How many failed spin-offs came from Married… With Children ? What franchises and characters can’t be revived? What roles have James Caan turned down? Who are the late night hosts of the future? All this and more covered this week in Ask 411 Movies!
Our YouTube theme for February will be commercials using clips of dead celebrities. This was spurred by a recent Jetta ad I saw featuring Donald O'Connor and Gene Kelly dancing in the backseat. Hold the gay jokes.
Oscar winning composer John Barry, 77, died Jan. 30 of undisclosed causes. Barry was famous for scoring several James Bond films and won Oscars for his scores to Born Free, Lion in Winter, Dances with Wolves and Out of Africa along with best original song for Born Free .
French actress Maria Schneider died Feb. 3 in Paris of an undisclosed illness. She was 58. Schneider is best known to American audiences for starring opposite Marlon Brando in Last Tango in Paris .
RANDOM AWESOME MOVIE OF THE WEEK: WHERE EAGLES DARE
Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood team up during World War II to save an American general from a Nazi stronghold. This is a great straightforward action spy yarn with tense action sequences and plenty of Nazies being mowed down. Eastwood is steely while Burton chomps the scenery with gusto. It's the crème de la crème of guy movies.
Burton's stepson wanted to see his new stepfather in an old fashion action movie. Burton talked with his agent who talked to Alistair MacLean. All of MacLean's novels had been turned into movies or were being worked on. So, in six weeks we whipped up this script and companion novel. The movie is a favorite of Quentin Tarantino and Stephen Spielberg mainly for the level of violence and overall macho vibe. Eastwood kills more bad guys here than in any other movies of his and if I remember right he's right up there for killing the most guys in one film. Lee Marvin and Richard Egan were both up for Eastwood's role. Clint didn't want to play second banana to Burton, but they upped his salary to $800,000 and he took the cash.
Q: Never noticed it before, but young Jack Nicholson sounds a LOT like Mary Ellen's husband on the Waltons.
A: This is in regards to a clip from last week featuring a young Jack Nicholson on The Andy Griffith Show .
The actor in question is Tom Bower. Bower, 73, is originally from Denver, Colo. A hard working character actor he has appeared in Two Minute Warning, River's Edge, Beverly Hills Cop II, Lady in White, Split Decisions, True Believer, Wired, Die Hard 2, Talent for the Game, Raising Cain, Clear and Present Danger, White Man's Burden, Nixon, The Postman, The Negotiator, Pollock, North Country, Crazy Heart, Appaloosa and a bunch of television shows and short films.
Q: How are your two reasons about WB different? Why spend money on something that marketing won't help, but people want? It's sort of refreshing to not have every product shoved down your throat but available to those who want it.
A: They are different because reason one is for the good of the fans and reason two is for the good of the company. Maybe I was a little cynical last week in my answer as to why Warner Archive Collection films are only available through the Warner website. However, if Warner wasn't turning a profit on the archive collection program they wouldn't be doing it. I think I can say that for a fact. So let's compromise and say they're doing it to make money and for the good of the fans. See everyone is happy.
Q: I've heard James Cann has turned down a bunch of roles as well.
A: This continues our conversation about actors who have turned down notable roles. I found this great website that should answer all your not starring needs at www.notstarring.com.
James Caan turned down, was rejected for, or it just simply didn't work out for him to be McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest , Col. Lucas in Apocalypse Now , Ted in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice , Roy in Close Encounters of the Third Kind , Popeye Doyle for The French Connection , Elliot in The Goodbye Girl , Hawkeye Pierce in MASH , Ted in Kramer vs. Kramer , Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver , Deacon in Waterworld , Han Solo in Star Wars and Superman in the seventies film. Man, was everybody up to play Han Solo.
Whose to say the roles were molded before the actor was involved? There are many, many stories of roles being tailored to fit a particular actor when the original writing didn't. The TV show "Lost" has had tons of them. The character of Kate was originally written to be like Rose. Charlie was originally a middle-aged former rock star instead of the young rock star riddled by drug addiction. Sawyer was originally a slick city con man but was changed to a southern charmer con man when cast.
A: I wrote the above quote last week in stating why some actors didn't land certain roles they were up for. Yes, some parts have been changed after actors were cast. For example, Rudy in The Cosby Show was supposed to be a boy and Salt was originally to be a starring vehicle for Tom Cruise, but was altered when Angelina Jolie was brought in. So it has happened that a great audition or a creator, director or producer changing their minds can change a part. However, it's still true that some actors didn't get parts because they weren't the right type or fit the right mold. As mentioned recently, many actors didn't wind up in The Godfather because they didn't come across as Italian enough.
This is in reply to the latest column and the question about failure to launch pilot episodes in a series.
Married with Children had a few failed spin-off pilot episodes during it's run. Three were attempted and only one led anywhere, though very briefly. Oddly enough, with the question containing a mention of the spinoff "Joey", the first spin off attempted from Married with Children featured Matt LeBlanc.
The episode was titled Top of the Heap and centered on a childhood friend of Al's, and his son (LeBlanc) attending a high society fundraiser and the attempt to get the son married rich. The series was to then follow the father (unemployed) and the son (a dimwit) living together and their ongoing conflict. The son wanting to marry for love, the father wanting him to marry to get rich. The series 'Top of the Heap" only lasted 7 episodes, but a year later it was re-worked and given a name change to 'Vinnie and Bobby'. It lasted on 7 episodes as well.
The second pilot attempt was in the episode Radio Free Trumaine and led nowhere. It centered around the radio station W.H.I.P., at Trumaine University where Bud was attending. Dean of students Steve Rhoades ( a return guest appearance of Marcy's ex-husband) has expelled the two student DJ's and Marcy gets them to stage an on-air protest. No one cares or shows up in support, until a love triangle between Bud, April and Nickolai gets broadcast and turned into "Hot Talk with April". The series was then going to follow the DJ's and April.
The third attempt came in the episode titled "Enemies". The episodes centers on a group of "friends" that get along in the off/on/off/on kind of way. Kelly ends up going on a date with a flirtatious delivery man, Tom. Tom's girlfriend doesn't exactly like this turn of events and sets up a date with a wealthy guy to make Tom jealous. All 4 of them end up at the local diner and Tom and his girlfriend start trying to 'One-up" each other on their dates.
A: Rant Casey mentioned the Married…With Children possible spinoffs in last week's comments as well. Michael also mentioned a possible Gossip Girl spinoff starring one of the character's mothers and JLAJRC mentioned a backdoor pilot from Kate and Allie .
I knew about Top of the Heap and Vinny and Bobby , but didn't mention them because they actually had some episodes made although they didn't last long. I didn't know about the other two backdoor pilots from Married…With Children , so thanks for mentioning those.
Q: This is more of an opinion question, but do you think there are any characters or old franchises out there that are too old or outdated that no matter what they do with them (reboot them, revamp them, restart from scratch, etc.) the public just wouldn't be interested in them anymore, regardless of the quality?
For example, I know there is a Tonto movie being made, but I seriously doubt the public would have any interest in a new Lone Ranger movie. There is just something about the idea of a masked lawman, who is not a superhero, that just seems antiquated.
Same goes for Tarzan. The Disney animated movie was good, but the idea of a new live action one seems too cute today.
A: A Tarzan movie I think could still work, because it's such an iconic character. The most recent versions were animated, low budget television shows and the lackluster eighties films. A big budget, grittier version with a young Hollywood hunk in it would at least spark interest. Why am I sense Channing Tatum here?
Tonto might be a tougher sale. I like Adam Beach for the part by the way. The eighties Lone Ranger movie was one of the biggest flops ever and the television series was a bit hokey. Still, it's characters that people know. If you do a prestige style western showing the origin of the characters and not focusing on all the trappings, like masks and silver bullets, it could be ok.
So, I think my basic thought is that any character can be saved if you glitz it up enough and throw enough money at it. That doesn't mean the movie will be good and make money, but it will bring the character back in the consciousness. The recent Green Hornet movie for example.
If I have to give you some answer, how about the Scarlet Pimpernel. The Baroness Emma Orczy wrote the original play and adapted novel at the turn of the 20th century. The plot concerns an English fop who leads a secret society of Englishmen rescuing people from execution during the French Revolution. He hides his entity behind a mask as the Scarlet Pimpernel. There have been several film adaptations, two BBC miniseries, a 1982 CBS movie and a Broadway musical.
My thoughts would be that the basic concept and character is too antiquated and too prissy for a serious adaptation. A spoof would be eye rolling awful as would any sort of modern update. Could you imagine a version where the Scarlet Pimpernel helps to sneak political prisoners out of the Middle East or something. It's a mix of superhero and period costume drama. Yeah, I don't see that working.
Mario mentioned he heard about a possible Dynasty movie in the comments last week, which might answer this question too. I actually dealt with a possible Dynasty movie last week in Fact or Fiction Movies. My answer from that:
I think taking any of the old prime time soap operas and making feature films out of them is a bad idea. A Dallas movie has been talked about for years. The biggest problem is how do you take nine years of storyline and character development down to two hours. Granted, you don't have to cram everything in, but you have to hit the highlights. Dynasty is also a very eighties product. You either have to go spoof with it, which would be eye rolling, or update it, which will lose some blight and flare. The best course of action is to do a new mini-series and see if that catches on from there. Recent talks has TNT revisiting Dallas with a mix of old and new characters. That might be the way to go with Dynasty as well.
David mentioned in the comments last week Amos and Andy for being too racist, Leave it to Beaver for being too stuck in the 1950's and Gone With the Wind and The Godfather for being too iconic.
However, there was a 1994 television movie Scarlett , which was a sequel to Gone with the Wind and there have been spinoff video games of The Godfather . Maybe remaking those two wouldn't work, but you could extend the franchise in some sort of way, which has already been shown. David also mentioned The New Leave it Beaver series, which aired in the mid-1980's. I actually don't think the concept is that outdated to be updated. It's just a standard family sitcom. Take a kid, name him Beaver and then do whatever from there. Now, Amos ‘n Andy is probably way too racist to try and bring back. Even if you cast real black actors and ‘empowered' the characters I think it would just be rejected by most.
I'm guessing many readers are probably unfamiliar with Amos ‘n Andy . The black characters were created and voiced on radio by the white Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll. Gosden and Correll were asked by radio station WGN to create a radio version of parent company Chicago Tribune's "The Gumps" comic strip. Gosden and Correll took elements of the strip and made the main characters black. The show was called Sam ‘n Henry . When Gosden and Correll left WGN and went elsewhere they couldn't take those characters with them, so they tweaked things a bit into Amos ‘n Andy . A television series ran from 1951 to 1953 with black actors, but they were instructed to make their voices and speech patterns as close as possible to the original radio show. The radio and television programs were both subject of protests from black groups decrying the characters to be racial stereotypes. Just watch the below clip to get the idea.
Q: Since Conan is evidently not taking over for Jay, and I can't imagine Craig Ferguson taking over for Letterman when he retires (...or dies), who are some people you think would make good late-night hosts in the future? Also, what about current/past stars who you think could make good talk show hosts? I remember tuning in when Bill Cosby guest-hosted for Letterman when he had his heart surgery and being thoroughly unimpressed, despite expecting good things.
A: I think Neil Patrick Harris would be a good late show host. He's personable, multi-talented, fairly good looking, the fact that he's gay would tap into a new audience and he has varied hosting experience already.
Sue me, but I like Tosh.0 on Comedy Central. Daniel Tosh would have to tone it down big time, but he has that way out in left field, quirky since of humor that would work for the late, late time slots. Look at Ferguson now or the early years of Conan and Letterman when they were in those time slots.
I was trying to think of a woman and Aisha Taylor came to mine. She proved when she was hosting The Soup that she could be smart, sexy, sassy and funny. Current Soup host Joel McHale is also a good possibility for a late, late slot. I also wouldn't be surprised if former host Greg Kinnear found his way to a hosting gig at some point too.
Ryan Seacrest would seem like a natural fit as well. He is this generation's Dick Clark. *Shudder*
I was trying to think of someone currently on Saturday Night Live and I might go with Jay Pharaoh. He's a great impressionist. He seems to have a nice even tone about him and could appeal to a broad audience. Like a not so raw Eddie Murphy from around the same age.
As far as all-time goes, I think Dean Martin would have been the ideal late night host. He had the long running variety show and roasts, but never a talk show format type thing. Sammy Davis Jr. too. I think most of those old crooner guys had the right mix of musical and acting talent and personality that would have made them good hosts. Of women, probably Carol Burnett. She had the portion of her sketch comedy show where she would talk to audience members. She can think on her feet, be personable and ask good questions. Andy Griffith's homespun persona might have worked too in the right format.
In regards to the NYPD Blue season sets, where would one contact to find out possible future release information? Any thoughts?
A: For any media to get a DVD release you would need to inquire to the rights holder. This is usually the original studio or production company, but can be a certain DVD manufacturer and distributor too. For NYPD Blue you would need to write 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. You can email them through their website at www.foxconnect.com. The cynic in me says it won't do you any good. However, they should at least give you some sort of pat response like it's not on their upcoming DVD release schedule, but is being considered for future production.
Quick and simple: Is David Spade becoming the new Ted McGinley? I think he's worked on all networks but Fox so far.
A: Ted McGinley is the patron saint of shark jumping. When Ted McGinley joins the cast your show tanks. David Spade either has been on shows from the beginning with a decent run or joined shows with a lot else going on.
Spade had brief appearances on a few television shows before breaking out in the cast of Saturday Night Live . After he left the late night sketch comedy show in 1996 he played on Just Shoot Me for seven seasons. He even earned an Emmy nomination and two Golden Globe nominations for his work. After John Ritter died during the run of 8 Simple Rules he joined the cast as Cate and Paul's nephew along with James Garner as Cate's father. The show was canceled that season, but that has more to do with Ritter's death than anything else. Since 2007 he has been on the CBS series Rules of Engagement .
Q: I never even knew there was an Ask 411 movies column until today! I've always read Ask 411 Wrestling and Games and will happily add Movies to that list too.
I've got a question: One of my favourite shows growing up was Eerie Indiana, I was disappointed that it didn't run for a second season (I know that there was a reboot season with new actors but that was years later and didn't match the standard of the first season). I've always wanted to know what the plans were for the story with Dash X – I vaguely remember something about him not knowing who his parent were and there being a tease about his father being an alien cult leader.
Can you help fill in the blanks?
A: I've only been doing this column every week for the last seven years. I wouldn't expect you to notice.
A little retooling was done in midseason of the first and only season of Eerie, Indiana . John Astin was added to the cast as the owner of the general store in town and James Marsden was added as Dash X. Dash had no memories of who he really was or where he came from. He had gray hair. Sometimes he would help Marshall and Simon, but was adversarial to them at times too. In the episode, The Loyal Order of the Corn it's hinted that Dash is the son of an extraterrestrial cult leader played by Ray Walston. However, this was never revealed to be a fact and I couldn't find any information on what the plans for the character were. I would guess if the writers did have a plan, Dash being an alien was probably the path they were on, but that could have been a red herring to build history. So, yeah, I have no clue.
And before anyone asks, no I didn't get to The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus or The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford again this week. And I was reminded I still haven't watched A Simple Plan , which was requested back in the Carter administration. I have a couple other movies to watch now too. So let's slow down on the film requests and I'll see if I can't start knocking one out a week or so.
Don't die.
"Anyway, to make a long, dull story even duller, I come from a time when a guy like me used to come into a joint like this and pick up a young chick like you and... call her a 'bimbo'."
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