Go Back  DVD Talk Forum > Entertainment Discussions > TV Talk
Reload this Page >

TV's Weirdest Premises

Community
Search
TV Talk Talk about Shows on TV

TV's Weirdest Premises

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-08-02 | 01:04 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
TV's Weirdest Premises

"We've compiled our picks of 10 of the strangest ones to grace TV..."

http://nbci.gist.com/tv/article.jsp?adf=com040501

Making their list is:

Alf
The Charmings
Cop Rock
The Flying Nun
Herman's Head
Hogan's Heros
I Dream of Jeanie
Jennifer Slept Here
Mister Ed
My Mother The Car

Anyone think they missed some? Perhaps Bewitched, 3rd Rock From The Sun?

Maybe if they did a top 20.
Old 01-08-02 | 01:18 PM
  #2  
das Monkey's Avatar
DVD Talk Hero
 
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 35,879
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
From: Atlanta, GA
Space Ghost: Coast to Coast
TV Funhouse
Beavis and Butt-Head (the original premise)

Hogan's Heroes is an odd choice, since it's really just a cross between Stalag 17 and The Great Escape, the latter being highly successful. Coming off the heels of such programs like The Phil Silvers Show, this premise seems about as perfectly normal as could be imagined. And what a great show too!

The same thing could be said about Mr. Ed. After all the Francis films with Donald O'Connor, this was hardly a novel concept. And another great show!

das
Old 01-08-02 | 01:29 PM
  #3  
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I was surprised they put the Charmings on over some other choices. (Even though I am a huge Charmings fan).

Also, perhaps Buffy (even though there was the movie first).
Space Ghost is good, who would have thought a cartoon character with a talk show hehe.
Old 01-08-02 | 02:14 PM
  #4  
das Monkey's Avatar
DVD Talk Hero
 
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 35,879
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
From: Atlanta, GA
Yeah, I thought about Buffy. I was also thinking maybe Red Dwarf.

das
Old 01-08-02 | 02:18 PM
  #5  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 17,677
Received 79 Likes on 61 Posts
I don't really think Alf is that weird. Different, yes, but weird?

Cop Rock and Herman's Head were the ones that immediately came to my mind.
Old 01-08-02 | 02:25 PM
  #6  
DVD Talk Limited Edition
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,444
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: San Diego
The first two that popped into my head when I saw the title of this thread were My Mother the Car and Jennifer Slept Here, both of which made the list.

I'd also nominate:

My Favorite Martian
Manimal
Early Edition
Fantasy Island
Mork and Mindy
The Addams Family
The Munsters

etc.
Old 01-08-02 | 02:41 PM
  #7  
Canis Firebrand's Avatar
Video Game Talk Reviewer
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 13,856
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Formerly known as "Vryce"/Detroit, Michigan
I missed the show Jennifer Slept Here.

Who was in it? when was it on tv? what was the basic story of the show?
Old 01-08-02 | 02:45 PM
  #8  
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by Vryce
I missed the show Jennifer Slept Here.

Who was in it? when was it on tv? what was the basic story of the show?
First Aired: October 1983
Last Aired: September 1984
Network: NBC

Show Stars
Mya Akerling - Marilyn Elliot
Georgia Engel - Susan Elliot
Ann Jillian - Jennifer Farrell
Brandon Maggart - George Elliot
John P. Navin, Jr. - Joey Elliot
Glenn Scarpelli - Marc

SYNOPSIS

When George Elliot, his wife Susan and their two children moved from New York to Beverly Hills, they had no idea that the palatial new home they had bought was haunted (sound like the movie, "Topper?")

The resident ghost was beautiful and sexy former owner and deceased movie star Jennifer Farrell. Jennifer decided to take 14-year-old Joey Elliot under her wing and help him adjust to the California lifestyle. She also thought he could use some help with girls, especially if he wanted to keep up with his more experienced next-door neighbor, Marc. Joey was the only one who could see Jennifer which meant that he was in the habit of talking to the furniture and this confused and worried his family and friends.

There was the traditional walking through walls and objects floating in midair, but the focus of the show was on Jennifer's relationship with Joey.

Only 13 episodes.
Old 01-08-02 | 02:46 PM
  #9  
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just thought of another. It was short lived on NBC, "Nearly Departed" where this English dude and his wife die, go back to the house, and new people move in. Only Grandpa can see them.
Old 01-08-02 | 03:05 PM
  #10  
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Bay Area, CA
No mention of "The Misfits of Science" or "The Man from Atlantis?"
Old 01-08-02 | 03:09 PM
  #11  
DVD Talk God
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 133,159
Received 898 Likes on 742 Posts
From: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV)
How about 2 David Hasselhoff vehicles:

Baywatch
Knight Rider
Old 01-08-02 | 03:40 PM
  #12  
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 9,924
Received 10 Likes on 9 Posts
From: Washington, DC
How about Whiz Kids (1983-1984):

Richie, Ham, Jeremy and Alice are teenagers living outside Los Angeles.
They are also computer hackers who worked as amateur detectives in
their spare time. Llewellen Farley is a reporter who is a source for the
kids and sometimes asks them for help on stories he is writing. Farley's
brother-in-law is Lieutenant Quinn who also provides the kids with help.

Can you believe they did some dialing into computer systems using a Timex Sinclair?!?!

Or Mr. Merlin (also 1981-1982):

Merlin the Magician is alive and well and living as an auto mechanic in
San Francisco. Upon orders from his voluptuous boss Alexandra, Merlin
attempts to train his teenage employee at the garage, Zac, as his heir
apparent. Most of the show's comedy comes from Zac's inexperience
with his powers and the characters' attempts to keep Merlin's identity a
secret.

There were episodes directed by John Astin and Bill Bixby starring Barnard Hughes as Mr. Merlin.

Ahhhhhhhhh... good times.

I won't even START on any Kroft shows (e.g. Land of the Lost, HR Pufnstuf, The Bugaloos, etc.)
Old 01-08-02 | 04:16 PM
  #13  
DVD Talk Limited Edition
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,818
Received 14 Likes on 10 Posts
From: Des Plaines, IL
The first thing that came to mind, and I'm suprised no one mentioned it yet, but wasn't there a show about Abraham Lincoln's butler? Now that's an odd premise. If anyone can remember the name of this short-lived UPN (or was it WB?) show I'd appreciate it. My brain's constipated.
Old 01-08-02 | 04:37 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 573
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Yeah, Florida
"The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer". The show deserved to be cancelled just judging by the title.

My vote goes to "Whoops!", a late 80's/early 90's FOX comedy about a group of ethnically diverse people trying to make it after WW3. Nothing like a good post-apocalypse sitcom!
Old 01-08-02 | 04:39 PM
  #15  
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,583
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Virginia Beach, VA USA
Automan.

Brothers in Outer Space

Out of this World.


D
Old 01-08-02 | 04:42 PM
  #16  
Bobby Shalom's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Minnesota
Holmes and YoYo

Det. Alexander Holmes has no luck with his partners. They always end up at the hospital or the morgue. But this won't happen to his very new partner "Yoyo": a sophisticated indestructible android...

Richard B. Schull and John Schuck


Struck by Lightning

Science teacher Ted Stein inherits a spooky old New England inn inhabited by its caretaker Frank. Ted learns he is the descendant of the notorious Dr. Frankenstein, and that Frank is in actuality Frankenstein's Monster. Ted decides to hang around the inn to continue his ancestor's experiments, while keeping Frank's identity a secret.

Jack Elam and Jeffrey Kramer
Old 01-08-02 | 06:09 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Maybe Bosom Buddies?
Old 01-08-02 | 07:43 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Georgia
Gilligan's Island (if you think about it)
Old 01-08-02 | 09:04 PM
  #19  
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Seattle
Originally posted by Derrich
Automan.
Wow, someone else that actually remembers the show Automan.

I loved that show.
Old 01-08-02 | 09:14 PM
  #20  
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by palebluedot

Wow, someone else that actually remembers the show Automan.
Alot of these shows I am saying "huh never heard of that one".

Oh well, just makes me go find webpages for 'em.
Old 01-08-02 | 09:21 PM
  #21  
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Seattle
Originally posted by Eternia


Alot of these shows I am saying "huh never heard of that one".

Oh well, just makes me go find webpages for 'em.
It was a cool sci-fi show done by the same guy that did Tron. Only lasted 13 episodes though.


Hey remember Max Headroom?
Old 01-08-02 | 09:23 PM
  #22  
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by palebluedot

Hey remember Max Headroom?
Now that one I remember.

Well, I more remember his "New Coke" ads hehe.
Old 01-08-02 | 09:27 PM
  #23  
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Seattle
Originally posted by Eternia


Now that one I remember.

Well, I more remember his "New Coke" ads hehe.
Old 01-08-02 | 09:54 PM
  #24  
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I liked the Charmings better. Both got canceled though I don't think I really liked his show. Coke ads were funny though "Don't say the P-P-P P word!"
Old 01-09-02 | 09:42 AM
  #25  
DVD Talk Gold Edition
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 0
Received 33 Likes on 16 Posts
From: A secret rebel stronghold in the Republic of San Marcos
Salvage 1?

Junk dealer Andy Griffith builds a rocket ship out of spare parts. Then flies it around the world (and to the moon) is search of rare refuse. It also had the dad from "Silver Spoons" as the pilot.

Where's the DVD, dammit?


Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.