Question about Balok's "puppet"
- Thread starter Amasov
- Start date
- Status
> Ah, thank you!
And every member of the ST art department knew that, analyzed the philosophy behind it, and rejected it based on principal?
Or maybe someone in the art department remembered the painting, didn't give a shit about its philosophy, and decided to make the puppet look like that.
Or probably not. I see no similarity between Balok and "The Scream" aside from the approximate shape of the head, and that's just a slightly elongated version of the shape of a human skull in general. Faux-Balok looks angry and menacing, the "Scream" guy is frightened and helpless. Totally different moods being conveyed.
As others have pointed out, Wah Chang had done previous designs that resembled the Balok puppet. Note, for example, that the puppet has bulging veins on the sides of its head, very much like the Talosians. There's also something vaguely Satanic about his appearance, with the hooked nose and pointed chin, and the suggestion of horns at the temples. So if any works of art were influences on this, they'd probably be works depicting Satan or other malevolent figures. "The Scream" is not even in the ballpark.
As others have pointed out, Wah Chang had done previous designs that resembled the Balok puppet. Note, for example, that the puppet has bulging veins on the sides of its head, very much like the Talosians. There's also something vaguely Satanic about his appearance, with the hooked nose and pointed chin, and the suggestion of horns at the temples. So if any works of art were influences on this, they'd probably be works depicting Satan or other malevolent figures. "The Scream" is not even in the ballpark.
Look what I found today in a current "reprint" of classic "Australian Mad Supersize" magazine parody strips. It's from "Star Blecch: Voyeur":
I love the takeoff/tribute to the Balok puppet during the closing credits of the FUTURAMA episode featuring all the TOS actors. 
Kif as Balok. Good stuff. :thumbsup:
Kif as Balok. Good stuff. :thumbsup:
The end-credit appearances of Balok in TOS were themselves an in-joke, in fact. I believe it was Bob Justman who was in charge of editing the end title sequences together, and he always made sure that the Balok image accompanied the credit for Herb Solow, the Desilu (and then Paramount) executive in charge of producing the show -- a friendly joke at Solow's expense.
Phil Farrand in his TOS Nitpicker's book always inserted a funny joke into his descriptions of the Balok stills in the closing credits. "Balok hearing the phone ring...", "Balok learning he has to make a convention appearance." Those kind of comments.
^
It's THE best resource ever for detailing/leeping track of common syndication edits in each episode as well as production errors and snafus you can catch on-screen if you're observant enough. :thumbsup:
We need to start a "CAPTION BALOK" thread.
It's THE best resource ever for detailing/leeping track of common syndication edits in each episode as well as production errors and snafus you can catch on-screen if you're observant enough. :thumbsup:
We need to start a "CAPTION BALOK" thread.
^
And watch it be the funniest caption thread we've had in ages...
And watch it be the funniest caption thread we've had in ages...
Balok's puppet has LIMITLESS potential for quasi-obscene and disturbing captions. Bald, misshapen alien head. Weird eyes. Mouth gaping open. Funny, puffy collar. Hell, there are HUMANS who look that odd and could keep up busy for weeks!
- Status
Similar threads
