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Post by The J-Man on Sept 5, 2006 20:38:04 GMT -5
I wouldn't be 100% sure about that. I have a special theory about TV production and the imperfections that frequently make it into the final product. I call it my Lucy-at-the Cookie-Factory Theory. You see, Timmy, TV shows, like any other mass-produced product, are produced on what is, essentially, an assembly line. The only thing that matters is that the assembly line keep moving. And nothing but the most dire of circumstances can ever be permitted to slow down or, heaven forbid, stop that assembly line. It's possible that the people in the costume department didn't care about what kind of thread they used (not nearly as much as you think they should have, anyway), or, to the extent that they might have cared, they simply didn't have time to do it any other way than the way they did it because the assembly line had to be kept moving no matter what. And besides, Cable TV was just being invented, it wasn't like this was a detail that was going to be easily visible onscreen on old-fashioned broadcast TV. In any event, people were going to watch these things once or twice and never see them again. It wasn't like a new medium with unimaginable, crystal clear picture quality was going to be invented to present these for a group of fans to watch frame-by-frame countless times over
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Post by jopierce on Sept 5, 2006 20:55:30 GMT -5
I agree at some level. It didn't matter that the stunt man's real black hair was visible under the blond wig... so it shouldn't matter that you could see the black thread. I see your point.
But on the other hand, the details that went into making Bill's character were extraordinary. The way too old furniture, the Patriotic paraphenalia, the crock pot, the toy soldiers...
Ok, maybe it's not all that extraordinary, but I think they really put some thought into making his character. I think they would have been thinking about how to fix that up.
I think it's important to test this theory. Does the iron burn show up after "The Price Is Right?" If not, he had another suit in the wardrobe department, so this was a choice...
Oh, man, I think we are crossing that line between fans and uber-fans. You know what I mean... You do... I know you do...
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Post by billswoman on Sept 5, 2006 21:56:25 GMT -5
RC said in the commentary that when he first saw Bill's little flat, he was amazed; he said it was perfect! I think we first see it in "My Heroes..."
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Post by culpkatt on Sept 30, 2006 0:44:12 GMT -5
I watched this episode again for the 200th time a few days ago and although it is by no means classic GAH, it does have some really fun, humorous moments in it. Culp's line, "Oh, wow, the bees. What a fruitcake" is hysterical. I never get tired of watching this show. Even the medicocre episodes always give you something to smile and laugh at. Culp is what makes this show so enjoyable. The friendship with him and Ralph is something that should be remembered in television history. With the bitter political climate we live in nowadays, it's refreshing to see two idealists, although polar opposites politically, respect and care for each other. I think that's what makes GAH really tick when it gets down to it. It's all about friendship.
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Post by billswoman on Sept 30, 2006 8:18:58 GMT -5
I like Pam going "Geezer first" when Ralph's about to haul her and Bill out of the drink. When I first heard that, I had to rewind it, I couldn't believe Pam said that!
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scenario
Agent
"We all do what makes us feel good."
Posts: 335
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Post by scenario on Oct 6, 2006 13:19:03 GMT -5
This was the episode where we see Pam in a wet t-shirt correct?
Can someone post a pic to confirm this.
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Post by MyTatuo on Oct 6, 2006 13:35:27 GMT -5
Bill: What's with the crowd? Just because this is the only boat that survived the Devil's Triangle? Police Capt.: No, Mr. Maxwell, they were told that Connie Sellecca would be filming scenes in a wet T-shirt.
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scenario
Agent
"We all do what makes us feel good."
Posts: 335
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Post by scenario on Oct 6, 2006 13:39:36 GMT -5
;D
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Post by herald7 on Sept 10, 2011 12:20:59 GMT -5
OK Day 2 of the gang's vacation and things are coming up Carrie! Overall I think most would agree this is a much more fun episode. I'll go back to the old bullet points for now:
1. I have to say I love the background music for the ocean scenes at the very start of the episode and also at the very end, very powerful and even more importantly, very '80s TV retro, hehe. 2. I have to admit I found it a little hard to believe Ralph would be into sea monster stuff. But as usual, his enthusiasm is just so contagious you can't help but start to believe it yourself (unless you're Bill Maxwell of course). ;D
3. The reveal of Ralph's sketch of the sea monster is very similar to a scene in an episode of Psych where Shawn draws a sketch of the suspect, and it's a dinosaur, lol.
4. The scene with Ralph, Bill and Pam in the middle of the ocean, love how both guys get defensive about not being lost, lol. Also, how Ralph is forever plagued by the curse of clumsiness, hehe.
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Post by MelMac on Sept 10, 2011 23:22:12 GMT -5
Herald, you mention the songs at the beginning and the end. Sadly, I think the one at the end of the ep supposedly sung by Rhonda (Hit the Road) is a replacement. That said, they did better because they chose one that allowed for better syncing to Faye Grant's mouth (that Bah bah bah stuff). This is my favorite of the two island trips just because of the irony that Bill hates being there because they're chasing a monster, and he ends up getting a monster of sorts, just not Carrie.
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Post by herald7 on Sept 11, 2011 9:44:51 GMT -5
Herald, you mention the songs at the beginning and the end. Sadly, I think the one at the end of the ep supposedly sung by Rhonda (Hit the Road) is a replacement. That said, they did better because they chose one that allowed for better syncing to Faye Grant's mouth (that Bah bah bah stuff). Oh I actually meant like the background music, the orchestrations over the action (like just before you see Carrie at the end). But thanks for pointing that out, I was also wondering if either of Rhonda's songs were original. Also it's a small thing but I liked this little exchange: Ralph: I was just kidding! Pam: You were? Ralph: I were! For a teacher, Ralph loves to mess with the English language, hehe.
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Post by prometheus74 on Sept 12, 2011 5:32:27 GMT -5
This is a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable adventure-----one of my favorite episodes, without a doubt.
As a matter-of-fact, the only real flaw that I can find with this one is the bathtub toy we see at the end----which we're supposed to find scary. ;D
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Post by herald7 on Sept 12, 2011 10:11:58 GMT -5
As a matter-of-fact, the only real flaw that I can find with this one is the bathtub toy we see at the end----which we're supposed to find scary. ;D Well it's certainly scary, just not in the way they intended, hehe.
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Post by prometheus74 on Sept 13, 2011 0:19:25 GMT -5
Exactly! LOL
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Post by rellimekire on Mar 6, 2013 12:28:57 GMT -5
Not too long ago a show on PBS called Pioneers of Television talked a little about GA.H The producers used this episode as an example of how the series had "lost it's way" and started focusing on cliche superhero plots. I watched this one the other night and that is a total misrepresentation of the episode. The whole sea monster thing is a subplot. The bad guys are the pirates.
Very sloppy and totally inaccurate of the producers of this documentary to give the viewer a totally different impression of this episode. If it's about the history of something then maybe it should be told with some accuracy. Not adjusted to fit their opinions.
So that's off my chest. I thought this episode was just fine. Great location work. Nice to get out of L.A. for a while. Once again the acting and characterization from the leads is excellent. I don't think I've seen Culp phone it in once.
The ending is hilarious. Of course the villains always underestimate Ralph. And it makes sense. Who would ever believe he had superpowers? Great moment when Ralph picks up the entire boat and dumps out the men before tossing the boat back in to the ocean. These are the kind of live action stunts that I miss. Similar to the ones in the classic James Bond movies. Real people, doing crazy stunts. No CGI. I have to respect that.
The only weak part is the monster at the very end. I know that I'm meant to take it seriously. (this is an area where CGI could have helped if it existed) But that's a minor flaw. Right before I got into GAH episodes again I was watching classic Doctor Who from the 70s. So in terms of budget and special effects GAH is a tremendous step up. It's like a little movie. It's actually all shot on film!
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Post by MelMac on Mar 7, 2013 12:53:50 GMT -5
In fairness to the producers of that special - Stephen J. Cannell, William Katt and Robert Culp DID mention that the show had started being the "Save the World" type stories mid second season to the end. That wasn't their choice however - it was the execs at ABC.
And they're right for the episode "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" - for me the worst episode besides "GAHeroine."
That said - I do agree with your assessment that it really, even with the bigger save the world stuff mixed in, the show still stood out because it still was able for the most part to mix daily issues and ideas with potentially disasterous situations. (i.e. hypochondria versus a potential biological attack in "Plague")
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Post by Maxwell - F.B.I. on Mar 20, 2013 12:30:14 GMT -5
I don't think I've seen Culp phone it in once. Amen to THAT.
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