The Bill Field Trip

The Next Day...

2010-08-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, WOW. Day 2 of new posting- I may actually ADD content next!

Here I am!

2010-08-26T17:58:00.000-07:00

It's been a crazy year in many ways - I need to blog more...

Okay- look for more consistency... We'll see what THAT means.

Blarfff!

2009-04-24T00:45:00.000-07:00

Blarfff is the word, the word is Blarfff!

CAN YOU DIG IT?

I Think I'm back...

2009-04-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

For Months, I have been trying to get my blogs and gmail account back after losing it to a hacker, I'm not sure- but I think Google just gave it all back to me- but we shall see!

Back From San Diego!

2008-07-29T03:09:00.000-07:00

Ok- For YEARS I've wanted to attend the World Famous San Diego Comic Con- This year, thanks to my Awesome Pals- Tony Yarborough and (Big Bad) Billy Brown- it became a reality!
The Love of my Life, the Beautiful Blanca G. Field encouraged me to take my first real vacation since my Best Friend, and Biggest Believer in me- my Dad, passed away in my arms, three years ago. It was really a difficult trip in many respects, mainly, because my last two visits to Sunny California, were made with my Dad- the last one included an unforgetable elevator ride with Snoop Dogg- who remarked-"Your Dad is a Real Trip- Man!"

I will try to go into great detail this week about the whole trip- but I want to Shout out to a father and son I met Friday night at one of the most Fun-tastic events I've ever attended- The Funko Funday Party at the Holiday Inn by the Bay Ballroom- Wild Bill and Wild Berk! They really reminded me of my wonderful relationship with my own Dad!- Thanks guys!

2008-04-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

AWRIGHT-AWRIGHT! ENOUGH ALREADY!

2008-03-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

You like me. You really like me. No, I'm not Sally. Still Bill. The same guy who vows to get rich, then change my name to Bill Fold. Then, I'll have to change the Blog Name to THE BILL FOLD FLAP. But I digress. New and hmmmm... improved (you be the judge) on its way- soon. Thanks to the folks who have told me to get back to the blog, and that you like it. You really like it...

Cloverfield

2008-01-17T08:50:00.000-08:00

Not a relative-- I promise. No Clover Field in my family tree.

Belated Happy New Year- from the 'Trip!

2008-01-11T10:27:00.000-08:00

OK- It's been too long- but I have been working on my two new blogs, one highlighting the '08 Race to the Whitehouse- where I'll attempt to put my years as a research analyst to good use, and a blog to put all my book reviews in one place. So, Happy 2008! As the Field Trip will attempt to post everyday- except during my vacation late Feb Leap Day early March, for the next 90 days - give or take a day...

Lucy's Entourage

2007-12-12T17:14:00.000-08:00

WOW. What a great show, Stu! Okay folks, for the next week at 6-8pm central, 4-6pm pacific,
You can hear it too-on www.shokusradio.com Lucy's Major Domo, Frank Gorey and her assistant, Wanda Clark, telling MANY stories that had never been told before, about this really GRAND Grand Dame of Comedy. I got a call in and asked about "Yours, Mine and Ours"- and how she was on a movie set as opposed to the TV stage. Great answers- great tales of the Desilu Legend. Stu Shostak, host, and also a Lucy insider, was truly at his best, as well.

Stu's Show... NEXT WEEK:
JERRY BECK! Author extrordinaire, and Cartoon Brew's self-confessed cartoon-a-holic as well as co-producer of Cartoon Dump! Whatashow! Same Bat Time Same Bat Channel!

You Love Lucy? Stu sure does!

2007-12-12T12:50:00.000-08:00

Lucille Ball's personal assistant for 27 years WANDA CLARK and her "major domo" for 40 yearsFRANK GOREY What was it like to work for and know the famous redheadpersonally and professionally? Find out, as two of herclosest associates share their memories and storieswith host Stu Shostak. Plus, your live phone calls! THAT'S LIVE,TODAY- WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 12FROM 4-6 P.M. PST CALL TOLL-FREE AT(888) SHOKUS-5

Mission: Impossibles-Don't It Beat All?

2007-12-12T01:27:00.000-08:00

Ok, after the British Invasion came the Freakish Invasion-Art Davis was tasked with merging the Beatles and Superhero genres-- giving us the Impossibles, originally called the Incredibles!

Patrick Owsley's Great rendition of Art Davis' creation, MultiMan, one of the Mighty Impossibles.

But nobody can beat the Beatles!

Not even the Beat-Alls!

You Look Good For Your Age, Bazooka Joe!

2007-12-11T19:32:00.000-08:00

Hey, didn't Mort have black greasy hair? And was Pesty REALLY killed in Viet Nam?

Bubble Gum Hero

2007-12-11T18:28:00.000-08:00

What isn't great about Bazooka Joe?

Dog Eat Dawg

2007-12-10T08:58:00.000-08:00

Michael Vick, appearing in cartoon-like BnW striped prison apparel, got the Judge's decision on his sentence for crimes against canines--22 months in federal prison. I'm a dog lover, what he did is really horribly cruel for Man's Best Friend. That said, I think he's gotten a much harsher sentence than others have received, for far worse. Recently, a preacher's wife shot and killed him while he slept, she served ten % of Vick's time. The judge could've given him as much as 5 years. I'm sorry for Vick, but far sorrier for the K9 Pals that died, all because he chose to be an SOB. Too bad the dogs didn't get a jury of their peers in this case (SEE: CARTOON), but then, dogs are so forgiving, they'd probably just lick him.

The Looniest Court

2007-12-10T08:34:00.000-08:00

As if courts around the globe weren't full enough with REAL characters

In what lawyers believe was a clerical error worthy of a Looney Tunes cartoon, a court in Naples sent a summons to the characters ordering them to appear Friday in a trial in the southern Italian city, officials said.
The court summons cites "Titty, Paperino, Paperina, Topolino" — the Italian names for the characters — as damaged parties in the criminal trial of a Chinese man accused of counterfeiting products of Disney and Warner Bros.
Instead of naming only the companies and their legal representatives, clerks also wrote in the witness list the names of the cartoons that decorated the toys and gadgets the man had reproduced, said Fiorenza Sorotto, vice president of Disney Company Italia.
"Unfortunately they cannot show up, as they are residents of Disneyland," Sorotto joked in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "It certainly pleased us that the characters were considered real, because that's what we try to do."
The Naples court will have to rewrite the summons, though this will probably delay the trial, said Disney lawyer Cristina Ravelli.
"Let's hope the characters will not be prosecuted for failing to appear," Ravelli quipped.
Calls seeking comment from Warner Bros. in Milan were not immediately returned. Phones at the Naples court were not answered on Tuesday afternoon.
Source: AP News

My source is Cartoon Brew

Here's a Reminder Stu's Show Replay for the next week- 6-8pm central

2007-12-05T18:21:00.000-08:00

Whoa, Snoopy-- what a great show Stu!--and Happy 1st Anniversary!

I encourage folks to hear this great show as it's rebroadcast over the next week- 7-9pm east 4-6 pacific.

I'll write more about it tomorrow.

Stu's Show Tonight 1st Anniversary Show- Monte Schulz

2007-12-05T15:34:00.000-08:00

Again, I want to remind everyone about Stu's Show tonight-- from 6-8pm central, 4-6 pacific.

here's the info and links again:

On Wednesday Stu Shostack celebrates the one year anniversary of his internet radio show with a return visit by his inaugural (and frequent) guest Mark Evanier. Mark and Stu will discuss the new Schulz book and why the family is upset about it - Monte Schulz will be calling in to discuss his point of view. They’ll also be talking about the writer’s strike and Mark’s producing and writing of Garfield and Friends. Sevreral other special guests who are VERY big in the animation and comic strip world will be calling in to join the discussion. It’s broadcast live tomorrow, (Wednesday 12/5) from 7-9pm (Eastern)/4-6 pm (Pacific), with taped rebroadcasts each day following, at the same hours.Click Here to Listen.

2007-12-04T09:52:00.000-08:00

A tip o' the Field Fedora to Jerry Beck and Cartoon Brew for the announcement of my buddy- Stu Shostack's aptly named Stu's Show- Tomorrow is the 1st Anniversary show with Mark Evanier, they'll be discussing the Schulz book AND Monte Schulz will be calling in --hear that, Brian Sibley? Read Brian's comments and links below on my previous post.

Gridiron -Full Mitt-y?

2007-11-14T06:56:00.000-08:00

Scott as John Edwards- Sebby as Rudy G. and yours truly as Mitt Romney-- strippin' for Hillary- Thanks to Todd B. for the great pic!

Gridiron was a bigggg success, I'm rested up, and back for more!

2007-11-11T13:10:00.000-08:00

The 2007 San Antonio edition of the National Gridiron Franchise is in the can-- and it was a Big Hit! Nora Lopez, ran a great production as usual. Scott Huddleston acted up a storm and won our Best Actor Award, and best supporting actor, Ray Minor was a major pile of MULCHIE !
I was really proud of the band, Scott, and Bill Pack, in my song, "Cheney's Got A Gun", which I wrote, and sang as Shrub Bubba W. I'll post more about this sell-out performance later tonight, with any luck.

Jeff O.-Time Travel is Possible-same age as Jack B!

2007-11-02T06:07:00.000-07:00

Jeff O'Boyle is one of those folks, that, thanks to the internet, has made a true lasting contribution of some of the BEST interviews from people in TV and animation. My favorite TTIP-interview, the late great Paul Winchell, despite what that lying snake Jarvick says in the Lipitor commercials, really was the true innovator and inventer of the artificial heart. Lara Parker, Dark Shadow's Angelique, Janet Waldo, and more... HAPPY 39TH Jeff O! You and Jack Benny are the same age now!

CARTOON BREW DETOUR

2007-10-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

I'd like to welcome everybody taking the detour from Cartoon Brew, and to again thank Amid Amidi for his help and great contributions to the animation community- through CB, Cartoon Modern, and his books, and of course, his great magazine, ANIMATION BLAST!

Bill Watterson "Let's make a terrific comic strip- then PISS ON IT- AND ALL IT'S FANS!"

2007-10-19T21:41:00.000-07:00

Read my efforts to explain why Bill Watterson's example should NEVER be a cartoonist's template for the right way to treat your characters or your devoted readers. I can't make it any clearer than this--If you can't grasp the entirety of the concept of licensing and why it's a necessity to protect your creation of a comicstrip and allow you to control its direction, publication, and all other uses, I really don't know what else I can say...

Earlier today, on Cartoon Brew, I was challenged as follows:

Dan OS said:
“Just a quick thought on the Watterson / merchandising topic — sorry to detract from the bio-talk.
Watterson decided not to merchandise the characters. So he didn’t.
But if he had (as I’m understanding it), the company he’d be in business with, would, ideally, clamp down on unlicensed crap being put out with his characters on it.
But when this company isn’t busy fighting the Calvin-peeing-on-stuff decals, they’re presumably still churning out well-crafted, made-with-loving-care Calvin and Hobbes bath mats or pencil sharpeners or what have you, right?
And isn’t that what Watterson didn’t want to do?
Again, maybe I’m misunderstanding, but there seems to be some leap in logic here. Why on earth should anyone blame him because there are jerks out there stealing his characters? Is it because you think he’s making it easy for them to do? Because he didn’t sign on with a big muscle company to fight the jerks — a company that would then require Calvin and Hobbes merchandise to hit the aisles?
Maybe your argument is that Watterson could have okayed “good” merchandise and, while he was at it, gained muscle in the fight against “bad” merchandise.
But the thing is, Watterson didn’t want “any” merchandise.
So he is not authorizing any.
How the people who make and buy “peeing Calvin” sleep at night is not the concern of Mr. Watterson. The idea that someone chastise him or blame him for the unauthorized junk that comes out seems kind of crazy.
Please tell me where I’m not understanding.”

Bill Field responds:
Watterson’s reasoning for not licensing CnH, in one of the few interviews he’s ever given, was to not distract from the strip, and it’s daily publications. That, we know now, was not true, because he allowed the licensing for all the book compilations. Yeah, did you think licensing only refers to trinkets, toys and paper weights? Your post clearly indicates that “he didn’t want any merchandise”. Duh, books AREN’T merchandise? Tens of millions of books have been licensed and published, some containing stickers, book marks and cut outs– he never explained his hypocracy, refuses to be interviewed about the subject. The strip isn’t published and available daily, but the Piss stickers, the vast majority of which are figurally completely on model, and the line art is taken from a panel of an actual strip where he is writing on a wall, are seen by a much larger audience, daily, than the strip ever was. After well over a decade, the general public has been “exposed” to the bootlegged Urinator countless times more than they are given a rare chance to read an actual strip, they’ll never read the strip nor enjoy the great creativity of his writing and drawing, they know only a perverted “Kilroy was here” type of image, with no link to it’s original funny page appearances. Complete licensing would have allowed him to pick and choose the images and the types of product that he saw fit, to put them on, and a task force of folks to enforce it.He was told by his contemporaries (I seem to remember among them were Gary Larson, Schulz, and Jim Davis) that it was idealistic to think that, because the control of a property starts with its protection against bootlegging and forgeries. I hope that clears it up for you.

Jesse Hamm said...
"Watterson’s reasoning for not licensing CnH, in one of the few interviews he’s ever given, was to not distract from the strip, and it’s daily publications. That, we know now, was not true, because he allowed the licensing for all the book compilations." I don't recall Watterson ever saying he wanted to limit C&H's exposure to "it’s daily publications." That addendum to his views only makes sense as a means of justifying your accusation that he's a hypocrite for allowing book collections. If you can't grasp the difference between the literary integrity of a book collection and that of a coffee mug, read Watterson's thorough explanation of his position on licensing in THE C&H TENTH ANNIVERSARY BOOK.

Determined (to Protect Your) Productions

2007-10-19T07:16:00.000-07:00

As a cartoonist and creator, protecting what I create is most important, and I've been an outspoken critic of Calvin and Hobbes' Bill Waterson for not employing the likes of Determined Productions to protect his comicstrip. He didn't want his "baby" to become a product-producing cottage industry. But, I contend, by not allowing licensing, he had no one protecting his "baby"-- making sure no one perverts or demeans these great characters, Schulz' Peanuts had Determined Productions, and was extremely successful on both income and protection of his properties. Cartoon Brew's Thread concerning Schulz, swang in this direction, and prompted me to say this:

I think the lasting image of Calvin will be him wizzing on a car brand name on vehicle back windows everywhere.
He chose NOT to merchandise so all there is is low rent bogus leadpainted Chinese made toys, poorly made ragdoll Hobbes, and ALLLLLLL those Piss Stickers! Yeah, put out a great strip and let the world cheapen it for you because you wanted it to be all about the strip itself, no toys, no anything—which adds up to alot of crappy things in your cartoon’s image. Schulz and Determined Productions were a great fit for many years— Standard poster designs, calendars, toys always looked like the Peanuts gang! All I can say is… “GOOD GRIEF!”

That prompted James Walley's response:

James Walley said: Bill, you claim that Watterson refusing to license merchandising was what brought about the “Calvin pissing on (something or other)” bumper-stickers. Possibly, but I remember, back in the late ’60s (when Peanuts was at its height of fame and Schulz-approved merchandise was being sold everywhere), Spencer’s Gifts ran a series of posters of Lucy, Patty, and Violet, all very pregnant, shouting “Damn you, Charlie Brown!” It would appear that even the most active merchandising and licensing program is no protection against someone making a buck with tasteless rip-offs.
Determined Productions made many raids on that merchandise- which said in the top panel “Good ‘Ol Charlie Brown–” with close ups of the girls faces, and in the bottom panel a wide shot w/ them very pregnant, saying “How we hate him!”- the phrase was used in the very 1st Peanuts daily strip-in a different context of course. These bootlegs came and went within weeks, were in very small supply, most Charlie Brown mavens have ever even heard about that due to the swift legal resoloution.
In stark contrast, EVERYONE is aware of the Calvin Pissing sticker, they first surfaced 11 years ago, and they are still sold every year by the MILLIONS, unchallenged by Watterson, because he has no license management, or fraud investigators. I asked 10 folks of different ages and asked if they’ve seen the bogus sticker- they all had, then, asked the same about the pregnant Peanuts Posters that you equate to this. No one had heard of nor seen them, officials yanked them off the shelves so quickly, even you didn’t remember the right captions.
Peanuts was totally protected because they had Determined Productions in the field, actively removing anything not on their master list of products and licensing, something Bill Watterson can only wish he’d done, as well.

I was lucky that Jason Geyer knew what I was talking about--- He commented soon after:

Bill, I used to work for Determined Prod. and you are right on the money. They cared very much about protecting Peanuts and making sure that Schulz was happy with the products, etc.
I have some interesting stories about how Watterson reacted when offered the same merchandising deals for C&H, but I can’t repeat them here. ;) Let’s just say he did not appreciate the attention from licensors.

I don't want to detract from the Schulz' kids commentary on the Michaelis book, so I'm bringing the Determined Productions discussion over here--- I'm anxious to get more views on this-- So please feel free to add your thoughts!

What the Best Dressed Dogs Are Wearing, This Halloween

2007-10-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

Charles Schulz--THE REAL STORY

2007-10-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

I'm an outspoken person at times, OK, all my waking hours... Charles Schulz and Peanuts are sacred ground to this cartoonist. That's publicly known, so I wasn't surprised when I was asked recently to review David Michaelis' book SCHULZ AND PEANUTS: A BIOGRAPHY.
I was VERY surprised however, to find innaccuracies on practically every page and a Kitty Kelley-esque hatchet job on the man who gave us Charlie Brown and Snoopy. For the first time, I decided to decline writing a review of this book, because I don't think it deserves ANY attention whatsoever. Instead, I want you to hear the truth coming from those who knew "Sparky" best, his children.

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/books/more-on-the-schulz-book#comment-35036

I encourage folks to read this thread, three of Schulz' four children make it very clear how they feel they were misled during the years of Michaelis' contact with them while writing the book. And if it is not evident, for the record, I am 100% in the Schulz family corner on this.
I'm very interested in your comments and thoughts--In the words of Charlie Brown, "ARRRRGGHH!" Actually that's just one word-- (sigh!)
A tip of the Field fedora to Jerry Beck and Amid Amidi at Cartoon Brew for this revealing thread.

OK----time to bulk it up!

2007-10-18T06:34:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I had expected to get this "albatross" off the ground in better fashion, MONTHS ago. But, between working on 2 pilots, my participation in GRIDIRON, yes I'll be reprising my role as President W, as well as a GEICO caveman, Bill O'Reilly, Mitt Romney- funny how the "Left" Fieldster here, always gets the Right Wing Roles...

Randy Martin, my great friend, Co- Gig, and fellow UNT alumni, has his, and terrific wife/partner Kathy's, first episodes of A&E's Biography tonight-WHITNEY HOUSTON -"Crack is WHACK!" followed right after by BEYONCE- She's "Divalicious!"

Prolific author and broadcaster from across yonder pond--UK's Brian Sibley was gracious enough to look in on this blog--mentioned my sparse content, rightly so--- But I am using that as a springboard to get the FIELDtrip on the road and into shape. Brian, I hope you keep stopping by, as I'll be posting video, illustrations and hopefully, entertaining you with my BillFieldness... THANKS BRIAN!

My cousin and look alike, Lyle Lovett was here in Alamoville(SA), and performed at the Majestic, Sunday--- He's really one of the great entertainers, and a true original, and my only famous relation! Ya Gotta Lovett!

2007-10-06T17:23:00.000-07:00

Well- reading John K.'s blog as usual, I noticed him pining away for this Lost Flavor and well- I was able to find an example of the Package! Hope you enjoy it John!

2007-10-06T16:36:00.000-07:00

OH JACK LORDY- HAWAII FIVE O IS FORTY!

2007-04-06T12:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Good Friday! Believe it or not, Five O began in 1967, This is a picture from the fine folks at www.hawaiifive0.org of the Jack Lord Memorial, the sculptor poses with Lord. That statement would change to Biblical proportions if we were talking about Michelangelo.

2007-04-05T17:09:00.000-07:00

WOW! This cel was posted on John K.'s blog and lo and behold- the first image I've ever seen of Mr. E. Jay Ward's homage to the SHADOW! Mr. E.'s Cereal Mystereal was sold for about 6 months in limited areas. But this shows it was part of the Quisp and Quake line- He's Quake's "hero" teaching him how to save a damsel on train tracks-- "The Damsel" from Central Casting is late and the two get hit by a train waiting for her-ignoring Quisps alerts.- Funny Funny Stuff!

2007-04-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

This was the Ad For the very first performance of the Bill Field Trip- Talk about flying by the seat of my pants--my friends David and Laura had a lot of faith in me and at some point thru the months I hosted a Live game show version while hosting kung fu movies-- much the way I did in the late eighties//early 90's on KABB-TV, actor Tom Lagleder and myself were the 2 chosen from 500 that tryed out -- There were a half dozen pretty women as Team 29 but the ladies of San Antonio pestered columnist Jeannie Jaeckel, for a couple of Bim-Bobs for the ladies. I was the comic relief, Tom was the Zeppo-- and considering his roles since on CSI and Frazier, he's sooooo lucky I taught him how to act. I'm kidding Tom, but I've written a pilot for us called BIMBOBS. have your people call my agent Marv, ok it's really me imitating Zulu as Kono from Hawaii Five O.

LET'S START TRIPPIN'!

2007-04-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

This Blog is going to feature a brand new comicstrip that I hope will be posted daily, Blog Counter Blog, where I debate an issue or event with another Blogcaster, Blogwurst- what's on the HOTdog List and what's on the S'NOTdog List? FIELD Investigation- Groundbreaking Investigative Cartooning -getting the lead out and straight to the point.