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wadew6
Reviews
Behind the Screen (1981)
This short-run latenight soaper few remember...
This short-run latenight soaper few remember is notable mainly as fellow Euless native Janine Turner's first regular series. She played the wheelchair-bound star of the soap opera within the soap opera. The show also featured Debbi Morgan, later popular in daytime soaps like All My Children and General Hospital.
This program was one of CBS's many attempts to counterprogram NBC's Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Apparently, it didn't do too well, because it only lasted for three months.
I found it of interest because it was the first time I had seen the daytime-style soap format aired in a half-hour late timeslot.
The Ponder Heart (2001)
Pleasant surprise - NOT boring!
I was expecting another well-acted, though sluggish Masterpiece Theater drama, but was pleasantly surprised to find an engaging and well-paced comedy. I often laughed out loud-something I almost never do watching television. Ms. Coolidge presents an exceptional adaptation of Eudora Welty's novel, as do the cast. Peter MacNicol gives great comic touches to the character of the lovably eccentric Uncle Daniel. Angela Bettis in the role of the childish southern lower-class girl with uncanny precision. This is the sort of story that would have made great Capra-Stewart film, but this version is sure worth a look. If you enjoyed `Oh Brother Where Art Thou', you'll probably like this witty view of 1930's southern life as well.