Into the Twilight: Upgrade (2002)

Twilight Zone 

    We're back to the Twilight Zone 2002 series.   The episode I'm looking at this time is called "Upgrade" it's the 13th episode (oooh) of the series. Which again, had one season and ran on UPN (America's favorite network that starts with U, unless that's Univision)   Let's go! 

            It starts with a woman played by Susanna Thompson (Whom you might know from the family drama series Once and Again) named Annie Macintosh as it seems she and her family have acquired and moved into a new home. The episode also wants us to focus on this portrait of the family because  it's trying to make a point here. Then two, I guess teenagers, come in the house and I think the episode wants to us to not  like them or something.  There's also a dog (I'm scared for the dog, this is the Twilight Zone) and a dad/husband  named Phillip, played by Timothy Carhart whom you might know from "Yellowstone".  

Remember this family or don't that's up to you/ Copyright Paramount 

                Annie seems to be annoyed that her family is not perfect or something. She seems annoyed that moving so far hasn't been a smooth thing. (The episode seemingly doesn't want us to like her either) She vents to her husband and wishes that they could turn into a perfect family. (She also asks does that make her a terrible person? eh probably)   I do like how the husband  and wife have matching wear there. Wait, hold on that dog, the dog before was not that dog.  Phillip calls the dog , Czonka, which was the name of their dog, but this dog is a poodle not what it was before. (Czonka? Someone was a Miami Dolphin fan) Annie is confused, like me. She remembers the old dog too. (Good, I'm not going mad) 

Yes, kids, this has always been your dog, he's always looked like this/ Copyright Paramount

            

               You can also surmise this is a "be careful what you wish for" plot, and maybe "what does perfection really mean?" plot.  Annie is confused because whatever witchcraft is going on, didn't affect her.  Hmm, the kids show up and ...checks watch... time to be annoying. The daughter named Tess and boy named Sean, I think that might be the last time we see them in this form. Oh anyway, Annie is still confused about the dog and a friend tells her that maybe she imagined not having that kind of dog because of the stress of moving. (What?) 

In fact, the move was so stressful, you didn't even move, you've always lived here/ Copyright Paramount

               Phillip tries to be romantic with his wife and make her feel better. I'm gonna guess what's going to happen soon, but the episode doesn't make Phillip unlikeable or annoying or anything would actually make him seem to be not a good fit with his wife. He's worried about her because the poodle thing, which also makes sense, This episode is really just going to be mean to him , but not give a reason why he's not already the "perfect husband-dad". 

This is non alcoholic/ Copyright Paramount  

                We see the kids and the daughter is still the same, but wait huh?  She got a new Sean, son. (son sean seen) Since the force that changed the dog also now changed her son she still remembers the old son, so the force really just wants her to be seen as crazy person. (That tricky force) The daughter is freaked out and calls for her dad. 

The perfect son has a pronounced chin/ Copyright Paramount 

        She runs to call Sean, sees the painting has changed again to include New Sean, and just for fun the daughter has changed too, a new Tess shows up.  (The music needs to calm down)  The, she falls down the stairs. She wakes up and still sees new Sean and new Tess, but same Phillip. (I'm going home) 

                        

Cast change number 3/ Copyright Paramount 

            She's not doing to well. (Neither am I)  Phillip again shows his concern and tries to tell her that she's not going to lose him, but then ... oh... there's a new Phillip. Played by Robert Wisden, who played a Dad in an episode of "The Haunting Hour" series I mention that because same type of show. Phillip is the one I feel the most for changing he didn't even seen "un perfect", didn't doubt his wife even if he was confused about why she didn't think the dog or later kids were hers and stuff. I kind of admire the episode for not making up some stupid way he'd be unperfect too. 

our son has my chin/ Copyright Paramount 

        Now she sees new Phillip and is very freaked out. (Same #NotMYPhillip)  Later, her friend shows up again. (What to tell her that moving stress made her envision her entire family in different human form?)  She tells her friend, it's her fault, she made a wish and it's come true. (Which maybe doesn't help people thinking she's not insane)  The friend asks her to come with her downstairs. (Don't do it Annie!) 

the perfect Livingroom apparently /Copyright Paramount 

   

            She notices that her stuff has also changed. (Wait, her couch was her family? Why'd it change?)  Annie tries to have dinner, but it's like eating with random people. Also apparently, the new family has more money and successful kids.  (It's perfect to be rich)  This dinner is awkward. She tries to tell herself this is what she wanted and is trying to live with this, but I don't think she can. 

           She ends up hearing her not family talking about putting her away somewhere to make sure she gets help.  Since that scares her she runs through a door into a black void. (Same)  Then she notices she's in some weird house circle thing where she keeps through the door to end up back in the house.  Then she sees the painting again and sees she's also been re-casted now too.  (If this was a sitcom, it'd be wild in the news)  New Annie and and Phillip kiss and then, what? 

I'm the new Annie, or I'm the Annie / Copyright Paramount 

If you want to know , the spoiler is red and italics, if you want to skip, then find the next black text spot. 

      This episode was all done on a paint like program on  a Macintosh computer?  Get it? Heh? Get it?  Then a little girl Lizzie, it's her computer, is there as her father calls her.  It was a game? What?   I go in to the episodes blind, so I was shocked. I was figuring the ending was going to be where it stopped with new Annie and Phillip kissing and then Forest would come in and give his final message, or something, but nope this one went all yep it was a game! Alright then,  Forest just shows up and gives a message that how do we know we aren't in some game, then the episode shows Forest in a computer screen and it ends.  Good work, I guess, that was a fun ending. 

            

[Spoiler image link] 

             Alright, the episode offers a fun story with a basic plot and the idea of being careful what you wish for, or it might happen. That's something the Twilight Zone (pick a version) does many time with episodes. Poor Phillip though, that was the one character I found it hard to need to be changed for any reason. It's an interesting story, the ending did catch me off guard.  That actually made the episode more interesting. The episode is presentable and not entertaining, does make you feel a bit awkward and uncomfortable like Annie, it's alright. 

            That's it for now, tune in next time when the replacement you comes in and starts laughing, yikes. 

             

NBC Announces Fall Premiere Dates and Adjustments to their fall line up

NBC Fall TV Look 2023 

        NBC has released their fall premiere dates, while the network did seem to have some confidence in the writers' strike ending  in time for them to be able to tape some more episodes, there has been that wrench in the plans.   

            NBC will be putting Magnum P.I.  and Canadian program Transplant into their line up to fill the gaps.  The Three Chicago series will not be airing new episodes, and will be condended to one hour for reruns on Wednesdays. Magnum P.I will be airing along with Quantum Leap  on Wednesday nights.   

            The Law and Order series will also be in reruns and condensed to the 8pm ET hour on Thursdays , Transplant  and Dateline  will be plugging the holes on Thursday at 9 and 10pm ET. 

            The comedies planned for Tuesday of Night Court and Extended Family are being held off.  New dramas The Irrational and Found are launching into the schedule in fall. They were both part of the original line up. With the latter moving to Tuesday Nights.  The Voice is going to be 2 hours on Tuesday, with the first hour being a recap of Monday's show. 

        NBCs line up is still less reliant on reruns and reality than what FOX, CBS, and ABC had to do. 

    Here are the premiere dates  all times ET/PT  , unless otherwise noted 

Saturday, September 2 

7:30pmET/4:30pm PT  Big Ten Saturday Night

Thursday, September 7

8:20/5:20p  NFL Kickoff 

Sunday, September 10

7pm/4pt  Football Night In America 

8:20/5:20pt  Sunday Night Football 

Monday, September 25

8pm  The Voice

10pm The Irrational 

Wednesday, September 27

9pm America's Got Talent (Finale) 

Friday, September 29 

9pm Dateline 

Tuesday, October 3

10pm Found

Wednesday, October 4 

8pm Chicago series reruns   Quantum Leap

9pm  Magnum P.I   Magnum P.I 

10pm  Quantum Leap  Chicago Series reruns 

Thursday, October 5

8pm Law and Order series reruns 

9pm Transplant 

10pm  Dateline 

Friday, November 3

8pm The Wall 

Press Release after the jump 

CBS Redoes Its Fall 2023 Line up

CBS  Fall TV Look 2023

         CBS' original fall line up release was an optimistic one that the writers' strike would be over in time that they could make some shows for the fall. Well, it's half way through July now, and there's now also an actors' strike to go along with the writers' strike.  CBS has had to make big adjustments to it's fall line up. 

        First, Yellowstone from it's sister cable network, Paramount Network, will be making a broadcast network premiere.  The hit cable drama series will be airing on Sundays starting with its first season.  

        CBS has also called up Ghosts , but the original British version, which will be airing on Thursdays after reruns of  Young Sheldon and Ghosts.  The British series will air back to back episodes. Finishing up Thursdays will be a series called up from the Paramount+ league, and this one aired before on CBS  SEAL Team.   

            Another Paramount+ series being called up is  FBI: True which is a docuseries, to match up with their reruns of the main FBI series. They've also slotted Mondays 10/9c for a Paramount Plus series, which is to be named later.  Meanwhile, CBS has pulled out the reality series.  Loteria Loca and Raid the Cage.  And before, they air UK Ghosts and etc. on Thursdays, they'll air reality series including Big Brother, Buddy Games, and The Challenge: USA.   The Price is Right at Night and Let's Make a Deal Primetime will also be part of the line up.  

            60 Minutes will also get 90 minute editions on Sundays where there were NFL double headers. 

Here's the line up in detail , all times ET/PT, unless otherwise noted 

Mondays 

8pm  Loteria Loca 

9pm NCIS (R) 

10pm Paramount Plus Original -TBA 

Tuesdays

8pm Big Brother

9pm FBI True 

10pm FBI (R) 

Wednesdays

8pm Survivor 

9:30pm The Amazing Race

Thursdays  (First )

8pm Big Brother 

9pm Buddy Games 

10pm The Challenge: USA

Thursdays (later) 

8pm Young Sheldon (R)

8:30pm Ghosts (R) 

9pm UK: Ghosts 

9:30pm UK: Ghosts 

10pm SEAL Team 

Fridays 

8pm The Price is Right at Night/ Let's Make a Deal: Primetime 

9pm Raid the Cage 

10pm Blue Bloods :Classics (R) 

Saturdays

8pm Encores and Sports

10pm 48 Hours 

Sundays (single  header) 

7pm 60 Minutes 

8pm  Yellowstone 

9pm Yellowstone 

10pm Big Brother 

Sundays (Double header) 

7:30pm  60 Minutes 

9pm  Yellowstone 

10pm Big Brother 

Full Press release after the jump 

One Shot Posts: Hey Arnold: Heat/Snow

One Shot Posts  The Flashback  Nickelodeon 

          Here we are it's summer time, and it's hot? I'm writing this post in advance I'm going to assume it's hot, maybe it's not... eh anyway, I've decided to write about two Hey Arnold episodes that ended up being together like perfect contrast to complete each other, opposites attract, like the kid who wears shorts in the winter and kid wearing a coat in the summer falling in love.  (Coming to Disney Channel)   This is an episode set from  Hey Arnold from the very first season , the 6th episode combo. Funny enough it aired in fall 1996, no fall vs spring war though. 

           Starting with Heat, because that's the first. I'm not fan hot weather, myself, more of a cold fan. But heat, like extremely hot days, and even more if they are in a wave (3 or more days in a row of above 90) can be exhausting and annoying. That's kind of what Arnold is going through, he was dreaming of climbing up ice cream for the coolness only to wake up in his bleak hot air world.  I like how the episode, and how Hey Arnold in general sets up things and this one is really laying on how hot it is. It's apparently 106 degrees (or 41.1 C)  the city has an orange glow, miserable people and people doing strange things to find cool relief. 

           It does kind  of lay on thick, how hot and how annoying the heat has pretty much drove people mad. Arnold and Gerald do things that typically fit hot/summer moments, where the two of them try to turn  a fire hydrant on (don't do this yourself) for the water, they try a cool move theater which is apparently playing ironic movies.  They quit because of the line, then they go to the pool where it's crowded and pool's not even cold. Even Arnold starts to lose it. 

            The ice cream man has decided to price gouge his ice cream because of the heat.  (Though in current times, Ice cream truck wouldn't have any thing for 78 cents either) A hot, tired, and annoyed Arnold decides to tell off the guy and starts a riot. (I hate when that happens)  To be more exact, his words start  a chant and Helga starts the riot.  Arnold feels regret that he kind of caused this.  Though I do like how the episode doesn't play a moral black and white  where it's someone right and wrong, both sides were wrong here, but at least Arnold feels regret.  It's a good showing of heat driving people mad, and that people kind of become unhinged under pressure. 

            Arnold decides to stop this mess before someone gets hurt or something (and before the truck gets tipped over)   That didn't work as the kids work to push the truck over again. Then it automatically starts to rain. (timing) Hope it's not humid.  

         This episode is simple and not really presenting a moral in a direct way. It's more showing we should control ourselves in a time of turmoil, but that'd be a little too much to read into an episode, that's only guess.  Very much  an episode to watch for the experience of what is going on, it descends into madness then cools itself down. 

         Now, for someone is a fan of cold weather and does appreciate snow a little time for the other episode to really cool things down.  I think snow in TV episodes are fun, but the hard part is a lot of shows save their snow for Christmas, which is funny to me because I'm from an area that has more snow on Halloween day than Christmas day.  I do like when it's snow and not a Christmas episode. 

      The music contrast between these episodes are pretty nice as well, where the show's normal jazz did come in to play in the first episode and here they have a little kind of "frosty" I can describe start music, as it shows up to Arnold's house. 

                This episode starts with Arnold , again comparing to the last segment, this one is  Arnold is happy about what he wakes up to see, the snowy day. This episode gives the charm of what a snowy day is in childhood as it's an amazing thing to see. He waits by the the radio hear the school closings and hopes his is closed, that urgent feeling of wanting a school closing for school day.  He makes a list of fun things he wants to do. It's also an interesting contrast showing how an adult like Grandpa Phil might feel about snow  as he sees it as more tedious and unnecessary. He makes his own list of practical things he wants to do for the day.   This will play well into the episode. 

            Grandpa has Arnold doing things like shoveling the snow, which isn't fun for Arnold, or me, or the snow. (or really anyone)  It's also fun to see the other kids, and other people in the city doing snow activities as well.  The episode shows a good contrast between the freedom of childhood and things adults do in this case having to tend to snow issues. In some areas there are laws that sidewalks have to be cleared for snow, and a snowy sidewalk could be a hazard later on. (There are people who live in places where the day after it snows it doesn't go 50 degrees? ) The mailman still has to do his job of brining mail. (I like how he's in both episodes too)  

          I also think it did a good job of showing that Granpa wasn't being unreasonable  in a sense, since he keep his word that when they were finished shoveling Arnold could go play. Then of course other things show up, and again Grandpa does have things he has to do as the I guess landlord of a boarding house, to keep the renters happy. One can also feel for Arnold too, and even Grandpa does when he hears Arnold repeating his line about "no work ethic society"  and he remembers how he had some snow fun too as a younger person.  So he decides to let loose  a bit and allows some fun. He also sprays the street with water (Don't do this either) He made an ice rink and let's everyone have some fun. 

            This is a good one, probably a bit stronger than "Heat" just like how... edited...  and it presents a good idea of balance. There is some work that has to be done, but it also alright to add in some fun and  play. Grandpa got a little lost on that, but he did get to remember that and sometimes that happens, a generational disconnect.  

          Would have been funny if these segments took part a day apart, but nah. Anyway, I think these weather themed episodes were fun , I'm going to give "Snow" a little more in the lean , but I think both were good. I love how both segments feel I get the sense of the heat and how it uncomfortable it is and how Arnold is feeling drained from it. The other one I get the wintery feelings and see how much fun snow can be, though cartoon snow is always better than real snow in that it always seems light, easy to move and use, so hmmm.  

             That's it for now, tune in next time when the kid of the kid who wears shorts in the winter and the kid who wears a coat in the summer, wears shorts in the winter, and a coat in the summer, that's how DNA works.  

        

Fall TV 2023: FOX Announces Fall Premiere Dates

FOX   Fall TV Look 2023 

     Fox has released it's fall schedule and premiere dates, being the first network to announce premiere dates and the last to release it's fall line up. Like last year, they skipped the traditional May line up announcement.  The FOX line up also leans into animated shows and unscripted due to the the long running writers' strike.  

        It's scripted shows like 9-1-1: Lone Star, The Cleaning Lady, Accused, Alert: Missing Persons Unit, Animal Control, and new series have been put aside for that reason. 

        The Sunday Night animation block is returning as normal, with the new series Krapoplis which will premiere there too. (That show has been renewed for 3 seasons) Also, WWE Friday Night Smackdown  will be continuing.  

        The fall line up has mainstays of The Masked Singer, Hell's Kitchen , the return of Kitchen Nightmares, along  with Lego Masters. They also have returned singing show "I Can See Your Voice".  The newest series, by itself is  Snake Oil . 

Here's the fall fall schedule/premiere dates all times ET/PT unless otherwise noted, new series are highlighted in blue. 

Tuesday, September 19 

8-9pm  Name that Tune   (Season Premiere) 

9-10pm  I Can See Your Voice  (Season Premiere) 

Sunday, September 24  (After FOX NFL Doubleheader) 

8-9pm/5-6pt  Krapoplis (Special Two-Episode, Preview Event) (live in all time zones) 

Monday, September 25 

8-9pm Kitchen Nightmares  (Series Return/ Season Premiere )

9-10pm Special Forces: World's Toughest Test  (Season Premiere) 

Wednesday, September 27

8-9pm The Masked Singer (Season Premiere) 

9-10pm  Snake Oil (season premiere) 

Thursday, September 28 

8-9pm Hell's Kitchen (Season Premiere) 

9-10pm Lego Masters (Season Premiere) 

Fridays (On Going) 

8-10pm   WWE Friday Night Smackdown 

Sunday, October 1

8pm The Simpsons  (Season Premiere) 

8:30pm Krapoplis (time period premiere) 

9pm  Bob's Burgers (Season Premiere) 

9:30pm Family Guy (Season Premiere) 

Weekendering: The Weekenders: Season 3: Episode 1:Crushin' Roulette/Lucky Shoes

The Weekenders Disney 

     

        We've reached season 3 of "The Weekenders".  We've covered season 1 and season2 . Season 3 first premiered on September 9, 2001. This also of note because that's a Sunday, and the show switched networks from ABC to UPN. The Disney One Too block ran Sundays-Fridays on UPN. Though, the repeats continued on ABC. This would be the last season to broadcast on a broadcast network as well. Like season 2,  it has 13 half hours. 

    Basic premise of the show in case you want to jump into season 3 without reading about seasons  1 and 2, is 4 friends hanging out and doing things on the weekend. The show mostly takes place from Friday afternoon to Sunday night. The episodes are about middle schoolers named Tino Tonitini, Lor McQuarrie, Carver Descartes, and Tish Katsufrakis who hang out and life lessons on the best days of kid life.

           The episodes are mostly self contained, but may call back to the past things if they want to. So, now let's dip into the first two segments of season 3. 

Episode 1a: Crushin' Roulette 

   

         This episode is already breaking the mold by having it be Tish, break the 4th wall instead of Tino. (I'm a bit nervous) She tells us that's she's hungry. (So she should have a Snickers) She's been waiting for her friends for pizza. Apparently her other friends have crushes and want to do stuff with those crushes (concerned about Carver and the TV shoe model)  instead of having pizza with her.  This episode is set up with Tish feeling left out from her friends and being surrounded by love. 

        This is pretty interesting to have Tish in the lead role of the episode and having it from her point of view.  The next day, she calls her friends to decide to have a crush.  (I'm not commenting on her list) Her friends say she can't just force a crush, mostly Carver, and he's right, but they are going to help her find a crush because they are good friends. 

            The trio go to find Tish's crush. Lor's questions are amazing and scary.  After that fails, Tino decides he going to find some guys from school for Tish. Using his own probably better questions. (There's like three guys)  Also don't look up Lor's question the one about the brown, blue, cheese.  Probably don't. 

          Tish decides to pick to random things and stare and find love. (That's how people used to find their spouses)  That didn't work but she did get a guy to confess to being a spy. This is episode is weird. Anyway, she tries Percy and tells him she loves him and the boy is ready to have her child, I know what I wrote. He actually did that because he didn't want her to have a crush on him. Tish runs off.

        At the pizza place, Tish laments about not having a crush like her friends then the plot ends where Lor reads the pizza menu and this causes Tish to realize she doesn't need to have a crush yet, she will when she's ready. The episode ends with music shop guy getting arrested. 

        

          This episode was pretty fun.  Tish's plight in feeling left out from her friends , by not having a crush  is something that happens  and you feel for her.  I liked how her friends helped anyway. Though, it can be a little strange that she also wanted to find an adult to have a crush on as option,  but this is also comes from an era where shows had plots where a kid would have a crush on their teacher. The episode is pretty funny,  Lor's questions were great along with the reactions and Tish's stuff was fun. It really works well as an episode.  I give it 9/10. 

More after the jump