Road Rage..."Helen" Style! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

pilotguy · 09-05-2003, 07:51 AM

I've just watched "The Naked Truth" episode for the first time, and enjoyed it (although it WAS kind of depressing to see the falling-out of the Joe-Helen relationship).

That final scene with Helen crashing her jeep through Joe's office was quite interesting...I suspect that they didn't film that crash before a studio audience, but rather added canned laughter later.

Many times "studio audience" sitcoms would film particular scenes WITHOUT an audience present due to the scene being potentially dangerous to onlookers...and when that jeep hit the office, it was a real MESS! The producers probably didn't want an audience member accidentally hit with a piece of flying debris.

I suspect this because the audience reaction to the crash was just too "laid back" to be genuine. On other shows when similar things like that happen (like Lucy's car accidentally rolling through her living room wall on "The Lucy Show"), and a studio audience IS present (which it was on Lucy's show), the audience's reaction is MUCH more wild...and they usually break out into long, spontaneous applause for such a stunt while the dust settles....and we didn't hear any of that in this episode.

But this WAS a good episode...and for what it's worth, Helen was not alone...Gail's sweet, "let's all be friends and civilized about this" attitude turned MY stomach too!

losthighway · 09-05-2003, 11:40 AM

Yep, the Naked Truth is another really good episode....it really was a perfect turn with the way season 2 ended. Once again, I must tip my hat to the writers because they came up with a perfect way to handle the Helen departure to NY.

Getting back in my "analysis mode" I'm really glad the sentiment around here is that Joe did nothing wrong. I mean he tries to be supportive and not stand in Helen's way of pursuing her dreams as a Cellist...then when that falls through he pleads with her to not go and tells her he loves her.....and she responds with a "thanks, I love you to", and hops on a plane and leaves. THEN she doesn't tell the guy where she is and doesn't pick up a phone for 10 months! What was he supposed to do or think? Any guy in their right mind would think she doesn't care about them and eventually move on.

The only thing Joe could have done differently is tell Helen maybe about Gail during the plane ride back to Nantucket. If he'd told Helen in the Bar about Gail her stubborn pride would have kicked in and she would have acted like she would tough it out in NY for a while longer.

But I loved the entire scene in Joe's office when he explained why he had moved on with Gail. And once again Crystal gave a great performance....I loved her "no life" speech.

pilotguy · 09-05-2003, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by losthighway

But I loved the entire scene in Joe's office when he explained why he had moved on with Gail. And once again Crystal gave a great performance....I loved her "no life" speech.

Yes, Joe said (about Gail to Helen): "She's NICE....she doesn't HIT!".

I know that that's an excellent reason for being in a relationship with someone, but sometimes I get the feeling that in a sick way, Joe LIKED being pushed around by Helen!

(Of course, after their wedding the "passive/agressive" side of Joe came out...he wouldn't outwardly argue with Helen about something, but rather act like he was going along with her...and then turn around and do just what he wanted! Remember how he went to the architect of their new soon-to-be-built home and blew off her walk-in closet so he could have room for his big-screen TV? Joe made us real-life husbands PROUD....Just KIDDING, ladies!)

Chocoholic · 09-05-2003, 11:58 AM

This is another great episode. I don't blame Joe for moving on after Helen left him. At least they didn't do that stupid "We were on a break!" thing that Friends did with Ross and Rachel.

Helen driving through Joe's office has me in hysterics every time.

They really don't make sitcoms like they used to.

pilotguy · 09-05-2003, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by losthighway

Getting back in my "analysis mode" I'm really glad the sentiment around here is that Joe did nothing wrong. I mean he tries to be supportive and not stand in Helen's way of pursuing her dreams as a Cellist...then when that falls through he pleads with her to not go and tells her he loves her.....and she responds with a "thanks, I love you to", and hops on a plane and leaves. THEN she doesn't tell the guy where she is and doesn't pick up a phone for 10 months! What was he supposed to do or think? Any guy in their right mind would think she doesn't care about them and eventually move on.

This is why it is SO important that NICK run ALL of the "Wings" episodes in their proper chronological order!

The first time NICK ran the "Wings" cycle, they skipped "Duet For Cello and Plane", "The Naked Truth" and "Is That A Subpoena in Your Pocket?", so all this time I kept thinking "Poor, poor Helen....How could that rat Joe DO that to that poor girl?"....but NOW I have the WHOLE story, and I can see why Joe moved on to someone else!

Some sitcoms can get away with having their episodes skipped and mixed up, but not "Wings"!

Krista2882 · 09-05-2003, 12:27 PM

yeah, that was the first time I've seen this episode too. I liked it a lot.
I liked the scene between Joe and Helen, in Joe's office.
and oh, that was funny when Joe opened the blinds on the window, and everyone was smashed up against it on the other side, trying to hear what was going on. hahaha!
and yeah, I agree with you pilotguy- Gail's "let's be civilized about this" attitude to Helen when they were in Joe's office made me nauseous too. lol!

and yes, Helen driving her Jeep through Joe's office at the end was great. hehehe.

~Krista

Krista2882 · 09-05-2003, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pilotguy
This is why it is SO important that NICK run ALL of the "Wings" episodes in their proper chronological order!

The first time NICK ran the "Wings" cycle, they skipped "Duet For Cello and Plane", "The Naked Truth" and "Is That A Subpoena in Your Pocket?", so all this time I kept thinking "Poor, poor Helen....How could that rat Joe DO that to that poor girl?"....but NOW I have the WHOLE story, and I can see why Joe moved on to someone else!

Some sitcoms can get away with having their episodes skipped and mixed up, but not "Wings"!

didn't they play "Is That A Subpoena In Your Pocket" the last time? That's the one where Joe tries to get Helen to pay for the insurance deductible for his office, right? and she keeps saying that she won't pay, and finally Joe flips out and yells, "I WANT MY MONEY AND I WANT IT NOW!!!" and without even flinching, Helen just looks at him and says "sit on it and twirl" and walks away. hahahaha I love that part. that make me laugh... but yeah, I think that was the first episode of season 3 that they played last time.... unless I'm thinking of a different episode..

pilotguy · 09-05-2003, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Krista2882
didn't they play "Is That A Subpoena In Your Pocket" the last time? That's the one where Joe tries to get Helen to pay for the insurance deductible for his office, right? and she keeps saying that she won't pay, and finally Joe flips out and yells, "I WANT MY MONEY AND I WANT IT NOW!!!" and without even flinching, Helen just looks at him and says "sit on it and twirl" and walks away. hahahaha I love that part. that make me laugh... but yeah, I think that was the first episode of season 3 that they played last time.... unless I'm thinking of a different episode..

They may have played it during the marathon (which I didn't catch all of). I know that the "Helen leaves for NYC" episodes were supposed to be aired, but that's just when NICK changed from the "two episodes at 11 PM" time slot to the "one episode at 1 AM" time slot". I remember it very well because I was on vacation in Florida at the time (over Easter break) and watched these episodes in my hotel room...with the sound turned down low because my young kids were in the same room sleeping.

Krista2882 · 09-05-2003, 01:09 PM

hmmmmmmmm... i don't know...
o, i know! I'll go check my tapes! I didn't start taping until season 3 when they moved it to the 1 AM slot...
hold on a sec...
just checked- it's on my tape.
but hey, it doesn't really matter anyway!
Sorry if I'm being a pain in the ass.

i don't mean to be. hehe

pilotguy · 09-05-2003, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Krista2882
hmmmmmmmm... i don't know...
o, i know! I'll go check my tapes! I didn't start taping until season 3 when they moved it to the 1 AM slot...
hold on a sec...
just checked- it's on my tape.
but hey, it doesn't really matter anyway!
Sorry if I'm being a pain in the ass. i don't mean to be. hehe

Krista, you're turning into a female Joe Hackett, you know that, don't you?

losthighway · 09-05-2003, 01:49 PM

Let me just say that a TERRIBLE wrong is FINALLY being taken care of by Nick. I totally agree with Pilotguy in that it's absurd to start running a series in sequential order, and then skip key episodes. If I listed my top 20 episodes "Duet for Cello and Plane" and "The Naked Truth" wold make it, but those episodes were so key in the development of the Helen and Joe storyline that it would confuse you if you didn't see them.

I don't care what the rationale was....I'm still steamed Nick skipped "Final Approch" the series finale.....I haven't seen that since 1997....and as Joe says in the episode coming up tonight, "I want it and I want it now!"

Krista2882 · 09-05-2003, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pilotguy
Krista, you're turning into a female Joe Hackett, you know that, don't you?

hahahaha! woohoo!
I'll take that as a complement...

pilotguy · 09-06-2003, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pilotguy
That final scene with Helen crashing her jeep through Joe's office was quite interesting...I suspect that they didn't film that crash before a studio audience, but rather added canned laughter later.

Many times "studio audience" sitcoms would film particular scenes WITHOUT an audience present due to the scene being potentially dangerous to onlookers...and when that jeep hit the office, it was a real MESS! The producers probably didn't want an audience member accidentally hit with a piece of flying debris.

I suspect this because the audience reaction to the crash was just too "laid back" to be genuine. On other shows when similar things like that happen (like Lucy's car accidentally rolling through her living room wall on "The Lucy Show"), and a studio audience IS present (which it was on Lucy's show), the audience's reaction is MUCH more wild...and they usually break out into long, spontaneous applause for such a stunt while the dust settles....and we didn't hear any of that in this episode.

Now that I've seen the SECOND jeep-office crash in the "Subpoeana" episode, I tend to think that they used a stunt double for the actual crash....

When the jeep plows through the office wall, you can't really see inside the jeep...the windows are dark. Then after the crash, the scene cuts to a close-up of Helen sticking her head out of the jeep window.

I certainly don't blame Crystal or the "Wings" staff if they DID use a stunt double for that crash....that crash and sudden stop could have been very dangerous for Crystal (although I don't know why I should worry...the woman drives racecars in real life!).

Oh well, whether a double was used or not, those crashes are VERY funny to watch!

losthighway · 09-06-2003, 11:32 AM

Actually, surprisingly enough, Crystal did drive the Jeep in those crash scenes. At least she said she did and my Crystal would never lie.

I posted a question and answer session from Crystal a few months back and this was one of the questions:

Q: What if any is your favorite episode of "Wings"? My
personal favorite was the episode where Helen drives her Jeep through Joe's office, not once, but twice.

Crystal: Actually, three times! And, guess who did the stunt work? Oh yeah ... ME! What a blast! What a way to get out your frustrations! Probably my favorite ... I think some of the funniest
moments really in TV for the cast was the show where I had my wisdom teeth pulled. I was in bed the whole show, so that was fabulous! But, it seemed like every character came alive during that episode.

*Even though she said "three" I'm sure she was only referring to the 2, since Tim did it the 3rd time.

pilotguy · 09-06-2003, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by losthighway
Actually, surprisingly enough, Crystal did drive the Jeep in those crash scenes. At least she said she did and my Crystal would never lie.

I posted a question and answer session from Crystal a few months back and this was one of the questions:

Q: What if any is your favorite episode of "Wings"? My
personal favorite was the episode where Helen drives her Jeep through Joe's office, not once, but twice.

Crystal: Actually, three times! And, guess who did the stunt work? Oh yeah ... ME! What a blast! What a way to get out your frustrations! Probably my favorite ... I think some of the funniest
moments really in TV for the cast was the show where I had my wisdom teeth pulled. I was in bed the whole show, so that was fabulous! But, it seemed like every character came alive during that episode.

*Even though she said "three" I'm sure she was only referring to the 2, since Tim did it the 3rd time.

Hmmm...When I stop to think about it, I can't imagine Daredevil Crystal NOT doing the actual crashes!

I wonder if the filming went something like this:

DIRECTOR: "OK Crystal, we're going to film the crash now....Get out of the jeep so the stunt double can get in there."

CRYSTAL: "The hell I AM! What kind of a wimp do you take me for, anyway? I've driven racecars around wet tracks...Now you don't think that I can handle driving a little jeep through a prop wall?
Get out of my way, boys...I'M COMIN' THROUGH!!!!"

Yup, I imagine that it could have happened like that!

09-05-2003, 07:51 AM	#1
pilotguy Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 1,305	Road Rage..."Helen" Style! I've just watched "The Naked Truth" episode for the first time, and enjoyed it (although it WAS kind of depressing to see the falling-out of the Joe-Helen relationship). That final scene with Helen crashing her jeep through Joe's office was quite interesting...I suspect that they didn't film that crash before a studio audience, but rather added canned laughter later. Many times "studio audience" sitcoms would film particular scenes WITHOUT an audience present due to the scene being potentially dangerous to onlookers...and when that jeep hit the office, it was a real MESS! The producers probably didn't want an audience member accidentally hit with a piece of flying debris. I suspect this because the audience reaction to the crash was just too "laid back" to be genuine. On other shows when similar things like that happen (like Lucy's car accidentally rolling through her living room wall on "The Lucy Show"), and a studio audience IS present (which it was on Lucy's show), the audience's reaction is MUCH more wild...and they usually break out into long, spontaneous applause for such a stunt while the dust settles....and we didn't hear any of that in this episode. But this WAS a good episode...and for what it's worth, Helen was not alone...Gail's sweet, "let's all be friends and civilized about this" attitude turned MY stomach too!

09-05-2003, 11:40 AM	#2
losthighway Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 14, 2003 Posts: 370	Yep, the Naked Truth is another really good episode....it really was a perfect turn with the way season 2 ended. Once again, I must tip my hat to the writers because they came up with a perfect way to handle the Helen departure to NY. Getting back in my "analysis mode" I'm really glad the sentiment around here is that Joe did nothing wrong. I mean he tries to be supportive and not stand in Helen's way of pursuing her dreams as a Cellist...then when that falls through he pleads with her to not go and tells her he loves her.....and she responds with a "thanks, I love you to", and hops on a plane and leaves. THEN she doesn't tell the guy where she is and doesn't pick up a phone for 10 months! What was he supposed to do or think? Any guy in their right mind would think she doesn't care about them and eventually move on. The only thing Joe could have done differently is tell Helen maybe about Gail during the plane ride back to Nantucket. If he'd told Helen in the Bar about Gail her stubborn pride would have kicked in and she would have acted like she would tough it out in NY for a while longer. But I loved the entire scene in Joe's office when he explained why he had moved on with Gail. And once again Crystal gave a great performance....I loved her "no life" speech.

09-05-2003, 11:58 AM	#4
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	This is another great episode. I don't blame Joe for moving on after Helen left him. At least they didn't do that stupid "We were on a break!" thing that Friends did with Ross and Rachel. Helen driving through Joe's office has me in hysterics every time. They really don't make sitcoms like they used to.

09-05-2003, 12:27 PM	#6
Krista2882 Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 10, 2003 Location: CT Posts: 1,370	yeah, that was the first time I've seen this episode too. I liked it a lot. I liked the scene between Joe and Helen, in Joe's office. and oh, that was funny when Joe opened the blinds on the window, and everyone was smashed up against it on the other side, trying to hear what was going on. hahaha! and yeah, I agree with you pilotguy- Gail's "let's be civilized about this" attitude to Helen when they were in Joe's office made me nauseous too. lol! and yes, Helen driving her Jeep through Joe's office at the end was great. hehehe. ~Krista

09-05-2003, 01:09 PM	#9
Krista2882 Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 10, 2003 Location: CT Posts: 1,370	hmmmmmmmm... i don't know... o, i know! I'll go check my tapes! I didn't start taping until season 3 when they moved it to the 1 AM slot... hold on a sec... just checked- it's on my tape. but hey, it doesn't really matter anyway! Sorry if I'm being a pain in the ass. i don't mean to be. hehe

09-05-2003, 01:49 PM	#11
losthighway Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 14, 2003 Posts: 370	Let me just say that a TERRIBLE wrong is FINALLY being taken care of by Nick. I totally agree with Pilotguy in that it's absurd to start running a series in sequential order, and then skip key episodes. If I listed my top 20 episodes "Duet for Cello and Plane" and "The Naked Truth" wold make it, but those episodes were so key in the development of the Helen and Joe storyline that it would confuse you if you didn't see them. I don't care what the rationale was....I'm still steamed Nick skipped "Final Approch" the series finale.....I haven't seen that since 1997....and as Joe says in the episode coming up tonight, "I want it and I want it now!"

09-06-2003, 11:32 AM	#14
losthighway Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 14, 2003 Posts: 370	Actually, surprisingly enough, Crystal did drive the Jeep in those crash scenes. At least she said she did and my Crystal would never lie. I posted a question and answer session from Crystal a few months back and this was one of the questions: Q: What if any is your favorite episode of "Wings"? My personal favorite was the episode where Helen drives her Jeep through Joe's office, not once, but twice. Crystal: Actually, three times! And, guess who did the stunt work? Oh yeah ... ME! What a blast! What a way to get out your frustrations! Probably my favorite ... I think some of the funniest moments really in TV for the cast was the show where I had my wisdom teeth pulled. I was in bed the whole show, so that was fabulous! But, it seemed like every character came alive during that episode. *Even though she said "three" I'm sure she was only referring to the 2, since Tim did it the 3rd time.