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Reviews
The Carpenters... Space Encounters (1978)
Cheesy, yet musically fun
This Carpenters TV special was influenced by the popular era of Star Wars and their own song "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft". The thin plot line involves 2 space alien people crashing the Carpenters in their studio in order to learn about singing and music! Suzanne Somers plays one of the "aliens". Watching this, at first I was shocked at the bad polyester jumpsuits and dated appearances of both fashion, hairstyles and technology, but then after the first viewing was over, I could re-watch in a different mindset.
Karen Carpenter definitely seems at ease in front of the camera, taking center stage in many musical scenes, singing AND dancing, even joking, while Richard prefers to remain seated behind his piano. If Karen had lived, I have no doubt she would have begun to expand into acting in film or TV. There are good musical numbers, a high school dance party with 1960's songs, the Carpenters' "Goofus" and the above "Occupants", Karen singing "Little Girl Blue" which was amazing, and Sweet Sweet Smile. Karen and Suzanne even share a song and dance, "The Woman is Smarter" - a partnership I would have never predicted. This is cheesy fun from 1978. Keep in mind, Karen was too thin here, suffering from her illness.
Just beware those scary space robots. I have to fast forward every time they make an appearance. They are the stuff nightmares are made of!
Carpenters Very First Television Special (1976)
Karen was a drummer at heart.
It seems that the 1970's was a time where a musical family group could appear on their own variety show. The Osmonds, the Jacksons, Sonny and Cher and Richard and Karen Carpenter were not spared having their own special in 1976.
What is great about this TV show is the opportunity to see one of the most beautiful voices in popular music become a whole person rather than just a Voice. Richard and Karen perform a few of their songs - Top of the World, Rainy Days and Mondays. They joke together and with their guests. John Denver shares a few skits and a duet with Karen and they sound great together. Richard does a piano duet and drives a race car (??) The real prize, however, is Karen's showcase of playing her drums. Everyone is familiar with her fantastic voice, but here she shows she was a very talented and capable drummer. Sadly, this is the only show where she still looks slightly healthy, the very next year she began her slow descent into her illness. But if you love the Carpenters, seeing them singing and also having fun together is something you don't want to miss.
Today's Special (1981)
Best Canadian children's show
Today's Special is an under-rated, top quality children's show, the likes of which are not exposed to today's children which is a shame. I remember watching this in the 1980s and although I made fun of it as a kid (only to look cool while watching it) I liked it then and in retrospect, I see how excellent this show is.
The show consisted of Jeff (mannequin), Jodie (department store display builder), Sam (night watchman) and Muffy Mouse (rhyming mouse resident). Jeff Hyslop was a triple threat star, with a marvelous singing voice and dancing ability. The fact he starred in this makes this show above what is offered on TV today. Directed at children, the dialogue and stories never talked DOWN to them and dealt with issues like moving, disability, honesty and even alcoholism with sensitivity and respect to kids. As a Canadian, I especially liked the references to our country's culture too. I can still sing the songs and the only regret I would have is that this show is not available for my future kids. I hope someone at TVO will wake up and resurrect Today's Special.
My favorite memories include Jeff taking a bite out of a lemon and when Muffy's butterfly, Hazel died. By the way, the dialogue was incredibly witty... some truly funny moments occurred throughout the 7 year run!
DuckTales (1987)
Thoughtful writing, clever dialogue
I remember the very moment back in 1987, as an 11 yr old, flipping channels on a boring September afternoon. Suddenly, I found myself watching what appeared to be a new Disney cartoon with Huey, Dewey and Louie and Scrooge McDuck. I never missed another Duck Tale after that day and in fact the cartoon revolutionized my young life. This series had high quality animation of classic characters, the dialogue was often clever and witty, the stories were intricate adventures! Inspired, I wrote a few of my own original Duck Tales (my first won a writing contest), became a "Duck" artist, a fan of Carl Barks and ended up looking into an animation school.
The series had some inspiration from the adventures of the Duck comics Carl Barks had created earlier. Each character had its own personality and quirks, so much that I could even tell Huey, Dewey and Louie apart. Donald Duck made cameo appearances every now and then. I really enjoyed the 1st season, however I remember I did not like the 3rd season so much because the animation deteriorated and too much emphasis was placed on Bubba Duck and Gizmoduck (although Fenton Crackshell had his moments!)
An all round winner, I'm waiting now at the age of 28 to get it on DVD!