The Last Episode : Everybody Loves Raymond : Same as it Ever Was (The Finale)

The Flashback 

            "Everybody Loves Raymond" as a show was one of the more consistent run series. Many sitcoms get tedious or worse as they continue (not all; mind you) but "Everybody Loves Raymond" seem to hold a sense of consistency through it's 9 seasons on television.  It was one of the highest rated sitcoms and really can't be replicated. The series ended on it's own terms in 2005.

        This is part of our series looking at Last episodes, we brought it back, for May because that's when many series have their finales. Finales are interesting because they have different reasons for existing. Since "Raymond" cast and crew chose to end their show on their own terms they could  do really anything. We look at how this series ended.


       From May 16 2005 this is The Finale (good title)

              The episode starts with Ray coming home from the doctor and says his adenoids have to come out.  He is worried the surgery, while Debra it's no big deal.  Marie, Ray's Mom, comes in and gives him a hug because she's worried.  This last episode is fitting the show's main premise of Ray's family being involved in pretty much anything with mother being there worrying about him. Frank and Robert come over looking for the soup Marie brought for Raymond, as one does. (mmm soup)  Frank and Robert have a different approach to Ray's problem they say he should "man-up" and take care of it.  (Also  Frank doesn't know where adenoids are)

Soup for all of you/ Copyright HBO/ CBS 

       Cut to the hospital waiting room, where Debra, Marie,Frank, Robert,  and Amy are waiting for the end of the surgery.  Another strength to the show where most of the main cast has been intact since day one, even Amy was around in season 1. The main progression of the series was seeing the characters' lives progress and getting to know this family like they were a real family, it's a fun testament to this series strength.

We're watching and Waiting/ Copyright HBO/ CBS 

          A nurse comes out to ask Debra about a difficulty with Ray not waking up from the anesthesia.  This, of course, causes worry. It wasn't long but he's alright. ( Raymond dying would been a series finale of different proportions ) The family is relieved and they agree not to tell Raymond what happened (or Marie, who had left the room for the bathroom earlier)  Through out the series, Ray was shown to be someone who  does take things and make them bigger. Also, even in this episode he was worried about the surgery going badly, so you can see their reasoning for not wanting to tell him what happened.

Copyright CBS 

More after the Jump

Dcom Gives Dog the Money

Disney Channel  The Flashback 

         We dig deep into Disney Channel's Original movie archive with a movie from 1998 called "You Lucky Dog" .  It is the 2nd "Official" original movie or 3rd if you count "Northern Lights" .  This is the first Disney Channel original to have a dog in it so, yay!

    Our film stars television star, Kirk Cameron. Yeah, really so, that's something. Let's take a look at this movie.

       It starts with Kirk Cameron's character in this movie called Jack Morgan, who is a dog therapist. Who also can apparently read his dog's mind not other dogs but, still runs his therapy thing without telling people that he can't really read other dogs minds.  Anyway, one man named  Mr. Mooney is not pleased and thinks that Jack is scamming him, he's also a friend of mayor.   A rich man named, Clyde Windsor brings his dog Lucky. (Get it?)   Time to mention more faces and stars in this  movie: they have the talented voice actress, Christine Cavanaugh, playing has Jack Morgan's secretary. (The Voice of Chuckie from the Rugrats for example) and  James Avery , whom you will know as 'Uncle Phil' from the Fresh Prince.  In this movie he's the personal driver of our rich guy.

You didn't tell me that this wasn't an episode of Growing Pains/ Copyright Disney 

   Now back to the movie. Jack finds out that can actually could read Lucky's mind. (Lucky break) Jack tells Clyde that the dog told him that Lucky is worried about Clyde and is bothered by three individuals in the home.  Two weeks later, the mayor gets Jack's business shut down. (This movie is unrealistic) Then Clyde's driver ,Calvin Bridges,  comes to visit Jack and tells him Clyde had passed and wants Jack to come to the estate.
               

You look like you starred in "Growing Pains"/Copyright Disney 

        Meanwhile, the will is being read. Clyde's nephew, Reuben (played by Taylor Negron) doesn't get anything from the will but an easy chair.  His niece , Margret gets his mirror  because she's so vain. His other nephew, Lyle, gets nothing. (ha ha)  His money, $64 Million , doesn't go to any of them. They also get kicked out of the house.  Do you want to guess who gets the money? Play with us!   Is it a) the Dog  b) the Dog c) Santa Claus  d) DOG , it's the dog , obliviously it's the dog.


      The attorney, Allison Kent,  is played by Chelsea Noble a fellow "Growing Pains" star.  She tells Jack that he left his money to his dog. If you picked C, you were wrong. Also Jack has been made the Trustee and he'll be working for the dog. (What am I watching?)  Let's see Allison gives us some words that might work for part of our plot, where she says "unless the heirs can prove he's not competent".  Will this be used for anything plot wise? Find out later maybe!

Pictured: Doggo / Copyright Disney 

          Also the movie seems to be hinting that his physic connection to the dog might also mean he can taste somethings the dog is tasting (ewww) and other dog habits.  The heirs aren't happy and they are talking to their lawyer and he helps them with that one thing about the mental competency thing.  He also wants 30% of the money.  Jack figures out he can read Lucky's thought. So, he starts talking to Lucky and tells him don't ever get too excited. (Gee, I wonder what will happen later in the movie?)  Seems if Lucky gets to excited the physic link gets stronger and makes Jack process things like Lucky.  Well I saw Kirk Cameron destroy a couch and scare the maids away so that's a thing.

            There's a morning after.  Cavlin seems to be somewhat more understanding of this weirdness. Jack explains what happens when Lucky gets excited and tries to tell Calvin but, this is harder to believe.  Lucky doesn't seem to be willing to eat and Jack wonders what's wrong. The movie goes all flashback on  us to when the old man died. The old man died while taking Lucky on  a walk. (Well I'm sad)  Jack starts acting like a dog again because of course maybe Calvin will understand now.  Half this movie was there to make Kirk Cameron look silly isn't it?

Yes/ Copyright Disney 

         Meanwhile the three heirs follow Jack to get evidence of non sanity. Good thing there was no tape. Mall time.  Allison is back and they meet up at the pet store and she has more papers from to sign. (Also, I think she's the love interest of the movie)  Lucky goes a little off  again and that means Jack does too. The niece  decides she wants to talk to Jack.  Some of the renovations they are doing gets her distraught. It happens again, I get the point movie.  Now we got a scene where Kirk Cameron (his character to be clear)  bites her skirt and rips part of it off. (what is this movie?)

   

That's the man, officer / Copyright Disney 

               The three relatives seem to go their plan to snuff out the dog.  They break into the house and go on with this plan to do such a thing. Since they are stupid. the end up shooting things that aren't the dog. with the stuff that will knock out the dog, not bullets to be clear.  This movie is trying to get all Home Alone 3 on us isn't it?  They chase them out but it's hard to prove they were there. Meanwhile, the 3 of them hire that attorney .  They call Jack mentally unable to trustee.


       You know what this movie needed? A trial.  Yep now there's a trial.  This doesn't look good for Jack.  So his idea is to show his "special ability".It works. Also there's  a twist ! yes a twist!
      The Nephew Lyle poisoned the old man. We got a murder in a Disney Channel movie! And Lyle has gun to hold up the court, but Lucky takes him out . They get arrested, Jack wins the case. Lucky gets a lady dog friend and a happy ending.

     It's an alright movie, most of it seems to be "how can we get Kirk Cameron to look really goofy?" but that silliness has it's charm. It's not taking it's premise too seriously but, having fun with it.  I enjoyed this movie it was fun to watch.   I get this sense from many of the early DCOMs that Disney Channel movies weren't going with a brand as much as just being TV movies for the family (mostly kids) to enjoy and be their own things.  This being the 3rd movie really shows that. It's also interesting that this Disney Channel does have a child or teenage lead, it's not even a 20 or 30 something playing a Teenager (Dawson style) Cameron himself, was 28 in real life when this movie came out.  That's an interesting decision to me not a bad one  just interesting in the framing of things for a Disney Channel movie.      That's our look , tune in next time when we find a lady who left all her money to her cat and we get to take care of it! Meow!

     

FOX announces Fall 2020 line up

FOX TVLookFall 2020  

       Due to the virus, networks are making decisions on how to start their fall line ups  FOX has apparently found a way to continue.  Most of the programming FOX has put on the air has been either already made or can be done with fluidity.  (like animation)  They have also picked up a series from  Spectrum Cable , "L,A's Finest" . Two dramas were mid season series they were pushed to fill in the gaps instead.  That's NeXt and Filthy Rich.   "The Masked Singer" might be up for contention unless it can be taped over the summer.    Here is their  fall line up

     All Times ET/PT unless otherwise noted, new series are highlighted in Blue 

Monday 

8pm   L.A'S Finest  (network television debut) 

9pm   NeXt 

Tuesday 

8PM  Cosmos: Possible Worlds 

9PM   Filthy Rich 

Wednesday 

8PM  The Masked Singer 

9PM   Masterchef Junior 

Thursday 

7:30P/4:30PT  FOX NFL Thursday 

8PM /5PT   GMC Kick off Show 

8:20 PM/5:20PT   Thursday Night Football 

Friday 

8PM WWE Friday Night Smackdown 

Saturday

7-10:30PM Fox Sports Saturday 

Sunday 

7-7:30  NFL ON FOX 

7:30   The OT 

8pm  The Simpsons 

8:30pm   Bless the Harts 

9PM  Bob's Burgers 

9:30pm   Family Guy 

 For  Midseason:  There's  the return of "9-1-1"  , 9-1-1: Lone Star",  new series "Call Me Kat","The Great North"  and  "Housebroken" . "Duncanville", "Gordon Ramsay's  Hell's Kitchen" , and Beat Shazam" return. 

Details / Press release after the jump 

Short Lived Series : It's Your Move

The Flashback 

      Time to get things in order on this site,  and back to one of bread and butter topics , that being short-lived TV series.  TV series that didn't get the chance to last longer than a few episodes or a season.

         "Married with Children" was one of the first series introduced when the launch of the Fox network it's subversiveness to other TV shows with families on it gave it a jump and a little spark to continue for a long time.  It was created by  Ron Leavitt and Michael G. Moye, but that wasn't the duo's first series, and that brings us to this short-lived NBC series from 1984. "It's Your Move"

            The idea of a series being subversive leads into what this series also was aiming at as well.   The main character of this series is played by Jason Bateman, who had some previous work on "Silver Spoons" and proved popular enough to be in his own series. That character was Matthew Burton  a 14-year-old high school student who is a  scam artist. (Aww starting off young)  Kind of interesting to give a character with that characteristic as a lead. Usually, these kind of characters were "sidekicks" or background characters or something used to give our main characters someone to lead them astray to learn a lesson.  Read: Eddie Haskell of "Leave it To Beaver".    Nowadays, you could have series leads be this kind of character but it was more unheard of back then.

           In speaking of "Married with Children" (ding)  a familiar face  to viewers of the show will see someone in this show Steve ! Or his actor David Garrison, who is in this series, mentioning more about this later.
 

      The best place to start for this series is the beginning.  After the jump we talk about some episodes , starting with episode 1.

The Last Episode: Sabrina The Teenage Witch: The End of an Era

The Flashback 

       I haven't done this feature in a couple years, a look at final episodes of TV shows to give a little insight on how they ended, rather it be big, normal, whimper, strangely, and anything in between.   Today, I'm writing about the 1996 series "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" one of my favorite sitcoms. One thing about this show is that it has two different series finales.   The one we are talking about is the one from season 4.  in 2000 , ABC had decided to let the series end, but the WB network decided to renew it and well this became the season 4 finale instead. 

         This episode is called "The End of an Era" get it? It first aired on May 5, 2000.

             This episode takes place at the last days of High School for Sabrina as she's looking forward to graduating. You can see why this would be a good point for to have the  series finale. An arc for the season has been  Harvey having problems with Sabrina's boss, Josh, as the college guy might also have a crush on Sabrina.   She decides the best thing to do is use a spell to get Harvey and Josh to be friends. (Put this in the what could go wrong? Category) As with how this show works, this spell will not end well.

mmm breaking bread for peace/ Copyright CBS 

         There is also some background plots with  the aunts, Hilda and Zelda, feeling bad that Sabrina is about to go to college because they'll be alone.  Salem, the cat, thinks the aunts want to get rid of him. A common misunderstanding plot thing going on there.

           The bread spell didn't work as Josh and Harvey became to friendly and were ignoring Sabrina so, she ends it and Harvey says that if Sabrina doesn't quit the coffee shop then their relationship is over.   Salem tries to figure out a way to not get kicked out of the house. Sabrina tries another spell to help her figure out how pick a boyfriend by having them compete in an obstacle course. (By picking which one doesn't die, like those odds)    The end of the game is one them has to save Sabrina from quick sand (this game is weird)

Circles in the sand/Copyright CBS

 
            Salem's plan doesn't go to well, since he bought an expensive meal for Hilda and Zelda. Also the random like not really a plot line of Willard, the school principal, suing Hilda and Zelda was resolved. Salem figures out that they aren't kicking him out of the house.  Salem does hit Mr.Kraft with a car, though. The main thing of this episode is that Harvey's spell quota is up and he figures out that she is a witch.  (whoa)

Witch! 

       That's kind of how the episode just ends with the ending scene being Salem complaining from a dog house.

       This episode feels like part of it was made for the promo, like ABC even spoils it that Harvey figures out she's a witch.

          


     The whole promo gives an impression you are going to get a great impressive series finale with action and secrets revealed.  The finale episode doesn't really have the finale feeling, I'm guessing they were expecting to go on and the show was renewed by the WB network.  The WB didn't want the show to be more mature and changed up many of the writers and staff, Harvey's actor didn't even show up in the 5th season (he does come back later)  and they had Sabrina and Harvey break up "over the summer" The episode doesn't have that finale feeling, it could have aired in the middle of the season and there would have been no change, minus we could have gotten more with the  Harvey and Sabrina plot.

      Most of the episode felt cluttered with the Salem plot and Mr. Kraft, the aunts and the idea of them being sad Sabrina will be leaving soon only lasts for awhile.  Even, the Sabrina, Josh,and Harvey triangle didn't get solved.   So, it's not really a good series finale, the other one is better, which I may get to one day.   It wasn't a bad Sabrina episode, just not the best to go out with.


      That's it for now , now to tell people I'm not a witch!  Tune in next time.

But First These Messages: Meow Mix

But First These Messages 


      Meow meow meow meow meow. Meow meow meow meow  (meow meow?)  meow meow meow meow meow meow.  Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow.

  Alright, that's enough of that... this time cats like food, (I mean they need it but won't mess up where this is going)  and of course there's only one food they ask for by name and that's  Charles Hammer. Or Meox Mix get it? because cat's meow.  Well anyway, we figure out that yes today's going to the cats. 


           But First These Messages....


  I was watching television and saw this

      
        Better than all the current pop music (yeah! Send your hate mail , I love it!  mychiller@gmx.com or hate tweets )

Meow 

                 Anyway, and I was wondering, I haven't heard the Meow Mix jingle on TV in sometime,  it's so rememberable where it's stuck in your head so long after or that's just me.

           
         
          Better than most current country music.  (Playing with fire in this post!)


             

This cat better have a bar license! 

    

Meow after the jump where you'll land on your feet 

The Lookback: Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Easter  The Flashback 

      Yes, I have done the Rankin Bass Easter themed specials out of order, meaning the third and final post related to their Easter specials is about their first one.  So we look at "Here Comes Peter Cottontail".  This special first aired on ABC on April 4th 1971, (funny enough ABC ends up with two Rankin Bass Easter specials).

     This special has Danny Kaye who you might know from "White Christmas", the movie with Bing Crosby,  he voices a few characters including the narrator named Seymour S. Sassafras, he's  salesman who is in April valley (what happens if Easter is in March?) and is going to see Peter Cottontail to give him colors to paint Easter eggs.  That's right we don't know who that is, good thing  Seymour is going to tell us , right? (I'm going home)

He's a very dapper dresser/ Copyright Rankin Bass and Universal 

          April Valley is where Easter Bunnies live and work, so apparently in this world there's more than one, Easter Bunny, alright.  Peter Cottontail is the chief Bunny, also apparently we are going to be finding out how he almost lost the job. (Budget cuts?) There's an evil rabbit named Irontail  who almost became the Easter Bunny. (You gave him the name Irontail, what do you expect?)

   
          So apparently, the job of Easter Bunny is passed down (like a monarchy!)  like there was Wellington B. Bunny and he has to find a new successor and thinks Peter Cottontail might be a good one for the job. His assistant doesn't like this idea because Peter is boastful and sometimes lies. (like a monarchy!) Every time Peter lies his left ear droops, because sure.  Because this is a Rankin-Bass special, that means we get songs!  The first song is Wellington singing about every Easter Bunny needing to be ready for Easter. (Sung by Danny Kaye, because they got Danny Kaye and they are going to use him!)

I'm not your father/ Copyright Universal 

          We need our villain, and that's Irontail, he's called that because a child ran over his tail (how that work, don't bunnies have short tails?)  and he wears iron one. (Why?)  Anyway they got Vincent Price to voice him, because the casting people were awesome, good work guys!  Irontail is mad at all children because of this. (perfectly reasonable response)

My insurance said either iron or rubber and well... /Copyright Universal 

          Peter is made Chief Easter Bunny, until Irontail comes in with the Constitution of April Valley. (Like a Monarchy!)   We need plot for this special so, he we go; January (that's Irontial) wants to challenge for the Easter Bunny job for who gets the most eggs delivered to be the next E.B.  Peter accepts.  Anyway because Peter is cocky, he has a big party instead of sleeping and getting ready for the next day. Irontail also does some cheating. Thanks to I.T rigging the chicken alarm clock (what?) Peter sleeps in.  Irontail tries to deliver eggs but children apparently don't like iron-tailed bunnies (because children are rude) but, he does give one egg and that's  one more than Peter did so, Irontail is new Easter Bunny, special over!

Oh no! He's killing a flower, he's evil!/ Copyright Universal 

    More after the jump

DCOM: The Luck of the Irish

Dcom  The Flashback 

       Saint Patrick's Day seems to be dead in the TV marketing department, there really aren't  any Saint Patrick's day specials, I mean, Charlie Brown has an Arbor Day special but no Saint Patrick's day!  Disney Channel decided at least , once, to have a Saint Patrick's day related piece of media. The  movie isn't  about Saint Patrick's  Day, but they air it around Saint Patrick's day so, that's how that works.  Plus, since when this is published, we are also looking at Friday the 13th which is connected to Luck so we are trying to kill two birds with one stone.

      This movie first came out in March of 2001 on Disney Channel. It stars Ryan Merriman, who showed up on Disney Channel Original movies before and after like "Smart House" and "A Ring of  Endless Light". There's also  Timothy Omundson, whom you may know from "Psych" as "Lassie" but but, where's my "Judging Amy" gang?  It also stars the late Henry Gibson.

 
        Let's  get started.   Our main character (played by Merriman) is middle school student named Kyle Johnson, he's a popular basketball player at his school. (Because this seems to be a Disney Channel early days go to sport, also it's funny the same actor played a kid who also later plays basketball in "Smart House".  The school is doing a heritage day thing that Kyle is worried about and he also asks his parents where his family is from, like their heritage. His father says they moved from Cleveland. ( This movie makes you want to think these two parents are serial killers on the hide from the law and or kidnappers of Kyle)  There's also the plot device, lucky coin, more on that later.

I'm also confused 

          First, the movie wants us to watch a basketball game, because it has time for this.  Kyle seems to have luckiness to him, he's a good basketball player, popular, the girls want him (probably some guys do to)  and yeah.   Meanwhile, there's another important character for this movie her name is Bonnie Lopez, she's in charge of the heritage day committee. She wonders about Kyle's , remember he doesn't know. (Maybe he's french; I wish the title of the movie would tell me)
\

         Movie likes to show that Kyle has weird dumb luck just to make a point. Also, they want to show the mom makes weird food, this is contrast for later.  Kyle presses his parents to figure out his heritage, but they still seem like they are serial killers. (I'm uncomfortable)  This part of the movie is one music change from being a horror film.

He's one step from taking Kyle out/ Copyright Disney 

            Kyle decides to use the 2001 internet to see if he figure out his heritage and family. Bonnie helps him figure it out.  He also doesn't know his mother's maiden name , which means he makes it harder for identity thieves.  We are pressing hard on his mother's side now because it's important. So far the movie is not doing anything that's not important for it's plot, they are either doing some tight writing or I'm over thinking.   He finds out his father's real name is Bob Smith (I'm calling the police) really making me think he's a serial killer, or hit man or something. Also, maybe the lucky charm coin is lucky.

My father had a very boring name/ Copyright Disney 

         Meanwhile, the coin has a match to something he has on his coin and yes he might be Irish. What? Irish? no way? It's not like the title would say anything about that. Meanwhile, Irish stuff.  Meanwhile, Henry Gibson and makes this movie even more fun with his presence!  Remember his shoe symbol, that's important.  Also, obvious CGI is obvious.

He's not CGI. Copyright Disney 

more after the jump