Entertainment
‘John Wick’ Is Named ‘John Wick’ Because Keanu Reeves Couldn’t Get the Original Title Right
When John Wick hit theaters in 2014, audiences weren’t quite sure what to expect. Keanu Reeves had been promoting his latest action flick for quite some time, and since it had been years since he headlined his own notable action movie (and no, 47 Ronin doesn’t count, folks), we were all pleasantly surprised by the results. Not only was John Wick incredibly stylish, but it was also surprisingly deep considering it centered on a man hell-bent on revenge after the death of his dog. It’s no wonder the 2014 film spawned three Reeves-led sequels, but had the project stuck to its original name, it might never have been an action-packed success story. Titles do matter, and in the case of John Wick, Keanu Reeves’ failure to remember the original name of the picture worked out in the movie’s favor.
What Is the Original ‘John Wick’ About?
If you haven’t seen John Wick, then you’re missing out on one of the best action flicks of the decade. The film follows former hitman John Wick (Reeves) after the passing of his wife, who had gifted her husband a puppy to help him deal with her death. As John begins to deal with the loss, things soon take a wrong turn. Unfortunately, the Wick home is soon broken into by a band of Russian gangsters, who not only steal the 1969 Mustang he had made plenty of memories with his wife in, but they kill his dog as well. It turns out, the young criminal who stole Wick’s car is the son of Viggo Tarasov (Michael Nyqvist), our hero’s former employer and all-around villain. Given his vast connections in the criminal underworld, and that he’s feared by many of them, Tarasov is a formidable opponent who is not to be trifled with.
January Will Bring Great News for ‘John Wick’ Fans
“People keep asking me if I’m back, and I haven’t really had an answer. But now, yeah, I’m thinking I’m back!”
Nevertheless, Wick pursues his revenge and effectively returns to the criminal underworld he fought so hard to escape from. Even though his actions make him even more enemies than ever, Wick takes his revenge the only way he knows how. And boy, is it an explosive mess of stylistic violence that still manages to feel classy and exciting. Reeves re-defines his role in action pictures with the John Wick character, adding a cool calmness to some of the most excessive bits of violence you could imagine. Long gone are the days of shaky-cam fights made popular by The Bourne Identity, as John Wick adds expert layers of well-choreographed action in nearly every scene. It’s beyond impressive what the filmmakers were able to do with this Keanu Reeves-led production. But what was John Wick originally called? Well, you’ll be glad they changed it.
‘John Wick’s Original Title Is a Long-Forgotten Memory, and For Good Reason
In a 2020 interview with Comicbook.com, John Wick screenwriter Derek Kolstad revealed that the picture was originally called Scorn, but Reeves evidently connected so deeply with his character that he couldn’t remember the screenplay’s five-letter title. Instead, he referred to it only by the name of the leading character. “The only reason it’s called John Wick is that Keanu kept referring to it as John Wick,” Kolstad explained. “Marketing was like, ‘Dude, that’s four to five million dollars in free advertising so far, so it’s John Wick instead of Scorn.’ I can’t imagine it being Scorn now.” We can’t either. While Scorn isn’t a bad title for a revenge movie (though it does sound a bit more like a Sylvester Stallone or Dolph Lundgren picture), John Wick offers the film a presence that can only be embodied by an actor like Keanu Reeves. There’s a mystery to it that only adds to the world, and given Wick’s own status within that world, it makes complete sense that he would be at the very center.
Given the name “John Wick” spreads fear throughout the criminal underworld established in the picture, it makes perfect sense that the film itself would rest on the name as its title. Whenever John’s name is spoken by newcomers or those around the Continental, there’s an air of excitement and dread attached to it. Frankly, Scorn doesn’t evoke those same feelings, and it doesn’t do John Wick justice. Scorn may have been the title that got the script to Reeves in the first place, but it’s debatable whether the picture would’ve been as successful in the long run (and certainly once it became a franchise) with such a simple and, well, less memorable title.
Speaking of, Kolstad wrote John Wick and its immediate sequel, John Wick: Chapter 2, before screenwriters Shay Hatten, Chris Collins, and Marc Abrams entered for John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum. “Parabellum was [director Chad Stahelski‘s idea] and I love it,” the screenwriter explained. By the time John Wick: Chapter 4 (which sadly didn’t get its own subtitle) came around, Kolstad was booted from the project, with Shay Hatten and Michael Finch taking over writing duties moving forward. “At a certain stage the studio will tell you, your creation is graduated, and you wish it well,” the screenwriter told Collider concerning the news. “I’m still close with Chad (Stahelski), still close with David (Leitch), and I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m excited to see.” Even without Kolstad involved, the John Wick legend continues.
The John Wick Franchise Continues To Grow Beyond Keanu Reeves
Given the popularity of the John Wick films, it’s not surprising then that the series has grown into a franchise far beyond Derek Kolstad or even Keanu Reeves. After all, the first film revealed that there’s an entire world of assassins and criminal enterprises out there living in the shadows, and even after four John Wick films, it hardly seems as if we’ve scratched the surface of what’s possible. In 2023, Peacock released a three-episode miniseries, The Continental: From the World of John Wick, which further expanded on the strange neo-noir world of hitmen first established in the original. The prequel series, taking place in an alternate history 1970s, follows Ian McShane‘s character Winston Scott (played here by Colin Woodell) in his formative years at the hotel. Mel Gibson also stars as the Continental’s operator, Cormac O’Connor. Beyond that, another John Wick television continuation — titled John Wick: Under the High Table — is currently in the works, though we know very little about that project at all.
There have been plenty of other rumored projects to take place within the John Wick universe, with the next one, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, set to hit theaters in 2025. The film follows a new assassin, Ana de Armas‘ Eve Macarro, as she seeks revenge for her father’s death. Keanu Reeves is set to return as John Wick, as is McShane as Winston Scott and Lance Reddick as Charon in one of the actor’s final on-screen appearances before his death. As it stands now, the John Wick franchise continues to grow, and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Ballerina takes place between the third film Parabellum and Chapter 4 in the flagship film series. Had John Wick been called Scorn instead, the movie might not have received the marketing boost that it needed in order to become a sure-fire hit. Though the original 2014 picture is arguably still the best of the bunch, the sequels have continued to live up to the name, as has Reeves himself, who is the best the action genre currently has to offer.
- Release Date
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October 24, 2014
- Runtime
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101 minutes
- Writers
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Derek Kolstad
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Entertainment
Marvin Gaye’s 1971 Masterpiece Is Now Called the Greatest Song Ever — but It Wasn’t His Biggest Hit
Widely considered one of the greatest singers of all time, Marvin Gaye served as one of the most important voices in soul music. Commonly dubbed the Prince of Motown, everything that he offered art was bred from pure spirit. As a gifted singer, songwriter, and producer, his untimely death was not at the expense of an extensive discography that changed everything we knew about R&B. From hits like “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” his sultry vocals shook an entire generation, shaping the sound of soul music throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
But while his countless hits make up a catalog that travels through funk, jazz, and soul, the track recently dubbed as the “Greatest Song Ever” doesn’t even sit in Gaye’s top three most streamed hits. “What’s Going On,” released on January 21, 1971, served as a political observance of unsettling times in the United States. It was a plea for a return to our own humanity, to not let violence and hate be what drives our division. With a legacy and relevance that has only grown over time, here’s a deeper dive into Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.”
The History Behind Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”
One of the most important things to note about “What’s Going On” is that it almost never happened. Originally written by Renaldo “Obie” Benson of The Four Tops, the inspiration stemmed from his witnessing of police violently attacking anti-war protesters during the 1969 People’s Park demonstrations in Berkeley. It was an outpouring of desperation and despair, as it seemed almost impossible to survive the chilling reality of being young, Black, or anti-violent in America at the time. However, the rest of the band members wanted to avoid recording the track out of fear that the song was just “too political.” Though the lyrics spoke to the salvation of love, it did not shy away from acknowledging the brutality that ran rampant in the streets.
We don’t need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
Who’s Your Perfect Classic Rock Band?
Benson went on to pitch the song to several other artists, including Joan Baez, but it wasn’t ultimately considered with sincerity until it reached Gaye. The musician connected with it immediately, especially because his brother had recently returned from the Vietnam War, and Gaye himself was dealing with grief after the death of duet partner Tammi Terrell. He knew that this song needed to be recorded, and that he would be able to infuse it in with genuine honesty and longing for change.
However, there were still a few obstacles to overcome. Motown founder Berry Gordy hated the song and wanted to stop it from being recorded, reportedly regarding it as too jazzy, too political, and “the worst thing” he had ever heard. He didn’t think it was the right sonic move for his career. Yet, Gaye knew he had something special on his hands and refused to record anything else until the song was released. His instinct was undeniably on the mark.
Bob Dylan’s Controversial Protest Song Nearly Got Him Into Legal Trouble 50 Years Ago
The singer was inspired after a visit to the Trenton State Prison.
Marvin Gaye’s Biggest Hit Is Not “What’s Going On”
Enlisting the help of session musician Eli Fountain, legendary bassist James Jamerson, and Motown songwriter Al Cleveland, “What’s Going On” immediately touched the hearts of equally fatigued citizens who longed for normalcy and peace. It topped the Hot Soul Singles and R&B charts for weeks on end, landing at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling over two million copies.
And yet, despite its overwhelming success, “What’s Going On” was ultimately not Marvin Gaye’s biggest commercial hit. Still, “What’s Going On” became his defining song because of its emotional depth, social message, and timeless relevance. While songs like “Sexual Healing” and “Let’s Get It On” are typically the hits that come to mind when reflecting on the decades of Gaye’s legacy, “What’s Going On” is unequivocally his most meaningful contribution to society at large. The declaration of injustice continues to be regularly ranked among the greatest ever made, with many critics referring to it as one of the most important protest songs in music history.
Entertainment
“Malcolm in the Middle” star Erik Per Sullivan rejected ‘buckets of money’ for revival to do this instead
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Caleb Ellsworth-Clark will portray Dewey for the revival.
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If you’re already planning your festival beauty looks, you know it’s all about bold color that actually lasts. Between long days in the sun, packed crowds and back-to-back sets, your makeup needs to hold up — not fade halfway through the first performance. That’s where this viral blush comes in — and part of a limited-time sale.
The Color Bloom Liquid Blush from SHEGLAM is a fan-favorite formula that delivers a perfectly sunkissed flush with just one dot. Seriously — just one tiny dab is all it takes to wake up your complexion and add that natural-looking warmth. It’s already just $7, but through March 31, the brand is offering 15% off orders over $45 with code HERGLAM — making it the perfect time to build your full look for less.
Get the Color Bloom Liquid Blush-Hot Topic for $6 at SHEGLAM!
The magic of this blush is in its lightweight gel-cream formula, which melts into skin instead of sitting on top of it. It blends out seamlessly for a soft, skin-like finish that looks fresh — but the payoff is bold enough to show up in sunlight and still look good hours later. Even more, it’s infused with antioxidant vitamin C to help hydrate and brighten, giving your cheeks that healthy, lit-from-within look.
The built-in sponge tip applicator makes it basically foolproof. Just dab, blend and go — no brushes, no complicated techniques. And because the pigment is so rich, a little truly goes a long way, meaning your look stays vibrant from the first set to the final encore. It also comes in a wide range of pink, coral and berry shades to match any festival look.
A viral hit on TikTok, the hashtag #sheglamblush has racked up more than 62.2k posts — and shoppers are just as obsessed. One reviewer shared that “one tiny dot” was all it took for the color payoff to be “amazing.” Another called it “hands down” the “best blush” they’ve ever tried, adding that it blends out “beautifully.”
If you want that bold yet effortless festival flush that actually lasts, this viral blush makes a real difference. It gives your cheeks that fresh, just-back-from-the-sun look that holds up through heat, crowds and long days outside. Grab one (or a few shades) now while it’s still on sale — your festival makeup lineup will thank you!
Get the Color Bloom Liquid Blush-Hot Topic for $6 at SHEGLAM!
Leslie Hines, an Army veteran and business owner, says she was wrongly followed and accused while running her Coolin’ Out Ice Cream truck business in a North Carolina neighborhood. The confrontation was reportedly captured on video. Additionally, Hines says that afterward, she struggled to feel comfortable with returning to the area.
What happened? And what are Leslie Hines’ rights?
The Shade Room’s Justin Carter is sharing the story and some answers on ‘TSR Investigates.’
More On What Happened With Leslie Hines & Her Ice Cream Truck In A North Carolina Neighborhood
According to Carter, in February, Leslie Hines encountered a man who allegedly followed her “on foot for three blocks.” And then continued to pursue her in his pickup truck. Per Hines, the man allegedly lied about her business, alleging that she sold him crack cocaine and methamphetamine. Then, as she made a stop to serve a family outside of their home, the man allegedly began yelling at another woman, who was present with her kids.
Per Carter, that woman called 911, and footage of the ordeal went viral. According to the woman, the next day, the man returned to her home with a vengeance.
What Happens Next?
Per Hines, the man’s behavior ultimately gave her anxiety about returning to the neighborhood to work.
“If he sees a Black woman riding through the neighborhood, that doesn’t give him justification or the right to be able to follow me… and slander me, and continually yell explicits at me. I was having anxiety attacks trying to return to the neighborhood… it was going to cost $600 for me to get GPD [coverage] — for me to get the police to come out there and protect me,” Hines explained
Scroll above to watch as Carter shares why Leslie Hines was unable to get a No Contact Order against the man. Additionally, Hines shares her experience of going back to the neighborhood — and how she received a blessing in disguise and can now use the traumatic event to pay it forward to others.
RELATED: Nurse Paid $6K For Post-Op “School” — Then Lost Her License | TSR Investigates
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
“60 Minutes” host Steve Kroft says he ‘hated’ time on show, ‘made a bunch of enemies’ when he landed gig
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The veteran journalist spent 30 years on the CBS news magazine, retiring in 2019.
“Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul has made a shocking admission about her relationship with Mormonism. After enduring a challenging 4 weeks amid the fallout from her ongoing domestic violence investigation and canceled season of “The Bachelorette,” Paul said she’s stepping away to explore a world beyond the church.
Taylor Frankie Paul Makes A Surprise Admission About Her Relationship With The Mormon Church Amid ‘SLOMW’ Scandal
In her Instagram Stories, Paul shared a lengthy post admitting that she’s in an entirely new place with religion.
“Born and raised Mormon (LDS) and I’ll always have love and respect towards it,” the reality star wrote. “I’ll even continue to go with my family at times, with that being said, it’s time to detach myself from it.”
While Paul said she believes in Jesus Christ, God, and the Bible, she stated that she doesn’t need to be in a physical church building to be loved.
“I’ve also experienced grace and love from amazing people that aren’t sure what they believe — if at all,” she added.
“Point being, there is more out there to learn. And I’m writing this out as a release,” Paul finished.
Taylor Frankie Paul Addresses Turmoil She’s Experienced Over The Last 40 Days
In a separate post, Paul, 31, got candid about the disruption she’s experienced over the last month after some of her personal business was made public.
“The last 40 days felt like hell on earth. Through every panic attack I prayed for strength as I could feel my body breaking down and out from the distress of it all,” Paul said. “And HE sent just that in various ways along with so many undeniable signs saying ‘I am with you’ which I can’t wait to share that part.”
Paul went on to say that she’s been an avid believer in prayer since she was a young girl and “never stayed away” because of the power she believes it holds. “However, instead of just asking I switched over to thanking him at the end of each day no matter how low I felt,” she said.
Taylor Frankie Paul Has Season Of ‘The Bachelorette’ Pulled By ABC And Disney Following Release Of Domestic Assault Video
According to a previous report from The Blast, Paul has been the center of negative attention over the last month following the release of a video showing a domestic dispute she had with her ex, Dakota Mortensen, in 2023.
In the shocking clip, Paul appears to punch and strike Mortensen before throwing metal chairs at him, which later hit her minor daughter.
“This is called physical abuse. This is all you do,” Mortensen cried out in the video. “It’s the only thing you know how to do is hurt me. You think this is OK? It’s not OK. Holy sh-t.”
The video came to light after a source revealed the cast of Hulu’s “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” refused to film after learning another alleged domestic dispute occurred between Mortensen and Paul in February 2026.
Amid all of this, ABC and Disney canceled what would’ve been the 22nd season of “The Bachelorette,” which was supposed to feature Paul as the lead.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette, [starring Paul], at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” the network said in a statement.
TFP Gets Support From Her ‘SLOMW’ Co-Stars
Paul has faced public backlash over her reported trials; however, one of her “SLOMW” co-stars rushed to her defense during a recent media appearance.
Jessi Draper showed her support for Paul on “Call Her Daddy,” according to The Blast, revealing Paul has made “a lot of changes” that the audience doesn’t know about.
“Seeing that video is so hard, because there’s so much pain underneath the surface for Taylor,” Draper shared. “It’s not who Taylor is. She got caught in a really bad cycle.”
Paul Wasn’t The Only Person Punished By Hulu
The Blast reported that Mortensen has also been punished by ABC and Disney over his role in the alleged dispute between him and Paul in February of this year.
Mortensen, a member of DadTok, was scheduled to appear in season 3 of “Vanderpump Villa”; however, Hulu has decided to cut his scenes due to the ongoing ordeal.
In an earlier statement, Mortensen said his primary focus at this time was on his son, Ever, and offering him stability during this difficult time.
The Blue Bloods franchise has mourned the deaths of some cast members over the years.
The CBS show, which aired from 2010 to 2024, followed the lives of the Reagan family, many of whom work for the NYPD under the leadership of NYC police commissioner Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck). Frank’s father, Henry Reagan (Len Cariou), was also central to the show, alongside Frank’s children: daughter Erin Reagan (Bridget Moynahan) and sons Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) and Jamie Reagan (Will Estes).
After Blue Bloods came to an end, CBS announced spinoff Boston Blue, which follows Wahlberg’s character taking a position with the Boston P.D. He is then paired with detective Lena (Sonequa Martin-Green), the eldest daughter of a prominent law enforcement family.
Since Blue Bloods became a household name, the cast has mourned numerous costar deaths. The CBS show often featured tribute cards at the end of episodes with executive producer Leonard Goldberg and star Treat Williams receiving dedications.
In March 2026, news broke that Alex Duong died from a rare form of cancer after previously playing criminal and gang leader Sonny Le.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude — because of you, we have already reached the original goal. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” a message read on a fundraiser page for Duong. “At the same time, with Alex passing, Christina’s situation has become more serious and the financial needs ahead are much greater than we could have anticipated. Alex’s memorial service, Everest ‘s education needs, ongoing care, daily support, and what lies ahead for his family mean we must continue raising funds beyond this initial goal.
The statement continued: “If you’ve already given, thank you — truly. If you’re able to share or contribute again, it would mean everything right now. Please keep Alex and his family in your prayers. Your support is carrying them through the hardest time of their lives. We will update you with respect to details of his ‘Celebration of Life.’”
Keep scrolling for the most heartbreaking Blue Bloods tragedies over the years:
Alex Duong
The comedian Alex Duong died in March 2026 at age 42 after battling a rare form of cancer.
Ed Wheeler
Ed Wheeler, who played Councilman Welsh, died in October 2024 from complications of pneumonia at age 88.
Treat Williams
After playing Lenny Ross in season 7, Treat Williams died at the age of 71 in a motorcycle accident in June 2023.
The Blue Bloods cast are booked and busy lining up new projects after the hit CBS series came to a surprising end. Blue Bloods, which premiered in 2010, followed the lives of the Reagan family, many of whom worked for the NYPD under the leadership of NYC police commissioner Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck). Frank’s father, […]
Nick Cordero
Broadway star Nick Cordero died at age 41 in July 2020 after suffering from complications caused by COVID. He previously played Victor Lugo from 2017 to 2018.
Leonard Goldberg
The executive producer of the CBS series died at 85 in 2019 as a result of injuries sustained in a fall.
By TeeJay Small
| Published
If you were upright and outside back in 2014, you almost certainly heard buzz about a little critical darling called Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). The film, which managed to sweep the Academy Awards with wins for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography, is perhaps best known today for its visual gimmick. The gimmick in question, is the elaborate stitching technique used to make Birdman appear as though it was captured in a single, continuous take.
Superhero Shame Leads To Broadway Game
In case you missed it, Birdman was written and directed by legendary Mexican filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu. The film stars Michael Keaton in the lead role, as a washed-up actor best known for portraying a winged superhero decades earlier. This is obviously a thinly-veiled nod to Keaton’s history portraying Batman back in the 1980s, and a commentary on how the industry viewed superhero films before the Marvel Cinematic Universe made them the most mainstream thing on the planet.
In present day, Keaton’s Riggan Thomson is trying to restart his career, by directing and starring in a Broadway play. To get the show off the ground, he enlists the help of his girlfriend Laura, his daughter Sam, a recovering addict, and an insufferable method actor named Mike Shiner. Shiner is portrayed by Edward Norton in the film, in a role that some have theorized is based on his own behind-the-scenes behavior.
As the gang prepares for opening night, numerous issues arise, causing the show to go off the rails. At different moments, light fixtures fall from the ceiling, endangering the cast, Riggan clashes with his pompous co-stars, and at one point, he even finds himself locked out of the building in nothing but his tighty whities, forcing him to navigate through a crowd of gasping New Yorkers. All the while, the camera moves in extremely long shots, which make the film appear to play out in a single continuous take.
A One-Shot Like No Other
The camera work on Birdman is nothing short of spectacular. On an initial viewing, you might not be able to spot where the takes are stitched together at all. The presentation makes the whole film play out like a live stage show, effectively giving the viewer a window into what Riggan is trying to create with his Broadway play. Meanwhile, the frenetic drum-centric score cranks the chaotic energy to the max, forcing your heart to thump with excitement.
The score and visual presentation of Birdman became so popular after the film’s release that it was parodied by several well-known TV shows like BoJack Horseman, Sesame Street, and one especially memorable episode of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia titled “Charlie Work.” They even opened the Razzie Awards with a parody skit of Birdman the year after the film premiered.
Though it’s best known for the visual gimmicks today, Birdman is well worth watching for its story alone. Iñárritu managed to weave the themes and concepts central to the film into a meta-narrative about the nature of performance itself, in a masterful display of writing and direction. There are a few mind-boggling visual effects present in the movie that will drive you crazy trying to figure out how they pulled it off, too.
Birdman Isn’t Easy To Stream
Unfortunately, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is not currently part of any major streaming library. It’s well worth the price to rent or buy through VOD services, but the film really should be placed on one of the major streamers, to ensure it gets the viewership it deserves.
As of this writing, Birdman can be viewed on-demand through YouTube, Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
One of the most unappreciated members of any given Star Trek show is the science consultant. This is the guy who is in charge of making all of the crazy sci-fi adventures of our favorite characters sound relatively realistic. At the end of the day, that’s what separates this franchise from Star Wars, which explains its wildest plot points by simply saying that the Force moved in mysterious ways.
On one occasion, a scientific consultant effectively saved the most important episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. After the rocky second season ended with a crappy clip show, Season 3 began with “Evolution,” a banger episode that proved that TNG was about to become must-see TV. The episode prominently featured nanites, futuristic machines straight out of our wildest sci-fi fantasies. But without consultant David Krieger, this episode wouldn’t have had nanites. Instead, it would have had dust mites flying tiny planes around the Enterprise!
Good Boys And Bad Science
For context, the plot of “Evolution” involved the Enterprise crew helping a cranky genius study a stellar explosion that happens every 196 years like clockwork. Meanwhile, teenage wunderkind Wesley Crusher was conducting experiments involving nanites, and he accidentally let a couple of the critters loose. Soon, they replicate and evolve, threatening the big experiment and everyone aboard the ship. The scientist clashes with the nanites, but Picard reaches a diplomatic solution by securing these new life forms their very own homeworld.
“Evolution” is an excellent episode, and it was written by Michael Piller, the man who ultimately became TNG’s showrunner and turned it into one of the best shows in television history. Plus, the nanites are one of the coolest creatures ever introduced into Star Trek. However, Star Trek science consultant David Krieger revealed on his personal website that this episode was nearly very different. According to him, the original pitch didn’t include nanites. Instead, it featured dust mites that gained intelligence and flew around the Enterprise in miniature aircraft.
A Shocking Development
Fortunately for all of us, Krieger found this idea deeply stupid. In fact, he claims that he laughed out loud when he read the original premise for the episode. Once he stopped chuckling, though, he spoke to the producers and firmly objected to the idea of dust mites turning into tiny flying gremlins. Instead, he proposed using nanites instead, which was a great call: not only are nanites based on actual scientific theories, but they looked far less goofy onscreen than flying dust mites ever would.
If David Krieger hadn’t stepped in and shut down the dust mite plot, “Evolution” would have joined the ranks of “Spock’s Brain” as one of the worst episodes in all of Star Trek history. Thanks to this science consultant’s intervention, though, this episode helped transform The Next Generation into what many fans consider the gold standard of the franchise. It also helped Michael Piller become showrunner, and he was so successful in the role that he would later help create both Deep Space Nine and Voyager. In that way, this humble consultant did more than save a single episode; he may have saved Star Trek as we know it!
By Brian Myers
| Published
Director and screenwriter Bob Clark did such a masterful job with the 1983 movie A Christmas Story that it’s hard to imagine the man creating anything that wasn’t wholesome. But two years before little Ralphie gets his Red Ryder gun, Clark wrote and directed a comedy so lewd and outrageous that modern audiences are still shocked by it. 1981’s Porky’s was one of the raunchiest comedy movies ever released by a major studio and served as an important milestone in shock comedy.
A Filthy, Iconic Revenge Arc
The story arc of Clark’s semi-autobiographical movie follows a group of high school basketball players who live in Angel Beach, FL in the 1950s. Their hormones raging, they conceive a plan to lose their virginities to an older sex worker, not realizing that they are being set up for a humiliating (and pretty darn funny) prank set up by one of their older brothers.
Determined to follow through with the plan of getting their first times out of the way, the boys believe that their dreams can be fulfilled at a strip club located deep in the Everglades. The seedy establishment is the film’s namesake, owned and operated by an older, hefty character named Porky Wallace. The team makes their way to the strip club, makes an arrangement with Porky for a handful of ladies, and are guided to a darkened room to await their fates.
Unfortunately, it’s a trap. A literal one. Porky pulls a lever from the outside the room the boys are waiting in, springing open a hatch in the floor. The boys plummet down and into the swamp water below.
Enraged, the team storms back in to get their money back and to take a crack at the source of their collective humiliation. Outnumbered and outwitted, they decide to leave while they are still in one piece. They make the long drive back to Angel Beach, still virgins.
The remainder of the film’s primary plotline involves subsequent attempts at revenge on Porky Wallace by one of the group, who only gets severely beaten. Finally, with the help of one of their older brothers (a local policeman), the boys hatch an elaborate vengeance plot that they hope will ruin Porky forever.
But Wait, There’s Sidequests!
The film’s main story is compelling enough. The initial visit to the strip club is equal parts funny and cringy, and the final 20 minutes showcase one of the greatest revenge ideas ever. But it’s all of the side stories that spring up along the way that really make Porky’s a raunchy comedy well worth the time. One subplot involves the new gym coach wondering why one of the younger girls’ coaches (played by Kim Cattrall) has the nickname “Lassie.” No spoilers, but it has nothing to do with her love of collies.
Another sub-plot concerns several of the basketball players discovering that there are ways to view the girls while they shower after practice. Tommy Turner, Pee Wee Morris, and Billy McCarty try and fail several times, mistiming when the girls would be there. But one time, they get lucky and then get caught. No spoilers here, either, but an unnamed appendage of Tommy Turners accidentally winds up in the hands of a woman that the girls call “Kong,” the cranky old Coach Ballbricker.
Porky’s is a mashup of sophomoric pranks, full frontal nudity, hilarious sex scenes, and satisfying revenge. The Movie somehow manages to capture the nostalgic feeling of the 1950s, making the Angel Beach high school and its student body part of Rockwell illustration that is then caked in phallic jokes and bare-breasted women. If Happy Days and late 70s soft-core pornography gave birth to a film that was narrated by a group of 17-year-old boys, the finished product wouldn’t be that far from the film written and directed by Clark.
Porky’s went where no other major release had gone before. Multiple scenes of full-frontal nudity, lewd discussions about quests to lose virginities, and one character’s hilarious obsession with the size of his manhood (he measures it every morning and actually keeps a “growth chart” and pencil next to his bed) paved the way for even raunchier comedy movies throughout the remainder of the 80s and forward. Where Animal House didn’t dare to go, Porky’s said “hold my beer” and delivered shock, awe, and tear-jerking laughter. To be sure, without Porky’s, there would be no Revenge of the Nerds or American Pie.
From Progressive To Perverse
Clark would go on to direct the first sequel, Porky’s II: The Next Day two years later, the same year that he directed the timeless Christmas movie that so many people watch each holiday season. This was certainly the filmmaker’s peak, as the entries later in his career included the bombs Loose Cannons, Turk 182, and Rhinestone.
In case you thought that Porky’s might be an aberration in Clark’s career as a family-friendly filmmaker, guess again. The New Orleans native began making exploitation movies in the late 1960s, beginning with the cult classic She-Man. The plot centers around a former GI that discovers that he enjoys wearing women’s clothing, giving audiences a look at the trans community.
Clark followed that work up with a documentary titled Queens at Heart in 1967. This piece centered around the lives of four transwomen, each of whom dresses to match their genders assigned at birth by day but live as women after work. Both of these early films by Clark are considered ground-breaking, given that they provide a candid and honest glimpse into the lives of a community that was scarcely represented during that era.
From there, Clark shifted his focus to horror. His first genre film was the gruesome zombie movie Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things (1972). Shot with a budget of $50,000, the cult classic was the result of Clark’s tireless diligence and the participation of a group of the director’s friends from college. It helped to cement his reputation as one of the best B-horror filmmakers of the decade and quickly became a late-night drive-in favorite.
In 1974, Clark directed two additional horror films. The first, Death Dream, was a reimagining of the W. W. Jacobs tale “The Monkey’s Paw.” Though a low-budget feature, it starred future multi-Emmy Award nominee Richard Backus (One Life to Live, Ryan’s Hope), as well as Academy Award nominee Lynn Carlin (Faces). Horror fans will recognize the special effects makeup work of master artist Tom Savini, who would soon go on to work with George Romero.
The second horror entry that year was, ironically enough, Clark’s first Christmas movie. Black Christmas is regarded by many as the first slasher film and has been remade twice (2006 and 2019). The original stars future Superman and Amityville Horror actress Margot Kidder, Olivia Hussey, and John Saxon.
Bob Clark’s Legendary Run
Rounding out the decade for Clark was a leap to yet another genre of film. In 1976, he filmed Breaking Point, a low-budget crime drama starring Bo Svenson and Robert Culp. Three years later he brought to life Sherlock Holmes and Watson in the mystery thriller Murder by Decree. The plot follows the British duo as they track the Whitechapel killings committed by the notorious Jack the Ripper. It was his biggest budget film by far at that point, and boasted a cast consisting of James Mason (Salem’s Lot, Lolita), Christopher Plummer (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country), and Donald Sutherland (Invasion of the Body Snatchers).
So, the next time you and your family gather around the TV with the family and begin quoting along with Ralphie and the bunch, remember that the brain behind it was also the same fellow who orchestrated an on-screen tug-of-war between Coach Ballbricker and that rascal Tommy Turner, using the latter’s genitalia as sports equipment.
As of this writing, Porky’s is currently unavailable for Streaming.
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