HIGHLA-L Digest - 26 May 2005 to 27 May 2005 (#2005-51)
Automatic digest processor (LISTSERV@lists.psu.edu)
Fri, 27 May 2005 22:00:11 -0400
There are 3 messages totalling 149 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Season Six DVD Commentary: Patient Number 7 (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 17:24:30 -0400
From: Wendy <Immortals_Incorporated@cox.net>
Subject: Re: Season Six DVD Commentary: Patient Number 7
Marina says:
> Hey, I *liked* "The Ransom of Richard Redstone" - I mean, an episode
> with a character named Marina can't be *all* bad! :) (He said my name
> 27 times. I'm happy.)
I'd have to say that hearing Stan say "Marina" 27 times was this
episodes only redeeming quality. The plot sucked. Adrian *can't* do
comedy without looking like he's doing comedy. Like all the HL comedies
it just lies there screaming "The actors needed a break!" Phooey.
> You make a good point. Didn't AP make comments somewhere (and I could
> be wrong, but I got the idea from somewhere) that he *was* tired after
> 5 years of doing the show? He could also have felt (and I get the
> feeling he said as much somewhere, but more involved AP fans than I
> would know better than me) that the show was starting to retread old
> ground, and he didn't want to do that? You really can't blame him.
I can blame him :-)
I can see where he might be tired of playing the same character for 5
years. (Then again, he probably should have been happy to *have* a job
for 5 years.) . I can see where he might be physically tired. I can see
him looking at the ratings and knowing that it was time to give it up.
What I am less forgiving of (if true) is the "have my cake and eat it
too" philosophy. We all know that Season 6 got made because someone put
up the money to try out the spin-girls. But that was only 4 of the 11
episodes. Adrian was still the star of the show and should have been
front ¢er in the remaining 7 episodes. Instead, he pulled back and
was totally out of 2 of them. Even those he was in ( including the
spin-girl eps) , he wasn't available every day and they had to shoot
around him. ...and it shows. (Just as it has shown in Stargate SG1 since
RDA decided to go part time while pretending to be full time) I imagine
that writing a script knowing that you can only use your star part time
has to limit what you can do..and not in a good way.
>From an actor's perspective, I'm sure he figured he'd work less, still
get a decent paycheck and have time to look for other jobs. Fair enough.
But from a fan's perspective, I'd prefer if the actors either do the job
or find another one. Highlander without *the* Highlander present just
didn't work.
> Even Michael Shanks took a year off. :)
But Michael Shanks is part of a team. Adrian wasn't. Despite attempts
to make HL:TS an ensemble show, it wasn't. Adrian was the star and
everyone else was supporting (even the charming Mr. Wingfield). Take
Daniel away from SG1, add Jonas and keep going. Take RDA away and
*don't* replace him- keep him conveniently off camera or have him seen
only at the beginning and end of an episode and it *doesn't * work
nearly so well. Take RDA away and add a new team member- the show goes
on.
Because of the nature of the HL story, there was no easy way to
transition to another "star". Kill MacLeod and let the story go on with
Richie? Not enough flashback materiel. Kill MacLeod and go on with
Methos? Not hero materiel. Kill MacLeod and go on with Amanda? We saw
how well that worked. By the end of Season 5 there just wasn't any
existing character that could take over if Adrian wanted out and there
was no easy way to bring in a new character to become the next
"Highlander" (as if it is a position and not an accident of birth) .
Season Six shows what happens when the actors are unhappy, the writers
are bored or creatively constrained, and outside forces are directing
the plotlines...it's crap.
Wendy(The best of the lot is "Two of Hearts")(Damn TPTB for not wanting
Claudia Christian.)
Immortals Inc.
immortals_incorporated@cox.net
"Weasels for Eternity"
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 16:14:35 -0700
From: Jen Allen <jen@jendaveallen.com>
Subject: Re: Season Six DVD Commentary: Patient Number 7
Wendy wrote:
>
> Wendy(The best of the lot is "Two of Hearts")(Damn TPTB for not wanting
> Claudia Christian.)
I *loved* that ep.
"You know the kama sutra?"
"You read it?"
"I modeled for it."
Now *that* was some headboard rattling at its finest. :-)
Jen (I'm sorry they didn't want her too)(that was a series I would have
really enjoyed watching)
--
, ,
/ \/ \
(/ //_ \_
.-._ \|| . \
\ '-._ _,:__.-"/---\_ \
______/___ '. .--------------------'~-'--.)__( , )\ \
`'--.___ _\ / | Jen Allen ,' \)|\ `\|
/_.-' _\ \ _:,_ Chronicler for JL Dawson " || (
.'__ _.' \'-/,`-~` Bryan Cutler and Jim O'Leary |/
'. ___.> /=,| http://www.jendaveallen.com |
/ .-'/_ ) '---------------------------------'
snd )' ( /(/
\\ "
'=='
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 19:59:02 -0400
From: Heidi <heidi@bronze.lcs.mit.edu>
Subject: Re: Season Six DVD Commentary: Patient Number 7
From: kageorge <kageorge@EROLS.COM>
David A. then ruminates critically about Adrian Paul, implying
that APs lack of involvement was because his ego got out of
control.
Is it common on tv show DVD commentaries for the people doing
them to criticize people themselves? I've noticed it several
times on some of the HL commentaries and it always stuck out
as a bit odd. While that may be how they personally feel
about whoever they're talking about, it seems an odd thing
to put on a DVD. I haven't listened to commentaries for alot
of shows, but for the ones I have, HL is the only one that's
done it.
=}{=
(heidi@bronze.lcs.mit.edu)
------------------------------
End of HIGHLA-L Digest - 26 May 2005 to 27 May 2005 (#2005-51)
**************************************************************