Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

TV Land also airs Bonanza in the afternoons on weekdays if you are looking for more westerns.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Yep, I'm going through the entire Trek universe and it will probably take me until 2013! I re-watch my DVDs and the next discs on the list were Voyager and Enterprise. Add to that the fact that TNG is being released on blu and it seemed logical to just watch them all. There are several episodes from S3 of TOS that I've never seen and I've never seen any of The Animated Series so off to the races I go. I might revive the Star Trek thread in the TV forum once I get into full swing.

I agree that "Space Seed," "Balance of Terror," and "City.." are the best of the S1 episodes though I'd add "The Menagerie" to that list too. I should get to "Amok Time" this afternoon and that is one of my favs from S2. As for yesterday's viewing, I forgot how good "Court Martial" was except for the end. The last 10 minutes or so were a completely different tone than the first 40. "Taste of Armageddon" was also interesting and I think very relevant given how modern warfare has evolved in the last couple decades.

I became a Trekkie because of TNG though I have to say that watching S1 is physically painful. I'm not even going to buy the first season on blu because it's so bad (DS9 is my favorite of the series). I'll start that after the Oscar Challenge.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Thanks. It's been a shorter period since I've seen Bonanza, maybe about 30 years. I do remember liking it, though.

I used to see tons of TV westerns when I was a kid. There were dozens on in the late '50s / early '60s. Maverick, Wanted Dead or Alive, Lawman, The Rifleman, Cheyenne, Sugarfoot, The Rebel, Wild Bill Hickok, Annie Oakley, Kit Carson, Jim Bowie, and Wyatt Earp are among the ones we watched in our household and those are only what I remember off the top of my head. Yet, for some reason, we never watched Gunsmoke or Bonanza or The Virginian. Don't know why. Probably conflicted with something else that was on. I don't recall watching Rawhide much either, although we might have seen a few eps.

Last year, I watched "Stories of the Century" (1954-55) for this challenge. It's not one I saw as a kid, but I love it today. It features a different outlaw every week, including all the famous ones (Billy the Kid, Jesse James, the Dalton Gang, the Doolin Gang, Colonel Quantrill, Tom Horn, Butch Cassidy, etc.) and some not-so-famous (L.H. Musgrove, Tom Bell, to name two). There was far more action in this show than in most other TV westerns, which tend to be talkier than I like. There were 39 episodes of this series and I have access to 38 of them and watched all 38 last year.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

picked up Justified at bestbuy b iv heard good things gonna watch some of that and another episode of Nikita tonight

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Sort of speaking of Star Trek, I've decided to finally explore The Big Bang Theory. Wanted something light and short, as the organization after the move from Heck will take months and months. Figured 30 minute sitcoms may be all I watch for awhile.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I have several anime features that were compiled from TV episodes. E.g. SUPER GRAND PRIX, which took several episodes from a Japanese car racing series made in 1977 to compile a 90-minute English-dubbed feature that went straight to video here in the U.S.

Are these eligible for this challenge?

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I know *many* people who became trekkies because of TNG. But if that's all you've seen you're missing out on the very best Trek has to offer. I'd highly recommend TOS and/or DS9 as the best starting points with Voyager running a close 3rd. Watching the newly remastered TOS episodes is almost like watching a new series. The updated fx shots are done *very* well and do not detract but enhance the episodes almost 100% of the time.

I, too, worked in TV when TNG started. I was in charge of the record calendar and had master control record 2 copies. I'd take one, dub it down to remove commercials, and put it on VHS. I did that for the entirety of S1 but became so disgusted/disenchanted with the series during the season that I erased them all. After the first episode of S2 I swore off it completely. I've seen random episodes through the years but nothing's changed the impressions I formulated during S1. In fact, most episodes I've seen reinforce them. *If* I ever come across a full series set at the right price (probably under $60) I'll get it anyway just to complete the universe set but otherwise I'm happy without it. I actually like Enterprise, even with its issues, better than TNG.

I should do that as well since it's been over a year since I've watched *any* TOS episode. I *finally* was able to complete Voyager last summer. The station for which I worked didn't air the program but I was still in charge of the record calendar when it was in initial syndication. I made sure it got recorded on VHS for me to take home. However, I left broadcasting during S5 and as it was never syndicated in this area it took me purchasing the series to see the last 2 1/2 seasons!

I watched TAS during its initial run and was less than impressed at the time. For *years* I maintained a low opinion of the series feeling it was "dumbed down" for the Saturday morning crowd. That changed when I picked up a copy a couple of years ago and re-watched the series. I discovered that it's actually quite good. I still feel the animation looks somewhat "on-the-cheap" (it *was* done by Filmation - kings of low budget animation - however you could make that same argument about many sets on TOS) but the stories are on a par with many of TOS only being hampered somewhat by the half-hour format. There *are* a few reworked episode type moments, but overall I'm glad I revisited it and consider it to be a worthy addition.

I can see that inclusion. It *is* a very good/clever recut/reworking of The Cage to allow it be included in the airings and not be discarded. However, I prefer the uncut The Cage over The Menagerie. That episode demonstrates how similar TNG is to the original concept as far as bridge crew is concerned. Mainly the inclusion of a "#1" on the bridge. I first saw The Cage in college when Roddenberry would go around doing lectures/talks about Star Trek. A highlight of the lecture was the showing of The Cage.

It always amazes me how much social commentary in TOS remains topical even today.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I don't see why not. Since it was originally from TV(or in this case I'd say it's close enough), I'd call it good.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Resuming Mad Men season 3. Wasn't sure where I'd left off, but my list from the historical challenge spelled it out very clearly. :up:

Jonesing for some Trek after this conversation. I never got to the last two seasons of DS9, though I finished Voyager. Only seen a couple episodes of Enterprise from the Collective editions, and have watched TNG very sporadically. Have seen all or nearly all TOS and TAS.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Another question of eligibility.

I have a western series called "Six-Gun Heroes" in which a B-western is cut to under an hour and bookended with openings and closings with onetime B-western star Sunset Carson. He intros the film and provides some background info before it begins. The series ran on PBS stations years ago. The main content is a feature film originally shown in theaters, but the adding of a title sequence and opening intro makes it a TV show, kind of like "Matinee at the Bijou," another long-gone PBS show, which compiled films, cartoons, shorts and serial chapters to recreate...a once-upon-a-time Matinee at the Bijou.

I'm assuming that "Matinee at the Bijou" is eligible, but is "Six-Gun Heroes" also eligible?

Thanks.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

If it's some sort of version that aired on TV, then it would count. If it's just something with an intro but never aired on TV it wouldn't count. Does that help?

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Yes, thank you.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

for the 'Stunt Guest Star', would Donald Pleasance count on 'The Fugitive'?

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I would say so.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

As I expected I'm not feeling super-motivated to keep an episode-by-episode list going throughout the month, so I'll probably just list the seasons as I watch them and then figure out a final tally of entries based on the number of episodes. Is that an acceptable means of keeping track or should I break down and list the episodes as I watch them?

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

That works for me.

I don't keep track as I watch them. When I find some time I just copy/paste episode titles from wikipedia.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

my father and brother were big trekkies growing up. I never sat down and ever watched an episode as I would be a traitor to myself for all those times i made fun of them. however with all this talk i watched the pilot episode of the original series (man trap?) and wow i really enjoyed it and will def check out a couple more episodes for the challenge. are they all like weekly stories? that i can skip to the better ones? or should i watch them in order? I'm not big into sci fi, but i love cheesy horror so i think that's why I enjoyed it so much so I'm not sure how I would do with the later series.

Justified - While wanting to explore new series I read up about this one so i picked up s1 and s2 at bestbuy. FX shows are usually hit or miss for me as i loved the shield, sons of anarchy, and well now this, but couldnt get into damages, rescue me, or nip tuck. This series im enjoying, but is not what i had expected. im 8 episodes in and now it finally seems to have hit its stride so ill prolly finish up the series this weekend.

Breaking Bad - finally watched s1 last month, but held off for s2 and s3 for the challenge. and really am drawn into the relationships so far and for once while some is predictable i really have no clue where s3 is gonna go. I will say s2 ended in a wtf was that moment, but the fact the rest of the season was superb makes up for it.

Nikita - while the weakest of the group, but only because its in such great company is actually a fun little action show. while i dont have the desire to binge on this series like the others it offers a good break when i need something different and as long as it keeps up its current pace (im on ep 5) ill continue the season.

not sure where im heading to after i finish breaking bad and justified up. I wanna check out mad men and re watch Game of Thrones. I also have a big baglog of seasons sets iv picked up heap over the years that i need to finish. Lost s5/6, Tru Blood 1-3, Dexter, and Battlestar Galactica.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

In The Original Series there isn't a whole lot of continuity so feel free to skip around or at least start with the better episodes. I skipped two of my favorite episodes yesterday because I was forced to do my viewing on my computer instead of my TV (it's awfully inconvenient to have one's furnace die int he winter especially when you live in the midwest). The episodes I watched weren't bad but they weren't good, they were just ok. I'm looking forward to "Amok Time" and "Mirror, Mirror" today.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I must admit that this has been the easiest and less stressful challenge out of all the others I've done. One thing that kills me in other challenges is finishing a movie and then taking a longer than anticipated break by watching TV or doing something else.

The last few days we've been watching a disc of Land of the Lost at night before the kids go to bed. We can squeeze in 5 episodes a night and then after they go to bed I switch to the Elizabeth R mini-series until my wife comes home. Then we catch up on some older stuff she missed when she was out of the country.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Congratulations! Have you "eaten crow" and told your father and brother they were right... :)

The *true* pilot is The Cage which NBC rejected calling it "too cerebral". It was turned into a 2 parter which aired in S1 as The Menagerie so as not to lose the expensive production and footage. The "pilot" for the revamped series was Where No Man has Gone Before which was more action packed and sold the series to NBC. It aired as episode #3. The Man Trap was production #6 and aired as the public "pilot". It's somewhat surprising that The Man Trap was the first to be broadcast as it's not quite as good as Where No Man has Gone Before. But "not quite as good" is somewhat subjective as the first season contains more than its fair share of excellent episodes. There *are* a few sub-par episodes with Miri, The Conscience of the King, and The Alternatie Factor being the worst. I'd call all the others in S1 good to excellent.
With the exception of The Menagarie, which is a 2 parter, the rest of the series consists of fairly well stand alone stories with little of a "continuing story" episode to episode. There *is* character development as the series progresses but you can easily skip around without becoming lost. The main difference you would notice is more comfort/familiarity among the primary cast as the series progressed with the triumverate of Kirk/Spock/McCoy being better developed. However, you'll not see as much "cheesy horror" in other episodes as with The Man Trap. You'll have to be content with the cheesyness of Shatner's somewhat over-the-top portrayal of Kirk. So, yes, feel free to "cherry pick" the better episodes in just about any order you wish.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I watched Community S1 over the past couple of days. This was a blind buy last year and I wasn't sure just what to expect. I rarely watch "broadcast" TV these days preferring to just purchase series I like and will regularly blind buy S1 of a series if it sounds promising and the price is "right". This one sounded interesting and had Chevy Chase as a cast member so I thought it'd be worth taking a chance. I found that it's a very funny mash up of standard ensemble style sit-com, documentary style show, and parody. I expected Chevy Chase to dominate the proceedings but was pleasantly surprised that he doesn't and takes mostly a back seat to the other cast members. He did one of his SNL type falls in an episode but it worked very well within the context. Almost a parody of himself. It's quite quirky and seems to push itself to be more and more "out there" as it progresses but never goes too far frequently riding a fine line between normal and absurd. I enjoyed it so much I went out today and picked up S2 (on sale this week at Target).

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

no i didnt have to my dd was already to pounce on me the next morning as he saw star trek in my recently watched section of netflix. I dont know how much ill get thru as i have alot on my plate but will def look at some of the ones mentioned in this thread.


just finished s1 of jusified and the finale bulletville couldn't be better named. the show def hit its stride around episode 8 or so and never let up. cant wait until i boot up s2.

gonna try and knock out breaking bad s3 and justified s2 this weekend then move onto game of thrones and tru blood.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Had an off day and watched various things I've been wanting to watch.

A friend and I have been watching Battlestar Galactica over the past month or so, but it's tough to get together. So I'll sporadically be watching eps of that (I've already seen it, but he hasn't).

My copy of Justified S2 has been shipped and I'll be watching it soon as well. Can't wait!

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Thanks for the tip. I recorded four eps. yesterday, including one I remember that featured Howard Duff as traveling journalist Samuel Clemens.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I've jumped in to the challenge. I made an adjustment to my checklist because cable channels aren't really networks. They're specialty channels with no localized afiliates. I live in Canada, so I added our two major networks...although I doubt I'll watch any of those shows.

I have lots I'm attempting to get through and more time this month than usual since I'm off work until February. Fun challenge. Not numbering mine though. That system ain't pretty.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I was reading he finally realized he wasn't getting any work because he realized he was a complete and utter ass and burned tons of bridges, so now he's starting up slow again and trying not to do that again.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

I have to look it up when I get home but I get some channel that's mostly shows related to cattle ranchers but they air The Roy Rogers Show on Thursdays.

True. I should reword that better. I was in an early morning rush to get some sort of checklist out.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Sounds like it might be RFD TV?

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

That's it.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Moving right along with Star Trek. "The Trouble with Tribbles" is such a hilarious episode. It took all of my willpower not to hop to the DS9 "sequel" to this episode. "Journal to Babel" is also a great episode and we get to see Mark Lenard again. I was also wondering why The Next Generation never did an episode in the mirror universe? "Mirror, Mirror" was an awesome episode and I'm glad DS9 ran with it and Enterprise jumped on that bandwagon too but it would have been very interesting to see Picard et. al. in that universe.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

^TNG seemed to be too busy with the Borg, Holodeck, and "Q" to worry about other storylines...

I know I'm in the minority but the Borg just don't do anything for me. I absolutely *hated* when 6 of 9 joined Voyager. At least they didn't get as bogged down with Borg stories as did TNG. It seemed that every time I'd catch a TNG episode it would be about the Borg, a lame holodeck story that had nothing to do with Star Trek other than it happened on the holodeck, a Wesley Crusher saves the day episode, or "Q" messes with everyone for no good reason other than boredom and just goes away at the end. Granted, TOS has several episodes with "Q"-like beings, but I tend to dislike those stories as well for the same reason.

From the episodes of TNG I've seen I got the impression the writers frequently hit a wall and someone would say: "Hey! I have a story I wrote for (fill in the blank for almost any drama/adventure program) that would work on the holodeck! We just have to write the wrap-arounds and change character names!" or "We haven't used the Borg in 4-5 episodes. What can we do with them?" or "Wesley hasn't done anything lately - how about if he saves the day *again*?". I'll admit that may be a bit harsh and unfair as I did *not* watch this series regularly after Season 1 (you can primarily blame the Wesley Crusher character with Riker coming in a close second). It just felt that way when I'd catch the random episode while channel hopping.

Now... I really need to drill through these half-hour blind-buy comedy series I've somewhat committed to watching first and get to Enterprise S3 & S4! Your journey through TOS also has me itching to watch a few of those episodes too! I also need to finish watching The Greatest American Hero (about half way through S3) and move forward with Wanted: Dead or Alive S2 and Rawhide S1. I could do this challenge year 'round! :D

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Last night I was in my local FYE and bought two box sets of TV westerns, one legit and one p.d.

TOP TV WESTERNS: The Virginian (3 eps.)/Wagon Train (4 eps.)/Laredo (5 eps.)/Laramie (5 eps.) Timeless Media Group/NBC Universal ($19.99)

ULTIMATE WESTERNS: Television Classics 150 Episodes/Mill Creek ($19.99)

When I got home, of course, I looked them up on Amazon and saw they were $8 cheaper there.

In any event, it’s quite a treasure trove of TV westerns, with 167 episodes total. The second set has 28 different series, some represented by 12 episodes, some by only 1, most somewhere in between. Some are series I saw on TV as a kid, some are series I’ve seen more recently, while 13 are series I’ve never seen before. Most are from the 1950s, the glory days of TV westerns. I’ve already watched seven episodes since last night (all are up on my list in thread #27 in the list thread). As you’d expect from a Mill Creek set, some are in excellent condition, some are in poor condition and most are in between. I was surprised how good the color prints in the Cisco Kid series are, as well as the one color Lone Ranger episode included. “The Cisco Kid” (1950) was the first TV western to be filmed in color and, for all I know, may have been the first TV series ever to have been filmed in color. “The Lone Ranger” started out in b&w, but switched to color after a few seasons, which makes it probably the second TV western series to be filmed in color. (I think “Bonanza” would be the third.)

What strikes me as I watch the older wave of western series is how much action they have in them, as opposed to the later, network/studio TV westerns such as “Wagon Train,” “Bonanza,” “Gunsmoke,” and “The Virginian,” which tended to focus more on drama than action. The reason for this is that the first western series for TV were produced by the same personnel who’d been churning out B-westerns for two-to-three decades before TV ended the reign of B-westerns. These people knew how to turn them out fast, cheap, and full of action, so they just switched gears and made them faster, cheaper and shorter for the new medium. They’re filled with fistfights, chases on horseback and the inevitable shootouts in the rocks.

When the later wave of TV westerns came along, they were made by younger people who learned their trade in television dramas and were less interested in action. So you get all kinds of social undercurrents in the western dramas of the late ‘50s and ‘60s. Plus, these new “prestige” westerns had higher production values and big name guest stars (Bette Davis, anyone?), so the earlier series, which were still popular in syndication, began to look cheaper and shoddier to the family audience of the era, when compared with “Bonanza” and such. At some point in the 1950s, there was also a backlash against TV violence, with the earlier action-packed TV westerns taking a particular hit.

Anyway, it’s fun to be able to plunge into the past like this.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Got a friend coming over who wants to see some Japanese sci fi, so tonight along with my Wild Kingdom sets that I am working on going through, I'm going to show him a few episodes of my Super Robot Red Baron set as well.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

If this site (The Classic TV Archive) is accurate there were several TV programs apparently filmed in color before Bonanza became the first western broadcast in color. They are:

The Gene Autry Show (Melody Ranch) - 1950-55, 91 episodes x 30 min (78bw/13color)
The Cisco Kid - 1951-55, 156 episodes x 30 min color (The first tv series to be filmed in color)
The Lone Ranger - 1949-57, 221 episodes x 30 min (final 39 color)
Wild Bill Hickok - 1951-54, 113 episodes x 30 min (74 bw /39 color)
Judge Roy Bean - 1955, 39 episode x 30 min color
Northwest Passage - 1957-58, 26 episodes x 30 min color

The only ones of that list I've ever seen are The Lone Ranger (grew up on that one) and The Cisco Kid (picked up a MC set several years ago). I know I've seen some Gene Autry stuff but really don't know if it was TV shows or the serials he did. Until you mentioned it I'd not really noticed the reduction in action sequences as the genre matured. I think you're "spot on" with why. I just knew I tend to like the earlier stuff better and always thought it was simply due to the years in which I was mainly watching those programs. The Lone Ranger was a staple when I was young but I also remember watching and liking episodes of Wanted - Dead or Alive, Have Gun - Will Travel, The Rifleman, The Roy Rogers Show, and occasionally Rawhide.

There are others for which I have vague recollections of watching an episode here and there but nothing I, or my family, watched on a regular basis. Quite a few "classics" came on when we were at church or during times I would typically be outside playing. Even then, my parents and sister are not big western fans so I'd have to watch whatever they wanted most nights since we only had one TV until I turned 13 (when dad and I built our first color TV - a HeathKit model). Of course, I liked most of the same comedy shows my sister liked so that was some consolation. :)

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Thanks for this info. There are six eps. of "Judge Roy Bean" in the box set I bought and they're listed as being in color. (Didn't catch that before I did my post.) I never knew that eps. of "The Gene Autry Show" and "Wild Bill Hickok" had been filmed in color. I'd love to see those. I'm glad there are more than I thought. There are some eps. of "Sergeant Preston of the Yukon" in the set and those are in color, but the prints are so bad, they look like they were smeared with mud. That's a series I remember liking a lot as a kid, although, alas, I only saw these series in black-and-white even when they were broadcast in color. We never had a color set growing up. Only when I moved out on my own in the later '70s did I get a color set for myself. It was only then that I realized that some seasons of the original "Superman" were in color.

I've seen episodes of "Northwest Passage" and they were in color but I never thought of it as a western since it's about the French and Indian War. I remember one episode where the heroes take care of some orphans they find in a bombed-out building. Well, the street set used for the filming was from a WWII movie that had been set in Germany or something and looked nothing like any of the cities in 1760s America.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Might I also suggest 50 Episodes of Gun Justice featuring The Lone Ranger?
http://www.amazon.com/Gun-Justice-Fe...5990369&sr=8-1

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

New question, totally unrelated to westerns. I took a break from horses and gunplay today to watch a four-and-a-half-hour music special that ran on Japanese TV on New Year's Eve. It's on two discs. How do I count it?

1) four separate entries, one for each hour?

2) two separate entries, one for each disc?

3) one single entry, since it's one show?

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

If it was just one long four-and-a-half-hour music special, it'd count just as a long show. Follow the guide in the rules for figuring out how much something is worth.

You're looking at an hour with commercials as being 1 entry. If there's no commercials, 1 entry is about 45 minutes of show. So if it was 4.5 hours without commercials, you're looking at it being worth around 6 entries. If you wanted to break it down into more sections, that's fine too.

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

Mister Peepers, were you sitting on this season's Amazing Race just to save it for the challenge? :)

Re: January 2012 TV on DVD* Challenge Discussion Thread
 

While making my way through Moral Orel for the challenge I was browsing online for information about the show as well as the new season of Mary Shelley's Frankenhole and stumbled upon this:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/edy0cF_hM2M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Not sure how I missed it, but that little teaser has me pretty excited for some new Moral Orel. It's such a great show, canceled way before its time.