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Post by jestress on Oct 8, 2014 1:27:12 GMT
This is the book I have: Whole Spy CatalogueWhoever left the review is right about the dated technology, but it also has interesting sections about spies in tv, movies, and books. It also has short biographies about real spies and briefly explains the history of real spy organizations (although some of that is more Cold War stuff, like the KGB).
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jo
New Member
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Post by jo on Oct 26, 2014 3:45:11 GMT
After reading these articles I have a great respect for Kate Jackson. I remember watching Scarecrow and Mrs. King in the 80’s, but basically watched it for the developing relationship between Lee and Amanda. Ironically, I watched the first 3 seasons faithfully, then Lee and Amanda finally get together and the powers that be, move the show to Friday nights. For season 4, I was a freshman away at college, Friday nights did not work for me. I remember not being happy about the new night, but I guess over time I became involved in college and forgot about the show. So it was not until this past summer that I rediscovered SMK and finally watched season 4. So it was only recently I learned of KJ battle with breast cancer.
Sorry to ramble, but it was when I was trying to figure out what happened at the end of season 4, that I read about KJ. I give her a lot of credit with standing her ground on what she would and would not do on Charlie’s Angels. That has to be tough when you have a good paying job and bills to pay.
Then on SMK, she allowed Amanda to grow as a person, but also allowed a relationship to develop between Lee and Amanda without a lot of drama. I found it interesting in an article in ‘85, KJ mentioned about doing the show for 3 more years, which would have ended the series in the 87/88 season or season 5. Part of the reason could be the demands of doing an hour show, but I also wonder, if KJ realized that after Lee and Amanda were together, there is only some much you can do to keep the show going. It seems like she did have a vision to allow these characters to grow naturally, but did not want to go down the road of they are sort of together this week and having a fight and dating someone else the following week. (Hope that makes sense.) Also, that she tried to keep the show going even when she was sick. From how I read the article, it sounded like nobody knew she was being treated for cancer while they filmed the last episodes of the season.
My final thought (since this is becoming really long) is when I see Charlie’s Angels and Scarecrow and Mrs. King, it is almost like two different actress are portraying the characters. KJ had the amazing ability to recreate herself into a new character.
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Post by KC on Oct 26, 2014 4:15:47 GMT
I also have a *lot* of respect for KJ... and selfishly wish that she'd continued with her acting career. However, she had the strength of character to do what she believed and leave the crazy that's Hollywood behind. Hopefully she's really happy now. Regarding her illness it took strength and courage and a strong ethic to continue through her illness. It made me sad when I read that she only confided in the producer (?) -- I would have thought she might have at least told BB as her co-star, at least that she was sick if not the details, but I guess back in the '80s it was something kept more secret. I was disgusted to read Beverly Garland's comments in her biography though... I really hope KJ's biography gets published next year (it's been bumped a couple of times); I really really want to read it. Probably wouldn't bother with BB's if he published one, but really want to read hers.
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Post by learjet on Oct 26, 2014 7:19:48 GMT
jo - Neds is the place to hold forth so ramble away without fear. I've got The Smart One in my book depository wishlist and I think I'll get it. Much as I love Amanda, I admire KJ more [gasps of horror at Neds]. And I can't believe she had to suffer through that last part of season four so alone. Also, it must also take a lot of strength of character not to 'play to the media' for the sake of more publicity, more money etc in later years. I've toyed with watching Charlie's Angels but I'm not sure I want to see KJ in another role because I see her as "Amanda". I will also admit to being curious to see her in Loverboy- 1989 - where she plays Patrick Dempsey's mother. The storyline is a bit off-putting though. BG's comments really put me off her. I suppose what she said could've been misinterpreted as it was a biography (and I think was published posthumously). I've with you about not reading a biography/autobiography about/by BB. However, if he read it as an audiobook, I might reconsider....
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Post by jestress on Oct 27, 2014 0:26:01 GMT
I also have a *lot* of respect for KJ... and selfishly wish that she'd continued with her acting career. However, she had the strength of character to do what she believed and leave the crazy that's Hollywood behind. Hopefully she's really happy now. Regarding her illness it took strength and courage and a strong ethic to continue through her illness. It made me sad when I read that she only confided in the producer (?) -- I would have thought she might have at least told BB as her co-star, at least that she was sick if not the details, but I guess back in the '80s it was something kept more secret. I was disgusted to read Beverly Garland's comments in her biography though... I really hope KJ's biography gets published next year (it's been bumped a couple of times); I really really want to read it. Probably wouldn't bother with BB's if he published one, but really want to read hers. I haven't read Beverly Garland's biography. What was it she said?
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Post by learjet on Oct 27, 2014 1:45:03 GMT
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Post by jestress on Oct 27, 2014 2:52:33 GMT
Oh, I see. It does sound pretty clueless.
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Post by learjet on Oct 27, 2014 3:25:59 GMT
jestress - if you click on the link, there are some other 'gems' eg about KJ's attitude towards Dotty's character, changes to the script etc. I got the ebook out my public library but you can skim the solitary SMK chapter on google books. Also interesting what BG said about the child actors
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Post by jestress on Oct 27, 2014 4:21:48 GMT
Huh, apparently she didn't think the kids were the greatest actors, and that when working with kids, people don't pay as much attention to what you're doing. I don't know, I thought Dotty was pretty attention-getting.
Sour grapes?
I realized recently that Beverly Garland was in at least two movies that where riffed on Mystery Science Theater 3000, including one where she played a homicidal prison escapee hiding in a swamp (Swamp Women).
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Post by iwsod on Oct 27, 2014 8:52:54 GMT
After reading these articles I have a great respect for Kate Jackson. I remember watching Scarecrow and Mrs. King in the 80’s, but basically watched it for the developing relationship between Lee and Amanda. Ironically, I watched the first 3 seasons faithfully, then Lee and Amanda finally get together and the powers that be, move the show to Friday nights. For season 4, I was a freshman away at college, Friday nights did not work for me. I remember not being happy about the new night, but I guess over time I became involved in college and forgot about the show. So it was not until this past summer that I rediscovered SMK and finally watched season 4. So it was only recently I learned of KJ battle with breast cancer. Sorry to ramble, but it was when I was trying to figure out what happened at the end of season 4, that I read about KJ. I give her a lot of credit with standing her ground on what she would and would not do on Charlie’s Angels. That has to be tough when you have a good paying job and bills to pay. Then on SMK, she allowed Amanda to grow as a person, but also allowed a relationship to develop between Lee and Amanda without a lot of drama. I found it interesting in an article in ‘85, KJ mentioned about doing the show for 3 more years, which would have ended the series in the 87/88 season or season 5. Part of the reason could be the demands of doing an hour show, but I also wonder, if KJ realized that after Lee and Amanda were together, there is only some much you can do to keep the show going. It seems like she did have a vision to allow these characters to grow naturally, but did not want to go down the road of they are sort of together this week and having a fight and dating someone else the following week. (Hope that makes sense.) Also, that she tried to keep the show going even when she was sick. From how I read the article, it sounded like nobody knew she was being treated for cancer while they filmed the last episodes of the season. My final thought (since this is becoming really long) is when I see Charlie’s Angels and Scarecrow and Mrs. King, it is almost like two different actress are portraying the characters. KJ had the amazing ability to recreate herself into a new character. Preach it sister!!!!!
KJ is not perfect - but who is?? None of us are.. she is a brave courageous woman - and this was displayed in many different ways in her public life.. in her private life since smk I haven't really kept up with it. I figure she wants her privacy - but if she wrote an autobiography - I'd be in line to buy it!! Please let me know if she ever actually finishes it!!!
I've rambled before about how much I respect KJ and appreciate what she went through - not only to bring us season 4, but to bring us the first three seasons in the quality that she did.. Jo I've loved your comments and please don't limit yourself - more more!
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Post by iwsod on Oct 27, 2014 8:56:05 GMT
wha?!!!! Kate doesn't owe Beverley (or her fans) a darn thing.. kate can go or not go.. as a fan - I'd rather she didn't turn up than turn up only because she was forced to.. Ugh.. so glad I haven't read her biography. Just because KJ didn't make the same choices as BG does not make her wrong. she comes off as a Judgemental, petty woman who was at great pains to note and keep track of KJ"s transgressions.. get.. a .. life!
she kind of lost track - yeahhh see there was nothing BG could gain from keeping track of that!! Because she couldn't criticise KJ for it! Booooooooo!!!!
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Post by learjet on Oct 27, 2014 9:04:01 GMT
I'm so glad I'm not beautiful and famous! People's expectations of you...!
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Post by KC on Oct 28, 2014 0:04:36 GMT
Thanks Learjet and Iwsod for keeping the ball rolling... Regarding the issue of turning up to reunions: - the actors get paid for appearances (unless they're donating the appearance money to charity) --> if an actor shows up, it doesn't necessarily mean it's 'cos they feel all warm and fuzzy about the show/fans... (not saying they don't, but...) --> if KJ doesn't appear, she's not being hypocritical...
- KJ was vilified by some fans for ending the series 'cos of her illness --> if you were KJ, would that make you want to appear (even if you knew that there would be fans who supported you also there)?
Bottom line for me, as I've said before: I have the utmost respect for KJ.
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Post by learjet on Oct 28, 2014 3:39:24 GMT
And after going through treatment for a life-threatening disease twice, would you want to be asked personal questions about your experience by a bunch of people you don't know?
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Post by KC on Oct 28, 2014 3:50:44 GMT
... though KJ has spoken publicly about breast health and heart health...
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