What I Loved in the 80's-Top 5 Favorite Music Videos

I consider myself lucky. I grew up in the era when MTV, believe it or not, played music videos! I used to sit in front of the TV for hours just watching, and I loved the MTV V-J’s they had including Martha Quinn. Here now are my favorite videos from that decade. I am not suggesting the songs are the greatest; this list is more about the videos. I am also not suggesting there aren't better videos out there; these are just my personal favorites.

#5. Say, Say, Say By Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson

Ok, this one is hard to watch today. You remember how Michael Jackson turned out. You remember what happened with the Paul McCartney/Michael Jackson relationship. You remember how awesome Linda McCartney was, and how said it is she died so young. You see Latoya...and enough said. However, if you push all that aside you're left with one entertaining video. They wrap the song around a storyline and it is fun to watch.

#4 Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper

Does any song scream 80's the way this one does? Cyndi Lauper had some good songs (Time After Time is a personal favorite) but this one will be her legacy. Why? Because the video is just so darn fun to watch! Even though I am not a girl I still like this. You can see the work she is putting into it, and that is what makes it fun to watch.

#3. You Might Thing By The Cars

It amazes me how a song about stalking someone could be a big hit. But hey, everyone loves "Every Breath She Takes" and that's even worse than this one (why would you play that at your wedding??)  Anyway, the memorable part of this was the amazing video. Using (then) state of the art special effects, the video has so many strange images that you can't help but be drawn into it. This is the kind of thing missing from MTV today.

#2. Jump by Van Halen

 Who needs flashy special effects and a storyline you need to pay attention to? Just show the band singing and dancing, that's all you need. I am not really a Van Halen fan, but this song and video always makes me feel good. It's such a simple song, and the video by all rights should boring, and yet somehow they both work.

#1. Beat it by Michael Jackson

Ok, let the jokes begin. Here is the fact; he was never convicted of anything. I know people will laugh and make fun, but in the 80's I loved listening to his music and NO ONE can take that away from me. Not saying he didn't get weird because he did, but his music is a part of my childhood forever. I am so tired of being embarrassed to say this, I loved his music, and this video, and I still enjoy watching it. The song would have been his biggest hit but Thriller was of course the chart topper. For those wondering why I didn't include that, it was a little long and scared me as a kid. Billie Jean is good on to, but this is the one I love.

Ah, 80’s music.I considered Karma Chameleon by Culture Club and Simply Irresistible by Robert Palmer. Land of Confusion by Genesis is generally considered one of the best videos of that decade, but it scared the crap out of me as a kid!

Finally, in honor of Whitney Houston who made amazing music, and that will always be her legacy:

Analytical Episode Guide-Seinfeld (Season 4, Part 4)

An Analytical Episode Guide to :

 

Season  4, Part 4

Episode 18, Season 4

The Old Man

 

Plot Summary-Jerry, George, and Elaine try volunteer work with seniors. Jerry gets a crazy person, George’s guy quits, and Elaine gets stuck with a woman with a huge goiter. Meanwhile, Kramer and Newman try selling records.

Best Quote-“I think I’m pretty much like you. Only successful”…..Jerry to George

Nitpick of the episode-Does George really not understand why his guy walked out on him? He was rambling like a loon about the fact the guy could die any second. It’s possible he just won’t admit it to Jerry and Elaine, and I can understand that.

Seinfeldism of the episode-First mention of Newman being a postal worker

Deleted Scenes-There was a moment after Jerry, George, Kramer, and Newman left the apartment where Elaine came out of the bathroom to an empty room. The fight in the record store was longer. There was also an alternate ending where we find out the maid can speak English.

Episode Fun Fact-The name of one of the old men, Sid Fields, is an homage to a character on the Abbott & Costello Show

Final Thoughts-This episode is really pretty funny. I like the way Jerry got stuck with a guy like George while George got stuck with a guy more like Jerry. Yeah, the thing with Kramer and Newman selling records was kind of lame. The guy at the record was a jerk, almost too much so. The old man played by Bill Erwin is hilarious, one of his best roles. I also love the way Julia Louis-Dreyfuss played her scenes with the woman with the goiter (after last week I had to say something nice about her this week).

Grade=B+, the stuff with Kramer and Newman isn’t really funny

Episode 19, Season 4

The Implant

 

Plot Summary-Elaine accuses Jerry’s girlfriend Sidra of having a boob job. George can’t make a move with his girlfriend, who suddenly has a relative pass away. George and Kramer split a plane ticket so George can go to the funeral. Kramer thinks he has seen Salman Rushdie in the health club.

Best Quote-I usually reserve this for one of the main four, but this week it has to go to Sidra. “They’re real, and they’re spectacular!” 

Nitpick of the episode-I refer you to my final thoughts, lots to say about this one!

Seinfeldism of the episode-George inquires about a bereavement fair. Jerry doesn’t want to give Kramer his bathing suit because doesn’t want his boys down there. And, of course, double dipping is brought into popular culture.

Deleted Scenes-None for this episode.

Episode Fun Fact-This episode was a conglomeration of a bunch of little ideas. Boy, can you tell!

Final Thoughts-Oh man oh man, where do I start with this episode? This episode is just so weak; none of the stories are good. Ok, let’s do this by character. Kramer thinking he has spotted Salman Rushdie in the health center is just idiotic! When this episode aired Rushdie was a pretty recognizable face. This guy looks nothing like Rushdie! What could possibly make Kramer think it is? Sure, when Kramer finally talks to the guy he reveals he is a writer who once lived in the dessert, but this is after the initial accusation! Was Kramer just bored one day? Elaine even comments in the episode how insane that is. George really gets the short end, he was doing everything right. Timmy is the one who starts the fight and first puts his hands on George, so why does George get blamed?? As for Jerry and Elaine, I know we got a whole scene with Jerry telling Elaine to find out if Sidra’s breasts were real or not. However, Sidra doesn’t know that. Why does she jump to that conclusion when she sees Elaine at Jerry’s apartment? I understand she puts two and two together because Jerry was just asking her about her breasts. Still, it seems like a bit of a leap. When Elaine and Sidra first met it is clear Elaine falling into her was an accident, and Sidra doesn’t even ask she just leaps to the conclusion and storms out while Jerry says, correctly, that what she thinks is all wrong! This episode doesn’t work, the stories are just dumb. The only reason this episode is even ok is because of some great lines and funny gags including the stuff with the double dipping and the bereavement fair.

Grade=C-, Being fair because there are some funny moments in this otherwise crappy episode.

Episode 20, Season 4

The Handicap Spot

 

Plot Summary-En route to a party, Jerry, Elaine, Kramer and George stop at a mall for a gift. Unable to find a parking space, George parks in a handicap spot. As a result a woman is injured, the car is nearly destroyed and his father arrested. Kramer then buys the woman a new wheelchair because he is attracted to her while Elaine and Jerry try to get back their gift after the Drake breaks up.

Best Quote-“You know a lot of these scratches will buff right out”…a great improvised line by Jerry

Nitpick of the episode-The sight gag of the wrecked car is hilarious, but it’s also farfetched. The car looked like it was hit by a truck.

Seinfeldism of the episode-Jerry and Elaine love the drake, but by the end they’re “really starting to dislike the Drake”.

Deleted Scenes-None for this episode

Episode Fun Fact-In the original episode Frank Costanza is played by John Randolph. When the episode was syndicated, they reshot the footage with Jerry Stiller. It is worth getting the DVD to see the original version, and compare (the second version is lots better). John Randolph did a decent job as Frank but I am glad they changed it. Jerry Stiller just brought something special to the character.

Final Thoughts-This was a really good episode. Boy, does George pay for parking in that handicapped spot! Then when Kramer and George try to do the right thing and get the woman a new wheelchair, not only does she break up with Kramer but the wheelchair is used which causes her even more harm! How good is this episode? Jerry and Elaine really have no story; they basically just react to everything. but it doesn’t matter somehow.

Grade=A-,The minus is because the syndicated version with Jerry Still is a bit better

Episode 21, Season 4

The Junior Mint

Plot Summary-Elaine visits her old artist friend Roy who is in the hospital for an operation. At the operation, Jerry and Kramer are viewing it in a gallery when Kramer drops a junior mint which ends up inside Roy! George comes into some money and chooses to invest in Roy’s art, which doesn’t work so well. Jerry can’t remember the name of the girl he is dating.

Best Quote-“Whose going to turn down a junior mint? It’s chocolate, it’s peppermint…it’s delicious!”…..Kramer

Nitpick of the episode-The obvious, what operating theater doesn’t have protective glass?

Seinfeldism of the episode-The girl’s name rhymes with a part of the female anatomy, and Mulva is one of the possibilities George tosses out.

Deleted Scenes-Jerry tries to find the girl by ringing different apt’s

Episode Fun Fact-The triangles that George gets stuck with at the end of the episode can be seen in his apartment for the remainder of the series

Final Thoughts-This episode was a turning point for this show. After this show, the thinking was that if they could away with this then they could get away with anything. When Jerry uses the line calling Roy a fat bastard, it really set the bar for the series. They knew they could take chances and do crazy thing that could never really happen. The stuff with Jerry not knowing the girl’s name is great, I am horrible at learning names so I can relate to that one. Also, the mint being thrown into the patient’s body is so ridiculous…but somehow it works. The funny thing is before this episode I had hardly heard of junior mints, and now I love them.

 Grade=A, classic episode

Episode 22, Season 4

The Smelly Car

Plot Summary-Jerry’s car is invaded by an awful smell that clings to everyone exposed to it. The smell also ruins Elaine’s new relationship. George runs into Susan, and finds her holding hands with another girl. Kramer than comes along and steals the girl away.

Best Quote-“Incredible. I drive them to lesbianism, he brings them back!”….George

Nitpick of the episode-Even my mother, who knows nothing about cars, was smart enough to figure out the smell was probably a mechanical problem or something with the engine. How come it never occurs to Jerry and Elaine? Even if they ruled it out, it would have helped the story if it had come up. I still don’t see how someone could smell so bad that the odor actually strengthens; as they say in the episode body odor usually follow the person and leaves with them.

Seinfeldism of the episode-The car is infected with B.O.

Deleted Scenes- None for this episode.

Episode Fun Fact-Apparently the smelly car story was based on a real experience had by the friend of the writer of the episode.

Final Thoughts-This episode has a weak premise, and as result the whole thing kind of falls apart toward the end. How much can you get with a story about a smelly car? We get to see Susan again, and it’s funny how two minutes with George makes her life even worst because Kramer steals her girlfriend. He really had a destructive influence on her. On the other hand, because of him she meets Allyson. Elaine’s story is weak, it just kind of goes nowhere. I get the feeling they needed one more episode before the big finale, so they just ran with this one even if it wasn’t that strong.

 Grade=C, this episode starts out strong but runs right out of steam

Episode 23 & 24, Season 4

The Pilot

Plot Summary-Jerry and George finally get their pilot off the ground. After the casting, George and Jerry determine that the Elaine and Kramer actors are insane. They manage to get the show on, however Russell has become obsessed with Elaine and the obsession kills the show and himself apparently. Elaine files a complaint against the new owners of the coffee shop while Kramer deals with being a bit constipated.

Best Quote-“I want to be the one person who doesn’t die with dignity. I’ve lived my whole life in shame, why should I die with dignity?”…..George

Nitpick of the episode-So, what happened to Joe Davola exactly? We see him jumping off the bleachers, and then suddenly it’s a week later! Don’t get me wrong, I am glad he is gone and never returned. It would have been nice if the episode had explained it rather than just gloss over it. And speaking of that week later thing, we see Kramer come back in, all relieved, and everyone acts as if it just happened. We saw Kramer buy the apparatus a week earlier, what exactly happened that week? Also, Elaine being recognized at the taping by an old camp friend is just contrived.

Seinfeldism of the episode-As with “The Contest”, the affliction affecting Kramer is never specifically mentioned. Neither is the cure. Instead it is called “The big E” and "the dreaded apparatus"

Deleted Scenes-None for this episode.

Episode Fun Fact-Two great touches. The casting session includes dialogue from earlier episodes, which is a nice way to call back to the first few seasons. Also the episode is interspersed with scenes featuring almost everyone who appeared through the fourth season. It is a very clever touch.  The only people missing are George’s parents.

Final Thoughts-This episode gets a little too busy. Wouldn’t it have been enough to just focus on Jerry and George’s pilot? We also get the story of Russell being obsessed with Elaine, TV Kramer stealing the raisins, and TV Elaine is just nuts. Then we get separate stories just for George, Elaine and Kramer. George worries about being famous; he really just liked worrying, doesn’t he? Then he worries he has a serious disease. I actually liked Kramer’s story because, well, I have been there myself. However, Elaine’s story is so tacked on and pointless. Never mind the fact that the “new owners” vanish with the next episode, the resolution is forced and predictable. The pilot that Jerry and George produce is everything Seinfeld isn’t, corny and lame. This was a great episode overall, we even get a resolution to what happened to Jerry’s father’s wallet way back in “The Watch”. It is nice to see the arc end, and I remember looking forward to the show returning to more classic stories the next year that didn’t have the overriding story element.

Grade=B+, Elaine’s story is the only bad part of the episode.

Season 4 was the season where Seinfeld finally became a hit show. So, it only made it understandable that people wondered what this show would come up with the next year, when it premiered in the coveted Thursday at 9:00 slot. We will find out starting next week when we begin out look at season 5.

A Look at Sitcom Production Companies-Mozark, Desllu, and more.....

Concluding my celebration of my 100^th blog by looking at famous production companies. All week we looked at some of the more famous companies. for my last article today I plan on showcasing several different companies.

Mozark Productions was founded in 1982. first known as "Linda Bloodworth Productions" and later "L.J. Bloodworth Productions" by writer Linda Joyce Bloodworth-Thomason. In July 1983, Bloodworth married Harry Thomason, the duo created "Mozark Productions", named after their home states: "MO" for Missouri & "ARK" for Arkansas and an allusion of the overlapping Ozarks region. Of course, the main show that came out of this was:

Designing Women

 

I have had some hard words for this show, but the truth is it could be pretty funny. Of course the premise was four designers in Atlanta. It seemed like they spent more time talking than designing, but that’s me. The show had Dixie Carter, Annie Potts, and Jean Smart but it was Delta Burke who really put this show on the map. Her character of Suzanne Sugarbaker was outspoken and opinionated, and fans loved her. Unfortunately. Delta Burke fought with the producers and wound up leaving the show. When she left so did the audience, as the quality went downhill from there. I never really liked this show because it got a little preachy, it seemed on this show women (especially if they were from Atlanta) are perfect and everyone is inferior. Never liked that.

A Look at Sitcom Production Companies-The Carsey-Werner Co.

Continuing my celebration of my 100^th blog by looking at famous production companies.

Carsey-Werner (sometimes Carsey-Warner-Mandbach) Productions was founded in 1981 by former ABC writer/producer duo Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner. Producer Caryn Mandabach was also an integral part of this company, acting as supervising producer for many of these shows. The company produced many ground breaking programs. Their first was a little program called:

The Cosby Show

 

It’s hard for people today to realize it, but this show saved sitcoms and revolutionized the way families were portrayed. This was one of the first time we got a show where the adults got the last word, not some wisecracking kid. Bill Cosby was Cliff Huxtable and Phylicia Rashad was his wife. We all know how the show worked, and I will have lots more to say about it in a future article. This show led to a spin-off show, which wasn’t too bad. What can I possibly say about this show that hasn’t been said a hundred times? I adored it from the moment I saw the pilot episode back in 1984. I literally grew up with this show, when it first came on I  was in 4^th grade and the year it ended was also the year I graduated from high school.

A Look at Sitcom Production Companies-Witt/Thomas/Harris

Continuing my celebration of my 100^th blog by looking at famous production companies.

Today we have Witt/Thomas/Harris (or just Witt-Thomas). It was founded in 1975 when Paul Junger Witt (who goes back to The Partridge Family) joined with Tony Thomas to form Witt-Thomas Productions. A year later Tony Thomas married writer/producer Susan Harris who also joined the company.

Soap

This was the first project this company produced, and it was unique! Designed as a satire on soap operas, this show had very broad humor and running story lines. The cast included Katharin Helmond, Billy Crystal as one of the first openly gay character to appear on a sitcom, Richard Mulligan, and many others. It took me years to finally watch some of these, and I admit they were clever. The writing was sharp and the subject matter was edgy. Maybe to edgy for 1978, which is why the show disappeared.

A Look at Sitcom Production Companies-MTM Enterprises

Continuing my celebration of my 100^th blog by looking at famous production companies.

MTM Enterprises was founded by the amazing Mary Tyler Moore and her then-husband in 1969 to produce The Mary Tyler Moore Show. MTM would go on to produce several successful television programs. Its recognizable logo, shown at the very end of their shows, was a meowing Mimsie the Cat in a pose similar to the MGM lion. The cat is one of my favorite logos, not only is it cute but it just brings me back to a different time. Hard explain, so let’s instead talk about the shows MTM produced.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

 

This was a really good show, which I never watched. Unfortunately that is the case with most of these shows, since they were on in the 70’s and early 80’s so they were a little before my time. That doesn’t mean I’m not familiar with the show of course. What I’ve seen of it, it really was a funny show. Basically it was about a group of employees at a news station, with Ted Baxter as the bumbling newsman and Ed Asner as the boss Lou Grant. This show has a special distinction, about half-way through it introduced character Sue Ann Nivens played bu Betty White. She became a regular, and one of the most popular characters. For that to happen so late in a series run is rare, but Betty White is a special performer.

 

A Look at Sitcom Production Companies-Miller/Boyett Productions

100 Blogs!! Forgive the self-congratulations, but I just can’t believe I have written 100 blogs on here since last August! Ok, sure some of them kind of sucked but that’s cool.     I hope that you have enjoyed reading them half as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

To celebrate, I am going to do something a little different this week. Going to have a theme week! I give you, production week! 

Now, I know how it sounds but keep reading anyway. Of course all movies and TV shows have producers, and sometimes producers will collaborate and form production companies which are responsible for making sure there is money for the project, overseeing the production, and making sure that it will actually air. If done correctly the company will crank out several shows under the same umbrella. This is especially true for sitcoms.  All week I am going to pick out one of the more famous production teams and discuss the programs that they produced. Those not in the know may be surprised to find out how many classic shows one company produced. Those who do know this, well, just sit back and enjoy a little trip down memory lane. Today I am starting with one of my favorites. Miller/Boyett Productions!

I love them so much I made my own fans boy tribute video for them. Alas, I can’t seem to find a way to get it on here. It was on YouTube until they made me remove it.