OT: The FOFC Television Draft - Draft Thread

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by Raven

So I wasn't your first round pick?

While it was a good performance, I think your glass washing skills weren't very convincing. Sorry.

[Crapshoot]

Can I assume 1.4 and 1.5 fly ? I'm going to hold of on this pick until that's clear...

[Maple Leafs]

Both picks are good, although I'd like Raven to clarify whether he's taking Ed Sullivan or the Beatles as his performer.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by ThunderingHERD

Johnny Carson, for The Tonight Show (other).

Just to be clear for future picks, The Tonight Show is one show (i.e. you can't use the Leno version, etc).

[Crapshoot]

With Pick 1.6, Crapshoot takes Cheers in the Comedy category

I was very tempted to take this show at 1.3 - but decided it might last. In terms of the best comedies of all times, it ranks up there with Seinfeld and MASH - and given those two were taken in other roles, I feel confident that I've drafted the best show that will end up in the "Comedy" category. Sam "Mayday" Malone is one of the greatest characters ever seen on TV, and a supporting cast of Norm, Cliff, Coach/Woody, Fraiser, Carla, and of course Diane give it depth. Added bonus point for the sentimental touches - after the death of Nicholas Colasanto ("Coach"),the picture of "Geronimo" stays on the walls, as a tribute. As a bonus, it spun of "Frasier", another great show. In the end, we all want a place where "everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came."

[Abe Sargent]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

With Pick 1.6, Crapshoot takes Cheers in the Comedy category

I was very tempted to take this show at 1.3 - but decided it might last. In terms of the best comedies of all times, it ranks up there with Seinfeld and MASH - and given those two were taken in other roles, I feel confident that I've drafted the best show that will end up in the "Comedy" category. Sam "Mayday" Malone is one of the greatest characters ever seen on TV, and a supporting cast of Norm, Cliff, Coach/Woody, Fraiser, Carla, and of course Diane give it depth. Added bonus point for the sentimental touches - after the death of Nicholas Colasanto ("Coach"),the picture of "Geronimo" stays on the walls, as a tribute. As a bonus, it spun of "Frasier", another great show. In the end, we all want a place where "everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came."

I like Cheers. I just don't feel that it was even close to the best comedy left on the board.

-Anxiety

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Anxiety

I like Cheers. I just don't feel that it was even close to the best comedy left on the board.

-Anxiety

Eh, different strokes. I love Arrested Devlopment, but it would not have been a popular pick at 1.6...

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Both picks are good, although I'd like Raven to clarify whether he's taking Ed Sullivan or the Beatles as his performer.

After chatting with Raven, he's taking the Beatles in the moment category.

[Maple Leafs]

After missing out in the comedians draft, we make amends here...

1.7 Performer, comedy - Lucille Ball (I Love Lucy)

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

After missing out in the comedians draft, we make amends here...

1.7 Performer, comedy - Lucille Ball (I Love Lucy)

FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My pick might take awhile, because that was my pick too.

[Schmidty]

Do we need to know the exact name of an episode, or can we just describe it? I saw an episode of one of my favorite (old) shows recently that I love, but I have no idea what the name is.

[Schmidty]

Oh well, I'll just pick the show instead of the moment I'm thinking of:

Comedy, Show - All in the Family

[JonInMiddleGA]

Darn you Schmidty

[Maple Leafs]

Just a description is fine as long as it's fairly clear.

I seriously considered taking "Sammy Davis Jr kisses Archie Bunker" with my pick.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Schmidty's pick (of what would have been my first round pick) should bring us to me & my traded down selection at #1.9

For trading down, I'm pretty happy with what I get ... after all, it's hard to beat the longest-running series with the most episodes of any fictional content series in history.

Pick #1.9 is Show, Drama, Gunsmoke

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Just a description is fine as long as it's fairly clear.

I seriously considered taking "Sammy Davis Jr kisses Archie Bunker" with my pick.

Bingo. That's the one I was thinking of. I should have done that instaed of the show. Oh well.

[JonInMiddleGA]

For those who may not recall the legacy of my selection, consider:
-- Three years running (57,58,59) as the highest rated show on television
-- It brought in the era of the TV western, paving the way for classics like Bonanza, and Wagon Train, and yet was the last one standing when the era finally ended
-- The show not only made the successful transition from radio to television, but also smoothly made the switch from black & white to color
-- The show was so much a part of Americana that rumors of its cancellation in 1967 sparked such a response that the show was praised in Congress and revived in the eye of the viewers who propelled the show back into the top twenty to continue its run.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Maple Leafs -- I've been working since 430 this morning & I'm pretty much wiped out. The next draftee isn't in the thread at the moment & I'm getting pretty doubtful that I'm going to even be awake when my 2nd choice comes up in a couple of picks. I also don't know how long things will keep moving here, so I'm wondering ... can I PM you a short preference list (enough to guarantee something in hand for my next pick) or should I do a longer list that would cover the next three rounds?

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Maple Leafs -- I've been working since 430 this morning & I'm pretty much wiped out. The next draftee isn't in the thread at the moment & I'm getting pretty doubtful that I'm going to even be awake when my 2nd choice comes up in a couple of picks. I also don't know how long things will keep moving here, so I'm wondering ... can I PM you a short preference list (enough to guarantee something in hand for my next pick) or should I do a longer list that would cover the next three rounds?

No, a short list is fine. You'd be surprised how few of your picks will be used, so it wouldn't shock me if we can get two rounds with shorter list.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

No, a short list is fine. You'd be surprised how few of your picks will be used, so it wouldn't shock me if we can get two rounds with shorter list.

PM sent, with 10 selections, that ought to cover me for the night pretty darned well. Meanwhile, I'm hitting the rack, 'cause I'm just too stinkin' old to work for 17 hours straight anymore.

[kcchief19]

Wow, I was away from my computer most of the day and just discovered how much everyone hated my usage of Seinfeld. Looks like I'm boned.

To each his own I supposed. I mentioned this in our earlier comedian draft, but I think the performers of Seinfeld were nothing more than instruments of the writing; there are plenty of people who are better performers than those actors. I certainly could have gone with the entirety of the show; that might have been a miscalculation.

I think I'm partial to The Outing because I think it was absolute genius in the way a controversial subject was handled. If you've seen the DVDs of the show, you can tell from the interviews and the commentary that The Outing is what the cast probably considers their best show. The Contest was great as well; I can also see that point.

[sachmo71]

1.10. Show, Comedy, The Simpsons

Put Fox on the map, and changed pop culture forever. Oh, and also kicked off the primetime cartoon craze. And some other stuff.

2.1. Show, Comedy, Saturday Night Live

Burning through my shows and comedy slots, but this show is another heavy hitter. Some of the greatest moments in TV were seen on this show and is a television institution.

[Crapshoot]

grr! I was hoping SNL would last till 2.5!

[Barkeep49]

I think SNL should have been used for some moment as there have been many, but otherwise I think Sachmo's off to a great start. The Ed Sullivan Beatles pick was something I hadn't though of, but certainly worth first round consideration. Gunsmoke was good, but I think a little early. Overall I'd say that I've been impressed with what people have drafted here.

[Crapshoot]

Yeah, I would have gone with Cowbell, or Sinead O Connor, or a whole bunch - but still, SNL as a show is a great pick.

[Karlifornia]

I don't have any qualms with sachmo's selections. I disagree to those that say one SNL moments stands out. There are just so many of them that are neck-and-neck.

[Maple Leafs]

See, to me SNL is clearly a show that you want to pick as a show, not a moment. I really can't think of any SNL moments that were so enormous that they should be recognized on their own. If I had to pick one, I'd probably go with Richard Pryor and Chevy Chase playing word association, but overall I think taking the show as a whole is the right pick.

[Maple Leafs]

Oops, I forgot that Raven and JonInMiddleGA had swapped second round picks. Jon did send in his picks, so...

2.2 Show, Other - Hockey Night in Canada

Schmidty is up at 2.3.

[Radii]

I'd agree with SNL being best used as a show. I was hoping the Simpsons would fall to me at 2.9. This is tough, I honestly have no idea what I want to take next.

[WSUCougar]

Yeah, I concur that SNL is best grabbed as a show and not a moment. You ask a dozen folks on the street what their favorite SNL "moment" is and you'd probably get that many different responses back.

"Hockey Night in Canada" is an interesting choice, but personally I think it's a major reach in the early second round.

[Maple Leafs]

Agreed that HNIC seems like a reach here. It's the sort of pick that could win you a lot of votes, though. Would it have been there in the third round (or later?) I think so, but I guess he wanted to be safe.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

1.10. Show, Comedy, The Simpsons

Put Fox on the map, and changed pop culture forever. Oh, and also kicked off the primetime cartoon craze. And some other stuff.

2.1. Show, Comedy, Saturday Night Live

Burning through my shows and comedy slots, but this show is another heavy hitter. Some of the greatest moments in TV were seen on this show and is a television institution.

Great pick with SNL.

I also like the Simpson, although I will quibble that it kicked off a primetime cartoon craze. A handful of short lived series, none successful on a major network, no top 40 rated shows, does not constitute, in any definition of the word, a "craze."

[Raiders Army]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

1.10. Show, Comedy, The Simpsons

Put Fox on the map, and changed pop culture forever. Oh, and also kicked off the primetime cartoon craze. And some other stuff.

2.1. Show, Comedy, Saturday Night Live

Burning through my shows and comedy slots, but this show is another heavy hitter. Some of the greatest moments in TV were seen on this show and is a television institution.

Nice and nice.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by Samdari

Great pick with SNL.

I also like the Simpson, although I will quibble that it kicked off a primetime cartoon craze. A handful of short lived series, none successful on a major network, no top 40 rated shows, does not constitute, in any definition of the word, a "craze."

So to qualify to fit the word craze, it must be successful? Like the dot com craze? Or legwarmers?

By the way, here is the definition of "craze" from dictionary.com.


craze ( P ) Pronunciation Key (krz)
v. crazed, craz·ing, craz·es
v. tr.
To cause to become mentally deranged or obsessed; make insane.
To produce a network of fine cracks in the surface or glaze of.

v. intr.
To become mentally deranged or obsessed; go insane.
To become covered with fine cracks.

n.
A short-lived popular fashion; a fad.
A fine crack in a surface or glaze.

[Maple Leafs]

By the way, Schmidty didn't send a pick. If anyone who got yelled at for that in his sports draft wants to mock him now, be my guest.

[JonInMiddleGA]

re"HNIC -- it might well have been around in the 3rd round, but I was afraid that somebody else might stumble upon it by thinking along the lines of "hmm ... what about shows outside the U.S.". And in that scenario, poof, there goes my pick that I really feel good about overall. (HNIC may very well be to sports tv what FM is to text-sims)

It may be a little bit like drafting a kicking specialist early, but I really feel like I drafted Ray Guy not Sebastian Janikowski.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

It may be a little bit like drafting a kicking specialist early, but I really feel like I drafted Ray Guy not Sebastian Janikowski.

Okay, THAT actually made sense.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

re"HNIC -- it might well have been around in the 3rd round, but I was afraid that somebody else might stumble upon it by thinking along the lines of "hmm ... what about shows outside the U.S.". And in that scenario, poof, there goes my pick that I really feel good about overall. (HNIC may very well be to sports tv what FM is to text-sims)

It may be a little bit like drafting a kicking specialist early, but I really feel like I drafted Ray Guy not Sebastian Janikowski.

In my keeper league, on guy took Seabass in the 2nd round in his rookie year. But I won't compare you to him.

[Schmidty]

Comedy, Performer - Jackie Geason, "The Honeymooners"

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

So to qualify to fit the word craze, it must be successful? Like the dot com craze? Or legwarmers?

By the way, here is the definition of "craze" from dictionary.com.


craze ( P ) Pronunciation Key (krz)
v. crazed, craz·ing, craz·es
v. tr.
To cause to become mentally deranged or obsessed; make insane.
To produce a network of fine cracks in the surface or glaze of.

v. intr.
To become mentally deranged or obsessed; go insane.
To become covered with fine cracks.

n.
A short-lived popular fashion; a fad.
A fine crack in a surface or glaze.

Legwarmers and dot-com stocks were both short-lived and very popular. Prime time cartoons do not fit that definition, because other than the Simpsons, none ever rose to the level of popular.

Reality shows are (I hope) a craze. Prime time cartoons are a very small niche.

[Abe Sargent]

I know that a lot of folks like and respect the Honeymooners and I Love Lucy, but to be honest, I don't think that those two shows stand the test of time as well as some contemporary shows of the day. I really think those two are overrated and that the major two actors (lucy and jackie) seem to have one major schtick and stick with in through thick and thin.

-Anxiety

[JonInMiddleGA]

re: prime-time cartoons -- I thought the Simpsons was a nice pick at that spot (and considered it myself even though I'm not particularly a fan of the show). It's the most successful of its kind, and I believe the success (and continuing growth) of properties like the Adult Swim lineup may be starting to redefine what "prime time" really is. Absent a Simpsons, I'm not at all sure those shows would exist at all.

re: Jackie Gleason -- again, it may be one schtick, but it's the defining example of the type. And minus Jackie/Honeymooners, I don't believe we see the same Archie Bunker, the same George Jefferson, or any of the countless other "flawed but lovable" male sitcom characters that are such a part of the whole genre.

[Maple Leafs]

2.4 Moment, other - Howard Cossell announces the death of John Lennon (Monday Night Football)

kcchief is on the clock.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Anxiety

I know that a lot of folks like and respect the Honeymooners and I Love Lucy, but to be honest, I don't think that those two shows stand the test of time as well as some contemporary shows of the day. I really think those two are overrated and that the major two actors (lucy and jackie) seem to have one major schtick and stick with in through thick and thin.

That may be true, but as Jon points out, it defined the genre. It's like listening to an old radio comedy from the first half of the century -- they don't hold up well now because the humor seems so cliched. But it wasn't cliched back then -- it became cliched because those people were the groundbreakers, and everyone else followed along until the path became very well worn.

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by Anxiety

I know that a lot of folks like and respect the Honeymooners and I Love Lucy, but to be honest, I don't think that those two shows stand the test of time as well as some contemporary shows of the day. I really think those two are overrated and that the major two actors (lucy and jackie) seem to have one major schtick and stick with in through thick and thin.

-Anxiety

That's cool, but I totally disagree. I love both shows and watch them everytime they're on, and Jackie and Lucy would be funny no matter what era it is. I mean, think about Gleason's hilarious performance in "Smokey and the Bandit". The man was a comedic genius.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by Samdari

Legwarmers and dot-com stocks were both short-lived and very popular. Prime time cartoons do not fit that definition, because other than the Simpsons, none ever rose to the level of popular.

Reality shows are (I hope) a craze. Prime time cartoons are a very small niche.

And primetime cartoons, before the Simpsons, consisted of...The Flintstones. How about after? Thus, my contention that the Simpsons started a short lived, popular fad. Two, actually, but that's another story.

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

2.4 Moment, other - Howard Cossell announces the death of John Lennon (Monday Night Football)

kcchief is on the clock.

Actually, I'm on the clock as per the trade.

With pick 2.5, Moment, other - Neal Armstrong takes the first human steps on the moon - (news) - "One Small Step for man, one large step for mankind."

[kcchief19]

This is starting to make my head hurt.

Question: No neccessarily a protest, but a point of clarification -- does Crapshoot need to identify a show for the moon landing? I mean, I'm sure there is a show that could be associated with it. Or is this protected because it's listed as "other," making Other a catchall category?

[Crapshoot]

Good question - I re-read the rules before making the pick, and it suggested that news or whatever was fair game - thus I went ahead with my pick.

[Maple Leafs]

Specific news shows are OK. "The news" is not.

Originally Posted by The rules as posted on page one

"The news" or "Saturday morning cartoons" would not be a valid pick.

If you can find a specific news program, it's good. However, note that for most famous world events (and there are literally dozens that would be early picks in this draft otherwise) you'll likely be unable to find a specific program, because the broadcasts were special events (i.e. "breaking news", etc).

Edit: To be even more specific, "NBC News Special Report" would not count since it's a generic catch-all. However, if you happen to know that the CBS Evening News showed the moon landing live during a regularly scheduled broadcast, then you can choose it (similar to my MNF pick). But be prepared to show a link or some other form of evidence.