Rest in Peace, Sam Simon

Sam Simon, co-creator of The Simpsons has passed away of cancer at the age of 59.

While Matt Groening gets lots of credit for coming up with the idea for The Simpsons while waiting to speak with Fox executives, it was Sam Simon who took the idea of a dysfunctional family and built an entire world around it. Before Sam, there was just a family. After Sam there was an entire universe. His contributions to the show were immeasurable; it is safe to say the show would not have been the phenomenon it is today without Mr. Simon.

I still recall the first time I watched the show when it premiered in December of 1989. The show felt fresh and different. Over the years, it became a must watch show with an amazing cast of supporting characters who quickly became just like family. Mr. Simon's creations have given me so many laughs and fun over the years that even though I never met him, it's like losing a cool friend who never failed to make me laugh.

Mr. Simon hadn't actively worked on the show in recent years, but his guiding force can still be felt on the show. Thank you, Sam for sharing your sense of humor and creative genius with the world. You were a perfectly cromulent person who will definitely be missed by the millions of fans your creation still entertains 25 years later.

Seeing Double

No, you're not seeing things. On an episode of The Simpsons called Duffless, Larry the Barfly is shown twice in the same scene:

That's him wearing two different colored shirts commiserating with both Barney in the foreground and Sam in the background. Chances are, the animators were told to include pictures of random drunks in the background and didn't realize they drew the same character twice.

(special thanks to our special correspondent Max Vasquez for submitting this crazy animation error)

TV Quote Weekends

"I did the iggy!"

-Grampa Simpson

TV Quote Weekends

"I'll take 'Famous Titties' for $400, Alex."

-"Sean Connery"

Next Stop Nowhere

What happens when out of touch Hollywood writers decide to write a show about those wild young people who like that punk music that's so popular these days? You get the unintentionally hilarious Quincy, ME episode Next Stop, Nowhere.

Written by people who probably read a photocopied urban legend about the 'acid' being used by 'today's youth', the show's tone deaf, out of touch dialogue has to be seen to be believed.

While the episode probably caused many a parent to lecture their kids about 'the punk music', it was embraced by the punk kids as a goofy lesson in how out of touch the older generation could be.

Years later, Jack Klugman merely shrugged it off. Apparently one of the writers was certain that the punk music was corrupting the children and convinced him that the show could possibly help save lives. If laughter is the best medicine, it probably did.

Welcome to Cabot Cove!

Guests at Universal Studios Hollywood are taken past many familiar scenes on the famous tram tour. One of the familiar spots on the tour is Cabot Cove, Maine.

While the area is known for having an occasional shark attack, it is best known as the hometown of famed authoress Jessica Fletcher on Murder, She Wrote.

Featured Player For A Day

On April 11, 1981, Laurie Metcalf got her chance to be on Saturday Night Live. Unfortunately for her, it was the last episode of the disastrous sixth season. The show was already on thin ice with NBC after Jean Doumanian took the reins from Lorne Michaels. When Charlie Rocket uttered profanity on the air, the die was cast. Everyone, including Ms. Metcalf was fired. Laurie would later gain fame on Roseanne alongside John Goodman, who was rejected for a role on Saturday Night Live.

Ten Fake Rejected TV Pilots

10. Charlie Manson’s Angels
9. The Kathie Lee Mysteries
8. Misdemeanor, She Wrote
7. Dog the Tax Accountant
6. Everybody loves Carrot Top
5. Little Hookers, Big Bordello
4. The Shopping List
3. America’s Next Top Librarian
2. Diagnosis: Narcolepsy
1. Tepid in Cleveland

Who's That Guy?: Rockford Files Edition

Long before he would conquer the world of film, James Woods had to pay his dues; and he did so on the 1970's hit The Rockford Files. Mr. Woods plays a spoiled rich boy who is accused of killing his parents. He hires Jim Rockford to clear his name. What Rockford uncovers, however, surprises everyone.

TV Quote Weekends

"If we don't get a volunteer, you're all gonna have to see my can!" 

-Crow from Mystery Science Theater 3000

TV Quote Weekends

"Your boss came out of my V and her daddy's P, so show a little respect for her mama!"

-Ophelia Hartness on How to Get Away with Murder

Rest in Peace, Leonard Nimoy

"The miracle is this; the more we share, the more we have."

-Leonard Nimoy

AfterMASH

When M*A*S*H entered its final years, the cast would conduct a vote at the end of each season. If a majority voted to continue the show, everyone would return. If the majority ever voted against continuing the show, it would end. By the 11th season, the majority of the cast had burnt out on the show and the side voting against returning had finally won. Only three Castmembers wanted to continue- Harry Morgan, Jamie Farr and William Christopher.

The show had become a lucrative franchise for CBS and 20th Century Fox. When M*A*S*H hosted a staggering 120 Million viewers for its finale, the network was eager to keep the momentum going. Even if just a fraction of the finale's viewership tuned in to see a spinoff, it would be huge. CBS approached the three Castmembers who wanted the show to continue and proposed a spinoff called AfterM*A*S*H. They quickly agreed.

Unfortunately for Harry, Jamie and William, nobody much cared to see their characters' after war escapades. Colonel Potter without anyone to yell at was a bore; Klinger was no longer funny if he wasn't coming up with schemes to get out of the army and Father Mulcahy was never that interesting to begin with. CBS tried everything to get viewers to watch, including embarrassing advertising campaigns:

Nothing worked; the magic was gone. AfterM*A*S*H was mercifully put out of its misery after one and a half seasons. The show became a mostly forgotten punchline and a poster boy for nonsensical, cash grab spinoffs.