Haines His Way

Archives => Archive 1 => Topic started by: bk on April 14, 2004, 12:00:38 AM

Title: THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 12:00:38 AM
Well, you've read the notes, you're better for having read the notes, you're on top of Old Smokey for having read the notes and now you can post until Old Smokey comes home, and yes, you'll be the better for it. :-*
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Noel on April 14, 2004, 02:43:06 AM
It's been a long time since I've been first post.

Don't know why I'm up.  Way too much rehearsal for the 4/22 revue.  And two Comden & Green/Styne songs keep going through my head: Good To Be Back Home and Is It a Crime?

Separately, the director and I suggested to the performer of the latter that, at one point, she be like Al Jolson.  Sadly, she admitted she'd never seen or heard Jolson.

But she's got 8 days; she'll be good; I swear.

BK question: Is it a crime to start each day with a laugh and a smile and a song?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Tomovoz on April 14, 2004, 02:47:25 AM
For Dear Reader Laura:
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 04:15:19 AM
Filling in the gaps from yesterday:

The MAC-'N-CHEESE Recipe der Brucer Found in the Newspaper

Preheat oven to 350.  Cook a half-pound of elbow macaroni in boiling water until tender, but not fully cooked.  Drain, and stir in a large bowl with 2 T. butter until butter is melted.  Stir in 2 packed C. grated sharp cheddar cheese, and pour into a buttered 9X9X2 baking dish.

In a separate bowl, whisk 3 large eggs with 2 5 oz. cans evaporated milk.  Blend in a dash of Worcestershire, 1 T. prepared mustard, 2 T. dill, and 1/8 t. cayenne pepper.  Pour over macaroni and cheese mixture.  Top with another 1/2 cup cheddar.

Bake in oven for 1 hour, or until crispy and golden on top and set in the middle.  Prepare to say "Yum!"
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 04:17:23 AM
For the more kid-friendly version of above, add appropriate amounts of yellow and red food coloring.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 04:25:12 AM
There will be war in our household tonight, fallout from yesternight's speech.  Der Brucer will want to watch American Yodel.  I, on the other hand, have much better taste and will be watching Alton Brown's new episode of Good Eats, in which he will discuss the making of French Toast, Bruchetta, and Welsh Rarebit.

I mean, I ask you, doesn't that sound tasty?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 04:29:05 AM
A question for our most esteemed BK:

In writing your new book, since as you've already told us is a mystery, were you working from an outline this time, with a solid idea of where you wanted to go?

And (second question): Do you have any idea when the new book will be ready for other trusted readers (such as our DR Charles Pogue and Panni) to point out the plot loopholes to you, so that you can hone your new tome to perfection?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jenny on April 14, 2004, 04:30:10 AM
Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's back to school I go.

Spring break is over.

The hell begins.

Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on April 14, 2004, 04:30:35 AM
And two Comden & Green/Styne songs keep going through my head: Good To Be Back Home and Is It a Crime?


BK question: Is it a crime to start each day with a laugh and a smile and a song?


And DR Noel: Now this one is going through my head: Happy Hunting's "Gee, But It's Good To Be Here."

(That's quite an idiom: going through my head.)
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Dan (the Man) on April 14, 2004, 05:42:34 AM
Don't know why I'm up.  Way too much rehearsal for the 4/22 revue.  And two Comden & Green/Styne songs keep going through my head: Good To Be Back Home and Is It a Crime?

Maybe you should have been thinking:

"I say good night to the sun,
Good night to the hills,
Good night to the chickies and the hen.
Good night to the rooster,
Good night to the cow,
Good night piggies in the pen.
I say, "Good night, good night,"
To everything in sight.
And when I am finished
It's time to say..."

BK, I was completely fascinated that you had something like the recording record player when you were a kid.  I would have killed to have something like that.  Were the recordable disks themselves relatively expensive back then or were they bought in quantity and tossable like recordable CDs today?  Were your "recording sessions" carefully rehearsed or free-wheeling?  What happened first:  did the recorder break or did the they stop making the recordable disks?  And most importantly, do these disks still exist today and are they playable?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: William E. Lurie on April 14, 2004, 06:18:12 AM
For Ask BK Day ---
According to THE RICHARD RODGERS READER, there were many problems with Act II of CAROUSEL on the road and songs were cut.  In doing your research for the LOST IN BOSTON series did you ever come across any of these songs and if so (1) what were they and (2) why didn't you use any of them in the series?

I watched a very strange documentary (actually the first part of a multi-part documentary) on Bravo last night about real life Mama Roses (and one Papa Rose)... stage parents.  This follows five families with kids in some form of show business.  There is a 5 or 6 year old girl who appears on sitcoms.  She seems to enjoy it except that her mother is an agent so who knows how much is the kid and who knows how much is the mother.  Then there is the teenaged boy who wants to become a "pop idol".  Although he is like a cute William Hung the mother (a former teacher of "dancing and twirling") is determined to make him a star.  Next we have a high school girl who says she wants to be a star so she can make a lot of money, but refuses to work on it and treats her mother like a personal slave.  But in those cases the kid wants to --- or says he/she --- wants to be doing this.  We also have a 4-year-old girl whose mother is forcing her to be in beauty pagents.  She is dressed up and made up to look like a cross between a hooker and Dolly Parton (think Jon-Benet) and is obviously not happy about this. Although she said it many times in the documentary,  her mother is oblivious to this and says she's doing it for her daughter.  She may be spending a lot now to keep her daughter a pagent contestent, but she better save up for the psychiatrist bills she will have in the future for her.

The most bizarre story is about a man named Duncan Nutter.  This man has decided that his family will all be big stars so he moved from a big house in Vermont to a tiny apartment in Queens and spends most of his time going to auditions with his wife and seven children, none of whom have any talent or interest.  His wife is a teacher and he tears tickets at THE PRODUCERS.  He also comes off as gay as any of the Queer Eye stars.

I think that all the parents involved should be forced to watch GYPSY until it finally sinks in.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: DearReaderLaura on April 14, 2004, 06:47:15 AM
Thanks, Tomovoz. Your birds are so COLORFUL!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jennifer on April 14, 2004, 07:01:58 AM
Drama Book Shop Announces Talk with Arthur Laurents and Other May Events

http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm?int_news_id=4602

(has anybody contacted them yet re: BK?)
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 14, 2004, 07:02:33 AM
Good morning. That's about all I have to say for now. But I didn't want to be a lurker.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Dan (the Man) on April 14, 2004, 07:20:19 AM
I think that all the parents involved should be forced to watch GYPSY until it finally sinks in.

Unfortunately, I think Gypsy would just act as inspiration to these kind of people.  "Oh, look!  With a few years of hard work and pushing your way through the ups and downs, your daughter can become a star!"


Thanks, Tomovoz. Your birds are so COLORFUL!

I agree!  I don't know about your neck of the woods, DearReaderLaura, but here in Philly the birds come in just three colors:  black, grey and brown.  My mom at least has bluejays and cardinals at her house and my sisters have the occaisional hummingbird, but here in down the boids are drab.

There was a report on NBC news a few weeks ago about wild budgies nesting around and about Brooklyn, NY.  These bright yellow-green budgies have taken over neighborhoods, chasing away pigeons and attacking barking dogs.  
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Ben on April 14, 2004, 07:20:31 AM
I actually have a question for Mr. BK. I don't think it's been answered in the interview from last week.

Is Soon It's Gonna Rain still your favorite song from The Fantastiks?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Ben on April 14, 2004, 07:23:26 AM
Dan-the-Man said:

There was a report on NBC news a few weeks ago about wild budgies nesting around and about Brooklyn, NY.  These bright yellow-green budgies have taken over neighborhoods, chasing away pigeons and attacking barking dogs

I'm going to have to look for those budgies. I would love one or two in my Manhattan neighborhood to get rid of the pigeons. Out on LI Ant's mom and dad have a couple of bird feeders and get a wonderful mix of birds including beautiful Blue Jays and deep red Cardinals and some Robins who look like they have worked out at the gym they have such developed pecs/breasts/chests (take your pick)
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Matt H. on April 14, 2004, 07:54:33 AM
I am looking forward to AMERICAN IDOL tonight even with Quentin Tarentino as guest judge.

However, my real thrill tonight is the return of ANGEL for its few remaining episodes. Can't wait to see those.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Emily on April 14, 2004, 08:05:03 AM
Good morning all from an e-and-t-er.

Oh well... I've been lurking at least :)

I have an exam tomorrow so I guess I really should be studying for it.  Darn... somehow I was hoping I had managed to skip exams and go full into summer.

DR Andrea (who DOES still lurk) and I will be going to Toronto to see "The Last Five Years" on May 8th.  CYGOPP is driving us down... which could prove... um... interesting.

I am also trying to convince her to go see T.O.'s Hairspray now that I have heard such great reviews of it on another certain site.

As for new Canadian Content in the show... that can be summed up in one line during the prison scene (from chenowithfan's review from ATC):

"You just had three burgers, poutine and a mouse"  

:D
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: MBarnum on April 14, 2004, 08:30:49 AM
DR Emily, glad to see you non-lurk!

I don't have a question for today just yet as the coffee has not made it's way through my system yet and my alertness level is not at full attention.

I wonder what Jason is doing? Hope whatever it is it is going well.

How ya feeling today Jose!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: MBarnum on April 14, 2004, 08:36:18 AM
OH, I just thought of a question and it is for BK and all DRs who care to answer:

With all of the TV series that are being released on DVD what series would you most like to see released,on DVD, and of the ones that already have come out on DVD what has been your favorite series DVD release so far?

I would love to have ADAM-12 released on DVD. I would also like to see  a readily available release of PERRY MASON (you can get it through one of those mail order club things but I want to be able to walk into the store and buy a set of episodes). I would also enjoy seeing the FLIPPER  TV series realeased on DVD.

Of those that have already been released I have most enjoyed the YOU BET YOUR LIFE DVD set and the STINGRAY dvd set...both have really nice extras. I have also enjoyed the THAT GIRL dvd set, but wish they would continue and release some more episodes!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jennifer on April 14, 2004, 08:51:34 AM
DR Emily: Do let us know if you see Toronto's Hairspray. I may go see it.  And please tell me about L5Y!!!

I'm curious if you got tix to the french production of Rent.  I really need to get off my butt.  The only problem for me is that it's only playing for such a short time.  And my sis is moving then (and she wants to see it with me).

Also, I see that more tix to Don Juan go on sale this Saturday. I REALLY REALLY want to see this. So I'll see what I can do about getting tix for the extension.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jrand73 on April 14, 2004, 08:55:22 AM
WEL I watched it and came away with the same impressions.  The Nutters are completely untalented, the teenage girl can't act, the little girl on the sitcom is like a robot, the boy can't really sing, and I hate pageants which are a money-making scam and the "titles" which mean absolutely nothing and usually won by kids whose parents run the damn things.  
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jrand73 on April 14, 2004, 08:55:48 AM
I will have to consider a bit for my Ask BK question.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Matt H. on April 14, 2004, 09:02:21 AM
Good question, DR MBarnum. Of course, ELLERY QUEEN, as some of you know, is my top pick. Would love to have those in pristine DVD condition. There is only one season available. Same with KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER, though I do have those on videotape.

I DO hope Fox continues with THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW as its best seasons for me were the later ones (though all are first rate).

My favorite? Hard choice. For comedy, I'd say THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW. The shows look great, the extras are nice, and the packaging very space conscious.

For dramas, it's a tie between CSI (seasons 2 and 3 since they're anamorphic; why CBS didn't present the first season in anamorphic since the show has always been filmed widescreen, I don't know) and ANGEL. The shows look spectacular, as close to HDTV as can be, and the extras just right.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Joy on April 14, 2004, 09:24:12 AM
Good afternoon, East Coasters, and good morning to the rest of you!  I'm at a strange new law firm today as an anonymous temp, and I have absolutely nothing to do.  The instructions that I've been given to read are completely inaccurate, so I've already hung up on at least three people today.  Since I'm a temp, they don't trust that I have any skills at all, so what little work I was given this morning was taken away from me.  So I have absolutely nothing to do, and I suppose I am technically violating the firm's internet personal use policy....but then, everything I've read so far has been a lie, so I can only assume that is, too.  

The nice thing about this place is the location:  the building is 1 Broadway, right across from Battery Park, and all the windows in the offices on the south wall have a stunning view of the Statue of Liberty and all the other neighboring sites.  Of course, I can't see any windows from where I'm sitting, but I am looking forward to my lunch break!  I'm gonna go rub the bull's balls first thing, and then maybe head over to the park.

For ask BK day:  Can you tell us what you've been writing about so industriously?  A cryptic answer will be acceptable.

BK, the samurai and anime genres are about as far down on my list of favorites as you can get.  However, I LOVED Kill Bill Vol. 1 and I cannot wait to see Vol. 2!  I'm not real big on explicit violence (I agree with pretty much everything that was said on Passion of the Christ here on this site), but the violence in Kill Bill is so over the top and absurd (is blood really that pink?) that not only did it not bother me but it actually amused me in several instances.  Plus, I think the plot is thrilling in a very visceral way -- having been a Bride very recently myself, I was drawn to this character within the very first words I read about the film.  I can't deny that the hot-chicks-kicking-ass factor appeals to me as well.  Those girls are off the hook.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Joy on April 14, 2004, 09:25:19 AM
Oh, I wanted to see that Showbiz Moms and Dads thing!  Is it gonna be on again?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: William F. Orr on April 14, 2004, 09:35:08 AM
I watched a very strange documentary (actually the first part of a multi-part documentary) on Bravo last night about real life Mama Roses (and one Papa Rose)... stage parents.

There was a similar show some years ago on either Discovery (before it became The Motorcycle Channel) or The Learning Channel (before it became TLC: The Makeover Channel) about child beauty pageants, called "Pretty Babies" I believe.  The best part was a real harridan of a mother who was pushing her child to perfect her off-key rendition of... "Everything's Coming Up Roses".  Needless to say, the irony of the choice of song seemed to be lost on all concerned.

For BK:  I recently acquired the CD of Sherry--with the video extras.  I am fascinated by the story of how the score was lost for thirty years until (Sondheim scholar and LoC Curator) Mark Eden Horowitz mentioned off-handedly that it was all sitting in a trunk in the Library of Congress.  Presumably next to the Ark of the Covenant and the arms of Venus de Milo.

Oh, my question.  When you recorded the title song to the show, was it before or after the reappearance of the missing trunk?  How did you acquire it?  And what about the lyric, "You could see the lights of lower Broadway" on your version, which is, "You could see the Promised Land quite clearly" on the new CD?

Confidential to DR Panni:  (Oh, an Ann Landers reference.)  Oh my, yes.  "Où es-tu?"  I so embarrassed.

Not Confidential to DR Noel:   Glad you enjoyed my Jesus lyrics.  Now if Mel Gibson had only contacted me, I could have provided his movie with some much-needed chuckles.  And it really was in need of a boffo production number, don't you think?  As Hieronymus Merkin said, "You talk about Birth of a Nation, but can you name one song from it?"
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 09:36:49 AM
BK question: Is it a crime to start each day with a laugh and a smile and a song?

No, it is not a crime and it is, of course, what we strive for each and every day right here at haineshisway.com.  Damn them, damn them all to hell.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: William F. Orr on April 14, 2004, 09:39:26 AM
And Welcome Back, DR Joy!  Nothing against your DH DR Noel, but your face is much prettier to look at.  When will you know about 42nd Street?  If you get it, will you travel with DH in tow?  Vibes, of course.  Many vibes.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 09:44:31 AM
A question for our most esteemed BK:

In writing your new book, since as you've already told us is a mystery, were you working from an outline this time, with a solid idea of where you wanted to go?

And (second question): Do you have any idea when the new book will be ready for other trusted readers (such as our DR Charles Pogue and Panni) to point out the plot loopholes to you, so that you can hone your new tome to perfection?

I don't like outlines - I find them constricting and annoying, at least formal ones.  I have found, having done them for a couple of screenplays, that I never think outside of them, I do strictly what's on the outline.  What I did on this book:  Like the Kritzer books, I made tons of notes about certain things I wanted in the book that have to do with the period in which it takes place.  I also thought out the major plot points so that they made sense to me, so I knew where the major story points were going at every turn (one of the reasons I think it went faster than I'd expected).  Plus, as I wrote each day, I would go back to the previous pages and make fixes and additions.  Again, I have to now read it to make sure I haven't fudged anywhere, but I think I'm probably okay on the major things.  Like all three Kritzer books, I had the ending already totally sketched out in rough form before I began.  Certain details that occur just prior to the ending I left open, because I wanted that part of the book to just come at the time, and having done that worked really well for me.

Pogue is going to read it, hopefully in the next week or two.  My friend Margaret, who was my muse on the Kritzer books, will also read it.  She hates mysteries, hates the genre, so I feel she's a good person to slog through it because she doesn't know the conventions and will question things more carefully (which she did when I gave her the first half of the book).  She won't like it, but her comments are always helpful.  But I'll be making additions and doing honing on my own for the next week or two.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Matt H. on April 14, 2004, 09:47:23 AM
Watched all 149 minutes of SHIP OF FOOLS yesterday. Another Columbia full frame transfer, of course, which was a little infuriating (looked very good, though, I must say), but isn't it amazing how that rear screen photography was used so often back in the day. This movie looks to have been done about 98% in the studio. Wonder if Stanley Kramer got that huge star cast to take less than their usual fees to do the film?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 09:47:44 AM
BK, I was completely fascinated that you had something like the recording record player when you were a kid.  I would have killed to have something like that.  Were the recordable disks themselves relatively expensive back then or were they bought in quantity and tossable like recordable CDs today?  Were your "recording sessions" carefully rehearsed or free-wheeling?  What happened first:  did the recorder break or did the they stop making the recordable disks?  And most importantly, do these disks still exist today and are they playable?


I don't think the blank discs were that expensive.  They came in albums, like 78s would.  I don't think we rehearsed for those recordings (unlike when I got my tape recorder), I think we just "did" it.  Sadly, I don't have any of those records now, although my Aunt Lily might have.  I did get a portable version of the machine on eBay several years ago - it seems to be in working order, but I've never tried it out.  I also got a bunch of blank discs at the same time, so maybe one of these days I'll give it a whirl.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 09:49:42 AM
For Ask BK Day ---
According to THE RICHARD RODGERS READER, there were many problems with Act II of CAROUSEL on the road and songs were cut.  In doing your research for the LOST IN BOSTON series did you ever come across any of these songs and if so (1) what were they and (2) why didn't you use any of them in the series?


I was never shown any cut songs from Carousel at any point.  I did see several from The King and I, one of which we recorded (the others really were not interesting or long enough), I think we saw cut songs from Allegro and Me and Juliet and maybe one or two other shows.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 09:50:51 AM
I actually have a question for Mr. BK. I don't think it's been answered in the interview from last week.

Is Soon It's Gonna Rain still your favorite song from The Fantastiks?

Yep, absolutely.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Lulu on April 14, 2004, 09:51:29 AM
MBarnum: To answer your question, I would like the following shows released to DVD:

SCTV (a continuation of the NBC first-season set being released in June by Shout!)  I want all these babies on DVD.

Family  For my '70s fix.  Plus, Kristy McNichol was one of the most talented child/young adult actors EVER.

James at 15/16 Ditto the '70s fix thing - also, the show (or what I've seen of it: the 2-hour pilot and first episode) is exceptionally well-written.

Kolchak: The Night Stalker  You've gotta love McGavin, Oakland, and the best bizarre-tertiary-characters-you'll-never-see-again that have ever been on prime-time network TV.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show  ITA with whoever said that the superlative first-season box set should (someday, please, God!) be followed up with the succeeding seasons, which were even better.

I'd actually really like much more ephemeral stuff from the '70s available on TV, too...specials like Battle of the Network Stars and Circus of the Stars and TV movies starring the likes of Ben Gazzara, Charles Nelson-Reilly and Cloris Leachman, for example?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Lulu on April 14, 2004, 09:54:14 AM
Oh, yes...has anybody else here ever seen a TV movie (circa '80s?) starring Lynda Carter, titled Hotline, featuring hotline operator Lynda stalked by a homocidal maniac, whom she finally triumphs over in a truly wacky denouement (I won't get specific so as not to spoil it for anyone who hasn't yet seen it)?  I would LOVE for that to come out on DVD!  Also KISS in The Phantom of the Park, just so I can know FOR SURE that I didn't dream it.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 09:54:35 AM

For BK:  I recently acquired the CD of Sherry--with the video extras.  I am fascinated by the story of how the score was lost for thirty years until (Sondheim scholar and LoC Curator) Mark Eden Horowitz mentioned off-handedly that it was all sitting in a trunk in the Library of Congress.  Presumably next to the Ark of the Covenant and the arms of Venus de Milo.

Oh, my question.  When you recorded the title song to the show, was it before or after the reappearance of the missing trunk?  How did you acquire it?  And what about the lyric, "You could see the lights of lower Broadway" on your version, which is, "You could see the Promised Land quite clearly" on the new CD?


The score wasn't "lost" the orchestral parts were "lost".  I got the music for the title song directly from the composer and we did the lyrics that were on that music.  Perhaps they revised it later, although I like "the lights of lower Broadway" better.  I didn't really love any of the other songs from the show, which is why I never went back to record them for future volumes.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Joy on April 14, 2004, 10:01:59 AM
And Welcome Back, DR Joy!  Nothing against your DH DR Noel, but your face is much prettier to look at.  When will you know about 42nd Street?  If you get it, will you travel with DH in tow?  Vibes, of course.  Many vibes.
Thanks, WFO!  I think DH Noel would agree with you on the face thing.   ;)

As for 42nd Street, I guess I'll know by the end of the month.  DH Noel had an audition for Asst. MD, so hopefully if I get it he will too; otherwise, no, I will be on my own in the strange and wonderful world of Asia.  Thank you for the vibes, thank you ALL for the vibes!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Stuart on April 14, 2004, 10:18:40 AM
I'd actually really like much more ephemeral stuff from the '70s available on TV, too...specials like Battle of the Network Stars and Circus of the Stars and TV movies starring the likes of Ben Gazzara, Charles Nelson-Reilly and Cloris Leachman, for example?

I have to agree here as well.  The three things that I can think of wanting on DVD were all from the 70s, and all TV-movies of what I recall to be exceptional writing and acting:

The Gathering:  Used to be able to catch this at least every other year around the holidays.  Ed Asner, Maureen Stapleton and just some good, all-around holiday tears.

The House Without a Christmas Tree:  Jason Robards and Mildred Natwick as the father and grandmother of some girl (Glynis O'Connor?  The girl who played Bess on MTM/Phyllis??).  They were a depression era family, he was a mean father, she was a kind-hearted grandmother.  Only saw it the once, but remember it being very good.

The third film was the Thanksgiving companion piece to the above referenced HWACT.  I think it might have been called "The House without Thanksgiving."  And I actually think it might have been broadcast first.  But maybe not.

Having grown up watching the exploits of Adam West and Burt Ward in eternal reruns, I can't say I would turn down a full series compilation of BATMANs. If only to catch the likes of Ethel, Joan and Roddy as special guest villains.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jed on April 14, 2004, 10:21:27 AM
TV for DVD...

Well, the one I've been waiting for is about to finally happen.  Season 1 of Quantum Leap comes out in June (same day as Lulu's SCTV set).  I hope seasons 2 through 5 follow soon!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jane on April 14, 2004, 10:21:51 AM
JRand53 and Joy-LOL.  ;D I’m sorry I signed off so soon last night.

TCB is that a self photo?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jane on April 14, 2004, 10:33:25 AM
Tomovoz, just because I wasn’t there last night to second Dear Reader Laura’s request, doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have.  :D Great picture!  Thanks.

Sadly we had to stop feeding our birds since the migrating ones have a tendency to fly into the windows.  We have silhouettes of hawks, remenisant of THE BIRDS, on many of our windows along with various stained glass trinkets.  All of which have helped the situation.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Dan (the Man) on April 14, 2004, 10:34:57 AM
With all of the TV series that are being released on DVD what series would you most like to see released,on DVD, and of the ones that already have come out on DVD what has been your favorite series DVD release so far?

I'm really trying to hold back on buying too many of these DVD sets.  I have little enough time to watch current shows, let alone whole seasons of past shows.  So as much as I would like to buy the Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Fraiser and Barney Miller sets, I just don't for sure if I'll ever really sit down and watch them all.

What I would most probably buy would be sets of Johnny Quest, The Man from UNCLE and Walter Conkrite's weekly look into the future, The 21st Century.

What I have bought and have watched and enjoyed have been the sets from Lost in Space, All in the Family and Laugh-In.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 10:40:26 AM
I am looking forward to AMERICAN IDOL tonight even with Quentin Tarentino as guest judge...
Is Fantasia going to perform with a samuri sword?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jane on April 14, 2004, 10:44:41 AM
Tomovoz, just because I wasn’t there last night to second Dear Reader Laura’s request, doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have.  :D Great picture!

Sadly we had to stop feeding our birds since the migrating ones have a tendency to fly into the windows.  We have silhouettes of hawks, remenisant of THE BIRDS, on many of our windows along with various stained glass trinkets.  All of which have helped the situation.

Dan (the Man) where does your mother live?  I know there were Cardinals in Bucks County where we were.  It wasn’t so far from the city.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: MBarnum on April 14, 2004, 10:47:24 AM
I'm really trying to hold back on buying too many of these DVD sets.  I have little enough time to watch current shows, let alone whole seasons of past shows.  So as much as I would like to buy the Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Fraiser and Barney Miller sets, I just don't for sure if I'll ever really sit down and watch them all.



Yep, I hear ya! When I look at the pile of DVD movies that I have yet to even open, and that I am actually considering buying the DVD sets of MR. ED and GILLIGAN'S ISLAND...holy moly! But I find that is is nice to have DVDs with half hour shows that I can pop in an watch while eating dinner or lunch or something...so I find myself picking up DVDs of THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES or U.S MARSHALL or SERGEANT PRESTON OF THE YUKON or other shows that I can enjoy without investing too much time in watching.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: PennyO on April 14, 2004, 11:01:11 AM
Hello, wags! Just checkin' in before heading off to the Parents for another joyous day of surreptitious throwings out of stuff like scented talcum powder from 1961, and bits of string and old yarn... and carefully wrapping old heirloom chatchkes from greater-than-great grandparents, so the movers won't smash the family DNA to smithereens. Got to wrap some smitereens, too, today. Oy, what accumulates in a house in only 51 years...

Touching and heartbreaking, all of it.

Off to work I go. And the sun is shining, and always another Spring...
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: PennyO on April 14, 2004, 11:03:28 AM
Oh, and Bruce my dear, congratulations on finishing your first draft of the new book! You are such an inspiration to the more procrastinatory of us (ME, I mean...)

Hey, Jane - did you and Keith keep those two downloads - the headshots and resumes? I have lost them, or maybe never downloaded them. I'm going ahead with the casting of the show, and those guys looked promising.

See how BK inspires me to get on with it???
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Dan (the Man) on April 14, 2004, 11:04:57 AM
Dan (the Man) where does your mother live?  I know there were Cardinals in Bucks County where we were.  It wasn’t so far from the city.

Mom lives in the house we moved to when I was 12 in Pennsauken, New Jersey (home of the famed Pennsauken Fire Trap Mart.)  There are plenty of yew bushes around the yard that produce berries which, in turn, attract the cardinals.  The berries also attract bluejays that, for some reason, see my blond head of hair as a threat and constantly dive bomb at my head (though my blond-headed mom never has this problem.)  There are also doves in the neighborhood and sometimes a chicken hawk can be spotted.  And when we first moved in, there were owls, too.  But they seemed to have vanished over the years.

In which part of Bucks did you live?  One of my sisters currently lives in Doylestown--it's beautiful there.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: William E. Lurie on April 14, 2004, 11:09:01 AM
Is Fantasia going to perform with a samuri sword?

Alas there will not be another FANTASIA.  With the departure of Roy Disney from the Eisner company, plans for FANTASIA 2006 have been cancelled.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jane on April 14, 2004, 11:13:59 AM
SWW your mac & cheese recipe looks very good.  Mine has less seasoning and sour cream, which is probably why young children liked it.  

Jenny, hope your first day back at school went well.

Lisa Gerritsen played Bess.  Glynnis was the daughter of producer Daniel O'Connor and actress Lenka Peterson.  She struck out for a performing career even before graduating from State University of New York. As a teenager Glynnis did time in the role of Dee Stewart on CBS' warhorse soap opera As the World Turns, and in 1974 she was starred in the prime time sitcom Sons and Daughters, a period piece more than a little reminiscent of Happy Days. O'Connor costarred with John Travolta and Diana Hyland in the 1976 TV movie Boy in the Plastic Bubble, and she was featured in such theatrical films as Baby Blue Marine (1974), California Dreaming (1979), Those Lips, Those Eyes (1980) and Johnny Dangerously (1984). In 1973, O'Connor was professionally paired with Robby Benson in hopes of fostering a screen romantic team; they worked well together, but the "union" lasted only two films, Jeremy(1973)  and Ode to Billy Jo (1976).  
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 11:16:57 AM
Currently, my favorite show that is on DVD is Good Eats.  As a bonus for each show, Alton reads questions that have been sent in, and answers them.  As an extra bonus, some of the Q&A sessions has him sporting a goatee.  Woofers!

Only, we just have the first nine discs (three eps per disc).  There are nine more that have been released.  And I'm getting impatient.  GRRRR!

Elsewhere, I'm hoping the Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle get beyond their first season release.  There's some restoration going on with this project, however, so I'll just have to learn to be patient.  (This series was probably key in the development of my sense of humor.)
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jane on April 14, 2004, 11:20:11 AM
Hey, Jane - did you and Keith keep those two downloads - the headshots and resumes? I have lost them, or maybe never downloaded them. I'm going ahead with the casting of the show, and those guys looked promising.

You mean on our computer?  I will have to ask Keith.   If it was done, he did it.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jane on April 14, 2004, 11:25:44 AM
Doylestown is beautiful and not far from where we lived in Ivyland.  My boys went to Richboro Elementary School, which is no longer a school.  The area was originally farm land and when the school was first built it included all grades.  Parents of my children’s friends spoke fondly of going all through school there.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jennifer on April 14, 2004, 11:27:33 AM
Does anybody else see those infomercials on ABC all the time for Pilates.  They are with Daisy Fuentes (sp?).

I actually have the videos, and for some reason whenever I see that infomercial it motivates me to do them!

I've decided I will do the video EVERY DAY.  And so far I've been good this week.  I'm also trying to bike (but it's been so cold).

Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jrand73 on April 14, 2004, 11:55:41 AM
DRJOY it is BRAVO so it will be on several times, I am sure....particularly rerun on the weekend.  Check the Bravo website.

DRLULU I don't remember the Lynda Carter tv movie you wrote about, but I do remember Valerie Harper in Night of Terror being chased across the country by a killer....  It was scary....and she bested him as well...in a gory manner.  Go, Rhoda!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: elmore3003 on April 14, 2004, 11:57:33 AM
Good afternoon, all!  I was on earlier this morning to finish reading yesterday's posts and Dear Friend BK's thoughts for today. but I couldn't think of a question for him!
So I went down to the office for the Recording Project, and did some editorial work.
Now I'm back, and still don't have a question!  I may have to come back with one later.

As to DR MBarnum's TV show inquiry, I'd like to see the Eric Close-Margaret Colin series "Now and Again" on disc, and since we don't seem to have the Good Life (Good Time?) Network on Time Warner New York Cable, I'd like to see some of the Warner Brothers series from the 60s released:  77 SUNSET STRIP, ROARING TWENTIES and SURFSIDE SIX for me, and the westerns for my Father, who forced us all to watch them when they first were broadcast.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Joy on April 14, 2004, 11:57:47 AM
Okay, I am really hating this job.  The only thing I'm supposed to do is answer the phone, which I hate (which is why I always say no to receptionist jobs), and every instruction I have received for transferring a call into voicemail has FAILED.  I have hung up on at least six people by now.  This is like a bad comedy sketch -- the receptionist who hangs up on everyone.  "One moment, please."  And....dial tone.

Grrrrrr....such is the price I pay for having a life in the theatah.

Anyway, to answer MBarnum's question:  I would love to see all of "V" released on DVD.  If I remember correctly, there was a miniseries, and then there was a short-lived regular series.  I was addicted to it in 5th grade.  My friends and I used to play "V".  It was so cheesy and 80's.  The miniseries was on Sci-Fi channel several years ago...maybe 7 years or so.  Haven't seen hide nor hair of it since...not that I've been looking.  Anyone else remember "V"?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Ben on April 14, 2004, 12:04:36 PM
I would love to see all of thirtysomething released on DVD and that should bring us one post away from page 3.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Noel on April 14, 2004, 12:04:43 PM
Question for all:

On the My Favorite Year dvd commentary track,
director Richard Benjamin made a reference to
"Preston Sturges' Ten Rules of Comedy"

Where can I find said rules?
(Fear not, CP - I wish to quote them, not follow them.)
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Ben on April 14, 2004, 12:04:59 PM
Yep, so here's the page 3 push.

Oops (or spoo) got beat to it by DR Noel.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: elmore3003 on April 14, 2004, 12:07:00 PM

SWW your mac & cheese recipe looks very good.  Mine has less seasoning and sour cream, which is probably why young children liked it.


DR Jane, I seem to remember that my Mother's macaronic and cheese sometimes had hardboiled eggs in it!  Sometimes cubes of ham.  Last night after all the m&c discussion I pulled out 4 or 5 cookbooks to compare recipes.  I'm still working on the red hot candy search for you!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jane on April 14, 2004, 12:09:08 PM
Joy, I believe “V” aired again not to long ago.  I don’t recall if it was the series or the original mini-series.  I just saw a few minutes of it so it’s possible I thought it was “V” & was simply mistaken.

Sorry you’re having a bad day even if you made me laugh with the description of your operator skills.  What is in store for tomorrow?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jane on April 14, 2004, 12:11:55 PM
Elmore33 you are so sweet, but it is cinnamon, not hot, I want.  I want them for baking as well as eating.  
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 12:15:19 PM
DR Joy: Both V: The Original Miniseries (http://www.dvdplanet.com/product_listing.asp?productid=18432&format=DVD) and V: The Final Battle (http://www.dvdplanet.com/product_listing.asp?productid=24551&Format=DVD) are available on DVD.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Joy on April 14, 2004, 12:17:58 PM
Joy, I believe “V” aired again not to long ago.  I don’t recall if it was the series or the original mini-series.  I just saw a few minutes of it so it’s possible I thought it was “V” & was simply mistaken.

Sorry you’re having a bad day even if you made me laugh with the description of your operator skills.  What is in store for tomorrow?

I found out that the movie and the miniseries was released on DVD, but not the actual TV series.  I added it to my Amazon wish list.  :)

What's in store for tomorrow?  Another audition, this time for Full Monty.  The casting director saw me at another audition and said "Make sure you come to Full Monty!  There's lots of stuff in there for you!"  So I guess I gotta go!  So no work tomorrow, although I may be working somewhere else on Friday.  God knows.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Joy on April 14, 2004, 12:18:41 PM
SWW, I believe we simulposted!  Yay, us!

Ham in mac n cheez sounds good.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: MBarnum on April 14, 2004, 12:22:16 PM
Lots of Disney stuff coming out on DVD this summer...just read that THE SHAGGY DOG (do you hear that JRand53??!!), and DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE are due out in August.

Still hoping for BAMBI!

Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 14, 2004, 12:24:41 PM
A question for our most esteemed BK:

And (second question): Do you have any idea when the new book will be ready for other trusted readers (such as our DR Charles Pogue and Panni) to point out the plot loopholes to you, so that you can hone your new tome to perfection?

SWW, don't you know that Hungarians can't be trusted?  8)
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jane on April 14, 2004, 12:46:44 PM
What's in store for tomorrow?  Another audition, this time for Full Monty.  The casting director saw me at another audition and said "Make sure you come to Full Monty!  There's lots of stuff in there for you!"  So I guess I gotta go! God knows.

 :D  Good vibes for your audition.

Have fun and enjoy it.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: TCB on April 14, 2004, 12:48:46 PM
(http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/party/party-smiley-049.gif)
(http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/party/party-smiley-049.gif)
IT'S PARTY TIME!
Yes, dear readers, it's true.  I can hardly believe it, but it is true.  The wolves have left my door, and moved on to more deserving folks.  My credit union has reversed their decision, and has approved my personal loan, so that not only will I be able to keep my apartment, my car, and my beloved babies (at least for the time being), but I can keep my current internet service at home, so that I can continue to make all of your lives exciting, or at least, different.

And I owe it all to you wonderful folks and all of your thoughts and prayers, but most of all your GOOD VIBES.  Now, I don't know exactly, what magical powers have been released at this here site, but I strongly suggest that BK get a patent on it immediately.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!


(http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/party/party-smiley-049.gif)

Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jed on April 14, 2004, 12:51:21 PM
TCB, your news has given me the biggest smile I've had in a long time! :D
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: TCB on April 14, 2004, 12:52:53 PM
Watched all 149 minutes of SHIP OF FOOLS yesterday. Another Columbia full frame transfer, of course, which was a little infuriating (looked very good, though, I must say), but isn't it amazing how that rear screen photography was used so often back in the day. This movie looks to have been done about 98% in the studio. Wonder if Stanley Kramer got that huge star cast to take less than their usual fees to do the film?

One of my Top-Ten favorite films of all time.


Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jennifer on April 14, 2004, 12:57:15 PM
TCB, your news has given me the biggest smile I've had in a long time! :D

It brought tears to my eyes.

DR TCB, I'm so happy for you.

I really do believe that HHW vibes work.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jrand73 on April 14, 2004, 01:04:48 PM
Hurray for TCB!!!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: TCB on April 14, 2004, 01:11:12 PM
A very special thank you to DR Jane and her hubby Keith for sending me the wonderful photo of their Titanic newspaper from 1912, just in time to commemorate tonight’s 92nd anniversary of the striking of the iceberg (the ship actually sank in the early morning hours of April 15th).  The readers at HHW are the nicest people in the whole-darn world.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jane on April 14, 2004, 01:13:11 PM
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D[/move]
TCB I’m sharing those tears with Jennifer.  Today is definitely a good day.

CONTINUED GOOD VIBES!!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Emily on April 14, 2004, 01:13:33 PM
I'm coming out of semi-dance-retirement for the following:

TCB IS IN THE $ DANCE:

 *dance dance spend dance dance envibe dance twirl jump kick jazz hands spend kick tappity tappity spirit fingers*

(only for you TCB :) )
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jane on April 14, 2004, 01:16:22 PM
And you are welcome.  It was our pleasure. :)
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Matt H. on April 14, 2004, 01:17:17 PM
I remember from last year's finale that Quentin was in the studio audience and was pulling for Ruben which definitely put him and me on opposite ends of the fence.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Dan (the Man) on April 14, 2004, 01:23:57 PM
Ah, TCB, tis wonderful news, indeed!!!

IT'S PARTY TIME!

Agree!  If someone else brings the mac & cheese and the ice cream and cake, I'll supply the (*ahem*) entertainment!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Matt H. on April 14, 2004, 01:24:25 PM
Happy about your news, TCB. Good wishes for continued good fortune.

Today I trotted out LA STRADA which I've had for months but just now opened and watched. What a gorgeous, earth-shaking transfer! In one of my film history classes, we saw a print that was so old and the contrast so high (I suspect it had been duped from some other source), you could not read some of the subtitles because they blended in with light backgrounds. From the very first shot on the beach after the credits, my jaw was hitting the floor. I had NO idea they could ever clean this movie up to look sparkling brand new. And such a masterpiece, too!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Charles Pogue on April 14, 2004, 01:24:55 PM
Tarantino is guest judging on AI tonight?  Geeze, Kill Bill #2 must be a Fox film or an advertiser.  I hate this kind of  transparent cross-promotional crap.  I like a lot of Tarantino's movies but what does he know about singing pop idols?

S. Woody...doesn't Good Eats run twice a night...and that is what VCR's are for...You can watch one show  while you tape another.  

I told BK Saturday that he actually does outline.  He just does it while he's writing...which makes everything harder (but he's the one cranking out a novel in ten weeks, so what the Hell do I know?).  I, on the other hand, live and die by the outline.  I've spent longer composing an outline sometimes than I have actually writing a script.  And I find it freeing as opposed to constricting.  It's always easier to wander off the planned route, when you have a road map to get back to it.

LULU...I agree.  Release all of the SCTV on DVD, both NBC and syndicated stuff.  Funniest satire since South Park.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: elmore3003 on April 14, 2004, 01:27:42 PM
Elmore33 you are so sweet, but it is cinnamon, not hot, I want.  I want them for baking as well as eating.  

Well, the search continues!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Joy on April 14, 2004, 01:28:27 PM
TCB, I'm not caught up enough to know all the details of your recent woes, but I recognize good news when I see it.  I'm very happy to hear yours.  Money problems can be such a strain, and it's always good to hear when they are resolved.

We're in the money....
We're in the money....
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Tomovoz on April 14, 2004, 01:29:08 PM
Wonderful news TCB - and I didn't even read it here first!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: elmore3003 on April 14, 2004, 01:29:26 PM
SWW, don't you know that Hungarians can't be trusted?  8)

Look at that happy face!  I trust you.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: elmore3003 on April 14, 2004, 01:31:13 PM
DR TCB, to quote a song from DRAT! THE CAT, "Today is the day for a band to play!  I hope your good fortune continues!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jay on April 14, 2004, 01:31:28 PM
I am very happy for you, Dear Reader TCB!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Joy on April 14, 2004, 01:35:43 PM
I forgot to mention earlier that I did actually have a pretty interesting lunch break...although it's raining and cold here today, I walked around the neighborhood, gawking like a tourist at all the historical spots -- the Bull (whose balls I rubbed, just like I said I would), the ticker-tape parade honorees' sidewalk placards, Pearl Street, Standard & Poor's, and even found an amazing little hole-in-the-wall pizza place on Battery Place, I think, called New York Pizza Factory, that had the best New York pizza I've had in a long, long time -- maybe ever.  It was a nice crispy brick-oven style in a historical building.  So despite the weather, I had a lovely lunch.

Only DH Noel will know what this is:  somewhere near the Fraunces Tavern is a modern building that was built over the site of an old colonial governor's tavern.  The architect of this building preserved the stone foundation and part of the walls of the tavern:  in the plaza in front of the building, as you walk on the ground you see that part of the ground is a set of glass panes, through which you can see the stones and some of the artifacts they found while excavating.  They also preserved, in much the same way, an old cistern a few feet away.  Fascinating.  
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: elmore3003 on April 14, 2004, 01:35:58 PM

LULU...I agree.  Release all of the SCTV on DVD, both NBC and syndicated stuff.  Funniest satire since South Park


I want John Candy's Peter Pan!

DR Charles Pogue, I just got your HOUND OF THE BASKETBALLS (old Mad Magazine ref) today from Movies Unlimited.  Did you and Ian ever discuss your production of MARAT/SADE?  I worked with him and Sir Ian MacKellan in 2001 on a complete recording of BABES IN TOYLAND, and we talked briefly about his 1976 Henry Higgins, which should be released on CD.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 14, 2004, 01:39:52 PM
 



   A HAPPY DANCE FOR TCB!!! HURRAY! HURRAY! AND HURRAY!


    [move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D [/move]

               [move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] :D  :D  :D  :D[/move]

  [move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] :-*  :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* [/move]
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 14, 2004, 01:44:07 PM
Look at that happy face!  I trust you.

Thank you, Larry. I'm actually not a credit - or debit - to my race in that I'm scrupulously honest and trustworthy. (And no, that's not a lie.)
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Ron Pulliam on April 14, 2004, 01:44:39 PM
The score wasn't "lost" the orchestral parts were "lost".  I got the music for the title song directly from the composer and we did the lyrics that were on that music.  Perhaps they revised it later, although I like "the lights of lower Broadway" better.  I didn't really love any of the other songs from the show, which is why I never went back to record them for future volumes.

Last year you wrote:

Yes, it's Sherry! My recording of the title tune is on the first Unsung Musicals, performed by Christine Baranski and Jonathan Freeman. The show was written by Laurance Rosenthal (music) and wait for it, James Lipton (yes, James Lipton, he of the Actor's Studio), book and lyrics. I tried to do a full recording of it years ago but the works got mucked up by another record producer. He eventually recorded it but I don't know that the vocals were ever finished (the tracks were done overseas) and it's been sitting on a shelf for three years or more now. However, that is that producer's m.o. - his Breakfast at Tiffany's and Mata Hari sat on a shelf for close to five years. As compared to my recording of Drat! The Cat! which came out six weeks after it was recorded. It can be done, you know.

Posted by bk @ 10/13/2003 01:58 PM PST


Why would you want to do a full cast recording if you didn't like the other songs very much?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Matthew on April 14, 2004, 01:47:24 PM
More time spent at HHW.com and I WOULD be better for it. Alas, not as much as usual.  Anyhow, question for BK... I'm reading Kritzer Time and I had a question about your relationship with your brother.  I can tell by the books that your childhood relationship wasn't great, but has time and adult-maturing aided in a better relationship as adults?  

Congrats TCB :)

Woody - LOVED the American "YODEL" remark earlier.  
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jennifer on April 14, 2004, 01:48:30 PM
Tarantino is guest judging on AI tonight?  Geeze, Kill Bill #2 must be a Fox film or an advertiser.  I hate this kind of  transparent cross-promotional crap.  I like a lot of Tarantino's movies but what does he know about singing pop idols?

I don't think it's cross-promotion.  I think he's just a huge fan of the show.  And it's MOVIE songs night, which is the tie-in.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: MBarnum on April 14, 2004, 01:58:05 PM
Wowee and hurray TCB! I am so happy that things have improved for you my man! Many, many happy days to you!!!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Charles Pogue on April 14, 2004, 02:00:54 PM
Yeah, Tarantino's a huge fan of the show...who just happens to have movie coming out this week...Pardon me, if I'm cynical....

elmore, Ian Richardson and I did not discuss MARAT/SADE, though both he and Brian Blessed regaled me with wonderful stories about working with Peter O'Toole on Man of La Mancha.  There was apparently a part of Impossible Dream where O'Toole kept wanting to go down instead of up...He referred to the song as "To pass the impassable turd". And Ian was furious that they had dubbed him in Dulcinea...because he had laboured mightily rehearsing the song.

I believe I had an old college friend, Kevin Dearinger, who was in the original Ian Richardson My Fair Lady.  I'm not sure, but I think he may have eventually gone on to play Freddy in either that production or a touring production.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Matt H. on April 14, 2004, 02:02:53 PM
Well, if it's not cross-promotion, it's a heck of a coincidence. KILL BILL VOL 1 came out yesterday on DVD (when the show was supposed to air live) and his new film premieres this Friday. What do you want to bet it's referenced tonight more than once?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 02:11:45 PM
TCB: Hoo and ray.

RLP: Even thought I didn't think the rest of the score was very good, I'd planned to do it as a limited edition (like the VS club) and I knew it would sell.  Sometimes commerce comes into play as well as art.

My brother and I are fine now, and he's really liked the Kritzer books and thought I was being more than fair to him.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: MBarnum on April 14, 2004, 02:13:05 PM
Tarantino is guest judging on AI tonight?  Geeze, Kill Bill #2 must be a Fox film or an advertiser.  I hate this kind of  transparent cross-promotional crap.  I like a lot of Tarantino's movies but what does he know about singing pop idols?


Out of curiosity DR CP why do you dislike the cross-promotion. I would think it would be a very good idea to do that sort of thing when you have a movie or book or play or something coming out, and of course it has been going on forever.

Now, I am not a fan of Tarantino (other then he was able to get the Trio channel to show the June Kenney movie THE CAT BURGLAR a while back, which is a movie I have wanted to see for many, many years). I also have no plans of seeing Kill Bill #1 or #2 and I don't even watch AI. I am just curious as to your full thoughts on the cross promotion.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jennifer on April 14, 2004, 02:13:17 PM

Re: tarantino

Sorry, I didn't mean to say that they wouldn't mention his Kill Bill movies.  I just meant that I didn't necessarily believe that he was only on because FOX had something to do with the movie he made.



 
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jennifer on April 14, 2004, 02:15:45 PM
Interesting article about Vanessa Olivarez (from last year's American Idol) who is now starring in Toronto's Hairspray.

http://www.globeandmail.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040405/HAIRSPRAY05//?query=vanessa+olivarez
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Matt H. on April 14, 2004, 02:18:11 PM
A little bird told me the song line-up for AMERICAN IDOL tonight. (Not necessarily sung in the order listed):

George - "Against All Odds"

Diana - "My Heart Will Go On"

Jon Peter -"Jailhouse Rock"

Jasmine - "When I Fall in Love"

La Toya - "Somewhere" from WEST SIDE STORY

Fantasia - "Summertime" from PORGY & BESS

John Stevens - "As Time Goes By"

Jennifer - "I Have Nothing"
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Robin on April 14, 2004, 02:19:04 PM
First off...To DR TCB:

We're all so glad your financial woes are abating.  We're all the better for your presence!

Second off...To DR Joy:

Knock 'em dead at the audition.  
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jrand73 on April 14, 2004, 02:21:36 PM
Thanks MATTH - TCM looks better and better.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jrand73 on April 14, 2004, 02:21:49 PM
Oh and did you watch KISS ME DEADLY yet?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Robin on April 14, 2004, 02:22:23 PM
As to Quentin Tarantino:

I didn't like Resouvoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction or Jackie Brown.  But I did like Kill Bill, Volume One quite a bit, and I'm looking forward to the second half.  Go figger.  

Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Matt H. on April 14, 2004, 02:25:03 PM
I had KISS ME DEADLY all laid out to put in and put my hands on LA STRADA instead. KISS ME tomorrow more than likely.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Ann on April 14, 2004, 02:30:43 PM
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] :) :) :) :) :) :) :)[/move]

[size=10]YAY FOR TCB!!![/size]

I just did a happy dance all over the room in your honor!  

What wonderful wonderful news!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: DearReaderLaura on April 14, 2004, 02:36:15 PM
Great news, TCB!!  We are always happy to hear our good vibes work!

Break legs, Joy!!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: TCB on April 14, 2004, 02:44:52 PM
Thaks, one and all.


Oh, a question for MattH (sorry, BK), I probably shouldn't complain, because none of the wrinkles show, but what did I do wrong to make my new photo look blurry?  The regular photo looks clear.




Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Charles Pogue on April 14, 2004, 02:50:27 PM
Why I dislike cross-promotion...Because it's ninety percent what TV has become: someone plugging something else.  Every network even shows endless promos of their own shows.  I remember the days of Jack Paar and early Johnny Carson when people just came on the show and gabbed without any other agenda.  You'd get wits and raconteurs and if anyone had something to promote, it was done with discretion and good taste and not the blatant, in-your-face kind of hucksterism that is inflicted on us now.  TV is has always been about advertising, but between the advertising you actually used to get your money's worth of entertainment instead of endless promotion or self-promotion and five minutes of commercials for every five minutes of show.  Remember when a half hour show only had three one-minute commercials.  And an hour show only had 6 one-minute commercials.  And they weren't blaring, over-produced, assaulting affairs, but low-key and folksy?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on April 14, 2004, 03:02:01 PM
Excellent news, TCB. And that's excellent news for HHW, too.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 14, 2004, 03:10:59 PM
             

                  Good vibes to Joy! Break that leg!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Tomovoz on April 14, 2004, 03:19:58 PM
I thought the blurry TCB photo was a result of too much Gin.  Either  the subject or the viewer! Maybe the photo was distorted by all the vibes being sent to Washington.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: George on April 14, 2004, 03:20:06 PM
Tarantino is guest judging on AI tonight?  Geeze, Kill Bill #2 must be a Fox film or an advertiser.  I hate this kind of  transparent cross-promotional crap.  I like a lot of Tarantino's movies ....

Hasn't he only made four or maybe five movies?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 03:21:11 PM
S. Woody...doesn't Good Eats run twice a night...and that is what VCR's are for...You can watch one show  while you tape another.  
There's been a schedule shift over at FoodTV.  Good Eats is now stripped at 7:00 pm nightly, moved from it's 11:30 pm/3:30 am showings.  In the 11:00 pm slot, they're stripping Iron Chef, cause for late-nite indigestion.

The Wednesday prime-time show continues at 9:00 pm, however.  This is the slot where new episodes show up, and tonight is a new one.  They've also started showing a second episode on Wednesdays, at 9:30 pm.

Thus, three episodes tonight: a 7:00 rerun of "Berry from Another Planet" (eggplant), the new ep at 9:00, "Toast Modern," on various kinds of toast, and at 9:30 a rerun of "The Muffin Man", re English and blueberry muffins.

I don't think I'll have to tape tonight, since der Brucer is fighting a cold and has been tucked in bed all day.  He can watch Yodel on the set in his room.

(Yeah, I know, too much information, but I love GE.)
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: George on April 14, 2004, 03:22:28 PM
 ;D Best of Luck to DR Joy And Congratulations to TCB!!!! ;D
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: MBarnum on April 14, 2004, 03:26:36 PM
By the way DR Joy here are your 42nd Street vibes and your vibes for the other play too!

[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  8)[/move]
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jane on April 14, 2004, 03:26:54 PM
SWW, tell DerBrucer to feel better and you stay well.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 03:27:46 PM
Welcome twelve GUESTS.  Come on in and ask some questions.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: MBarnum on April 14, 2004, 03:28:43 PM
I am certainly in full agreement with you on the commercials DR CP! They seem almost endless sometimes!!!!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 03:32:36 PM
Vibe time:

Welcome back, and good news, TCB!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And break a leg, DR Joy, but remember, no matter what they tell you, the women don't take it all of in the Full Monty, that's the men's job this time!

 ;D

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 03:39:51 PM
This is definately soup weather, at least here in Delaware.

Now, do I just open a can, or do I try to improvise something on my own?

Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches sounds good.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: George on April 14, 2004, 03:45:02 PM
I watched a very strange documentary (actually the first part of a multi-part documentary) on Bravo last night about real life Mama Roses (and one Papa Rose)... stage parents.  <SNIP>

The most bizarre story is about a man named Duncan Nutter.  This man has decided that his family will all be big stars so he moved from a big house in Vermont to a tiny apartment in Queens and spends most of his time going to auditions with his wife and seven children, none of whom have any talent or interest.  His wife is a teacher and he tears tickets at THE PRODUCERS.  He also comes off as gay as any of the Queer Eye stars.

I watched this also and it was like watching a car wreck and you couldn't look away!  My gaydar was going off full blast watching Duncan and his story.  I kept thinking that guy has seven kids...and a wife??
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Robin on April 14, 2004, 04:02:15 PM
I watched a very strange documentary (actually the first part of a multi-part documentary) on Bravo last night about real life Mama Roses (and one Papa Rose)... stage parents.

Ask BK day:  How about a "favorite documentaries" topic of the day at HHW???

Another BK question: Have you ever gone through the all the work of producing, arranging and recording a track for one of your CDs and it just didn't fit on the album, for whatever reason?  Are there BK-produced "basement tapes", so to speak?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Ron Pulliam on April 14, 2004, 04:07:22 PM
Man!  This has been a great day, all things considered!

It's been my "Friday" as I'm treating myself to the next two days off for a four-day weekend.

As is normally the case, every time I'm supposed to have a day or two off, folks start throwing stuff at me that MUST be finished before I go.

Today, I've been making 'em sit and work with me to finish their projects (board of supervisors letters, nominations for performance awards, that sort of thing).

No flies on me...not today...nosiree!

TCB:  I join my forum members in congratulating you on your "reprieve" and the great news that your life will be getting back to normal.  I know you're relieved!

I visited the "Community" section of the AI site and read what MattH shared about the song selections.  There is apparently one HUGE surprise in the competition tonight, but it probably won't do anything other than make it more difficult for folks to point at someone and say, "Well he/she is next!"  

Looking forward to it, I am.  I may even watch with a strawberry daiquiri in hand!  Haven't decided if I want to treat myself to one or not.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 04:13:26 PM
Robin: There are less than a handful of tracks that didn't make various albums.  There's one on the Guy Haines album -Here's that Rainy Day, which I just wasn't happy enough with, both arrangement-wise and vocal-wise - it was replaced with the simple and much more effective You Must Believe in Spring (done in one live take).  There was a track on Paige O'Hara's Jerry Herman album which didn't work (Dancing).  And there was a track on Laurie Beechman's No One is Alone album that I found to jarring and strange to include, a duet with Ken Page.  I think that's about it.  There have been more than a few instances where I just said to folks, here's a song (something that hadn't been planned), let's see what we can do with it, and then we'd just play around and record whatever we came up with - those tracks have always made the albums.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jrand73 on April 14, 2004, 04:25:28 PM
My question for ASK BK day:  (finally)

What is the first CD you ever bought?  Did you go from LP's to cassettes to CD's, or did you skip cassettes and 8-tracks?  And did you know immediately that CD's would be a viable music product?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Ron Pulliam on April 14, 2004, 04:50:05 PM
JRand just spurred a great question to ask of everyone!

Do you remember what the first CD was that you bought?  If so, what was it????

I do remember the first CD I bought.  I bought it in the Navy Exchange at NAS Alameda in 1984 when I bought my Sony portable CD player.

It was "Sunset Boulevard: The Classic Film Scores of Franz Waxman" on RCA.  It had more tracks than the LP issue had.  While I greatly enjoyed listening to that album, it simply wasn't enough.  Shortly after I purchased it, my ship went to Honolulu.  i visited a shopping center and picked up several other CDs, as well.  I'm thinking the Varese issue of a rerecording of Korngold's "The Adventures of Robin Hood" was one of them.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: ArnoldMBrockman on April 14, 2004, 04:51:31 PM
TCB-

It wouldn't have been the same without you.

And I believe that is not the case any more.

Welcome(not back) but Welcome to your Renaissance on this here site
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jennifer on April 14, 2004, 04:53:21 PM
Re: tonight's American Idol

Interesting how they talked about what happened last night on today's entertainment shows.

Apparently one of the usual standouts does not do well.

And someone who did VERY well last week, does very well again.

I'm off to watch.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Robin on April 14, 2004, 05:04:42 PM
The first CD I ever bought was Leonard Rosenman's score for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, and I still play it frequently.  

The first LP I ever bought, at the tender age of seven, was a "Ravel's Greatest Hits" record, which had the Bolero, and the Piano Concerto for the Left Hand.  

The second LP I had was "Broadway '59" by Pat Suzuki.  My aunt Rosie had a copy of it, and I'd have her play it every time I'd come over to visit.  Finally, she gave me my very own copy of it for my birthday.  The LP finally melted in an apartment fire, and I've been looking for a decent (read: playable) copy ever since...and Lord, would I ever love having it on CD.  
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 05:14:08 PM
My first CD was Dreamgirls.  I knew CDs were becoming popular, but I had no idea that they would kill the LP so quickly, much as DVD has killed VHS, almost overnight.

I never did 8 tracks, but I had many cassettes.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jane on April 14, 2004, 05:23:17 PM
I can only guess the first CD I personally purchased was something classical.  Long before that the guys had filled the house with CD’s.  In Michigan, not far from our home, was a Harmony House classical music store I loved.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 14, 2004, 05:37:14 PM
I have no idea of the first CD or first album I ever bought. I do remember the first theater I ever attended - age 2 - THE NUTCRACKER at the Budapest Opera House. I still have the ticket. (I've posted about that before.)
The first movie also must have been in Hungary.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 14, 2004, 05:43:03 PM
The first concert piece that ever shook me up was at Massey Hall in Toronto. Probably Walter Susskind conducting the Toronto Symphony in a Student Concert. The piece was Bolero and I was sitting way up in the gods and I had never heard anything like it. It just rumbled around in my insides until I thought I would explode from excitement. By the time it ended, tears were running down my face so I could hardly see. I do remember saving up and going to "Sam the Record Man" on Yonge Street and buying a recording of Bolero. (But that wasn't my first album.)
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jenny on April 14, 2004, 05:48:36 PM
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]~~Continued vibes to TCB~~[/move]

Tell der Brucer to feel better, Woody.  He has to help me with my chemistry homework!  ;)

Everyone has been naming such wonderful TV shows that ought to be put on DVD.  I'd love to see "Moonlighting", "Bewitched", "Days Of Our Lives", "Theatre Talk", "Ned and Stacey", "Caroline In the City", and "Clarissa Explains It All" (I am, after all, a child of the '90s...boy, I'm young!) released.

My first cassette was the Spice Girls  ::), my first CD was "Les Miserables" (complete symphonic recording), my first record was "Sweeney Todd", and my first experience with theatre was seeing my sister play Mama Rose when she was seven years old (a very strange production that, thankfully, is preserved on video).  My first professional musical was the "Show Boat" revival with Elaine Stritch and Rebecca Luker.

I'm so young!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jed on April 14, 2004, 05:58:25 PM
Everyone has been naming such wonderful TV shows that ought to be put on DVD...."Days Of Our Lives...

All 38 years worth?!?!? :D
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jenny on April 14, 2004, 06:02:38 PM
All 38 years worth?!?!? :D

::Nods positively::

Mm-hm!  I want to see Alice Horton in her prime, and Hope when she was still a chubby ice skater, and I want to see all the various actors who have played Roman!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 14, 2004, 06:08:54 PM
I must have missed the post about derBrucer's cold. :-\
Feel better derB.!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Tomovoz on April 14, 2004, 06:11:21 PM
First Cd to replace my record "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - S & G. I think the first "new" recording would have been a Linda Ronstadt CD. "Cry Like A Rainstorm.."
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jay on April 14, 2004, 06:34:49 PM
With my massive collection of vinyl records, I was loathe to see a new technology make my investment obsolete.  Completely skipped over the audio tape era.  Was a late bloomer to CDs.   First ones acquired included the soundtrack to Beaches, Melissa Manchester's Tribute album and the John McGlinn-led reconstruction of Showboat.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: elmore3003 on April 14, 2004, 06:47:34 PM
My first CD was an act of desparation:  I needed a demo tape, possibly for Dear Friend BK, and the recorded selections I chose were so scratchy that the demo sounded like crap.  So I hiked up to a store around 90th Street and Broadway, got a crash course from a clerk on how to use a CD player, bought one and walked down Broadway with it under my arm.  I stopped at a long-gone CD/record store at Broadway and 84th (now a Godiva store) and bought the first CD that appealed to me - Dvorak's Slavonic Dances on Chandos Records conducted by Nemi Jarvi.  After that, CD mania set in, and the first things I bought were my arrangements that existed on CD so that I could do the demo.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jrand73 on April 14, 2004, 06:54:23 PM
DRJAY - I skipped tapes too.....went straight from LP's to CD's.  

Seems like one day I went in to buy a record and everything was fine...and then almost overnight, I went to the store and LP's were in ONE small bin in the back and CD'S had taken over.  Didn't mind it so much once I had gotten used to it!

First CD was (DR PANNI will appreciate it) a recording of Bolero!  How many times and in how many different ways have I choreographed it in my mind!!!  My second Cd was Randy Travis!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: MBarnum on April 14, 2004, 07:12:57 PM
I never did the 8 track tape thing, though my dad had many. I think the first record album that I bought was a compilation of Albert Glasser film music which was put out by Starlog magazine around 1979 or so, my next album purchases weren't until late in high school when I bought albums of Wham U.K., Kid Creole and the Coconuts, and Spandau Ballet!

Don't have a clue as to my first audio tapes but I started buying them around 1985 or so. I think it might have been a Bonnie Tyler audio cassette or a compilation of 1960s pop songs. I was late getting into CDs since I didn't purchase my first CD player until about 1994!

I think my first VHS movie purchase was BRIDE OF THE GORILLA!

First DVD purchase was William Castle's I SAW WHAT YOU DID.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 07:16:13 PM
Der Brucer is tucked in warmly, with Mikey cuddled close and Bonnie curled up at his feet.  He appreciates the well wishing, and will get to the chemistry homework the moment he feels better.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 07:25:57 PM
The switch to CDs started while der Brucer and I were just beginning our relationship.  I was still on cassettes and LPs.  He, on the other hand, has just bought a CD player.

One weekend, Wherehouse, the hot store in SoCal for audio software at the time, was having a sale.  At the time, their CDs were limited to maybe five racks, almost all classical, but that's what he was interested in.  We must have made three trips to the store, replacing his old LPs.  At the end of the third trip, the clerk took pity on him and threw in Whitney Houston's first disc as a freebee, "just to give you guys a little variety, y'know?"

The first CD I bought wasn't for myself, but a present for der B.  It was the weekend of the Tonys, and I bought him the first CD release of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, (not the improved re-release).  We spent much of the weekend listening to the CD, going through the different endings.  Since then, we've always tried to make a point of having the winning musical on CD, and as many of the other nominees, each year.

What ever became of Whitney Houston, anyway?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 07:28:52 PM
Footnote to the previous post: within two years, Wherehouse didn't even carry LPs.  The entire store had been converted to CDs, well, with a section walled off for cassettes, which were also disappearing.

Now, it's hard to even find a Wherehouse store!  I think they had bankruptcy issues.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 07:31:31 PM
Page Six Dance!
[move=up,scroll,6,transparent,100%]
;D
:D :D
8) 8) 8)
::) ::) ::) ::)
;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
:-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
[/move]
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jay on April 14, 2004, 07:33:02 PM
When I was still in college, two buddies and I went to a small boite on the west side of Amsterdam Avenue in the upper 60s called Rainwaters (or something like that.)  We went to see Miss Cissy Houston.  Toward the end of her set, she introduced her young niece Whitney, who was just getting started in her career.  She sang a couple of numbers and my friends and I were impressed.  Neither I nor my friends are so impressed with the younger Miss Houston any more.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Emily on April 14, 2004, 07:38:09 PM
First CD bought with my own money: Tom Cochrane's album with "Life is a Highway" on it when I must have been about 9 or 10.  It was the first "popular" song I remember liking and getting excited about when I saw the video on tv.  Ah... what an awful, boring song when I look back...

First Cast Recording bought: hmmm... (I used Kazaa for so long!) Oh wait!  The "Songs from Ragtime" quasi-OCR which cut a lot of songs and fits all into one disk.  It took 2 months to get it after ordering it from the Nicholas Hoare Book Depot in Ogilvy's department store.

First Play: again a major hmmm... I remember being taken to Shakespeare in the Park a couple of times when I was reaaaaaaaaaallly young.  If that counts since I understood none of it but liked the idea of being in the park after dark and watching a bunch of crazy people running around with swords and pointy hats.

First Live Musical: Oliver! as performed by the Royal West Academy Drama Club.  Surprisingly not bad if I remember.

First Live Broadway Musical: Ragtime (hence the OCR purchase)

Jenny... the idea of a 7 year old playing Mama Rose is slowly unfolding in my mind.  Keep that tape!!! :)
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Emily on April 14, 2004, 07:40:12 PM
Blatant vibe request for my final exam in Canadian Public Administration tomorrow morning!!!

I need all the help I can get with this one... it appears to be made up entirely of abbreviated budgetary management terms.  All of which start with the letter "P".  Oy.  

Envibe me please!!!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jrand73 on April 14, 2004, 07:45:43 PM
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/move]

Exam vibes for DREMIILY!!!!!!!!!!!   ;D
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jenny on April 14, 2004, 08:05:10 PM
I am shocked!  I am appalled!  I am horrified!  For the first time in my life, a teacher just called my mother!  This wasn't my mad chemistry teacher calling to complain about my grades or even my math teacher to say that I don't do my homework!  It was my european history teacher, calling to say that I have a rotten attitude!

Me?!  A rotten attitude?!  :o

I'm incredibly polite to all of my teachers, especially compared to the dreadful hoodlums that they normally deal with.  I am constantly helping teachers grade papers, carrying their supplies, contributing to class discussions, taking class attendance, and, most importantly, I always wish my teachers good morning upon entering their classes and tell them to have a nice day when I leave.  Every monday, I ask if they enjoyed their weekends.  No teenagers do this, especially not in "Valley Queens" (one foot in suburban Valley Stream, one foot in Queens, meaning that half the student body is made up of mean rich kids, and the other half scary gang members).

Today, I made the mistake of mumbling "I didn't deserve this grade" as I exited class after being given a 70 on a paper that I worked very hard on.  Her only comment on the entire paper regarded my sentence structure.  She clearly felt that I comprehended the material, and I don't think that it's appropriate for a history teacher to take off thirty points for simply not enjoying my writing style.  How does she reconcile this with my 95 average in english?

I left her a note after school explaining my frustration and apologizing for expressing it inappropriatly, but she called my mother anyway and told her that I'm disrespectful and rude!

My school is weird.  Three years ago, I was suspended for saying about a teacher "I hate her!  I could just kill her!" after school to a fellow student.  Zero tolerance is really annoying.   ::) (But necesary, I understand...)

Sorry for rambling.  :-\

He appreciates the well wishing, and will get to the chemistry homework the moment he feels better.

That's what I like to hear!  A man with priorities! ;)

Jenny... the idea of a 7 year old playing Mama Rose is slowly unfolding in my mind.  Keep that tape!!! :)

It's truly brilliant.  I have every intention of pulling a Gypsy Rose Lee and telling everyone that it's actually me on that tape, seeing as we are nearly identical.  She sings "Rose's Turn" in a dress almost identical to Rosalind Russel's from the movie, and you should see those six year olds belt out "You Gotta Get A Gimmick" in their hot pink bike shorts!  There's nothing like it.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jenny on April 14, 2004, 08:06:30 PM
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]~~Vibes for DREMILY~~[/move]
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Matt H. on April 14, 2004, 08:23:34 PM
Well, I didn't feel anyone on AMERICAN IDOL did badly tonight. Some did better than others obviously, but there were no ear gripping, horrendously off pitch, bad songs, and that's the first time this has happened this year. The truly worst singers (Leah, Camile) are gone. Now it's just putting the less great singers out of the competition.

And that means John Stevens, Jasmine, Jon Peter, and Diana. Not one of them disgraced themselves tonight, but none was outstanding either. Diana's phrasing partially ruined "My Heart Will Go On" (plus the fact the songs's been sung to death.) Jon Stevens' voice just isn't distinctive anough and is just too immature to compete with these powerhouses. Jon Peter is cute and bouncy, but I think he's played that card about as long as he can. And Jasmine's weak low notes on her song made a lovely song just OK.

George gets props from me for trying something different. The song was not an inspired choice. Someone chose it last year on the movie show, and it was just as uninspired then.

Did not like Latoya's altering the tune to "Somewhere" as  much as she did. Ruined the lovely simplicity of it. Jennifer also had some low note troubles but finished strongly. Fantasia's "Summertime" stole the show and was by far the evening's best performance.

Of the eight remaining, only Fantasia's line stayed constantly busy throughout the night. I got calls in on everyone else easily.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Matt H. on April 14, 2004, 08:26:25 PM
My first CD purchase: the OBC of CAMELOT.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Dan (the Man) on April 14, 2004, 08:31:34 PM
::Nods positively::

Mm-hm!  I want to see Alice Horton in her prime, and Hope when she was still a chubby ice skater, and I want to see all the various actors who have played Roman!

I am of a like mind about the earlier days of General Hospital, when the soap was primarily about Steve Hardy and Audry and Tom Baldwin and Jessie Brewer (who has to hold the record as being the character most times unjustly accused and tried for murder.)  This was years before Luke and Laura entered the picture.

My first CD was Peter Gabriel's So.  My first cast recording on CD was The Mystery of Edwin Drood.  My first LP, I think, was the Mary Poppins soundtrack.  I never got into 8-tracks, but I bought a lot of cassette recordings.  I still have most of them, but just about anything from Columbia seems to be unplayable.

Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jrand73 on April 14, 2004, 08:50:29 PM
And of course Miss Allison Hayes played Priscilla Longworth.....
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Dan (the Man) on April 14, 2004, 08:51:48 PM
I've fallen behind in the vibes requests--

[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]FULL MONTY WOOLEY-BOOLEY VIBES FOR DR JOY![/move]

[move=RIGHT,scroll,6,transparent,100%]
FEEL BETTER VIBES FOR DR DERBRUCER!
[/move]

[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]
EXAM ACE-ING VIBES FOR DR EMILY![/move]

[move=RIGHT,scroll,6,transparent,100%]VIBES FOR ALL FOR THE HELL OF IT!!![/move]
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: elmore3003 on April 14, 2004, 08:55:14 PM
As a computer moron, something interesting has just happened on my eMac:  using Netscape, all the photos of the DRS at the left margin of the post have vanished from my screen.  When I go to Internet Explorer, the photos are there.  What could I have done, or is it Netscape's problem?  I'm sure I'm to blame, so how do I fix it?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 09:04:09 PM
My school is weird.  Three years ago, I was suspended for saying about a teacher "I hate her!  I could just kill her!" after school to a fellow student.  Zero tolerance is really annoying.   ::) (But necesary, I understand...)
So, zero tolerance means that anything a student is feeling is supposed to be kept bottled up, unexpressed, right?  Put things on the back burner if they're not acceptable, where they will simmer away until there's no more juice left in the pot, and you're lucky if ten years with a brillo pad or a shrink brings it back to usability.  Or maybe the heat under that back burner is just a little higher, and things boil over and you've got oatmeal acting out all over the place.

Ain't metaphors fun?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Michael on April 14, 2004, 09:04:18 PM
Robin: There are less than a handful of tracks that didn't make various albums.  There's one on the Guy Haines album -Here's that Rainy Day, which I just wasn't happy enough with, both arrangement-wise and vocal-wise - it was replaced with the simple and much more effective You Must Believe in Spring (done in one live take).  There was a track on Paige O'Hara's Jerry Herman album which didn't work (Dancing).  And there was a track on Laurie Beechman's No One is Alone album that I found to jarring and strange to include, a duet with Ken Page.  I think that's about it.  There have been more than a few instances where I just said to folks, here's a song (something that hadn't been planned), let's see what we can do with it, and then we'd just play around and record whatever we came up with - those tracks have always made the albums.

And a Guy Haines track of a song from Busker Alley from the Sherman Bros. Album
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Ron Pulliam on April 14, 2004, 09:18:31 PM
On tonight's "American Idol":

George:  You just can't gospelize everything!  He started creaking last week with Elton John and tonight just wasn't his night.

Jennifer:  Sing OUT, Louise, and e-n-u-n-c-i-a-t-e!  I don't care how powerful her voice is, I cannot understand the words.

JPL:  Fun and lots of it.  He has a terrific vocal quality that is made for songs such as "Jailhouse Rock."  Yes, he needs training, but his voice is probably the most distinctive in the competition.

Diana:  Simon has been hateful to her all this time, and finally tells her she's too young to be singing so maturely.  She's 16 and sings like she's in her 20s.  Well, guess what!  So do all the pop stars!  And that's what this show is supposed to be looking for....ISN"T IT?

Fantasia:  For me, "Summertime" is one of those songs that has been sung to death and nothing can interest me in yet another rendition of it.  Thankfully, it was short and inventive.  But not magical for me.  And sitting down while singing it doesn't make it the performance of the night.

John Stevens: Oh, go away.  Please.  

Jasmine:  Quentin Tarantino pegged her perfectly.  She can't win it by singing Natalie Cole/Nat King Cole songs every week.

LaToya:  Yowza!  "Somewhere" works for her!  She's wonderful.  

Everyone was pretty good tonight.  I had the MOST FUN with Jon Peter Lewis -- the dude can move on stage and has the best personality of any of them.

Sadly, John Stevens may hang on another week.  If so, Jasmine or Diana will probably go.

Also...George may find himself in the bottom three for the first time.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 09:38:40 PM
I didn't list the Busker track since I don't feel that album has anything to do with me - it's a travesty of what could have been a fantastic album.

Jenny, you tell that pig of a teacher that she will NEVER EVER be allowed her at haineshisway.com and you tell her that if she EVER does something like that again I will ridicule her mercilessly and publicly for the rest of her born days.

Just finished Kill Bill - I will have much to say about it in tomorrow's notes.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jed on April 14, 2004, 10:25:37 PM
Mm-hm!  I want to see Alice Horton in her prime, and Hope when she was still a chubby ice skater, and I want to see all the various actors who have played Roman!

Ahh yes, I remember chubby ice skater Hope.  My mom used to be a devoted viewer in the late 70s through mid 80s, so I grew up on the stuff.  I can only think of 3 Roman's over the years... the "real" Roman, then the current John Black, and the most recent one (who I'll always think of as Chris Kositchek, the same actor's character 20 years ago!).
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Jed on April 14, 2004, 10:27:14 PM
Where in tarnation is everybody???
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 14, 2004, 10:44:02 PM
             Good exam vibes to Emily!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 14, 2004, 10:53:35 PM
Good article in USA Today about the tendency to "borrow" plots in recent films. Worth reading!

www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2004-04-13-remakes_x.htm
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 11:35:54 PM
I must say there are way too many Wussburgers out there tonight.  Where in tarnation IS everyone?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: DearReaderLaura on April 14, 2004, 11:40:41 PM
I have been out most of the day. You know how it is.

Re colorful birds: What can be more beautiful and colorful than, say, a northern shoveler?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 11:42:03 PM
A southern fried chicken?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 11:42:03 PM
What bothers me isn't when plots get recycled.  Heck, even Shakespeare did that.

I am bothered when the reviewers don't know where the plots are being lifted from.  In a recent preview of Connie and Carla, every drag film was mentioned save one, Some Like It Hot, which is exactly what C&C is retelling with the genders switched (two girls on the lam, hide out in Hollywood pretending to be two drag queens).

What was embarrasing was that the preview was in Camp Rehoboth, the local gay community newsletter!  They hadn't heard of the Lemmon/Curtis flick?  Sheesh!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: DearReaderLaura on April 14, 2004, 11:42:13 PM
A yellowheaded blackbird, perhaps?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: S. Woody White on April 14, 2004, 11:43:19 PM
Re colorful birds: see my post above.

 ;D
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: DearReaderLaura on April 14, 2004, 11:44:49 PM
Or maybe a northern pintail?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: bk on April 14, 2004, 11:51:34 PM
What are we, the Audobon Society all of a sudden?  Wussburgers, come out, come out, wherever you are.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 14, 2004, 11:55:26 PM
I don't know from birds. Although I like parrots because they can swear. And I ain't no wussburger, I ain't.
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 14, 2004, 11:56:44 PM


              A QUICK PAGE SEVEN DANCE!

 [move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] :o :o :o :o [/move]
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 14, 2004, 11:57:07 PM
WHEWW!!!
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 14, 2004, 11:59:37 PM
Every clock in my house has a different time - probably none of them correct. Is it midnight yet?
Title: Re:THE BETTER FOR IT
Post by: Panni on April 15, 2004, 12:00:32 AM
Looks like I'm going to have a whole page to myself.