tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post200870516630326495..comments2024-03-27T19:03:23.094-04:00Comments on The Armchair Squid: Star Trek: The Naked TimeThe Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-18624473118054330232013-09-14T06:11:40.657-04:002013-09-14T06:11:40.657-04:00Apparently, the only reason Cheers wasn't canc...Apparently, the only reason Cheers wasn't cancelled midway through the first season was that NBC had nothing else in the can. Meanwhile, the critics raved - 13 Emmy nominations for the first season alone, 4 wins including Best Comedy Series.<br /><br />Quality is definitely NOT the defining factor of success. Bad books get published all the time.The Armchair Squidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-57033096728449513632013-09-13T18:40:22.446-04:002013-09-13T18:40:22.446-04:00Yeah, Squid. I don't like Cheers. *rolls subli...Yeah, Squid. I don't like Cheers. *rolls subliminal eyes.*<br /><br />Last place is a little hard to believe. Though as an artist who has struggled to 'break in,' I am certainly of the mind that quality is not the only defining factor in success. There's timing, propitious positioning, luck, connections, trends and more timing.Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908805179119217608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-19909967368625147932013-09-13T06:15:29.646-04:002013-09-13T06:15:29.646-04:00You don't like Cheers? Or you don't belie...You don't like Cheers? Or you don't believe they ever struggled in the ratings. I'm pretty sure they debuted in last place on the Nielsen list - really a shame because the pilot's outstanding.The Armchair Squidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-58769444920428262942013-09-13T01:28:46.638-04:002013-09-13T01:28:46.638-04:00Cheers?! Nuh-uh!Cheers?! Nuh-uh!Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908805179119217608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-41611634048471264982013-09-12T16:56:31.958-04:002013-09-12T16:56:31.958-04:00Thank God for Spock and Data!
That's downrigh...Thank God for Spock and Data!<br /><br />That's downright t-shirt worthy...The Armchair Squidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-83800545355530968992013-09-12T16:19:58.640-04:002013-09-12T16:19:58.640-04:00I loved that episode! Thank God for Spock! and D...I loved that episode! Thank God for Spock! and Data.Susan Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09834094675218254410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-26328981976751148492013-09-12T14:49:36.392-04:002013-09-12T14:49:36.392-04:00I love the Mary Tyler Moore Show - one of so many ...I love the Mary Tyler Moore Show - one of so many shows that struggled early in the ratings only to be saved by the critics. Cheers and M*A*S*H are on that list, too.The Armchair Squidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-47212876215922887792013-09-12T12:15:20.789-04:002013-09-12T12:15:20.789-04:00I like it when an opportunity to articulate intent...I like it when an opportunity to articulate intent strengthens it.<br /><br />Also, I've always loved articles and stories that look back on a phenomenon with fondness and give you that chill-bumpy feeling when you imagine that, during the early stages, there was this fragility now unthinkable in hindsight. I read a book on the Mary Tyler Moore show this summer that was written in such a fashion. Intriguing and pleasant.Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908805179119217608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-49216213388589465872013-09-11T23:53:01.605-04:002013-09-11T23:53:01.605-04:00Aha! Now see, this is the good stuff. In truth, ...Aha! Now see, this is the good stuff. In truth, I have yet to find the Original Series episode that really grabs me. For The Next Generation, I've got 2 goose bumpers: "The Offspring" and "I, Borg."<br /><br />With the episodes I'm watching now, my fascinations are two: 1) the story concepts that germinated early and have flourished in the franchise throughout the decades since and 2) the extraordinary cultural impact of Trek. The original show was only on for three seasons, yet remains relevant nearly five decades later. By comparison, how much could the average 21st century schmo tell you about Gunsmoke or Bonanza, exponentially more successful shows during Trek's era? Meanwhile, there's no way Nimoy goes anywhere without being recognized, ears or no ears. Never mind Trek, Spock's one of the greatest icons in all of American television.<br /><br />So, what is it about this show that works? I have some ideas percolating and I'll share them as I go along.<br /><br />For the moment, I'm keen to learn more about the cast of principals. In the early stages, how could any of them possibly have known what the show would become? They were just actors in a new gig.<br /><br />I didn't take it as criticism. It's a fair point and considering my response has helped me to articulate my sense of purpose. It's all good.The Armchair Squidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-42739776995376632282013-09-11T21:34:31.202-04:002013-09-11T21:34:31.202-04:00I didn't mean it in a bad way at all. Just an ...I didn't mean it in a bad way at all. Just an observation. I guess I sort of expected more of your personal response to the ep but maybe that's more my style! I remember this episode is The One that really turned me on to the franchise.Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908805179119217608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-49624817746502177292013-09-11T19:34:46.217-04:002013-09-11T19:34:46.217-04:00I'm still feeling my way a bit with these Trek...I'm still feeling my way a bit with these Trek posts. I'm having fun but I'm not sure of the direction I ultimately want to take them. This is, after all, extremely well covered ground.<br /><br />Some posts are shorter by design - the tennis ones, for instance. In other cases, there's only so much to say. I don't believe in rambling. Write what you've got, then get out of the way.<br /><br />Recently, too, I've found most of the fun is the dialogue in the comments section anyway. So, the post can be just a nice way to get the ball rolling.<br /><br />I don't know. A blog is, after all, eternally a work in progress.The Armchair Squidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-91303047677169584132013-09-11T16:29:38.527-04:002013-09-11T16:29:38.527-04:00Hey. Felt a bit dropped off at the end, there. You...Hey. Felt a bit dropped off at the end, there. You know, I've noticed you've grown a bit austere in some ways lately. Not with every post. Just measured, maybe? That might be it.<br /><br />In the meantime, fantastic pics of Kelley. Girl hearts them. Glad he turned down the role of Spock. All worked out as it should in this case, I'm thinking.Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908805179119217608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-52138922626796141182013-09-11T07:39:46.819-04:002013-09-11T07:39:46.819-04:00I, too, am impressed by the investment. Even in t...I, too, am impressed by the investment. Even in the pilot (#2), Shatner already looks very settled in the role of Captain. He gets a lot of (deserved) flak for overacting but in these early episodes, he looks like he's been Kirk for years. That's not easy to do.The Armchair Squidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-29219904710482127532013-09-11T06:46:48.120-04:002013-09-11T06:46:48.120-04:00Everyone's memory of The Naked Time was the sa...Everyone's memory of The Naked Time was the same - George Takei going crazy with the sword on set...LOL. Takei insists in his book that he was merely practicing.<br />Another interesting thing is about the part where Spock loses control of his emotions...it was originally written that it would happen right on the bridge in front of everyone. Leonard Nimoy had them change that part...stating that the virus may have unleashed some things, but wouldn't change their basic character, and Spock would never lose control like that in front of all those people.<br />I love how invested they were in their roles.Remembering Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14760441035721518260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-53810759268046626212013-09-11T06:26:23.289-04:002013-09-11T06:26:23.289-04:00Geo, it's been fun to discover how many of Tre...Geo, it's been fun to discover how many of Trek's basic story templates started very early.<br /><br />I like Sulu, too. My basic impression of the original series is that the side characters weren't as well developed as they were in later series. The vast majority of stories revolve around Kirk and Spock with strong support from Bones. I'll be watching for meaningful glimpses of the others.The Armchair Squidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-67528760071031547872013-09-11T06:21:15.615-04:002013-09-11T06:21:15.615-04:00Trek is in these days. The most recent movie defi...Trek is in these days. The most recent movie definitely sparked and re-sparked interest for a lot of people.The Armchair Squidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-50267746158394990482013-09-11T06:20:22.275-04:002013-09-11T06:20:22.275-04:00I'm definitely enjoying my little stroll throu...I'm definitely enjoying my little stroll through the originals.The Armchair Squidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-74320361833714949822013-09-11T03:52:20.087-04:002013-09-11T03:52:20.087-04:00I remember several episodes in which the crew went...I remember several episodes in which the crew went crazy but always favored ones where Sulu got to leave teethmarks on the scenery. Pic you included is a delightfully energetic example!Geo.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16221314320558128986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-4608046869167766132013-09-11T01:30:26.581-04:002013-09-11T01:30:26.581-04:00hahahahahaha, another of my blog friends wrote abo...hahahahahaha, another of my blog friends wrote about Star Trek in her blog today.<br />I love when something like that happens.<br />Sheldon would approve of this post today.<br /><br />cheers, parsnipangryparsniphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17236094827257446781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-37001126056272472132013-09-11T01:07:00.111-04:002013-09-11T01:07:00.111-04:00You are making me want to sit down and watch these...You are making me want to sit down and watch these again. Not that I think I will any time soon, but I'm wanting to.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.com