Classic TV shows being regurgitated

[FredLeonard]

Not to mention that A & T was a TV rarity--a weekly 90-minute series. Here's some excellent background on the show: http://www.classictvhistory.com/EpisodeGuides/arrest_and_trial.html

There were a few 90 minute shows at the time. Network-think figured if a show could hook people for a half hour, it could hook them for a hour. So we had a bunch of hour shows with clearly padded out half hour scripts. Then the suits decided if a show can hook people for an hour, why not an hour and a half. So we had 90 Minute Wagon Train and The Virginian, plus various rotating series in shows like Mystery Movie and Name of the Game.

 

[buster2]

The difference with NBC's Mystery Movie was that with a rotating set of series (McCloud, Columbo, McMillan & Wife, and sometimes Hec Ramsey), a 90 minute show made sense. The producers had time to put together good episodes. I have several of the Columbo DVDs (1970s version) and it's interesting to see the difference in running time. Some go as few as 68 minutes, others almost 90 minutes. Clearly, the Mystery Movie series was sometimes a two-hour affair. In any case, that semi-anthology format worked pretty well, although one could argue the only one of those shows with staying power was Columbo.

 

[Dighton Rockhead]

I'm sure it's just me, but...

I haven't been able to think of "Ironside" seriously ever since those wonderfully silly and funny skits Benny Hill did poking fun at the show so many years ago.

I also agree with one of the previous posters in that "Ironside" only succeeded on the strength of Raymond Burr's personality. Otherwise....standard Universal fare for the time.

 

[BD Sullivan]

Not to mention that A & T was a TV rarity--a weekly 90-minute series. Here's some excellent background on the show: http://www.classictvhistory.com/EpisodeGuides/arrest_and_trial.html

There were a few 90 minute shows at the time. Network-think figured if a show could hook people for a half hour, it could hook them for a hour. So we had a bunch of hour shows with clearly padded out half hour scripts. Then the suits decided if a show can hook people for an hour, why not an hour and a half. So we had 90 Minute Wagon Train and The Virginian, plus various rotating series in shows like Mystery Movie and Name of the Game.

Though Wagon Train only lasted a year in the 90-minute format before returning to the standard 60-minute version.

I noted on another thread how Edith Bunker amusingly contrasted Perry Mason and Robert Ironside in an All in the Family episode. She referenced a Mason episode by saying how Perry jumped up out of his seat to object, then added, "He don't jump up no more."

 

[michael hagerty]

Not to mention that A & T was a TV rarity--a weekly 90-minute series. Here's some excellent background on the show: http://www.classictvhistory.com/EpisodeGuides/arrest_and_trial.html

There were a few 90 minute shows at the time. Network-think figured if a show could hook people for a half hour, it could hook them for a hour. So we had a bunch of hour shows with clearly padded out half hour scripts. Then the suits decided if a show can hook people for an hour, why not an hour and a half. So we had 90 Minute Wagon Train and The Virginian, plus various rotating series in shows like Mystery Movie and Name of the Game.

Remember, too, that on the coasts, primetime in the 60s started at 7:30...right after the nightly news. So there was an odd half-hour to fill. Throwing in a 90-minute show left only 2 hours to fill.

 

[onairb]

Not to mention that A & T was a TV rarity--a weekly 90-minute series. Here's some excellent background on the show: http://www.classictvhistory.com/EpisodeGuides/arrest_and_trial.html

There were a few 90 minute shows at the time. Network-think figured if a show could hook people for a half hour, it could hook them for a hour. So we had a bunch of hour shows with clearly padded out half hour scripts. Then the suits decided if a show can hook people for an hour, why not an hour and a half. So we had 90 Minute Wagon Train and The Virginian, plus various rotating series in shows like Mystery Movie and Name of the Game.

Also the short-lived western, 'Cimmaron Strip'.

 

[ajmcwhorter]

I see NYC listed as a shooting location for RHODA, but I think that was just for the big wedding with Joe.

CAR 54 WHERE ARE YOU was filmed in NYC as was THE EQUALIZER and the DEFENDERS. I believe the first few seasons of SPIN CITY was shot in NYC as well.

 

[BD Sullivan]

I see NYC listed as a shooting location for RHODA, but I think that was just for the big wedding with Joe.

CAR 54 WHERE ARE YOU was filmed in NYC as was THE EQUALIZER and the DEFENDERS. I believe the first few seasons of SPIN CITY was shot in NYC as well.

Car 54's police cars were painted red & white--to avoid causing problems with NYC's actual dark green & white police cars. The viewers never noticed since the show was in B & W.

 

[FredLeonard]

The Cosby Show was shot in Midwood Brooklyn, set in Brooklyn Heights (although the actual row of houses used for exterior shots is in Greenwich Village).

 

[Dighton Rockhead]

I noted on another thread how Edith Bunker amusingly contrasted Perry Mason and Robert Ironside in an All in the Family episode. She referenced a Mason episode by saying how Perry jumped up out of his seat to object, then added, "He don't jump up no more."

This reminds me of another episode of "AITF"...where Archie comes home and catches Edith in front of the TV, in the middle of watching a day-long string of CBS soap operas. The scene continues with Edith complaining of different reception problems the TV set is having during the various CBS sudzers.....with Archie's hilarious reply being that Edith was wearing out the set on the suffering soap operas. ;D

 

[Bill Myers]

How 'bout the Cosby Show remake?
It's been on since Jan 2009.
The set is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.