Did anyone see the "A My Name Is Alex" episode on Nick last night? I know that one has been subject to critism here,b ut I really do feel that is some of Michael's best work, especially on a Sit Com. There was just one thing. I know that some of it had to be cut, but just wish they wouldn't have cut the part they did. The part where Alex is asking why in an emotional sceen where Andy appears and asks if Alex wants him to kiss it and make it better. To me, that's one of the most climiactic parts near the end fo the show. At any rate, I guess there really isn't a "good" place to cut a part out,a nd I realize the station can't just skip the commercials, but... Did anyone else remember this part? I really want the episode in its entireity.
Who decides which parts are cut? Is it Nick, or are they cut when Nick gets them?
Did any station ever re-run that episode exactly has it aired, or is the original airing the only time the while show was shown? i'm full of questions!

Originally posted by Lizzie:
Did anyone see the "A My Name Is Alex" episode on Nick last night? I know that one has been subject to critism here,b ut I really do feel that is some of Michael's best work, especially on a Sit Com. There was just one thing. I know that some of it had to be cut, but just wish they wouldn't have cut the part they did. The part where Alex is asking why in an emotional sceen where Andy appears and asks if Alex wants him to kiss it and make it better. To me, that's one of the most climiactic parts near the end fo the show. At any rate, I guess there really isn't a "good" place to cut a part out,a nd I realize the station can't just skip the commercials, but... Did anyone else remember this part? I really want the episode in its entireity.
Who decides which parts are cut? Is it Nick, or are they cut when Nick gets them?
Did any station ever re-run that episode exactly has it aired, or is the original airing the only time the while show was shown? i'm full of questions!

I saw it last night. I was absolutely blown away (I'd never seen it b4, but I'd heard about it). I would really love to see the episode the way it aired originally too. Was it a one part episode that's just made into two in syndication, or is it a 2 parter?

Kristen

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I was wondering the same thing last night. i don't remember exactly how it aired, but ont he episode list, it's listed as eps 119 and 120, at least onthe one I've seen. I can't remember, though, if it was just a one hour show, or two separate shows that aired back to back. Seems it was two. The last 30 minutes didn't have any commercials and I remember the previews for it so well. I hadn't seen it since it's original airing, but know the part they cut. He did such a wonderful job and it's too bad that part had to be cut from re-runs. I really want to see the whole thing again!
Liz

I saw it last night for the first time too, and I can't even begin to put into words how, well, how blown away I was http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif. I taped it and I've watched it 5 or 6 times since last night http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/biggrin.gif. I'm somewhat of a newcomer to Family Ties, but I'd give anything to see the one-hour episode in its entirety (sp?). Does anyone know if any parts from the scene with Brother Timothy were also cut? That scene seemed awkwardly short, somehow.
Peace,
Manda

It did air as a hour long episode on March 12, 1987. It is one of the best and most memorable episodes of the entire series, and I haven't even seen it in years. I wish I didn't miss it the other night.

I hava always had mixed feelings about this particular episode. I have always thought it was among Micheal J. Fox's finest hours as an actor, (tied with the finale.) I have also felt that the episode itself was flawed for a few reasons:

1) Alex's best friend was a character we had never seen or heard of before and never heard any reference to again. A terrible continuity mistake that forever hurt the credibility of the episode.

2) In a flashback, (which was an attempt to rewrite history,) Alex and his friend were seen listening to metal music. From everything I remember Alex HATED metal.

When killing off a character that is intended to affect a main character to the level that Alex was affected you need to use them more then once and should at least make refernece to the ordeal of dealing with their death afterward in future episodes. This is one of my 10 commandments of sitcom continuity!

All in all continutiy aside it ranks up there in mine and anyone else's top 5.

Peace!

Mr. Garrett



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I am NOT going to be known as Sexy Lingere!
Jo

I agree with you on that. They should have had him in the show more, but maybe they couldn't work him in by the time the episode was written. As far as the music part of it, very true, but I think it was one of those things that showed the true diversity in Alex's character. I think the reason I liked it so much, barring what I just said in that I do agree with you on your points, was that 1, it showed mIchael's true acting ability, and 2, a more serious side to a Sit Com, and a true analysis of a character who only showed his emotions ont he surface. I liked that he kept seeing visions from his past, and that they were intwined with his present, and that we saw a side of him we had never seen before. I remember the episode when it originally aired. I thought it had aired as an hour ep, but wasn't sure. I remember that one and the last one probably in the most detail, as I was only a kid at the time. They both really stick out, but especially that one because it was the defining point where I realized just how good an actor Michael really is. If anyone has the entire show, or any other cut version with the part where Andy comes into the sceen still intact, please, please let me know. I really want this one in my collection, and really want to see that part again as well. I'm not sure about the Brother Timathy part, but now that you mention it, maybe they did cut it. I can't remember.
Okay, enough ranting! Hope everyone is having a great day!
Lizzie

You know, I was wondering if they had ever had Greg in any other episodes myself. Guess not. And it would've been more realistic if they had mentioned his death in later episodes, but not necessarily the best idea considering it was a TV show. When the show origionally aired, I'm sure that they didn't want to keep mentioning the one particular episode incase the audience had missed it. I know if I had missed that episode, and then went to watch the show the following week, I'd feel like I was missing something and wouldn't enjoy the show as much. And as for the rock music thing, I think that was the point...that everyone, including the audience, thought he hated it, but sometimes he really enjoyed listening to it, and only he and Greg knew that. It made Alex more interesting and diverse as a character, and it showed just how close Alex and Greg really were. And what Lizzie said goes for me too - please, if anyone knows of any way I can get my hands on the full-length version, or a different cut version, PLEASE let me know. My email's livininthe60s@att.net. Thank you so much!
Peace,
Manda

Originally posted by Mr. Garrett:
I hava always had mixed feelings about this particular episode. I have always thought it was among Micheal J. Fox's finest hours as an actor, (tied with the finale.) I have also felt that the episode itself was flawed for a few reasons:

1) Alex's best friend was a character we had never seen or heard of before and never heard any reference to again. A terrible continuity mistake that forever hurt the credibility of the episode.

2) In a flashback, (which was an attempt to rewrite history,) Alex and his friend were seen listening to metal music. From everything I remember Alex HATED metal.

When killing off a character that is intended to affect a main character to the level that Alex was affected you need to use them more then once and should at least make refernece to the ordeal of dealing with their death afterward in future episodes. This is one of my 10 commandments of sitcom continuity!

All in all continutiy aside it ranks up there in mine and anyone else's top 5.

Peace!

Mr. Garrett



About Alex listening to heavy metal, didn't he say that he was only listening to it b/c it was what Greg listened to? I remember hearing him say that the other night. And I agree about them killing a character we never saw before, but I guess they didn't want it to affect the audience by killing someone the audience had bonded with.

Kristen

I agree with you guys, that they didn't mention him in later episodes like they did Ellen, but Ellen was a character we saw almost every week, whereas Greg was someone we saw only once. I thought of something else too. When they showed Alex and Greg, it was always from either Alex's childhood or younger years. Whent he show began airing, Alex was 17, and the only time they showed them together was in flashbacks of Greg asking him to help move the piano. They never showed them doing anything together whent hey were older, although it was implied. I agree that they probably didn't want to kill off someone everyone knew, and I think the point of the episode was to show the more human and vulnerable side of Alex, and to show that everything he stood for could be questioned. Besides all that,t he acting was just outstanding! Perhaps they should have mentioned it in at least a few shows directly following that one, but maybe it was powerful enough to stand on its own. I'm talling you guys who didn't see it originally, the part they cut out, in my opinion, was really one of the best parts! If I get an uncut copy, i'll post here,a nd will copy it for anyone interested! Likewise, please let me know if you guys get a copy or have one you could copy! My email is lizzie11@earthlink.net.
BTW, anyone remember the previews for this episode? I'm not sure any network has ever made such a big deal about an episode of any show as they did this one.

I still think if Greg was Alex's best friend he should have at least gotten a mention or two during the remainder of the series. (The last 2 years)

As for the acting aspect of it I believe Micheal won his 3rd or 4th Emmy that year on the strength of that episode. His acting rivaled Alan Alda for highest callibre of acting in a sitcom I have ever seen. Still, this was a flawed premice due to the never before seen and never seen again character. (Only 90210 has ever done this right and they did it consistantly.) The only way this could have worked is if they killed off Nick a year or so after they killed Greg. The problem is that Justine would never have been able to pull an episode like this off alone. (Not to bash Justine but when you are talking about acting Micheal is in a completely different galaxy as Justine.)

Still, I enjoy watching the episode because it was so different from any of the others on the show. (If I had it my way you would have seen an episode with Alex, Nick and Skippy together in a bowling tournament but that's just me!)

L8'R

Mr. Garrett



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I am NOT going to be known as Sexy Lingere!
Jo

I think that episode was very good, but I think it was also the weirdest episode I've seen. It was just kind of confusing. Was Alex hallucinating or something?

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--Dana
Actressgrl7@aol.com

Blair: I just had another one of my brilliant ideas!!!!!

I may be in the minority, but I really dislike this episode. It's the ultimate in "Very Special Episodes", the "Family Ties" version of an "Afterschool Special". It's tough to care about the death of Alex's "best friend", when we've never seen that friend before. And the whole thing is so pretentious, what with the way the sets are designed during Alex's therapy.

Note to producers -- you're not "St. Elsewhere" or "Hill Street Blues", so stop trying to be so dramatic -- you look silly trying.

That said, Michael J. Fox WAS excellent in this -- I can only imagine how bad this would have been with a lesser actor.

Kristen: I think you're thinking of the part after Alex turns off Born To Be Wild, and Mallory says "I heard you listening to rock music last night. Steppenwolf, and Jim Morrison and the Doors..." and Alex answers "Greg likes Jim Morrison and the Doors, not me". I interpreted this as a cover up on Alex's part...I thought the whole point of the rock music bit was to prove that there is a side to Alex that's like Nick, only he kept it so well hidden that only he and Greg knew about it. If he had only been listening to rock music because Greg did, than why would he've listened to Born To Be Wild by himself?
Mr Garret: I totally agree about the mentioning it sometime during the remainder of the series. Just once or twice would've been enough to make it seem realistic and more meaningful, and it wouldn't be so much that it left the people that missed the episode in the dark.
Dana: Have you ever read the play "Death Of A Salesman"? This episode sort of reminded me of that. Both Alex and Willy Loman (the main character in that play) sort of wander in and out between memories and reality. The only part where Alex was hallucinating was when he was talking to Greg's ghost, before the therapy session. The rest was really just memories. If that had really happened in real life, the real-life Alex would've just told the therapist the memories. But for the sake of making it all more touching, more personal, more real to the audience, (and because Michael is just so FREAKING talented http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/biggrin.gif), they played out the memories.
TV Guy: I totally agree about the lesser actor thing. Michael was *unbelievable*, and I can't think of anyone else in the world that could've pulled it off as well as he did. But, could you explain what you mean about the therapy set? I don't really see how that was pretentious.

Peace,
Manda

I know, I know, I'm being a board-hogger...but hey, I've got a lot to say on this episode http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif!
Lizzie: I think the reason they only showed Alex and Greg when they were younger was because they did have a time limit, so they assumed that the audience would assume that Alex and Greg were close friends in recent years, and they only showed them when they were younger to show that they were close friends from 2nd grade and up.
Hey, since we're on the subject...does anyone know why it's called "A My Name Is Alex Keaton"? Why the "A"? That little "A"'s got me puzzled http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif
Peace,
Manda

I didn't know that episode was on until I flipped to the channel during a commercial break in the football game. I set my VCR timer to tape the show at 1am, but the show started at 1:10, and ran until 2:10, so I don't have the last part of the show. Like the others, if anyone can get their hands on a tape of the original episode, or even the one from Sunday (this means you, Mandy), please email me at D4thofJuly@aol.com. It would be greatly appreciated. Thanx.

I didn't know that episode was on until I flipped to the channel during a commercial break in the football game. I set my VCR timer to tape the show at 1am, but the show started at 1:10, and ran until 2:10, so I don't have the last part of the show. If anyone can get their hands on a tape of the original episode, or even the one from Sunday, please email me at D4thofJuly@aol.com. It would be greatly appreciated. I am also looking for the episode called, "It's My Party," where Jennifer hangs out with the cool kids. Thanx.

Originally posted by Manda:
But, could you explain what you mean about the therapy set? I don't really see how that was pretentious.

Alex's therapy session and flashbacks were staged as though it was a stage play, rather than a television show, with the (simple) sets lighting up and going dark depending on which way Alex was walking. The whole thing just came off as really self-important to me.
But I generally dislike whenever a sitcom tries to get serious (it's supposed to be funny, IMHO), so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

Someone asked why there was an "A" in the title ("A My Name is Alex"). There's an old children's rhyme, sometimes used as a jump-roping rhyme, where you state your name, where you're from, and what you like, and all those things should start with the same letter as your name. So, Alex's rhyme could go, "A my name is Alex, I live in Albuquerque, and I like apples". Or something like that.

TV Guy: That's really interesting that you feel that way. I for one actually *loved* the way the therapy set was set up. Of course, I also grew up with the theater, and am a huge theater-fan, so that might explain it http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif.
And, IMNSHO, to quote Peter Tork (anyone remember him?), "You've gotta have the drama there or the comedy doesn't play". I always thought that, without *some* sort of drama, the sit-com ends up being rather stupid and superficial. But that's just me http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif.

Peace,
Manda

Oh, I almost forgot...that was me who asked about the "A..." thing http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif. Thanks so much for answering me, I never knew that! Guess ya learn somethin' new every day, huh?

Peace,
Manda

The "Hello my name is ALex" episode is one of my favs. It was amazing when it was done originally. It was all one session....no comercials. Michael did a great job. I am lucky to haver taped the original. EVery now and then I watch it.....AWESOME. Also have the original two episode when Alex meets Ellen, before the edits cut out nice parts in the reruns.

Mike Partsch: You have the original, no-cut version of "A My Name..."???!! Listen, I was wondering...could you email me about selling me a copy of it? livininthe60s@att.net I've been looking EVERYWHERE for a copy, with no luck. Or, if you have AOL Instant Messanger, IM me - my screenname is Livin In Da 60s
THANK YOU so much!

Peace,
Manda

Since there are a lot of newcomers to Family Ties (myself being one of them) ever since it came to Nick at Night, why don't we get a petition going around to try and get the unedited version of "A My Name is Alex" back on Nick at Night? I'm sure A LOT of us would appreciate it so much. http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif

That's a really good idea, Breanne! http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif So, how do we go about this?

Peace,
Manda

I think to get this started all someone needs to do is be a moderator of the email (that could be me) and just forward the petition to a lot of FT fans. The fans would sign it and send it back to me, but also send it out to other people who like to see the A My Name is Alex episode. So if anyone wants to post their email address in the message board, I can send you the petition and we can get the ball rolling. I'm not sure how many signatures we need, but I'm guessing around 300 or so. Does that sound like a good idea?

Well, all I can say is...I hope it works! My email is livininthe60s@att.net

Peace,
Manda