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A Pineapple Republic - A History of Pineapple in Hawaii (Documentary) Ar...

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A Pineapple Republic - A History of Pineapple in Hawaii (Documentary) Co...

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David Oglesby has written a unique children’s book, “Nana, the Happy Face Spider’s Happy, Sad Happy Day.” Its the story of a spiders birthday and some of the unique Hawaiian friends she meets that …

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Kobe, Japan * Kobe Port Tower * 1963 * 8 floors * 108m (354ft)

http://www.kobe-port-tower.com/

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Cable, HBO and The Hitchhiker: How Cable TV became the place for excellence in drama

In an article on deadline.com, dated October 18, 2013, the writer noted the biggest thing on TV after NFL football was the AMC drama “The Walking Dead.” The show drew 20.2 million viewers to its premiere making it the most watched non-sports telecast in cable history to date.[1]  In the comments section below the article a reader noted, “This is the future of dramatic television.  Broadcasters get on board or get the hell out of the way.”[2] Indeed this seems to be the future of dramatic works and how we came to this point was not accomplished overnight.  “The Hitchhiker” series on HBO was one of the first dramas made for cable.  The evolution of cable from that point on has presented itself as the most viable and commercially effective format for presenting unabashed dramatic works. Present-day cable programming gives both viewers and producers the best outlet for the presentation of quality drama.  Its viewership expects strong storylines produced with high production value.  These expectations make it harder for traditional broadcasting constrained by standards that prevent certain content and major movie studios who have switched to the blockbuster model of production in order to ensure commercial success overseas. 

            Cable television started in the late 1940s primarily as a delivery system to rural areas where broadcast television systems had weak signals.  It was not until the 1970s that cable became a viable format to present unique content that could not be found on broadcast TV.  The Federal Communications Commission prior to the 70s had been reluctant to grant licenses to cable operators because of adverse effects they believed might occur to UHF stations.  In addition, court battles between cable operators and the FCC in regards to who regulated the industry stunted significant growth.  The resolution of a majority of these impediments came in 1972 when all three branches of government contributed input into rules that would regulate the cable industry. In the same year, Home Box Office (HBO) was launched, and three years later, it began nationwide distribution by satellite.  Showtime, MTV, and other specialty channels soon followed.[3] 

            As more channels were added the benefits of cable as more than just a mere retransmission of broadcast TV ensured its sustainability and profitability into the future. Cable offered companies a chance to program to certain demographic markets and in time as FCC restrictions changed and regulations loosened more networks geared to cable broadcasting entered the market.  HBO decided about ten years after its founding that along with sports and commercial free broadcast of feature movies the network needed to devise more content for viewers in order to retain and grow its consumer base.  In 1983 the station added two original series to its program schedule, “Not Necessarily the News” and “The Hitchhiker.”  “The Hitchhiker” became the first drama produced for cable.  The drama was a mystery/thriller anthology and did not require a viewer follow the series in order to understand a particular episodes’ storyline.  In this sense it followed the format of the earliest dramas put on broadcast TV. 

            The Kraft Television Theater first appeared on TV in May of 1947.  Kraft Television Theatre featured quietly paced, intimate dramas; as one Kraft representative put it, the show was (to) be a “respectful guest in America’s living rooms.”[4] Initially produced by the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency, the live hour-long series offered television plays with new stories and new characters each week.[5] The show was more geared towards selling a product than producing quality drama; nevertheless it produced numerous productions of note and because of budget constraints gave many young screenwriters and actors their first entry into the entertainment industry.  Home Box Office whether knowingly or because discovery seems to follow the same line of progression used essentially the same format that had been developed by Kraft more than 30 years before.

            Michael Fuchs who started off in programming and eventually became head of HBO saw a need for the network to branch away from being just another platform for the movie business.  As competition grew it would be important for the company to stand out from the increasing networks that were joining the cable line-up.  Fuchs stated in an article on Sight on Sound posted October of 2013, “We were sensitive to what was around the corner – that explosion of television channels and other forms of entertainment. We knew we would have to be unique. We wanted our programs to be different, even to look different. We wanted people to glance at our shows and say, “That looks like HBO.”[6] In their efforts to achieve this idea “The Hitchhiker” was born.

            In an interview Lewis Chesler, a co-producer of “The Hitchhiker,” stated: “The TV at that period was significantly more superficial than the TV of today. HBO was trying to sell itself as a premium service. HBO wanted the audience to understand that they were getting something of value for their subscription. Because cable gives more license and with HBO’s encouragement, we were free to pursue graphic and cinema styles as well as dramatic and psychological styles that just didn’t exist at the time in standard TV.”[7]  The freedom HBO granted gave rise to a show that lasted from 1983 to 1989 and similarly to Kraft Television Theater had various writers, directors, and actors many of which achieved their initial entries into the business with the show. The show was a co‑production between the US (HBO), Canada (First Choice), and France (Atlantique Productions).  This collaboration both spread out the cost structure and encouraged a blending of dramatic styles from America and Europe.  

            The show was co-created by Riff Markowitz and Lewis Chesler and according to HBO would bridge the gap between two movies; HBO’s principal programming content.  “The Hitchhiker” rose to a level however that went beyond being mere filler, as productions would not only appear on HBO but in other markets.  This made it imperative that quality be a major part of the equation because the product had to satisfy the expectations of all concerned. Chesler said: “The structure is significantly different as it was an anthology series.  It was thirteen half hour episodes and there was no traditional writing staff.  They were created, developed and produced as independent movies.”  

            Along with structure the content of the shows could venture in various directions because there was not a need to worry about fitting within traditional standards and practices that broadcast TV shows adhere to. Chesler: “It (the show) was structured specifically for HBO to take advantage of the creative latitudes available with regard to language, visual presentation and psycho-erotic possibilities.”  The creative freedoms, anthological style, and naivety of the creators made the show unique from what had appeared on American TV prior.  Chesler has stated in a previous interview that: “Standard TV was hierarchical at this time. It would have been almost impossible for a young producer like me to gain access to mainstream TV. But the leadership at HBO wanted to create differentiated programming so they reached out to new suppliers.”[8]   

            The differentiated style can be seen from the first episode which was broadcast on November 23, 1983.  The synopsis on IMDb reads; “Handsome and ambitious young man Jeff Boder marries the wealthy and much older Jackie Winslow for her considerable fortune. Jeff falls under the enticing spell of Jackie’s bitchy and cynical stepdaughter Pamela. Jeff finds a way to bump off Jackie using a mysterious statuette given to him by his grandmother so both him and Pamela can inherit her money. However, things don’t ultimately work out as planned in the long run.”[9]  This episiode is rated 7/10 on IMDb and the elements of the story involve subject matter that may have been permissible on broadcast TV however content within the scenes would have certainly been axed to a point beyond recognition by broadcast censors.  Eroticism was a key theme to many of the shows because as Chesler put it; “eroticism is an aspect of psychology that has never really been dealt with (at the time), particularly given the American puritanical resistance to it.“[10]

            Early on the style and feel of the show captured audiences and executives within the entertainment world.  Brandon Tartikoff, Former NBC President from 1982-91, stated that he was a fan of the show and was interested in playing with the model for broadcast TV.[11] Two years after “Hitchhiker” started NBC premiered, “Amazing Stories,” an anthology series that dealt in the genres of fantasy, horror, and science fiction.  The series lasted only two seasons but had heavyweight backing starting with its creator, Steven Spielberg.  Other collaborators included John Williams, Bert Reynolds, Clint Eastwood, Danny DeVito, and Robert Zemeckis to name a few.    Interestingly enough in its final years “The Hitchhiker” itself became a product for NBC; as it ran on their cable subsidiary, USA Network. “The Hitchhiker” also can boast of a hardy group of collaborators; Gary Busey, Robert Vaughn, Peter Coyote, Kirstie Alley, Carrie‑Anne Moss, and Willem Dafoe participated in episodes’ of the show.  

            “The Hitchhiker” as a pioneer in productions made for cable deserves credit for helping pave the trail for the abundance of drama programming on cable today. “Tales from the Crypt”, an acclaimed early HBO production derives from a 1950s comic series but certain owe some of its style and HBOs willingness to back its format to “The Hitchhiker” series.  HBOs investment in drama has benefited the company with a lucrative collection of quality productions that will enrich its library for decades to come.  In a recent article that appeared on Forbes website; it was reported that HBO had signed a deal with Amazon that allows them to stream specific titles from the HBO library.[12] The article notes that the deal doesn’t include their current hit series, “Game of Thrones” or “Veep.” This is an important exclusion as it is still early in the development of the streaming platform and revenue available via this format is still of an undetermined factor.   

            The Hitchhiker itself has been released in the past by HBO, as a video box set of selected episodes (three volume set on DVD between 2004-06, two discs).   It is certain that as these new platforms become established the production will be put back in the revenue stream. More importantly old fans and viewers who didn’t catch the series the first time around will see this ground-breaking series.  Chesler on the impact of Hitchhiker states; “ … people have told me it was the seminal cable dramatic series, and that it introduced the notion that creative opportunities were available on HBO and paid television.” The show never garnered many awards except one win for Gary Busey (Best Actor in a Dramatic Series, “WGOD” Episode, ACE Awards, 1987), but its place in cable history is secure. 

    Works Cited

Bergal, Jenni. THE POLITICS OF CABLE REGULATION: THE PASSAGE OF THE 1992 CABLE ACT. Thesis, College of Social Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida: Florida Atlantic University, 1993.

Blaine, Charley. "Running The Numbers, Amazon’s HBO Deal Is Not All It’s Cracked Up To Be.” Forbes, April 23, 2014.

Gendel, Morgan. “CABLE: NEW FRONTIER GROWS UP Picking Up on `Hitchhiker’-Something Different This Way Comes on the Tube: [Home Edition].” Los Angeles Times, December 1, 1985.

Griffith, Benjamin. St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture. Edited by Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. Vol. 5. Detroit, MI: Gale, 2000.

Mashon, Michael. Kraft Television Theater: U.S. Anthology Series. Museum of Broadcast Communications. n.d. http://www.museum.tv/eotv/krafttelevis.htm (accessed May 24, 2014).

Mesce, Bill. “It’s not TV: HBO The Company That Changed Television: An Original Voice.” Sound on Sight, October 13, 2013.

Patten, Dominic. “The Walking Dead Hits Another High As Live - 3 Results Shatter Cable Record.” Deadline Hollywood deadline.com, October 18, 2013.

Phipps, Jennie L. “30 years of HBO.” Electronic Media, October 28, 2002: 18-23.

Woodyanders. IMDb Deadley Nightmares Shattered Vows (1983). Amazon.com. n.d. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0602192/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl (accessed May 27, 2014).

  David A. Oglesby is an instructor of film and media studies at the University of Phoenix, Hawaii Campus.  Member of The Society for Cinema and Media Studies, develops, and consults on various media projects

[1] (Patten 2013)

[2] Ibid

[3] (Bergal 1993)

[4] (Mashon n.d.)

[5] (Griffith 2000)

[6] (Mesce 2013)

[7] (Phipps 2002)

[8] (Phipps 2002)

[9] (Woodyanders n.d.)

[10] (Gendel 1985)

[11] Ibid

[12] (Blaine 2014)

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Waterpark Dreams in a Beach Paradise check out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi39k8V94iI

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Waterpark Dreams in a Beach Paradise

Yes, I live in Hawaii and yes the beaches are beautiful and abundant.  If you come here and don’t visit a few, it would be a crime.  That being said if you come here and haven’t been to a waterpark in a while going to Wet n’ Wild might not be a bad option.  Recently, I decided for some water fun that would not include access to the splendor of the Pacific. 

For this experience, I hopped in my car and went to the “West-side!” of Oahu, Kapolei specifically which is located about 30 to 45 minutes if there is not traffic (good luck) from Waikiki.  Wet n’ Wild opened its doors in 1998 and despite the unusual location for water entertainment it seems to attract good business from both locals and tourists.  My experience began once I entered the gate and made my way past the gift shop (conveniently located just beyond the entrance and almost unavoidable when entering or leaving the park.) I encountered the great map and then got my first surprise of the day – Janet Jackson.  No, not her in the flesh (that would have been something) but her song “Rhythm Nation” playing on the loudspeaker.  Now this may seem trivial but I am in my 40’s and don’t expect to hear song after song from my high school days (which was the case) when most of the people around me are between the ages of 8 to 25. No complaints from me on the contrary it brought back the nostalgia of my fierce waterpark days in Atlanta (shout out to White Water).  With songs from the past, I started my adventure in this water adventure world.

First stop the lockers, and really the only major downer of the day.  Ok, you charge a customer anywhere from 25 to 50 dollars for admission and with the gift shop and concessions charging the usual 500 to 1000 percent markup you would think profit secured.  So why not show some compassion by giving a nominal charge for locker service? In my mind that “nominal charge” is anywhere from 2 to 5 dollars.  Why should Wet n’ Wild show such compassion?  One, this is a fixed cost to the company; maintenance and upkeep are nominal as I bet it is one area that has received little remodeling over the history of the park.  Two, a majority of guests will need one as people at waterparks have to bring accessories that they inevitably don’t want to get wet (clothes, cameras, money and more.) Three, service is what sets quality brands above the norm.  Fair pricing here would give families and couples a feeling of a “win” while you’re draining their pockets on every other item in the place; think “Las Vegas casinos.”  Finally with this “win” how about a little more space? At 15 dollars, a small locker the size of a PO Box gives barely enough room for one (let alone a couple.) As a disclaimer – you do get 5 dollars back later when you return the key but still little value or "love you" points earned here.

Now to the fun – everything else!  I paused first in front of the surfing wave ride (see “Surf’s up! at Wet n Wild”.)   Amazing things happen here as you can watch people ride this wave standing up or on their stomachs.  Stay long enough and you will see some amazing moves and wipe-outs. My personal water adventure starts towards the back of the park with a collection of marvelous slides.  Waianae Coasters, Waimea Whirl, and Big Kahuna are in the same basic area but are different and fun.  Depending on the crowd you could spend a great deal of time enjoying these slides over and over again.  On my third time on the hill, I spotted the ride I had seen on “Xtreme Waterparks” a show on the Travel Channel (If you haven’t watched and are a fan of waterparks and bikinis or board shorts – this is the show for you) called Shaka.  From my vantage point above the ride, this did not seem that intimidating however looks can be deceiving.  Upon closer inspection, this is a “xtreme” ride.  You go down in pairs and there actually is not much water involved; the thrill is in the drop, either going down backward or forward at an extreme angle from about three stories up – Whoa!

From there I ventured across the way to a ride called the Flyin’ Hawaiian. On this you get tossed into a 12 foot deep pool from above as if you are coming off a waterfall into the water below. Two thumbs up for the Flyin' Hawaiian, my favorite ride.  It is not too harsh but gives an accelerating plunge into the water below.  Feeling great, I hop over to the next environment – a waterpark mainstay – the wave pool; and ok maybe I have outgrown this one or perhaps living in Hawaii has made me a little jaded about artificial waves but I’m not feeling this.  Not too crowded, not too deep (maybe 6 to 8 feet), and not too fun. I never felt like I was in the ocean because … I wasn't.  The uniformity of the pool, controlled environment, and concrete bottom kill the thrill.  I guess for families not bad but not for a person who has grown accustomed to a REAL ocean environment. 

One positive point, I could move around in this pool and this I don’t take for granted.  Many years ago I made the mistake of going to a waterpark in Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan (Seibuen Yuuenchi) in the summertime.  Never, may I repeat never go to a waterpark in the summer in a metropolitan area that boasts over 35 million people.  Will there be someone at the park? YES!!! Too many someones, in fact, you won’t have anywhere to sit or stand including in the wave pool.  I now know what a piece of fruit must feel like in Jello if it had feelings, “I can’t move and why are all these other fruit pieces so close?”  I could not believe it when I saw two little kids swimming serpentine around individuals as if they were on an obstacle course, amazing.  I guess where there’s a will, kids will find a way.  But do I digress, back to my most recent water park adventure.

I was hungry so I hit the concession stand.  Priced as I expected – insiders note: (concession sales are as important if not more to entertainment venues as the entrance fee) the food and break in action were satisfying.  Seating for concessions is in front of the surfing pool, and I enjoy watching individuals maintain their composure as they lose self-respect and clothing. This is the most extreme ride in the park because I guarantee you will probably not stay up if you have only occasionally been on a surf or body board.

Next the racing waterslides and rafting ride, they call O – Hana Highway.  The racing slides are in a line of four and pitted me against two kids and a small-framed woman.  My girth won this contest by a mile.  I had so much time at the end I was on my feet before these “lightweights” hit the runout of the course. Let’s hear it for middle-aged spread.  O-Hana highway was a different kind of fun.  Four to six sit in a raft as you move rapidly down a course with more twists and turns than you would think imaginable.  Highly entertaining and highly recommended. 

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Picture Perfect: 24 hours at Turtle Bay on the North Shore

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Picture Perfect: 24 hours at Turtle Bay on the North Shore

A trip to the North Shore of Oahu can be a nice break from the busier atmosphere of Central Honolulu. On the North Shore, The Turtle Bay Resort is available to those who are seeking a different experience while on Oahu or for locals looking for a change of pace.  This writer and wife recently spent a 24-hour micro vacation at Turtle Bay, and this is an account of our stay.

6 am – Wake up and prepare an overnight bag and my sticks (golf clubs) for the trip from town (central Honolulu) out to Turtle Bay Resort.  It takes about an hour if you take the interstate and surf is not up (note – when the waves are high, the mostly two-lane roads on the North Shore can get extremely jammed).  Stop in Mililani Town Center (Burger King) for a light breakfast – you can’t beat the King! – They even have Spam and rice for the locals.

7:45 am-ish – Arrive at the resort and check-in at the clubhouse for my reserved round of golf on one of the two championship courses they have on property.  Plenty of time to hit a bucket of balls (it won’t help my game but what the heck) before hitting the links.

Noon – Finish my round (another hard fought 100 plus) with my wife the victor.  Beautiful course and great start - now I’m hungry.  Leave the property for Ted’s Bakery – Ted’s Bakery is a famous eating spot on the North Shore – known for its delicious pies it also serves plate lunches and other goodies for those seeking substance on the North Shore.

1:30 pm – Check-in at the front desk and given a wonderful room with a view of the ocean.  I suspect most of the rooms have this as the hotel is situated on a mini peninsula.  Venture out on the balcony to take in the view before changing into my beach gear to head down for the sand and the waves. After an hour at the beach, we venture back to the hotel, head poolside for drinks and take a dip in the hot tub as we watch a surfer riding the waves oceanside.

4 pm – Relaxed and tired return to the room where my wife climbs into a luxury bath, and I choose the walk-in shower with a built-in bench (for a slow steam clean).  This is followed by an hour nap to recharge the batteries.

5:30 pm – Take a walk around the property; beautiful hotel with wonderful décor throughout the building.  Have another cocktail at the Lobby Lounge (a wonderful place to take in the vibe of the building and people moving through it).

7 pm – Dinner on the beach! Ola is a wonderful place to dine, in earshot of the ocean, the romantic mood is unmistakable.  The menu is fresh and will not disappoint. 

8:30 pm - Back to the room - we need to enjoy the serenity of this fabulous room some before we leave.  Married more than a minute, so my wife turns to Instagram and preparing another bath as I sit on the patio listening to the waves with a bottle of beer in my hand before turning to the TV.

10 pm – Long day so we crash in the bed and enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep in this piece of paradise in paradise.

The next day we have a light breakfast in the room on the patio, pack up, and leave around 8 am so we can enjoy a round at the Kahuku Golf Course (a 9-hole challenging public course). That is followed by a shrimp wagon lunch (many to choose from in the area) before riding back into town. A micro-vacation that can give the local a change of scenery and the visitor a glance at another side of the wonderful island of Oahu. 

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQT_tUFx0XM) Short video on history of pineapple in Hawaii.  Enjoy!

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The Lotte Championship is in its fourth year in Hawaii.  Not only does it highlight some of the best golfers on the planet but is another opportunity to advertise the wonderful treasures of  Hawaii.  If you are here in the month of April, check your calender and spend a day out at Ko Olina Golf Course.  It is probably the best valued sports ticket you can buy for the access it affords.  Where else can you get a front row view of the best athletes in a sport for only $10?  After a round you can explore the shops and Disney Resort Hotel within walking distance of the course.  If you have never ventured to the west side of  Oahu (away from Waikiki) this is the perfect excuse to do so.  Check out my video or go to the Lotte Championship page for more information. 

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Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial was opened in 1927 and closed to the public in 1979.  The memorial was dedicated as a living memorial to honor individuals from Hawaii who died or served during WWI.  Now in disrepair but still important monument in the Waikiki area.  Sitting next to the Waikiki Aquarium it is worth a viewing if in the area.  For more information please visit http://natatorium.org/  For cool aerial video of the natatorium go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbnuACotb9E

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If you have ever been to Japan and not taken atrip to an onsen, you have missed out on a cultural wonder of the country.  Onsen is the Japanese term for hot spring and is a much-appreciated place with many Japanese. Because of the geothermal location of the country, a tradition of bathing in these natural springs has been in place for centuries. Today thousands of onsens dot the countryside and urban areas of Japan.  If you are looking to experience some relaxation and discover the beauty of simplicity; a visit to an onsen will do you well.  For more info please go to this link. The photos above are from Kinugawa in Tochigi Prefecture - about an hour north of Tokyo. Mahalo

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Snow Can Be Beautiful - Gyeongbokgung Palace – Seoul, Korea

Built in 1395 and located slightly north of central Seoul – Gyeongbokgung Palace sits on around 100 acres of beautifully kept landscape. The architectural tradition of ancient Korea can be seen in the construction of the buildings and witnessing the area after a snowfall will leave you breathless.  For more info on the palace please visit their website   

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Theodore Roosevelt was a man of many skills.  Most known for his term as 26th President of the United States, he also was an accomplished author, hunter, explorer, naturalist, and historian…  Wait, I’m not finished – continuing - a solider, police commissioner, Governor of New York, Vice President, Asst. Secretary of the Navy and probably many more.  Needless to say this man left few stones unturned and can be admired for his zest for life.  So when Tokyo Disney Sea wanted to make a bar that had the feel, look and vibe of the early 20th century who better than “Teddy” to exemplify the image of Americana during that period.  The Teddy Roosevelt Lounge is located on Deck C aboard the landlocked SS Columbia.  A ship designed to look like a classic luxury liner from that period has a bar named after this dynamo of a man.  Sitting in the American Waterfront area of the park it is a place I would highly recommend visiting.  This has to be the most tranquil area in the park and a top choice for best bars (based on décor) I have ever seen.  I think if President Roosevelt saw the place, he’d sit down say, “not bad”, and then order a Mint Julep - before quickly leaving to explore the rest of the park.  If you are ever in Disney Sea I suggest you do the same.  For more information on Theodore Roosevelt check out - The Theodore Roosevelt Association and for more on The Teddy Roosevelt Lounge check out – Tokyo Disney Sea. 

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are” – Theodore Roosevelt

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Cable, HBO and The Hitchhiker: How Cable TV became the place for excellence in drama

In an article on deadline.com, dated October 18, 2013, the writer noted the biggest thing on TV after NFL football was the AMC drama “The Walking Dead.” The show drew 20.2 million viewers to its premiere making it the most watched non-sports telecast in cable history to date.[1]  In the comments section below the article a reader noted, “This is the future of dramatic television.  Broadcasters get on board or get the hell out of the way.”[2] Indeed this seems to be the future of dramatic works and how we came to this point was not accomplished overnight.  “The Hitchhiker” series on HBO was one of the first dramas made for cable.  The evolution of cable from that point on has presented itself as the most viable and commercially effective format for presenting unabashed dramatic works. Present-day cable programming gives both viewers and producers the best outlet for the presentation of quality drama.  Its viewership expects strong storylines produced with high production value.  These expectations make it harder for traditional broadcasting constrained by standards that prevent certain content and major movie studios who have switched to the blockbuster model of production in order to ensure commercial success overseas. 

            Cable television started in the late 1940s primarily as a delivery system to rural areas where broadcast television systems had weak signals.  It was not until the 1970s that cable became a viable format to present unique content that could not be found on broadcast TV.  The Federal Communications Commission prior to the 70s had been reluctant to grant licenses to cable operators because of adverse effects they believed might occur to UHF stations.  In addition, court battles between cable operators and the FCC in regards to who regulated the industry stunted significant growth.  The resolution of a majority of these impediments came in 1972 when all three branches of government contributed input into rules that would regulate the cable industry. In the same year, Home Box Office (HBO) was launched, and three years later, it began nationwide distribution by satellite.  Showtime, MTV, and other specialty channels soon followed.[3] 

            As more channels were added the benefits of cable as more than just a mere retransmission of broadcast TV ensured its sustainability and profitability into the future. Cable offered companies a chance to program to certain demographic markets and in time as FCC restrictions changed and regulations loosened more networks geared to cable broadcasting entered the market.  HBO decided about ten years after its founding that along with sports and commercial free broadcast of feature movies the network needed to devise more content for viewers in order to retain and grow its consumer base.  In 1983 the station added two original series to its program schedule, “Not Necessarily the News” and “The Hitchhiker.”  “The Hitchhiker” became the first drama produced for cable.  The drama was a mystery/thriller anthology and did not require a viewer follow the series in order to understand a particular episodes’ storyline.  In this sense it followed the format of the earliest dramas put on broadcast TV. 

            The Kraft Television Theater first appeared on TV in May of 1947.  Kraft Television Theatre featured quietly paced, intimate dramas; as one Kraft representative put it, the show was (to) be a "respectful guest in America's living rooms."[4] Initially produced by the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency, the live hour-long series offered television plays with new stories and new characters each week.[5] The show was more geared towards selling a product than producing quality drama; nevertheless it produced numerous productions of note and because of budget constraints gave many young screenwriters and actors their first entry into the entertainment industry.  Home Box Office whether knowingly or because discovery seems to follow the same line of progression used essentially the same format that had been developed by Kraft more than 30 years before.

            Michael Fuchs who started off in programming and eventually became head of HBO saw a need for the network to branch away from being just another platform for the movie business.  As competition grew it would be important for the company to stand out from the increasing networks that were joining the cable line-up.  Fuchs stated in an article on Sight on Sound posted October of 2013, “We were sensitive to what was around the corner – that explosion of television channels and other forms of entertainment. We knew we would have to be unique. We wanted our programs to be different, even to look different. We wanted people to glance at our shows and say, “That looks like HBO.”[6] In their efforts to achieve this idea “The Hitchhiker” was born.

            In an interview Lewis Chesler, a co-producer of “The Hitchhiker,” stated: “The TV at that period was significantly more superficial than the TV of today. HBO was trying to sell itself as a premium service. HBO wanted the audience to understand that they were getting something of value for their subscription. Because cable gives more license and with HBO's encouragement, we were free to pursue graphic and cinema styles as well as dramatic and psychological styles that just didn't exist at the time in standard TV.”[7]  The freedom HBO granted gave rise to a show that lasted from 1983 to 1989 and similarly to Kraft Television Theater had various writers, directors, and actors many of which achieved their initial entries into the business with the show. The show was a co‑production between the US (HBO), Canada (First Choice), and France (Atlantique Productions).  This collaboration both spread out the cost structure and encouraged a blending of dramatic styles from America and Europe.  

            The show was co-created by Riff Markowitz and Lewis Chesler and according to HBO would bridge the gap between two movies; HBO’s principal programming content.  “The Hitchhiker” rose to a level however that went beyond being mere filler, as productions would not only appear on HBO but in other markets.  This made it imperative that quality be a major part of the equation because the product had to satisfy the expectations of all concerned. Chesler said: “The structure is significantly different as it was an anthology series.  It was thirteen half hour episodes and there was no traditional writing staff.  They were created, developed and produced as independent movies.”  

            Along with structure the content of the shows could venture in various directions because there was not a need to worry about fitting within traditional standards and practices that broadcast TV shows adhere to. Chesler: “It (the show) was structured specifically for HBO to take advantage of the creative latitudes available with regard to language, visual presentation and psycho-erotic possibilities.”  The creative freedoms, anthological style, and naivety of the creators made the show unique from what had appeared on American TV prior.  Chesler has stated in a previous interview that: “Standard TV was hierarchical at this time. It would have been almost impossible for a young producer like me to gain access to mainstream TV. But the leadership at HBO wanted to create differentiated programming so they reached out to new suppliers.”[8]   

            The differentiated style can be seen from the first episode which was broadcast on November 23, 1983.  The synopsis on IMDb reads; “Handsome and ambitious young man Jeff Boder marries the wealthy and much older Jackie Winslow for her considerable fortune. Jeff falls under the enticing spell of Jackie's bitchy and cynical stepdaughter Pamela. Jeff finds a way to bump off Jackie using a mysterious statuette given to him by his grandmother so both him and Pamela can inherit her money. However, things don't ultimately work out as planned in the long run.”[9]  This episiode is rated 7/10 on IMDb and the elements of the story involve subject matter that may have been permissible on broadcast TV however content within the scenes would have certainly been axed to a point beyond recognition by broadcast censors.  Eroticism was a key theme to many of the shows because as Chesler put it; “eroticism is an aspect of psychology that has never really been dealt with (at the time), particularly given the American puritanical resistance to it."[10]

            Early on the style and feel of the show captured audiences and executives within the entertainment world.  Brandon Tartikoff, Former NBC President from 1982-91, stated that he was a fan of the show and was interested in playing with the model for broadcast TV.[11] Two years after “Hitchhiker” started NBC premiered, “Amazing Stories,” an anthology series that dealt in the genres of fantasy, horror, and science fiction.  The series lasted only two seasons but had heavyweight backing starting with its creator, Steven Spielberg.  Other collaborators included John Williams, Bert Reynolds, Clint Eastwood, Danny DeVito, and Robert Zemeckis to name a few.    Interestingly enough in its final years “The Hitchhiker” itself became a product for NBC; as it ran on their cable subsidiary, USA Network. “The Hitchhiker” also can boast of a hardy group of collaborators; Gary Busey, Robert Vaughn, Peter Coyote, Kirstie Alley, Carrie‑Anne Moss, and Willem Dafoe participated in episodes’ of the show.  

            “The Hitchhiker” as a pioneer in productions made for cable deserves credit for helping pave the trail for the abundance of drama programming on cable today. “Tales from the Crypt”, an acclaimed early HBO production derives from a 1950s comic series but certain owe some of its style and HBOs willingness to back its format to “The Hitchhiker” series.  HBOs investment in drama has benefited the company with a lucrative collection of quality productions that will enrich its library for decades to come.  In a recent article that appeared on Forbes website; it was reported that HBO had signed a deal with Amazon that allows them to stream specific titles from the HBO library.[12] The article notes that the deal doesn’t include their current hit series, “Game of Thrones” or “Veep.” This is an important exclusion as it is still early in the development of the streaming platform and revenue available via this format is still of an undetermined factor.   

            The Hitchhiker itself has been released in the past by HBO, as a video box set of selected episodes (three volume set on DVD between 2004-06, two discs).   It is certain that as these new platforms become established the production will be put back in the revenue stream. More importantly old fans and viewers who didn’t catch the series the first time around will see this ground-breaking series.  Chesler on the impact of Hitchhiker states; “ ... people have told me it was the seminal cable dramatic series, and that it introduced the notion that creative opportunities were available on HBO and paid television.” The show never garnered many awards except one win for Gary Busey (Best Actor in a Dramatic Series, “WGOD” Episode, ACE Awards, 1987), but its place in cable history is secure. 

          Works Cited

Bergal, Jenni. THE POLITICS OF CABLE REGULATION: THE PASSAGE OF THE 1992 CABLE ACT. Thesis, College of Social Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida: Florida Atlantic University, 1993.

Blaine, Charley. "Running The Numbers, Amazon's HBO Deal Is Not All It's Cracked Up To Be." Forbes, April 23, 2014.

Gendel, Morgan. "CABLE: NEW FRONTIER GROWS UP Picking Up on `Hitchhiker'-Something Different This Way Comes on the Tube: [Home Edition]." Los Angeles Times, December 1, 1985.

Griffith, Benjamin. St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture. Edited by Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. Vol. 5. Detroit, MI: Gale, 2000.

Mashon, Michael. Kraft Television Theater: U.S. Anthology Series. Museum of Broadcast Communications. n.d. http://www.museum.tv/eotv/krafttelevis.htm (accessed May 24, 2014).

Mesce, Bill. "It's not TV: HBO The Company That Changed Television: An Original Voice." Sound on Sight, October 13, 2013.

Patten, Dominic. "The Walking Dead Hits Another High As Live - 3 Results Shatter Cable Record." Deadline Hollywood deadline.com, October 18, 2013.

Phipps, Jennie L. "30 years of HBO." Electronic Media, October 28, 2002: 18-23.

Woodyanders. IMDb Deadley Nightmares Shattered Vows (1983). Amazon.com. n.d. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0602192/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl (accessed May 27, 2014).

      David A. Oglesby is an instructor of film and media studies at the University of Phoenix, Hawaii Campus.  Member of The Society for Cinema and Media Studies, develops, and consults on various media projects

[1] (Patten 2013)

[2] Ibid

[3] (Bergal 1993)

[4] (Mashon n.d.)

[5] (Griffith 2000)

[6] (Mesce 2013)

[7] (Phipps 2002)

[8] (Phipps 2002)

[9] (Woodyanders n.d.)

[10] (Gendel 1985)

[11] Ibid

[12] (Blaine 2014)

[aoialohafilm]

Flora and a Free Snack with a View

The beauty of flowers can be seen everywhere in Hawaii. The tropical climate makes every green space an opportunity for beauty to blossom. If you want to see beautifully managed gardens, these are also abundant on any island you visit in Hawaii. If you happen to be on the Big Island of Hawaii and in Kona, I have a grand suggestion for experiencing the tranquility and beauty nature plus man can produce. In the hills above Kona sits the biggest coffee belt in the Hawaiian Islands. On the slopes of Mt. Hualalai more than 1000ft above sea level, the wonderful gardens of Mauka Meadows Coffee Farm are open for all to visit. Doutor, a major coffee retailer in Japan, owns this expansive garden where not only can you taste their finest brews, but also view some of the finest cared for flora in Hawaii. Along with a wide variety of flowers and of course coffee the visitor to these grounds can see every fruit and nut grown in the state. Does it look ripe and ready to eat? Help yourself – You’re free to pick and eat any fruit you like. Oh yeah, there’s NO ADMISSION CHARGE. Yes, the fruit is free (don't take advantage) and no entrance fee! How’s that for ALOHA SPIRIT. One more thing the view is fa-bu-lous.  If you come to Kona, you owe yourself a visit to this charming piece of paradise.