“The View From the Phlipside” is a media commentary program airing on WRFA-LP, Jamestown NY. It can be heard Monday through Friday around 7:30 AM. The following are scripts which may not exactly match the aired version of the program. Mostly because the host may suddenly choose to add or subtract words at a moments notice. WRFA-LP is not responsible for any such silliness or the opinions expressed. You can listen to a live stream of WRFA or find a podcast of this program at wrfalp.com. Copyright 2013-16 by Jay Phillippi. All Rights Reserved. You like what you see? Drop me a line and we can talk.
Program scripts from week of February 3, 2016
My name is Jay Phillippi and I’ve spent my life in and around the media. TV, radio, the movies and more. I love them, and I hate them and I always have an opinion. Call this the View from the Phlipside.
RIP Abe Vigoda
How
can I resist offering a memorial word for a man whose death has been
announced so many times over so many years? At long last, and after
many mis-reportings, character actor Abe Vigoda is, in fact, no
longer with us.
can I resist offering a memorial word for a man whose death has been
announced so many times over so many years? At long last, and after
many mis-reportings, character actor Abe Vigoda is, in fact, no
longer with us.
Please,
don’t get me wrong. I find nothing amusing in the death of any human
being, let alone one who has been as beloved and respected as Abraham
Charles Vigoda. The first month of this year has been marked with a
series of deaths of much beloved and respected people. Which always
seems to result in the mis-reporting of other deaths.
don’t get me wrong. I find nothing amusing in the death of any human
being, let alone one who has been as beloved and respected as Abraham
Charles Vigoda. The first month of this year has been marked with a
series of deaths of much beloved and respected people. Which always
seems to result in the mis-reporting of other deaths.
In
the last week I’ve seen repeated notices that Jean Stapleton, the
wonderful actress who played Edith Bunker on “All In the Family”,
had died. She actually died in 2013. I must confess that I myself
passed along an incorrect post when I mourned the passing of long
time Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young drummer Dallas Taylor. It is
well to mourn his passing but he actually died in January of LAST
year.
the last week I’ve seen repeated notices that Jean Stapleton, the
wonderful actress who played Edith Bunker on “All In the Family”,
had died. She actually died in 2013. I must confess that I myself
passed along an incorrect post when I mourned the passing of long
time Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young drummer Dallas Taylor. It is
well to mourn his passing but he actually died in January of LAST
year.
For
whatever reason, reports of Vigoda’s death have circulated for
decades. The first was in 1982, reported by People magazine. The
veteran actor was a mere 60 at the time and took it good stride. In
fact, as the years went by the “Abe Vigoda is dead” line became a
gag that even Vigoda played along with. It was recognized as a joke
to the extent that when it came time this month to actually announce
his passing, many headlines included the words “Not A Hoax”.
whatever reason, reports of Vigoda’s death have circulated for
decades. The first was in 1982, reported by People magazine. The
veteran actor was a mere 60 at the time and took it good stride. In
fact, as the years went by the “Abe Vigoda is dead” line became a
gag that even Vigoda played along with. It was recognized as a joke
to the extent that when it came time this month to actually announce
his passing, many headlines included the words “Not A Hoax”.
Vigoda’s
career as an actor began in 1947 and he moved to television in 1949,
where he appeared in a variety of shows including the classic horror
series “Dark Shadows”. His Internet Movie Database entry lists a
career of 94 TV, movie and video game credits. He also had a
successful run on Broadway during the ’60s in a variety of shows
including “Marat/Sade” and “The Man in the Glass Booth”. He
best known for his movie debut role as Tessio in “The Godfather”.
The role includes a personal favorite line of mine. When Tessio, a
long time friend of Don Corleone’s who betrays the family’s trust, is
being led away to be killed he makes a final plea for understanding –
“Tell Michael it was only business”. It’s a poignant moment.
career as an actor began in 1947 and he moved to television in 1949,
where he appeared in a variety of shows including the classic horror
series “Dark Shadows”. His Internet Movie Database entry lists a
career of 94 TV, movie and video game credits. He also had a
successful run on Broadway during the ’60s in a variety of shows
including “Marat/Sade” and “The Man in the Glass Booth”. He
best known for his movie debut role as Tessio in “The Godfather”.
The role includes a personal favorite line of mine. When Tessio, a
long time friend of Don Corleone’s who betrays the family’s trust, is
being led away to be killed he makes a final plea for understanding –
“Tell Michael it was only business”. It’s a poignant moment.
The
other signature role for Vigoda put him on the other side of the law,
as Detective Phil Fish on the hit TV comedy “Barney Miller”. He
played the world weary senior detective for seven wonderful years.
other signature role for Vigoda put him on the other side of the law,
as Detective Phil Fish on the hit TV comedy “Barney Miller”. He
played the world weary senior detective for seven wonderful years.
At
long last the joke comes to an end and we lose another wonderful
performer that brought us much enjoyment.
long last the joke comes to an end and we lose another wonderful
performer that brought us much enjoyment.
Abe
Vigoda was 94 years old.
Vigoda was 94 years old.
Messing With the Scoobys
I
always prefer to have an opinion, a point of view for these
commentaries. I just don’t know how I really feel about this.
always prefer to have an opinion, a point of view for these
commentaries. I just don’t know how I really feel about this.
Just
last week it was announced that DC comics will be re-launching
several of the classic Hanna-Barbera series with new comics. This
includes The Flintstones, Johnny Quest and Scooby Doo.
last week it was announced that DC comics will be re-launching
several of the classic Hanna-Barbera series with new comics. This
includes The Flintstones, Johnny Quest and Scooby Doo.
Now
my distaste for re-launches to one side I just don’t know how to feel
about this announcement. Part of me wants to be the grumpy old man
who doesn’t want his childhood memories messed with. On the other
side is the fan who would love to see some new material from old
favorites.
my distaste for re-launches to one side I just don’t know how to feel
about this announcement. Part of me wants to be the grumpy old man
who doesn’t want his childhood memories messed with. On the other
side is the fan who would love to see some new material from old
favorites.
My
concern is that DC is taking on some iconic cartoon characters here.
“The Flintstones” were the first prime time, adult oriented
animation series in television history. It is ranked as the second
greatest animated series of all time, behind only “The Simpsons”.
Hanna-Barbera is a touchstone in American animation. Founded by
William Hanna and Charles Barbera, the creators of the “Tom and
Jerry” cartoon series, the studio was the dominant television
animation studio in America for thirty years. They won seven Academy
Awards, eight Emmys and a Golden Globe. You need to tread gently in
those footsteps.
concern is that DC is taking on some iconic cartoon characters here.
“The Flintstones” were the first prime time, adult oriented
animation series in television history. It is ranked as the second
greatest animated series of all time, behind only “The Simpsons”.
Hanna-Barbera is a touchstone in American animation. Founded by
William Hanna and Charles Barbera, the creators of the “Tom and
Jerry” cartoon series, the studio was the dominant television
animation studio in America for thirty years. They won seven Academy
Awards, eight Emmys and a Golden Globe. You need to tread gently in
those footsteps.
And
I’m not sure how the new approach is going to go. “Johnny Quest”
appears to be a fairly faithful revitalization of the original ’60s
program. Is that a good idea or just dated? “The Flintstones”
will be given a modern comic look, meaning that they will be much
more realistically drawn. The original series was influenced by one
of the greatest television comedies of all times, “The
Honeymooners”. Can it bring the kind of quality entertainment of
the classic series or it’s inspiration?
I’m not sure how the new approach is going to go. “Johnny Quest”
appears to be a fairly faithful revitalization of the original ’60s
program. Is that a good idea or just dated? “The Flintstones”
will be given a modern comic look, meaning that they will be much
more realistically drawn. The original series was influenced by one
of the greatest television comedies of all times, “The
Honeymooners”. Can it bring the kind of quality entertainment of
the classic series or it’s inspiration?
The
one that bothers me most is the updated “Scooby Doo”. This is a
full on re-launch of the characters. Shaggy is now a hipster with
curled mustache and flannel shirts. Fred bears a tribal tattoo and
Scooby himself has a bionic eye. It seems like some pretty serious
upgrades for those beloved “meddling kids”. This is classic
Saturday morning cartoon fare from the days when Saturday morning and
cartoons were synonymous. The ratings showed that up to sixty five
percent of the viewing audience was tuned to CBS when “Scooby Doo,
Where Are You?” aired that first season.
one that bothers me most is the updated “Scooby Doo”. This is a
full on re-launch of the characters. Shaggy is now a hipster with
curled mustache and flannel shirts. Fred bears a tribal tattoo and
Scooby himself has a bionic eye. It seems like some pretty serious
upgrades for those beloved “meddling kids”. This is classic
Saturday morning cartoon fare from the days when Saturday morning and
cartoons were synonymous. The ratings showed that up to sixty five
percent of the viewing audience was tuned to CBS when “Scooby Doo,
Where Are You?” aired that first season.
Early
word out among the fans doesn’t seem to be particularly positive.
word out among the fans doesn’t seem to be particularly positive.
Is
this a great reinvigorating of some of the classics of my childhood,
or is it a disrespectful backhand to some beloved characters.
this a great reinvigorating of some of the classics of my childhood,
or is it a disrespectful backhand to some beloved characters.
I’m
telling you, I just don’t know.
telling you, I just don’t know.
Media Limits
After
almost twenty years in professional radio, plus a couple more in
college radio and a half a dozen years as a media commentator, it may
surprise you that I have an upper limit for media exposure. Not my
personal exposure. Well, there might be one of those too but we
haven’t come near that limit yet. No, I’m talking about my personal
limit on how far under the tent flap the media camel should be
allowed to stick its nose. This very week I came across two examples
where I think we need to draw the line. One important and one not.
almost twenty years in professional radio, plus a couple more in
college radio and a half a dozen years as a media commentator, it may
surprise you that I have an upper limit for media exposure. Not my
personal exposure. Well, there might be one of those too but we
haven’t come near that limit yet. No, I’m talking about my personal
limit on how far under the tent flap the media camel should be
allowed to stick its nose. This very week I came across two examples
where I think we need to draw the line. One important and one not.
The
not important one is the Super Bowl. I know it goes against the
basic Amurican understanding that the championship game of the
National Football League is of overwhelming national importance. I
love football but at some point about twenty or thirty years ago we
seem to have lost track that this is actually supposed to be about
the game.
not important one is the Super Bowl. I know it goes against the
basic Amurican understanding that the championship game of the
National Football League is of overwhelming national importance. I
love football but at some point about twenty or thirty years ago we
seem to have lost track that this is actually supposed to be about
the game.
Once
upon a time, the Super Bowl was actually just a football game. No,
really. There was no big half time show. No opening acts. We’ve
really gotten to the point where the silly game just gets in the way
of the entertainment. But the real kicker happened with Media Day
this past week. Media Day is always a bit of a mad house. All the
media from all of the football watching world descend on the players
and coaches to ask whatever questions pop into their heads. This
year someone asked Peyton Manning whether he and his brother Eli were
going to talk about football when they got together. It’s always
been crazy but this year’s spectacle jumped the shark in my opinion.
First, it is no longer “Media Day”, now it’s “Opening Night”,
because they moved it into prime time for television. Add in the
insanity of all the non-journalists wandering around, like both of
the Steve Harvey Miss Universes and then, just for jollies, charge
people for tickets so they can come and watch this all live.
Somewhere in there is a sports event trying to get out.
upon a time, the Super Bowl was actually just a football game. No,
really. There was no big half time show. No opening acts. We’ve
really gotten to the point where the silly game just gets in the way
of the entertainment. But the real kicker happened with Media Day
this past week. Media Day is always a bit of a mad house. All the
media from all of the football watching world descend on the players
and coaches to ask whatever questions pop into their heads. This
year someone asked Peyton Manning whether he and his brother Eli were
going to talk about football when they got together. It’s always
been crazy but this year’s spectacle jumped the shark in my opinion.
First, it is no longer “Media Day”, now it’s “Opening Night”,
because they moved it into prime time for television. Add in the
insanity of all the non-journalists wandering around, like both of
the Steve Harvey Miss Universes and then, just for jollies, charge
people for tickets so they can come and watch this all live.
Somewhere in there is a sports event trying to get out.
The
more important overstep for me is the destruction of the Iowa
caucuses. Once upon a time this was an example of simple democracy
at its best. Neighbors gathered in their homes to discuss the
candidates and then vote. Today that model is effectively dead. It
doesn’t make for “good television” so now caucuses are being
merged into bigger events in large meeting rooms so there’s space for
the cameras and the microphones.
more important overstep for me is the destruction of the Iowa
caucuses. Once upon a time this was an example of simple democracy
at its best. Neighbors gathered in their homes to discuss the
candidates and then vote. Today that model is effectively dead. It
doesn’t make for “good television” so now caucuses are being
merged into bigger events in large meeting rooms so there’s space for
the cameras and the microphones.
Once
upon a time the media was an observer of the world. Today the world
re-designs itself for the media.
upon a time the media was an observer of the world. Today the world
re-designs itself for the media.
That’s
where the limits should be.
where the limits should be.
Call that the View From the Phlipside
Copyright Jay Phillippi, 2016
Theme music for “The View From the Phlipside” and “TVFTP – Podcast” is “Hustle”
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
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