Opie and Andy endorse Obama

The folks over at Will Ferrell’s “Funny or Die” website have posted a new video from actor/director Ron Howard that has a decidedly political AND retro feel.

Check out the 2008 version of old favorites “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Happy Days” with Ron Howard, Andy Griffith and Henry Winkler stepping back into the roles that made them famous!

Howard, stepping away from the director’s chair, puts on his old character’s clothes, and with the help of Andy Griffith and Henry Winkler, explain why he is endorsing Barack Obama.

For Obama fans, you’ll love it.

For McCain fans, I doubt you’ll ever watch “The Andy Griffith Show” or “Happy Days” again.

Ritchie and The Fonz give Obama the thumbs up!

*****

The kids love “High School Musical.”

It dominated at the box office this weekend. Having seen the first two, I’m tickled. The first two TV movies were charming, sweet and enjoyable fun for kids and adults.

Even before HSM3 was released, Disney was planning to keep the franchise alive by introducing new, underclassman characters into the theatrical release.

Disney CEO Bob Iger says “HSM” can “sustain a pretty thorough cast change,” and Disney Channel has already ordered “HSM4.” “There is no doubt that the next movie, in our minds, will have a lot of new faces,” Rich Ross, president of Disney Channel, tells the paper.

Hmmm…after the success of “High School Musical,” maybe they can do “College Musical?”

These kids have the #1 Movie in America!

Many of you have according to the ratings. If you haven’t actually seen the show yet, you’ve probably seen some of the hilarious promos for the show, many that feature various folks literally falling all over themselves on Giant Inflatable Red Balls over a body of water.

The producing team that created the show also produced “Fear Factor.” I wasn’t a fan of that show, but have to admit they know how to engage the audience. Well, they’ve done it again with “Wipeout.” And the good news…No bugs or creepy gross-outs this time!

24 contestants start the show, fighting gravity and wacky contraptions to race against their opponents. It’s a silly process of elimination that is fun for the whole family. It also features snarky hosts John Henson and John Anderson (I love that word “snarky”) along with Lincoln-Mercury spokemodel Jill Wagner as a “field reporter.” Funny thing is it is competitive silliness that hooks you.

It’s companion show on the other hand, doesn’t.  ”I Survived a Japanese Game Show,” may have a funnier title…but its boring compared to “Wipeout.”

“I Survived…” strives to be funny showing the antics of the show…but concentrates too much on the contestants. Slow. Boring…not engaging. Not fun summer viewing either. 

*****

Speaking of fun summer viewing, HR Pufnstuf is back! On-line of course. And he has his own MYSPACE page! Honest!

If you’re a boomer, you probably remember this goofy show, one of many produced by Sid and Marty Krofft Studios.

The Hollywood Reporter had a recent article about the team saying - “All of their boob-tube classics, including “H.R. Pufnstuf,” “Land of the Lost” and “The Bugaloos,” will make their exclusive global home on the social networking platform. The license extends to condensed versions of Krofft-produced TV episodes as well as taped messages from the Kroffts themselves.

Josh Brooks, vp of marketing at MySpace, sees the collaboration as an example of how the site will mine pop-culture nostalgia to build audiences.

“It’s another example of how household names are making MySpace their home on the web and taking control and using the community on MySpace for new content options,” he said.

In addition to the condensed “Kwikies,” which run 3-5 minutes, the Kroffts are also making available highlight clips. MySpace subscribers will also make theme music from the shows available.

The Krofft branded channel can be found here.  

Another bit of Krofft news…their “Land of the Lost,” another of their Saturday morning staples is getting made into a big Hollywood movie…starring Will Ferrell?

Who says Hollywood is running out of ideas.