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BIRDS OF PREY News!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
Some stuff on “Birds of Prey,” the new and largely Batman-free “Batman” sequel coming to the WB this autumn.
* Mia Sara, best known as Ferris Bueller’s girlfriend Sloane, has replaced Sherilyn Fenn as first-season big bad (and longtime Joker associate) Harleen Quinzel.
* It’s common knowledge that the pilot’s villain-of-the-week is a fellow with a Scarecrow-like flair for exploiting one’s worst fear; what’s less known is the nature of Harleen’s subsequent evildoing minions. We’ve learned she’ll be using a mutant assassin named Slick, who can transform himself into water and back. He also likes to drown people with his own body.
* Though Barbara Gordon's ex-boyfriend, Wade, was apparently cut out of the pilot, it looks like he'll be turning up later in the series. In those likely-never-to-be-seen deletions, Wade asks why Barbara ended their six-month relationship. Barbara, who clearly still harbors feelings for the guy, will only say, "It isn't you."
* Also on the "missing scene" front. One draft of the pilot script established that Barbara taught a computer lab. Though that scene isn't expected to air, it will be established in the Slick episode that Barbara does indeed oversee a classroom at New Gotham High School.
* "Prey" producers also seem keen on generating lots of sexual tension between Helena "Huntress" Kyle and Reese, the quasi-adversarial police detective she keeps bumping into as they investigate the same supercrimes.
* It’s common knowledge that the pilot’s villain-of-the-week is a fellow with a Scarecrow-like flair for exploiting one’s worst fear; what’s less known is the nature of Harleen’s subsequent evildoing minions. We’ve learned she’ll be using a mutant assassin named Slick, who can transform himself into water and back. He also likes to drown people with his own body.
* Though Barbara Gordon's ex-boyfriend, Wade, was apparently cut out of the pilot, it looks like he'll be turning up later in the series. In those likely-never-to-be-seen deletions, Wade asks why Barbara ended their six-month relationship. Barbara, who clearly still harbors feelings for the guy, will only say, "It isn't you."
* Also on the "missing scene" front. One draft of the pilot script established that Barbara taught a computer lab. Though that scene isn't expected to air, it will be established in the Slick episode that Barbara does indeed oversee a classroom at New Gotham High School.
* "Prey" producers also seem keen on generating lots of sexual tension between Helena "Huntress" Kyle and Reese, the quasi-adversarial police detective she keeps bumping into as they investigate the same supercrimes.
* Also on the "missing scene" front. One draft of the pilot script established that Barbara taught a computer lab. Though that scene isn't expected to air, it will be established in the Slick episode that Barbara does indeed oversee a classroom at New Gotham High School.
* "Prey" producers also seem keen on generating lots of sexual tension between Helena "Huntress" Kyle and Reese, the quasi-adversarial police detective she keeps bumping into as they investigate the same supercrimes.
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I'm really looking forward to this show, the girls are hot, and it sounds like it may actually be a well executed show. I'm kind of bummed that Sherlyn Fenn dropped out of the show, I fell in love with her when she was in Boxing Helena. But Mia Sara was super hot in Ferris Bullers Day Off, it will be cool to see her again.
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Whenever I see The Mask and they start the "Cuban Pete" number, that one blonde female cop that starts singing always makes me say, "Damn, she'd make a great Harley Quinn!" (probably not her real voice, anyway, but she has the facial look down). That is all...
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usually starring Rutger Hauer as: a) an assassin on the run from his former employers, b) a rogue cop on the edge, or c) a robot.
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Jul 21, 2002 6:09:33 AM CDT
Well, I was looking forward to getting a weekly look at Sherilyn
by st.buggering
I have to admit that Mia Sara is better suited to the role. If, in fact, the character really IS Harley Quinn. Which I assume she is. And anyway, Mia needs the career resurrection at least as bad as Sherilyn does. Sure, this show sounds a little goofy, but that's what I thought about Smallville, and I'm really starting to enjoy that one.
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I mean, come on, what the hell kind of article was that? Jeeze HERC, you can do better than that shit, I know you can. Your article assumes I've read the script to a show I've never heard of before. What is "Bird of Prey"? What is it about? Is it another one of these crappy animated things they seem to love so much on this site, or is it going to be live action? Which one of the bunch of charcaters mention in the piece is the main one? Is it Batman or one of the others? Shape up HERC, remember some of us are starting on page 2 here.
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It just doesn't look good or sound good to me. No matter how much "should be good" stuff there is, it sounds like "not good enough" stuff to me. Then again, I didn't like the comics with Oracle either. It's worth the attempt by DC and the WB, but I won't be tuning in unless I get a good vibe off it. So far the buzz doesn't reach me.
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I take it there's a couple of Terminator fans on the writing staff.
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What's she's been up to lately!!
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Jul 21, 2002 8:17:41 AM CDT
The only reason I was going to watch the show was for Sherilyn F
by steal_dragon
And the bad guy side kick with the ability to turn himself into water is just plain stupid. I thought this was going to be like a crime drama like Charlie's Angels was in the 70's with 3 hot females kicking tail but with villians in costumes like Poison Ivy or Scarecrow, but instead we get some Mutant X crap with Huntress as a metahuman or whatever you call it and costume designers terrified to have the girls in costumes that they can easily work around with like the X-Men movie. We already have one show with the villian of the week (Smallville) and I have a feeling that the show will soon grow out of that thing making it once in a while we see a kid infected with Krytonite, we don't need another show to be like it. I give it 2 seasons.
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In that case, maybe we should hire Jenna Jameson to play Harley Quinn. BWAHAHAHAHA!! GET IT?! Aww, eff it, I'm so immature.
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This Slick character in episode 2 of "Birds of Prey" sounds a lot like Ink, who had the same talents and made Terry M. and Bruce Wayne's life hell on "Batman Beyond." I appreciate all the new heavies but at the same time I want to see Joker, Penquin and the rest mess with the gals too. Right?
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Yea this bad guy was more cool when he was fighting spider-man on rooftops. If this is DC's way of copycatting as usual like they do on Smallville. well think up better ideas , maybe somehow introducing Ink would have been a better move.
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Is this going to be another of those girl superhero type shows that has the leads all looking like they have not eaten in months?
At least Lucy Lawless looked like she had muscle in Xena not some skinney pipsqueek like Buffy or Dark Angel.
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The lack of firm details is because we've already had about 10 talkbacks about this show. Plus, commercials for it are already on TV. I suggest you click the "more on this Topic" button and read some of those articles. In brief: its a live action version of a popular DC Comic set in Gotham City featuring Oracle, Black Canaray, and the Huntress. The TV producers are take a ton of artistic liberties with it, which is pissing a lot of people off. Speaking of that, I'm going to be taking a lot of liberties with the Undertaker tonight when I take his Undisputed Championship away! Oh, it's true...it's true.
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but I was looking forward to Fenn. She has this delicious wickedness that would have been great for the show. AD out
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Jeezuskayrist... I think I might have phrased that wrong. :) Well, maybe Jenna can a supporting actress as Harley Quinn in a sequel to Splatman. (Oh, who am I kidding... Jenna would never take supporting status in film... Besides, Cal Jammer blew his head off (the one on his shoulders, so there is no misunderstanding) so there is no chance of him reviving his role of idiot playboy Bruce Stain / vigilante Splatman.)
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As much as I would like to see Ashley Scott in anything, BoP is just a bad idea.
Bunt, James Bunt. -
I am somewhat anxious to see the new BOP series, but from what I am reading, is it me or does the concept of the show and some of the episode plots similar to that of the other WB show of the gir trio "Charmed"? Would be suprised though. Just lookat the past history of shows on WB. If they have a hit show, then they get 3-4 other shows of the smae thing.
Or maybe its just me? -
Ms. Fenn was so perfect for the role it's scary. (As many have said before me) nothing agains Mia Sara, I was just really looking forward to seeing her as Harley. Oh, and Jenna Jameson would also be great in the role. That's just plain inspired, man!
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"Birds of Prey" is about a Gotham City set somewhere in the future where Barbara (Batgirl) Gordon has been crippled by the Joker when he shot her (as shown in a flashback) and is now confined to crime-fighting from a super-computer system provided by Bruce Wayne, Helena (Huntress) Kyle is the daughter of Batman and Catwoman (who now has super-human-like powers of a cat which she passes on to her daughter) and Dinah (Black Canary) Drake is a teen-ager with psychic abilities. Batman and Joker have had a final battle which resulted in Batman leaving Gotham City. The Catwoman was murdered (perhaps by the Joker). And now these three must pick up the fight where Batman left off. Rumor has it that children of some of Batman's villians will make appearances as well as Dinah's mother, The Black Canary(!?!). Alfred will also be on hand to help out when necessary. Dr. Harley Quinzell will be a psychiatrist who has the Huntress on her couch; all the while planning their demise in the background as the season's big bad. As far as the Kyle name, Catwoman was named Selena Kyle long before James Cameron ever thought of "The Terminator". Sorry this spoils anything for anyone; it's mostly all over the web anyway!
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I dunno, it's worked with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" for how many seasons now. Besides, I don't think the series will just be a butt-kicking fest, I think there will actually be some good stories here as well.
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Read reviews from IMDB.com from couple of people who got advanced preview. Morons at WB should have done Batman Beyond. Any other Batman-related comics is lame. WB should pull the plug on production right now and try to develop something else.
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Harry, I'm resubmitting my review of the latest cut of the WB's upcoming series "Birds Of Prey" - the pilot episode. I submitted it earlier today, but so far I haven't seen it posted amongst the newest headlines. If I've done anything wrong or failed to comply to a particular submissions protocol, I most certainly apologize. I'm a huge fan of your site and I'd really love to finally be afforded the opportunity to be a contributor. The series "Birds Of Prey" is set to premier in nearly two months and although someone from your site might have already provided earlier coverage of the program, I believe that the version which I'm reviewing represents the 'final cut'. Since "Smallville" was such a huge success for the WB network I can only assume that they will be hoping for lightning to strike twice and will therefore be offering their full support to the launch of this program. I'm sure that many of the same people who visit and enjoy your site will be among those curious about "Birds Of Prey". I hope you will allow me to share both my foreknowledge on the subject as well as my opinion. If you are unable to use my submission for whatever reason, I hope that someone might communicate said reason, if only so that I might not make the same mistake again the next time I attempt to submit a review. I do however hope you will decide to run my review because I would be proud to have contributed to your site. I thank you in advance for your consideration regarding the matter and I look forward to hearing from you.
To save you time, I've taken the liberty of including a copy of my initial review below.
Harry,
I'm a longtime fan of your site, and this review of an upcoming television series will be my first official contribution (unless, of course, you're going to count my several previous heartfelt, albeit rabidly fanatical fits of ranting and raving on the movie 'talk-back' boards under my actual name... but I digress...) I'm not certain of whether or not anyone from your site has had the dubious opportunity to view and/or review the newest 'final' cut of the WB's "Birds Of Prey" pilot, set to air in about two months, but just in case, I thought I'd forward this review (If only so that I might save some poor deluded soul the horror of having to view this vile, loathsome spectacle). Those of you who undergo violent seizures while uncontrollably shaking your fists to the heavens and vehemently cursing whenever you run into SPOILERS please take note... I shall endeavor to warn you ahead of time, but tread carefully... you've been warned!
Because this review just happens to be based upon a 'non-sanctioned' viewing of the aforementioned episode certain 'powers' (read: those godless, foul-smelling, diabolical fascist WB television executives and their miscreant swine, lapdog lawyers) are no doubt, even now, closing in on my present location, beating down a pathway, as it were, to my door... in hopes of silencing your humble reviewer. But their cruel, vicious, horrific, inhuman tortures do not scare me. (after all, I figure if I could survive watching this horrible, terrible, reeeeaaaaally bad (and I don't mean 'bad' in a 'good' way) show, then nothing they could do to me could possible be any worse (except maybe if they strap me down, apply the old' 'L' technique (straight-jacket, eye drops, eye lid clamps, etc...), put on a bit of the old Beethoven and force me to view an extended version of this incomprehensible drivel which they laughingly refer to as a television show). However, in the interest of my continued survival, I shall request that you refer to me as gonzo journalist Raoul Duke...
Earlier today, I was walking merrily along across the park, minding my own business when my close friend and longtime business associate ACIDBATH lunged out from behind a large statue, laughing hysterically and nearly giving me a damned coronary (God, I hate it when he does that!), delivering a copy of the aforementioned pilot episode before running off, screaming about junkie ghouls and the words "under God" in our pledge of allegiance... but I digress...
To begin, I submit (for your disapproval...) the sad, pathetic, basic information provided for the new viewer... cast, basic plot, etc...
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Major Spoiler Warning Major Spoiler Warning
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Birds Of Prey premieres on WB in fall 2002. The series begins with New Gotham in chaos. In one night, Catwoman is murdered and Batgirl falls in a rain of gunfire, victims of The Joker's wrath. With his true love dead, The Caped Crusader flees the city and Batgirl, now confined to a wheelchair, redefines herself as "Oracle", a master of cybernetics and weapons design. She takes under her wing the secret daughter of Batman and Catwoman, "Huntress", who is as fierce as she is beautiful. Powerful, haunting visions lead a third young woman, Dinah, to their secret Clock Tower lair. The trio is complete. They are now the Birds of Prey, determined to battle crime in a New Gotham laced with bold new villains.
Cast:
Barbara Gordon/Oracle ..................... Dina Meyer
Helena Kyle/The Huntress .................. Ashley Scott
Dinah Lance/The Black Canary ......... Rachel Skarsten
Jake Reese ................................ Shemar Moore
Harleen Quinzel ........................... Sherilyn Fenn
The main problem with this pilot episode (and there are many, many problems throughout) is simply that it strives to accomplish way too much in too short a time span. Killing off Catwoman, introducing Alfred Pennyworth, the Huntress, Black Canary, Batgirl/Oracle AND another painfully obvious character, offering teasing cameos of Batman and the Joker while also seeking to explaining the otherwise total absence of Batman (this series seems, annoyingly enough, situated somewhere between "Batman: Year One" and "The Dark Knight Returns" for no other reason than to offer the "Birds" a wide open playing field all to themselves!) blending in elements of Alan's "The Killing Joke", taking us inside a certain very familiar asylum, setting up the series regulars and locations, etc..., etc..., etc...
Unfortunately, shockingly sloppy writing and truly bad acting on Meyer's (who takes the notion of underacting to a whole new level), and Skarsten's (who hopefully will someday ascertain the subtle difference between 'cute' and 'annoying') part reduces the already lacking overall quality of this series even further. The writing is so fundamentally 'lacking' of logic and/or common sense, that in one amazingly bad sequence, Skarsten is nearly sexually assaulted in a dark alley. The vicious attack is staged in such a way as to suggest that her attacker is a seasoned rapist (he carefully chose his victim, befriended her, won her confidence and eventually lured her to a secluded area... his casual methods suggest that he is not an opportunistic criminal, but rather a veteran abuser of females with a distinctly predatory nature). Although his attack is foiled in a typical 'female-kicks-male's-ass' scenario, complete with the usual pathetic posturing on the part of the costumed hero(ine), in this particular case... the Huntress, the two females decide to chat a bit as the rapist scampers off! (possibly to attack more females! I'm not joking here! I only was I were...). Oh and by the way, the plot was so ridiculously easy to figure out that I actually knew who the 'bad guy' was within the first ten to fifteen minutes... so much for even the slightest hope or hint of intrigue and/or suspense!
"Birds..." represents a dangerous return to the illogical heyday of television and film super-hero(ine) live-action/cartoon, last seen in "Batman & Robin" (the film) in which the powers-that-be seemed to be saying "So what if it doesn't make any sense, just keep the action and sexy costumes flowing and the kids will eat it up!". Seriously, all they need is two more women (one of whom should be Uma Thurman) and this nonsensical piece of television trash would be exactly what Quentin Tarantino was describing in "Pulp Fiction" when Uma spoke of her own doomed fiasco of a show "Fox Force Five".
"Smallville", the WB's excellent series is well-known for many fine reasons, not the least of which is it's great music. Unfortunately, such is most certainly NOT the case in this episode. Characterization is also in precious, short supply. Sometimes I must admit that I can't help but to wonder if some writers will ever learn that one-liners and smart-mouthed replies will never take the place of good, solid characterization. I should also mention that I've heard talk of the 'groundbreaking' optical effects contained within this episode, specifically regarding the dynamic look of 'New Gotham". If by 'groundbreaking' they mean really cheesy CGI shots then okay, otherwise...
Oh yes, and before I forget... on a much more personal note... BATMAN WOULD NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER FLEE GOTHAM CITY! I only hope that they find the evil bastard who said that Batman fled the city... and then execute the fool of a writer by having he or she immediately kicked to death by an irate canary!
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Okay, it's like this folks... The WB struck gold with "Smallville" because... 1.) The story of Superman is as old as the hills, yet ironically enough, it's never really been approached from a hard-core science fiction angle (Superman as an extraterrestrial biological entity, genetic abnormalities and hybridization with local life forms due to alien contamination within a somewhat closed-off environment, etc...) 2.) Without his powers fully developed and also without the costume (thank God!) we get to learn less about the 'Super' and more about the 'Man'... who he is and more importantly... how he came to be... 3.) Lex... what can I say? Michael Rosenbaum is fantastic. At the risk of alienating all the Star Wars fanatics (hey, I'm a fan, just not a fanatic) out there... if you believe that Lucas is constructing an amazingly intricate, resoundingly heartfelt tale of a good and decent man slowly traveling down a dark path which will inevitably lead to a tragic destiny of mythic proportion, then all I can tell you is that you should be watching "Smallville". Lex's journey is so much more haunting and therefore tragic. & 4.) The excellent, talented cast and crew are more than up to the task of producing funny, scary, exciting and suspenseful "X-Files" type science fiction (and that's a good thing too, because the "X-Files" lost it's way several years ago!)
Like any other network, the WB figures "Hey, we've got the rights to all these great characters and "Smallville" is a huge success... why don't we just throw another costume show together? It'll have to be another hit!!" I like to call this type of sad, pathetic, small-minded sort of thinking 'Law & Orderitis' .
Folks... this is a dreadful excuse for a show that even the most diehard of comic books fans will be hard-pressed to endorse or even view on even a semi-regular basis. The only possible fun I can imagine connected with viewing it would be either entail spotting all the dozens of silly hero and villain cameos or counting down toward the obligatory summer swimsuit episode.
Harry, I wish I had better news, because I enjoy good super-hero entertainment as well as the next guy, especially when chicks in tights are involved, but good God man I can't be a total media whore! I need the plots to make a bit of sense and the acting should be at least somewhat convincing... a fellow would have to be half deranged in the midst of an ether binge to somehow make sense out of this nonconformist, politically correct manifesto, uberfeminist, postmodern urban legend wannabe.
With Batman gone and the "Bird's Of Prey" loose, it's gonna be a pretty dark, dank, dreary, dreadful and dismal day in Gotham.
Adios!
Raoul Duke
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Who thinks this might be a cool show? Yeah, it's gonna start off slow. Yeah, it's got some inherent cheesiness to overcome. But it sounds fun. I like the world of the filmic Batmans (despite the atrocities Schumacher placed on it). To have a series set in that world is great. I'm looking forward to this.
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I saw this pilot last week, and they really nailed a lot of things from the comic. Yeah, they changed a lot (including reowrking Black Canary's whole character), but the positives definatly outweigh the negatives. The mood, the look of the show, and especially the relationship between Oracle and Huntress (though they really need to get Huntress a new outfit, she looks like a gothic ho). Give this show a chance before you start bashing it. You don't even have a clue until you see it.....
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Sherilyn Fenn was one of the best things about Twin Peaks. I am extremely disappointed she's been dropped. Now the only reason I've got to watch this show is to hear Mark Hamill's Joker voice-over...
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ladies and gents...BTVS, Dark angel, charmed, hell even Sabrina, Alias, X-files, smallville. the veteran that has seen all these shows will notice some annoying similarities. I must admit, the BoP pilot fascinated me, but only for about a second or so. So, we get these three girls with superhuman human or so powers together to fight crime...then what? Oracle's long lost brother shows up and takes a liking to the shy Canary who is currently involved in a vindictive love triangle with the huntress and Joker's illegitimate son? Point being, the female fatale thing has been done to death! I doubt there's a single thing they could do to this show that we wouldn't have seen before. But maybe I'm wrong, smallville turned out ok, i think. Here's hoping.
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...who wants to buy the tape...just kidding. Anyway, I've watched it twice all the way through and fast-forwarded to some key scenes a third time through. My major problems with it are the obviously poor production values, the mediocre acting and the serious gaps in logic we are supposed to ignore. Bottom line is, I just don't buy it. On the upside, I thought the joker character looked pretty badass (what little they showed) and the fight scenes inside someone's head were pretty well done. If they thought this out a bit more and tossed a few more bucks at it, it's possible for it to do well. Though it will be hard to overcome the initial bad taste it will leave in fan's mouths.
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What I have seen and read so far is diappointing. WB is taking a character that I worshiped as a pre-teen, Helena BERTINELLI, and grossly distorting her! Call me a nazi-feminist here...yeah, I can take it- but Helena BERTINELLI is a cunning and pivotal character in DC comics. WB is portraying her as a highly fashion concious "chick" who is more concerned with her mask "not matching her outfit" than fighting crime. I am concerned with this crossover mainly because it is the main exposure of The Huntress. Helena "KYLE" is presented in a very stereotypical manner.
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