In Case You Missed It: Johnny Depp as Donald Trump in The Art of the Deal

This has been buzzing around the internet for several days, I know, but I just got around to checking it out. I was surprised to see how much they committed to it. This isn't your standard two or three minute sketch. I think they really nailed it. Your mileage may vary.

Funny Or Die Presents Donald Trump's The Art Of The Deal: The Movie from Funny Or Die

Blast from the Past: When TV Theme Intros Were Awesome

After a dry spell for a lot of years, some TV shows have come around to having some good credit sequences and theme songs, though they're usually fairly short. But nothing matches the quality of a good old one-minute to one-and-a-half minute opus of a theme song, with visuals edited to go along with the song! You might not even understand what I'm talking about if you don't already know. These were masterpieces that introduced the characters, the cast, the vibe of the show, and had real artistry. Though YouTube can kill some of the effect, the action would often be tailored to the beat, to the percussion, forming essentially a music video. Often they were themes by Mike Post or Lalo Shifrin. And the series they were attached to would often lose their nostalgia value without them.

Here are some of my favorites.

1. 21 Jump Street (1987-1991) - This show helped put Johnny Depp and the FOX TV network on the map. It was nothing like the movie. But the theme song sequence is really top notch.
2. Simon & Simon (1981-1989) - Never as popular as its cousin Magnum PI, this show nonetheless was a mainstay of the 80s. The intro was so memorable, it was parodied by Adam Scott in The Greatest Event in Television History.



3. Mission: Impossible (1966-1973, 1988-1990) - It would be impossible to leave this one out, though it had many versions, and different casts. The movie series had its highs and lows, but the television series stands on its own.
4. Hart to Hart (1979-1984) - Also parodied by Adam Scott, this is one of the iconic 80s programs, and the editing in the intro (which had several variations) was superb.



5. Charlie's Angels (1976-1981) - There were a total of six angels over five seasons. But for me, it was never the same after Kate Jackson left the series. Through each combination of Angels though, they did a great job with the credit sequence.
6. Knots Landing (1981-1993) - I debated whether or not to include this one, because the program had such varied and different themes from year to year. But something about season 7's theme has always stayed in my memory. So, it's worthy of inclusion.



7. The Incredible Hulk (1977-1982) - Cheesy by today's standards, but to its credit, played it straight. No campy, cartoony stuff here. And the opening explains the premise, while being very memorable.
8. The Six Million Dollar Man (1974-1978) - Okay, this one could be campy (Sasquatch, anyone?), but the opening is very much along the same lines as Hulk's.



9. The Bionic Woman (1976-1978) - Could I leave her out without being sexist?
10. The Fall Guy (1981-1986) - Back to Lee Majors, but I have to say, this is one of the best songs in TV theme history, and the opening credits were awesome.
 

And that will do it for this week. Happy Monday!

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.

Did Josh Brolin Already Play Bush?

Images from source, Film Experience Blog

Here's an interesting analysis of an old episode of 21 Jump Street, one of the early shows on FOX. It was the launching pad for Johnny Depp, if you're too young to remember. In this particular episode, Josh Brolin--soon to star in Oliver Stone's W., a docu-drama about The Decider--plays a spoiled rich kid who likes the booze, broads and cocaine. Sound familiar?

[Excerpt]

"Guest Starring" Josh Brolin

At the risk of getting cheesy with a Before They Were Stars moment, let's go back to the time when Josh Brolin was only James Brolin's son. It wasn't until his very recent amazing triple play (No Country For Old Men, American Gangster, Grindhouse) that he became a true star just as he was turning 40. Now he's in demand. He'll play the lead role in Oliver Stone's George Bush bio W. this October and then Harvey Milk's assassin in Gus Van Sant's Milk in November. . .

Read more at: Film Experience Blog