Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site cylixd.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!whuxl!whuxlm!akgua!akgub!cylixd!dave From: dave@cylixd.UUCP (Dave Kirby) Newsgroups: net.tv Subject: Amazing Stories Message-ID: <507@cylixd.UUCP> Date: Tue, 19-Nov-85 14:05:47 EST Article-I.D.: cylixd.507 Posted: Tue Nov 19 14:05:47 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 20-Nov-85 21:09:43 EST References: <478@cylixd.UUCP> <444@gymble.UUCP> Reply-To: dave@cylixd.UUCP (Dave Kirby) Organization: RCA Cylix Communications , Memphis, TN Lines: 100 Summary: RESPONSE TO DENNIS DOUBLEDAY'S OBSERVATIONS >>...The story was ruined for me at the first >>when he has fiddling around with the TV and started picking up >>broadcasts from China. Since other countries use different broadcast >>frequencies and different picture scan parameters, the reception he >>got would be impossible. [DAVE KIRBY] >**GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!** If I hear one more complaint about details >like this I'm going to scream. In fact, AAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH!!! >[DOUBLEDAY] If I hear one more complaint about complaints about details, I'M going to scream. In fact, AAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHhhh, yourself! >They ought to put out a special edition of this show for you people. >It would be called AMAZING STORIES FOR NIT-PICKING LITERAL-MINDED >NERDS. It would be absolutely accurate in every scientific detail; all >viewers would be required to build their own televisions before viewing >each episode. [DOUBLEDAY] I have this disconcerting feeling that I have been insulted. Well, that's OK, in my last posting I was insultING. Touche, Dennis. (Of course I was being picky, as I implied later in the section you cut out of my quote, you rogue. That is why I specified that the TV reception was what ruined the episode FOR ME.) > ...OF COURSE the whole idea was silly. It was a FARCE. SAT-TIRE, >knowwhutImean, Vern? I would agree it was a farce, but I don't think it was done quite well enough to qualify as a satire, Ernest. > ...I get the feeling that because Steven Spielberg is the producer of >this series that many of you out there are comparing it to feature films >rather other television series. It's just not going to be as good as >that standard. Each episode is budgeted at around $1 million (that's >very high for tv) and they have to make one every 1-2 weeks. Compare >that to the average movie budget and schedule. Your point is well-made, Mr. Doubleday. But the old Alfred Hitchcock Hour was produced by Hitchcock, and although it was different from his films, it still was of high quality. HITCHCOCK wouldn't have tuned in China! :-) I expected Spielberg to do better, but it could be that his style is heavily dependent on a having a large budget to work with, whereas Hitchcock's wasn't. Thus, Spielberg on TV is going to be disappointing. > I don't think AMAZING STORIES is the best show on television, but >I think most people would agree that it is good television. Perhaps you are right. If they do, then they disagree with me. I think it would be an excellent cartoon series, but it doesn't work as a prime-time anthology, in my opinion. >...I know I'll see high production values (the highest on >television), a good cast, an interesting director,... >and probably a good story... I agree that the production values are high (though I dispute the superlative "highest"), and the casting is generally good. And, of course, one thing you have to say about Spielberg, regardless of your other opinions, is that he is interesting. I don't like the stories, so I contest your stated probability of seeing a good one; but the story quality is the most subjective thing about any series. >... It would be a shame if it >didn't succeed and was replaced by another TV sitcom clone. We are completely agreed on this point, Dennis. I would still rather watch Amazing Stories than Dukes of Hazzard. > I think the very fact that people on the net bother to argue about >it indicates that it is an important show... Good point. This is probably the most controversial series to come out in a long time. People either really enjoy it or they hate it; nobody ignores it or is ambivalent about it. My original posting was vitriolic; I really HATE the series. Your response was very complimentary of the series; you really ENJOY the series. I think perhaps which side one takes depends on his ability to enter pure fantasy - to suspend reality and step immediately into a make-believe world with fairies, goblins, and TV reception from China. I can't make that mental transition, so I see the show as stupid, and don't enjoy it. If it were on Saturday morning instead of Sunday night, I think I might be able to make the transition better. While the tone of this posting has become somewhat conciliatory, I wish to state here that I personally hold to my original opinion that the show makes a better cartoon than it does an anthology. I have accomodated Mr. Doubleday's views and analyzed our viewpoints simply for the purpose of showing that I am tolerant of wrong opinions. :-) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Dave Kirby ( ...!ihnp4!akgub!cylixd!dave) (The views expressed herein are the exclusive property of Dave Kirby. Any person, living or dead, found with the same or similar opinions will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of law.)