#Sapan News.

[beenasarwar]

Global community screenings of 'Democracy in Debt' conclude the first phase with enthusiastic engagement

The documentary has resonated far beyond Sri Lanka, with nearly 50 screenings in 14 countries across five continents. From bustling urban venues to intimate community gatherings, the screenings have sparked critical conversations on governance, transparency, and democracy. By Pragyan Srivastava/Sapan News The Pulitzer Center-supported documentary ‘Democracy in Debt: Sri Lanka Beyond the…

[xtruss]

[that-left-turn]

Why do you think they actually brought Melissa back for s1 of the spin-off?

I know some people think it was fan response that forced AMC to bring her back, but we know they don't do anything unless they're concerned about their bottom line. They must have thought they'd have decent ratings without her, or they wouldn't have fired her in the first place. So, what made them actually change their mind?

I'm asking this partly bc the ratings for tboc are low-ish, but maybe still decent enough that AMC don't think they need to bother to change anything, even though fans want them to.

The then CEO of AMC, Josh Sapan, pitched the idea of a Caryl spinoff, so the knowledge that the show would need the symbiosis of these two characters was there initially, but there's been a lot of turnover in the leadership at the studio/network. I think people coming into positions of power, like McDermott who was promoted to President of AMC Studios, looked at the fact that they own Daryl the character and don't have to pay Kirkman for his use and they thought Norman would bring good numbers on his own. They also wouldn't have to pay Melissa a rather large sum of money going forward, if she wasn't on the show. It seems the fan response took AMC by surprise, but it was a key factor to beginning negotiations, which were pretty protected, with Melissa's reps.

The ratings for S1 were bad, and S2 has been worse due to the entire season being leaked and it not meeting anyone's expectations. The numbers are far from "decent enough," especially considering the expenditure of the show. The aggressive pushback to criticism from the male EPs and their insistence that show is a piece of art tell us that the studio is unhappy.

I don't think AMC were ever pleased with Zabel, but the accelerated production cycle had them extending his contract for logistical reasons and perhaps more importantly to keep Norman happy. (The snag now being that Norman's having a difference of opinion with this showrunner too.) If you see any progress towards Caryl in S3, it will be due to the studio, regardless of what any EP might claim once the promo circuit starts back up for the new season.

AMC isn't indifferent to everyone strongly disliking everything about TBOC except for Melissa's performance, but they have a history of choosing the path of least resistance, so the best course of action for viewers is to stay vocal about what they like and the change they want to see. They do care about making a profit.

[respectthepetty]

I watched Club Sapan Fine 2 last year, and it was a wild ride of a series. We got:

Off sleeping with his girlfriend's mom

New being a snob and Tay being a horrible ex

Ohm being a womanizer with eighty million girlfriends

Junior ending up in a shipped relationship with Max

Smile (I Told Sunset About You) getting dumped for not liking vegetables

Up being a two-timing sleaze ball

Gun being color-coded pink while falling in love with his best friend even though he is engaged to a woman

And my favorite - War in a poly relationship with Yin and Yoon

And because I need everyone to watch that episode, here is a link to download it.

[LINK]

Enjoy

[the-somewhat-rambling-reviewer]

Peaceful Property EP 1 Thoughts

To start off with a controversial opinion: I think New is the type of actor who is really, really good at playing a specific type of character. In his case, down-to-earth, if occasionally anxious and/or neurotic, nice guys. When he’s playing this type of character, he can bring the comedy as well as the drama and his character can show steel and fire when necessary.

I have no idea how he is in real life. He could be, I hope not, but he could be the biggest asshole diva around for all I know. But when he’s playing a nice guy, I focus on the character. Whenever he tries to play a jerkish character, I find myself thinking, ‘Well, he’s acting.’

It didn’t work for me in Club Sapan Fine when he was playing a rich, out-of-touch character, and the only times I thought he did good in I’m Tee, Me Too was when he had quieter scenes, not when his character was being mouthy and crass.

And also, aware I could be wrong, but: I’m convinced he doesn’t actually speak any English. I really hope the show drops him occasionally saying things in English. A few times, I was wondering why there were no English subtitles, because, I didn’t know what he was saying.  

Then, I realised, oh, right he’s speaking English. The fact English usually isn’t translated when the subtitles are English does make a certain amount of sense, even though it might make it easier for English-speakers with hearing impairments to know what’s going on without having to find a way to get extra subtitles.

It wasn’t his accent I had a problem with; he just flat out was not saying the words to where I could understand them. I don’t know if First Kanaphan has gotten better about it or not, but I had the same problem with him in Wolf when he tried to speak English.

And finally, to get it out there, I do hope this is a BL, but whether it is or not, please, show, do not have Home end up with any female character. Kan and Pang are too good for him. Peach is too good for him, too, but if the right character development is given to Home, I can be okay with him and Peach being together with Pang (and maybe, Kan, too) being at the ready to frell him up if he ever does anything too stupid or hurtful to Peach.

I’m sort of already shipping Kan and Pang.

I don’t know if Best is going to be around for future episodes. For some reason I was surprised at how much he was in this one, but I’m definitely not complaining. For some reason, I just had the thought, ‘A wild Perth appears!’ when he first popped up.

If Best is sticking around, and assuming he turns out to be a good guy, I’d be fine with him ending up with Pang, Kan, or Peach. Or even Home, though, he might be too good for Home, too. I’d be fine with Peach ending up with Kan.

Just don’t put any female character with Home, show, I beg of you.

Onto the good:

Jan is a straight up chameleon actress.

Tay Tawan is a tall, good-looking man, and from what I’ve seen, he conducts himself confidently during interviews and the like. He can definitely play strong, confident characters, but one thing I admire about him is that he can also convincingly play characters who shy and/or sad and/or ill-adjusted.

Some performers are not afraid to play messy, pathetic, and/or tragic characters. They aren’t afraid to be goofy or annoying or just go all out bringing the type of character who, if they met an actual person like this, they’d be, ‘No,’ to life.

Could be wrong, but I don’t think he has any issues with putting it all into a character who isn’t the ideal leading man type despite being so good at playing an ideal leading man.

I know he’s played jerkish characters, but I don’t know if he’s ever played a straight-out villain. I’d really like to see him play one.

I love Peach and Pang’s relationship. She called him “hia” at one point! Aw.

Another moment I loved was, when the landlady was trying to break in, her declaring her handsome brother would soon have a billionaire fall in love with him.

Shipping googles aside what with the transition to a news report about Home immediately after this, instead of focusing on her brother eventually being able to get a good job, instead of her having any plans to get a rich person to fall in love with her (she totally could), instead of talking about how her influencer career will pay off someday (it might), she’s just like, my sweet, handsome brother is going to capture some rich person’s heart, and that rich person will take care of him and me, his sister.

Which, yeah. If Peach fell in love with someone, that someone had better be prepared for wherever they’re living to have an extra room for Pang, or Peach is gone.

I also loved when Home broke in, numerous times, Peach automatically got physically behind his younger and smaller sister.

One thing I’m curious about: Do Peach and Pang share a bed?

Pang wasn’t in the apartment when Home somehow came in and got into bed with Peach without making a sound or causing discernible movement, and I admit, I was expecting a ghost, not Home, in that scene.

I dunno. As someone who coos over almost every instance of bedsharing be it platonic or romantic, I’m not sure this wouldn’t be a rare time I don’t. I love the fact Randy and Earl share a bed in My Name is Earl, and I once read a story about someone being freaked out that an adult brother and sister, both fully clothed, shared a bed on vacation, and I didn’t understand why this weirded them out so much.

But yeah, two opposite-sex siblings sharing a bed full-time might be a little icky.

Switching to Home, I hope his uncle isn’t revealed to be a villain. I like his and Home’s relationship.

I’m here for his aunt and her loyal assistant or maid being thorns in his side. I did think New did well with some comedy in this episode, and one of my favourite moments was, when told to seize him, the aunt’s underling just wrapped around him in a hug.

I thought he was going to drop that delicate teacup, and good job on the subversion of just having him spit-spray tea, show.

Him jump-scaring the siblings multiple times was hilarious.

And random, I love that Best was saved as Best Boy in Peach’s contacts. Adorable and funny.

I think I’m going to like this series.

[jiinjiinjarra]

BTS // 2018 Summer Package in Saipan // Sapan Guide Book (Diary) // 2018 // Pt.1

Jin & Jungkook 2018 Summer Package Saipan Guide Book (Random: 2/7)

date: 2018-06-26 ~ 2018-06-28 (3 days)

Scan Cr. jiinjiinjarra (me)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

2018-06-26 

Name of Destination:

🐰: Saipan

🐹: Ladder Beach

Star Rating: 

🐰: 5 / 5

🐹: 3 / 5

Review of Destination: 

🐰: Although it was very hot the sky looked beautiful, food was good, and the views were amazing! I went around with a camera to take pictures and it was sooo hot. But I worked hard to make nice pictures.

🐹: It’s beautiful. The water is so clear and got corals in it. But it's too hot and there's nothing much to do.

A Tip for my friend [Army]: 

🐰: Wear something cool! A sunscreen is a must! A mini fan is also a must!

🐹: Don't try to take the coral with you.

A Word for the Unit Shoot Buddy: 

🐰: I looked more handsome next to you two. (Just kidding ♡) JIMIN J-HOPE

🐹: You did great despite the heat. You guys are so cool.

2018-06-27

Name of Destination:

🐰: The Jetovator and Grotto

🐹: Sea Touch

Star Rating: 

🐰: 5 / 5

🐹: 4 / 5

Review of Destination: 

🐰: I rode the Jetovator and went snorkeling at the Grotto. It was an amazing day and I felt thankful for all the new experiences. Although the Jetovator was very exciting, I can't forget the color of the sea inside the cave. It was beautiful. I have never seen anything like that.

🐹: First of all, the sting rays are so cute. It's got a cute name too. Minggu. And the instructors can speak Korean. There are many activities to do around. Wakeboarding, banana boat, the jetrovator and etc.....

A Tip for my friend [Army]: 

🐰: Must bring mini fan and a sunscreen. Lots of mosquitoes and bugs. Be careful! Safety comes first! You can go deeper into the cave if you have a snorkeling license.

🐹: A sting ray's bite can crush your finger. But they're trained so they don't bite. But it's scary

A Word for the Unit Shoot Buddy: 

🐰: You did great despite the heat!!

🐹: You really wanted to go see the Grotto today. I promise that I'll take you there someday. Let's go

2018-06-28

Name of Destination:

🐰: Never been so hot before

🐹: Grotto

Star Rating: 

🐰: 4 / 5

🐹: 4,5 / 5

Review of Destination: 

🐰: Throughout the entire shoot, I felt like I have hot stone all over my body. It was hard to keep my eyes open. I realised the value of air conditioner.

🐹: It's not too much call it the most beautiful place in Saipan, If you didn't visit Grotto while you were in Sapan, then you will have to go back.

A Tip for my friend [Army]: 

🐰: Don't forget sunglasses! The sun's burning hot so keep on applying the sunscreen!

🐹: The instructor can teach you how to make donuts with water. Learn it.  It's so cool.

A Word for the Unit Shoot Buddy: 

🐰: It was hot, wasn't it! It was hot for me too... We did great! BTS. SUMMER PACKAGE Forever

🐹: I had so much fun and if I ever get a scene to go into the water, I'll let you have the chance

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

[inside-thecityof-glass]

20.01.2024 KATATONIA KONSERİ (ZORLU PSM)

2006 yılında kuzenlerimin tavsiyesi ile dinlemeye başladığım “Katatonia” yolculuğum beni grubun peşinden yurtdışındaki birçok şehir dahil olmak üzere çeşitli yerlere sürükledi. Grubun geçirdiği hemen her dönemi ayrı ayrı severim. İlk dönem Doom/Death soundlu “Katatonia” grubun en sevdiğim periyodları arasında olmasına rağmen (Grupla tanışma anımdan sonra sürekli olarak ilk albümlerini takıntılı bir şekilde dinlerdim). Anksiyete ve panik atak rahatsızlıklarını yoğun olarak yaşadığım 2006-2009 arası dönemde kuvvetli bir bağ kurduğum “The Great Cold Distance” albümü, evden çokta fazla uzaklaşmak istemeyen bana, gerçekten müthiş gelmişti. 2009 yılında “Night Is The New Day” albümü ile barlarda gecem gündüzüme girmiş, 2012 “Dead End Kings" ile kendi çıkmaz sokaklarımda kaybolmuş, 2016 “The Fall of Hearts” ile kalbim sanki çalışmayı durdurmuş, 2020 “City Burials” ile bütün şehir üstüme çökmüştü… “Katatonia” bendi. Ben “Katatonia”…

2009 da Barcelona konserlerinde grupla tanışma imkanım oldu. Fred ve Mattias Norrman kardeşleri son gördüğüm konserdi. Peşlerinden, ilerleyen yıllarda çıkardıkları albümlerin turneleri kapsamında Londra ve Viyana konserlerine katıldım (o zamanlar işim dolayısıyla daha fazla seyahat edebiliyordum). Gençliğin verdiği heyecanla konser sonlarında o güvenlikle kavga, bu menajerle gürültü, şu organizatörle patırtı… bir şekilde kendimi “Katatonia” kulislerine groupie gibi atıyordum :)

“Katatonia” benim için her zaman özel bir yerdeydi. Yıllar içerisinde geçirdikleri dönemler sonucu grup, büyümeye hep devam etti. Onlar yaşlandı, ben de onlarla beraber yaşlandım. Geçtiğimiz Ekim ayında yine Viyana’da eşimle birlikte kendilerini izleme fırsatı bulduk. Evet Anders yoktu (ailevi sebepler diyorlar). Evet çok fazla altyapı kullanıyorlardı, mekan yetersizdi (Arena Wien aslında geniş bir açık alanı olan bir yerdir ama orayı açmayıp insanları “Paradise lost”, “Katatonia”, “Harakiri For the Sky”, “Kanonenfieber” gibi kafa grupları olan tek günlük bir festivalde içeriye tıkıştırmışlardı). Ama olsundu, onlar “Katatonia” idi ve onları dinlemek benim için her zaman apayrı bir zevk olacaktı. Buradaki hikayeleri, 2006 Yedikule konserlerini, yine 2006 parkorman ve sonrası yurt dışı, yurt içi diğer konserlerini belki başka bir zaman anlatırım ama artık günümüze gelelim..

Zorlu Center, iyi ses sistemi ve geniş alanı ile öne çıkan bir mekan olmasına rağmen ben hiçbir zaman oraya ısınamadım. He rşey çok temiz, gıcır, belki plastik.. Parlak yer taşlarında ayağın kayarken kendini uzay boşluğunda gibi hissedersin öyle bir yer işte. Avm ışıkları üzerime vururken konser moduna plastik bardakta içtiğim birayla (?) girmeye çalışıyorum. Dışarıdaki amfi bölümünde arkadaşlarla hoş beş ediyoruz, yürüyen merdivenlerden aşağıya iniyoruz, Gucci, Prada alışverişimizi yaptıktan sonra beyefendiler biletlerimizi alıp bizi içeriye buyur ediyorlar falan… Benim gibi bir metal müzik dinleyicisi için aslında saçma sapan bir yer… Neyse şakası bir yana eşim dahil bir çok insan rahat ediyor bu güzel bir şey. Çeşitli mekan alternatifleri her zaman gereklidir. Merch standına şöyle bir baktıktan sonra yer olmayan dolabımda bir tane daha Katatonia tişörtüm olsun mu? Olmasın diyerek içeriye geçiyoruz.

Kalabalık bir seyirci var. “Katatonia”nın Türkiyedeki kitlesi her zaman yoğun oldu. Son yıllarda yaşadıklarımız “Katatonia”nın ve Bağcılar, Esenler, Esenyurt toplamı kadar nüfuslu İskandinav ülkesi gruplarının müziğiyle uyum içerisinde gittiğinden artık daha da kalabalığız (Bazen düşünüyorum o memleketlerde yaşayan genç yaşlı herkes müzisyen olsa gerek diye neyse…). İçerideki barlar bu sefer iyi çalışıyordu, ben bir sıkıntı yaşamadım. Fiyat konusunu geçelim… İçkimizi, biramızı kapıp sahnenin sol tarafında yerimizi aldık. Bereket yanımdaki arkadaşlarım ve önümüzde duran Gandalf abi uzun boylu insanlardı, çok fazla dikkat çekmedim. “Göremiyoruz” (Ben gitsem full hd ye geçecek problem benim..) bıdı bıdıları yaşanmadı.

“Katatonia” sahneye bu turnede Austerity ile yıldırım gibi çıkmayı hedefliyor ama ilk şarkının azizliği seste sürekli yaşanan bir problem olduğu için bazı sıkıntılar oluyor. Albüm kaydını dinlerseniz eğer hiç affetmeden cayır cayır şarkıya girdiklerini duyarsınız. Konserde de bu etki hedeflenmiş ama şarkı akarken adaptasyon anlamında önce bir bocalıyorsunuz sonrasında ha oturdu ha oturacak derken “Katatonia” zaten seyirciyi içine bi noktada çekmiş oluyor. Bu durumu aslında olumlu bulduğumu söyleyebilirim. Günümüz (her şeyin çok profesyonel olarak yaşandığı) müzik dünyasında bu “amatör” hissiyatlar konuya nostaljik havalar katmıyor değil.

Konser, yeni albüm ağırlıklı olarak başlayıp devam ediyor. Aralarda bir önceki albümlerden iyi seçilmiş şarkılar konmuş. Hemen hemen Viyanada dinlediğimiz setlistlin aynısıydı. “Katatonia” artık “Viva Emptiness” döneminden önceki albümlere inmiyor. Bunu da zaten bu turnede son şarkıda “Evidence” ile yapıyorlar. Bu şarkının sona konması çok hoş bir detay. Testi geçtik ve bu bizim için çok iyi evet. “Katatonia” seyirciyle iyi iletişim kurabilen bir grup. Jonas bu işi her zaman iyi kotardı, devam da ediyor. En azından sahnedeyken bir sıkıntı yok. Sahne arkasında ise konforlarına fazla düşkün hale gelmişler, olur böyle şeyler, shit happens!

Sound anlamında “ses her yere eşit dağılmıyor” yorumları aldım. Buna katılıyorum. Akustikle ilgili bir problem var. Belki arka tarafın ayrı bir sahne olması ve aranın açılması bir problem yaratıyordur. “Anathema” ve başka gittiğim konserlerde arka taraf kapalıydı diye hatırlıyorum. Koltukların olduğu yer ve aşağısı (muhtemelen sahne?) kalabalık seyircili konserlerde insanlara tahsis ediliyor. Belki bunun çözülmesi gerekir tam bilemedim. Sonlara doğru hoparlörlerden “cazur cuzur” sesler de geldi (herhalde soğuk kuzey rüzgarlarına dayanamadı sistem…). Anders yokluğunda ikinci bir gitar kullanmak yerine “Katatonia” altyapıya yükleniyor. Umarım geçici bir çözüm olarak kalır. Davulcu 2. Daniel (önceki davulcu Daniel Liljekvist ten sonra ısınamadığım, antipatik görünüşlü nerd.) işini hakkıyla yapıyor, bassçı Niklas’ı herhalde ben çok duyamadım bir yorumum yok. Eski bassçı Matthias da bu da gayet zıpır tiplerdi severim kendilerini (Niklas, Ankara konserinde önceden görüşmemize rağmen adımı bilmediği için sahne arkasında bana “Hey London!” diyerek gülmüştü…). Jonas gerçekten profesyonel iş çıkarıyor (Bu seferki seyirci nutukları iyiydi, Viyana'da hafif saçmalamıştı. Konsere özenle hazırlanmış. Memnunda kalmış gibiydi.). Kısıtlı sesini gerçekten çok iyi kullanmayı bilen ve zamanla geliştiren bir adam. Gitarist Roger ise back vokalleri dışında gayet iyi diyebilirim. Aralardaki bağırışları hakikaten bağırıştı yani ve son derece anlamsız, kötüydü.

“Austerity” ve üzerine “Colossal Shade” bir “Katatonia” konserini güzel açan iki peşisıra şarkı. Sound oturduktan sonra çok keyifli geçti. Son albümleri “Sky Void Of Stars”ı bir önceki “City Burials” tan daha çok sevdim. Şehrin cenazelerinden bir tık çıktım, yıldızlara baktım, kaybettiğim insanlarımı andım, yolumu bulmaya çalıştım vs. (Konser tanıtımında bu tarz güzel bir yazı çalışması yapan arkadaş var, seninle tanışmak istiyorum yiğidim.). Sound ve beste olarak çok daha oturmuş, çok daha “Katatonia” olmuş bir albüm. Lethean her zaman büyük çoşkuyla çalınıyor ve seyirciye iyi geliyor. “Flicker” benim kişisel favorilerim arasında yer almaz ama gayet başarılı çalındı (En azından tuvaletten duyabildiğim kadarıyla). “Dead Letters” artık bir klasik olma yolunda ilerlerken yine yeni albümden “Opaline” dinliyoruz. Burada setlist ve konserin havası biraz bozuluyor. Noluyo ya türkü programı gibi acının akabininde eller havayamı yapıyoruz hissiyatları gelmiyor değil (ama böyle şeyler lazım...). “Forsaker” ve üzerine “Buildings” bize bütün İskandinav (hatta biraz karşıdan post sovyet betonları arasından kurtulup gelen) soğuğunu, depresifliğini, yaşatıyor. Yıkım etkisi burada yaşanmıştır ve evet uzun bir koridor geçilip iki tane yürüyen merdiven çıkıldıktan sonra sigaraya çıkılabilmiştir.

“Decima” ve sürpriz “Racing Heart” zannediyorum biraz soluklandırıyor, duygu durum değişiklikleri aman şarabımı çanağıma koyayım derken “Nephilim” tekrardan üzerimize karanlığı çekiyor. Altyapı kullanımı, Anders yokluğu, zaman zaman çatırdayan ses, sürekli her yerden telefonlarını kaldırıp konseri telefon çekimlerinden izlemeni sağlayan bir yığın “izleyici” faktörü (Eh ben de aralarındayım artık ama azaltmaya çalışacağım. Mümkünse “Telefonsuzlaşmaya” gidelim.) vs. gibi şeyler olsa da, “Katatonia” geçirmek istediği atmosferi bir şekilde yaşatıyor. Bu açıdan gerçekten helal olsun, orada fırsatım olmadı ama buradan tekrardan tebrik ederim kendilerini… “Birds” benim çok sevdiğim buram buram “Katatonia” soundlu, tam bir konser şarkısı. Anders olsa ne öttürürdü be deyip geçiyoruz. “Atrium” sonrası “July”da tahmin edilebileceği gibi bütün seyirci gaz, tek bir ağızdan “I see the bright lights…". Gerçekten harika geçti. Dolayısıyla “Old Heart Falls” ve akabinde “Journey Throught” ile grup sahneden kısa süreliğine ayrıldı.

“Behind the Blood” ile muhteşem geri dönüş ve tabiki artık bir “dark metal” klasiği olmuş “My Twin”… Burada seyircinin reaksiyonu (ve tabiki benim) görmeye değerdi. Başta dediğim gibi son şarkının “Evidence” olması ayrı bir güzel ve hüzünlü. En beton kalpli insanın bile, eğer biraz müzik seviyorsa bu kısımda gözleri dolabilir. Bizi dağıtıp sahneden indikten sonra yine grubun peşinden koştum ama adı üstüne “Zorlu” çok zorlu :) Bu sefer olmamıştı. Ben çılgınlık haklarımı kullanmıştım, artık başkalarının zamanıydı… Jonas, “Thy Business Lounge” da şarabını içsindi… Bunca sene sonunda hakkıdır, afiyet olsundu.

Son tahlilde benim için her zamanki gibi çok iyi geçen bir “Katatonia” konseri oldu. Bir takım “hayalkırıklıkları” tabiki vardı ama zaten “Katatonia” tam da bundan varolan, bunun ne demek olduğunu çok iyi anlatan, hissettiren ve dayanmak için sana güç veren bir gruptu. Hava şartları ve hissiyatlar bir “Katatonia” konseri için en mükemmel durumdaydı, hatıralarda güzel kalacak bir konserdi. Yürüyen merdivenlerden çıkıp, döner kapılardan geçtikten sonra koşa koşa “Dorock Heavy Metal”a kaçtık “Razor” ile nEFES aldık :) Bu ve diğer bütün Metal müzik organizasyonlarında emeği geçen herkese teşekkür ederim. Hakikaten zor, kolay birşey değil. Türlü bedeller ödeniyor, sınavlar veriliyor. Seyirci organizasyon el ele yürüyelim bu yolda (Kalp). Kalın sağlıcakla. Nice konserlerde görüşmek üzere🤘

[fredalan]

The Movie Masters! for American Movie Classics 1989

Albie Hecht (executive producer & co-creator): “My favorite!”

Christine Ecklund (producer/writer): “Wow. Bet I can still answer every question. (“Ucipital Mapilary”)“

Before Mad Men, before Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead, AMC was actually “American Movie Classics,” the Turner Classic Movies of its time, a cable channel exclusively focused on, duh, movies from the heyday of Hollywood. (In fact, the former head of AMC programming created TMC.)

Towards the end of the 80s, channels that relied on acquired, cost efficient stuff like AMC (or Nick-at-Night or USA or even MTV) were realizing that advertisers and cable operators were on the hunt for programming that could excite viewers.

The Movie Masters was one of AMC’s first jump into the pool, and obviously, it wasn’t the approach that worked like crazy for them. Fred/Alan’s primary Showtime client, Josh Sapan, had become AMC’s leader and thought that our Chauncey Street Productions had an idea for a network series.

Original television production, even when it’s done efficiently, is pretty expensive. And the explosion of cable TV had exploded in terms of dozens of channels, but it was still trying to figure out how to make enough money to thrive. The financial picture wouldn’t really come into it’s own until the end of the 1990′s. All the networks we worked with over the years approached originals very gingerly, and American Movie Classics was one of the most, um, fiscally careful.

Well, Chauncey Street was a perfect fit for a deliberate situation. We were still feeling our way in series production and we were well aware we weren’t yet booking the big gigs.

Chauncey Street majordomo Albie Hecht loved game shows (CSP went on to produce Turn It Up! for MTV, Kid’s Court and GUTS for Nickelodeon, and Albie oversaw many more as president of Nickelodeon production). He and Alan created the idea for The Movie Masters, with the notion that it would recreate the salad days of broadcast network quiz shows.

To that end we ran dozens of casting calls at our office, talking to everyone from Betty Comden and Margaret Whiting, before coming to the conclusion that we’d replicate a classic quiz show line up (American Movie Classics, right!). The production landed on The Match Game’s Gene Rayburn as host, and actress and veteran quiz panelist Peggy Cass, New York Times’ theater critic Clive Barnes, and actress and To Tell the Truth stalwart Kitty Carlisle as contestants.

The production came off with only a few hitches and delivered on time and on budget. It was a hoot working with such revered acting, writing and television royalty. AMC would eventually find their way to “prestige” TV, but as far as we were concerned, we did a wonderful job in the name of the greatest movies of all time.

.....

Chauncey Street Productions, New York Created by Albie Hecht & Alan Goodman Producer/writer: Christine Ecklund Executive Producers: Alan Goodman, Albie Hecht, Fred Seibert

Three of the original episodes of "The Movie Masters"

[snackpointcharlie]

Snackpoint Charlie: music from old places long gone, new places not yet discovered, and a few spots in between. 10pm EST Wednesday September 20 on WGXC, 90.7FM, streaming at WGXC.org, and podcast afterwards at all those old familiar places. In fact this week’s Snackpoint Charlie is already here and yours to keep at the link below, grab it and you’ll be glad you did

Snackpoint Charlie - Transmission 123 - 2023.09.20 https://wavefarm.org/wf/archive/mr28yk [ ^ click for download ^ ]

PLAYLIST

1) El Fjer (Tangier) - “Early Morning Calls to Prayer” from MUSIC OF MOROCCO: RECORDED BY PAUL BOWLES, 1959 https://dust-digital.com/products/music-of-morocco-recorded-by-paul-bowles-1959

2) Hassan Wargui - “Ar Allakh” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycajSvKY_ro

3) Bixiga 70 - “Malungu (feat. Simone Sou)” from VAPOR https://bixiga70.bandcamp.com/album/vapor

4) Sapan Jagmohan (vocal: Salma Agha) - “Sote Sote Adhi Rat” from SISKEYAN https://www.discogs.com/release/3190185-Sapan-Jagmohan-Siskeyan

5) Sinn Sisamouth - “Angkalimea” from CHLANGDEN VOL. 115 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/09/obituaries/overlooked-sinn-sisamouth.html

(underbed throughout:) Pinchas Gurevich - “17yrickz”

6) Ahouach Abrakad - “Ahouach Side 1” from VOLUIM 10 https://www.gofundme.com/f/psjn9p-morocco-earthquake-relief https://sudestmaroc.com/ahwach-the-amazigh-tradition-in-morocco/ https://hivemindrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ahouach-rare-recordings-from-the-atlas-mountains-in-aid-of-moroccan-earthquake-relief

7) Abdellah el Magana - “Kassidat el Hakka (The Poem of the Truth)” from KASSIDAT: RAW 45S FROM MOROCCO https://dust-digital.com/products/kassidat-raw-45s-from-morocco?_pos=1&_sid=428a3f6a9&_ss=r

8) Omar Souleyman - “Li Raja Behawakom (I Beg You, Baby)” from JAZEERA NIGHTS: FOLK & POP SOUNDS OF SYRIA https://sublimefrequencies.bandcamp.com/album/jazeera-nights-folk-pop-sounds-of-syria

9) Boussouar El Maghnaoui Et Belemou - “Tu Es Belle, Fidèle” from CHEB GERO’S BELLEVILLE HABIBI MIX #2 https://soundcloud.com/cheb-gero/belleville-habibi-mix-2

10) Ariel Kalma - “Chase Me Now” from AN EVOLUTIONARY MUSIC (ORIGINAL RECORDINGS: 1972 - 1979) https://arielkalma.bandcamp.com

11) Oskar & His Orchestra - “4” from THE APOLLO VOL. 38 https://madrotter-treasure-hunt.blogspot.com/2023/08/unknown-taiwanese-artists.html

12) สุริยา ฟ้าปทุม [Suriya Fahpathum] - “เผลอจูบ [Accidental Kiss]” from หนุ่��� น.ป.ข. [YOUNG N.P.K.] https://www.discogs.com/release/12123132-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B2-%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A1-%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A1-%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%82

13) Ho Lan - “Echo from Deep Valley 幽谷傳聲” from ECHO FROM DEEP VALLEY https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/ho-lan-echo-from-deep-valley-interview https://holan.bandcamp.com/album/echo-from-deep-valley-2

14) Maria Elena Silva - “Jasper” from DULCE https://astralmariaelenasilva.bandcamp.com/album/dulce

15) Senso di Voce and Henry Birdsey - “Tierceron II” from TIERCERON https://othermindsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/tierceron

16) Mort Garson - “Moon Journey” from JOURNEY TO THE MOON AND BEYOND https://mortgarson.bandcamp.com/album/journey-to-the-moon-and-beyond

17) Antonio Russolo - “Serenata” from FUTURISM & DADA REVIEWED https://www.discogs.com/release/370353-Various-Futurism-Dada-Reviewed

18) Akanssa Sikirou - “Sakara (Benin)” from THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF CHARLES DUVELLE 19) Musicians of Benin - “Cengumé” from THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF CHARLES DUVELLE https://www.sublimefrequencies.com/products/590766-the-photographs-of-charles-duvelle-disques-ocora-and-collection-prophet

20) Deben Bhattacharya - “Jai Chand Bhagat and Babu - Bhajan (devotional song)” from PARIS TO CALCUTTA: MEN AND MUSIC ON THE DESERT ROAD https://www.sublimefrequencies.com/products/625798-deben-bhattacharya-paris-to-calcutta-men-and-music-on-the-desert-road

[namtanlovesfilm]

this just came to my thoughts but do you think gmmtv would one day cycle out their main bl couples and have them act with someone else and venture out or would that be a no and they just keep making series with the same bl couples over and over again

if we're talking about making a main GOOD bl series but with only one half of a popular pairing matched with someone else, I don't see that happening. not even just gmmtv but every popular bl couple would be fools to compromise their fame in any way, especially since gmmtv's strategy since last year has been to build up more & more popular "stable" bl ships compared to the like 3 or 4 they had before, bc they know that's what brings in by far the most money. but as a side ship? I still have hope. this is why I've been manifesting p'jojo putting off & tay as a side couple in one of his series, bc those roles are small enough to not threaten the stability of the main ship & still get actors to experiment with new co-stars. gun was also paired again with oab in club sapan fine, but bc it was a minor series that especially no inter fans watched, it didn't threaten offgun's brand at all. but I don't think gmmtv are willing to break up their ships for main series, unless it's a complicated love hexagon like khaofirst & forcebook in only friends, who will likely still have the most intimate scenes together & probably even end up together.

xxx

[beenasarwar]

A passionate fighter for a fairer world bows out

Bangladeshi lawyer Sigma Huda passed away recently, at a time when her voice is sorely needed. Journalist Mandira Nayar pays tribute

Sigma Huda– 20 July 2024 Bangladeshi lawyer Sigma Huda passed away recently, at a time when her voice is sorely needed By Mandira Nayar / Sapan News The passing of Sigma Huda leaves a huge void in our hearts as well as in her country Bangladesh. The government clampdown on widespread protests by students has led to over 100 deaths. Sigma’s voice in such a situation would count. A prominent…

[jeevanjali]

Sapne Me Ghoda Dekhna: सपने में घोड़े का दिखना शुभ है या अशुभ जानिए अर्थSapne Me Ghoda Dekhna: सनातन धर्म में स्वप्न शास्त्र का बहुत ही विशेष महत्व है। कुछ सपने मनुष्य जीवन के लिए शुभ और कुछ अशुभ माने जाते हैं। स्वप्न शास्त्र के अनुसार सपने में घोड़ा देखना बहुत अच्छा माना जाता है।

[sensationalmaniac]

These are dark days. For all I seek is redemption. For all I need is an ending. But all I foresee are the new beginnings. For all I see is pain. From all I suffer is the suffering yet to come.

- Sapan

[that-left-turn]

Would they ever just cancel S3? They can't possibly think it's going to do well. Certainly not good enough to get them a S4, like they hope. The show has lost most of its viewers I think. Zabel's latest comments just cemented the reason Carylers aren't going to tune in. And Darabelle/ABC shippers have nothing going for them anymore. So who is actually going to watch S3?

Would they ever just cancel S3?

My answers depend on which "they" you mean 🙃 If it's the four horsemen of the post-apocalypse, then they don't have the power to cancel anything, but they do seem deluded enough to think that 'if you build it, they will come.' If it's AMC, they haven't renewed the show past S3, so technically, it wouldn't be a cancellation if they chose to end the show.

But, then what are they going to do? I'm aware of the rumors of 'big news' and/or 'Rick news,' but AMC needs to diversify the IP and TWDU doesn't have any good plotters, so with every new show in the franchise, they're basically just throwing spaghetti on the wall to see if it sticks. Sapan intended the Caryl spinoff to be the steady money maker, so TWDU would have the ability to expand and experiment. The idea was also that Caryl would drop in and guest on other shows, that's why the actors' original contracts stated that they could be used cross-franchise.

So who is actually going to watch S3?

Unless Rick shows up in Spain, I don't know that the stooges have an audience for S3 and those 'new' viewers definitely wouldn't be watching for Norman. Plus, like I said, consolidating the OGs isn't going to increase the studio's ROI. It's much too expensive having these two actors on the same show unless they can somehow pull massive numbers out of their asses and we've seen that's not the case for either of the spinoffs that featured them.

Based on what I've seen/heard, I think AMC's bound to certain contractual stipulations through S3. No studio would voluntarily flog themselves while hemorrhaging money, so I assume they agreed to terms (giving Norman too many perks) which they now regret. It would line up with the conflicting marketing strategies in between the studio and the male EPs. It's also possible, if Zabel is on his way out the door, that he and the other stooges sabotage the handover as an enduring 🖕 to the incoming showrunner.

[thejesusmaninred]

"The Great Hillel." From Mark 8: 22-26.

Blindness is the inability to see through the words of the scripture to the penultimate reality beneath. All religions employ a lexicon that divorces their lessons from rote language in order to disarm the ego and force it to defer to the intellect.

The story of Adam and Eve is a good example. We can teach people not to touch what does not belong to them without permission from the owner using this parable, and it goes a long way towards creating safe boundaries between young men and women.

The Gospel purveys this same myth now saying "do not pick the fruits off of helpless people" through a lens called Hasidism, the "librarians" of Judaism.

In order to understand why Jesus raises this point during His eludication on the Torah we need to decrypt this bizarre reference t people appearing as stationary trees:

v. 24 says "He looked up", meaning he read the story of Adam and Eve where a snake in a tree is used as a metaphor for humanity. The Number is 3199, gatt, "divorced from reality."

Jesus tells us not to consort with persons who cannot tell the difference between the allegory within religion and what is happening in the real world. If we connect this frame with the prior, this lesson applies in particular towards the object of one's affection.

Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida

22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 

23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into[a] the village.”

The Values in Gematria are:

v. 22: They came to Bethsaida. "The house of the Shepherds." The Number is 3554, dagha, "the cereal crop." The cereal crop is the beginning of the bread baking process, but first someone has to harvest the cereal, and this is a task the Jewish Hasids have taken upon themselves in order to preserve the religion.

I have said before there is no such thing as an Old Testament nor a New Testament, there is only the Torah and the Tanakh, the Torah and the rest of the Jewish religious library. The Gospels are located in the Tanakh.

This is organized in this manner to keep the numchuks from claiming one can play hopscotch with the Jewish religion, which one cannot do.

v. 23: He took the blind man by the hand. =Jesus explained the Torah to him. The Number is 7902, ז‎ףב, zef, "The wealth is hidden underneath."

"Verb צוף (sup) means to flow or float on top of something else. Noun צוף (sup) describes a honeycomb, or rather the structure of hexagonal cells upon which honey floats. Verb צפה (sapa) means outflow.

Verb צפן (sapan) means to hide or store up. Nouns צפין (sapin) and מצפון (maspon) describe a mass of predominantly static wealth."

v. 24: Do not get divorced from reality.

v. 25-26: Do not go into the village. The Number is 13277, אגבז‎‎ז‎, "by the way". This does not mean incidentally, it means go by the way of the Great Hillel, the way of praise, which states "do not be hateful to your fellow man."

[thefree-online]

What I’ve learned from Noam Chomsky-'he paid the price for his support of the Palestinians'

As news of Noam Chomsky’s failing health makes the rounds, I share some learnings from my interactions with a trailblazing public intellectual whose moral compass has impacted the world from thefreeonline on 21/6/24 by Beena Sarwar at Sapan News – The Free is now on Telegram: t.me/thefreeonline Noam Chomsky in Pakistan, 2001. Screenshot from VPRO news report by Beena Sarwar. I once asked Noam…