THE HOME IMPROVEMENT NEWSLETTER: BACK ISSUES
THE HOME IMPROVEMENT NEWSLETTER
"Your weekly source of
MORE POWER!"
Best Viewed with America Online 4.0
ISSUE 1 - June 5, 1999
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the inaugural issue of The Home Improvement
Newsletter. As you all know, the final episode of "Home
Improvement" aired Tuesday, May 25th on ABC. The night
marked the end of a very successful eight-season run of the
hilarious comedy show. This newsletter has been created so that
all you "Home Improvement" fans can still enjoy the
show even though there will be no more new episodes. I think that
you will find this weekly newsletter to be amusing and
interesting and may even increase (if that's possible) your
liking of the show. From now on, this newsletter will be sent out
every Friday.
RECRUITING
If you know any "Home Improvement" fans who have
America Online and might be interested in signing up for this
newsletter, tell them about it. The more people the better and I
will list the screen name of the person who has recruited the
most subscribers each week.
EPISODE REVIEW
"The Long and Winding Road, Part 2" - 90 Minute Series
Finale
Some of us haven taken it for granted. For the past eight years,
"Home Improvement" has been one of the greatest and
funniest programs on television. After 8 seasons and 201
episodes, there came the 90-minute series finale to end this
incredible show. Part one of the finale aired on May 18 and was
to be continued, only the second HI episode to ever be continued
(the first was "Love's Labor, Part 1" in March). On May
18, we learned that Al was marrying Trudy, Tim was quitting
"Tool Time," and it appeared that the Taylors were
moving to Indiana for Jill's job opportunity. The first half hour
of the finale dealt with Tim driving Brad and Mark to school. The
three Taylors reflected on the many memories they have had in
their Michigan home and through a series of flashback highlights,
viewers too were given a chance to recall memories of Home
Improvement's past 8 seasons. Through a bunch of highlights set
to background music, we saw highlights of the boys growing up,
Tim's work with the hot rods, Tool Time memories, and the many
hilarious and serious encounters between Tim and Jill. The half
hour ended with Kenny Rogers' song "We've Got It All,"
and an emotional set of clips. Then came the second half hour,
the conclusion to the finale. Would Al really go through with the
wedding? Would Tim, Al, and Heidi really quit "Tool
Time"? Would the Taylors really leave Michigan for Indiana?
Well, first off, Tim and the gang had their last "Tool
Time" episode where they "burned down the house"
with a cool musical number and a number of special guests
including the K&B Construction gang and Mario Andretti. Then
in order to have more room in the backyard where Al and Trudy
wanted to get married, Tim and Wilson took down the fence, the
one thing that was always between them. Al went through with the
wedding, earning Tim a little cash off a bet. Then, Tim and Jill
talked about the future and Tim imagined moving the whole house
to Indiana. The Taylors' future was left up in the air a little.
The finale concluded with "Backstage Pass," a half-hour
special of cast interviews and many bloopers from the eight
seasons. The final image was the cast taking their last bows,
including Earl Hindman (Wilson) revealing his entire face for the
first time. Well, eight terrific seasons, I'm sure gonna miss
it--I already do--and I'm sure many of you feel the same way.
At least, the syndicated episodes will be around for a while, now
on FOX and beginning in 2001-02, on TBS.
CLASSIC EPISODE
This is a column in which you are given a chance to write about a
classic Home Improvement episode. It doesn't have to be about
your favorite episode (it's so hard to choose just one) but about
any episode you liked, why you liked it, a plot summary, review,
whatever. It could be a few sentences or a few paragraphs.
Whatever. Just write in and I'll include it with the newsletter.
CLASSIC HOME IMPROVEMENT MOMENT
This one is more specific: a hilarious (or serious) moment
from the show that you really enjoyed. For example, the time Tim
put Al in the "soundproof" booth, the many "Tool
Time" accidents, when the boys and Tim and Jill went back
and forth with Halloween pranks. There are to many to list. Just send
in anything, talk about the moment, and why you like it, and I'll
include it.
HOME IMPROVEMENT'S RATINGS FOR ITS EIGHT SEASONS
In the May 25-31 special Home Improvement farewell issue of The
Hollywood Reporter, there was much coverage on HI's successful
run as "the #1 Family Sitcom of the 90's" including the
following chart on HI's ratings through the years...
(Ratings/Share)
Season Year Time Period Households Age18-49
Season 1: 1991-92 Tues, 8:30 17.5/27 12.1/30
Season 2: 1992-93 Wed., 9:00 19.2/29 15.0/34
Season 3: 1993-94 Wed., 9:00 21.8/33 16.7/39
Season 4: 1994-95 Tues, 9:00 19.9/29 13.8/32
Season 5: 1995-96 Tues, 9:00 16.1/25 10.9/27
Season 6: 1996-97 Tues, 9:00 14.0/22 9.9/25
Season 7: 1997-98 Tues, 9:00 12.0/18 8.3/21
Season 8: 1998-99 Tues, 8:00 11.0/18 6.3/19
NEWS
On Monday, May 24th, both Richard Karn and Taran Smith chatted on
Yahoo! Chat to talk about the finale and their future. The chat
was through TV Guide Online. Also, that night, Patricia
Richardson was on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" for
a brief interview with host Jon Stewart on the finale. On
Wednesday, May 26th, Richard Karn was again chatting online, this
time through AOL Live, discussing his new book House Broken:
How I Remodeled My Home For Just Under Three Times the Original
Bid as well as answering people's questions about home repair
and rechargeable batteries which he endorses, and
of course talking about "Home Improvement." Richard is
currently in talks with Disney about getting his own sitcom. One
possibility is that he would reprise his role as Al Borland.
However, during the chat sessions, Richard said he would probably
prefer to play a new character.
WATCH ZACHERY TY BRYAN IN "PRINCIPAL TAKES A
HOLIDAY", SUNDAY NIGHT AT 7 P.M. EST ON ABC
HOME IMPROVEMENT TRIVIA
Here is some trivia to test your HI IQ, the first person to mail in the answers and has all of them correctly answered
will have their name listed next issue. You may or may not find
them easy.
1. Q. Who was Al previously engaged to?
A. Answer goes here.
2. Q. Where did Jill take Tim for his birthday for the eighth
season premiere?
A. Answer goes here.
3. Q. Which of the Taylor boys stole a pocket knife from Harry's?
A. Answer goes here.
ON THE HORIZON FOR HI STARS
TIM ALLEN (TIM)
Just after "Home Improvement" finished taping its
final episode, Tim went to the set of his new movie, GALAXY
QUEST, a comedy about a bunch of washed-up actors from a
"Star Trek"-like sci-fi show who encounter some real
life aliens. Of course, in November, the much-anticipated sequel
to TOY STORY will be released and Tim reprises his role,
providing the voice for action figure Buzz Lightyear.
PATRICIA RICHARDSON (JILL)
Patricia hopes to continue acting and possibly branch out into a
writing/directing career. She has a two film deal with Disney.
EARL HINDMAN (WILSON)
Earl is currently looking for his next part.
RICHARD KARN (AL)
Richard's new book, House Broken, a humorous book
about his adventures in home renovation, is now available at
stores. He is also talking with Disney about the possibility of a
TV series of his own.
ZACHERY TY BRYAN (BRAD)
Zachery also has a two film deal with Disney.
JONATHAN TAYLOR THOMAS (RANDY)
Jonathan has roles in two upcoming films: SPEEDWAY JUNKIE,
an independent film produced by Gus Van Sant, and WALKING
ACROSS EGYPT, a drama film due out next year. Also, Jonathan
will be attending Stanford University in the fall.
TARAN SMITH (MARK)
Taran, 15, will begin attending high school full-time and hopes
to be a film student at NYU or another college.
DEBBE DUNNING (HEIDI)
Debbe is hosting an upcoming special for E! Entertainment
Television.
CHARACTER AOL PROFILES
Profile for:
Toolman
Member Name: Tim "The Toolman" Taylor
Location: Detroit, MI
Birthdate: September 1954
Sex: Male
Marital Status: Married
Hobbies: working on the hot rods, building stuff, giving things
MORE POWER, watching football, basketball, and hockey, spending
time in hardware stores
Computers: laptop, desktop, both with MORE POWER than they
originally had
Occupation: Host of "Tool Time"
Personal Quote: "If a man flushes a toilet, and no one else
is there to see it, did it really flush?"
WISE WORDS OF THE TOOLMAN
"Remember, if your tools don't say Binford, someone else
makes them."
LYRICS OF "WE'VE GOT IT ALL"
It's hard to say goodbye,
You're much more than a friend.
When good times become memories,
They never really end.
Like ancient rites of passage
It's time to carry on,
We caught lightning in a bottle
As we went along.
We've got it all,
Wouldn't change a minute
We've got it all,
Never will forget it
As years go slipping by us
You know we will recall,
These times we've found together,
We've got it all.
Long goodbyes never suited you and me.
You know if God is willing
We'll go on eternally.
We've got it all,
Never will forget it.
As years go slipping by us
You know we will recall,
These times we've found together,
We've got it all.
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For more "Home Improvement" coverage, visit The Home Improvement Zone . To subscribe or unsubscribe to The Home
Improvement Newsletter, send an email to: LBPound23@aol.com
THE END
Hope you enjoyed the first Home Improvement Newsletter. Got any
ideas or suggestions to make this better, e-mail
me and I'll be glad to
listen. Especially since this is the first issue, I really want
to hear your feedback.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE HOME IMPROVEMENT NEWSLETTER
"Your weekly source of
MORE POWER!"
Best Viewed with America Online 4.0
ISSUE 2 - June 11, 1999
INTRODUCTION
This is The Home Improvement Newsletter. This newsletter is
intended to allow fans of the successful comedy series, which
ended its eight season run on May 25th, to further their
appreciation and liking of the show and to enjoy "Home
Improvement" even though there are no more new episodes. I
think that you will find this weekly newsletter to be amusing and
interesting and may even increase (if that's possible) your
liking of the show. This newsletter is sent out every Friday to
"Home Improvement" fans all over the world.
RECRUITING
If you know any "Home Improvement" fans who have
America Online or any other Internet service provider and might
be interested in signing up for this newsletter, please tell them
about it. The more people the better and I will list the screen
name of the person who has recruited the most subscribers each
week.
TOP RECRUITER FOR THE WEEK
This week's top recruiter is Darth1117. This
newsletter's following has grown tremendously in the past week
and soon we'll have over 100 subscribers. If you know anyone who
might be interested, please get them to sign up. Darth1117 was
one of the few people who did this.
TUESDAY'S EPISODE
"Bewitched" - Season 8 Halloween Episode, Original
Airdate October 27, 1998
One thing that all "Home Improvement" fans know they
can count on is always having a classic "HI" Halloween
episode. From 1993's "Crazy For You" in which an
"obsessed fan" stalked Tim to 1996's "I Was A
Teenage Taylor" when parents and kids went back-and-forth
with pranks to 1997's "A Night to Dismember" when Mark
made a realistic horror film of the family, Halloween means some
of the best Home Improvement episodes ever. This season's
Halloween episode did not disappoint. Some people may look
forward to the Halloween episodes merely to see what costumes Tim
and Jill are wearing this year, and they would not be let down by
Tim's interesting "Wizard of Oz" flying monkey getup.
Many other people enjoy watching the Taylor gang celebrate the
spooky holiday with pranks, Tim's all-out decoration attempts,
and an eerie element to the episode. In 1998's
"Bewitched," Tim and Jill attend a party at Wilson's
house. There, they meet a woman who is Wilson's friend and claims
she is a witch. The comic element comes in when after the party,
Wilson disappears...and Tim seems to be the clear suspect, since
evidence points to him. The police come over and question Tim
about Wilson's mysterious disappearance, which Tim believes can
be attributed to the witch. It turns out to be something like
many of the other "Home Improvement" Halloween episodes
do...there's a surprise. "Bewitched" represents a
typical Halloween HI episode, which seem to be some of the best
episodes of all time. "Bewitched" is easily among the
final season's best episodes and it is neat that most of the
episode takes place inside Wilson's not-often-seen house. Funny.
Intriguing. Classic. "Bewitched" is just another great
Home Improvement episode that illustrates the correct formula for
a successful series.
AFTER "HOME IMPROVEMENT," LEAVE THE TV ON...
Tuesday night at 9:00, Fox Family Channel airs the 1995
television movie Picture Perfect starring Home
Improvement's Richard Karn, "Grace Under Fire"'s Dave
Thomas, and Mary Page Keller. The movie is about two neighboring
teens who conspire to merge their single-parent households to win
a cola company's contest seeking the "perfect family." Picture
Perfect is rated TV-PG and runs two hours long. Should anyone
not watch this film? In the words of Al Borland, "I don't
think so, Tim."
ZACHERY IN "THE STORY OF FATHERS & SONS"
Zachery Ty Bryan established his acting career by for almost
half his life playing the role of eldest son Brad Taylor. Bryan,
now 17, had the terrific skill to make his character, not the
sharpest pencil in the pack, so human and likable. From
"Home Improvement", Bryan has branched out into films
such as Magic Island, First Kid, Principal Takes
a Holiday, and most recently The Rage: Carrie 2. Next
Thursday, June 17, the real life Zachery is shown in a one hour
special on ABC. "The Story of Fathers & Sons" is a
sentimental portrait of the emotional ties that bind men and
their children together. The documentary is the successor to
1997's "The Story of Mothers & Daughters" and
features more than 40 contemporary American guys, men and boys,
speaking candidly about their relationships with their fathers.
Zachery is one of three celebrities, along with Shaquille O'Neal
and fellow actor James Olmos, who appear to give their own
perspective. "The Story of Fathers & Sons" airs
Thursday night at 8:00 EST and is followed up by an encore
presentation of "The Story of Mothers & Daughters."
As Brad would say, "hey, yo, check it out." The program
certainly looks to provide insight as to what the real Zachery Ty
Bryan is like.
CLASSIC EPISODE
This is a column in which you are given a chance to write about a
classic Home Improvement episode. It doesn't have to be about
your favorite episode (it's so hard to choose just one) but about
any episode you liked, why you liked it, a plot summary, review,
whatever. It could be a few sentences or a few paragraphs.
Whatever. Just write in and I'll include it with the newsletter.
CLASSIC HOME IMPROVEMENT MOMENT
This one is more specific: a hilarious (or serious) moment
from the show that you really enjoyed. For example, the time Tim
put Al in the "soundproof" booth, the many "Tool
Time" accidents, when the boys and Tim and Jill went back
and forth with Halloween pranks. There are to many to list. Just send
in anything, talk about the moment, and why you like it, and I'll
include it.
TOP SHOWS OF THE 1998-99 SEASON
Although it did not appear that Home Improvement would finish
among the top ten rated shows for the season, its remarkably high
ratings for the series finale helped pull it into the top ten in
the eleventh hour. In addition, the show is ABC's top-rated
sitcom. This means that "Home Improvement" went out the
way it came in: on top.
1. ER [NBC]
2. FRIENDS [NBC]
3. FRASIER [NBC]
4. JESSE [NBC]
5. MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL [ABC]
6. TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL [CBS]
7. VERONICA'S CLOSET [NBC]
8. 60 MINUTES [CBS]
9. SUNDAY NIGHT MOVIE [CBS]
10. HOME IMPROVEMENT [ABC]
11 EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND (CBS)
12 20/20 WED (ABC)
13 THE X-FILES (FOX)
14 DREW CAREY SHOW (ABC)
15 NYPD BLUE (ABC)
16 WALKER TEXAS RANGER (CBS)
17 JAG (CBS)
18 LAW & ORDER (NBC)
19 PROVIDENCE (NBC)
20 BECKER (CBS)
NEWS
On Friday, June 4, Richard Karn appeared on The Rosie O'Donnell
Show. This morning, June 11, Richard appeared on Leeza to discuss
school classroom issues as well as the show. The Home Improvement
finale finished #1 in ratings, meaning the show went out like it
came in: on top. The finale received a 21.6 rating and a 34 share,
the highest numbers for a Tuesday night in six years. Also,
HI's high numbers carried over to "Spin City" which
finished second for the week with a 14.6 rating and 22 share.
Note, a show's rating refers to the total number of homes with
televisions watching. Each rating point represents 994,000 homes
watching the show. Share is the percentage of households with
televisions in use who were watching that program. Be sure to
watch Zachery Ty Bryan in "The Story of Fathers &
Sons" Thursday night, June 17, at 8 on ABC.
"PRINCIPAL TAKES A HOLIDAY"
For those of you who watched Zachery Ty Bryan last Sunday in
"Principal Takes a Holiday" or saw the television movie
on its January 4, 1997 premiere, write in your comments on the film and Zachery's performance
or write
a little review.
HOME IMPROVEMENT TRIVIA
Here is some trivia to test your HI IQ, the first person to mail in the answers and has all of them correctly answered
will have their name listed next issue.
LAST WEEK
Whsindian correctly answered all three questions within 8
minutes of receiving the newsletter! Good job, Whsindian! Many
other people correctly answered all three shortly after they
received the newsletter, but not before Whsindian. Here are the
answers to last week's trivia:
1. Q. Who was Al previously engaged to?
A. Ilene Markham, the orthodontist.
2. Q. Where did Jill take Tim for his birthday for the eighth
season premiere?
A. A river-rafting trip in Kernville, California.
3. Q. Which of the Taylor boys stole a pocket knife from Harry's?
A. Mark.
THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA
Good luck!
1. Q. Which three "Home Improvement" cast members have
guest-starred on "Boy Meets World"?
A. Answer goes here.
2. Q. What is the name of the lazy man who eats donuts at Harry's
and Tim blew up his relatives' house?
A. Answer goes here.
3. Q. What occurrence made Tim worry about his age around his
40th birthday?
A. Answer goes here.
4. Q. What other former ABC show did the characters of Tim Taylor
and Al Borland also appear on?
A. Answer goes here.
5. Q. What did the condition with Randy's throat turn out to be?
A. Answer goes here.
Home Improvement..... What is it all about?
This little article has some interesting information you may
not know...thanks to Mike (Reddogmv) for sending it in to
me...
Based on the comedy of Tim Allen, Home Improvement is produced by
The Wind Dancer Production Group in association with Touchstone
Television for ABC. The show premiered on September 17, 1991; and
entered syndication on September 11, 1995 with a brand new
episode produced specially for the start of syndication.
The show is taped in Stage 4 of the Disney Lot in Burbank
California; taping is done in front of a live studio audience on
Friday evenings. Home Improvement is one of only a handful of
shows in production to use a test audience. The test group of
about 20 people comes in on Wednesday and moves room to room with
the cast as they rehearse the scenes. This allows the cast and
producers to judge the audience reaction to a scene and make any
last minute changes as necessary.
The cast and crew work 5 days a week to produce the show we see
each Tuesday. Though the young members of the cast are only
allowed to work 9 1/2 hours per day, the adult members of the
cast sometimes rehearse late into the night.
The 1/2 hour show we see on TV actually takes about 4-6 hours to
tape.
Here's a well-written piece on "Home Improvement" by
one of the subscribers. Thanks a lot, Jim, for the terrific
article.
MY IMPRESSION
By JRabun4618
The thing that always impressed me about the show was its superb
comedic timing. I guess it came from Tim's years as a standup
comic, but it always seemed real and not contrived. Talking
about, or defining great comedy, is almost a waste of time. It's
something that's either there or it isn't. I remember Robin
Williams as a teacher in Dead Poets' Society, when he had
the class open their literature text book on the first day of
class and rip out the author's pathetic attempt to define good
poetry. It's the same with good comedy, you just know it when you
see it. It comes from deep inside, right down in the marrow of
your bones.
The show had it's standing bits of course:
Opening with, I'm Tim, "The Tool Man" Taylor and this
is my assistant, Al "The Prince of Plaid" Borland.
The visit to the fence for some sage advise from Wilson to help
explain or solve his latest misadventure. Tim's digestion of the
collective wisdom of the ages, usually three or four words were
retained from the monologue, and his sincere desire to go back
inside and apply his poultice to the problem of the day. This was
normally followed by Jill's eyebrows making a giant "V"
as she pondered the possible relevance of Tim's words.
These were interwoven with things the common man can relate to -
home, work, kids, friends & family. This program will stand
as beacon to the industry to show what can be accomplished with
talented actors and writers that remain true to their audience
& not some wooden actors, delivering tired lines and the dead
air being filled with a laugh track. I guess they figure the
canned laughs distracts the audience and keeps them from
realizing they are watching crap.
A sense of humor is essential to weather the storms of life. When
the really bad times hit, with the dark clouds of sickness or
death, Tim would wrap those suffering in a quilt of love. That is
the best we can hope to achieve as a human being, and we need to
be reminded in a humorous, gentle way - teaching, never
preaching.
CHARACTER AOL PROFILES
Profile for:
JillTaylor
Member Name: Jill Taylor
Location: Detroit, MI
Birthdate: November 1956
Sex: Female
Marital Status: Married
Hobbies: psychology, dancing, ballet, pottery, being mother to
three boys
Computers: laptop
Occupation: Studying psychologist
Personal Quote: "I'm perfectly happy being married to a man
who thinks PBS is something that women get once a month."
WISE WORDS OF THE TOOLMAN
WILSON: "Tim, are you familiar with the I-CHING?"
TIM: "Yeah, sure, the I-CHING, the SCRATCHING."
TIM: "I like to create, Wilson. Everything I do, I want to
make bigger and better."
WILSON: "Well, Tim, this obsessive desire to create partly
happens because men feel inferior to women."
TIM: "Huuuhhhh?"
WILSON: "It's because we can't bear children."
TIM: "I don't mind the boys that much."
PIC OF THE WEEK--ATTACHMENT
taylor boys.jpg (32 KB)
Zachery Ty Bryan (BRAD), Jonathan Taylor Thomas (RANDY), and
Taran Noah Smith (MARK) play the three Taylor boys. In this
picture from 1995, the three young co-stars appear on the Taylor
living room couch.
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For more "Home
Improvement" coverage, visit The Home Improvement Zone . To subscribe or unsubscribe to The Home
Improvement Newsletter, send an email to: LBPound23@aol.com
THE END
Hope you enjoyed the second issue of The Home Improvement
Newsletter. Got any ideas or suggestions to make this better, e-mail
me and I'll be glad to listen. Especially since this is
still a very new newsletter, I really want to hear your feedback.
Lastly, if you have America Online 4.0 and would like to get a
Graphics-Enhanced Edition of this newsletter from now on, e-mail me.
The counter below shows how many visits to this page since July 11, 1999.