George Burns and Gracie Allen show- A show way ahead of it's time
#1
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George Burns and Gracie Allen show- A show way ahead of it's time
I have not had a chance to watch the Classic series since TV Land took it off the air which is now is a complete mess and disservice to classic TV. I was able to go to a website and purchase a package of 125 episodes of the 8 season run show which were run from CBN and WOR-NY back in the late 70's-early 80's.(Remember when there were networks that had classic TV and were not CW, UPN clones of each other?)
I have not laughed as hard with any sitcom that I have seen in the past or present. This show is a golden gem and deserves to be put back on a national network again- (TV Land does not count as a classic network anymore.- I know ME-TV in Chicago shows the show- but what about nationally?)
In watching the episodes I noticed the timing, acting, punch lines, the delivery between George and Gracie and any interaction with Gracie and the other actors is priceless. It amazes me of what she says she keeps a straight face and the other actors play along so well.
This show is a true classic, Not out dated, Often imitated but never duplicated.
Due the Son's recent passing I don't know if that holds the rights up for grabs or not.
May be Columbia will wise up and get it released on DVD in box sets or get it back in national syndication and get a whole other generation know what true comedy is.
I have not laughed as hard with any sitcom that I have seen in the past or present. This show is a golden gem and deserves to be put back on a national network again- (TV Land does not count as a classic network anymore.- I know ME-TV in Chicago shows the show- but what about nationally?)
In watching the episodes I noticed the timing, acting, punch lines, the delivery between George and Gracie and any interaction with Gracie and the other actors is priceless. It amazes me of what she says she keeps a straight face and the other actors play along so well.
This show is a true classic, Not out dated, Often imitated but never duplicated.
Due the Son's recent passing I don't know if that holds the rights up for grabs or not.
May be Columbia will wise up and get it released on DVD in box sets or get it back in national syndication and get a whole other generation know what true comedy is.
#2
They had a 5-disc Burns & Allen comp. at Family Video a few days ago as their "steal of the day". I almost bought it, but I've been spending WAY too much $$$.
I love standup and the stuff I've seen (though very little) seemed to be pretty good. Maybe next time. I think I have some stuff I bought at the dollar store that I may dig up and watch. Thanks for the reminder!
I love standup and the stuff I've seen (though very little) seemed to be pretty good. Maybe next time. I think I have some stuff I bought at the dollar store that I may dig up and watch. Thanks for the reminder!
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by E. Honda
Was this show shot on film, or kinescoped? The surviving episodes might not be high enough quality for broadcast.
I believe the majority were filmed as this show is running weekly on Chicago's channel 23 (WWME-TV). and was part of CBN's and WOR-9 in NY during the late 70's/early 80's- So there is no reason why this can't be run in national syndication
#6
DVD Talk Legend
I don't see what makes this show "way ahead of it's time."
To me, the term "ahead of its time" indicates that the show was innovative in some way, but unappreciated when it first aired, only to find a new audience later on when the rest of television has "caught up" to it.
The titular show in this thread was not particularly innovative and, judging from the number of seasons, was popular from day one. If it's still entertaining now, that makes it "timeless," not "ahead of its time."
To me, the term "ahead of its time" indicates that the show was innovative in some way, but unappreciated when it first aired, only to find a new audience later on when the rest of television has "caught up" to it.
The titular show in this thread was not particularly innovative and, judging from the number of seasons, was popular from day one. If it's still entertaining now, that makes it "timeless," not "ahead of its time."
#7
Originally Posted by Jay G.
I don't see what makes this show "way ahead of it's time."
To me, the term "ahead of its time" indicates that the show was innovative in some way, but unappreciated when it first aired, only to find a new audience later on when the rest of television has "caught up" to it.
The titular show in this thread was not particularly innovative and, judging from the number of seasons, was popular from day one. If it's still entertaining now, that makes it "timeless," not "ahead of its time."
To me, the term "ahead of its time" indicates that the show was innovative in some way, but unappreciated when it first aired, only to find a new audience later on when the rest of television has "caught up" to it.
The titular show in this thread was not particularly innovative and, judging from the number of seasons, was popular from day one. If it's still entertaining now, that makes it "timeless," not "ahead of its time."
Many of these types of narrative tricks were proclaimed as innovative when Garry Shandling used them thirty-some years later on "It's Garry Shandling's Show". This was meta-TV in a very straight-forward time.
This was also one of the first shows to have entertainers play fictionalized versions of themselves. You don't have to squint too hard to see the connection between "Burns and Allen" and "Seinfeld" or Shandling's other show, "The Larry Sanders Show".
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Having Bill Goodwin drop by the Burns residence and suddenly break into a sales pitch for Carnation evaporated milk was also ahead of its time. It interrupted the story, and George was usually right there to make fun of what Bill was doing, but Carnation still got its message across very effectively. I bet some highly paid "innovative" ad agency will soon pitch the idea of using such integrated advertisements to the networks.
#9
DVD Talk Gold Edition
I agree that the show was ahead of it's time in continuously breaking the 4th wall, but having commercials as part of the show and developing fictionalized versions of the host are throwbacks from radio. Jack Benny, for instance, also had commercials pop up during the show (without a commercial break) and also created a fictionalized persona for himself (the skinflint) as well as the supporting characters on the show (his wife, Mary Livingston, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Dennis Day, Don Wilson, etc.).
Dana Carvey had a short-lived variety show on ABC a few years back where he experimented with Taco Bell commercials being part of the show. It didn't really work (but then again neither did anything else about the show).
Dana Carvey had a short-lived variety show on ABC a few years back where he experimented with Taco Bell commercials being part of the show. It didn't really work (but then again neither did anything else about the show).
#10
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It's funny Jack Benny was mentioned in this thread. I saw a few episodes of his show on the Canadian version of TV Land (which I think also had the George and Gracie show) and was surprised neither was on the US equivalent of the same channel.
I thought the joke of that show was Jack was as frugal in real life and just took it to hyperbole on the show (the eppy I saw had Rochester perform an appendectomy on him because Jack Benny was too cheap to pay an actual surgeon).
Another timeless show which doesn't seem to get any airing (and I believe was ranked as #1 in the UK) is Sergeant Bilko. I think it's time for me to order some of these shows via Netflix due to lack of any airings in the US.
I thought the joke of that show was Jack was as frugal in real life and just took it to hyperbole on the show (the eppy I saw had Rochester perform an appendectomy on him because Jack Benny was too cheap to pay an actual surgeon).
Another timeless show which doesn't seem to get any airing (and I believe was ranked as #1 in the UK) is Sergeant Bilko. I think it's time for me to order some of these shows via Netflix due to lack of any airings in the US.
#11
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It should be pointed this this series should NOT be judged based on the handful of PD releases on the market; they are mostly poor quality kinescopes from the series very early days when it was done live and they were still getting used to TV; the shows aren't nearly as good as the later filmed episodes were.
For the most part, the filmed shows were hilarious. I became a big fan from those CBN airings back in the 80s.
For the most part, the filmed shows were hilarious. I became a big fan from those CBN airings back in the 80s.
#12
DVD Talk God
Originally Posted by BlueCC
I love the old time radio show. However, I have been hesitant to buy any DVDs of the tv show because there are always a few reviews talking about the terrible quality.
Even though some of the sci-fi stuff was tame and lame by today's standards, they paved the way for The Twilight Zone, etc. as well.
#13
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by filmsoncon
Have you ever seen the show? It was decades ahead of its time. This was one of the first (if not THE first) "self-aware" TV shows.
For example, Blade Runner is a film that was ahead of its time, because it was a flop when it was first released. In contrast, Star Wars was groundbreaking in a lot of ways, but wasn't "ahead of its time," because it was recognized and appreciated instantaneously.
#14
DVD Talk God
Originally Posted by Jay G.
For example, Blade Runner is a film that was ahead of its time, because it was a flop when it was first released. In contrast, Star Wars was groundbreaking in a lot of ways, but wasn't "ahead of its time," because it was recognized and appreciated instantaneously.
#15
DVD Talk Special Edition
I am another big fan of OTR.
On The Jack Benny Program Announcer Don Wilson with the Sportsmen would barge in on Jack do a Lucky Strike Commerical. Usually it was a musical spoof on a popular song. FUNNY!!!
Many Comedy Radio shows had the middle commerical added into the story.
Fibber McGee & Molly in another good example with Annoucer Harlon Wilcox dropping in the the McGee and pitching Johnson Wax.
Quite a bit what people thought were was original on TV was actually done first
on the Radio.
On The Jack Benny Program Announcer Don Wilson with the Sportsmen would barge in on Jack do a Lucky Strike Commerical. Usually it was a musical spoof on a popular song. FUNNY!!!
Many Comedy Radio shows had the middle commerical added into the story.
Fibber McGee & Molly in another good example with Annoucer Harlon Wilcox dropping in the the McGee and pitching Johnson Wax.
Quite a bit what people thought were was original on TV was actually done first
on the Radio.
Last edited by will travel; 01-03-08 at 01:31 AM.
#16
DVD Talk God
Actually, it would be nice if there were a way to add the commercials to the shows now. I'm only thinking that it would help the ratings take DVR into effect. Old people watch crap live, while the cool kids (like me) DVR everything.
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just like jim carrey got from jerry lewis and hawkeye pierce of mash from groucho mark. basically hollywood keeps the same plots and ideas recycled with newer actors for the new generation. I am sure George Burns had to get his stuff from someone.
#18
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by Jay G.
I think too many people in this thread are equating a show that is innovative or groundbreaking with one that is "ahead of its time." To me, a show that is ahead of it's time is one that was pointed unappreciated at the time it did air. Even if Burns and Allen did break new ground in certain aspects of entertainment and storytelling, it was decidedly popular when it first aired.