|
Super Secret TV Formulas is a new VH1 series celebrating the TV cliches that have had us talking back to our sets for decades. It's about the cute little kid who magically appears when the other kids on a show have lost their cuteness. The "very special" episode. The curse of the evil twin. The characters who sure acted gay, but couldn't be gay. The revelation after a season of plot twists that, thank god, it was all just a dream.
Super Secret TV Formulas looks back at the formula and folly of TV, the kinds of shows, episodes, characters and devices that TV execs returned to over and over. It's a mixture of clips and commentary from comics, actors, critics and TV insiders. A full-blown analysis/celebration of the important questions raised by TV: Was Scrappy Doo a NARC? Can a car have an evil twin? And why doesn't television have more singing cops?
Some Super Secret segments . . .
The Evil Twin
Got a bored actor? Give 'em a (ahem) challenge... watch Linda Evans on Dynasty, Tom Bosley on Father Dowling Mysteries, the entire crew of Star Trek, even KITT on Knight Rider battle their own bad selves.
A Very Special . . .
Tonight, on a very special episode of . . . When funny shows decide to get serious-on topics like drugs, sexual abuse and illness-the results are often actually . . funny! Diff'rent Strokes, Family Ties and more!
The Replacement Hotties
When a hottie leaves the show, the search is on to find a replacement who's just as hot. Surprise! The character has a hot sister/cousin/other blood relative. Three's Company, Charlie's Angels, Love Boat.
Gay, But Not Gay
The characters who burned with an inner flame-and everyone knew it but the producers. Gomer Pyle, Anthony on Designing Women, Velma on Scooby Doo, Jo on Facts of Life, Monroe on Too Close for Comfort.
Dumpy Guy, Hot Wife
Thank goodness there is a land where chubby, balding men who are neither nice nor rich can land hot wives and girlfriends. It's called. . . television. The Honeymooners, King of Queens and more!
Let's Get It On Already
The shows that functioned as years and years of foreplay, based on the delicious sexual tension between two main characters. But the longer it went on, the more we said, "Will you just have sex and get it over with!?!" Moonlighting, Frasier, Remington Steele, more.
|
