So, since the comics companies seem Hell-bent on people not buying comics, I thought I would mention that "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and "Newsradio" are coming out this week on DVD. They compete directly with comics on several levels: continuity, action and humor.
"Baa Baa Black Sheep" is the story of Pappy Boyington, the greatest marine ace of WWII. (Purists will argue Joseph Foss, but I favor Pappy. Richard Bong, of course, was the greatest American ace of the war. In terms of what fighter pilots were supposed to do, the Tuskegee Airmen were the prime guys.) This show had some interesting qualities, and in a way was a concentration of 1970's television. It had a high babe factor, lots of 70's actors, and is perhaps the most violent show in the history of television.
See, it used actual footage from aerial combat. Those planes in the aerial footage have real pilots inside them and they are really dying when they crash. I, personally, take a certain comfort in the fact that those guys are not dying alone, and I honor them each and every time I watch the show. Some people feel it's in bad taste to use them for entertainment, and I can see that point of view. However, inside every pilot is a showman (my cousin in a Navy fighter pilot) and I think if you had asked them if they wanted a few million people to see their last fight, they'd have signed up.
"NewsRadio" is a slightly different kettle of fish. It's perhaps the funniest show in the history of television. I say that having watched a lot of television. A LOT of television. Bob Newhart. The prime years of "M*A*S*H." Mary Tyler Moore. Monty Python's Flying Circus. The Goodies. "Fawlty Towers." Carol Burnett. "Scrubs." "Coupling." Paul Hogan. I've seen a lot of television. "NewsRadio" is in the argument.
David Foley, Phil Hartman, rip, Stephen Root, Vicki Lewis, Joe Rogan, Khandi Alexander and Andy Dick were all hilarious. Maura Tierney was a perfect straightman, certainly better than Mordru. It was a wonderful show.
Remember, if we keep buying crappy comics, the companies will keep making them.
Posted by Mike Chary at May 22, 2005 9:14 PM