Summer
Beverly Hills 90210
October 15, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
In the Summer of 1991, FOX showed us what high school students do during summer vacation.
They work.
They party.
They go to summer school.
Beverly Hills 90210 premiered in the Fall of 1990.
During its freshman season, 90210 added value to the youth-oriented programming on FOX. But the show about privileged kids in the country’s most famous zip code did not overwhelm the competition with its counter-programming content.
Enter the summer.
A time when networks traditionally burn off unsold pilots, episodes of unsold shows, and regular programming in reruns for a third broadcast.
But FOX is not a traditional network. And it certainly wasn’t a traditional network in its nascent days.
When FOX started in 1986, it was not airing a full slate of programming, so it legally, logically, and historically could not be called a “television network.”
In any case, FOX saw an opening in the summer schedule.
Airing new episodes of 90210 in the summer would be true counter-programming.
Original episodes against burned off pilots and reruns.
And perfectly logical.
High school students have lives from late June to early September.
90210 reflected that reality.
Summer relationships.
Summer jobs.
Summer vacation.
The six original episodes of 90210 in the Summer of 1991 helped launch the show into the stratosphere.
It helped stretch story lines across multiple episodes, contrary to the self-contained episodic story line format in the first season.
And it helped open up new story lines for the second season.
The programming exercise was successful and FOX repeated it in the Summer of 1992 with six new episodes.
By this time, 90210 was a Goliath.
It also spawned a spinoff in the Summer of 1992 -- Melrose Place.
The CW presently airs revived versions of both shows.
david@davidkrell.com
In the Summer of 1991, FOX showed us what high school students do during summer vacation.
They work.
They party.
They go to summer school.
Beverly Hills 90210 premiered in the Fall of 1990.
During its freshman season, 90210 added value to the youth-oriented programming on FOX. But the show about privileged kids in the country’s most famous zip code did not overwhelm the competition with its counter-programming content.
Enter the summer.
A time when networks traditionally burn off unsold pilots, episodes of unsold shows, and regular programming in reruns for a third broadcast.
But FOX is not a traditional network. And it certainly wasn’t a traditional network in its nascent days.
When FOX started in 1986, it was not airing a full slate of programming, so it legally, logically, and historically could not be called a “television network.”
In any case, FOX saw an opening in the summer schedule.
Airing new episodes of 90210 in the summer would be true counter-programming.
Original episodes against burned off pilots and reruns.
And perfectly logical.
High school students have lives from late June to early September.
90210 reflected that reality.
Summer relationships.
Summer jobs.
Summer vacation.
The six original episodes of 90210 in the Summer of 1991 helped launch the show into the stratosphere.
It helped stretch story lines across multiple episodes, contrary to the self-contained episodic story line format in the first season.
And it helped open up new story lines for the second season.
The programming exercise was successful and FOX repeated it in the Summer of 1992 with six new episodes.
By this time, 90210 was a Goliath.
It also spawned a spinoff in the Summer of 1992 -- Melrose Place.
The CW presently airs revived versions of both shows.
The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training
June 16, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Summer means baseball.
It also means rainouts for baseball games.
When a rainout occurs, you can get your baseball fix with a baseball movie. For those of us who grew up in the 1970's, one movie in particular has just the right amount of fantasy, emotional depth, and baseball.
The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training.
Gentler than its predecessor (The Bad News Bears) and more compelling than its successor (The Bad News Bears Go To Japan), The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training gives the underdogs from the North Valley League in southern California a shot at the Houston Toros. The Toros players are bigger, stronger, and faster.
Where else could the climactic game take place but the Houston Astrodome, the post-modern Eighth Wonder of the World and a popular cultural touchstone?
With Tatum O'Neal and Walter Matthau absent as star pitcher Amanda and Coach Morris Buttermaker respectively, the Bears need a pitcher, a coach, and a way to get to Houston.
Except for Timmy Lupus. The Bears' worst player can't travel with the team because of health reasons -- he broke a leg while skateboarding.
Jimmy Baio plays Carmen Ronzonni, the replacement pitcher.
The Bears employ an almost mute maintenance worker to play the part of the coach. Bears star Kelly Leak teaches him to say some scripted bland sentences because he wants to convince the players' families that a coach will be chaperoning them. They gather at one of the players' homes for the sendoff.
As soon as the families leave, the Bears take a van to Houston with Kelly at the wheel. Jackie Earle Haley plays Kelly.
Along the way, they almost pick up a gorgeous hitchhiker, evade cops on the highway, and motor to a catchy 1970's song called Looking Good, lyrics by Norman Gimbel, music by Craig Safan, sung by James Rolleston.
A subplot reveals itself when Kelly confronts his long-absent father, factory worker Michael Leak. William Devane plays Michael Leak.
Tanner Boyle, the Bears' loudmouth shortstop, writes to Lupus a.k.a. Looper that nobody knew Kelly had a father.
However, earlier in the movie, we learn that Carmen may have prior knowledge of Kelly's secret. The Bears know that Kelly knows a guy in Houston. After one of them inquires further, Carmen says that it's just some guy that Kelly knows. One can infer that Carmen's vagueness is merely a cover for Kelly.
Initially, for appearances sake, Michael agrees to be a figurehead coach. His status soon changes because the Bears realize he can actually help them in their game against the Toros.
The already strained relationship between Kelly and Michael continues to fracture during a tense moment in a practice where father eclipses son as the team leader.
Right before the game at the Astrodome, Tanner gives a locker room speech mirroring the climactic Win One For the Gipper speech in Knute Rockne, All-American. Tanner saw the movie on late night television while the rest of the team slept, except for Kelly who watched the scene quietly in the background.
Tanner's Win One for the Looper speech motivates the Bears.
The four-inning game between the Toros and Bears takes place between the games of a doubleheader at the Astrodome.
Only one problem. The powers that be call the game on account of time.
Real-life Houston Astros Bob Watson and Cesar Cedeno appear in the Bears' dugout and Watson says, Come on, let the kids play!
Inspired, Michael Leak takes the field and shouts, Let them play! Let them play! Soon, Kelly, the rest of the Bears, and the entire Astrodome join the chant. Meanwhile, Tanner refuses to leave the field and continues to evade the two suited gentleman trying to capture him.
Caving into massive crowd pressure, the powers that be resume the game.
Carmen Ronzonni hits an inside the park grand slam to win the game.
Michael and Kelly repair their relationship after the game.
And the Bears have Japan in their sights for their last adventure in the little league trilogy.
The television connections are highly significant in The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training.
William Devane played Greg Sumner for several seasons of the CBS nighttime soap opera Knots Landing.
Pat Corley plays the coach of the Houston Toros. He also played Phil, the favorite bar owner and bartender for the gang from the fictional television news program FYI on Murphy Brown.
Lane Smith plays a sheriff in Breaking Training. He also played The Daily Planet editor Perry White in the 1990's yuppie version of Superman -- Lois and Clark starring Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher.
CBS aired a short-lived comedy based on the movies. The Bad News Bears starred Jack Warden as Coach Buttermaker.
david@davidkrell.com
Summer means baseball.
It also means rainouts for baseball games.
When a rainout occurs, you can get your baseball fix with a baseball movie. For those of us who grew up in the 1970's, one movie in particular has just the right amount of fantasy, emotional depth, and baseball.
The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training.
Gentler than its predecessor (The Bad News Bears) and more compelling than its successor (The Bad News Bears Go To Japan), The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training gives the underdogs from the North Valley League in southern California a shot at the Houston Toros. The Toros players are bigger, stronger, and faster.
Where else could the climactic game take place but the Houston Astrodome, the post-modern Eighth Wonder of the World and a popular cultural touchstone?
With Tatum O'Neal and Walter Matthau absent as star pitcher Amanda and Coach Morris Buttermaker respectively, the Bears need a pitcher, a coach, and a way to get to Houston.
Except for Timmy Lupus. The Bears' worst player can't travel with the team because of health reasons -- he broke a leg while skateboarding.
Jimmy Baio plays Carmen Ronzonni, the replacement pitcher.
The Bears employ an almost mute maintenance worker to play the part of the coach. Bears star Kelly Leak teaches him to say some scripted bland sentences because he wants to convince the players' families that a coach will be chaperoning them. They gather at one of the players' homes for the sendoff.
As soon as the families leave, the Bears take a van to Houston with Kelly at the wheel. Jackie Earle Haley plays Kelly.
Along the way, they almost pick up a gorgeous hitchhiker, evade cops on the highway, and motor to a catchy 1970's song called Looking Good, lyrics by Norman Gimbel, music by Craig Safan, sung by James Rolleston.
A subplot reveals itself when Kelly confronts his long-absent father, factory worker Michael Leak. William Devane plays Michael Leak.
Tanner Boyle, the Bears' loudmouth shortstop, writes to Lupus a.k.a. Looper that nobody knew Kelly had a father.
However, earlier in the movie, we learn that Carmen may have prior knowledge of Kelly's secret. The Bears know that Kelly knows a guy in Houston. After one of them inquires further, Carmen says that it's just some guy that Kelly knows. One can infer that Carmen's vagueness is merely a cover for Kelly.
Initially, for appearances sake, Michael agrees to be a figurehead coach. His status soon changes because the Bears realize he can actually help them in their game against the Toros.
The already strained relationship between Kelly and Michael continues to fracture during a tense moment in a practice where father eclipses son as the team leader.
Right before the game at the Astrodome, Tanner gives a locker room speech mirroring the climactic Win One For the Gipper speech in Knute Rockne, All-American. Tanner saw the movie on late night television while the rest of the team slept, except for Kelly who watched the scene quietly in the background.
Tanner's Win One for the Looper speech motivates the Bears.
The four-inning game between the Toros and Bears takes place between the games of a doubleheader at the Astrodome.
Only one problem. The powers that be call the game on account of time.
Real-life Houston Astros Bob Watson and Cesar Cedeno appear in the Bears' dugout and Watson says, Come on, let the kids play!
Inspired, Michael Leak takes the field and shouts, Let them play! Let them play! Soon, Kelly, the rest of the Bears, and the entire Astrodome join the chant. Meanwhile, Tanner refuses to leave the field and continues to evade the two suited gentleman trying to capture him.
Caving into massive crowd pressure, the powers that be resume the game.
Carmen Ronzonni hits an inside the park grand slam to win the game.
Michael and Kelly repair their relationship after the game.
And the Bears have Japan in their sights for their last adventure in the little league trilogy.
The television connections are highly significant in The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training.
William Devane played Greg Sumner for several seasons of the CBS nighttime soap opera Knots Landing.
Pat Corley plays the coach of the Houston Toros. He also played Phil, the favorite bar owner and bartender for the gang from the fictional television news program FYI on Murphy Brown.
Lane Smith plays a sheriff in Breaking Training. He also played The Daily Planet editor Perry White in the 1990's yuppie version of Superman -- Lois and Clark starring Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher.
CBS aired a short-lived comedy based on the movies. The Bad News Bears starred Jack Warden as Coach Buttermaker.
Lou's On First
May 26, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Yesterday, Memorial Day marked the traditional, if unofficial, start to summer.
And that means one of America’s favorite pastimes will be in full swing.
Reading.
On planes, boats, and trains, you’ll find people deep into their books.
At the beach, the community swimming pool, or a park, you’ll find people learning, escaping, or merely enjoying through the wonders provided by the written word.
I suggest a heartfelt biography about Lou Costello written by his youngest child Chris along with Raymond Strait.
Lou’s On First is a no holds barred book about one of the entertainment industry’s greatest treasures – Lou Costello.
But that treasure came with an extremely high price.
The title is a takeoff on Abbott and Costello’s trademark comedy routine Who’s On First?
Lou’s On First recounts Costello’s life from his youngest daughter’s perspective.
You’ll learn about the rotund comedian’s early days as an athlete in Paterson, New Jersey.
You’ll learn the real story about how he and Bud Abbott formed their legendary partnership, rose to great successes, and dealt with the tension between them.
And you’ll learn how Costello dealt with massive obstacles to happiness in his life.
Being bedridden for a year because of rheumatic fever.
The death of his one-year-old son on the day Abbott & Costello were set to return to their radio show after Costello’s illness and Costello's consequent adherence to show business legend -- The show must go on.
IRS investigations.
Abbott & Costello dissolved their partnership in 1957. Lou Costello appeared as a solo act. He made several appearances on The Steve Allen Show where he recreated burlesque bits with regulars Tom Poston and Louis Nye.
Often, comedians make terrific dramatic actors.
Jackie Gleason in The Hustler.
Michael Keaton in Batman.
Steve Martin in Grand Canyon.
Lou Costello could have been in that category.
He started making some inroads with television dramas. He appeared in the Blaze of Glory segment of General Electric Theater.
Abbott & Costello’s former producer Howard Christie was producing Wagon Train at the same time. He asked Lou to continue dramatic acting in the Wagon Train episode The Tobias Jones Story.
Unfortunately, Lou Costello did not get the chance to spread his acting wings.
He died on March 3, 1959.
Lou’s On First explores Lou Costello’s life with respect for the comedian’s work, admiration for his generosity, and love for his gift of laughter.
It’s a behind the laughter look at a man with the extraordinary gift of comedy and the unfortunate burdens of tragedy.
Lou’s On First. Make it your first read of the summer.
david@davidkrell.com
Yesterday, Memorial Day marked the traditional, if unofficial, start to summer.
And that means one of America’s favorite pastimes will be in full swing.
Reading.
On planes, boats, and trains, you’ll find people deep into their books.
At the beach, the community swimming pool, or a park, you’ll find people learning, escaping, or merely enjoying through the wonders provided by the written word.
I suggest a heartfelt biography about Lou Costello written by his youngest child Chris along with Raymond Strait.
Lou’s On First is a no holds barred book about one of the entertainment industry’s greatest treasures – Lou Costello.
But that treasure came with an extremely high price.
The title is a takeoff on Abbott and Costello’s trademark comedy routine Who’s On First?
Lou’s On First recounts Costello’s life from his youngest daughter’s perspective.
You’ll learn about the rotund comedian’s early days as an athlete in Paterson, New Jersey.
You’ll learn the real story about how he and Bud Abbott formed their legendary partnership, rose to great successes, and dealt with the tension between them.
And you’ll learn how Costello dealt with massive obstacles to happiness in his life.
Being bedridden for a year because of rheumatic fever.
The death of his one-year-old son on the day Abbott & Costello were set to return to their radio show after Costello’s illness and Costello's consequent adherence to show business legend -- The show must go on.
IRS investigations.
Abbott & Costello dissolved their partnership in 1957. Lou Costello appeared as a solo act. He made several appearances on The Steve Allen Show where he recreated burlesque bits with regulars Tom Poston and Louis Nye.
Often, comedians make terrific dramatic actors.
Jackie Gleason in The Hustler.
Michael Keaton in Batman.
Steve Martin in Grand Canyon.
Lou Costello could have been in that category.
He started making some inroads with television dramas. He appeared in the Blaze of Glory segment of General Electric Theater.
Abbott & Costello’s former producer Howard Christie was producing Wagon Train at the same time. He asked Lou to continue dramatic acting in the Wagon Train episode The Tobias Jones Story.
Unfortunately, Lou Costello did not get the chance to spread his acting wings.
He died on March 3, 1959.
Lou’s On First explores Lou Costello’s life with respect for the comedian’s work, admiration for his generosity, and love for his gift of laughter.
It’s a behind the laughter look at a man with the extraordinary gift of comedy and the unfortunate burdens of tragedy.
Lou’s On First. Make it your first read of the summer.