| Author |
Message |
Legalboxer
Member
11-16-2003
| Friday, August 23, 2024 - 2:02 am 
Watching Homicide is a reflection of what it was like in the early 90s - i still cant get over all the smoking at that point.. and no cell phones unless you see a random large one. But TV wise, it is a stark reminder of networks producers... the ratings were so low in the first season that NBC only ordered FOUR episodes for the second season. In today's world it would have been cancelled with no thought. Luckily those four episodes were enough to order a full third season - and go on to seven total. The Robin Williams episode, which now plays in its proper spot at the end of the second season, was moved up to premiere first in that second season, given the network wanted to play into that draw of having Robin in the episode. And yes, it worked with having one of the highest ratings of shows in that particular week (and Robin getting nominated for his guest appearance). But really - Have we ever seen ABC/NBC/CBS order just four episodes for a season in today's world?? I think we all miss those days when networks actually gave shows a chance to get traction, knowing how good a show was.
Also more trivia - we can easily guess why a young Jake Gyllenhaal was in that episode with Robin... Jake's father was the director of the episode!
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Legalboxer
Member
11-16-2003
| Friday, August 23, 2024 - 3:42 am
ok this is eerie - within a hour of posting my comments above about how it was a reflection of the early 90s, I played the next episode of Homicide and heard this from the character Munch... dated October 1994.
"Soon, very soon, there’s gonna be 500 channels. Besides the sports channel and the weather channel, there’ll be the ballet channel and the dog food channel. There won’t be any books or newspapers, no telephones. We’ll only be able to communicate with email and QVC. We’ll all be interactive. All you need to see and hear, you’ll be able to see and hear without having to rise from your Sealy Posturepedic. I’m talking about high definition. I’m talking about virtual reality. I’m talking about living in the fast lane on the information superhighway. Better get ready, because it’s coming.”
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Teachmichigan
Member
07-21-2001
| Friday, August 23, 2024 - 5:22 pm
Grooch - All the movies I bought when I was teaching are on Prime, plus we often buy seasons of shows like Top Chef or Project Runway just to make it easier. Most recently I watched Wild Isles (David Attenborough), I am Celine, and The Diplomat (the UK version with Steven Cree).
Honestly, I'm not watching much lately - just reading!
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-26-2000
| Friday, August 23, 2024 - 8:39 pm
Whoa, that IS very eerie, LB. Somebody nailed it.
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Grooch
Member
06-16-2006
| Saturday, August 24, 2024 - 12:46 am
Thanks, Teach!
I think I'll have to cancel prime.
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Maris
Member
03-27-2002
| Saturday, August 24, 2024 - 3:16 pm
great news from peacock?
Homicide Life on the Streets (TV show) is finally available to watch on streaming. Peacock has the show. I have been looking for this to go online for years. What an unbelievable cast. Great shows.
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Legalboxer
Member
11-16-2003
| Saturday, August 24, 2024 - 5:24 pm
Maris - look at the last few days of conversation in this thread .😀
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Maris
Member
03-27-2002
| Saturday, August 24, 2024 - 5:29 pm
Thanks Legal. Great read. For years I was looking for Homicide and when I read that Peacock would start streaming I was so excited.
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Legalboxer
Member
11-16-2003
| Saturday, August 24, 2024 - 5:36 pm
On season three. Loving seeing Gloria Reuben for three episodes pre-ER.
Not to put a stain on anything but what I didn’t realize is most of the copyright issues were over the music- and sadly they switched a lot of the songs in the streaming version. Still craving every second of every episode but missing many of the original songs. Like Raining in Baltimore by the counting crows in the episode where Kay goes home to Tilghman island - which is some of the best scenery in the series. But I am biased born and raised in Annapolis and knowing all parts of Maryland.
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Maris
Member
03-27-2002
| Sunday, August 25, 2024 - 3:10 am
I had read it was the music that held up the streaming.
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Legalboxer
Member
11-16-2003
| Monday, August 26, 2024 - 2:32 pm
“Steve” from sex and the city looked SO young in homicide’s sniper part 2 episode!
I can’t get over all the guests. - known and not known at the time- in the series. John waters showed up twice…Baltimore native!
Bruno Kirby was hilarious stalking Braugher. And Marina gay harden was so good as a grieving mother.
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Sanfranjoshfan
Member
09-16-2000
| Monday, August 26, 2024 - 3:00 pm
I noticed that a very young Shawn Hatosy in a recent episode I watched (season 3). He's really good in everything he does....if you don't recognize the name, he played "Pope" on Animal Kingdom and he was a regular on Southland.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004999/
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Sanfranjoshfan
Member
09-16-2000
| Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 11:09 pm
Okay this was the most surprising to me. The new guy from the FD Arsonist unit, Kellerman, who now works in the PD...he looked SO familiar (and really hot)  and I decided to wait and eventually recognize him, but it nagged at me every time I saw him, so I looked him up.
Fire Department Guy, Kellerman, is played by Reed Diamond:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0224703/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_6_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_reed
I see this actor everywhere. He's usually a a character that's a jerk, a criminal, a selfish boss, or a bad guy's "cleaner", etc... He always bugged me because his eyes are so close together. LOL
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Legalboxer
Member
11-16-2003
| Saturday, September 07, 2024 - 3:05 pm
I finished all seven seasons of Homicide, the movie, and the pbs documentary about the subway episode (on YouTube).
Posted a lot of commentary on my Facebook feed the last two weeks….it was as good now as when watching in real time week to week. The final season had some good episodes but was nothing compared to having Pembleton in the mix. Bayliss was as annoying now as then. (Somehow I never care for some main leads - Bayliss here, Dawson on Dawsons creek, Brandon on 90210, etc).
The guest stars were ALL outstanding throughout the series. Frank/Andre Braugher was the heart of everything. I actually liked Munch more this time so guess I need to watch his journey to SVU. Loved Lt. Giardello, and his subtle leadership. Melissa Leo as Kay Howard, the only female there for several seasons, rocked it. Especially surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of Maryland when she returned home one episode. Daniel Baldwin was the only Baldwin I liked at the time, because of his (flawed) character. Meldrick was just likable, at least until season 7. Ned Beatty was great as Stanley as was Isabella Hofmann as Tim Russert’s cousin lol when they brought in a second female character into the unit. Never really could decide how I felt about Reed diamond’s character Kellerman, but that is part of homicide’s complexed charm. I did enjoy Michelle Forbes as chief M.E., and “Brodie” was tolerable. Love love Željko Ivanek in anything he is in, thanks to Homicide. The new cast of Jon Seda (who I liked more in future shows), Toni Lewis, Michael Michele, Giancarlo Esposito, even Callie Thorne, all were likable enough …and not surprised how many actors ended up on The Wire later.
Loved the humor of the M.E. Dr. Scheiner throughout the series - apparently Barry Levinson‘s lucky charm in 15 of his movies. He died a year after the Homicide movie came out. I so wanted to like Barnfather, if only for how good looking Clayton LeBouef’s face/hair was, but alas he always was at odds with Giardello. Yet that is nothing compared to the arrogant bully of captain Gaffney, who is relentless in his hatred of the homicide unit after being transferred out by Russert.
The one addition that totally frustrated me was Peter Gerety as Stuart Gharty (I know, on the Wire too). He had the subtle racism that drove me crazy and even though racism was always there in a way the first five seasons, it was just normal Baltimore culture but the last two seasons saw more racism/racist undertones in the dialogue.
Smoking was nonstop too but that was before the tobacco lawsuits came to fruition. Loved seeing the non technology within 1993-1999. And the trench coats!
I think I will take a short break before re rewatching it again. At least the first six seasons. 😀
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Sanfranjoshfan
Member
09-16-2000
| Saturday, September 07, 2024 - 3:12 pm
Well, by season 5 or 6 (Homicide: Life on the Street), Reed Diamond got a haircut. He went from nice new guy in s01 or s02 to a jerk in s05 or s06 and TaDaaa!...the magical haircut. (He also lost some of the baby fat in his face.)
Now every time I see him onscreen I don't see the same character....he's the same character on paper, but now that character has morphed into the kind of guy that he's currently often typecast as...and the actor just looks like a younger version of himself instead of someone else entirely.
Btw in s05 (I think) there was an old couple that made me feel nostalgic....but I couldn't figure out why. (They made me think of B/W TV). After a little googling I found that it was Steve Allen and Jane Meadows. I'm guessing that a lot of folks that weren't born until the 80s may not recognize the names...
----
ETA Btw, I've never seen this series before and now I'm addicted!)
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Legalboxer
Member
11-16-2003
| Saturday, September 07, 2024 - 4:31 pm
Sanfran… Steve Allen and Jane Meadows were in the 6th season… Jerry Stiller and his wife Anne Meara also were guest stars during the series but in different episodes.
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Sanfranjoshfan
Member
09-16-2000
| Saturday, September 07, 2024 - 7:15 pm
Thanks for the season correction....last night is when I watched the end of s05 and started s06. It feels like I;m watching "The Neverending Cop Show".
I noticed Meara and Jerry too. Did you catch Michael Peña? He was one of the teen boy/immigrants that were accused of killing a priest and stealing a chalice from the church. Also, Donovan Tate....he played one of Kellerman's brothers. I'm surprised I noticed him at all because I only remember him from being in "Damages" with Glen Close a few decades ago.
Paul Giamatti (sp?) was great as the weird pit bull dog guy. (forgot which season) I've always thought of him as a good actor but I've never seen him play a role quite like that disturbing pit bull guy.
So far this has been an extremely engaging series. I remember giving it a shot when it first aired but the shaky camera action was a real put off. I guess getting old has settled down some of my anxious annoyance of irritations like that.
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Legalboxer
Member
11-16-2003
| Saturday, September 07, 2024 - 8:24 pm
Paul Giamatti definitely did us proud with showing that side of his acting. (Season 6). Eric Stoltz (80s teen movies) was in same episode as Tate Donovan.
It’s almost impossible to name every guest star that we know 😀 some others I didn’t mention in past posts were Bruno Kelly, Edie Falco, Charles S Dutton, Howie Mandel, Bobby Brown, Rosanna Arquette, Lewis Black, Elijah Wood, even the great Broadway star Audra McDonald (last episode as Gee’s other daughter Theresa). I didn’t mention Jim True-Frost either because he’s a friend so I try not to cite him but between the people that went on to the Wire, plus those brought in from St Elsewhere, it’s like one degree of separation if you knew any of the producers.
By the way Kyle secor directed the episode with Steve Allen - along with two other episodes. Clark Johnson directed five episodes too. Other notables who directed episodes were Kathy Bates (with the Muslims), Steve Buscemi (Finnegan’s wake), and Bruno Kirby (the Edward Allen Poe episode) .
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Sanfranjoshfan
Member
09-16-2000
| Saturday, September 07, 2024 - 11:17 pm
"It’s almost impossible to name every guest star that we know"
This list might help. I'm sure you must know IMDB, but here's their link to the full cast and crew of the series anyway:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106028/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm
I know there's at least one actor that isn't listed though. That ep about the little 4 yr old boy that was kidnapped from the carousel....that ep aired about 26 years ago and I wondered if he grew up to become a known actor, but I couldn't find his real name anywhere. He played the role of "Sean Marshall" but he wasn't listed in the credits or on IMDB.
I just finished season 6, but I feel compelled to watch the premiere of s07 before I can let it go and just go to bed.
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Legalboxer
Member
11-16-2003
| Sunday, September 08, 2024 - 3:01 am
Thanks sanfran. I meant it’s nearly impossible to name every guest star in our commentary because there are so many we like. IMDb, Wikipedia and other sites have good lists (I appreciate whoever listed guest stars at the end of each episode description on Wikipedia)
Tried to do our detective work to find that young actor …nothing. Even searching old newspapers for reviews found nothing. Guess like the providers say, some cases just remain unsolved!
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Sanfranjoshfan
Member
09-16-2000
| Sunday, September 08, 2024 - 12:08 pm
"Tried to do our detective work to find that young actor …nothing. Even searching old newspapers for reviews found nothing."
Thanks for the effort. That still answers my question. It's apparent that he didn't grow up to become a known actor.
Yes, I saw guest stars I knew over and over but I couldn't remember them because there were just too many.
Funny that I definitely know that I didn't watch this series when it aired (or since then) but I did somehow see one of the most talked about episodes. I instantly recognized the one with Vincent D'Onofrio pinned by a subway car and talking to a cop until they were able to extract him. I know I saw that one before but that was the only ep that was familiar to me at all in the first 6 seasons.
I've been a fan of L&O, L&O SVU, L&O Criminal Intent, and Criminal Minds, plus spinoffs, and the various CSIs, and a dozen other cop shows...but I don't think any of them were as engaging as Homicide. Maybe the fact that it premiered 30 years old made it feel nostalgic and familiar.
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Naja
Member
06-28-2003
| Saturday, October 12, 2024 - 5:13 am
Now this series looks like something fun and scary for Halloween. It stars Yvonne Strahovski. She's the one who Plays Serena on Handmaiden's Tale, and was one of Dexter's murdering girlfriends on Dexter.
Teacup
"Trapped on a farm in rural Georgia, a group of neighbors must put aside their differences and unite in the face of a mysterious and deadly threat. "
Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1sX9N1GzcQ
It's on Peacock, but last night my drv recorded ep 1 from USA Channel, so I don't know if that's just for the first couple eps, or for all of them.
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Naja
Member
06-28-2003
| Monday, October 21, 2024 - 2:57 pm
I've watched the first 2 eps so far (4 available), and it reminds me of "Under the Dome" but a lot darker.
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Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Tuesday, October 22, 2024 - 8:32 am
We really enjoyed Fight Night. Everyone was so good in it. Fascinating story.
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Cass_cat
Member
05-09-2011
| Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - 8:25 am
I've been watching Anatomy of Lies, 3-part docuseries... unbelievable story... highly recommend.
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Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-30-2000
| Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - 9:58 am
What's it about?
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Cass_cat
Member
05-09-2011
| Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - 10:32 am
One of the writers for Grey's Anatomy, Elisabeth Finch, and how she is accused of telling lies about her life. Lies about cancer, kidney loss, PTSD, sex abuse, workplace sexual harassment...
Her lies end up being turned into content for Grey's Anatomy... it is a very captivating docuseries.
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Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-30-2000
| Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - 11:35 am
Thank you!
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Maris
Member
03-27-2002
| Saturday, November 16, 2024 - 1:15 pm
Catch The Day of the Jackall , starring Eddie Redmayne
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