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Miscellaneous old Clarissa news

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This is old news from the Latest Clarissa news page that didn't fit anywhere else.

See the following pages for other old Clarissa news:

Worldwide airings of CEIA: for past airings of CEIA around the world (hence the name)
Melissa on TV: for other Clarissa-related airings (e.g., the Clarissa pilot)

Dec 1996
Joe O'Connor (Marshall) was spotted by Ryan White in a TV commercial playing a ``pharmacist type endorsing the drug'' Lodine XL.
06 Feb - 08 Mar 1997, San Fransisco
From an article posted to rec.arts.theatre.plays by Eowyn Mader:

Signal Theatre Co. presents
Tomorrowland a new play by Neena Beber
Directed by Reid Davis
Based on her experiences as head writer for Nickelodeon's Clarissa Explains It All, Neena Beber's Tomorrowland tracks Anna, a Virginia Woolf scholar who travels to hyper-real Orlando, Florida to create a kids' sitcom. Part biting satire of the TV industry and part sexually-charged spiritual journey, the play explores death, Disneyworld and unmoored American ambition. Paved by Beber's sharply satirical voice and unique wry lyricism, it's a mysterious and jolting ride.
The San Jose Mercury News called Signal Theatre's production of Tomorrowland ``...an edgy, dark and often hilarious peek at the bent staff behind the fictional children's show `Emily's Room.' ''
Performing at the 450 Geary Studio Theater, San Francisco (between Mason & Taylor)
Feb. 6 Through March 8, Thursday-Saturday at 8:00 PM
Sunday matinees on Feb. 23 and Mar. 2 at 2:00 PM
Tickets: $12-14
Reservations/Info: 510/273-9277
Cast:
Michael Carroll
Jack Davis
Carolyn Doyle
Samuel Gates
Eowyn Mader
Lorraine Olsen
Janna Sobel
Costumes: Max Davidson
Scenery: Reid Davis
Lights: David Holcomb
Sound: Phil Stockton
Stage Manager: Roger Mathey
date unknown (Spr 1997)
According to an article by Ray Richmond, CEIA repeats ranked 14th in the Nielsen Ratings (1.6 rating, 1.5 million homes) among regularly scheduled basic-cable series in 1996. The 13 higher-rated shows all air on Nickelodeon, also.
Fri, 04 Apr 1997
According to Harold Wilkinson:
Sony Music has deleted Clarissa and the Straightjackets THIS IS WHAT NA NA MEANS from their catalog. CD stock# LK 57926; Cassette# LT 57926. What thismeans is that the product is no longer being manufactured and retailers can not order any more. You may still be able to find it in retail stores, but most stores will soon be pulling their stock to return to their supplier. The official last day for them to request a Return Authoration is Aug.29,1997. So, If you want one you should act quickly. One note: This is US distribution only. I do not know the status of this product in other countries.
Other Nick/Sony Cut Outs announced today include Ren&Stempy YOU EEDIOT, and ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK. Because all of these got the ax at the same time, it is possible that it is a legal move and this product could re-appear on another label. Or Sony could re-release it at another price. But most likely it will be gone forever.

More recently, he said:

As of Apr. 4th Sony stopped sales of TIWNNM. This was the day I received notification of its status deletion. They wouldn't even let a major wholesale sub-distributor place an order. Since Sony took over CBS Records, there seems to be a lot of inflexability on their part. I even asked our Sony Sales Rep to try to locate a few copies, and he also failed. This sux because Sony is still authorizing Return Requests thru Aug.29th. So You know with thousands of retailers trying to beat the deadline, they've got a few back and they're just sitting there NOT FOR SALE....There's always a chance to find one floating around, but none can be purchased thru the Sony distribution chain.

According to a 26 Jun 1996 article by Scott Hettrick:

Six months after signing Paramount Home Video to distribute its product internationally (HR 1/18), Nickelodeon Video has pulled back its domestic distribution from Sony Wonder to turn over to its Paramount sister as well.
The deal was considered inevitable because shortly after the five-year deal was reached with Sony Wonder in 1993, Nickelodeon parent Viacom Inc. bought Paramount and sought to move all the properties under one roof, including moving the production of Nickelodeon movies from Fox to Paramount.
...
Sony Wonder had success in the United States with the releases of animated TV series such as "Ren & Stimpy" and "Rugrats" but had less luck with live-action Nickelodeon series such as "Pete & Pete," "Clarissa Explains It All" and others.
As a result, Nickelodeon Video & Audio vp Catherine Mullally said that Paramount will mostly focus on Nick Toons animated fare and preschool programming that falls under the Nick Jr. umbrella on the network such as "Allegra's Window." She said no live-action titles are slated for release through 1997.
...

So maybe the ``NA NA'' CD and CEIA videos will eventually be re-released on another label. Note that Melissa's Peter & the Wolf CD is not deleted. See Melissa on record for more info.
Thu, 08 May 1997, 8pm ET, NBC
Joe O'Connor appeared in an episode of Friends as one of Chandler Bing's co-workers. Incidentally, this episode was directed by Robby Benson, who has directed and guest-starred in Melissa's current series Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, in which Joe O'Connor has also appeared.
Fri, 23 May 1997
Joe O'Connor (Marshall) was spotted in a commercial for Albertson's supermarket (playing a butcher). He's also recently done a commercial for People's Bank of Connecticut. (Thanks to Mahc, chanson and John Heppen for this info.)
Wed, 07 May 1997
In the Star Trek: Voyager episode, ``Displaced'', Nancy Youngblut (Mrs. Cheesebrow in CEIA #123 and the original Janet in the pilot) plays the leader of a group of aliens that replace the crew of the Voyager. (Thanks to Adam Lieberman for this info.)
Sat, 14 Jun 1997, MTV
Neena Beber (CEIA writer) wrote the episode of Daria called ``Malled''. (Thanks to John Porter for this info.)
Wed, 09 Jul 1997
Dave Harris says:

A few hours ago, during _The Renovation Guide_ on The Learning Channel, I saw Joe O'Connor in an advert for Meridian Vineyards. He and some other bloke were making some kind of foody thing, discussing things like Captain Zero and other things I don't remember. Joe's character asked the other bloke's for some coriander.
Mon, 21 Jul 1997
In the 21 Jul 1997 issue of Electronic Media magazine, CEIA was voted one of the ``10 Shows That Made Cable'':
1. CNN in Baghdad, Jan 18, 1991
2. MTV's first year
3. The O.J. trial
4. HBO original productions
5. Nick at Nite's promos
6. SportsCenter
7. It's Garry Shandling's Show
8. Clarissa Explains It All
9. Biography
10. Shark Week
Sat, 09 Aug 97
CEIA is no longer being shown in Australia.
Sat, 09 Aug 97
Niko Ballestrem says:

CLUBHOUSE, the youth channel of Germany's new digital television "DF 1", will show 65 Clarissa episodes - daily - from Saturday, August 9, onwards.
11-15 Aug 97, 4:30-6pm, Sydney time, Australia, Nickelodeon Australia
``Darling Clarissa'' specials, containing ``handpicked'' CEIA episodes. (Thanks to Peta Allen for this info.)
Thu, 28 Aug 97, 6pm ET, Nickelodeon
Dave Harris says:

The second contestant on today's episode of _Figure It Out_ took home a piece of the CEIA set (namely, the What A Weenie hat) for stumping the panel for the first round.
Fall 1997, Disney Channel
According to info found by Harry Murchison:

The Disney Channel revealed a major original programming development slate and a new logo for the network as part of its commitment to deliver kid-driven family programming.
...
Projects include: (all titles are working titles)
-- ``Bear in the Big Blue House'' -- a Jim Henson production being created by Mitchell Kriegman. A big bear puppet hosts a half hour of storytelling and creative play.
...
-- ``Attention Earthlings'' -- a Jim Henson production being developed by Kriegman. A daily comedic game show where contestants compete to defend the planet Earth against alien invaders.
...
Series
-- ``Take My Family, Please'' -- a Jim Henson production being developed by Kriegman. A sit-com in which a family breaks the fourth wall to tell us their story.

(In case you don't know, Mitchell Kriegman created and executive-produced Clarissa Explains It All.)
According to a 25 Jun 97 Entertainment Wire article:

Disney Channel has begun production on an extensive slate of original programming [...]
For the little kid zone in the morning, Disney Channel has greenlit 26 episodes of an innovative half-hour series from Jim Henson Productions -- "Bear in the Big Blue House." A show brimming with creativity, storytelling, learning and music, "Bear in the big Blue House" is hosted by a seven-foot bear who, though large, exudes warmth, comfort and understanding. All the action takes place in the kid-friendly Big Blue House, where songs are sung, stories are told, and imagination and adventure reign. "Bear in the Big Blue House" was created by Mitchell Kriegman, who created and executive produced the hit Nickelodeon show "Clarissa Explains It All," and will make its exclusive Disney Channel debut in October.
Fri, 03 Oct 1997
Joe O'Connor has been spotted in yet another commercial. Harry Murchison says:

joe o'oconner is lying in bed with his wife and she tells him he forgot to recycle. so he gets up and goes outside in his boxers to take out the recyclables. then a car with four women drive by while he is out by the curb. (* one woman yells nice shorts/boxers *)