[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference ljsrv1::tv_chatter

Title:The TV Chatter Notes Conference
Notice:Welcome to TV Chatter :-)
Moderator:PASTA::PIERCE
Created:Wed Dec 16 1992
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:498
Total number of notes:5416

358.0. "News Radio - NBC Tuesdays" by MOLAR::DELBALSO (I (spade) my (dogface)) Thu Apr 06 1995 10:11

Any commentary on NBC's new Spring series "News Radio" - Tuesdays at
8:30 Eastern?

I've been following the show regularly since it started, even though I'm
not much of a Network TV viewer, largely because it was touted as "starring
Phil Hartman".

From what I've seen, Phil, who left SNL last season and apparently hasn't
found anything better to do, has little more than a bit part on this show.
A shame in my opinion, because I think he's a talented guy in the right
vehicle. The rest of the cast, to me at least, seem to be a bunch of
"previously unknowns". The show itself is OK, but it doesn't look like
it's going to be a keeper past this season. (Again, as a mostly non-watcher
of Network TV, I may be wrong since I haven't much of a clue as to what
the competition is like.)

Any other thoughts/comments on "News Radio"?

-Jack
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
358.1PHIL HARTMANPCBUOA::CHENARDThu Apr 06 1995 10:588
    I wasn't too crazy about the 1st episode - the reason I wanted to
    see it is that I am a big Phil Hartman fan.  Last night's episode
    centered around Phil's character and how he couldn't stop smoking.
    This show was much better than the first but I have a feeling that
    I probably won't see it much since he isn't the main character.
    
    Mo
    
358.2lame show with otherwise good starsAPLVEW::DEBRIAEFri Apr 07 1995 05:3917
    
    	Phil Hartman is OK. I think he does an excellent job creating his
    	various voices (Simpsons et al) but his own actual comedic value is
    	rather low. 

    	The person I was surprised to see on the show was the "Kids in the
    	Hall" star as the station manager. I guess all those guys sold out
    	and went Hollywood. They had an excellent show, it's a shame to see
    	them run after the almighty dollar like this, but then, who in the
    	industry doesn't I guess. His performance in the show is just OK.
    	They removed his quirky characteristics that I liked so much in "Kids
    	in the Hall in order to fit him better to US TV. 

        The show itself is rather lame and does not suit either star well,
    	ignoring their strong points. 

    	-Erik
358.3TROOA::TRP109::Chrismaster of my own domainFri Apr 07 1995 06:003
You may remember Dave Foley too - he was on "Kids in the Hall" and 
also did the movie "It's Pat" which I believe went straight to video
and is supposed to be pretty bad.
358.4now Kids was a delicious comedy showAPLVEW::DEBRIAEFri Apr 07 1995 06:1712
    
    	Yeah, I saw him on Conan one night regarding the movie. He admitted
    	that it was pretty bad, but that it still paid better than CBC. :-)

	I wish "Kids" was given more of a chance here, rather than just
    	being shown at 2AM Saturdays or whatever it was. I think the show
    	would have really caught on, even if it were banned to Fox for
    	having a non-Hollywood not-specifically-made-for-Americans sense of
    	humour (that I found so fresh). I really missed that show!! 

    	-Erik

358.5SWAM2::SMITH_MAFri Apr 07 1995 07:1622
    
       >>     Phil Hartman is OK. I think he does an excellent job creating
       >>     his various voices (Simpsons et al) but his own actual comedic
       >>     value is rather low. 
    
    I must disagree!  Phil Hartman is one of the most funny people I've
    ever watched.  If you've never seen him do live improve then you
    haven't seen him roll.  He is also brilliant at character development
    with at least a dozen clearly defined and well-thought-out charcters
    under his belt.  True, television may not know what to do with him, but
    they don't know what to do with most of the funny and talented people
    out there.
    
    Also - Re .3 - Pat did go straight to video, however they are starting
    a promotional idea where it will run at midnights (ala the Rocky Horror
    Picture Show) to tout it as a cult film.  I've seen it, and it actually
    has some pretty wacky moments (and yes, some groaner moments, too.)
    
    Cheers
    
    MJ
    
358.6OOTOOL::CHELSEAMostly harmless.Tue Apr 11 1995 06:317
    From something I read somewhere, it sounds like the "Kids in the Hall"
    troupe developed some personality problems, and is just as happy not
    working together.  Also, Dave Foley said he likes not working in a
    dress.  As for "News Radio" -- I don't watch sitcoms, but I caught the
    last half of an early show, and it looked pretty good for a sitcom.  (I
    have caught snippets of "Full House," "Roseanne," "Grace Under Fire,"
    and "All-American Girl," so I have a basis for comparison.)