his fans are the reason he’s living a cushy lifestyle and has dated most of the hot woman in Hollywood.
The real irony here is that Baio cashed in on those Happy Days ties throughout the premiere episode, first sitting down with costar and former girlfriend Erin Moran, attending an autograph session, calling former costar Henry Winkler, and accidentally running into Ron Howard’s brother, Clint, at his agent’s office.
Baio came off during this show as not particularly likeable. He seemed narcissistic and rude, and not just about his Happy Days background. Moran even called him out on his self-involved behavior, asking him if he even liked people. Go Joanie!
I hate celebrity-based reality television because it breaks the fourth wall. After seeing actors’ true personalities, it’s sometimes difficult to ever enjoy their character performances again.
I’ll never look at Chachi the same way, after watching this new show. Perhaps that’s Baio’s goal, to rid himself of the Chachi image that still follows him 30 years later and finally adjust to life as a normal guy.
Complicating things for Baio is the fact that his life coach has ordered him not to see his girlfriend for two months, while he sorts out his relationship issues and deals with his past. The scene where he broke the news to his girlfriend seemed a little scripted and awkward. She then turned the tables on him, telling him at the end of this journey he must commit or she’s done. In other words, cough up the engagement bling Baio or hit the curb.
Those of you who haven’t seen the show yet, Baoi has a cigar-smoking, golf-playing entourage of sorts, a group of pals who he uses as a sounding board about his latest troubles. Wonder Years star Jason Hervey is among the group, as well as one of the most annoying guys I’ve ever witnessed, Baio’s pal Johnny. He’s so completely rude I have to wonder if he’s acting over-the-top just to provide some drama.
In upcoming episodes, Baio will once again confront his past. He’ll revisit former Charles in Charge costar Nicole Eggert and former Baywatch star Erika Eleniak. And according to the previews, he and pal Johnny may be headed for a break.
Will Baio work out his issues? Will he have Happy Days again? I’m not sure, but I know I’ll be watching.
To read an interview with Baio about his new show, click here.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Scott Baio turns to reality TV to find love
Chachi has a problem.
How does he deal with a mid-life crisis, when his former list of girlfriends includes Heather Locklear, Pam Anderson, Denise Richards and Nicolette Sheridan? Well, let’s just say he isn’t buying a sports car.
He’s turning to a new VH1 reality show called 45 and Single that will document his eight-week adventure with a life coach, who helps Baio get to the bottom of his relationship issues. During the course of his “treatment,” he’ll confront and reconnect with several of his old flames.
His “treatment” also includes the one thing Fonzie would never approve of: abstinence. Baio tries to sort through his sordid past and discover why he’s never been the settling down type.
As much as I hate reality television, I may have to watch this crazy show. Can you imagine Baio reconnecting with Locklear or Richards or Anderson? Or even his former costar Erin Moran?
Scott Baio is 45 and Single premieres this Sunday ,July 15, at 10:30 p.m. ET on VH1.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
TV’s Best Dads
Television dads usually fit in two categories: perfect, advice-doling successful professionals or lazy, buffoons at the mercy of their more perfect wives and families. The best ones, however, usually combine elements from both categories.
Let’s face it, no one’s perfect, and television’s best dads often don’t get it right either, (therein lies the humor.) But the beauty is that they keep trying to guide their children with the wisdom of their mistakes and the knowledge that supposedly, father knows best.
In honor of Father’s Day, I turn the spotlight on some of my favorite fathers of the small screen. Any of these worthy men could claim the title of Television’s Best Dad.
Cliff Huxtable, The Cosby Show – Every kid in the ‘80s wanted Dr. Huxtable as a father. He was funny and fun-loving, stern without being preachy, and he wore those multi-colored sweaters that made him the best-dressed dad on the block. Whether he was teaching Theo to win back his girlfriend by singing the blues ("Justine! Justine!"), or conducting a funeral for Rudy’s pet goldfish, Lamont, in order to help her through the grief, Cliff always seemed to know how to fix any situation.
Mike Brady, The Brady Bunch – Mike was the perfect 
“dreamy” dad for girls who grew up in the ‘70s. He was a handsome architect, who was tough but understanding. Daughter Marcia was so impressed with her stepfather that she nominated him for Father of the Year in a local newspaper contest. He won, of course. (Hey, he should have, considering he was raising six children on one salary and still had time to offer advice on everything from boyfriends to sibling rivalry to education.) No doubt, Mike was a groovy dad, and he had the plaid pants to prove it.
Howard Cunningham, Happy Days – Known simply as Mr. C to the ever-present motley crew of guests at the Cunningham house, Howard was a father figure to not only Joanie and Richie, but Ralph, Potsie and Fonzie, too. Mr. C was a hard-working father of the ‘50s, who ran his hardware store and 
expected the pot roast to be on the table for dinner when he got home. That didn’t make him any less likeable. Mr. C gave good advice to his children and their friends in such a jovial manner that even tough-guy Fonz looked to him as a solid role model. (For the record, I’m pretty sure Mr. C cautioned him against jumping the shark.)
Homer Simpson, The Simpsons – Clearly, Homer isn’t the smartest dad on television. But, just because he put the “D’oh” in dolt, doesn’t mean he doesn’t make an effort in loving his kids. What other TV father would choose to jump a ravine the size of The Grand Canyon on a
skateboard, just to show Bart how potentially dangerous and ridiculous the stunt was? Sure, Homer forgets to pick his kids up from after-school activities sometimes, but at the end of the day, the Simpson kids know they’re loved. The simple fact that Homer’s kids never seem to age automatically qualifies him as one of TV’s best dads. You try putting up with smart aleck adolescent Bart Simpson for 15 years.
Tim Taylor, Home Improvement – Tim “The Toolman” Taylor was a klutzy guy with a fetish for cars, power tools and needling his flannel-wearing assistant Al. Tim parented with humor, and it seemed to work. His three boys saw him as a friend and a father. Perhaps Tim’s best parenting quality is that he bucked the trend of former TV dads who always seemed to have all the answers. When Tim was stumped as to what to do in a situation, which was often, he sought help at his backyard fence. (“Hi-de-ho, neighbor” Dr. Wilson!) Tim showed fathers everywhere that it’s OK not to always know the right thing to do. Simply trying to figure things out was enough.
Jason Seaver, Growing Pains – The original Mr. Mom, Dr. Jason Seaver worked at home, so his wife could be a journalist. Jason had a tough job trying to juggle his psychiatry patients, while dealing with slacker son Mike (think Bart Simpson in human form) and the rest of his brood. Whether helping daughter Carol confront her weight issues, bailing Mike out of his latest scrape or parenting Ben and Chrissy, Jason never faltered as a father. Hmmm, on second thought, perhaps he was self-medicating.
Danny Tanner, Full House – This single dad had a “full house” of young girls to raise, after his wife was killed in a car accident. Danny was overwhelmed at the onset and was smart enough to get help, in the form of extended family Uncle Jesse and his best friend Joey. What evolved was a house full of love that fostered fun times, despite the tragic loss of a parent. Danny gave single fathers everywhere a good name.
Keith Mars, Veronica Mars – Every girl dreams of having a dad so cool he can banter by day and solve mysteries by night. Keith Mars was a
detective and a sheriff, but I’m sure he’d want to be remembered for his most important role: father. Single-handedly guiding precocious daughter Veronica through her traumatic teen years was no easy feat. But, Keith gave Veronica respect, an ear to listen, a shoulder when she needed it, courage to make the right decisions, and forgiveness when she didn’t. The fact that he compromised his own morals and hid evidence to save her from being implicated in a crime earns Keith a spot on the best dad’s list. Plus, no one does sarcasm like Keith Mars.
Sandy Cohen, The O.C. – His eyebrows were legendary and often a point of ridicule for his sons, but Sandy Cohen didn’t mind. His humor was 
one of his best parenting tools. Sandy set a fine example as a father. Despite his wealth, he wasn’t satisfied simply with writing a check to charity; He brought charity home, opening his house and his heart to abused teen Ryan. Sandy became the father Ryan always wanted. (And who could blame him?) Sandy ran a tight ship, but not one that made his boys afraid to call him no matter the situation. Whether he was surfing with the boys or schmearing a bagel while dispensing fatherly wisdom, Sandy ranks as one of the coolest dads ever on the tube.
Mitch Leery, Dawson’s Creek – In the ‘90s, Mitch Leery gave fathers
everywhere a wake-up call. Not only did he have frank discussions about sex and relationships with his son, he taught Dawson to follow his dreams. The fact that Dawson could talk to his dad no matter the subject was refreshing. Mitch once gave Dawson a blow-by-blow tutorial on kissing to prepare the teen for his first smooch. (Mitch recommended Chapstick.) Dawson wasn’t the only person crying the night Mitch was killed in an auto accident. It was a blow for fathers everywhere.
For Tube Talk Girl's list of TV's Best Mom's click here.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Tube News: Bones, The View, Psych and Charlie's Angels
by Jennifer Squires Biller
Bones casts former star of The Practice
This season, we’ll finally get to meet that fool-of-a-woman who refused to marry Booth (David Boreanaz) on Bones. Jessica Capshaw, formerly of The Practice, has been cast as the mother of Booth’s child, according to TV Guide. What, you were thinking it was Lara Flynn Boyle? Yeah. Me, too. I can so picture Flynn Boyle squaring off against Boreanaz, especially after her she-devil performance on Las Vegas that ended with her flying, literally, off the roof. I digress. Capshaw landed the role of Booth’s baby mama, and I couldn’t be more pleased that the show is delving more into the characters’ private lives. (I love character-based drama!) I’m praying somebody asks her why she’d kick Booth to the curb. Despite his poor fashion sense with those horrid skinny ties he wears, the man is good stock. What was she thinking?
Debbie Matenopoulos returns to The View
You thought I was joking a couple weeks ago in the “Star Jones Reynolds fired post" when I said that “somewhere Debbie Matenopoulos is doing cartwheels.” Well, yes, I was joking, but as fate would have it, the plucky blonde is headed home to The View. She’s slated to drop by the chat fest on July 25. In related news, the ratings for the first week of The View, sans Star, skyrocketed to numbers not seen since 2004 and broke the top five in the coveted demographic for women ages 18-49. The show saw a 5 percent bump in total viewers from the previous week. Somewhere, Star Jones Reynolds is…oh, nevermind.
Psych’s a hit!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for watching Psych! You have my eternal gratitude. It’s not often I actually love a show, pimp it to you and wal-lah, it turns into a hit. (R.I.P. Invasion, Jack & Bobby and Eyes.) But it seems Psych did well enough in its debut for the USA network to tout it as “the year’s No.1 new original series.” Well done, Tubers! The debut episode racked up more than 6 million viewers. The follow-up episode with Gus obsessing about the spelling bee was classic, too. And Dulé Hill looks yummy in pink. Who knew? And I love it when shows give us the bloopers at the end. Bravo!
Charlie’s Angels TV reunion?
Could Jill, Kelly and Sabrina be reunited soon on the small screen? The Tabloid Whore is reporting that Henry Winkler, better known as The Fonz, is trying to put together a Charlie’s Angels 30-year-reunion television special for the former Angels. Winkler previously helped put together the reunion shows for Happy Days, Dallas, Knots Landing and Dynasty. Wow, 30 years. Do I feel old. Has it been that long since feathered hair and polyester bell-bottoms were considered vogue? Don’t answer that. TV reunions never get old for us TV-loving types. Check out the fun-a-paloozas that were the Happy Days reunion and The Brady Bunch reunion.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
TV moms
May 4, 2005
Television mothers are a breed all to themselves. Some inspire. (Marion Cunningham) Some conspire. (Samantha Stephens) And some just perspire. (Marge Simpson)
With Mother’s Day a few days away, I thought it only fitting to take a look at some of television’s most unique and hard-working mothers. TV moms usually can be grouped into one of two categories: painfully perfect or woefully inadequate. Regardless of how you categorize these lovely ladies, they are all entertaining.
Most comforting mom – Marion Cunningham, Happy Days. She made a mean pot roast, kept an immaculate house, and even darned socks. And she did it all in a dress, heels, and a perfectly styled up-do. Whether talking the birds and bees with Richard and Joanie or doling out advice to The Fonz, Mrs. C. was the show’s heart. There’s just something reassuring about a mom who cooks, cleans, and counsels with a twinkle in her eye and every hair in place. Her sense of humor and, sometimes, silly mistakes gave Mrs. C the edge in this category over fellow classic mother June Cleaver. Without Marion, Happy Days would have been just mediocre days. 
Most patient mom – Marge Simpson, The Simpsons. Bart Simpson alone would test the patience of a saint. Add in the fact that Lisa’s constantly honking on that saxophone and Maggie can’t seem to get rid of that pacifier, and Marge could be a candidate for the most in need of a vacation. How this hard worker gets through the day without downing a mouth full of Zoloft is beyond me. Her patience is endless, considering her kids never seem to get any older.
Most incapable of cutting the apron strings – Ellie Ewing, Dallas. Known as Miss Ellie to all those near and dear, this mom was no pushover. Except when it came to telling her grown sons it was time to leave the nest. Granted, the nest was a sprawling mansion on a beautiful ranch, but still. Having sons J.R. and Bobby Ewing and their wives and children all under one roof was asking a bit much. This dysfunctional group could have used a session with Dr. Phil.
Coolest mom – Samantha Stephens, Bewitched. Sorry, but she’s a witch who can make things happen with just a twitch of her cute, upturned nose. That alone makes her the hands-down winner for this category. Watching Samantha handle her husband and juggle the daily chores of domesticity was fun. It gave a whole new meaning to the term “the magic of motherhood.”
Most envied mom – Carol Brady, The Brady Bunch. She had a live-in maid, a gorgeous husband, a cool house with a grand staircase, and six perfect children. What’s not to envy? She always seemed to know the right thing to say and the right amount of punishment to dish out if the kids stepped out of line. Perhaps her most enviable trait was that her kids actually listened. 
Least savvy mom – Joyce Summers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Not many mothers would allow their teenaged daughter to roam around cemeteries in the dead of night fighting and killing vampires. And I don’t know one who would be cool with that daughter dating a 200-year-old vampire. It’s safe to say that Joyce had questionable mothering skills. In her defense, she was clueless for most of the time, assuming Buffy was doing homework instead of staking the undead.
On a personal note, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish my mom a Happy Mother’s Day. In preparing my comments for this column, I accidentally discovered that the word “mom,” when written upside down, looks like “wow.” Which is funny, really, because that's exactly what she said that year in grade school when I made her a pencil holder out of felt and a rusty soup can.
Mom, thanks for all you’ve done and for not getting too mad the year I broke the chandelier with my baton.
Originally published 5/4/05 in The Exponent Telegram newspaper.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Happy Days has still got it
February 9, 2005
Listen up, Bucko.
OK, so it’s not as convincing as when Richie Cunningham says it, but still. It seems an appropriate start to a column in honor of the recent Happy Days 30th Anniversary Reunion special.
I usually have a love/hate relationship with TV reunion shows: I love taking a walk down memory lane, but hate that the shows lose a little magic, after seeing some of the stars gray-haired, wrinkled, and several pounds heavier. Nevertheless, as far as reunions go, this was one of the best.
Every cast member participated. And show creator Garry Marshall was hilarious narrating the reunion, asking the cast questions and showing bloopers and home movies.
Here are some fun tidbits the cast shared:
- “Fonzie” originally wore a gray windbreaker, instead of his trademark leather jacket, because network executives thought the leather made him look like a thug. As the character grew in popularity, so did the leather jacket. It now resides in The Smithsonian. The gray windbreaker didn’t fare as well; Marshall tossed it in a dumpster.
- The reason “Fonzie” was always shown with his motorcycle during the early seasons was that network officials only would allow him to wear the leather jacket, if he had the bike in a scene.
- Scott Baio, “Chachi,” used to pelt Henry Winkler with spitballs during taping.
- The infamous television term “jump the shark” evolved from the episode where Fonzie jumped a shark on water-skis. The term is used in television lore today to signify the creative death of a series on its way to cancellation. Happy Days ran for 100 more episodes after its jump-the-shark episode.
- The show had several spin-offs: Mork and Mindy, Laverne and Shirley and Joanie Loves Chachi.
- After the episode aired where Fonzie got a library card, library card registrations went up 500 percent in America.
- The show was originally titled New Family in Town, then later Love American Style. The only cast members in the original pilot were Ron Howard, Marion Ross, and Anson Williams.
- The cast formed a softball team and played games during the weekends. They traveled the country, playing charity games in Major League stadiums.
While Fonzie became the show’s most popular character, I was more interested in the coming-of-age story of Richie. Sure the Fonz had super powers; he could silence an entire forest of animals with a mere “cool it.” He could turn on the jukebox with a punch of his fist or dim the lights with a snap of his fingers. But when Richie would break into a chorus of Blueberry Hill or take the stage with his saxophone, the nerd in me rejoiced.
I became fascinated with the ‘50s from watching Happy Days. I dreamed of poodle skirts, sock hops, and letterman jackets. I’m grateful the Happy Days gang took time to pay tribute to the show and the fans. The reunion special was a ratings winner for the network that night. So apparently, I’m not the only one enamored with this piece of pop culture.
So for my fellow fans, I leave you with these word of wisdom from the Happy Days lexicon:
Sit on it.
Yowza, yowza, yowza.
Aaaayyyyy.
Wha, wha, wha.
And yea, yea, yea.
And in the historic words of “Ralph Malph,” regardless that it’s 30 years later, “They’ve still got it.”
For those who can’t get enough of ‘70s television show reunions, CBS will air a One Day at a Time reunion special on Feb. 22. “Schneider” and his tool belt will join the rest of the cast for a look back at the show.
Originally published 2/9/05 in The Exponent Telegram newspaper.
Blame Potsie Weber: commercial success
July 14, 2004
Blame Potsie Weber. That ditzy, lovable Happy Days character inspired this week’s column.
Let me explain.
A few weeks ago, I was boring my co-workers with talk of one of my favorite Happy Days episodes. It was the one where Potsie wrote a song to help him learn the complicated circulatory system. Just as their eyes were glazing over, I broke into his catchy little ditty of Pump Your Blood, that I can still sing 25 years later.
Of course, no one knew what I was talking about, which proves just how sad I really am. But I was vindicated a few days later, when out of the TV, I hear Potsie singing the circulatory song in a commercial for St. Joseph aspirin.
The ad got me thinking about other great commercials. You know the ones. They’ve embedded themselves into popular culture with catch phrases that have made the advertised products instantly recognizable.
Remember these:
“Where’s the Beef?”
“They’re GREAT!”
“WHAAAASSSS’ UP?”
“Melts in your mouth, not in your hands.”
“Got Milk?”
“I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”
The measure of a great commercial is that it’s so memorable, it makes us want to buy the product. And boy, have I been suckered more than once. Oh, like I’m the only one who fell for the Clapper and the Chia pet? (Clap on! Clap off! and Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia.)
My first experience with persuasive advertising dates back to my childhood.
Watching the Breck girl fling her long beautiful blonde hair from side to side sent me rushing to the store to buy her shampoo. I was convinced that if I used the product, it would somehow miraculously transform my kinky curly frizzy hair into a sleek smooth shiny mane. No such luck.
Then, there was my fixation with Life cereal, inspired by little Mikey guzzling it down like it was chocolate. And of course, I just had to try Coca-Cola, after Mean Joe Greene traded his jersey for it. But that couldn’t top the grinning Kool-Aid pitcher that seemed to be the life of every backyard gathering. Even my grandmother couldn’t resist the temptation of a good commercial. She used Crisco Oil to make her Sunday fried chicken. If it was good enough for Loretta Lynn, it was good enough for her.
One of my all-time favorite commercials involves a swamp and talking frogs. They mostly croaked “Bud-Weis-Errrr” in between squabbling with the local lizards, Frank and Louie, but it was highly entertaining.
Some other memorable commercials don’t involve talking characters, but some of the best voices in Hollywood. Who could resist Kathleen Turner’s chocolate Dovebar vocals, James Garner’s poetic Chevy ads, and Tom Selleck and Sam Elliot, whose husky voices could seduce me into buying just about anything. Which I would get around to doing, if I could just get Pump Your Blood out of my head.
“The right atrium’s where the process begins, where the CO2 blood enters the heart…”
It’s enough to make me want a St. Joseph aspirin.
Originally published 7/14/04 in The Exponent Telegram newspaper.
