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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

415.0. "Third Rock from the Sun" by BUSY::SLABOUNTY (Duster :== idiot driver magnet) Tue Dec 26 1995 18:18

    
    	John Lithgow, and others whose names I probably don't even know.
    
    	Looks to be about an alien family who has just arrived from an-
    	other planet in order to monopolize on a catchy country tune by
    	a new artist.  8^)
    
    	Well, not really, but anyways ...
    
    	I think it starts tonight, although it might've started last
    	week.  The previews showed some typical "alien beings trying to
    	figure out earthly concepts" snippets.
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
415.1I give it two weeks; maybe threeSWAM1::STERN_TOTom Stern -- Have TK, will travel!Mon Jan 01 1996 20:004
    It starts on Tuesday, Jan 9.  And if it is as bad as the ads look, will
    be cancelled by Wednesday the 17th.
    
    tom
415.2BUSY::SLABOUNTYWhose Line Is It Anyway?Wed Jan 10 1996 20:385
    
    	Did anybody see the pilot episode?
    
    	I was out, and forgot to tape it.
    
415.3SLEEPR::MAIEWSKIBos-Mil-Atl Braves W.S. ChampsThu Jan 11 1996 13:2417
  Kind of corny. It had some real knee slapper roll on the floor type jokes
but it also had a lot of real sophomoric stuff that didn't work.

  They could go either way. If they go the Saturday Night Live route and go
more toward the sophomoric humor it could get really bad really fast but if
they work on the funny stuff it might be OK.

  The characters are OK but not that great. They will have to work with them a
bit to see what works and what does not work. Also, many of the bad jokes were
based on the aliens talking about getting use to their new human bodies,
particularly their naughty bits. The little humor they found there should get
old really fast.

  They sink or swim based on where they go next and their ability to find what
works with the various characters.

  George
415.4EPS::RODERICKa bitmap = 1K wordsThu Jan 11 1996 16:0510
    re .3

>  It had some real knee slapper roll on the floor type jokes

    Would you name one, please? Just one?

    It was occasionally offensive and needs a lot of work. Watching John
    Lithgow is always a pleasure, though.

    Lisa
415.5BUSY::SLABOUNTYDon't like my p_n? 1-800-328-7448Thu Jan 11 1996 16:334
    
    	I don't think I've ever seen a John Lithgow performance that I
    	didn't like.
    
415.6unsure about a bitPCBUOA::LPIERCEDo the watermelon crawlThu Jan 11 1996 17:3010
    
    I only caught a few moments of the show.  From what I saw I did love
    John Lithgow.  I was unsure what I thought about the "kiss & slap"
    bit.  I know it was suposed to be funny (aliens think a kiss then a 
    slap is our custom) but with all the spousel abuse finally being
    brought to the forfrount - I found it in bad taste.
    
    IMHO
    
    Lou
415.7VAXCPU::michaudBeldar ConeheadThu Jan 11 1996 17:5328
> I only caught a few moments of the show.  From what I saw I did love
> John Lithgow.  I was unsure what I thought about the "kiss & slap"
> bit.  I know it was suposed to be funny (aliens think a kiss then a 
> slap is our custom) but with all the spousel abuse finally being
> brought to the forfrount - I found it in bad taste.

	You saw it out of context.  So as to not give anything away I
	won't elaborate.

	I was surprised that this show was aired in a 8:30pm timeslot.
	Given the amount of explicit sexual references a 9 or 9:30pm
	timeslot would make more sense.

	While the sexual slapslick format wasn't offensive to me (to any
	one who may of been offended, remember that's what the channel
	clicker is for :-), I did find it over-played such that it got
	boring real quick.  What I really found annoying/boring were those
	shots of Earth between scenes (wasted air time).

	I did enjoy seeing Jane Curtain back on the small screen again
	playing one of her SNL type characters (even though she's not
	playing one of the aliens).  However the show overall, based only
	on the premiere episode, is not worth it.  Bring back News Radio
	or Mad About You to this time slot!

	Actually thinking about appropriate timeslots some more, this should
	probably would fit best in a 9 or 9:30pm timeslot on Sat. night!
	(if it survives at all)
415.8BUSY::SLABOUNTYDon't like my p_n? 1-800-328-7448Thu Jan 18 1996 20:475
    
    	So, how was the 2nd show?
    
    	I forgot to tape this one also.
    
415.10BUSY::SLABOUNTYDon't like my p_n? 1-800-328-7448Fri Jan 19 1996 12:5213
    
    	RE: p_n
    
    	I put that in in response to complaints I got with the previous
    	one.  Not so much the complaints, but the fact that people comp-
    	lained to the mods of another conference instead of just asking
    	me to change it.
    
    
    	RE: this show
    
    	Well, it's good to know I'm not missing much.
    
415.11not badGRANPA::JBOBBJanet Bobb dtn:339-5755Fri Jan 19 1996 15:3715
    I've watched both episodes. It's ok, love John Lithgow and Jane Curtin.
    If anything saves this show, it will be them.
    
    Generally stupid dialog and predictable sketches, but an occassional
    bright spot.  Some of the comments John Lithgow made during the wedding
    and reception were funny.
    
    Also heard the opening for the first time and they have the voice of
    James Earl Jones introducing the show. I like that, though expect heavy
    darth vader breathing!
    
    The woman playing the female alian - has she been in something else?
    She looks familiar.
    
    janetb.
415.9reposted with explicit cuss word made implicitVAXCPU::michaudBill MurryWed Jan 24 1996 15:5021
> Author: BUSY::SLABOUNTY "Don't like my p_n? 1-800-328-7448"
                                                    EAT-xxxx

8 = T
4 = I or h
7 = S

	(old joke :-)

> I forgot to tape this one also.

	Consider yourself lucky

> So, how was the 2nd show?

	Well they've cut back on the sexual references, but the show is
	still pretty lame.  What I really find annoying/silly are the
	little between scene graphics/animation of planets.

	I hope they kill this and bring back News Radio before NR losses
	too much of it's audience due to the Sunday time slot ....
415.132/14 - Turkish Nipple ArmorUSCTR1::GHIGGINSOh Whoa Is MoeFri Feb 16 1996 12:567
    
    I guess most in here would gladly pick up a shovel to dig this 
    show a grave..... Not sure if I would or not... The only thing
    I like about this show is Lithgow - and ocassionaly the Lieutenant.
    Lithgow does have some good ones (above title).
                                                   
    The other two seem lost.......
415.14phew!SWAM1::MEUSE_DAMon Feb 19 1996 15:246
    
    ..so when are they going to dump this turkey?
    
    it really does stink.
    
    
415.15going down hill fassssstGRANPA::JBOBBJanet Bobb dtn:339-5755Wed Feb 21 1996 18:2620
    I posted a few notes in here that were positive on the show. However,
    the last few episodes were fairly bad. Maybe one or 2 good lines the
    whole show. I don't know what happened, but it has definately been a
    quick down-hill slide.
    
    the only two scenes I've like recently:
    
    Dick(High commander/john lithgow) is sick and encounters a box of
    tissues for the first time... takes one and another is right there,
    takes another... he goes through about 20 tissues. John Lithgow pulled
    this scene off.
    
    Female and one of the other cast - encounter with a jello mold. One of
    the inverted fluted molds of jello (green jello) with fruit lumps. The
    jello sits there quivering on the table in jello fashion and they don't
    know what it is and think it is a lifeform. Reminded me of cafeteria
    jello that seemed to have a life of its own.
    
    Phil hartman on last night's show was ok, otherwise this week's show
    was a throwaway too....
415.16EPS::RODERICKWhole Earth Systems TuningThu Feb 22 1996 13:536
    At first I thought the slo-mo scene was going to be bad, but as it went
    on, and on, I thought it actually worked.

    Otherwise, pffft.

    Lisa
415.17:-)STRATA::RUDMANAlways the Black KnightTue Feb 27 1996 21:213
    But then, its Tuesday again, and you just *gotta* tune in....
    
    							Don
415.18TOOK::GASKELLWed Mar 13 1996 16:515
    Don't know what it about this show, I keep watching it and laughing
    my head off.  May be I'm retarded or something but I love it--but
    then I was brought up on Benny Hill.
    
    
415.19BUSY::SLABOUNTYDon't like my p_n? 1-800-328-7448Wed Mar 13 1996 17:129
    
    >but then I was brought up on Benny Hill.
    
    
    	Were you there for "the shot heard 'round the world", or were
    	you out of town that day?
    
    	Oh, BENNY Hill.  Sorry.
    
415.20EPS::RODERICKNH - The Asphalt StateWed Apr 24 1996 13:366
    This show is getting funnier all the time (thank goodness - it had a
    rocky start). Sally and Harry are something out of this world! If you
    haven't given it a chance, or if you did and didn't like it, consider
    trying again. 

    Lisa
415.21identity troubleVAXUUM::KEEFEWed Apr 24 1996 13:599
    From last night:
    
    Everybody's something extra--African American, Asian American, 
    Audio/Visual American. What are we?
    
    Well, since we're carbon-based life forms, we'll be Carbo-Americans.
    
    I think this show's a kick, the cast is great.
    
415.22ODIXIE::LOWERTue May 07 1996 11:2917
    
    > I think this show's a kick, the cast is great.
    
    Gee, I was beginning to think I was the only one who thinks this is a
    good show.  The writing is, so far, keeping up with the talent on the
    screen.  Yes, they've used schtick, and they've used cliches.  But they
    have also busted a few open and those gems are worth digging a bit to
    find.
    
    The cast is one of the most-talented I've seen in a long time for
    sitcom.  Every member, from the High Commander to the landlady, is
    played with perfect comic timing and insight-filled delivery.
    
    For those of you who still don't like it, well, get used to it.  This
    one's in for a long ride.
    
    Rick
415.23Glad I found this showTNPUBS::NAZZAROZydeco!Tue Sep 03 1996 15:017
    I just started watching this show over the summer, and I'm sure glad I
    did.  It's hilarious!!!!  John Lithgow is absolutely terrific - his
    facial expressions could fill an entire show!  And the rest of the cast
    is almost as good.  No weak links anywhere, and the stories have been
    consistently funny.  Very good writing, great execution.
    
    NAZZ
415.24STRATA::RUDMANAlways the Black KnightThu Sep 05 1996 19:253
    ...And John just might win an Emmy for it.
    
    							Don
415.25Yuck, time to read a bookWMOIS::LYONS_SFri Sep 06 1996 17:236
    
    
    Wow!  I must be in the minority on this show.  I can't take this show. 
    I don't think it's very funny except for an occasional one-liner here
    or ther.  I don't know....maybe I'll give it another shot this season.
    
415.26your not alonePASTA::PIERCEThe Truth is Out ThereFri Sep 06 1996 20:415
    
    your not alone in your minority, I don't know why this show is back for
    a 2nd season - cept for John Lithgow.
    
    
415.27One more yuck vote...ALFA1::MASONThe law of KARMA hasn't been repealedMon Sep 09 1996 13:5310
    It's becoming a crowd!  I don't like it either.  Mork and Mindy did it
    better.  I don't even like Lithgow in this show, and I usually love
    whatever he does.
    
    He did, however win the Emmy last night, so someone is watching and
    enjoying...
    
    I just don't get it.
    
    ****andrea****
415.28Another "thumbs down"DREGS::BLICKSTEINThe moment is a masterpieceTue Sep 10 1996 13:4411
    While I have long known that Lithgow is one of the most underrated
    comedic actors around, I also can not understand what people find
    funny in this show.
    
    The writing is absolutely sophomoronic, Jane Curtins character is about
    as interesting as a railroad tie.  You can almost see Lithgow's talent
    trying hard to hold up those weak lines he is given.  
    
    About the only thing I find funny in this show is French Stewart.
    
    	db
415.29MISTA2::GRENIERSat Sep 14 1996 18:527
415.303rd Rock now in Cyberspace at http://www.3rdrock.com/VAXCPU::michaudMorkThu Oct 10 1996 18:3217
415.31Best show of 1996 (according to TV Guide)VAXCPU::michaudOrkTue Dec 31 1996 14:333