So, I'm sorry. I don't want to come across as a nag or anything. Or as a paranoid schizophrenic; but I simply just have to say this. For my own peace of mind. I just have to put this out there. No, I've already "put it out there" in many of these blogs. I'm just gonna tell you what I did and what I saw. Hmmm, I Saw What You Did. That's an old Joan Crawford movie.
I can't believe Joan approved that picture. Also, what the heck is "uxoricide"?
So, anyways...
Yeah, so, like in a recent series of blogs, I took you, dear reader, through the process of creating a sitcom out of nothing.* If you read along at home, you may recall there was a scene in Cheeseheads which involved one of the characters "gifting" her sister-in-law with a Hermes silk scarf (an Hermes silk scarf?). The gift recipient shows it to her husband who notices the price-tag and its exorbitant digits. He then expresses his sheer disbelief re: the price.
So, anyways...
Yeah, so, like in a recent series of blogs, I took you, dear reader, through the process of creating a sitcom out of nothing.* If you read along at home, you may recall there was a scene in Cheeseheads which involved one of the characters "gifting" her sister-in-law with a Hermes silk scarf (an Hermes silk scarf?). The gift recipient shows it to her husband who notices the price-tag and its exorbitant digits. He then expresses his sheer disbelief re: the price.
In this weeks episode of The Neighborhood (Season 4 Episode 8 "Welcome to the Family Business") there was a scene where Calvin and his wife Tina have a lengthy discussion (lengthy by sitcom standards, anyways) about Hermes "Birkin" bags. Their exorbitant price-tags. Their insane unaffordability for most humans.
And just like that, I have to ask...is this a coincidence?
I also have to ask, if it's not; what is the probability that this similarity between two sitcom scripts could be so incredibly similar? I mean, we're talking about not just the prices of Hermes products; but in the context of gift-giving.
And just like that, I have to ask...is this a coincidence?
I also have to ask, if it's not; what is the probability that this similarity between two sitcom scripts could be so incredibly similar? I mean, we're talking about not just the prices of Hermes products; but in the context of gift-giving.
Okay. I know how things work. Sometimes, in life, two--maybe three--people have the same idea. How else can you explain Dante's Peak and Volcano and their nearly simultaneous releases? That kind of thing happens more than you would think. But that's subject matter. That is not scene specific.
I mean, okay, I get it. Two TV shows might (and often do) have extremely similar plot points. Just watch a block of ABC sitcoms and you'll see. But again, I must ask, what are the odds of a TV show that's on the air and a TV show that's still on the page would both have scenes revolving around Hermes products? I have mentioned before that I loathe "product placement." But in writing the character of Taft Schmidt, I wanted to show that she has extremely high-end taste and has the money to acquire it. I could've made up fake luxury brands (which is fun! How about The House of Arivvaducci?). But I wanted to make her luxury life-style more "real" so I chose a real brand. I also, in the interests of fair play (or not wanting to seem that I was endorsing Hermes (more on that later) mention several other deluxe brand names in the pilot. I mean, it's touchy, right? If you want realism, you need to mention "real" things in your script. Neiman Marcus, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Fendi and Hermes are all "real" things. Things many of us long to (and do) acquire. But that's rather beside the point.
We're not really talking about high-end designer brands here (but we are). We're talking about how and why my sitcom script and an episode of a successful CBS sitcom both have Hermes references? Can you infer what I'm implying?
I mean, okay, I get it. Two TV shows might (and often do) have extremely similar plot points. Just watch a block of ABC sitcoms and you'll see. But again, I must ask, what are the odds of a TV show that's on the air and a TV show that's still on the page would both have scenes revolving around Hermes products? I have mentioned before that I loathe "product placement." But in writing the character of Taft Schmidt, I wanted to show that she has extremely high-end taste and has the money to acquire it. I could've made up fake luxury brands (which is fun! How about The House of Arivvaducci?). But I wanted to make her luxury life-style more "real" so I chose a real brand. I also, in the interests of fair play (or not wanting to seem that I was endorsing Hermes (more on that later) mention several other deluxe brand names in the pilot. I mean, it's touchy, right? If you want realism, you need to mention "real" things in your script. Neiman Marcus, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Fendi and Hermes are all "real" things. Things many of us long to (and do) acquire. But that's rather beside the point.
We're not really talking about high-end designer brands here (but we are). We're talking about how and why my sitcom script and an episode of a successful CBS sitcom both have Hermes references? Can you infer what I'm implying?
Or is it just me?
Maybe I'm crazy and this is just a random coincidence. Maybe.
By the way, did you know why the Hermes "Birkin" bag is called a "Birkin" bag? Well, I'll tell ya.
Maybe I'm crazy and this is just a random coincidence. Maybe.
By the way, did you know why the Hermes "Birkin" bag is called a "Birkin" bag? Well, I'll tell ya.
Jane Birkin, 60's "It Girl," was on a plane and trying to load her straw bag into the overhead compartment. It spilled all over the CEO of Hermes, who she happened to be sitting next to. They got to talking and she explained she had the straw bag because she couldn't find a leather weekend bag that she liked. The rest is history. He designed the Birkin Bag and she became the sort of de facto mascot. Jane must've really been attached to that straw bag. She's carrying it in nearly 75% of the photos of her from that era. I mean, who would pair a straw basket with a see-through mini-dress? Jane Birkin, that's who! She started carrying the Birkin bag and then two became one. However, when the company started producing the bag in exotic skins, such as crocodile (with prices in the mid six figures); Jane politely asked them not to put her name on those products. Good on her! Now if Anna Wintour would only follow her example. Oh, here's Jane singing one of the sexiest songs ever, with her then boyfriend, Serge Gainsbourg.
Jane was sort of the Paris Hilton of her day, British style. That is: without the American crassness. I mean, not many women could pull off that little black dress. Maybe only a British girl, for some reason. Like, Elizabeth Hurley, perhaps. Or Julie Christie. Jane was...what was Jane? A model? An actress? A singer? All those things but none of those things. Someone famous for being famous? I only recall her being in a single American movie: Evil Under the Sun. She has one of the greatest costume moments in cinema history in that movie. Jane is known for her international "boho" chic. She may have invented it. I just had the thought that she's a Sagittarius. Let me check...
Yep. December 21. She recently had a stroke. I'll say a prayer tonight.
And then this happened...
Yep. December 21. She recently had a stroke. I'll say a prayer tonight.
And then this happened...
Photo: Temma Hankin / Copyright 2021 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. / a.k.a. Disney Corp. / Blah blah blah
So, like, literally right after I posted the video of Jane, I retired from my keyboard to go and watch the Wednesday night line-up of sitcoms on ABC. I like The Goldbergs. It's a show that actually makes me laugh. The reboot of The Wonder Years? Meh. I wasn't much of a fan of the first version. And by the way, ABC, what's up with all the narration on your sitcoms. It's like three out of every four sitcoms you produce have narration. Come on ABC, we're not morons. We can follow along quite nicely without Patton Oswalt's help. Or Topher Grace's (I'll get to him in a minute). The Connors?
God help us. That show has to be the first "slit-com"; as in, slit your wrists. Why does every last character on that show have to be so grindingly pessimistic or annoyingly sanctimonious. We get it, Connors: you're poor. You don't have to remind us every ten seconds.
Which brings us to Home Economics, which I've been following from the start. I grow to like it more and more with each episode. The cast chemistry is really starting to click. The show has a heart. Which was why I was a little disheartened myself as I watched tonight's episode: Season 2, Episode 9 "Secret Santa Gift, $25 Limit."
That title tells you pretty much all you need to know. But here's the thing: the major plot point revolved around a luxury gift. A very expensive luxury gift. A very expensive luxury gift of a ladies handbag. A very expensive luxury gift of a ladies handbag that clearly was a stand-in for a Hermes Birkin bag. Go ahead. Tell me I'm wrong. There it is in the above photo. Clearly Disney didn't want to give Hermes free advertising. Disney wants their scratch up front.
But Chris, you say, Chris, Chris, Chris...you poor little dunderhead. You sad, envious, mistaken little numbskull. That's called a coincidence. Don't you remember when Turner and Hooch and K-9 came out at the same time?
God help us. That show has to be the first "slit-com"; as in, slit your wrists. Why does every last character on that show have to be so grindingly pessimistic or annoyingly sanctimonious. We get it, Connors: you're poor. You don't have to remind us every ten seconds.
Which brings us to Home Economics, which I've been following from the start. I grow to like it more and more with each episode. The cast chemistry is really starting to click. The show has a heart. Which was why I was a little disheartened myself as I watched tonight's episode: Season 2, Episode 9 "Secret Santa Gift, $25 Limit."
That title tells you pretty much all you need to know. But here's the thing: the major plot point revolved around a luxury gift. A very expensive luxury gift. A very expensive luxury gift of a ladies handbag. A very expensive luxury gift of a ladies handbag that clearly was a stand-in for a Hermes Birkin bag. Go ahead. Tell me I'm wrong. There it is in the above photo. Clearly Disney didn't want to give Hermes free advertising. Disney wants their scratch up front.
But Chris, you say, Chris, Chris, Chris...you poor little dunderhead. You sad, envious, mistaken little numbskull. That's called a coincidence. Don't you remember when Turner and Hooch and K-9 came out at the same time?
You're just jealous. Do you really think seasoned pros on major sitcoms on two separate networks are taking...inspiration and ideas...from your little pilot script?
Yes, little voice in my head. Yes I do.
But I don't care.
I knew that putting that up in a public forum might do some "inspiring." I just didn't think it would happen that fast. That is, if it's happened.
Because, there is every chance that this "luxury gift" story thread is just floating through the zeitgeist right now.
So, I am asking anyone out there who is a sitcom writer and may have been inspired by my script or knows another sitcom writer who may have been inspired. Send me a sign. I just need to know for my own mental health. You can just send an image to my phone. Text me. Text me at 540-520-1974. Text it from a burner phone. Email it from a library computer to [email protected]. Text me a picture of a Goblin shark (or the weird fish of your choice). If I receive an anonymous picture of a Goblin shark or some other weird fish, I will know you read this and had the kindheartedness to help soothe my feverish brow.
Yes, little voice in my head. Yes I do.
But I don't care.
I knew that putting that up in a public forum might do some "inspiring." I just didn't think it would happen that fast. That is, if it's happened.
Because, there is every chance that this "luxury gift" story thread is just floating through the zeitgeist right now.
So, I am asking anyone out there who is a sitcom writer and may have been inspired by my script or knows another sitcom writer who may have been inspired. Send me a sign. I just need to know for my own mental health. You can just send an image to my phone. Text me. Text me at 540-520-1974. Text it from a burner phone. Email it from a library computer to [email protected]. Text me a picture of a Goblin shark (or the weird fish of your choice). If I receive an anonymous picture of a Goblin shark or some other weird fish, I will know you read this and had the kindheartedness to help soothe my feverish brow.
So, I got all that off my chest.
Speaking of chests...when did Topher Grace get so hot? Where was I? He had a shirtless scene on his show tonight. You got it going on, Toph! Also, I think you've finally found the perfect role for yourself. I kind of hated That 70's Show (I can't even "hate watch" the reruns). You've got a new fan! I hope the show has a long and happy run. I'll say a prayer tonight.
*Anyone Can Make a Sitcom! Parts 1-3
Speaking of chests...when did Topher Grace get so hot? Where was I? He had a shirtless scene on his show tonight. You got it going on, Toph! Also, I think you've finally found the perfect role for yourself. I kind of hated That 70's Show (I can't even "hate watch" the reruns). You've got a new fan! I hope the show has a long and happy run. I'll say a prayer tonight.
*Anyone Can Make a Sitcom! Parts 1-3
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