I like the idea of what the story line brings out — opening yourself to an experience — but still, 14 years later and the first thing I remember about the episode isn't the amazing things people can do, but rather the "synergy." It still sticks out like a sore thumb to me out of a series I otherwise remember fondly.

True, but in '98, there wasn't nearly the blatant level of product placement as we see now, so it really seemed to stand out. (At least to me.) And, mind you, I liked what I'd seen of the stage production - though being in the midwest, that consisted of Tony award broadcast excerpts.

True, but in '98, there wasn't nearly the blatant level of product placement as we see now, so it really seemed to stand out. (At least to me.) And, mind you, I liked what I'd seen of the stage production - though being in the midwest, that consisted of Tony award broadcast excerpts.

I recall being a bit put off by the product placement at the time — ABC/Disney TV show, talking about the wonderfulness of a Disney movie made into a musical produced by Disney Theatrical.

I recall being a bit put off by the product placement at the time — ABC/Disney TV show, talking about the wonderfulness of a Disney movie made into a musical produced by Disney Theatrical.

I gave up any intention to read anything by him following his "humorous" pro-xenophobia column a couple of years back.

I gave up any intention to read anything by him following his "humorous" pro-xenophobia column a couple of years back.

I once worked with a guy who'd been an intern at Car Talk. Part of his job was to screen the calls for interesting ones (when you call the number, everything gets dumped onto, what was at that time, an answering machine. Interns were stuck with listening to hundreds of callers).

I once worked with a guy who'd been an intern at Car Talk. Part of his job was to screen the calls for interesting ones (when you call the number, everything gets dumped onto, what was at that time, an answering machine. Interns were stuck with listening to hundreds of callers).

I haven't seen it since Nickelodeon (I think) replayed it in the 80s, but they were basically out to find themselves. Very beat/late 60s. The premise was that Tod (Martin Milner's) father had been a businessman who died broke, leaving his son just the Corvette. Buzz was Tod's friend/Tod's Dad's employee, who was from…

I haven't seen it since Nickelodeon (I think) replayed it in the 80s, but they were basically out to find themselves. Very beat/late 60s. The premise was that Tod (Martin Milner's) father had been a businessman who died broke, leaving his son just the Corvette. Buzz was Tod's friend/Tod's Dad's employee, who was from…

He also listed a broad range of dance styles in his history (along with a broad range of martial arts styles). He could be a keeper.

He also listed a broad range of dance styles in his history (along with a broad range of martial arts styles). He could be a keeper.

So is this the thread where the vegetarian/Paula Deen whining will go?

So is this the thread where the vegetarian/Paula Deen whining will go?

Wasn't the wiggler named Austin, and not Evan? Not that I was paying close attention. From the very intro it was clear he'd be one of those "not legitimate contender but entertaining freak show" dancers.

Wasn't the wiggler named Austin, and not Evan? Not that I was paying close attention. From the very intro it was clear he'd be one of those "not legitimate contender but entertaining freak show" dancers.

Became? He was best man at a Nixon daughter wedding. (He was a roommate of Eisenhower's grandson, who married Julie Nixon.) Methinks he was indoctrinated in conspiracy theories early.

I also find it fantastic that Bourdain has been a cheerleader for Marilyn Hagerty, the 80-something restaurant reviewer who was noted for reviewing the new Olive Garden in Grand Forks, N.D., to the point that he's arranging to publish a collection of her 30 years of restaurant writing.

Zach Zamboni and Todd Leibler have won the Emmy for cinematography twice — for Haiti (last season) — and for Laos. (I had to go to Zach's website to find it. It's not listed on the Travel Channel website. Bad move, Travel Channel.)