Friday, November 27th, 2009
06.00 I Dream Of Jeannie
06.30 Friends
07.00 The Rockford Files
08.00 Space: 1999
I Dream Of Jeannie. Episode 1. "The Lady in the Bottle" Tony finds a genie.
Hilarious opening episode which quickly establishes the show's formula for laughs: Tony is forced to behave like a nutcase in front of his co-workers. The best/funniest example of this occurs when our hero gets frantic at the thought of having his garbage taken away. And the whole talking to the neighbour's barbecue smoke comes a close second.
Larry Hagman is superb as Tony, getting funnier the more frantic he gets. Barbara Eden is wonderful as Jeannie. Gorgeous and mischievous. She really owns the role, her body language is brimming with confidence (standing atop chairs with completely nonchalance) and she makes you believe from the get-go that she really is a magical being.
Friends. Episode 1. "The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate" Rachel arrives.
Some elements seem a bit forced (like the opening montage of conversations) but there is a spark here. Monica and Rachel are the only characters to get a proper storyline, and Matthew Perry gets all the best laughs.
The Rockford Files. Episode 5. "Exit Prentiss Carr" Rockford finds a murder scene, reports it to the police and they report finding a suicide...
What a great idea for a story! Jim knows the dead person was murdered, but he can't admit that he entered the hotel room before calling the police. He spends most of the episode fighting with the two cops on the case (who really hate him) and repeatedly questioning his own client (who is lying to him).
A treat from start to finish.
Space: 1999. Episode 8. "Guardian of Piri" Everyone leaves Alpha to live on Piri, with Koenig being the only one who smells a rat.
Unexceptional. Not as weak as the previous episode, but still a bit of a dud. Just an outer space adventure, with a very boring message. The visuals are superb, but there is nothing happening that is worth caring about. Too long for the material. Very weak.
And we never get adequate explanation for why Koenig is the only who doesn't fall under the spell.
Highlight? The Rockford Files (great idea for a story)
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A Briefing With Michael: One Year Ago
I Dream Of Jeannie, Friends, The Rockford Files, Space: 1999
