Yes, I have too much stuff, still. I just now found this Fall 2004 issue of TV Guide. I used to save all issues of TV Guide, going back into the 1970s. But they took up much room. I remember dumping them in the trash at some point (back before there was recycling available). There was only one regret: I'd saved the issue that had the article on the Pakuni language, from when it first came out. I must have pitched that one, when I wanted to save it.
I still kept the Fall Preview issues. At one point more recently, I got rid of them on eBay. Turns out they were near worthless. One thing I remember going through them: there were many years when ALL of the hyped new shows of the fall turned out to be duds that I'd never watched and never heard of after their 3 or 4 episodes aired before cancellation. Are there any fans of "Legwork" out there? I didn't think so. Or how about "Coupling", which was one of the shows in a strange back-and-forth imitation volley that involved US and UK producers making version of each others' "Friends'" ripoffs.
One exception I remember was 1982. Unlike other years, it had a bunch of hit shows debut. Shat happening in a big way in the 1980s with "T. J. Hooker"? Of course everyone remembers that. "Cagney and Lacey"? That too. "Family Ties" with Michael J. Fox? "Knightrider"? "Silver Spoons" with Ricky Schroeder? Steele... "Remington Steele"? That too. Lots of shows that lived on. Even one that was not expected to last, and barely got a mention: "Cheers". That also debuted in 1982.
I thought I'd gotten rid of all of the TV Guide Fall Preview issues, but tonight I found this one with Heather Locklear on the cover, from 2004. I expected the pages of 102 new shows to be solid 102 pages of flops.
I was wrong. There were some huge hit shows that came out in 2004, after all. Such as "Lost". I wasn't the only one who shrugged it off when I first heard about it, thinking it was yet another reality show. The fairly brief description begins: "In this game of Survivor, everyone wants off the island.". The review, though, is very positive: ""Lost" is a real find. If viewers discover it, they'll want to come back."
"Desperate Housewives" also debuted in the fall of 2004. I never got into this one, but I know it was real popular. Does anyone else remember how much ABC was the "Oh, is that thing still on? network in the 00's prior to these shows? Remember how they showed "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" several times a week, along with multiple showings of "Whose Line Is it Anyway", but beyond that not much really? "Lost" and "Desparate Housewives" helped turn ABC into a real network again."House". There's another huge hit show. I remember "Becker" was kind of a big deal back then, and perhaps the obnoxious doctor comedy helped inspire this still-enduring obnoxios-doctor drama on "Fox". The Fox network, which still to this day refuses to have a full prime-time schedule, has always been shaky at times, and "House" gives it strength.
"CSI: NY" The third and perhaps final installment of the CSI franchise has always been shakier in the ratings than the other ones. but it is a well known and very successful show.
"Boston Legal". Shat happened again. This time with James Spader of the "Stargate" movie along for the ride, too. I'm pretty sure this "Gate meets Trek" instance was before the "Star Trek" stars started showing up a lot in "Stargate" TV shows.
As would be expected, most of the other shows are forgotten flops. including these:
"The Billionaire". One of the few reality shows I've watched. This one was a takeoff on Donald Trump's "Apprentice", only with British "Virgin" mogul Richard Branson. I quite liked it, actually. Except for the ending, in which he chose entirely the wrong person, which kind of ruined the episodes before it..Not many Americans know who Branson is.
"Father of the Pride". At least this one was creative. Does anyone remember this digital cartoon about Seigfriend and Roy's white lions? It was kind of like "Madagascar", but with dirty jokes.
"Listen Up" One of the many invocations of the Seinfeld Curse, this one with Jason Alexander.
"Kevin Hill" with Taye Diggs. No, I do not remember this one at all. But I do remember his Groundhog Day-like thriller TV show "Day Break"
Any memories of these shows, or good/bad years for TV?
7 comments:
You have the best stuff!
I remember when they tried to do Coupling here. I like the British version, but it didn't translate. On the other hand, I enjoy both versions of The Office.
Just about every show you mentioned here rang some sort of bell, big or small.
Love it!!! Actually I think the only thing I really miss and re-runs aren't the same is "Knots Landing!" This post brought back many memories!
Thanks for those memories. Loved the trip.
I've only collected the Star Trek themed covers. I don't delude myself into thinking they're actually worth any money and
lately, I've been questioning why I ever kept them in the first place. What was I thinking?
Some people watch anything.
A geek friend and I used to
always catch 'Bullwinkle' between P-Chem and radiation biology labs.
I guess that predates the seventies a bit, though.
Dmarks: I loved Remington Steele. Do you remember Moonlighting? And wasn't Dynasty from the 80's? The Colby's was a spin-off (and I believe a flop) from that. Barbara Stanwyck played in that, I loved her. She was in my favortie TV show from the 60's, The Big Valley. (Sorry I'm getting off track.) I watch Desperate Housewives. Tried watching Lost but I got too lost.
Pretty cool that you had all those TV Guides and could go through them again. I'm surprised you didn't get a good price on Ebay though.
Pamela: I only chose to feature shows that debuted in the fall of 1982. This leaves out midseason replacements, and the rest of the 1980s shows.
I remember the Colby's, and the spoofs in places like Mad Magazine that had other families named after other cheeses.
Moonlighting? Yes. Bruce Willis with hair! I think the bald look suits him more.
BB: Images of a radioactrive moose come to mind.
Cube: I did get rid of my Star Trek covered TV Guides on eBay, but not for much.
Tera: I got into "Dallas", but not its spinoff "Knots Landing". But it seems the rest of my family did get into it.
Laura: I tried the US Office, could not get into it. I suppose I can try the UK one!
The English "Coupling" is really very funny. Never gave the US one a chance.
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