LOS SIMULADORES (THE SIMULATORS)
© 2002 Televisión Federal (Telefe)

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Greetings Cinescapers! Last week I asked our foreign readers to clue me in to their favorite regional shows that have somehow or other been missed by the TV Wasteland radar. Thanks to Eduardo Guardatti, from Argentina, we get to plug LOS SIMULADORES (or THE SIMULATORS). Broadcast on the Telefe channel (www.telefe.com.ar) this show is "about four guys who run an agency that solves" seemingly irresolvable problems with phenomenal results. There is a catch however in that the only people who are aware of their existence are the ones they have helped in the past. It is up to these individuals to recommend the team to those they see in need. The show is currently in its second season a season running about 13 episodes and there are "rumors of a possible film." Unfortunately, due to financial reasons the show looks like it may end after this run, but if you are in Argentina or just a fan of quality television you may want to seek this out.

Now, if you have a favorite regional show (even if it's Canadian) and you'd like to see it mentioned on TV Wasteland, drop me a line at TVWasteland@cinescape.com.

This week we've got the usual grab bag of stuff, so sit back, relax and decide what you want to watch.

MONDAY, AUGUST 18

THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS (8 pm, NIK) Timmy's assistance is necessary in defeating an alien race. (Repeat)

THE TOY (8 pm, FAM) Richard Pryor acquires a job providing amusement for a young man. Eventually Pryor's presence helps the child solidify the tenuous bond between him and his father. Features Scott Schwartz, whose lurid descent into the porn industry has made him a favorite of Hollywood Babylon aficionados.

WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION (8 pm, TCM) Agatha Christie's play as interpreted by Billy Wilder. A man accused of murder gets topnotch legal support. Nice demonstration of the idiocy of the human heart.

CSI: MIAMI (10 pm, CBS) A nightclub fire is reveled to be the work of an arsonist. (Repeat)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19

SMALLVILLE (8 pm, WB) Whitney comes back from the Marines and proceeds to court Lana. Clark intervenes.

Kim Hunter as Zira in PLANET OF THE APES

© 20th Century Fox

PLANET OF THE APES / BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES (8pm, AMC) The first two epics in this simian saga stand as cinematic allegory at its finest and high camp, respectively. (Repeat)

MACARTHUR (9 pm, AMC) Gregory Peck tries his hand in the World War II general genre (a la PATTON) with tepid results. Features a supporting performance by Dan O'Herlihy of HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH fame.

MI-5 (10 pm, A&E) A government official is accused of arms dealing.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20

ENTERPRISE (8 pm, UPN) Borg drones are discovered in the Artic circle. (Repeat)

SMALLVILLE (8 pm, WB) The Talon hires Clark. Lex finds the son Lionel gave up for adoption. (Repeat)

THE BIG SLEEP (9 pm, TCM) Humphrey Bogart Plays Phillip Marlowe in this classic noir. Is one of the famous Bogart & Lauren Bacall cinematic team-ups.

RIO GRANDE (10:50 pm, AMC) Nice western from John Ford has John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara team up as a separated couple that rekindles a romance. Notable, among many reasons, as the film that enabled John Ford to make THE QUIET MAN.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21

POKEMON  (9 pm, TOON) A Pokemon tournament draws near, Ash is ecstatic. (Repeat)

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (9 pm, CBS) Choose your favorite episode online as long as your favorite episode is "Cross-Jurisdictions," "Cats in the Craddle," or "Chasing the Bus" and this Thursday the winner will be broadcast. (Repeat, regardless of choice)

WITHOUT A TRACE (10 pm, CBS) A missing teen is last seen hitching a ride with his delinquent brother. (Repeat)

REN & STIMPY / GARY THE RAT / STRIPPERELLA (10 pm, TNN) 1) Ren & Stimpy set out to help the less fortunate. 2) Gary defends the tobacco industry and wins. 3) Queen Clitoris lashes out at men everywhere, Stripperella comes to the rescue. 4) In a classic episode, Stimpy searches for his friend "stinky" who just happens to be a living fart.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22

THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE (8 pm, A&E) Thomas Hardy's extraordinarily depressing saga of a man's past coming back to destroy him. Relentless if you identify with the title character.

TREMORS: THE SERIES  (8 pm, SCI-FI) Perfection is assisted by a monster hunter. (Repeat)

MOVIE VIDEO TIPS (8:30, PRAY) The Prayer Channel covers some of the greatest films ever made. Wonder how many directly relate to God.

STARGATE SG-1 (9 pm, SCI-FI) The unstoppable new enemy featured in last week's Part 1 continues to wreck havoc on the team. O'Neill calls on an old friend to help rescue those kidnapped in

Ray Harryhausen's 1963 classic JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS

© 2002 Sony/Columbia

POWERPUFF GIRLS (9pm, TOON) The girls attempt to help the lovelorn. Blossom loses faith in herself. (Repeat)

HALLOWEEN 5 (9 pm, AMC) Now HALLOWEEN 5 constitutes an American movie classic? Somebody please stop the insanity.

SPIDER-MAN (10 pm, MTV) The destruction of an apartment annoys tenants and students. (Repeat)

DEAD LIKE ME (10 pm, SHOW) George discovers that the guy she thought was her dad was not.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23

HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER  (8 pm, ABC) Clint Eastwood directs himself in yet another variant on the man with no name. Excellent film, arguably the director's finest. 

TEEN TITANS (9 pm, TOON) During a battle Cyborg's power cell goes kaput.

DRAGNET (10 pm, ABC) Friday kills a cop. (Repeat)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24

THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES / THE THIN MAN (6 pm, TCM) The first, a beautiful bittersweet tale of men having trouble adjusting to life after World War II. The second, the perpetually quipping couple of Nick and Nora Charles take on an unexpected case.

FUTURAMA (7 pm, FOX) 1) The gang develop superhuman powers but their established idiocy results in less then stellar results. 2) Leela gets involved with the Mayor's aid, Fry becomes bummed. (Repeats)

WITHOUT A TRACE (8pm, CBS) A Middle Eastern medical intern's disappearance is followed by evidence that insinuates he may be associated with terrorism. (Repeat)

THE SIMPSONS (8 pm, FOX) Marge takes up bodybuilding after she is emotionally ravaged by a mugging. (Repeat)

Well that's that. Until next time, remember to wash behind your ears, floss (not at the same time though) and check out the new ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE AND FRIENDS: COMPLETE SEASON 1 DVD box set. Jay Ward and Bill Scott's madcap creation still manages to pack a hearty punch. Personally, I thought I hated the show with a murderous rage usually reserved for those who desecrate the grave of a loved one, but as it turns out I was wrong, terribly wrong. And you know what they say about those who admit their mistakes?

They're weak.

Drop a line to Tvwasteland@Cinescape.com if you feel like gabbing, and before we go, one last plug. Our friends at the Halfway to Hollywood Film Festival are gearing up for their annual gathering in September, and they'd love for you to pay them a visit this year.

LOS SIMULADORES (THE SIMULATORS)

© 2002 Televisión Federal (Telefe)

"The distance between Hollywood and the Midwest narrows again this year with the announcement of the 3^rd annual HALFWAY TO HOLLYWOOD FILM FESTIVAL. Opening September 12th and running through the 21^st, the festival continues its eclectic tradition with a sweeping mix of art house titles, documentaries, shorts, unreleased features and a celebration of cinematic magic highlighted by in-person appearances from special effects legend RAY HARRYHAUSEN and effects makeup wizard TOM SAVINI. Harryhausen, whose appearance opens the festival, is fresh from receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and will join fans in screenings of his classic films; JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD, MYSTERIOUS ISLAND and EARTH VS. FLYING SAUCERS. Fans of Tom Savini, who arrives the closing weekend of the fest, will see his talents as both effects artist and actor on display in screenings of DAWN OF THE DEAD and FROM DUSK 'TIL DAWN. Nearly 50 films will be screened over the course of the festival and Savini and Harryhausen will be available for autographs and a Q & A session with fans. For details, check out the fest's website at, www.halfwaytohollywood.com."

TV Wasteland is our weekly Television column.