The #2-most thing I'm interested in today.
Because sometimes I'm curious.
sometimes I'm the only one laughing.
The #2-most thing I'm interested in today.
Because sometimes I'm curious.
This is why Wikipedia is awesome. Not only does it give me the back story on Barry Weiss (which is what prompted the search), it also gives a breakdown of the episode-by-episode earnings of each character, their total profit, and total profit-per-dollar spent.
Yuuuuup.
Because the seemingly ageless Abe made another cameo on the Today Show, to commemorate Meredith Viera's departure.
Having just waxed nostalgic on Facebook about my days getting only NBC on our TV, I remembered the greatest TV show only to last one season.
Rediscovering Manimal on Wikipedia has brought about the first onset of Nostalgia Regret* (although certainly not to be the last).
You see, in my memory's recall, Manimal was a fabulous concept and was superbly executed. What's not to be enthralled by a shape-shifting genius who chooses to use his abilities to solve criminal mysteries. I recalled him turning into a veritable managerie of wild animals, utilizing cutting-edge special effects that made the impossible seem real.
That's not how Wikipedia remembers it:
By modern standards the show's special effects, though plentiful, are low-quality. While Jonathan had the ability to change himself into any animal, he would transform into a hawk and a black panther in nearly every episode. In some episodes, he would transform into a third animal, such as a horse, dolphin, or bull, with the transformation taking place offscreen, though once he was shown becoming a snake.
Okay, so they only had budget for two animal morphs, and then re-used the footage over and again. So that's a little disillusioning. At least it was good special effects.
Youtube steps in: "Not so fast..."
Yeah, you're right. That was pretty bad. But at least the hawk transformation was cool. Youtube: "Umm..., roll clip."
Wow. Confronted with this evidence, I have to decide if the threshold for excellence was just remarkably low back in '83, if we've become spoiled by the advances of technology that make past advances look silly by comparison, or if my pre-teen imagination played a disproportionately large factor in my estimation of this program.
Youtube: "May I suggest one final item, albeit dubbed in French, for your consideration? You'll need to watch the entire clip for the full impact."
Okay...it was bad. Really, really bad.
My idyllic memory has been utterly destroyed by the evidence. You have to admit though, Simon MacCorkindale (which also may be the best name in acting, ever) accomplished some amazing nostril flaring to signal the initiation of the animal morphing process. I can't explain how he always ripped up his clothing in the change, but in the return to human form, he was again fully dressed in the suit he had only minutes earlier rendered unwearable.
That's why they call it science fiction.
If this cathartic experience has shown us anything it's this: The Manimal experience (primed for a modern re-boot, I'd like to add), was great for what it was, though it, in retrospect, could not begin to compare to the quality of TV's ultimate morphing hero, The Incredible Hulk.**
*Nostalgia Regret has not yet been recognized by the American Association of Psychiatric Professionals, nor any other made-up authoritative-sounding organizations. But it's real, trust me. It's real.
** Youtube: Are you sure you want to go there?
I think this guy is the same guy as this guy.
IMDB disagrees, revealing that the former is the Dean on Community, while the latter is...well...not.
I'm not so easily convinced. I think it's the same guy, with Jim passing off the lower quality gigs to "J.P."
This didn't start out as a TIW entry, but became one when I needed a definitive call.
Wiki: Jim Rash
Wiki: J.P. Manoux
I guess I'll play along with the charade that these two are really two distinct, individual human entities.
I've only watched two episodes of this show, and I already have 2 new recipe ideas I want to try.*
But in watching this show, I was certainly curious to know just how the man did in the man v. food challenges.
Wikipedia had the tale of the tape, at least through the 2010 season.
Cardiologist reports were not included.
Click on the link for the breakdown...but if you just want a summary, and highlights...
Season 1: 11-7
Season 2: 14-6-1**
Season 3: 12-8
Overall: 37-21-1
First challenge - Big Texan Steak. We've eaten in this restaurant twice in our travels to/from Colorado. The challenge is well-advertised. I've never taken it up, thinking that having 4.5 pounds of steak digesting in my innards is not a wise travel decision.
Other Observations:
*Neither of these items were the challenge foods. One was the Jucy Lucy - a burger cooked with the cheese inside the patty, and brisket enchiladas was the other.
** - This is the official Wiki footnote on the "tie." - *Food did not beat Man outright, as the Doughman was a triathlon and not an eating challenge. However, since Man (Adam's team) did not win (finishing 19th), it is technically a win for Food.
I saw the Mickery Rooney movie Bill many years ago (as part of a high school psychology class, if I remember right). Here's some of the details about his life.
There was a documentary about his life made in 2008. There is a website in his honor, as well.
List of American Idol Contestants
Because we're watching Jennifer Hudson belt out Aretha's hits with the Ladies at the Grammies, and not Fantasia.
Jennifer finished 7th the year Fantasia won it.
List of Hannah Montana Episodes
Apparently, flu recovery TV includes a lot of Disney original programming.
Apparently, Disney plays loose and fast with the term "original."
We had to look this up because we had to see if yesterday's episode was, in fact, the last episode.
It was.
SPOILER ALERTS
Hannah Montana really is Miley Stewart.
Miley Stewart really is Miley Cyrus.
Hannah really is a palindrome.
