TVSquad

NBC is going classic, with a twist. The network has ordered 13 episodes of a new drama series based on the Daniel Defoe classic Robinson Crusoe. This is far from the first time Defoe's 1719 novel has been filmed. The most recent incarnation was a 1997 Pierce Brosnan feature. In 1964, it was the basis for a French TV series.

This version is going to be a new take on the old story of a man who sets sail from England, his ship is wrecked in a storm and he's thrown overboard winding up alone on a deserted island where he has to fen for himself. In time, he is joined by an escaped slave whom he names Friday. Ben Silverman, NBC's head honcho, described the proposed series in this way: "It's part MacGyver, part contemporary morality tale about race and personal discovery, part comedy and part Castaway meets Survivor." As envisioned, this Robinson Crusoe will need to be clever indeed. It's going to keep the time period 1650's, but when Crusoe finds Friday, he'll presumably be treating him as if it were today with regard to race relations.

I'm a fan of British TV, so I can say with a huge degree of pleasure that Wallace and Gromit are returning to TV after a break of over ten years. The new episode will be called "Trouble at Mill" at involves the disappearance of twelve of the local bakers.

I enjoy Nick Park's animation. Like the South Park creators, he cleverly combines crudity with the sophisticated but takes it in a totally different direction. The beautiful thing about his work is that, since his work is G-rated, he can speak ot children. However, it never feels like he's talking down to them.

(S02E08) This episode gave us a look at the eco-friendly Earl Hickey. Who would have known that he had a burning desire to save the Earth from global warming after spending a week in a dung cottage at the Sunshine Collective?

I know I'm repeating myself, but this show continues to make great use of guest stars, and Christian Slater as Woody IMHO was outstanding here. Of course, one could be cynical and say that he was a good choice to play a stoner based on his past history--the scenes of him stumbling around his house as Earl and Randy slowly rob him of all his possessions were certainly authentic.

Ah, you Brits are so lucky. Ricky Gervais, creator of The Office and Extras, is bringing his imaginary characters to life on ITV. The 'Flanimals', about which Gervais has now written two books, are ugly, little monster-like creatures with goofy names such as Clunge Ambler, Grundit, Puddloflaj... although it's much funnier to hear Gervais say the names in his accent. The Flanimals will be the subject of six 30-minute episodes that will air during primetime. Making the deal even better is the news that former Aardman Animations pioneers Charles Mills and Terry Brain are also on board. Aardman, by the way, is the brilliant claymation studio that created Wallace and Gromit.

(S01E09)

Dad: You need to start behaving like more of an adult around here.

Orel: But dad, I'm only twelve.

Dad: That's no excuse. Why your own personal hero, Jesus, was very mature at your age.

Orel: He was?

Dad: Of course. At twelve he was already busy proving the Jews wrong.

I am totally getting a kick out of the claymation Creature Comforts on BBC America, so it's nice to see that we're getting our own version in America. The show pairs real-life interviews with claymation animals. So, you get some pretty funny audio about everything from relationships to movies, placed in the mouths of everything from pigs to birds. Just like the British version, the American show will be produced by Wallace and Gromit creators Aardman Animations. CBS ordered 7 half-hour episodes for midseason 2006-2007.

I wonder if they will change the look of the characters for the American version? Specifically, the toothy overbite. For some reason, that works really well with the British accent. Hopefully they'll find a way to make these characters distinctly American.

Oh, joyous rapture. The Adult Swim series I've been waiting for, Moral Orel, will finally have it's debut this Sunday at midnight. According to Adult Swim's Web page for the show, it looks like there are ten episodes of the series in the can. If you didn't catch Moral Orel: The Best Christmas Ever and aren't up to speed, Moral Orel is a clay-animated series that imagines what Davey and Goliath would be like if Davey constantly misinterpreted the word of God and wound up doing unspeakably blasphemous things. Also, Orel doesn't have a talking dog that I'm aware of. It'll be great pre-apocalypse viewing.

 

Adult Swim has been somewhat circumspect about whether or not Moral Orel --the stop-animated double homage to both Davey and Goliath and blasphemy which debuted as a Christmas special last month-- would be picked up as a full series. While tuned in to Adult Swim last night I caught a "bump" which stated that six episodes would be coming soon. Unfortunately, that's all I have to go on. I've scoured the internet and found nothing at all about this, although there is plenty of stuff from earlier in the year, claiming the show was supposed to be picked up in November for TEN episodes. Well, whatever. I enjoyed Moral Orel: The Best Christmas Ever, and I'm looking forward to what they come up with next.