Maintaining continuity in a film or television production is not easy. There are so many things to track -- the actor's costumes and hairstyles, the placement of props on the set, etc. And 99.99% of the time, there are no problems. But sometimes there are lapses....
From Albert Pellechia (albiwon@juno.com), Mar. 24, 1998:
[Money] -- "In the episode where Harry and Fern make an investment there is a problem with their car. Now listen carefully, play your tape right to the part where they are in the car. First we see them from far away, and then we see them close up in the car. As we look at the car we see Harry on the left side (American) of the car, but when we see them from far back, Harry is on the right side. Maybe they taped this scene in a differnt country, maybe they shot the inside of the car on a soundstage."
RR's comment: Good catch. When Harry and Fern first arrive at the ostrich farm, we see the sign ("Ostrich Crossing" with the picture of an ostrich) and the car turning in. It does appear to be right-hand drive. It turns out that the film was flipped in editing; notice the pickup truck and trailer in the background.
[Marriage] -- "In the episode where Kay gets married, as the Priest says the vows, Sydney is next to her. Okay, when the Priest is down and then Kay gets the ring, we see them being pulled away. First Kay (I think), look when her future husband is being pulled away, look at the glare in the glass, Sydney is there smiling, then we go back to kay and see her being carried off. Does Sydney have a twin?"
RR's comment: Another good catch. This had to have been a goof in editing. But it's a very subtle goof, one that you could easily miss. Having said that, let me say that the editing in the Hollywood episode was superb. If you're looking for the edits, you can see them; but if you're not looking, they're virtually seamless. And that's the way it's supposed to be. I'm thinking of the scenes where the theater's being evacuated and where Sydney and Chic are being interviewed.
From Gary Veirs (gveirs@yahoo.com), Apr. 13, 1998:
[Agents] -- "In 'Agents' when Marietta is telling Harry to fix the hole on the roof she puts a coconut cup on the counter. After she does that the next close up shows the cup back on the tray. Then she takes it off the tray and puts it back on the counter."
RR's comment: This is very subtle. I'm not quite convinced of it myself. What do you readers think?
And now for a catch of my own...
Here's a goof from the days of TTUS -- in the May 1, 1988 episode, there was a Francesca sketch called "The Sleepover." I recall a telephone cord that had a habit of disappearing, then reappearing.
OVERALL COMMENT: Let's not lose sight of the fact that these minor goofs are just that: minor. We shouldn't let them detract from our enjoyment of Tracey and her work.
Revised April 20, 2008
Created by Roger Reini
with absolutely no assistance from Monica, the Wonder Intern