TVSquad

Jonathan posted news recently that J.J. Abrams is in talks with HBO to direct and produce a show through his Bad Robot Productions. That's all well and good, but let's play junior programming executive for a moment. How would you feel about buying a show from Bad Robot, given their history.

Are you making a deal with the brilliant team behind the top 20 hit Lost? And does the fact that we have now switched that qualifier from top 5, to top 10, to top 20 cause any concern? Or are you making a deal with the team that so bungled Alias that by the end of the run it was almost an act of charity for ABC to even air the show? Seriously. May 17th, 2006, Alias is the #5 show in its time slot behind Deal Or No Deal (NBC), Bones (Fox), The Amazing Race (CBS), AND Next Top Model (UPN), only managing to beat out the movie Final Destination 2 (WB).

Folks, always be nice to your extremely wealthy and influential parents. Because, if you don't, you may not get what you were promised when one of them passes away.

This is the situation that is playing out in the family of producer Aaron Spelling, who passed away back in June due to complications form a stroke. It seems that daughter Tori Spelling (Beverly Hills, 90210) will not be getting the promised multi-millions from her father's $500 million fortune. Instead, she'll be inheriting a paltry $800,000; a mere 0.16 percent fragment of the entire amount. According to an article in Us Weekly, the severe reduction in funds results from the continued estrangement from her mother Candy, who is the sole executor of her late husband's estate. The report also says that brother Randy will also receive the same amount of money, but will be set up for life by his mother.

The article reads like one of Spelling's primetime soap operas. I wonder if someone else will make the antics of the Spelling family into a successful show starring Heather Locklear.

After Aaron Spelling died last week, Keith asked if one of us would come up with some sort of The Five post that reviews the prolific producer's career. I was thinking of doing a "favorite shows" or "favorite moments" post, but there's so many of each to choose from, I didn't think I could do either category justice with only five choices.

So I decided to concentrate on the characters from Spelling's shows. And, yes, there are many to choose from in this category, too. But by choosing five of my favorite characters (and listing a few honorable mentions), it gives me a chance to illustrate how varied Spelling's shows truly were. And, as you can tell by the picture above, everyone could identify with at least one of his characters. So here are my favorite five:

After Aaron Spelling had a stroke last week, there were reports circulating that Tori Spelling, instead of rushing to her father's side, was seen roaming Toronto with her new husband, Dean McDermott. In fact, Defamer even reported that after Spelling died on Friday, Tori and Dean were still spotted around "The Canadian New York". Speculation started running rampant that the falling-out Tori had with her parents over her affair and quickie divorce (and the unflattering portrayal of her mother in her show So NoTORIous) was serious. But Tori was likely making arrangements to go to L.A. -- as her brother Randy was, contrary to previous reports that he was at Spelling's side when he died.

Indeed, both Tori and her husband attended Spelling's funeral on Sunday. And Tori made a point of telling the press that the two had reconciled before his stroke. So, let's give Tori a little break; she probably stayed in Toronto because her parents downplayed how serious Aaron's stroke was (or he was seriously ill for a while, and his passing was just a matter of time), then scrambled to get home as soon as she could after receiving word that he died. It happens, you know?

Television producer Aaron Spelling, who has worked in some capacity on nearly 200 productions, suffered a stroke over this past weekend.  According to spokesman Kevin Sasaki, the 83-year-old Spelling, who has produced such hits as Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, Charmed and 7th Heaven, was briefly hospitalized. Sasaki did not know the extent of damage the stroke caused; however, he said that the fact he was released from the hospital was a good sign.

If you have watched a television show anytime during your life you have probably seen a show that Aaron Spelling had a hand in. He has produced a number of nighttime soaps including Dynasty, Family, The Colbys, Summerland and Twin Peaks (he co-produced the series). He also produced a number of crime dramas such as Starsky & Hutch, T.J. Hooker, The Mod Squad, and Burke's Law. During the 1970's, his mark could be found on ABC with the hits Charlie's Angels, The Love Boat, Vega$, and Fantasy Island. Needless to say, an extremely impressive resume.

Spelling is the father of actor Tori Spelling, who appeared in Beverly Hills 90210, and Randy Spelling

 

A nurse once employed by Aaron Spelling is suing the multi-millionaire for sexual harrasment, claiming he made advances toward her during her time at his home. She's also claiming he was performing some other, er, "inappropriate behavior." Inappropriate behavior? Oh dear God, please don't tell me he's thinking of doing something like bringing back 90210!

And as far as the image to the right goes . . . is it just me?