From James A – Before ABC’s 20/20, they had tried another news magazine-type show. What was it?
Mr. Pop History – NBC and ABC envied the ratings and financial success of CBS’ 60 Minutes. It took ABC a while. One was something called “Seven Days” – a sort of week-in-review program. The problem – you couldn’t rerun it – and the ratings weren’t that good.
Over at NBC? Some 10 magazine shows came and went before they hit the right formula and timing. More in another Q&A.
From CR – Ben Stiller question: wasn’t he discovered by way of comic clubs?
Mr. Pop History – Ben Stiller auditioned and won a spot on MTV. From there, he was spotted by Fox, which aired his short-lived – “The Ben Stiller Show” in 1992. Not a big ratings-grabber, it took two years to develop and showed off Stiller’s inventiveness. From there – he went into movies.
Fox-TV was a great launching pad for talented comedians such as Stiller and Jim Carey.
From Steve R – Mr. Pop – On the “Grunge” music time line – what started it all?
Mr. Pop History – Although Grunge had been around since the Psyche ’60’s – Mainstream Grunge began with 1990’s “Louder Than Love,” the debut album for Soundgarden.
From Paul S – Didn’t the late Gary Coleman attempt several TV comebacks?
Mr. Pop History – Yes. One of them was a pilot for “Lookin’ Up at the Nightly News.” It was to be a daily syndicated series focusing on the bright side of the news. Produced and hosted by Coleman, the pilot was produced in 1995, but never sold.
From SP – Mr. Pop History – What would you say is the biggest trend in determining how music sales are calculated or determined?
Mr. Pop History – SoundScan turned the music industry on its ear back in 1991. All of a sudden, you couldn’t hype music charts – something that always prevailed in the business. SoundScan uses a computerized system that registers a sale every time an album is passed through the bar code scanner. The first thing it discovered? Less mainstream acts actually sold more music than previously reported. Those acts included N.W.A. and Garth Brooks. Did SoundScan propel Rap Music? Probably – especially early on.
The record industry at first, hated SoundScan. They had to change the way they did business – in many ways. The two people behind SoundScan are Mike Shalette and Mike Finn.
From Craig Z – McDonald’s once introduced and alternative to the Big Mac, a diet hamburger if you will. What was the name of it?
Mr. Pop History – It was the “McLean” sandwich – a diet alternative to the Big Mac. This would have been around 1990. A 1991 ad for the “Deluxe” McLean said it was 91% fat free. This was a time when fast food restaurants began offering diet alternatives.
From Frank B – ABC had a show that ripped off Fox’ “Cops.” What was the name of this show?
Mr. Pop History – It was 1991’s “American Detective.” It was a broader interpretation of Cops, I suppose, as it focused on jobs, actions and private existences of the men and women who protect the public.
From Steve J – Mr. Pop – TV movies have or are written for 7 acts. Theater movies are written for only three acts. Why?
Mr. Pop History – TV is that way in order to accommodate commercials and station breaks.
And, TV movies on commercial networks are exactly 96 minutes. And remember – each act has to have its sort-of cliffhanger – especially the top-of-the-hour. Now – movies on HBO and other pay nets – they’re written as three acts. The second act is always the hardest to write.
From Jonie Y – Mr. Pop – Do you know how much music – the maximum music that could be played from a 45rpm record? A 33rpm record?
Mr. Pop History – For each side – 8 minutes was the max for 45rpm singles. A 33 long-play record – 22 minutes. Remember – that’s each side.
From Garry A – Mr. Pop – When those little DVD discs came out, what did DVD stand for? I have a bet with my sister’s boyfriend.
Mr. Pop History – It originally meant “Digital Versatile Disc” but it seems everyone now believes it means “Digital Video Disc.”
Mr. Pop Culture Report
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