2018 Dedications

This is my big come back, ladies and gentleman. I haven't done any of these in like a year now. Mostly because I was moved to the kitchen to use this computer. But before we begin, there's been a lot of stuff happening lately. Like my mom just had back surgery, and the deaths of some famous people. I would like to list some.

Stan Lee (1922-2018) He was 95. He was the man responsible for all the Marvel Comics, creating great heroes like Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor. His career was probably best known for all those cameos he had in the Marvel films over the years. I'm not really a Marvel fan, but I think Stan Lee is a person worth mentioning, because he is a legend, a comic book legend anyway.

Charlotte Rae (1926-2018) She was 92. She was a talent actress known far and wide in both TV and movies. Rae was known for her portrayal of Edna Garrett in the sitcoms Diff'rent Strokes and its spin-off, The Facts of Life (in which she had the starring role from 1979–1986). She was also Molly the Mail Woman during the third season of Sesame Street, as well as the voice of Aunt Pristine Figg in Tom and Jerry: The Movie. One of her recent projects before her death was Ricki and the Flash, with Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, and Rick Springfield.

Penny Marshall (1943-2018) was only 75. She started her career as Laverne DeFazio on Laverne and Shirley. And she later went on to direct a few popular film from the late 80's to the early 90's. Including "Big" starring Tom Hanks, "Awakenings" starring Robin Williams and Robert DeNiro, and "A League of Their Own" also starring Tom Hanks, which also featured Madonna, Rosie O'Donnell, and Geena Davis. She was the sister of the late Garry K. Marshall, who created Happy Days and directed Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve.

Stephen Hawking (1942-2018) was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author, who was director of research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge. He has never spoken because he had ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Hawking lost his voice and only can talk through a speech-generating device. Hawking may be gone. But his speech-generating device is not gone. He was never able to recover from ALS for the next decades, let me tell you.

Harry Anderson (1952-2018) He was only 65 when he passed. I don't know much about him, but I looked up his article, he was the star of Night Court and Dave's World. As well as one of the stars of the 1990 Stephen King miniseries, "IT" which also starred John Ritter, Annette O'Toole, Seth Green, Tim Curry as Pennywise, Dennis Christopher, Richard Thomas, Richard Masur, Michael Cole, and Tim Reid, who also played Venus Flytrap on WKRP in Cincinnati. And speaking of....

Hugh Wilson (1943-2018) was a writer, director, and producer, best known for created the popular classic sitcom, WKRP in Cincinnati. He also created by Frank's Place. He also directed the film comedies Police Academy and The First Wives Club. It's amazing, first we've lost Mary Tyler Moore last year, and now we've lost another MTM Enterprises television legend. Life is so unfair! NEXT!

David Ogden Stiers (1942-2018) was best known for performing many Disney characters over the years, most notably Cogsworth on Beauty and the Beast, as well as a few hours in Pocahontas, Lilo & Stitch, Spirited Away, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and the Hunchback of Notre Dame. He was probably more famous for playing Charles Emerson Winchester on M*A*S*H. I have another legend who worked on M*A*S*H, but I'll save him for last.

Steven Bocho was best known for creating all sorts of cop shows, most notably NYPD Blue, Doogie Howser, M.D., Cop Rock, and Hill Street Blues. He also wrote a few episodes of other shows like The White Shadow. Did he write for COPS, Law and Order, or anything else? I'm not sure. One thing I know for sure was that he was the man commonly responsible for all those police dramas.

R. Lee Ermey (1944-2018) R. Lee was a former drill instructor who later went on to become an actor with his strict drill sergeant antics. Most notably in Stanley Kubrick's 80's classic, Full Metal Jacket. He later went on to voice the green sergeant in the Toy Story franchise. Ermey was often typecast in authority figure roles, such as Mayor Tilman in the film Mississippi Burning, Bill Bowerman in Prefontaine, Sheriff Hoyt in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, Jimmy Lee Farnsworth in Fletch Lives, a police captain in Se7en, Lt. "Tice" Ryan in Rocket Power, and a prison warden in an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants.

Stephen Hillenburg (1961-2018) was an animator, director, writer, producer, and storyboard artist, Most notably known for creating the long-running Nickelodeon program, SpongeBob SquarePants. The only other show he did work on before SpongeBob, was Rocko's Modern Life where he also served as a writer, director, and storyboard artist, as well as becoming a producer by the fourth season with creator Joe Murray. Hillenburg may have been gone too soon from returning to his post after ten years of chaos in SpongeBob's production, but the legacy will forever live on, at least until people get tired of SpongeBob. He was only 57.

And last but not least,

Thad Mumford (1951-2018) He was a television writer and producer for several TV shows, beginning with The Electric Company beginning in 1971. At the same time, while still in his 20's he was also a writer for another show called "Good Times." DYNOMITE! When The Electric Company went off the air in 1977, he left to Hollywood to seek his fortune and future, while at that, he met Christopher Cerf, the songwriter for Sesame Street, and he and Cerf wrote a few songs during the late 70's and early 80's, most notably "The Ten Commandments of Health," in which Thad himself sang lead for. After that, he went on to write for M*A*S*H with other former Sesame Street writer, Dan Wilcox. They worked very closely on the show, writing 17 episodes, including my favorite "As Time Goes By," which was actually the last episode they filmed. They also helped write the final episode that aired, "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen." He later went on to write for other shows over the years, including The Duck Factory (with Dan Wilcox), Maude, What's Happening?, The Cosby Show, A Different World, Home Improvement, ALF, NYPD Blue, and most notably, "Blue's Clues," where he also served as a producer. He was truly a pioneering African-American writer

For more of Thad Mumford's stuff, I'll link some of that below right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUhJLBk-Q9k (The Ten Commandments of Health)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpQjlNbXkFw (MASH Matters Podcast)

And finally, some of the stuff Thad talked about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEIXHSoPsjM (It's about how he got into The Electric Company)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvqOvB_7s-8 (He talks about how he worked on Good Times and a few other African-American sitcoms)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx37uuTjI5A (He explains about writing songs for Sesame Street with Christopher Cerf.

The Fairly OddParents - Hail to the Chief

Okay, folks, my birthday dinner is over, everything's back to normal, I've got my wishes, and I'm ready to go back to doing a regular review. This one is for President's Day which is today, folks. This is a Fairly OddParents episode called, "Hail to the Chief," which was the only episode to be written by Steven Banks.

Timmy competes against the two popular boys, Tad and Chad to be Student Body President. And this is not just to become Student Body President, no no, it's also to gain attention to the one and only Trixie Tang, because apparently, Trixie is the political reporter for the Dimmsdale Elementary School Newspaper. That's something that unfortunately won't be seen again after this episode. And with a little help from William Shakespeare, not even joking, Wanda summoned him, he writes a speech on the fact that it doesn't matter if we're all losers. A day later, there was nobody at school because the kids got sick from Tad and Chad's cake. And since there was nobody else at school, Timmy won the Student Body President duties. How will this go? Well, just watch and find out.

There's a lot of fun facts I got to mention here. First off I will say this is the first appearance of Sanjay, Timmy's other friend and his only appearance in Season 2, here, he invites Timmy into their book club. And I will address the elephant in the room, the controversy of "Twistory!" That episode (and, indirectly, its sister episode) rarely airs in reruns in the United States due to the controversial stereotypes featured in it and the implications that the world would not advanced socially or technologically had the colonists lost the Revolutionary War. However, both episodes are available on the Nick Picks Vol. 3 DVD and on the season 2 DVD. Due to its obscurity, some people mistakenly thought the Founding Fathers from Escape from Unwish Island were new characters. The last known airings of these episodes was on July 4th, 2017 (the Fourth of July, that is) along with its sister episode on Nicktoons. Sheesh, who ever thought Nickelodeon has something against ethnic stereotypes? What is this the Speedy Gonzales trope all over again?

Okay, okay, okay. All nitpicking aside, this is a pretty funny episode, it's got a good plot, good humor, and even some politician jokes. The one thing that grinds my gears is The Future Phlegmers, because for some reason, one of Timmy's friends, Elmer was in that sort of group. Seriously, how did he get that cold to be in that group? And let me tell you, Principal Waxelplax is frost intolerant, let me tell you, I've looked everywhere for an explanation, but I couldn't find one, I guess that means frost intolerant allergies don't exist. Of course, I will agree with Timmy that I want to be or not to be.......that LOSER!

That's all folks!

Phineas and Ferb - Happy Birthday, Isabella

Well, as you can tell from the title card and the house of Phineas and Ferb's, that's right, today's my Birthday! I am 22 years old as of right now, and I'm going to review Happy Birthday, Isabella, an episode from the fourth season. I will review Hail to the Chief, and a few other projects later. But right now, let's get to the birthday review immediately.

It's Isabella's birthday, and Phineas and the gang celebrate it in a big way, complete with a giant cake and piñatas. To Isabella however, all she really wants is to be alone with Phineas, but she keeps missing by a second. Meanwhile, Doofenshmirtz installs his Bugs Me-Inator onto an evil bug bus and drives around Danville turning all the things that bug him literally into bugs, and Stacy unwittingly sees this and even finds out Perry's agent secret. And once again, Candace tries to bust the boys, but it never works. Two words for Candace, "Give up!" P.S., I still am not fond of Doofenschmirtz, I mean, I have nothing against a platypus being a spy agent, but that Heinz is so stupid!

After watching a few episodes that feature Isabella, I have made an interesting discovery, she has feelings for Phineas. If I didn't know better, I'd say she has a crush on him! I never knew that until now. I can relate to her in this episode because all she wants to do is spend time with Phineas. Also, here comes another question, if Stacy noticed that Perry was a spy agent, how come Phineas and Ferb never seem him as a secret agent? Was it because they're too occupied with their time and summer plans to even notice? Oh, well, I guess we'll never know. All I know is Phineas and Ferb have never met Doofenschmirtz, which I wish the series made them do that.

So, my opinions are this episode are pretty okay. I kind of like the episode being a birthday episode for once, and I kind of like how her wish was to spend time with Phineas, and spoiler alert, m the end, Isabella does get her wish. It's funny, interesting, has birthday related stuff in it, and has a nice song, simply known as "Isabella's Birthday Song," or as I like to call it, "Isabella's Wish."

All in all, you have to watch the episode for yourself and try, and I dare you to TRY to prove to me that Isabella doesn't have a crush on Phineas.

The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - "Find Her, Keep Her"

Our review today has something to do with the ever popular Disney animated television series from the 80's, "The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh." And today, we're reviewing the ever popular "Find Her, Keep Her" episode, from the first season. Let's see how it plays out, huh?

In the middle of a blustery snowstorm, Rabbit, while talking care of a carrot that needs to be saved, finds a baby bird in danger, and Rabbit while trying to go get a ladder, flies around on the door, carrying Pooh, Piglet, and Tigger all around the storm and catching the bird into Pooh's honey pot. After that little stunt, Rabbit decides to take care of the little bird, who's name is Kessie by the way, voiced by Laura Mooney, who later voiced Katie Ka-Boom on Animaniacs. One day, while playing with Tigger, the tree that Tigger bounces on tips over and carries them near an edge of a cliff. Kessie falls and Owl comes to the rescue and thinks she is meant for flying, but Rabbit on the other hand refuses, mainly because of the fact that most birds fly south for the winter. Will Rabbit keep Kessie, or will he learn that sometimes you have to let things go, even if you love them very much? Well, I think you already know the answer by now, so, go watch it to find out, okay?

A lot of people, including  my mom, have considered this to be one of the most heart-wrenching episodes the show has ever put out. And I can see why. We see Rabbit acting as a father figure to Kessie, worried about what would happen to her if she did went away. This episode has a lot of drama, good laughs, and a nice story. I even like how Pooh pointed out that Rabbit already knows he cared so much for Kessie because it's called, the reason Rabbit already knows is because earlier in the second act, he told Tigger, "I never even told her, I loved her." Probably the saddest scene in the episode has to be when Kessie asks for one more bedtime story and Rabbit says "You don't need me for anything." Now that's what I call a real tearjerker. This probably the most dramatic episode that Disney has ever put out. It feels like as if Lion King producer Don Hahn produced this.

Here's a fun fact for you: This episode won the 1989 Humanitas Prize for Outstanding Children’s Programming. Gee, I can see why they gave that episode the award. But either way, with the comedy in between and Rabbit's feeling for Kessie, this is a really amazing episode, not just for its comedy, but also for its storytelling and its subverting of expectations.

You can find this episode on Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving, or on the video, "Newfound Friends."

I could dedicate this review to the memory of Ken Sansom who voiced Rabbit, but I can't. Instead, I'll just dedicate this to the late Paul Winchell who voiced Tigger.

Rest in peace, Paul. Along with Ken Sansom and John Fiedler.

SpongeBob - Mermaidman and Barnacleboy 5

On SpongeBob, there were a few episodes that centered around SpongeBob and Patrick's interactions with their favorite semi-retired superheroes, Mermaidman and Barnacleboy. Probably the best episode was "Mermaidman and Barnacleboy 5."

This episode starts off with a crime, the crime of hour-long waiting lines! Oh, to be stuck behind someone who had tons of time to make up their mind but can't decide now that they're at the front. As it turns out, Barnacleboy is fed up with being treated like a child, and when the other characters proceed to make fun of him, he decides to join the dark side, literally. Because Mr. Krabs said, "Why should I waste money lighting the whole store?" Soon enough, Barnacle-Man is committing crimes with two of Bikini Bottom's biggest criminals, Man Ray and the Dirty Bubble. Their crimes range from things like shooting lasers, robbing banks to, brace yourselves, everybody, ding-dong ditching!

Desperate, and out of options, SpongeBob and his friends, Patrick, Sandy, and Squidward decide to help Mermaidman his pursuit against EVIL. That is, after they dawn their appropriate superhero costumes. After a clever montage of them acquiring their powers, they learn of the location of the baddies, Make-Out Reef. They quickly go to the scene of the crime. At first, it looks like the odds are stacked up against them, that is, until their mediocrity starts to show. The villains declare victory and Barnacle-Man gives his final demands.

His first demand is he wants to be treated like a superhero, not a sidekick, number two, he wants to be called Barnacle-Man, and number three, he just wants an adult-sized Krabby Patty. Yep, Barnacleboy decides to give in to his own instincts and go back to being a superhero, and Mermaidman decides to call him Barnacle-Man. The episode ends with Barnacle-Man enjoying his adult-sized Krabby Patty and everyone having a good laugh. This episode is a great example of what makes for good humor. Constantly coming at you with great quality, this episode will start you off laughing and will not stop until it's over. It's especially funny to see the contrast personalities between Mermaidman and Barnacleboy and to see all the superhero tropes parodied. It was hard for me to find a highlight, but I decided to pick two. One, where we see what SpongeBob and the other characters alter egos are, and the IJLSA defeating themselves in a comedic fashion, but other than that, there are just too many. But in my opinion, Squidward was and will always be........

Captain Magma! Get him angry and he's bound to erupt!

Hey Arnold! - "Helga Sleepwalks"

Once upon a midnight dreary, I woke up running out of ideas weak and weary until I realized, now is the perfect time to get back into the reviewing community. And tonight, we're reviewing "Helga Sleepwalks."

The story is that Helga Pataki, still on her love for Arnold frenzies, is starting to sleepwalk all over the city. Know why? Must have something to do with her dad's pork rinds. How can she get out of this? Watch to find out. But first, let me explain what are pork rinds, Pork rind is the culinary term for the skin of a pig. They could be confused to be potato chips if you ask me. And sleepwalking is something that happens when while you are asleep, your body loses complete control and you walk in your sleep, It is classified as a sleep disorder. And take it from me, I never sleepwalked ever.

This episode is pretty interesting. There are several episodes that had cartoon characters sleepwalking that I'll review in the future. I sympathize with Helga as usual, she's too nervous to confess her love as usual. It's pretty funny when Gertrude, Arnold's grandmother, mistakes her for some old childhood friend of hers. And yet again, Miriam lost the purse on the top of the car, again, like in "Road Trip." I also like the minor reference to William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. But anyway, Helga is just so scared and trembling with fear that she may never be able to sleep ever again. But the thing is sleep is important.

One more thing, don't eat too much pork rinds, otherwise you'll end up in sleepwalk mode like Helga did. I do have one burning question. How, and I do mean HOW on Earth did Helga end up in the boarding house shower?! That came totally out of nowhere, ladies and gentleman. That's just crazy. And worse than that. THAT'S JUST.............weird. But overall, I thought the episode was okay, it didn't blow my mind or anything but it wasn't that bad.

Oh yeah, there's a Quick Draw McGraw reference in this episode, please, PLEASE, look for it.

Hey Arnold! - "Helga's Love Potion"

To love, or not to love, that is the question for Helga G. Pataki in our next review. I know it's super bowl night, but I'm more focused on this, okay? This episode was directed by Dan Povenmire with storyboards done by Dan and Sherm Cohen, the storyboard supervisor for SpongeBob.

Helga gets tired of her love for Arnold making her feel mad and mixed up all the time. After considering it, she goes in to a "gypsies" store, asking her for a potion that will make her fall out of love. Out of her sight, the gypsy gives her a "potion" that would erase Helga's feelings  After drinking that "potion." Upon waking, Helga feels unusually bland. Know how I know? Because she acts more like a civilized person more than a bully with a passion for love. She moves quietly about the day, not responding to any aggression. This doesn't feel like her at all if you ask me. Can she get out of this blandness? Well, just watch and yourself.

This is a pretty weird episode, but in a good way. It has a lot of good laughs, for example, Brainy beating the heck out of himself since Helga was under the "spell." And I say all of this with air-quotes because the twist is that the potion is actually grape juice, boy did Helga get ripped off by a con person? Probably the weirdest part of the episode is that by the time Helga drinks the "potion," she goes through a extremely upside-down dream sequence! Which has her breaking the locket, her sinking into ice cream, and landing flat onto her bed, and it's not mentioned again! It's definitely a Big-Lipped Alligator Moment! Also, this is one of the few episodes where Helga uses the word "crap." I wonder why they got away with that in a cartoon like this. If I didn't know better, Francesca Marie Smith probably ad-libbed that line unscripted without Nickelodeon even noticing, either that, or she just says that by herself whenever she gets frustrated in real life, but that's just me.

So, the moral of the story is never trust a gypsy who want your money, second, don't drink any sort of love potion made out of grape juice, otherwise, you'll end up having weird dream sequences. Also, you can't escape your obsession no matter what you do. You are who you are and you can't change that. And Helga had to learn that out the hard way.

Overall, this episode is pretty weird, but funny, and good, funny and good. Yep, those are the three words I can describe this episode, folks.