Homer Simpson Learns the Secrets of Donald Trump's Hair (as a Paid Crowd Member)

First of all, huzzahs to the FOX TV network both for re-securing Harry Shearer for two more years for The Simpsons. Secondly, thanks to The Simpsons for continuing to kick FOX "News" in the shins even while being on FOX TV. And lastly, thanks for this clip which proves--if for no other reason for the sheer number jokes crammed into this clip--that The Simpsons has still GOT it.

Harry Shearer Quitting The Simpsons

Image from source, CNN

Well, this was inevitable. For show that has been on for over 25 years (with characters that have been around longer than that), sooner or later, an major voice actor was bound to retire, die or quit. Harry Shearer's characters (perhaps only surpassed in number by Hank Azaria's) are too central to The Simpsons to kill them all off, or write them out. So, as was bound to happen, Shearer will be replaced. Very probably by multiple voice actors, rather than just one, as Mel Blanc was. Of course, Mr. Smithers, Mr. Burns, Seymour Skinner, Otto Mann, Dr. Hibbert, Reverend Lovejoy and Ned Flanders all have a distinctively Shearer sound to them, so maybe one guy could do them all, though I'd bet FOX would rather pay two or three guys a few hundred grand a piece rather than depend upon one guy again.

Anyway, Shearer has been instrumental to the success of the show, and will be missed, though you've got to imagine that The Simpsons in its current incarnation has to end altogether, eventually. Like The Flintstones and other popular cartoons, it will almost certainly live on in other formats, and with wholly different actors at some point. Shearer will likely start a slow exodus that leads to the end of the original series though. I'm going to go out on a limb and predict Season 30.

[Excerpt]

'Simpsons' Mr. Burns walking away from $14 million deal
 
"As the Simpsons continues its 27th and 28th seasons, Harry Shearer will not be within the show," showrunner Al Jean said in an email message to CNNMoney. Besides the evil Mr. Burns, Shearer also voices Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, the Rev. Lovejoy and Kent Brockman. "We do not plan to 'kill off' his characters," Jean added, "but replace them with the most talented members of the voice over community. . ."

Read more at: CNN

Joan Rivers, Dead at 81

This is the Joan I remember most.

Well, crap. Joan Rivers--love her or hate her (or a little of both)--was something of a force of nature. She was clearly a pioneer, and one of the few unfiltered celebrity voices out there. She's the only woman to ever have hosted a network late-night talk show. She reinvented herself (and, can we talk, her face) countless times. And she arguably got cooler as she got older.

I have been wondering what would happen to some of our aging icons, particularly the ones like Rivers and Joan Collins, women who refused to look or act like little old ladies. And I haven't decided yet whether it's better that Rivers died rather quickly and unexpectedly rather than having to suffer an age-related decline.  No one could say that 81 is "too young to die," but then again, she was so vibrant and vital, it's clear that she would be with us if not for the botched surgical procedure last week. It would have been nice to see her get to Phyllis Diller's age when she died. Can you imagine a 95-year-old Rivers on the red carpet?

Comedy has lost some big, big names.
Image from The Daily Trash.

Joan Rivers had her biggest heyday in the early-to-mid 1980s. Her standup comedy was filling auditoriums, her album What Becomes a Semi-Legend Most was a huge hit, and she became the permanent guest host on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. She then began the very first show on the FOX-TV network, then called FBC. The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers caused a falling out with Carson, and didn't end up becoming a success, though I believe I saw nearly every episode. And she had a bit of a last laugh by having had better ratings than any of the shows that replaced her.

During that program, Rivers had an "anyone can host"-type contest, with video submissions. I helped my Mom, along with my brother, to put together an entry. Though Mom didn't win, she did get a nice letter from Joan that mentioned specific parts of the video, which was nice. If I ever get that VHS tape converted to digital, I may share it in this space.

So, my biggest memories of Joan Rivers are from that FOX/Tonight Show/Heidi Abromowitz era, before her later reinvention as a daytime host, QVC jewelry seller, red carpet fashion reviewer. But I was impressed with her staying power. And it feels very odd to be writing about her demise. RIP, Joanie. I'm not a believer in afterworlds, but if I'm wrong, I hope you're with Edgar and Spike!

[Excerpt]

Comedian Joan Rivers dead at 81
 
Joan Rivers, the raucous, acid-tongued comedian who crashed the male-dominated realm of late-night talk shows and turned Hollywood red carpets into danger zones for badly dressed celebrities, died Thursday. She was 81. Rivers was hospitalized last week after she went into cardiac arrest at a Manhattan doctor's office following a routine procedure. Daughter Melissa Rivers said she died at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, surrounded by family and close friends. . .

Read more at: AOL

And now, from the first episode of The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers, a must-see with Elton John and surprise guest Cher.

 

Marcia Wallace (Mrs. Krabappel of The Simpsons), Dead at 70

Marcia Wallace, from source, Chicago Tribune

Sad. Just the other day, The Other Half and I were discussing what would happen when the original voices from The Simpsons started passing away. And oddly enough, our discussion was prompted by the news that a major character would be "killed off" this season. Internet speculation had focused on Marcia Wallace's character, Mrs. Edna Krabappel, Bart's long-suffering teacher. Which makes me wonder if Wallace--a cancer survivor since the 80s--either knew she was dying, or wished to retire, and that The Simpsons was accommodating her.

In any event, she is one more element of my childhood, pop culture savant that I am, to disappear. She was the funniest part, to a kid, of The Bob Newhart Show, and was also quite funny on all of her game show and talk show appearances in the 70s. Of course, she's been with The Simpsons since it started, though apparently not in the Tracey Ullman short clips (which debuted on my 21st birthday!). Her Krabappel (crab apple) character was the focus of many episodes, and has historically had some of the funniest lines. She'll definitely be missed by a whole lot of fans.

Mrs. Krabappel, from FOX TV

The Simpsons is now in its 25th season, 28th if you count the Ullman clips. I wonder how much longer it can go before we lose another major voice. Unlike Wallace, who voiced one character, it would be vastly more difficult to write out or kill off most of them. Undoubtedly, The Simpsons will outlive all of its original voices. 20th Century Fox is unlikely to mothball the characters forever. A revival or reboot is inevitable. But it would never be the same. And The Simpsons is going to be different for having lost Marcia Wallace.

[Excerpt]

'Simpsons' star Marcia Wallace dies at 70

Marcia Wallace, the star of "The Bob Newhart Show" and "œThe Simpsons," died Friday at the age of 70 from complications related to breast cancer, according to several media reports. . .

Read more at: Chicago Tribune

 

Shocker: Glee Star, Cory Monteith, Dead at 31

Cory Monteith, Image from source, Huffington Post

Well, this is one you don't expect. We expect actors who play teenagers to be much older than the characters they play (though 31 is really pushing it), but you don't expect them to just turn up dead. Wow. Seemed like a nice kid. Guy. Whatever. But I guess you never know. As a casual fan of the show, this one kind of felt like a hit to the gut. Didn't expect that. Especially after the round-house kick of the Trayvon Martin murder case verdict. RIP, both to Mr. Monteith and Mr. Martin.

[Excerpt]

Cory Monteith Dead: 'Glee' Star Found In Vancouver Hotel Room

Cory Monteith, a Canadian actor best known for playing Finn Hudson on the hit show "Glee," was found dead Saturday in a Vancouver hotel room, police announced on Saturday. Monteith was 31 years old. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

The Simsons: C. Montgomery Burns Stumps for Mitt Romney

Poor, poor Seamus.

I Can't Wait: Final Season of Fringe Begins Sept. 28

I will be on vacation the last week of September, in beautiful Yachats, Oregon. But that may not be enough to stop me from catching the premiere of the last season of Fringe. The series has been one of my favorite shows, even with all of the jarring twists and turns, alternate universes and constant threat of cancellation. It will be a short, 13-episode season. But HBO, AMC, FX, USA and Showtime have gotten us used to seasons even shorter than that, so it will have to do. And the producers know in advance how much time they have left, so it should be spectacular. I will miss this show.

Blast from the Past [Bonus Edition]: Early FOX TV Shows, Pt. 1

When I sat down to do the previous post, I just didn't have an idea in me for Blast from the Past. The only thing I could think of was old FOX TV shows, and what relevance would that have? Then I turn on FOX, and they're rerunning their anniversary special! Whattaya know? So, I figured I could slap something together for this week afterall. But it's just gonna be clips, no commentary. This blogger is tired!

And with that, I realize I'm done for this week, and I've retroactively retitled this "Pt. 1," and may come back at some point to ad commentary! This one really did give me a blast from the past.

Have a great week, everyone. Happy Monday!

FOX Renews Fringe for Fifth (and Last) Season!

Image from Huffington Post.

If your favorite show was going to be given half a season next year, and then cancelled, you'd probably be bummed out. But we're talking about Fringe here, the wonderfully novel sci-fi series that has lived in perpetual cancellation danger. That it received a fourth season was something of a surprise, so any fifth season--13 episodes though it may be--is fantastic news! And let's face it, some of the best TV series currently running have seasons that long or even shorter. If the show had transferred to Showtime or AMC, it would count as a full season! Anyway, after many heart rending premature cancellations of favorite shows by FOX, I'm sending out a huge thank you for this one!

[Excerpt]


'Fringe' Renewed For 13-Episode Fifth And Final Season On Fox 

"Fringe" fans, consider yourselves lucky: Fox's trippy sci-fi drama has been renewed for a 13-episode fifth and final season. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Woo Hoo!!! Simpsons Deal Reached!

¡Ay, caramba! We came thisclose to losing The Simpsons forever. But a deal has been reached, and the show will get to complete--at least--its 25th season! 

Image from source, HuffPo

[Excerpt]

'The Simpsons' Renewed For Two Seasons: Cast, Producers Strike Deal

"The Simpsons" will live on, after all.

On the verge of cancellation after producer 20th Century Fox TV demanded that the voice cast of the seminal animated series take a 45% pay cut, the producers and talent came to a last minute agreement on Friday that will extend the show for two more seasons. It was thought that the show would last only one more season after this, its 23rd, even if an agreement was reached, but the groundbreaking series will reach a record-setting 25 years on television. . .


Read more at: Huffington Post

 

D'oh! Trouble in Springfield: The Simsons Could be Over?

Image from Huffington Post

Okay, so FOX TV is trying to cut the priceless The Simpsons character actors' pay. And a counter-offer was made that was fairly generous to my eyes. And FOX might say "no?" Ridiculous. Unless the show is in ratings danger, it would be insane to kill this cash cow.

Of course, the show is more than a cash cow to me. And to FOX too, considering the show has been running essentially since the beginning of the FOX prime-time network. The Simpsons debuted as short animated segments on The Tracey Ullman Show on my 21st birthday. I was even watching that night, which shows you what an exciting life I lead as a youth. Anyway, I've been a faithful Simpsons fan ever since. In fact, The Other Half and I often credit the show with keeping us together in the early years. It was an extremely quotable bonding experience.

There are those who say The Simpsons has run its course. That it isn't as funny, or--in the coarse language of today's wasted youth--it sucks. Well, that's just crazy talk (my brother, Crazy Talk)! The Simpsons Movie was fantastic, and every show since has been better than 75% of the rest of television. And unless FOX seriously wants to cancel the show, I say they better pay up. Because this fan--and most others--will not accept sound-alikes.

[Excerpt]


'The Simpsons' Facing Cancellation Over Contract Issues With FOX: Report 

. . .23 seasons in, The Simpsons is as creatively vibrant as ever and beloved by millions around the world. We believe this brilliant series can and should continue, but we cannot produce future seasons under its current financial model. We are hopeful that we can reach an agreement with the voice cast that allows The Simpsons to go on entertaining audiences with original episodes for many years to come. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

FOX TV Cancels Human Target and More

Mark Valley and Christian Slater, two oft-hired, oft-fired,
but talented men. Image from TVLine

Rats. Another DC Comics character-based project, Human Target has been cancelled, along with some other shows I mostly never heard of. Human Target starred the under appreciated Mark Valley (Keen Eddie, Boston Legal) as sort of a bodyguard for hire. The series started like a James Bond-on-TV kind of thing, and then shifted gears in its second season to be a lot more than that. I really dug it, and it wasn't even one of my favorite comics characters. But this is what often happens to shows I like, particularly sci-fi/horror/comic book series. So, attention Charmed, Smallville and Supernatural: the reason you got so many seasons is that I for some reason never watched you, even though you're in my sweet spot. The lesson for me: if you think a show is going to be super cool, wait for the DVDs, and do not write about it on the blog!

It should be noted that in addition to Mark Valley, we can add Chi McBride, Christian Slater, David Denman and Bret Harrison to a long list of actors who keep getting cast in short-lived projects. Harrison (Breaking In, V, The Loop, Reaper) has a list of failed series to rival Matthew Perry before Friends.

[Excerpt]

Fox Cancels Human Target, Lie To Me, Chicago Code, Two Others



Fox went on a killing spree late Tuesday, canceling five bubble shows including Human Target and Lie to Me. . .
 
Read more at: TVLine

Irony Alert: FOX TV's "Green it, Mean it" Promotion

I'm aware that FOX Television and FOX "News" are different divisions of the same company. But they're still both appendages of the same corporate creature. Given that FOX "News" is one of the biggest megaphones for global climate change deniers, it is somewhat ironic to see the entertainment division throwing their weight behind a "green" promotion. Don'tcha think?

FOX Renews Fringe for 4th Season!

Image from source, TVSquad

At the risk of invoking The Greenlee Curse (not the one where people die, the one where shows get cancelled), I'm thrilled to report that FOX TV's Fringe has been renewed for a fourth season! And shoot, The Greenlee Curse can't be blamed for a show not making it after season four (I probably shouldn't have included the five-season Medium I guess). Anyway, I encourage anybody who was ever a fan of Twin Peaks, The X-Files, Eureka, or just about any quirky sci-fi/fantasy series to start watching Fringe already! You can catch up on Hulu or Netflix or DVD or something. . .just do it, already. You won't be sorry.

And oh yeah, woooooooo-hoooooooo!!!!

[Excerpt]

'Fringe' Gets Renewed for a Fourth Season


Fox's 'Fringe' may be on the fringe of Friday night viewing, but that hasn't stopped the network from renewing the series for a fourth season -- and with a vote-of-confidence order of 22 episodes. . .
 
Read more at: TV Squad

This is Surely Just a Surveyor's Symbol. . .

Image of FOX TV's Human Target from ComicBookResources.com

Homer Simpson's Butt Censored by FOX!!!



Image from source, Huffington Post

 Yes, I'm running two HuffPo-sourced articles in a row, but anyone who knows me knows that I couldn't possibly ignore this story. D'oh!

[Excerpt]

'Simpsons' Head: Fox Won't Let Us Show Homer's Butt



"The Simpsons" celebrated some good news Thursday, as the animated legend was renewed by Fox for an eye-popping 23rd season. While discussing the renewal with New York magazine, Al Jean, who runs the show, revealed an interesting tidbit about the standards department at Fox: they won't let "The Simpsons" show any of the character's bare behinds. . .
 
Read more at: Huffington Post

Local FOX Stations Distance Themselves from FOX "News"

See if you can find the "FOX" part of this logo.

Wouldn't you?

[Excerpt]

Fox Affiliates: We Are Not Fox News Channel

If you look at the logo of KMPH-TV in Fresno, Calif., a Fox affiliate, the largest elements are the station's call letters and its channel: 26.



In smaller letters, and barely visible, is the name Fox. This may or may not be an accident.


According to KMPH News Director Jim Turpin, and his colleagues at some other Fox affiliates, disassociating their local news casts from Fox News Channel's conservative slant is often a challenge.

Several news directors say Fox's reputation for right-leaning broadcasts often misleads viewers into thinking their local news reports follow the same approach. . .

Read more at: Media Matters

Glee's Sue Sylvester Vogue Video

Love. It! And loved her Sarah Palin joke earlier in the episode. I guess I'm a "gleek" now, huh?



And now, the original Madonna video for comparison. . .


Madonna - Vogue
Uploaded by zocomoro. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

And just for fun, the MTV Music Awards performance (lip-synched, of course). . .


MADONNA Vogue MTV Music Awards
Uploaded by fredgd. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

The Friday Night Death Slot

The socially awkward and we old married folks don't treat Friday night much differently than any other night. Sure, occasionally, we'll get our freak on. But more often than not, we're in front of our TVs, our computers or both. But the majority of television viewers are either not home, or not interested in TV on Friday nights. This has lead to a TV trope known as "the Friday night death slot."

That's where network executives stick sci-fi/fantasy shows, seemingly in an effort to kill them off. FOX is notorious for this, having killed numerous shows by placing them on Friday nights, and then cancelling them after they couldn't overcome the lack of viewership on that night. Only The X-Files seems to have overcome the situation.

Last year, two of my favorite shows were relegated to the TV hell that is Fridays. Surprisingly, one of them--Dollhouse--survived to a new season. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles wasn't so lucky. I'm one of a rare breed who was head over heels for both shows. Dollhouse has a limited amount of time to prove itself, and I'm desperately hoping that it pulls off a miracle. Joss Whedon's previous programs (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel) didn't have to muster much of an audience on the defunct WB and UPN networks. But on FOX, Whedon failed with Firefly, an awesome show also relegated to the death slot, and now Dollhouse is in the same situation. Here's hoping.

[Excerpt]

Scott Brown on Saving Sci-Fi From the Friday Night Death Slot

Ah, the early '90s: that Eden. I was so innocent then, I barely knew which demographic I was. And I certainly didn't know that just by doing what came naturally—staying in on Friday nights and watching The X-Files—I was changing the world. I had no inkling that we, my nerdy ilk and I, were actually saving dozens of unborn science fiction shows from the Sarlacc maw of the Friday Night Death Slot. Surely you've heard of the Death Slot. It's a circle of programming hell traditionally reserved for the weak, the sick, the family- oriented—and the sci-fi-derived. . .

Read more at: Wired

Lazy Weekend, 21 Jump Street on DVD

I picked up the DVD set of 21 Jump Street at the library on a whim (no, I don't intend to pay money for it!). I was intrigued by the fact that I haven't seen it in so many years. Also, by the guest stars listed on the back (Christina Applegate, Brad Pitt!), and wanting to see Johnny Depp and Peter DeLuise as they looked 20+ years ago.

21 Jump Street was an early FOX TV drama about baby-faced police officers who infiltrated high schools to stop various crimes. It was the break-out role for Depp, provided an income to Dom DeLuise's sons, introduced us to Holly Robinson (who also sang the theme song), and probably put FOX on the map for successful scripted drama.

I'm not intending to dive too deeply into the set, but I'm already noticing a few things. First, I'll bet the season of episodes is chock-full of period character actors. In only the first episode, we have Ray Walston, Barney Martin (Seinfeld's dad) and Kurtwood Smith (Red of That 70s Show) all of whom were apparently always old. Also, it's interesting to see how this show seems to bridge the gap between airy, stilted 70s dramas, and today's grittier, more densely written and plotted dramas. As it was in the 70s, the teen aged kids in the show actually look like they're school-aged (14-18). As it is now, the regular cast all look like they could more believably infiltrate colleges or even post-graduate schools, even though they are supposed to be passing for high schoolers.

The acting is so-so for guest stars, but pretty solid for the regulars. The look and feel of the show is low-to-mid budget, reminding me a lot of the early Nightmare on Elm Street movies (maybe because of Depp) or the Freddy's Nightmares and the Friday the 13th: The Series TV series. Not in genre, but in the harsh colors, big hair, acid-washed denim, mullets, and other 80s artifacts. Oh, and Johnny Depp in housewife drag? Hilarious.