Why Uncle Simon was a failure of an ep - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Best Man · 08-23-2014, 09:29 PM

The Twilight Zone Companion listed this as badly acted and directed. Book was not always right but it was about this ep. Director Don Siegel (of Dirty Harry fame) was quite a good director and classically trained, legendary European actor, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, was in this along with the just slightly inferior--talented Method actress Constance Ford. What was wrong the ep? Answer. We never feel we really get to know the characters. No intimacy of character. It is too much like watching two real life people who do not like each other going at it. Twilight Zone usually made us feel we got to know the characters by the ep's end--but not in this ep. A few years earlier they had a few videotapes for eps (Long Distance Call with Billy Mumy was one of them) and maybe this ep would have worked way, way better as a videotaped ep. It may have indeed forced more intimacy out of the characters just being able to hear Miss. Ford breathe. A shame of an ep as it is!

Best Man · 08-23-2014, 09:40 PM

With the way pretty much all takes place in a house it would have been perfect for videotape with VT's usual set limitations as well.

Zoneboy · 08-23-2014, 09:56 PM

Not a huge fan of this episode but it has some of the funniest lines in the series including:

Uncle Simon:

Go on upstairs and engage yourself in a nerve-wracking game of dominoes.

You're the only woman I know who looks as though underneath her clothes she wore clothes.

Keep your spindle-shang carcass out of my laboratory and your long-thin probing nose out of my business.

etc....

damin mance · 08-24-2014, 02:21 PM

There was nothing wrong with this episode it was the best too me I loved everything about it

Best Man · 08-24-2014, 08:30 PM

Zicree disagrees. So did many, many others --me too. The first time I even saw it it was non-involving --at least the climax of her never escaping her uncle not seeming terribly important due to the bad acting and direction. You like Connie Ford maybe?

Zoneboy · 08-24-2014, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damin mance

There was nothing wrong with this episode it was the best too me I loved everything about it

You've been claiming for years that "Probe 7-Over & Out" was the best episode Have you changed your mind?

Best Man · 08-29-2014, 02:48 AM

Damin, you are absolutely right beyond all belief to find Probe 7 Over and Out a great ep. Ted Post was an outstanding director of the highest calibre. But that is really another story.

Best Man · 08-29-2014, 02:50 AM

Uncle Simon was a really messed up ep. The three actors and director never worked on TZ before and that was understandably a handicap all in itself. I often felt it was often a real mistake to have all new crews make an ep. They may not have understood the show that well.

schmave · 10-02-2014, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Not a huge fan of this episode but it has some of the funniest lines in the series including:

Uncle Simon:

Go on upstairs and engage yourself in a nerve-wracking game of dominoes.

You're the only woman I know who looks as though underneath her clothes she wore clothes.

Keep your spindle-shang carcass out of my laboratory and your long-thin probing nose out of my business.

etc....

Ha! All great lines. Sometimes when I meet someone named Barbara, I can't help saying "BAR-BA-RA" in my mind.

That said, I have never liked this episode. Not saying it's in my bottom 5 or anything, but I've never been a big fan.

damin mance · 04-25-2015, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

You've been claiming for years that "Probe 7-Over & Out" was the best episode Have you changed your mind?

I Know but I still love probe 7 over and out

Uncle Simon episode was bad I enjoy watching it.

08-23-2014, 09:29 PM	#1
Best Man Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 15, 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 594	Why Uncle Simon was a failure of an ep The Twilight Zone Companion listed this as badly acted and directed. Book was not always right but it was about this ep. Director Don Siegel (of Dirty Harry fame) was quite a good director and classically trained, legendary European actor, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, was in this along with the just slightly inferior--talented Method actress Constance Ford. What was wrong the ep? Answer. We never feel we really get to know the characters. No intimacy of character. It is too much like watching two real life people who do not like each other going at it. Twilight Zone usually made us feel we got to know the characters by the ep's end--but not in this ep. A few years earlier they had a few videotapes for eps (Long Distance Call with Billy Mumy was one of them) and maybe this ep would have worked way, way better as a videotaped ep. It may have indeed forced more intimacy out of the characters just being able to hear Miss. Ford breathe. A shame of an ep as it is!

08-23-2014, 09:56 PM	#3
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,385	Not a huge fan of this episode but it has some of the funniest lines in the series including: Uncle Simon: Go on upstairs and engage yourself in a nerve-wracking game of dominoes. You're the only woman I know who looks as though underneath her clothes she wore clothes. Keep your spindle-shang carcass out of my laboratory and your long-thin probing nose out of my business. etc....
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

08-23-2014, 09:40 PM	#2
Best Man Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 15, 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 594	With the way pretty much all takes place in a house it would have been perfect for videotape with VT's usual set limitations as well.

08-24-2014, 02:21 PM	#4
damin mance Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 19, 2003 Location: new jersey newark Posts: 894	There was nothing wrong with this episode it was the best too me I loved everything about it

08-24-2014, 08:30 PM	#5
Best Man Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 15, 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 594	Zicree disagrees. So did many, many others --me too. The first time I even saw it it was non-involving --at least the climax of her never escaping her uncle not seeming terribly important due to the bad acting and direction. You like Connie Ford maybe?

08-29-2014, 02:48 AM	#7
Best Man Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 15, 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 594	Damin, you are absolutely right beyond all belief to find Probe 7 Over and Out a great ep. Ted Post was an outstanding director of the highest calibre. But that is really another story.

08-29-2014, 02:50 AM	#8
Best Man Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 15, 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 594	Uncle Simon was a really messed up ep. The three actors and director never worked on TZ before and that was understandably a handicap all in itself. I often felt it was often a real mistake to have all new crews make an ep. They may not have understood the show that well.