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Post by MelMac on Jul 22, 2009 9:49:57 GMT -5
In light of the new "The Greatest American Hero" Webseries that will be on StayTunedTV.net beginning this weekend, I figured we needed a thread for discussion of that series in a proper folder. The series' main page is listed here: www.staytunedtv.net/showvideo.php?sid=18And the series is set to start airing this Saturday (time not yet specified - though I can ask). And though you do not need to sign up to watch, you do if you wish to rate or comment on the episodes. ***************** Some may ask why I'm posting up this thread when I was so outspoken about "TGAH 2008" (produced by a different group) last year. I want to emphasize - and as butterfingers posted in another thread - this current project actually does have Stephen Cannell's blessing (he has the copyright until 50 years after his death or it's sold - whichever comes first) as well as the other person who had the rights to make a film of the show. The stipulation is of course that no money's made off of it (probably why the main page is covered with links to Cannell's official site. ) Watching the trailer, I also personally feel that - while there are definite points of parody (which - are found in Butterfinger's comments on the "YouTube" thread in the media folder or watch the trailer in the link above - note [glow=red,2,300]Warning - Spoilers[/glow]), they also will probably stay truer to the main ideas of the series. So, with that all said - here's a place to comment on the show, which again begins Saturday (as confirmed to me on facebook and via e-mail from the site).
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Post by Videofox on Jul 23, 2009 23:08:05 GMT -5
Ok... Don Stark? Holy Crap! A real name! :-)
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Post by MelMac on Jul 24, 2009 15:40:10 GMT -5
Ok... Don Stark? Holy Crap! A real name! :-) Yes, both he and Duane Daniels have actually been on TV shows - Stark on "That '70s Show" and Daniels on "Veronica Mars." I'm going to get on their group's facebook profile today and see if I can find out if any of the other actors have had parts in TV shows or movies so we can see their work.
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Post by MelMac on Jul 26, 2009 23:31:51 GMT -5
OK, the first part of the pilot is up (they're doing the whole 30 min. ep that butterfingers got in parts), on StayTunedTV.net. For those who may be part of the series and reading this, please understand - I am both positive and critical (constructive) in my reviews. [glow=red,2,300]Warning: Spoilers Ahead[/glow]Overall, I didn't think this was a bad start. The opening about how Ralph got the suit was a little odd with the warbly, spacey voice - it didn't quite fit. That said, it had a nice background as to how he got the suit, and that he was teamed up with Pam and Bill. The acting is actually quite good - Alan Rueckert has a lot of Ralph's mannerisms and voice down, but still manages to keep the character his own. Andreas Ritter, who is Tony, is decent - I had a minor quibble in that he's trying a tad to hard to sound like Pare crossed with Vinnie Barbarino. That said, he does have Tony's jealousy which works well for this opening bit. Susie Abromeit, who is Rhonda, also has a lot of Rhonda down - however, I felt that part of her scene here felt forced and extraneous when we get to Ashley, but I'll get there in a moment. That said, both she and Ritter play off each other well IMHO, which makes the pairing work well overall. Brittany Ross as Ashley Rizzo - I have to admit, while she is a good actress, the character right now annoys me. While Ross' natural voice is a bit high pitched (you can her her interview in a behind the scenes bit on Youtube), I felt it was about a half octave higher for this role, which makes her a tad TOO perky as a cheerleader (she's a bit of a stereotype of said character IMHO). They also have her also crushing big time on Ralph - in the same way Rhonda did in the pilot. I didn't have a problem with Rhonda or her doing it, but with BOTH crushing that hard for Ralph felt a little too much and forced to keep Rhonda the way we saw her in part of the original series while trying to find a reason for how she comes to get a suit herself. We have yet to see Bill (Don Stark), Pam (Morgan Snyder) and Duane Daniels' character in the series, so I do not have a comment for the three. )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) As far as production, as butterfingers said, you have to take into consideration that this is an indie production. That said, I really liked how the second suit creation occurred - the visual and sound effects worked really well. I remember that there was some trial and error in the creation of the effect, but I think that everyone involved with it got it to work fine. ***************************** [glow=red,2,300]End spoilers[/glow]Now, is this worth watching? Yes - even with minor quibbles, I felt that this was a much better undertaking than other endeavors we've read about. I am looking forward to watching the next part.
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Post by Videofox on Jul 29, 2009 22:00:27 GMT -5
No!! Not the "skinny" chest insignia!!! KHAAAAAAANNNN!!!! Ok, now that I have that out of my system....I'll see where this one goes next. With the addition of the spunky sidekick, I figured this show would pick up after the final episode with Ralph and Pam married, but apparently not, with the narrator mentioning his "girlfriend." Since the new Ralph did channel some Katt, I can't wait to see how Stark does Maxwell.
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Post by MST3Claye on Jul 29, 2009 22:15:51 GMT -5
Okay, just saw the first part of this myself. I was a bit apprehensive about how this would be, but Rueckert plays Ralph well.
and now might as well SPOILER-fy this post as well....
<<<<<<<<<<<SPOILERS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Had some disagreements with some awkward camera shots to the classroom. That seemed a bit unnecessary. I did get a chuckle out of Ralph's attempt to ease the squabble when he made the comment to Tony on his necklace. The perky, bubbly sidekick introduction was just a bit too perky for me. Not making fun of her voice if that is her real voice, but she sounded like Kathy Ireland in her early years. It was very interesting how the part ended. Left me with questions and wanting to see them answered in the upcoming parts... meaning, I'm sold. So far so good! Keep up the good work guys!
<<<<<<<<<<<END SPOILERS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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Post by MelMac on Jul 29, 2009 22:46:51 GMT -5
I think editing and voice aren't quite spoilery - just the actual storyline content, so I'll leave it here. If you think it's spoilers, please give me a yell and I'll do it in brackets. Watching the behind the scenes stuff they did for the show, Brittany Ross' voice is perky to begin with, but not quite as much as she is as Ashley. Told them my concern about it - mostly because it could be hard for people to hear her say things at times, but it's part of her character. I'm hoping they'll tone it down a little bit for that reason, but I'll wait and see where it's going. It does at least work for said character. I do agree with the cuts in a couple of places, such as one cut after Ralph's reference to a book. Other bits I see - such as toward the end - that tend to be a bit like teens nowadays I've seen. Currently, I think they're going to maintain the releases at 8 p.m. EST on Saturdays, and I think it'll be in six parts. I do think that they should make the parts a bit longer because about a minute and a half of the five minutes here was the opening credits, but otherwise, it was a great start, and has me interested. I didn't feel that way with "TGAH 2008" - it just didn't feel that engaging IMHO.
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Post by MST3Claye on Jul 29, 2009 23:31:00 GMT -5
Agreed, I think this would have more of a following than TGAH 2008 did..... and a respectable one at that, but I really don't want to get started on THAT.
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Post by MelMac on Jul 30, 2009 1:01:18 GMT -5
Agreed, I think this would have more of a following than TGAH 2008 did..... and a respectable one at that, but I really don't want to get started on THAT. Nah, I agree - besides their ranking speaks enough. Right now, this production is rated fourth for the week. Pretty good considering. (BTW, OT a bit, but I wanted to say too that I also enjoy another production they're doing - "Pink Five" a parody of "Star Wars." They're nearing the end as far as the first three (which are 4-6 now) of the franchise. )
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Post by Videofox on Jul 30, 2009 14:46:26 GMT -5
Same people behind "Pink Five," hmm? That's cool... I'm not much into Star Wars but "Pink Five" is hilarious.
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Post by MelMac on Jul 30, 2009 15:05:46 GMT -5
Same people behind "Pink Five," hmm? That's cool... I'm not much into Star Wars but "Pink Five" is hilarious. Produced I'm not sure about, but it too is also on StayTunedTV.net. I agree - it's hilarious though I am curious how part II to the conclusion will turn out. And, I'm wondering if they're going to parody the first three... might be hard though unless she became one of Padame's handmaidens in the first one then a resistance fighter. (I have to admit - I'd like to see how she'd react to Jar Jar Binks - she'd definitely would be a lot funnier than said character turned out. )
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jul 30, 2009 21:21:50 GMT -5
Claye: If the girl looks like Kathy Ireland too, let her sound how she wants. ;D (No, I haven't watched it yet).
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Post by MelMac on Jul 30, 2009 21:35:36 GMT -5
Claye: If the girl looks like Kathy Ireland too, let her sound how she wants. ;D (No, I haven't watched it yet). She's the one in the cheerleading outfit in their group photo.
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Post by MelMac on Aug 2, 2009 23:25:49 GMT -5
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Post by Videofox on Aug 3, 2009 11:04:48 GMT -5
Alrighty.... if they're going to use the entire song in the opening credits, these eps really need to be longer than five minutes. Now gotta wait a whole 'nother week! Good job of ending on a "cliffhanger."
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Post by MelMac on Aug 3, 2009 13:04:03 GMT -5
Alrighty.... if they're going to use the entire song in the opening credits, these eps really need to be longer than five minutes. Now gotta wait a whole 'nother week! Good job of ending on a "cliffhanger." I do agree - they need to make the actual story part about 5-6 minutes if it's a six parter and they need to include the credits. They did a very good job on this "cliffhanger," and I'm also looking forward to one other explanation (won't spoil it, but it is funny). Other point - took me hearing it again to get that the house is supposedly Pam's, not Ralph's. As far as acting, Morgan Snyder (Pam) is very good and compliments Alan Rueckert's Ralph well. I could seriously see both of them play the roles in a movie version of the show. Don Stark as Bill - well, I had to adjust to three issues with him (he's shorter than Ralph instead of the reverse, his build and the fact he's well known for being on "That '70s Show"). That said, he's surprisingly good as Bill Maxwell. So... other than them putting it in 5 minutes of ep then the minute/half for the opening, it's showing up to be a pretty decent series.
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Post by MST3Claye on Aug 3, 2009 22:52:29 GMT -5
All points agreed on from here. Did like how they had Pam complain about the suit. Don Stark portrayed Bill great. Good cliffhanger, could imagine seeing that at a commercial break during the actual show.
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Post by MelMac on Aug 4, 2009 14:31:42 GMT -5
All points agreed on from here. Did like how they had Pam complain about the suit. Don Stark portrayed Bill great. Good cliffhanger, could imagine seeing that at a commercial break during the actual show. You're right - the way they did that was reminiscent of the scene where Ralph was trying to find the bag lady in the theater in "Fireman." They did a similar freeze frame. [glow=red,2,300] Spoilers ahead[/glow] Upon rethinking though, I am wondering if the house is supposed to be Ralph's because otherwise why would Pam be questioning who's purple brassiere that was. It's just confusing a bit because he says that Bill shouldn't know he's there (which would imply Pam's home) but then that scene. Guess we'll have to wait and see in the next part.
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Post by MelMac on Aug 8, 2009 19:08:39 GMT -5
Part 3 is now up for the week.
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Post by Ms Boku on Aug 8, 2009 21:18:24 GMT -5
Well I will say this I don't like the mousey cheerleader. I do like how the suit happened though. I hope they will cover why it happened.
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