California Life Has a New Host

My travel-lifestyle series, California Life, has a new host. Sheila Ellis has starred in three episodes and in some promotional videos we created for the series. In Episode 2, Sheila visits Nevada City and Grass Valley:

Upcoming episodes include visits to Lincoln, Marysville, Wheatland, and Yuba City. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel so that you do not miss any episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJtOUanPr0e85fv7cWCyu4Q/featured. You may support us by contributing at https://ifundwomen.com/projects/california-life.

The official Web site for California Life is https://tdaentertainment.com/CaliforniaLife.htm. Local television stations will broadcast California Life soon. If you would like to watch California Life on one of your local TV stations, please contact us.

Riverdale

As I was growing up I discovered Archie Comics. I enjoyed reading the adventures of Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead. I also looked forward to the occasional appearance of Josie and the Pussycats. In addition to reading the comic books, I watched the cartoon on television.

Today people can watch Riverdale.  Riverdale is a television series based on the characters of Archie Comics. As a result, viewers who are afficionados of the comics probably expect a light, comedic program. On the contrary, Riverdale is a teen drama complete with mystery.

The main characters are fully developed. Archie Andrews (KJ Apa), Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart), Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes), and Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse) each have conflicts. This creates a lot of drama, and is so different from the original comic books. Archie has a dark side, but is still musical. Betty is tougher than most would assume. Veronica is gentler than one would expect. Jughead is from the other-side-of-the-tracks and must join the Southside Serpents gang for survival.

During Season Two Josie McCoy (Ashleigh Murray) is beginning to have some conflicts and her friendship with the arrogant cheerleader Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch) is developing. Also, the parents are often involved in storylines. However, it seems they were more active during Season One. Betty's mother Alice is played by Madchen Amick, and is the parent viewers see the most because of her controlling nature. Veronica's parents, Hermione (Marisol Nichols) and Hiram (Mark Consuelos) are mysterious. Hiram is a businessman who committed white collar crimes and Hermione has connections with the Southside Serpents gang. Jughead's father FP, played by Skeet Ulrich, is in the Southside Serpents gang. It seems most of the parents have connections with the Southside Serpents (even Alice), except for Alice's estranged husband Hal (Lochlyn Munro) and Archie's father Fred (Luke Perry). Mayor Sierra McCoy (Robin Givens) strongly dislikes the Southside Serpents. And, of course, Sheriff Tom Keller (Martin Cummins) dislikes the gang. It is unknown whether he has any connections to them or not; his character is obscure. His son Kevin (Casey Cott) is a friend of Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead. There are various recurring appearances by other characters. Lastly, there is Pop of Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe. Every time Pop places a milkshake on the table or counter, viewers probably crave one!

Season One provided the murder mystery of Cheryl's twin brother Jason Blossom (Trevor Stines). Season Two is all about figuring out who could be The Black Hood. This person shot Fred and is believed to be the one who killed the former music teacher Miss Grundy (Sarah Habel). Overall, Riverdale is a teen drama with a hook that even keeps adult viewers engaged. In many ways, the series is more appropriate for an adult audience.

Riverdale broadcasts Wednesdays on the CW Network. Netflix has exclusive international broadcast rights to the series. Official Web sites are http://www.cwtv.com/shows/riverdale and https://www.netflix.com/title/80133311.

Bates Motel

The television series Bates Motel is extraordinary. PSYCHO movie enthusiasts are drawn to the show because it is a prequel to the film. For the series’ writers, exploring the early life of Norman Bates must be a complex, but enjoyable task. As a writer, I would dive into the opportunity of writing for this show (the writing staff is all female with the exception of executive producer Carlton Cuse). The Norman character is complicated, and his mother Norma Bates is equally interesting, as she operates on various levels. They are both complex. This makes Bates Motel an adventure for viewers; no one knows what to expect.

Anthony Perkins played Norman Bates in PSYCHO, and would probably be satisfied with Freddie Highmore’s magnificent portrayal of the character. Olivia Hussey played Norma Bates very well in PSYCHO IV: THE BEGINNING, and Vera Farmiga takes the character’s insane antics even further in Bates Motel. Farmiga deserved her 2013 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and it would not be surprising if she is nominated again.

Bates Motel takes place in White Pine Bay, Oregon as opposed to Fairvale, California in PSYCHO. This is an intelligent change, as the idea of a coastal community makes it more likely that people would visit the quaint town and need a place to stay. However, with the storyline about the bypass being built, it is uncertain if Norma will have many guests at the motel. This makes Norma extremely angry. Watching her go off on the city council is amusing and frightening at the same time. She is one crazy lady, and this is why Bates Motel should be on television: viewers get to see Norman is nutty courtesy of his unbalanced mother.

On the other hand, Norma’s eldest son Dylan, played favorably by Max Thieriot, seems more balanced. However, being a part of such an insane family must affect him in some ungainly way. The writers know this and viewers have seen Dylan in situations that support this notion.

The town of White Pine Bay is home for several peculiar residents, including the obscure sheriff, played by Nestor Carbonell. Overall, the writers have created engaging characters and storylines. Hopefully Bates Motel will be on television for a long time and sufficiently reveal the irregular lives of Norman Bates and Norma Bates.

Bates Motel broadcasts internationally on television. In the U.S. it airs Monday nights on A&E network. For more information, visit http://www.batesmotel.com/ and http://www.aetv.com/bates-motel.

Damages

The DirecTV Audience Network series, Damages, ended this week. It was certainly an amazing program! The storylines were consistently intriguing and unique. The actors were always superb. Excellent casting and writing made Damages very enjoyable to watch.

Glenn Close is nominated for an Emmy–Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series. It is her fourth Emmy nomination for her portrayal of ‘Patty Hewes’ on Damages. She truly deserves the award (it would be her third Emmy for the role).

Hatley Castle

I recently visited Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. A highlight was seeing Hatley Castle in person, which is located at Royal Roads University.

I wrote about the television series, Poltergeist: The Legacy, in my May 18, 2009 blog post -http://terridawnarnold.blogspot.com/2009/05/poltergeist-legacy.html. That show was filmed at Hatley Castle and Hatley Park.

For more information about Hatley Castle, visit http://www.hatleycastle.com/.

Fringe

In April I started watching the science fiction drama series Fringe (on FOX Television Network). At first I was confused because the stories are “out there,” and I had to learn the characters. However, I kept watching, hoping to gain an understanding of the concepts. I love being challenged!

Now I look forward to watching episodes every Thursday night, and even have a favorite character. I like Agent Phillip Broyles, because I see him as the most intriguing and complex character on the show. Also, Lance Reddick who plays Agent Broyles is an outstanding actor.

Thanks to writers of the episode “Earthling,” which aired last week, series spectators are able to see a brilliant example of how multidimensional a character Broyles is. In this story I carefully observed his significance, as he takes a huge risk by defying a superior, and viewers learn about his personal life, which brings versatility and a level of mastery to this series that I think was missing. Obviously there are other aspects to this episode, but I hope Agent Broyles continues to be more dominant in stories.

They Came From Outer Space

I have been watching the series They Came From Outer Space on Hulu. The show originally aired on television from 1990 to 1991, and stars Stuart Fratkin (“Abe”) and Dean Cameron (“Bo”) as brothers who land on Earth from the planet Crouton to attend university in England. During their space ship ride to Earth, “Bo” discovers that California, U.S.A. would be more exciting than studying, so he changes their direction. The alien “fish-out-of-water” concept makes for some very hilarious situations, including the two Air Force officers trailing “Abe” and “Bo” in hopes of capturing them for dissection.

This show is fun, and displays a type of comedy that is no longer on television. Unfortunately, there are only 20 episodes; however, they are available for viewing at http://www.hulu.com/search?query=they+came+from+outer+space. After watching each episode, viewers are able to vote and comment. There is also a group for They Came From Outer Space on Facebook, where fans of the series can have discussions about the show.

Lastly, I will add that Stuart Fratkin is starring in my next feature film, AFRAID FOR YOUR LIFE. Right now we are in the development process. I will keep you updated here at the blog, and of course we are providing information at the TDA Entertainment Web site – http://www.tdaentertainment.com/ – as it is available.

Teachers Are Role Models

I am a teacher and have absolutely no problem at all accepting the fact that I am a role model. I have worked with junior high, high school, and college students. While teaching high school students, I notice they are excited about life, but some are unenthusiastic about school. For teenagers, friends are essential. One has to talk a certain way, listen to the “right” music, and in some cases, be a rebel. Of course, not all students think this way, thank goodness; however, in general this is the case.

Listening to students, they are in school for one of two reasons: they want to be there or they have been told they better be there. Because of this, teachers have the golden opportunity that no other professionals have to shape the future. Modeling is something instructors from pre-school through university can do to give students a more positive outlook on life. English (writing and literature) is the subject matter I teach, but in the process I am teaching manners, consistency, integrity, and so many other qualities that I am not even aware are getting through to the students.

In short, I am establishing the importance and significance teachers have in students’ lives. Teachers are counselors and can even be friends. Students feel safe asking teachers about something they would like knowing more about, and trust the educator will have a helpful response. Some students can easily talk with a teacher when they are afraid to share their pain or concern with a parent or other adult.

In an episode of 21 Jump Street, (see previous post) a high school girl confided in a male teacher. She felt so safe and close to him that she was comfortable going to his home for help with homework. In a sense, she discovered a new friend and personal tutor.

Unfortunately, the teacher took advantage of the young girl and started having sexual relations with her. While watching this episode, I did not want to blame the girl. She was easily swayed by an adult, not just any adult, but a teacher. Someone she was probably taught to admire, trust, and respect.

The 21 Jump Street writers did not set the story up in the same way as I because when viewers are brought into this story, the young girl is already pregnant and absolutely terrified. The Jump Street police officers were not able to get the teen girl to open up. They persistently asked questions, investigated, and pleaded until they discovered other girls who had experienced the same abuse from the same teacher. The trusted adult, who chose to work with young people, deceived and disrespected them.

This story was difficult to watch because of the statutory rape and realism. The teenage girl’s fear kept her withdrawn and literally scared. She probably never trusted another teacher after that. Or sadly, she probably never trusted another human being again.

Teachers should use their position to educate, instill positive attitudes, and encourage students to be the best they can be. It is unfortunate when some teachers use their position to take advantage of young people who are forming opinions about life, trying to figure out who they are, and discovering what goals they want to accomplish. Teachers are role models. (Yesterday I shared that 21 Jump Street was an issue-oriented and ground-breaking television series. Today’s post is an example of those traits.)

Remembering 21 Jump Street

The television series that made a big impact on me when I was a teenager was 21 Jump Street. I was a high school junior, and one Sunday evening at 7:00 I stumbled upon the show. I remember being immediately drawn into the story. “Officer Hanson” was working undercover as a preppy, rich teen so he could bust preppy, rich teens. I knew I had seen “Hanson” before but could not place him. Half way through the episode I realized the actor was Johnny Depp from the film A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. (It was 1987.) I thought it was great that the good-looking guy ended up on such an intriguing television show.

21 Jump Street always managed to handle serious issues in an appropriate and entertaining manner. The first two seasons of the series provided compelling drama, but viewers were almost always guaranteed a happy ending. I was thrilled when I read an article which discussed how the 21 Jump Street cast wanted to start doing episodes that were not neatly packaged, did not have happy endings, and were open-ended. I trusted the cast was aware that viewers were smart enough to use their own brains to figure out what the stories were trying to say. I personally appreciated this and would like to take this opportunity to thank the cast for speaking up and the producers for complying.

As a result, 21 Jump Street became an issue-oriented program. It was no longer baby-faced cops going undercover at local high schools to investigate drug pushing and abuse. The adult officers started going undercover at universities and dealing with hate and date rape crimes. These were very serious themes, and the 21 Jump Street writers always handled them with care by showing consequences or sometimes the reality that there are unfortunately some individuals who manage to escape immediate consequences. I was one of the smart viewers who appreciated this and believed that some where along life’s winding road, those individuals would be dealt with. I embraced the open-ended storylines because I made up my own conclusions, based on my beliefs and outlook on life.

When a viewer can do this, television is good! This is certainly my opinion, of course, but I am not a lazy viewer. I do not think an unprepared observer could have enjoyed watching 21 Jump Street as much as I did. Having to think may become too laborious for the quick-fix, uninvolved viewer.

Whether one saw 21 Jump Street as simple entertainment, or as ground-breaking television, it is still worthy of applause for tackling such issues as substance abuse, rape, racism, bigotry, and AIDS. It was my favorite television show of its time, and frankly, I cannot think of any other program like it. It is truly a blessing no one has copied the incomparable, original, educational series: 21 Jump Street.