Haines His Way

Yes, Monk won.  It's too bad that Monk got the new theme because Grant would have won otherwise.  I know how these things work and it has very little to do with the music and very much to do with name recognizability, and the combo platter of Monk and Newman was probably not beatable, even though Two and a Half Men is a bigger hit.

If the hugeness of a "hit" were a barometer for Emmy, then "Friends" should have won tons of them instead of the paltry few the show picked up over its lifespan.

Conversely, "Picket Fences" is one of the most-honored series in TV history, yet did it ever even break the top 10?

Just food for thought...

Mancini:  I adore "Two for the Road" in its entirety, but the song is gorgeousity itself!

I love many of the songs mentioned, especially "Dear Heart" plus one I don't recall seeing:  "Wait Until Dark"!

"Who cares how cold and grey the day may be
Wait until dark and we'll be warm...."

Well, MONK has the fate of being shown on USA, a basic cable channel and not available to as much a mass audience as TWO AND A HALF MEN on CBS.  Not really fair to compare their hit status as the situations aren't really comparable. MONK was the highest rated basic cable show this past summer.

 John Turturro won as Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for playing Monk's even more phobic brother in a wonderful episode from Season2.

Okay, the tenting people are here and I must leave and do errands.  I'll be arriving at the hotel at noon and will post as soon as I get the computer hooked up.  Keep the home fries burning.

I'm not sure this is the best day to list Mancini favorites, as my mind is focussed on Ebb.

Two I forgot to mention that I'm very fond of: There Goes the Ballgame and Dear Love - one of my favorite Valentine's Day songs.  My Funny Valentine, you know, is most decidedly NOT a Valentine's Day song, just like What Are You Doing New Year's Eve was meant NOT to be sung anywhere near December.

But start those Saul Bass credits on Two for the Road - I only need to hear Mancini's vamp (the inverted arpeggios) and I'm bawling.  Incredibly emotional stuff.

Re: Little Women
Unless I'm mistaken, there's a behind-the-scenes tale of evil producers screwing good writers and I don't want to get this wrong, so if somebody can correct this story, do:

Among the best of my BMI classmates was Allison Hubbard, who, some years ago, wrote a musical of Little Women.  She was elated when it was optioned for Broadway.  Then came the waiting game, as the producers took the long time it inevitably takes to raise money.  Somewhere during this process, the producers decided that the score wasn't good.  Had to be replaced.  Allison and her composer were fired and new songwriters were brought in, because, you know, those producers though Little Women would make a wonderful musical.
It's very rare for me to wish ill on a new production, but I hope these producers lose every penny.

The Sunday NY Times is loaded with ads for upcoming openings. The first thing I noticed is that the ads are not what they used to be. The design for the original La Cage aux folles was far cleverer than the full-page pink ad for the revival; and the one for Little Women spells b-o-r-i-n-g.

I've felt that for a long time that B'way poster designs have become boring.  I guessing that this is due to the need to distill any ad design into an easily recognizable logo, that can be further marketed and licensed (a la Cats, which probably started this trend.)

Aside, from James McMullen's Lincoln Center posters, how many B'way posters can be truthfully appreciated as art during the past twenty years or so?

I'm back!  I was right in the middle of a post and the power went out!

I also discovered some very bad news.  My fish passed away.  I guess all the trama of being moved back and forth was to much for him after all.  

I'm very sad.  I won't get another one.  It's to cruel to them.

DR Danise, I never kept fish, but I remember hearing friends that do saying that many species are very sensitive to changes in air pressure (which is strange, since they're underwater.)  With all the hurricane weather you've been having down there, it's possible that the up-and-down barometric pressures ill-effected him more than the moving back-and-forth.

On the topic o' the day:

My favorite Mancini theme is "Baby Elephant Walk."  I can't help but smile each time I hear it.

DR Danise, sorry about your fish.  I've enjoyed hearing your stories about him.

Did anyone who watches the Apprentice happen to catch the 2 hour version that was on Saturday night?

It was very interesting. It had the same show as last Thursday, but with an extended 50 minute board room.

I wish the show could always be like that.

It was interesting to see how the show was edited.  And I found it very interesting for that reason alone.

I actually didn't really care for the first show. I found it boring (they basically did nothing).  But I liked it much more after seeing the extended show.

Did anyone who watches the Apprentice happen to catch the 2 hour version that was on Saturday night?

I'm skipping the show this time.  From the promos and sneak peaks I've seen, it looks like it's been "casted" with actrons more interested in making drama and a name for themselves than with anyone who actually wants to start a career in the business world.  

TOD: I've always had a fond spot for the Theme from The Molly Maguires.  Mancini was able to evoke a time and place different from ours quite well with that one.  Too bad the film wasn't any near as good.

Mancini favorites:  "Victor/Victoria," "Breakfast at Tiffany's" "The Pink Panther" and "Days of Wine and Roses."

Of course, I don't know the difference between his "actual film scores rather than his album re-recordings" so I can't comment on that.

Trivia Questions

Of the three Encores productions (Purlie, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Apple Tree):

This actor starred in the original production of one, and appeared in the original production of the play on which another was based.

This actor appeared in the original production of one, and in two original productions by the composer and lyricist of another.

Trivia Questions

Of the three Encores productions (Purlie, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Apple Tree):

This actor starred in the original production of one, and appeared in the original production of the play on which another was based.

This actor appeared in the original production of one, and in two original productions by the composer and lyricist of another.

Are these two different questions?  The first actor would be Alan Alda.  Nothing is yet ringing a bell with the second.