The Un-Official Reel Wild Cinema (FAQ)
Reel Wild FAQ (Ver. 8.0)
Reel Wild Cinema FAQ 8.0
(Q) What is this Reel Wild Cinema TV show about?
(A) About two years ago, the USA network began to air a show by the name
of Reel Wild Cinema. The show is a sort of variety program. Its
host is actress and comedian Sandra Bernhard. Through out each show
several bits and pieces of classic B-movies are shown. As Sandra says:
"We have cut out the boring parts, and show only the best parts of the
movie." Each show has a theme which tells the kind of movies the
that will be shown. Some past themes included: Southern Sleaze,
Hercules, and Giant robots. Also during the show, Sandra has on a
special guest, that she interviews for a few minutes. Past guests
included Russ Meyer and Connie Mason. At the end of each program
they have the "Featured Attraction." This is the movie that they
will show the most of during that episode. You get to see the
Freatured Attraction with all the boring pieces cut out. The
"FA" usually takes up the last 20 minutes of the show.
(Q) How long has the show been on the air?
(A) For about four years now.
(Q) OK, give me a little background on the show
(A) The original pilot had Sandra as a superhero in this futuristic
Penthouse with Koria Pandit playing this outrageous organ in the
middle of the room and these horrible neighbors that were always trying
to "get" Sandra-it was very cool and funny but USA hated it! Also
the featured guest on the show was David Carradine. USA "dis-liked" it so
that pilot was never re-aired. So, today we have the current
show we see today.
Here are two scenes from the never aired again pilot of RWC
(Q) Was Sandra Bernhard the first choice as host for RWC?
(A) Actually she was among the first choices-originally the show was sold
to CBS and they were afraid of her and they talked about Paul Ruebens
who wasn't into it and then the show went to USA and they were going
to use a young guy as host, but USA said, "What about Sandra
Bernhard?" The rest is TV history.
(Q) When does the show come on?
(A) Finding RWC's airtime is as difficult as winning the lottery. The show
used to originally air twice a week, on Saturday at 11:00 PM and repeat at
Monday at 12:30 AM. However then USA decided that the "Big Easy" needed
RWC's Monday slot. So, then the only time you could see RWC was on
Saturdays at 3:00 AM (central). I know that's very late, but it was worth
it.
(Q) So, why did USA think about canceling RWC?
(A) That was the thousand-dollar question. All we can conclude is that
USA has some silly idea that "Pacific Blue" or some other USA treat is
better than RWC. So, USA would conclude that by giving a bad show a
cherry time slot, that that bad show becomes good. Crazy.
(Q) How can I, a mere mortal, fight against the USA gods to save RWC?
(A) There is alot that you can do to help RWC. First of all you should
send the president of the USA network a e-mail telling him to keep
RWC going. You can goto the USA web-site and send your e-mail through
the USA web-site. Also you can
sign up for the Reel Wild Newsletter. By joining the list you get the most
up-to-date info on this site and the cause we fight for. Also, all
members subscribed to the letter are asked if they would like there name
placed on a petition that I mail weekly to USA telling them to keep
RWC going. You can join the list by following these directions
(Q) Is there a Reel Wild Cinema Fan club?
(A) Yes there was, but they are no longer accepting members. Sorry
(Q) How goes the fight?
(A) The fight goes very well. I have a loyal order of followers who help me
keep the struggle alive. Also, I have a little inside help. Currently
over 12,000 people have come to say, KEEP USA REEL WILD!
(Q) What will USA replace RWC's time slot with?
(A) That is a good question. Back in January 98, the show Duckman took
over RWC's 3:00 AM slot. But, Duckman was a show that USA cancelled
back in October 97, so this tells us that USA is in the practice of bringing
back cancelled shows. Now, when RWC is not on at 3:00 AM on USA, usually
any random USA show might be on.
(Q) When did the last RWC air?
(A) About three years ago.
(Q) Why did you start this site?
(A) I started this site because I want to save my favorite show
from being cancelled....
(Q) Is there any place I can buy old episodes of RWC?
(A) I am sorry to say, no. USA has made no plans to release episodes
on to tape. Also, Something Weird Video has no episodes for sale.
As for myself, I have no way of making copies, but I will keep you
informed of my situation.
(Q) What is this "Something Weird Video?" and what's its connection to RWC?
(A) "Something Weird Video" is the video shop owned by RWC producer Mike
Vraney. Something Weird Video or SWV sales the best in B-movies,
Sci-fi, and Nudies. I have not been able to make contact with
Mike yet, but I will keep you informed of my plight. Recently
all members of the Official RWC Fan Club received a copy of
the latest SWV catalog. A link to the SWV site can be found at
the SRWC-HQ links page. (Note: SWV has no RWC episodes for sale)
(Q) Is RWC gone for good?
(A) Fraid so. And even if RWC is not on
TV anymore, RWC will live for ever in the hearts of the Wild Ones!
(Q) Who are the Wild Ones?
(A) The "Wild Ones are the cool people who have signed up for the RWC-
NewsLetter. Also, each Friday, all the Wild Ones's Name go onto a
an e-mail that I send to the USA Network, telling them to keep
Reel Wild Cinema going. Have you signed up yet?
(Q) Who are the "3 Amigos?"
(A) The "3 Amigos" is the nickname I have given to RWC's three producers.
They are: Mike Vraney, Marty Sokol, and Jimmy Malson. These three
guys make up very essence that is Reel Wild Cinema.
(Q) What are the 3 amigos up too?
(A) Well, currently Mike has his hands full running "Something Weird
Video. I have been trying to make contact with him for a while
now. As for Marty, I was in constant contact with Marty since the
creation of this web-site. I sent him weekly up-dates about this
site, and in exchange he slipped me info about the show. I have
recently spoken with Marty. He is very well, and is currently in
England working on a brand new show, called Exploitica! As for
Jimmy, he is the only amigo I have not communicated with. So poor
Jimmy is listed as MIA.
(Q) Why did RWC have such a crummy time slot?
(A) Well, according to past issues of the Official RWC NewsLetter,
(It was called the GrindHouse A-Go-Go) The reason for the late
time slot is because USA felt that RWC got a little to racy
in it's second season, so into late night it went. Yet
another dumb decision by U$A Network.
(Q) Can other Networks make new RWC episodes?
(A) Nope. I am afraid that the USA Network has the rights to air RWC until
the year 2001. This means that unless USA decides to nix this contract,
or to syndicate the show, you will not see new RWC unless USA makes it.
(Q) Is USA afraid of RWC?
(A) To put it bluntly, yes. Ever since the second season of RWC began,
USA has been afraid of RWC's attitude toward their movies. They (USA)
feel that RWC got a little too racy in its second season, that's why
they only air it late at night. According to secret sources, The Three
Amigos did not want to change or censor the show one bit. This free
attitude toward movies made it hard for USA to rate to show. When
the new TV rating system kicked in last year, USA got nervous because
They did not know how to rate certain episodes. This made them fear
RWC. USA is afraid of RWC, especially the "Nudies Cuties" episode.
According to sources at SWV, "USA was afraid of the way RWC did not try
to cut out the nudity or violence. Marty, Mike, and Jimmy did not
want to censor out any of that stuff. Those parts (the nudity and
violence) is what made those movies so great. They left in the parts,
and that's the way it should be dammit!"
(Q) I sent a letter to the USA Network, why have they not answered?
(A) The USA Network E-mail System has to be the worst in the world.
I to have not received one response to the many e-mails I have
sent to them. I can only guess that they are either ignoring us
or are just scared of us.
(Q) Is it true that SWV is losing 50% of it's inventory?
(A) Yes. SWV is going to cut much of the Triple X features that they
offer. These movies are just not selling well, and SWV needs to make
room for more selections. According to Deep Throat, The Hard-core
porn that SWV sells is not selling very well. When they are finally
done cutting all the slow selling titles, Deep Throat says more than
200 titles will be gone.
(Q) Is the Reel Wild Cinema T-shirt still available?
(A) Yes, SWV still sells the Reel Wild Cinema T-shirt. Just goto the
Something Weird Video
web-site and check out the T-shirt section.
(Q) Is it true that Marty Sokol is working on a new TV show?
(A) Yes, Marty Sokol has been working on a new TV show since last June.
The show is called Exploitica! and it is much like RWC in
nature. They show old B-movies, while info pops up at the
bottom of the screen, much like pop-up videos. Marty is
currently looking for a network in the U.S that will carry
the show. So, as of now, the show only airs in the U.K
(Q) Have you found Jimmy Maslon yet?
(A) Fraid not.
(Q) I just saw Sandra Bernhard on another TV show on Comedy Central!
Will she come back and host RWC if we save it?
(A) Currently, Sandra is co-hosting a new TV show on Comedy Central
called, "HI-FI PARTY." As I do not get Comedy Central, the only
info I can give you about that is to goto the show's web-site
However, I have recently sent a letter off to Sandra's manager asking
for a answer to this very question. I will keep you posted.
(Q) Are you fighting just to keep the re-runs of RWC on the air?
(A) We are trying to convince the guys over at the USA Network
to make more episodes of RWC! We want a third season!
(Q) How come I have seen only re-runs of RWC on USA?
(A) Because, USA officially cancelled RWC back in January of 97!
Yet, they still have been showing the re-runs for over two
years now! This gives us hope that USA realizes that even re-runs
of RWC still bring in the big ratings. Let us just hope that
they soon realize that they could get even bigger ratings if they
made new episodes!
(Q) Are you in any way connected to the production of RWC?
(A) I wish! No, I am just a big fan of the show who started this crusade
to try and keep his favorite TV show on the air.
(Q) Can you help me get Sandra Bernhard's autograph?
(A) You would not believe how many people write to me asking
for Sandra's autograph. Alas, I can not deliver on such
a request. However, I can point you in the right direction.
You can send your autograph requests to Sandra's management.
Here's the address:
Noe-Man Management
26500 West Agoura Road, Suite 575
Calabasas, CA 91302-1952
