FRAME by FRAME

News and commentary from Russell Johnson and Twenty One Productions.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!
Saturday, November 12, 2005 | 0 Comments
All right. I just got wind that "Arrested Development" has been cancelled!!!!! Seriously, what the hell are you people watching! Monday night prime time: "The King of Queens" (used to be funny but not so much since Leah Remini got married and pregnant), "Surface" (I don't even know what that is, because I'm watching "Arrested Development"), "Wife Swap" (are you serious???? More reality CRAP). That's it? That' the competition? I am disgusted.

"Arrested Development" is without a doubt one of the funniest and smartest comedies to come along since "Seinfeld," which by the way, people had a hard time grasping as well when it first came out. It was even cancelled at one point too. Jeffery Tambor, Jason Bateman, David Cross, Will Arnett, Portia de Rossi, Jessica Walter, Tony Hale, etc. What a perfect cast. If this show isn't funny to you then I assume that "According to Jim" and "Yes, Dear" is what you consider comedy! Ron Howard and Brain Grazer should take this show to HBO and let some justice be done.

But I am afraid the show will disappear as a footnote in the long list of cancelled shows throughout the history of FOX. Family Guy (oh, wait they put that back ON!), "Action," does anyone remember that show? Jay Mohr in a spoof on the movie industry? Priceless, I tell you and a show that never should have been cancelled. But that was 1999. They are so many outlets for good T.V. today. HBO, IFC, FX and so on. Which brings me to point bitch #2.

Toyota has pulled it's advertising from "Nip/Tuck" because of the Parents Television Council. Now I don't watch "Nip/Tuck" much but this is bullshit! When I was in high school, Tipper Gore and her cronies started up the PMRC. For my government class paper I did my argument against such an organization. Well, this is the same thing! The PTC! Hey, pussbags, I don't need you watching T.V. for my kids! That's my job. And if there is a parent out there that thinks they need the PTC to inform the of what's best for their kids, then they are just shit as parents. It's YOUR JOB MORONS! Not some group. Strong arming advertisers is B.S. "Nip/Tuck" is on at a time when "kids" should not be watching T.V. And by the way there are some "adults" out there that like "adult" entertainment. What else does a T.V. show have to do anyway? There are warnings, it's on late, it's on cable for God's sake! I think it's hilarious that FOX has to post a "Viewer discretion advised" warning before almost every show on Sunday night. I remember one time I was listening to Bill O'Reilly on the radio and a woman called in and said that he son (age 8 I believe) had a friend staying over and the were watching the Cartoon Network around 11:30 p.m. and a show was on that was shocking and appalling! It was crude and inappropriate for a child of her son's age. Bill was shocked! "I have to investigate," he says. Well, if any parent worth their salt had a clue they would know that Cartoon Network has a block called "Adult Swim." Hummm, let me see the word "Adult" is in the title. Does that mean an 8-year-old? Hardly! If this woman had any concern for her child she would not just assume that just because a network is called "cartoon" that it's just for kids. Disney. Maybe. But do your friggin' homework! Never heard another word about it from Bill. Probably since the Cartoon Network runs a disclaimer before every show saying that "the following program may contain material inappropriate for children under the age of fourteen." What the hell?!?!?!? Her kid was 8! Why was he even up? My daughter is 10. It's Friday night and she's in bed by 10. Why is her kid up a 11:30 being babysit by a friggin' T.V.!?!?!?

Alright, sorry I went into that rant. Punctuation is getting difficult. A tangent I have digressed to, but an important one none the less. So to recap. People who think "According to Jim" is funny, suck. And so does the PTC!

One final thought. "LOST" last week ROCKED!
posted by Twenty One Productions @ 12:26 AM
THANK YOU, HARD WORK, GOOD LUCK, MOM AND JILL!
Tuesday, November 08, 2005 | 0 Comments
It's often been said that "you only get out of it what you put into it." That is true. But in the movie making world, part of that hard work is good luck. Luck has smiled down upon us on more than one occasion. David and I have a lot of faith that "Mom and Jill" have had a big hand in that luck. For those of you, not in-the-know, on what I mean, it has to do with a part of why Twenty One was formed in the first place. "Mom" is David's mother Kay who passed away on February 21, 1993. Jill is my first wife who passed away February 21, 1996. The fact David and I met never seems like coincidence ever since that fact was revealed. A long story short, David and I both feel like whenever we are struggling or in doubt, or concerned, someway, some how things always work out. That has been the case since our first film CLOSURE. That's not to say we rely on any of that to get us through. Believe me, I never got the honor to meet David's mom, but from what he has told me we would never get a "helping hand" with working for it first! We work hard and that hard work pays off. I don't believe we'd have our "luck" if we didn't. The two go hand in hand. Mom and Jill have made that perfectly clear!

That said, we've had another major stroke of luck recently! Unfortunately I cannot reveal any details at this time. But let's just say I haven't been this geared up about something in a long time. In due time, wait for it.

Also, locally we've had a big boost as well. Sometimes it feels like we can't get anyone in the media interested in anything we are doing. And other times, like now, we don't stop getting calls. Within a few weeks we have and will have been featured in the local paper (thanks Rich) and local T.V. Weird, but much like Kevin Smith, David and I readily agree that we are P.R. whores!

So the new project is going along quite well. This week we should have a rough schedule and final budget. There are a few re-writes to do, more storyboards, etc. But that's not going to end anytime soon. I must give a nod to Chad, who since coming aboard, has been busting ass on location scouting. Not without it's moments though. Nothing sends a chill down your spine like a voice mail that starts off with, "Russell, I just spoke with a detective..." Turns out, a detective who wanted to ask a few more questions before he lets us in to scout out the local police station. My balls were in a vice for a minute though. Chad's been like a maniac though getting into locations for me to see. Nice work! Again, hard work, good luck.

On to less exciting news and just a bunch of rambling from me.

The new T.V. season is underway...again. 3 weeks of not much new programing. T.V. seasons on DVD rule! LOST has it's first new show this week. The tease "one of these survivors will die," or something to that effect. They show shots of the major characters but there's one shot with Jin which includes a supporting character, just briefly, but I'm sure she'll be the one to get the ax. Cheap tease much like Jin speaking english...in Hurley's dream! Don't screw me like that, I'll turn on you!

Checked the top 25 in EW (Entertainment Weekly). Only 2, count 'em, 2 "reality" shows on the list, outside of sports. Survivor and Extreme Make-Over: Home Edition. Can't we just drop the "Home Edition?" The other show isn't even on anymore. Anyway, makes me happy.

I thought Love Hewitt's new show was going to sink like a stone but seems to be holding up. I haven't seen it but David tells me it's not bad. He's got a bit of a bias, as well as a long awaiting marriage proposal for Hewiitt, but he's honest. Good for her. I rather see her in this rather than Garfield. Seriously a sequel?!? It made money, so I guess anything is possible. (I'd direct #3 if they offered. Told you I was a whore!)

If you love Family Guy I can't recommend "Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story," enough! Best Stewie line (courtesy Mat Raney). "So, is there any tread left on the tires, or is it going to be like throwing a hot dog down a hallway?" Try and not laugh! I friggin' dare you! It's not in the movie. Still it's the best line. EVER!

One of our local DJ's, "Kitten" is on a billboard that declares, "When the Cat's Win, She Loses!" Referring to the clothes on her smoking bod! Only three games left and all she's lost so far is a jacket, her shoes and belt. Thanks for nothing! Hey, Vandy, Georgia, and Tennessee, do us (me) a personal favor. THROW A FRIGGIN' GAME!

Haven't seen Saw II yet , but Tobin Bell! 'nuff said!
posted by Twenty One Productions @ 9:41 AM
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