Wednesday, March 08, 2006

The Five: Shows that I don't see in reruns anymore

Joel Keller from TV Squad and I must have a near brain melt / sync earlier today when he talks about five series that used to be on in reruns all the time, but don't seem to see anymore:



F Troop For a show that was only on for two seasons, it sure as hell lasted a long time in syndication. But it was classic '60s TV, with 65 episodes that basically laid out the same plot week after week. Accidental commander Captain Parmenter led an inept army troop in the Old West, with Sargent O'Rourke and his simpering buddy Corporal Agarn (who'd instill discipline in the troops with a quick whack with his hat) always partaking in get-rich-quick schemes. O'Rourke often made deals with the local "enemy" Hakawi tribe. Recurring jokes abounded in the show, like the watchtower that constantly got knocked down for one reason or another.

and



Third Rock From The Sun: This is another show that burned up the syndicated landscape from the late '90s until about three years ago, and for good reason: Aliens! That look like humans! Living in Ohio! It was a funny show, especially as the Solomons first felt out the wonderments of life on Earth (like the orgasmic look that came over Sally's face the first time she sneezed).

Read Joel's other three here

Not big on his other three choices, but I would add:



Looney Tunes: I miss the shenanigans of Bugs Bunny, poor Sylvester (who could never eat Tweety Bird), Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam. I grew up watching Looney Tunes since I fell out of the cradle and later fulfilled all of my pre-puberty fantasies when I worked for Warner Bros in the early eighties acquiring all of the cool Bugs Bunny promo stuff (which is still carefully stashed in my house). Probably my two prized possessions are my Bugs Bunny in a flasher raincoat standup merchandising piece that held four LPs in his open raincoat and the red satin jacket with the WB with Bugs busting out of the logo jacket. A bit out of style, but nonetheless a fashion throwback when satin jackets were the apparel to wear (and a chick magnet).



Bonanza: I just found out today that each of the sons was born to a different wife of Ben Cartwright! Never even thought about it... Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright, Dan Blocker as Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright and Michael Landon as Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright never mentioned it on the show, so I guess old dad kept it hid well being that the Ponderosa ranch was near some old cathouse in Nevada. Thanksgiving must have been awkward. Oh well... Unsolved Mysteries: The Three Wives of Ben Cartwright.

and last... (strike up the band!)

It's time to play the music
It's time to light the lights
It's time to meet the Muppets
On the Muppet Show tonight



Kermit, Fozzie Bear and The Swedish Chef (bork bork bork) were awesome, and I think Janice was the first "groovy" female guitarist that I really liked! She is the classic hippy and does bear a resemblence to Joni Mitchell. Maybe that's the connection. Miss Piggy really grinded my teeth, but the Muppet Show was definately geared for adults. Just like the Simpsons' writers, the Muppets slipped a few "in between the lines" humor.

I'm sure more will come to mind, but I'm pretty consumed with 24, Survivor, The Simpsons and other shows to even think about other reruns.

1 comment:

Alsicole said...

If you're missing Third Rock.. you should move to the UK. It's on ITV2 every week night at 7.30pm.