That Wacky Redhead
- Thread starter Brainbin
- Start date
Napoleon won Best Picture for 1971. Took "A Clockwork Orange's" place ITTL.
More To Come... Right After These Messages
The "present date" is September 17, 1978 (a Sunday). In Pasdena, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, the 30th Emmy Awards are underway. Television, though perhaps in a somewhat more uncertain and "transitional" phase compared to where it had been a few years before, is nonetheless a remarkable touchstone of stability in contrast to the other, more turbulent media, old and new, within the entertainment industry. Though, by this point, it's becoming increasingly clear that turbulence is the order of the day throughout the world as the 1970s come to an end - not just in the First World, but also in the Second; and even in the long-neglected Third World as well...
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So, what can we expect next, and all on account of that wacky redhead?
We'll be taking our usual general overview of the next production and broadcast season: 1978-79.
There will be an in-depth look at urban development throughout North America, and on the reciprocal effect that it will have on culture and sport.
We'll revisit the range of programming available to those watching television across the Pond, and what becomes popular and influential to those audiences.
Our exploration of pop culture will continue with a retrospective look at projects and trends in American cinema throughout the prime of the "New Hollywood" era.
Appendix B will return once again as we analyze election results throughout the Anglosphere... and in Latinophone countries.
And, finally, we'll shed some light on a long-ignored genre as it spreads beyond its home medium to stake a claim in all reaches of the entertainment industry.
All this and more, coming up on... That Wacky Redhead!
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Acknowledgements
The voting for the Turtledove Awards having been concluded, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who voted for That Wacky Redhead in any and all of the categories in which it was nominated. Sadly, I did not win in any of them this year, but as sports fans the world over would say: there's always next year!
Now is also the time for me to give special thanks to the following consultants, who have provided me with valuable assistance (and may yet continue to do so, if all goes well) over the course of the development of this timeline: Chipperback, e of pi, truth is life, vultan, Electric Monk, Thande, and Andrew T.
But most of all, my sincerest thanks to all of you for your praise, your criticism, your many and varied opinions, and your continued readership!
Remember that you can find a complete list of Official, Canonical Updates on the Alternate History Wiki page for this timeline. I highly recommend it for those of you who suffer from Archive Panic. I've made nearly 300 posts to this thread, less than one-quarter of which can be considered "content", making the list a valuable time-saver.
The "present date" is September 17, 1978 (a Sunday). In Pasdena, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, the 30th Emmy Awards are underway. Television, though perhaps in a somewhat more uncertain and "transitional" phase compared to where it had been a few years before, is nonetheless a remarkable touchstone of stability in contrast to the other, more turbulent media, old and new, within the entertainment industry. Though, by this point, it's becoming increasingly clear that turbulence is the order of the day throughout the world as the 1970s come to an end - not just in the First World, but also in the Second; and even in the long-neglected Third World as well...
---
So, what can we expect next, and all on account of that wacky redhead?
We'll be taking our usual general overview of the next production and broadcast season: 1978-79.
There will be an in-depth look at urban development throughout North America, and on the reciprocal effect that it will have on culture and sport.
We'll revisit the range of programming available to those watching television across the Pond, and what becomes popular and influential to those audiences.
Our exploration of pop culture will continue with a retrospective look at projects and trends in American cinema throughout the prime of the "New Hollywood" era.
Appendix B will return once again as we analyze election results throughout the Anglosphere... and in Latinophone countries.
And, finally, we'll shed some light on a long-ignored genre as it spreads beyond its home medium to stake a claim in all reaches of the entertainment industry.
All this and more, coming up on... That Wacky Redhead!
---
Acknowledgements
The voting for the Turtledove Awards having been concluded, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who voted for That Wacky Redhead in any and all of the categories in which it was nominated. Sadly, I did not win in any of them this year, but as sports fans the world over would say: there's always next year!
Now is also the time for me to give special thanks to the following consultants, who have provided me with valuable assistance (and may yet continue to do so, if all goes well) over the course of the development of this timeline: Chipperback, e of pi, truth is life, vultan, Electric Monk, Thande, and Andrew T.
But most of all, my sincerest thanks to all of you for your praise, your criticism, your many and varied opinions, and your continued readership!
Remember that you can find a complete list of Official, Canonical Updates on the Alternate History Wiki page for this timeline. I highly recommend it for those of you who suffer from Archive Panic. I've made nearly 300 posts to this thread, less than one-quarter of which can be considered "content", making the list a valuable time-saver.
Question: how beneficial? IOTL, for the longest time, there were 108 episodes that were deemed "missing" due to the junkings. What's the number ITTL... or is there no number?
Desilu gets copies of all the episodes as part of the syndication deal before BBC began wiping tapes to conserve space. Since they bought them specifically for syndication, they carefully save all of the them even once the BBC begins wiping. And when the BBC realizes what a mistake they've made a few years down the line, Desilu can create new copies to send back to the BBC and replace the erased episodes. Total "lost episodes" in Doctor Who ITTL? Zero.
Glen
Moderator
Great update overall, but what's with the 'Star Wars' reversion in the update with regards to the toy blitz?
It's an 8000 word update, give us one major error--looks like the find-and-replace missed one or two.
Thanks for pointing that out.Ooh, I love urban development. I am excited for this update. How long?
Thande
Donor
That's not a problem, that was deliberate. They were a spinoff continuity reboot (before those terms even existed) designed to sell a simplified version of the Doctor Who mythos to the American market, hopefully opening it up for the show itself. Obviously, this didn't work. (All editorial decisions made in pretty much every big budget thing made in Britain between 1945 and 2000, and a good percentage of those still made today, are based purely on an often ill-fated attempt to appeal to the American market).
More comments? Well, then, that means more responses!
That's a good eye you've got there, Glen; it's a good thing that you're a neurologist
One additional comment: I've been noticing extensive edits to my TVTropes page in the last few days, and though I don't recognize the username of the troper responsible, I just wanted to express my gratitude in a place where I know that he or she will be reading. It's really great to see that page filling up with examples
You will find out the answers to all of these questions, and you'll find out in this cycle!
Darth Vader is a classic example of the Breakout Character, especially since, as noted, Tarkin was the main villain in the original film, and was clearly Vader's superior (note the famous scene in which Vader chokes a disbeliever with the Force, only to relent on Tarkin's orders). That's proven... tricky to reconcile with later canon IOTL.
Our pleasure, Your Imperial Majesty! Trust us, it's better this way
Thank you, Professor! I think it's pretty much inevitable that there will be a sequel, but when is a very big question.Good update.
Loved the JTOF, hope JOTFII will be better!
As I mentioned before, we're looking at an all-American major cast ITTL. Any non-Americans would be Canadians.
Don't feel too bad, Steve; THE OBSERVER has either forgotten or overlooked that I've already said there would be no Nashville ITTL, either
I would say that his role is perhaps slightly less significant than IOTL, with the *Tarkin analogue correspondingly more prominent.Now that is going to have interesting, even intriguing
Trust me, Steve, you are far from the only person who overuses that word on this thread!stevep said:You mean someone else has noticed I tend to over-use that word. Seems to be a personal habit I've fallen into. At least you guys don't know about the human sacrifices, slave trading and handling of 2nd hand nukes yet.
I think you mean "Here's lookin' at you, kid"stevep said:
I'm glad you thought so! Perhaps now that He with the Flannel and the Beard no longer owns Lucasfilm, her good name might be properly restored to the history of Star Wars.stevep said:
Maybe, but That Wacky Redhead, however much of a pioneer she may be from a technological perspective, also has an appreciation for what already works - consider how many established cinematic techniques were brought to I Love Lucy. Granted, these techniques were applied in creative new ways, but it didn't involve innovation on the sheer scale that the development of CGI would. Remember, it took over a decade to get from Tron to Jurassic Park - and still, that latter film (like many of the early-1990s "computer graphics" blockbusters) had extensive use of practical effects. My point is, it's a very long-term investment, and until it bears fruit, practical effects will remain far superior.stevep said:
I won't elaborate on the particulars of the case at this time, obviously, but I really appreciate your analytical analysis, Maltaran. When the time comes, I'll lay the facts before you with regards as to how this parallel situation - which, it should be noted, is taking place much earlier - might turn out differently (or might not!).
More specifically, the film exists instead of A Clockwork Orange, but the Best Picture of 1971 was The French Connection IOTL.
Welcome aboard, Clorox! As you can see, e of pi already answered the question for me, and I couldn't have said it any better myself.
Welcome aboard, varyar! Now, you are planning on picking me up on that thing, right?
I knew that all of the name-changing would catch up with me eventually
It's an 8000 word update, give us one major error--looks like the find-and-replace missed one or two.
That's a good eye you've got there, Glen; it's a good thing that you're a neurologist I'm glad to hear! Well, the Overview Update has to come first, so... sometime after that
Excellent question! There's only one way to find out!Will this include proposed theme parks
One additional comment: I've been noticing extensive edits to my TVTropes page in the last few days, and though I don't recognize the username of the troper responsible, I just wanted to express my gratitude in a place where I know that he or she will be reading. It's really great to see that page filling up with examples
Brainbin
What I was really thinking of with DV is that if his role is more minor will he still be Luke's father in episodes 2 & 3? Or have the crucial final role in the destruction of the emperor? I notice you didn't quote my reference to this so I suspect a sinister plan here.
Somehow I missed the post on the Turtledove's so belated commiserations. Hope we do better next year.
Steve
What I was really thinking of with DV is that if his role is more minor will he still be Luke's father in episodes 2 & 3? Or have the crucial final role in the destruction of the emperor? I notice you didn't quote my reference to this so I suspect a sinister plan here.
Somehow I missed the post on the Turtledove's so belated commiserations. Hope we do better next year.
Steve
What I was really thinking of with DV is that if his role is more minor will he still be Luke's father in episodes 2 & 3? Or have the crucial final role in the destruction of the emperor? I notice you didn't quote my reference to this so I suspect a sinister plan here.
Well at the time Star Wars was made OTL, it wasn't planned that Vader was Luke's father, otherwise there wouldn't have been the line about Vader killing Annekin Skywalker.
ITTL, there are a number of ways that the story could be written differently. For example *Vader could be killed and *Tarkin survive to fight another day.
Cheers,
Nigel.
My apologies for the silence lately, everyone - as always, RL has encroached somewhat on my attempts to remain on a brisk schedule, but I'd like to hope that the worst is behind me on that score. No promises as of yet, but I hope to have the next update ready this weekend. Thank you all for your patience.
I wouldn't be very good at my job if I didn't have a sinister plan or two up my sleeveWhat I was really thinking of with DV is that if his role is more minor will he still be Luke's father in episodes 2 & 3? Or have the crucial final role in the destruction of the emperor? I notice you didn't quote my reference to this so I suspect a sinister plan here.
Thank you for your kind words, Steve.stevep said:
Interesting suggestions, Nigel! We'll have to see how right or wrong you are on them.
And how would you rate it in comparison to the also Pandering-To-The-Yanks Doctor Who telefilm of 1996, I wonder?
I'm looking forward to it !
Well continuity was probably of less importance to viewers in the Sixties than the Nineties and no-one would expect a movie version of a story to be identical or consistant with a tv version. So, I'd say that calling the Doctor fully human in 1966 was probably less controversial than describing him as half human in 1996.
Anyway, everything's better with Daleks
Cheers,
Nigel.
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I thought it would pertinent to note here that Stuart Freeborn, one of the greatest creature effects designers both IOTL and ITTL (his work was covered in the latest update), has died. He, of course, leaves behind an outstanding legacy of movie magic.
Well, this marks post #2500 to this thread, and I want to thank you all for your continued gregariousness in helping me reach this threshold!
Either way, until then!
Those 30 years, all by themselves, represent the time that the character was able to become entrenched in popular culture. I think that was what made the difference, not the respective eras per se. Not that internal consistency wasn't far more important in the 1990s than it was in the 1960s - that much is obvious.
Thank you for sharing that announcement with us, vultan. Here's to one of the many, many people who worked together to make Star Wars what it was - one of the greatest examples of collaborative filmmaking in the history of the medium. May he rest in peace, having enjoyed such a long and fruitful life.
Maybe tomorrow... but don't hold me to that
Either way, until then!