What would YOU like to see in upcoming CEC Shows?

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

Okay..here's a topic i think we can all relate to....

Let's hear some real feedback and thoughts on the matter! Let your voice be heard, as you know the Duke Boys down there in Dept. 18 read this forum.

What would YOU like to see in future shows from CEC?

Let's be reasonable here....no "I wanna see the Classic PTT Characters return!" jive.....let's hear some serious and realistic suggestions for what you think the newer shows need.

[pizzacam]

More shows like this one...old songs. Shows where they sing the whole song without mentioning pizza or coke. :rolleyes

[JyPsy]

I would love to see "older" songs too, especially ones that really get the people moving, and the kids dancing.

[MMBBfan327]

Perhaps having 4 sep. showtapes in 1:

*one 60s tribute
*one 70s
*80s
*90

Now that would be cool. And I argree with Gabe--no more stuff with pizza or coke.

[MatHat13]

I'd like to see a show like...

Segment 1:
"I Feel Good" and "Life Is A Highway"

Intermission 1:
CEC TV ID
Coke Spot
Veggietales-Cheeseburger
Countdown 1-Louie Louie footage
Laugh Tracks
Countdown 2-Last Train To Clarksville footage

Segment 2:
"Sweet Caroline" and "Mighty Wings"

Intermission 2:
CEC TV ID
CEC TV News 1 Remake(Cross safety, and Game scores)
Countdown 3-We Got The Beat Footage
A Day at the Movies
Countdown 4-Our Mouse footage

Segment 3:
"Higher Love" and "Friday Night's Alright for Fun"(parody of Elton John's song)

Intermission 3:
CEC TV ID
Tube Explorer-The Coolest
Countdown 5-Hold On Footage
Chuck E.'s Big Bowling Date
Countdown 6-Football Game

Segment 4:
"Dancing Queen" and "You're Still The One"

Intermission 4:
CEC TV ID
CEC TV News Remake 2(Pasqually's Moon report)
The Virtuso
Picnic Basket Joke Remake
Countdown 7-I'll Take You There Footage

[pizzacam]

Man, those songs are fruity! :x

[RodHouTx]

Isn't it about time for another "Best Of" showtape to come out? Maybe something like Jukebox Jam that had a gazillion shows on it.

[CEC3066]

Here's my list:

Segment 1:
Skip To My Lou / Little Liza Jane / She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain / Oh Them Golden Slippers / Jimmy Crack Corn And I Don't Care
My Daddy Loves Music

Baking W/ Betty

3 Min Break

Segment 2:
"I Just Called To Say I Love You" (sung by....HELEN)
"Don't Ever Give Up"

Tube Explorer

3 Min Break

Segment 3:
I've A- Gadda Pizza Honey (but ONLY if I were in charge Ryan)
We Will Rock You

Eddie Coker- I Beleive

3 Min Intermission

Winners
Chuck E's Place

Valid LIVE'S

Bingo"
"If You're Happy & You Know It"
"Havin' A Party" (2001)
"Go Santa Go"
"CEC Swing"
"CEC March" (2001)
"CEC Says" (2002)
"CEC Shuffle"
"Birthday Star" (2001)
"Spanish Birthday" (2001)

[CEC3066]

Man, those songs are fruity! :x

ya know I think MY list is just as bad :x

[MatHat13]

LOL my song choices arn't that bad are they?:rollin

They are rockin' tunes

[ChuckEFranchize454]

heres my list hope you like it

Franchize's version of Best of CEC tv

Segment 1
"Croc Rock"
"Forever Girl"

Inermission1
Countdown1-Shopping countdown
Veggie tales-Belly Button
Countdown2-Skating countdown

Segment 2
"Help"
"Cant Buy me Love"

intermission2
Monkey Ninjas-new episode
Pizza Survivor
Countdown3-Kart Coundown

Segment 3
"Born to be wild"
"pepperoni"

intermission3
retro intermission
Countdown4-twinkle little star countdown
spring cleaning
a night at the movies
Countdown5-Midnight Special countdown

Segment 4
"ol time rock and roll"
"chores"

intermission4
Countdown6-colidous scope countdown
"larry the tech/behind the scenes"
coke spot 1 min bday break music
countdown7-Football countdown

Segment 5
"Working for the weekend"
"daydream beliver"

intermission5
countdown8-skyline countdown
ninja turtles spot
sprite spot
WFW babysitter
countdown9-footloose countdown

Segment 6
"Who can it be now"(i dont kno lmao:D )
"Mayberry"

intermission6
countdown10-juggling countdown
drawing chuck
countdown11-chuck e town countdown

Segment 7
"sing a song"
"somebodys watching me"

intermission7
countdown12-excersise countdown
charlie rocket-NEW EPISODE
countdown13-do you love me countdown

i kno its kinda long but this is my dream show! hope you liked it

[Jasper]

What I'd like to see:
1) Soundtracks that include oldies as well as recent hits, kind of like September '00 & January '01.

2) More original intermissions that tell a story, not random footage slapped together to public domain music. I'm talking about Tube Explorer, Larry, Super Jasper, etc. I would think shooting a new episode of Tube Explorer shouldn't be too costly. I like the idea behind "Artist Spotlight" too as long as they stay away from Coker.

3) And new live shows. The focus on Road Shows is unfortunate. Stores need new material, not the same five generics for birthday parties, etc.

So that's what I want to see, here's what I don't want to see:

1) Ninja Turtles, or any other 1 minute plug for a crappy cartoon series.

2) Retro intermissions...Charlie Rockit & Spring Cleaning feel too dated.

3) Footage of the farm. Give it a rest!

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

( Footage of the farm...)

LOL...It's a "Texas" thing Jasper.....we are stuck with it i'm afraid, just like we are stuck with at least ONE country song per show! :rollin

[PuroMax]

It doesn't matter what kind of material you have for Live Shows, because at my store it's all about the 1 min Birthday Break... strange as it may seem. I guess it's an urban thing.

[MatHat13]

Thought of another cool tune they should do...

Long Train Running, by the Doobie Brothers.;)

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

What i would personally like to see forthcoming:

LESS 'recycling"-- give it a rest as it makes the shows feel "cheap"

MORE interaction between the characters---both within themselves, and involving the audience.

BETTER writing and scripts---More wit! Don't "talk dumb" for the kids sake.

And although this does not directly relate to the Shows in relation to the ShowTapes, i must add this:

DITCH THE onstage BUILDINGS! ---- Its high time we had a stage decor upgrade. Lose the ugly "Letterman" buildings and bring in a new set. Even rain curtains would be a improvement. It will give the older stages a fresh new look and it's inexpensive way to make something "old" look "new".

[CEC3066]

what we REALLY need is a NEW version of "Birthday Star" this one is 5 years old.

[ChuckEZone]

BETTER writing and scripts---More wit! Don't "talk dumb" for the kids sake.

Totally, Jenn! I've come to realize that (many) kids are smarter than most people give them credit for.




what we REALLY need is a NEW version of "Birthday Star" this one is 5 years old.

Amen. ;)

[chuckrules]

here's my list of ideas guys.

Segment1-R O C K in the usa- rock this town.

intermission1-cec logo, helen henny's hollywood modern remake with walkaround character on it. 3 minute count down footage of blue swade shoes.

Segment2-let the music play, Rock on.

Intermision2-cec logo, CEC TV news (With modern walkaround footage). 3 minute Count down walking on sunshine footage.

Segment3-everybody have fun tonight. holding on to what I've got.

intermission3-cec logo, name that cheese, three minute count down do ya love me.

Segment4-love the way you love me. pick me up before you go go.

That's my list lol. kind of short. but sweet anyway.

[YoungCaliHottie]

ive been working on a whole show script ever since this topic was posted. i dont know why. not like theyll use it. but nonetheless, ive been working. so far i have 4 intermissions and 4 shows, but i think it should be 1 1/2 hours long cuz thats my guess as to how long people actually stay on average. ill post the script when im done with it. but i may as well post my original comments. no point on holding on to those...

..............

There is not a new monkey ninjas out yet. episode 6 was the newest and has been used.

please oh please no more TMNT! And no more spring cleaning, super jasper, or tube explorer.

i think the parodies were excellent and well received. a couple more of those wouldnt hurt.

i also think dept 18 should watch some shows from the early 90s and then watch more recent shows so they can see the difference in the experience for themselves. for example, mr. munch used to be comically "slow". now he's just plain dumb and its not very funny.

i think theres nothing wrong with public domain material. look at disney. almost everything they're famous for is public domain.

you guys might not agree, but i think it was actually good when cec used to just have nothing but the countdown intermissions (with music in the background and the number of minutes showing on the tv). (ie cu premiere). i think one of the reasons kids dont pay attention to the show anymore is because theres always something going on with the tvs or stage, so its no big deal anymore when there is a show. having intermissions with just a countdown would really make the show more important. plus it would make kids want to go pump more $$$ into the games since theres no cartoons or anything to watch for a few minutes.

another reason kids dont watch the show anymore is cuz the band is always there. so its easy to take them for granted now. but thats a whole 'nother story on curtains...

as much as everyone here seems to like 80s music, including me, i think thats not the only way to go. one of my favorite shows is games 91. and it has "london bridge is falling down" and other kids songs. kids dont care about songs that are 25 years before their time. i think there needs to be more of a mix of kids songs with the adult songs.

i also like how chuck used to introduce the band members on the last show of each video. i think we need to go back to that, as well as more dialog between the characters. which leads me to my next comment...

SHOWS DO NOT HAVE TO BE SONGS! How about a fun skit every now and then? there is a lot that can be done to make the show fun and exciting. ...well... at least for non-studio c cecs.

i also think it is more fun from a kids perspective when the cectv background are animated. (ie games show). i think every video has an animated background in that show. it adds to the creativity of the show. and we need to go back to kids as the background dancers.

i noticed the recent tapes have a lot of a "music video" feel to them. with chuck and helen out around town, going down the escalator, singing outside... and "older dancers" around them... while this is all great and it is very well done... ...this isnt mtv. i dont think that a music video is as important as fun and creativity. i also dont understand why background dancers who aren't in the target demographics are being used. (im not saying all the dancers are older. yes, i know theres that kid who danced for "homework" and plays the drums in the jan show. ...whos kid is that?)

songs should be upbeat

AND PLEASE NOOOOOOOOOO MORE DAMN FARM ANIMALS! I DONT FIVE A F*** ABOUT THAT CUTE A** DUCK THAT IS WALKING BY THE POND! AND NEITHER DO THE KIDS! :P

.............
here is my idea of a good show...
.............
(haha... coming soon)

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

Excellent post there CaliHottie...it has some good suggestions.

I agree....going back and viewing some of the best stuff from the past eras would be a worthwhile thing to do. A lot of the early 90's stuff was very cleverly done, and had some decent production values. I think some of the best stuff in recent times was produced in 99' through 02'. Everything after that seemed a bit shallow.

I hope the Duke Boys read these suggestions with a grain of salt. This is where the serious show enthusiests are giving some feedback and i would think they would find this helpful and informative. :)

[CEC743]

I'd like to see me working on them...lol...I got the degree ;)

[ChuckEFranchize454]

DEPT 18 can i make a suggestion for the best of show coming up? heres a sugestion for the segments of the best of show all you would have to do is change the logo inbetween all the segments to a best of 06 logo that will possibly making the show itself a whole lot easier

[DrCorey]

the charactors in a hully gully competion.

[pizzacam]

I'd like to finally see a totally different format...They've been using the same fake laughter for like 6 or 7 years..the countdowns are dreadful. IDK I guess I'm just used to a change every 3 or 4 years like it used to be. Remember 96-98 kinda sucky years for the show...but compare that format to the current...totally different. It's just nice to mix it up every now and then. :eek

[CEC3066]

i would like to see the shows have REAL tittles for once. Calling Evrything CEC TV is getting kinda old.

[pizzacam]

I think naming the showtapes was more of a Jul Kamen thing...seems like the names started fading away once she left. :\

[CEC3066]

Dang Gabe I'm surprised you remembered her name! Although Entertainment Directors like Gene Cramn, James Newberry (GOD BLESS U For the year 1998....NOT!) & Jeremy Blaido DID break the monotony on that.

[pizzacam]

Yeah the shows that were put out when she was there kicked ass. I loved all the shows from 87 through the mid 90s! :p

[ChuckEFranchize454]

i hop my request can make the show alittle better..i got the idea from one of the best best of shows ever....BEST OF 93! thats wat i thought made it good is the fact that they had a whole segment intesad of a stand alone song like the 03 best of

[cec080]

re vamp the april 2002 show that one rocked! :D

[Jasper]

I don't want to sound like a broken record, but we need to see more effort in the intermission department. I think we can all agree the soundtrack, programming, and videos have been excellent. But the intermissions - which take up the majority of show time - needs more interest. I think we're all sick of the same reused material over and over again...I fell out of my chair when I saw that darn Will Frye segment again. And they should take the Charlie Rockit skits out of the archives and burn them in a giant bonfire. Ha ha ha sorry I'm getting off-track.

Anyway, I'm sure we all agree we love the series with Super Jasper, Wick, Baking With Betty, Larry, Hank Howdy, etc. Well, if these intermissions have been 'retired', why not create some new characters or intermission series? Seems there is a lot of untapped creativity and ideas going on. CEC TV Artist Spotlight is a step in the right direction as a new series, but let's see some more new stuff other than generic footage to generic music.

Another thing, why doesn't CEC renew their friendship with Disney? Wouldn't it be cool to see trailers or snippets from Pixar's Cars and Pirates of the Caribbean 2 when you walk into your CEC? It'll be a lot more impressive than Maya & Miguel, Ninja Turtles, and Braceface.

[pizzacam]

Another thing, why doesn't CEC renew their friendship with Disney?

ZZZzzzz....|I

[CEC743]

I don't know what anyone else thinks but if I was working at Department 18, I would go back to the storyline shows of the past. You know, the ones that had a theme! To make it even better, they need to be a story, one that has a beginning middle and end, but somehow takes them right back to where they began, so no one is like, wtf just happened, why are they back to that again? Original thought needs to shine through, at least I think.

Sorry if I appear rantish and ravish, but the shows are boring to me now.

[cec080]

CEC743 I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU THEY NEED TO BRING IN THE STORY LINE! THE THING I DISLIKE ABOUT THE APRIL SHOW IS THE SCHOOL BELL RINGING. IT GETS VERY ANNOYING ESPECIALLY WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE PLACE AND THERE IS NO CHATTER OF PEOPLE AT ALL. IF DEPT 18 READS THIS THE KEY WORD IS DIALOGUE! NOT SOUND EFFECTS.

[pizzacam]

I would go back to the storyline shows of the past. You know, the ones that had a theme! To make it even better
Thank You!

[ChuckEFranchize454]

man ive been waiting for that to be said.....thats one reason i loved the april 03 show cuz it had kinda a story to with the time machene....it was catchy i thought...now going to the april show i actually liked the school episode cuz when the bell rings in the show it catches anyone in the showrooms attention and actually get them real into the show when "Getaway" plays!!! cuz that song has sooooo much energy in it and i love dancing to that song when im in chuck

[puppetmaster29]

I totally argree with you guys, I also liked the shows that had a story line to them as well such as the April 03 show like ChuckEfranchize mentioned. Unfortunely, the powers that be don't seem to agree.


now going to the april show i actually liked the school episode cuz when the bell rings in the show it catches anyone in the showrooms attention and actually get them real into the show when "Getaway" plays!!! cuz that song has sooooo much energy

"Gataway" is a great song, I had just as much fun programming it.

[ChuckEFranchize454]

Unfortunely, the powers that be don't seem to agree

ah oh well its all good cuz the last few shows i think have been good


"Gataway" is a great song, I had just as much fun programming it.

i can tell puppetmaster29 the energy is awsome in that song! i really liked how you kinda toyed wit the CEC Spot during the "break it down boys" part

to quote helen "you got an A++"

[ChuckEFranchize454]

ah oh well its all good cuz the last few shows i think have been and by last few shows i mean the last 2 years...well thats how long ive been working at CEC and loved it since the day i got hired

[mmbbfan10972]

;) mathat13 thtas a great list :D :hat

[puppetmaster29]

:x

[ChuckEZone]

:lol I'm sure they're right on it

[MatHat13]

Jake is pretty pathetic.

(pizzacam)Thought it'd be better if you just stated the obvious ;)

[MMBBfan327]

Jake is pretty pathetic.

You got that right.

[CEC3066]

I think a Spanish language translation of New Birthday would be cool. yes for those that know me well and my thoughts on this show that is NOT a typo. I offically now LOVE this B-Day show. sure the lyrics may be a bit corny BUT the tune is peppy.

"NA NA NA NA NA Compleanos Compleanos Feliz, Chuck E. Cheese!"

[Aaron]

Danny,
It took you long enough- lol!
See bud, New Birthday won't hurt you. ;)

-NJ

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

ARGH!!!

DANNY YOU TRAITOR!!!!

:rollin

[CEC3066]

exactly Aaron, i feel "Star" has run it's course. it didn't really hit me until I was at Rohnert Park's CEC today and saw them doing it, the guests LOVE It. I encourage ANY CEC currently using Birthday Star to give NEW B-DAY a 2nd chance, sure your guests will initially say stuff like "Hey what happened to the OLD song???" but once they see how much fun they can have w/ New Birthday they'll like IT as much as they did Star.

[Aaron]

lol! Come on Jenn, the days of making magic are well past over.

Danny- you are right. It's all about the way CEC is heading now. Take a look at
where things are headed- so many comments, but I'll shut up there.

-NJ

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

No No NO NO NO!!!!

Don't "shup up"...not you Aaron! Dang boy...you have been TOO QUIET lately! Let your voice be heard my friend, as we both know you have lots to say and i for one enjoy hearing it!

Okay...i yeah, it's not all about Making Magic now i guess....pfftt...i could have told ya that about 4 years ago! LOL!! No seriously now...it's all about moving the money and less about giving Guests a reason to come in the first place.

Argh! Don't get me worked up into a rant again.......i think everyone knows my stance on the "Money Mentality vs. Magic Making Mentality".

I think i need to come back to NJ Aaron.....:p

[Aaron]

I have too many opinions, that's just it.
In my opinion, the magic isn't determined by Corporate.
The stores are what make the magic- it's all about being different.
Corp can make promos and different other publicity stunts, but for
magic to be visible its about going the extra mile.

I don't believe Corp doesn't care, I think stores need to try harder. (or atleast around here)

Just my opinion, though...

-NJ

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

Well that's a very good opinion and i can get behind your statement.

It IS all up to the Stores. It's up to every Cm, every AM, and every GM to go the extra mile and "make the Magical difference" as we used to say up here. The Company gives you the tools to do this with, many tools, but it's up to the individual stores, both Franchise and Corp, to take those tools and decided how to use them.

The truly GREAT CEC locations take the tools and run with them. They get into the concept and get into the mentality that they, themselves, each one of them...has the POWER to make someone's day or make a positive difference in a Guests' life. I suppose some would look at that statement and think...geez, get a life man! Well, yeah...i can understand that.....but this is what is at the core of a GREAT store experience and the Not-So-Great ( NSG's as i call em').

We have both been to "greats" and NSG's.....shoot, in one day too! Remember our little get-together last year? Wayne NJ was the TOTAL opposite of what Longbranch was...in every way possible! There is a good example of what i'm taking about. Wayne was definately a "NSG"...lol.

Okay, so maybe i sometimes come down a little hard on the Company as a whole. I know they are trying to keep themsleves going and trying to balance the complex job of running a proifitable business and a entertainment complex. It's not easy...it is'nt. It just seems that the focus there has shifted and the Magic Making is taking a back seat in the grand scheme of things to me....but that's just me. To your average modern day Guest, they don't see it that way and enjoy themselves regardless, as it should be.

It's all about the Cast really.....that is SO true. I totally agree. It's really about how much a Store's staff and managers want to do on a personal level that makes all the difference in the world really....:)

[Aaron]

That's right, Jenn. Exactly why I stand for my points.

While the company is changing, and yes- I am aware of this, it takes a truely
dedicated individual to make magic in the store. See it as a mission or challenge.
That magic is still there, it just takes a great person to bring out the best in it.

-NJ