Alias_Gay
Ensign
Shock Value
TV Gal shares her favorite jaw-dropping moments
by Amy Amatangelo
Zap2it
Oh. My. God.
We've all experienced those shocking television moments. Our jaw drops. We stare at the television in disbelief with a severe case of the "reallys?" Questions that begin with "Did that really...? How could that really...? Could she really...? Will he really...?" race through our heads.
Television's greatest gift to loyal viewers is often the element of surprise. Here are my favorite most shocking television moments.
1. Nina Murders Teri in the "11 p.m.-12 a.m." Episode of 24:
Sure, television shows have killed off characters before. But it's usually when an actor wants out of a show and viewers are well prepared. For 24 episodes, viewers had watched the tenacious Teri fight for her life. Finally, in the protective custody of CTU, she was thisclose to being reunited with her family before the traitorous Nina ended her life. In that single instant, 24 proved that it was a show that would never comply with television conventions. No one is safe in the world of 24.
2. Kimberly Is Still Alive in the "Psycho Therapy" Episode of Melrose Place:
In its glory days, no show came close to the sheer campy delight of Melrose Place. Everyone talks about the scene in "The ----- is Back" where Kimberly goes into the bathroom, rips off her wig and reveals the most grotesque scar ever to hit prime time. But the moment that still has me gasping finds the thought-to-be-very-dead Kimberly standing on the beach and staring in at Michael and Sydney, and she's not happy.
3. Francie Is Dead, Faux Francie Lives in the "Phase One" Episode of Alias:
In an episode chock full of shockeroos, this moment was the ultimate surprise. In a matter of seconds I went from rocking in a corner chanting "Francie can't be evil. Francie can't be evil" to "Francie can't be dead. Francie can't be dead." And by the way, I'm still not sure which Francie kissed Will.
4. Chandler and Monica Sleep Together in "The One with Ross's Wedding, Part II" on Friends:
Friends is one of the few sitcoms that has perfected the art of a cliffhanger, but the moment when Monica popped out from under the covers of Chandler's hotel bed remains the most delightfully scandalous. Two of our Friends became more than friends and we were in on the secret from the beginning. Chandler and Monica were the perfect antithesis to the Ross and Rachel melodrama. They were the antidote we didn't even know we needed.
5. Gary Dies and Nancy Lives in the "A Second Look" Episode of thirtysomething:
As the characters and audience breathed a sigh of relief that Nancy was cancer free, Gary was killed in a car accident. It was a classic bait and switch that emphasized the unpredictability and preciousness of life.
6. Rosalind Shays Falls Down the Elevator Shaft in the "Happily Ever After" Episode of L.A. Law:
One minute she was talking to Leland McKenzie, the next she was plummeting to her death down an elevator shaft. It was a crazy moment that gave us all a glimpse of what would become David E. Kelley's classic story telling style.
7. George Vogelman Is the Murdering Nun in the "Happily Ever After" Episode of The Practice:
See above. In retrospect, this is probably the moment that turned the show from a gritty legal drama to a smorgasbord of preposterous shenanigans. But that final shot of George Vogelman, who had been acquitted of murder and had romanced Ellenor, in a nun get-up was stunning. Every time I've seen Michael Monks since then, I haven't been able to trust him. The poor guy is typecast for life.
8. Dick Tells Suzanne Pleshette About His Strange Dream in "The Last Newhart" episode of Newhart:
The blueprint for what a series finale should be. In the final moments of Newhart, Dick wakes up to find himself in bed with his wife from The Bob Newhart Show. He's been having a strange dream about running an inn in Vermont. The hilarious moment reunited two of television's favorite stars and, in seconds, reminded viewers of the impact Bob Newhart had had on the television sitcom.
9. Darla Stakes Herself in the "Lullaby" Episode of Angel:
Another show known for its shockers, this moment was simultaneously heartbreaking and stunning. Fearful of her own true nature, Darla dusts herself in order to save her child.
What do you think?
TV Gal shares her favorite jaw-dropping moments
by Amy Amatangelo
Zap2it
Oh. My. God.
We've all experienced those shocking television moments. Our jaw drops. We stare at the television in disbelief with a severe case of the "reallys?" Questions that begin with "Did that really...? How could that really...? Could she really...? Will he really...?" race through our heads.
Television's greatest gift to loyal viewers is often the element of surprise. Here are my favorite most shocking television moments.
1. Nina Murders Teri in the "11 p.m.-12 a.m." Episode of 24:
Sure, television shows have killed off characters before. But it's usually when an actor wants out of a show and viewers are well prepared. For 24 episodes, viewers had watched the tenacious Teri fight for her life. Finally, in the protective custody of CTU, she was thisclose to being reunited with her family before the traitorous Nina ended her life. In that single instant, 24 proved that it was a show that would never comply with television conventions. No one is safe in the world of 24.
2. Kimberly Is Still Alive in the "Psycho Therapy" Episode of Melrose Place:
In its glory days, no show came close to the sheer campy delight of Melrose Place. Everyone talks about the scene in "The ----- is Back" where Kimberly goes into the bathroom, rips off her wig and reveals the most grotesque scar ever to hit prime time. But the moment that still has me gasping finds the thought-to-be-very-dead Kimberly standing on the beach and staring in at Michael and Sydney, and she's not happy.
3. Francie Is Dead, Faux Francie Lives in the "Phase One" Episode of Alias:
In an episode chock full of shockeroos, this moment was the ultimate surprise. In a matter of seconds I went from rocking in a corner chanting "Francie can't be evil. Francie can't be evil" to "Francie can't be dead. Francie can't be dead." And by the way, I'm still not sure which Francie kissed Will.
4. Chandler and Monica Sleep Together in "The One with Ross's Wedding, Part II" on Friends:
Friends is one of the few sitcoms that has perfected the art of a cliffhanger, but the moment when Monica popped out from under the covers of Chandler's hotel bed remains the most delightfully scandalous. Two of our Friends became more than friends and we were in on the secret from the beginning. Chandler and Monica were the perfect antithesis to the Ross and Rachel melodrama. They were the antidote we didn't even know we needed.
5. Gary Dies and Nancy Lives in the "A Second Look" Episode of thirtysomething:
As the characters and audience breathed a sigh of relief that Nancy was cancer free, Gary was killed in a car accident. It was a classic bait and switch that emphasized the unpredictability and preciousness of life.
6. Rosalind Shays Falls Down the Elevator Shaft in the "Happily Ever After" Episode of L.A. Law:
One minute she was talking to Leland McKenzie, the next she was plummeting to her death down an elevator shaft. It was a crazy moment that gave us all a glimpse of what would become David E. Kelley's classic story telling style.
7. George Vogelman Is the Murdering Nun in the "Happily Ever After" Episode of The Practice:
See above. In retrospect, this is probably the moment that turned the show from a gritty legal drama to a smorgasbord of preposterous shenanigans. But that final shot of George Vogelman, who had been acquitted of murder and had romanced Ellenor, in a nun get-up was stunning. Every time I've seen Michael Monks since then, I haven't been able to trust him. The poor guy is typecast for life.
8. Dick Tells Suzanne Pleshette About His Strange Dream in "The Last Newhart" episode of Newhart:
The blueprint for what a series finale should be. In the final moments of Newhart, Dick wakes up to find himself in bed with his wife from The Bob Newhart Show. He's been having a strange dream about running an inn in Vermont. The hilarious moment reunited two of television's favorite stars and, in seconds, reminded viewers of the impact Bob Newhart had had on the television sitcom.
9. Darla Stakes Herself in the "Lullaby" Episode of Angel:
Another show known for its shockers, this moment was simultaneously heartbreaking and stunning. Fearful of her own true nature, Darla dusts herself in order to save her child.
What do you think?