NBC Fall 1984 - Saturdays

Saturday mornings on NBC 25 years ago were not exactly the hey day of kids' TV. Yes, favorites such as SMURFS and ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS were all there, surrounded by new shows like SNORKS, PINK PANTHER & SONS (ugh!), KIDD VIDEO, GOING BANANAS and reruns of shows like MR. T. ans SPIDER-MAN & HIS AMAZING FRIENDS. Nothing much to write home about.At night time, old reliable DIFF'RENT STROKES was back at 8PM, as future DESIGNING WOMEN and UN-WORKOUT star Dixie Carter joined the show as Mr. Drummond's new wife. She had an annoying bowl-cut sporting son played by the unfortunately named Danny Cooksey. NBC dropped the once-hit at the end of this season, with ABC rescuing it and pairing it with WEBSTER for it's final and eighth year.
At 8:30, the incredibly talented Nell Carter was back for a fourth season of the incredibly mediocre GIMME A BREAK. The show sailed along for another three years weathering the death of co-star Dolph Sweet and the addition of Rosie O'Donnell. Child star Joey Lawrence later became quite a hunk.
At 9PM, it was time for PARTNERS IN CRIME. I love Lynda Carter and I like Loni Anderson a lot. Then I should have really liked PARTNERS IN CRIME - shouldn't I have?
This "high concept" mystery series told the story of Carole (Lynda) and Sydney (Loni), who had nothing in common but an ex-husband! Carole is a former society matron, who is now flat-broke and trying to make a go at it as a photographer. Sydney is a con-man's daughter, a thief and she also plays the bass! When their shared ex is murdered, he wills his private investigation agency to them both! Of course after they solve his murder, they decided to become private eyes together. What a wacky idea for a TV series - TWO fishes out of water and one Odd Couple! I remember being excited when this show was announced (I must have been high) - and then being embarrassed about watching it. Luckily the curvaceous co-stars escaped this mess to do better work. Lynda went on to great small roles in films like SUPER TROOPER and SKY HIGH and, er Loni resurfaced in continuing rolls on shows like NURSES, THE MULLETS and SO NOTORIOUS , but I'll always treasure her for starring in THE JAYNE MANSFIELD STORY.
At 10PM, came HOT PURSUIT, the tale Jim (Eric Pierpoint) and Kate Wyler (Kerrie Keane), an upper-middle class couple that gets in over their head when Kate is framed for murdering her boss and sentenced to prison. Turns out, the grieving widow (the fabulous Dina Merrill) orchestrated the murder using a look-a-like for Kate! Jim and Kate then go on the lam to bring the widow Estelle to justice. This FUGITIVE-like series was fun to watch, but never made it through the season. Tomorrow: Sundays and Specials!

NBC Fall 1984 - Fridays

Friday nights on NBC in 1984 was an action-packed triple play. The night started off with V - the weekly series based on the monster hit four-hour 1983 miniseries and its successful six-hour 1984 sequel V: THE FINAL BATTLE.V, the series, wasn't nearly as successful. I loved the first miniseries and the sequel, but the mix of sci-fi and soap opera just never seemed to gel. The coolest part of the original story was that when the Nazi-like aliens (Visitors) first arrived they seeked friendship, and then were slowly revealed to be evil lizards! Once that reveal happened, it just became humans vs. lizards week after week and audience quickly abandoned the show. That notwithstanding, ABC is reviving the series this season - yes V returns to the airwaves weekly on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. The 1984 series only lasted 19 episodes.
At 9PM, HUNTER, TV's answer to DIRTY HARRY, premiered and ran for 7 seasons, mercifully ending in 1991. Fred Dryer reprised the role in three TV-movies (1991, 2002 and 2003). An eighth season of HUNTER was then launched in 2003, but cancelled after only 3 episodes had aired.
At 10PM, it was time for "MTV Cops" also known as MIAMI VICE, the show that took network TV by storm. This was highly stylized weekly TV series that looked and sounded more like a feature film than anything on TV at the time. The show starred Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas as Crockett and Tubbs, two Florida detectives working undercover in Miami. It ran for five seasons, from 1984–1989 and elevated reliable TV actor Don Johnson and his 5'o clock shadow to sex symbol status. "Sugar Walls" singer Sheena Easton joined the cast for the 1987-1988 season. Producer Michael Mann revisited detectives Crockett and Tubbs in 2006 with a feature film version of MIAMI VICE starring Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell. I have never seen it, though my friend, director David Kittredge maintains that it is an excellent piece of film making. Tomorrow: Saturdays.

The Guiding Light 1952-2009

While I was never a regular viewer of CBS's GUIDING LIGHT, I know what it like to see a show that you've watched for most of your life suddenly vanish. When ANOTHER WORLD ended ten years ago, it was like a family member had gone missing. GUIDING LIGHT started as a radio drama in January 1937 and subsequently transferred to television in June 1952. The show has been heard or seen nearly every weekday since it started, making it the longest story ever told. Daytime soaps are a dying breed. Since AW's demise we've also said goodbye to PORT CHARLES and PASSIONS. Now with GL, CBS will have three soaps: YOUNG & THE RESTLESS, BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL and AS THE WORLD TURNS. ABC still broadcasts ALL MY CHILDREN, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and GENERAL HOSPITAL. NBC has only DAYS OF OUR LIVES. I wonder which will be the next one to go.

NBC Fall 1984 - Thursdays

Thursdays on NBC in 1984 were the start of "Must See TV". After attempting lower quality (but still entertaining) fare like GIMME A BREAK, MAMA'S FAMILY and WE GOT IT MADE, the proud peacock network wiped the slate clean with a little something called THE COSBY SHOW.Bill Cosby already had two previous NBC series (I SPY in 1965 and THE BILL COSBY SHOW in 1969), so expectations were not that high despite Bill's prediction that he would "save NBC". Turned out he was right - the show became the biggest hit of the decade (ranking #1 for 5 straight seasons) and led NBC to unexpected ratings glory. The trailblazing show also can also be noted for ushering in two waves of programming trends that continue today: sitcoms about African-American families (though Norman Lear's 70's shows created the genre) and shows built around stand-up comics. The Huxtables appealled to a wide audience and set the standard for which all new family sitcoms are measured. I was a loyal viewer for the first few years, until around the time the lackluster spin-off A DIFFERENT WORLD appeared in 1987.8:30 belonged FAMILY TIES, which premiered in 1982 as a modest hit, but became a ratings powerhouse in the post-COSBY slot. TIES spent the next three seasons in the top ten, until NBC shuttled the Keatons off to Sunday for its final two years. The show made a star out of Michael J. Fox and launched a cute spinoff called DAY BY DAY. It's "liberal vs. conservative" theme was a throwback to ALL IN THE FAMILY, though this time was set in an educated upper middle class household. It was a well written and performed show that I enjoyed tremendously.CHEERS followed at 9PM. This series also began in 1982 and was on the verge of cancellation from the very beginning. This season, thanks in part to COSBY, is when the show really took off. It finally crcaked the Top Ten in 1985-86, where it stayed until the bar closed its doors in 1993. Ted Danson starred as ex-baseball player Sam Malone who ran a Boston sports bar named Cheers. Regular customers were likable accountant Norm (George Wendt) and know-it-all postal worker Cliff (John Ratzenberger). The bar staff was Sam, Coach and waitresses prissy Diane (Shelley Long) and sassy Carla (Rhea Perlman). Cast changes began when newcomer Woody Harrelson replaced the late Nicholas Colasanto ("Coach") in 1985. Kelsey Grammer's Frasier Crane join the gang in 1984 and Shelly Long left the show in 1987 to be replaced by Kirstie Alley as tough Rebecca. The show spun-off Carla's ex Nick in THE TORTELLIS (1987) and FRASIER (1993-2004). The show is a classic and a textbook example of how to do a great ensemble comedy in the tradition of MARY TYLER MOORE. Elements of CHEERS can be found in other successful NBC shows that followed, such as SEINFELD, FRIENDS and THE OFFICE.
At 9:30, NIGHT COURT filled the highly coveted post-CHEERS slot. This BARNEY MILLER-esque schtickcom had an ever-revolving cast during its nine long seasons. While highly watchable, it's not considered a classic by any means. The show made the Top Ten for two seasons (1986-88) before NBC decided to move it around the schedule. During it's run, the show aired in 14 different time slots.Topping off the night at 10PM was HILL STREET BLUES, the jewel in NBC's crown. Like CHEERS, the series premiered to low ratings and struggled for its first few years but by 1984 it was in the Top 30. The serialized police comedy-drama from MTM featured a bevy of fine actors and compelling plotlines, winning many awards over the years and inspiring many shows that followed, including L.A. LAW, NYPD BLUE, THE PRACTICE, BOSTON LEGAL and the current NBC show SOUTHLAND. A short-lived spinoff named BEVERLY HILLS BUNTZ aired from 1987-88. Tomorrow: Fridays.

Mary Travers 1936-2009

Henry Gibson 1935-2009

NBC Fall 1984 - Wednesday

Wednesday evenings on NBC in the fall of 1984 welcomed back peacock net favorites Michael Landon and Victor French (both of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE) in a contemporary family drama called HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN.The series was a big hit for NBC - landing in the top 25 shows for its first three seasons and continuing until 1989. The show undoubtedly inspired the later CBS hit TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL.
At 9PM, one of my favorite guilty pleasures, THE FACTS OF LIFE was in the middle of its nine season run (1979-88). The show started as a spin-off of DIFF'RENT STROKES with chubby Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae) and a gaggle of girls at the Eastland School including Molly Ringwald as Molly. In 1980 the show got an overhaul and only chubby rich snob Blair (Lisa Whelchel), chubby Jewish adopted chick Natalie (Mindy Cohn) and eventually chubby rollerskating Tootie (Kim Fields) remained. Joining them now was non-chubby tough tomboy Jo (Nancy McKeon). As the show evolved Edna's girls moved on from Eastland to Langley College. Mrs G. went from housemother to dietitian to running Edna's Edibles to a gift shop called Over Our Heads. When Charlotte Rae left the show, Cloris Leachman came aboard as her sister Beverly Ann. Along the way young George Clooney and cerebral palsy afflicted comedienne Geri Jewell made frequent appearances. There were also two NBC TV-movies: FACTS OF LIFE GO TO PARIS (1982) and FACTS OF LIFE DOWN UNDER (1987) which introduced annoying Australian student Pippa. An abysmal 2001 TV-movie called FACTS OF LIFE REUNION aired on ABC as an episode of THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY. Don't ask. In real life, Kim Fields later became the star of the FOX hit LIVING SINGLE and Lisa Whelchel became a right-wing Christian whacko. Nancy McKeon shows up now and again on Lifetime and Mindy Cohn is alive and well.
IT'S YOUR MOVE, airing at 9:30 is notable for introducing us to Jason Bateman. Jason later went on to star in the likable VALERIE/VALERIE'S FAMILY/THE HOGAN FAMILY (1986-91) followed by a string of other short-lived sitcoms including the gay-themed SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS (2001). He, of course, eventually found fame as the star of the hysterical FOX cult hit ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (2003-2006) which he parlayed into feature films. Supposedly there is a AD film in development, which this fan thinks is a bad idea.
IT'S YOUR MOVE lasted only 18 episodes. ST. ELSEWHERE followed at 10PM.
There so much to say about this MTM-produced series that it would require its own post. (Maybe I'll get to that one day). Suffice to say that this medical drama, set at Boston's St. Eligius Hospital, was the best doctor show ever broadcast on US network television. You can keep your ERs, CHICAGO HOPEs and GRAY'S ANATOMYs, ST. ELSEWHERE has already been there and done that tens times better. The show was never a "hit", but it was a critical darling and constant award winner. It ran from 1982 to 1988 and it's powerhouse cast included veteran actors Ed Flanders, Norman Lloyd and William Daniels, and notable "newcomers" like David Morse, Alfre Woodard, Bruce Greenwood, Christina Pickles, Begley, Jr., Stephen Furst, Howie Mandel, Mark Harmon and Denzel Washington. To me, the recent NURSE JACKIE, is the only show that comes close to recapturing the feel of St. Eligius. Tomorrow: Thursday.

NBC Fall 1984 - Tuesdays

Tuesdays nights on NBC 25 years ago was a triple bill of action and adventure. Starting off the night was the high octane live-action cartoon called THE A-TEAM.
THE A-TEAM premiered in January 1983 and was an instant hit. Mr. T. quickly became a household name and o culture icon. I was never a fan of the show due to it's hyper-military theme, even though the violence was so over-the-top, it was more a comedy than war show. The series ran for 4 seasons in its Tuesday night berth and was eventually replaced by the much mellower MATLOCK in 1986. Team leader George Peppard passed away in 1994 and plans for a feature film version have been announced, and cancelled and then re-announced.
At 9PM, RIPTIDE came from the same producers as THE A-TEAM, and co-starred Perry King and Joe Penney as two old war buddies who ran a detective agency from a boat. The show benefited from its timeslot and became a ratings champ for two seasons, until a little detective show called MOONLIGHTING came along on ABC. RIPTIDE sailed away in 1986, never to be heard from again.
Finishing up the evening was REMINGTON STEELE, a quirky detective show from MTM that premiered two years earlier. The show introduced audiences to future James Bond, Pierce Brosnon and to rumored lesbian Republican Stephanie Zimbalist. The enjoyable series, which I watched on a regular basis, followed the adventures of Laura Holt (Zimbalist) the "brains of the operation" and Remington, the pretty face who was basically a con man who fit the tuxedo. Doris Roberts was featured as their assistant Mildred. The show was a moderate hit, running for four full seasons and ending in 1986. Then the producers of the Bond film franchise offered Pierce the dream role of 007, creating tons of publicity. Suddenly NBC was interested in a fifth season of the show, and Brosnon lost the lead in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS to Timothy Dalton. The final season was a series of two-hour TV-movies set in exotic locales. Nine years later, Pierce finally became Bond, replacing Dalton. He later appeared in many film roles, including being terribly miscast in MAMMA MIA. Zimbalist has kept an extremely low profile in recent years. I wonder why? Tomorrow: the Wednesday line-up.

Patrick Swayze 1952-2009

Paul Burke 1926-2009

NBC Fall 1984 - Mondays

Monday nights on NBC in the fall of 1984 were a mixed bag. It all started off with a special called the NBC ALL-STAR HOUR , the biggest party of the year! This hour-long clip show featured over 100 stars and a million laughs. That's 16,666 laughs per minute! Holy shit - that's one funny show!!! As I mentioned yesterday, TV's BLOOPERS & PRACTICAL JOKES premiered earlier in the year and became a big hit for the network. Combining elements stolen for Allen Funt's CANDID CAMERA with clips of actors goofing up their lines, this cheaply produced show was co-hosted by the late Ed McMahon and the formerly ageless Dick Clark.ABC's knock-off FOUL-UPS, BLEEPS & BLUNDERS followed, paving the way for all sorts of horrible shows including LIFE'S MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENTS, AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS, TOTALLY HIDDEN VIDEO and PUNK'D. BLOOPERS continued on NBC in various timeslots until the late 1990s, occasionally showing up as a special thereafter.
NBC MONDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES followed at 9PM, with a assortment of theatrical film premieres and original TV-movies. Many of NBC's movies from this period were created to give TV stars the opportunity to stretch their acting muscles by taking on meatier roles. Witness HIGH SCHOOL USA (which actually aired as a special on a Friday night).
Here sitcom stars Nancy McKeon (FACTS OF LIFE), Michael J. Fox (FAMILY TIES) and DIFF'RENT STROKES costars Todd Bridges and the late Dano Plato teamed up with Nick at Nite regulars Dwayne Hickman and Bob Denver (both of DOBIE GILLIS), Elinor Donahue (FATHER KNOWS BEST) and Tony Dow (LEAVE TO BEAVER). Hilarity ensued.
ONE DAY AT A TIME star and future weight-loss guru Valerie Bertinelli played a horny nun who found herself falling in love with a priest (David Morse) in SHATTERED VOWS. I need to see this one for sure!
SILVER SPOONS brat and future animal killer Ricky Schroeder took on a dramatic role in MY LIFE, YOUR LIFE. I believe this aired under the title A REASON TO LIVE. DAYS OF OUR LIVES / ELECTRA WOMAN & DYNA GIRL star Deidre Hall played his mom. Peter Fonda played the dad.
Former CHARLIE'S ANGEL and K-Mart designer Jaclyn Smith took on the role of history's most famous nurse in FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. This historical epic ran three long hours!
DYNASTY diva Joan Collins teamed up with KNIGHT RIDER star and future drunken reality-show judge David Hasselhoff in something called THE CARTIER HEIST. I think it was a comedy. Other made-for-TV movies and miniseries airing during the season included:• I DREAM OF JEANNIE: 15 YEARS LATER - Barbara Eden returned, Larry Hagman did not. Wayne Rogers was a poor substitute Major Nelson.
• THE BURNING BED - the amazing film that made people finally take the late Farrah Fawcett seriously as an actress.• A.D. - 12 hours of the Roman Empire with a cast that included the great Susan Sarandon along with Ava Gardner and James Mason!• EVERGREEN - 6 hours of Lesley Ann Warren as a Polish immigrant flocked by Armand Assante and Ian McShane. Is it me, but weren't Assante and McShane in just about EVERY miniseries in the 1980s??? Tomorrow: the Tuesday-night line-up!

NBC Fall 1984 - 25 Years Later

It's hard to believe that 1984 was twenty five fucking years ago. That means some of the classic TV shows of the 1980s are now a quarter of a century old. That blows my mind. The 1984-85 season was what they call a "game changer" for the National Broadcasting Company. In the years prior the network had a severe lack of hits and was perennially in third place (this was before FOX arrived). After this season the network would become a rating powerhouse and stay at the top of the charts for many years to come.Going into the season, the Peacock network already had some hits: THE A-TEAM was in the top ten; TV'S BLOOPERS & PRACTICAL JOKES had ripped-off the classic CANDID CAMERA formula and added silly outtakes to become a huge success; and iconic shows like THE FACTS OF LIFE and KNIGHT RIDER were gaining big audiences and loyal fans. As NBC today languishes in 4th place and tries to reinvent itself, over the next week ("Premiere Week") I will take a totally biased look at the 1984-85 line-up and give my thoughts on what I watched and why. I hope you'll join me. Let's All Be There!

Larry Gelbart 1928-2009

Entertaining - Dougsploitation Style

I've been thinking about entertaining lately. I'm not sure if it's because of recent acquisition of my mother's old cookbooks and entertaining guides, or seeing JULIE & JULIA, or my little obsession with The Food Network, but something about the quickly approaching season of Autumn makes me want to entertain more than usual. I wonder if those old books can help me out...
Hmmm...I wonder what "The Surprising Difference" was? Let's see, Susie's a California blond in a yellow kitchen, talking on a yellow phone. Her yellow and orange apron matches the wallpaper behind her. She just finished frosting some yellow cupcakes and it looks like a gelatinous "St. Joseph's Aspirin for children" flavored bundt cake is on the counter in front of her. I would guess the "The Surprising Difference" is that the pot of coffee is the only non-citrus item allowed in her kitchen?

I know, not really funny.
Meanwhile, in the rec room downstairs, the triplets (Midge, Kitty and Bitsy) have invited a few cleancut young lads over to a) listen to records b) play the guitar c) dance d) stuff their faces at the buffet. Check out that sexy surfer poster on the wall!
Later that night, with the triplets already in bed. Susie dons her avocado evening gown (you know, the one that came with the matching candles) for a romantic dinner with - hey who's that dude? That's not Bill! Bill's away on a business trip with Uncle Stan.
Well, whoever that guy was - he stayed for dinner AND breakfast the next morning. Susie has baked some fresh muffins and poured some of that coffee from yesterday.

She had time to put her hair up and to give her gentleman friend a gift - a yellow sweater to match her outfit and the "muffin cozy" to a t!
Meanwhile, in a different time zone, Bill is making friends with a lady in red. Uncle Stan has found him a new friend too. These guys really know how to "enjoy the Lively Life!" while they are away on business. Wonder if they can put hookers on their expense reports? So what have I learned so far? Wear lots of yellow, always have a handy buffet nearby and if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with.

Thanks, Susie (and Stephen Stills).

A Sandwich is A Sandwich but...

Inspired by my post yesterday, I decided prepare a vegan variation on the classic Manwich meal.Substituting for ground beef, I used Yves' Meatless Ground - a staple in my kitchen (mostly as an ingredient in my Kick-Ass Vegan Chili). With no recipe on the can, I just followed my instincts and sauteed the ground soy in a little bit of canola oil for about 5 minutes.
As the "meat" browned in the skillet, I opened up the fresh can of Manwich sauce.

Interestingly, the ingredients are pretty wholesome, aside from the requisite High Fructose Corn Syrup. I wonder if real American sugar was used in the old days?
The sauce smelled exactly as I remembered from the 1970s. Salty, sweet, peppery tomato. Hopefully this can wasn't sitting on the shelf at Ralph's for 35 years.
After the "meat" was brown enough (It's not like it started out "raw"), I dumped the can of sauce over it and stirred up the "glop".
Well, it certainly looked and smelled how I remember Manwich looking and smelling. After about 10 minutes, the concoction seemed like it was ready to be served.

So, here it is - a vegan Sloppy Joe - newly dubbed a Veganwich. How did it taste? Um, kinda like ground soy product smothered in hot catsup. I wouldn't serve it to guests, but for a nice white trash comfort food type of thing, it would suffice. Next week: Hamburger Helper!