Has anyone else on the message board purchased videos from COLUMBIA HOUSE / RE-TV and found episodes to be edited syndication prints? I have found this problem on tapes of GOOD TIMES, SANFORD AND SON, PARTRIDGE FAMILY and BARNEY MILLER. The episodes run 22 minutes instead of 25 minutes (the running time for all 60s and 70s uncut comedies is 25 minutes). I have found these episodes to be edited: On the GOOD TIMES COLLECTOR'S EDITION, the episode "Junior The Senior" is cut on volume #22765. When it aired on local TV, there was 2 minutes at the beginning that wasn't on the Columbia House tapes. Columbia House states all of their shows are unedited. Here are some more edited episodes I have found: GOOD TIMES "The Hustle" , GOOD TIMES "J.J. And The Boss' Daughter" SANFORD AND SON - "Lamont As Othello", SANFORD AND SON - "This Little TV Went To Market", PARTRIDGE FAMILY - "Waiting For Bolero" (opening segment cut), BARNEY MILLER - "Ramon", BARNEY MILLER - "Message Parlor". These are just ones I have noticed in the series I have subscribed to. I contacted Columbia House and they gladly said I could return the video for a refund. But they would never say why these shows are edited. Did someone pull the syndication copy instead of the master copy? Columbia House tapes cost around $25.00 a tape with shipping. If I wanted cut down episodes, I could just tape them from TV. Other sitcom lovers, please respond to this topic. It seems like Columbia House could be sued for false advertising, since they claim everything is complete!

I don't subscribe to any of the series you've listed, but I have read the same thing from other people. I guess the master prints were not available for some of the episodes so they were forced to go with the syndication prints or not release them at all - there is no excuse for them not to mention it though and I don't think they should have been advertised as such. Let's be honest - the average, casual fan is not going to notice the difference and it probably doesn't bother them.

perhaps, our own purple_eyes can comment on this situation?

I forgot to add that I subscribed to The Incredible Hulk and was reading on the Hulk board that there were some scenes missing in a few of the episodes.

[This message has been edited by TJ (edited 02-11-2001).]

I haven't heard of any problems with the episodes mentioned. In order for me to report that scenes are missing, I need to know exactly what the scenes are. In a few cases, the manufacturers have used syndicated masters just because original masters are no longer available. Let me know.

Okay, I've been away for a while.... what does Purple_Eyes have to do with the video releases? Do we have an insider here?

I haven't been able to find any reports of any edited scenes in the episodes missing, but we don't know about them until members tell us about them.

Yes. I work at CH.

Purple_eyes and other TV fans - the episodes on the Columbia House tapes are definitely edited. I have been a TV show collector / fan for years and I definitely know these things. All of these episodes should run 25 MINUTES and not 22 MINUTES. On the GOOD TIMES episode called "The Hustle", there is a scene at the beginning where Florida comes in the apartment in a bad mood. On the cut down COLUMBIA HOUSE version, it starts and the kids are acting like Florida is upset, but the viewer doesn't know why. When the "Junior The Senior" episode aired on local TV, there was a couple minutes at the beginning that are not on the COLUMBIA HOUSE video. On the PARTRIDGE FAMILY episode "Waiting For Bolero", there was a scene at the beginning which made Keith want to move out. On the COLUMBIA HOUSE tape, that scene is cut out. It starts with Keith eager to move out, but the viewer doesn't know why. Here is another MAJOR COLUMBIA HOUSE SCREW UP - They used the same exact episode on 2 volumes of GOOD TIMES. The episode titled "A Real Cool Job" appears on both the JAMES edition and the SCRATCHING AND SURVIVING edition of the GOOD TIMES COLLECTORS TAPES. Purple_eyes, can you please how on earth this happened. There are plenty more episodes of GOOD TIMES. Why would they use the same episode again! I called Columbia House and they said I could return the video for a refund. However, I wanted the other 3 episodes on the videotape. Why couldn't they refund me $8.00 or so for using that same episode again? I have become disappointed with COLUMBIA HOUSE in the past year. They are not doing a good job of preserving CLASSIC TV.

We've already informed our manufacturer of the duplicate episode. The Scratching and Surviving mistake will be corrected with our next shipment of stock...in about 2 weeks. At that time a letter should be sent to you explaining that the corrected volume will be sent free and you may keep the previously sent volume.

As far as all the episodes you're referring to, I'll report the errors and have the tapes checked for the missing scenes. Like I said, we are unaware of edited episodes until members call or write us with their complaints. We are told by the manufacturer that all of our selections are unedited prints made directly off the original masters and in some cases, our tapes feature scenes that have never before been aired. Since we are a distributor and not a manufacturer, we are unaware of any edited scenes...especially if the manufacturer assures us that the episodes are complete. It will take about two weeks for the warehouse to pull these episodes and check them against original run times for any discrepencies. I'll keep you posted on what I find out.

Purple_eyes - Thanks for looking into this matter. I really appreciate it. I have called customer service many times, but they have been unable to help me with this situation. Also, it seems like tapes with edited episodes are on shorter length videotapes. All of my SANFORD & SONS are mainly on T-104s, but the volume called SURPRISES (with 2 edited episodes "Lamont As Othello" and "This Little TV Went To Market") is on a T-98.
It is also easy to tell when sitcoms like SANFORD & SON and GOOD TIMES are edited because when a scene fades in, you hear a laugh track (which means the viewer has missed a joke or something funny). I am glad to hear about the GOOD TIMES replacement video where the same episode was used. It is very kind of Columbia House to send us a free replacement. I take back some of my bad words about Columbia House.
Also, I have been subscribing to the MISTER ED video collection. No edited episodes on MISTER ED and fabulous quality!! But, after December I didn't receive any more MISTER ED videotapes. I called and customer service stated that MISTER ED had been discontinued. I wish I had known, because I only received 6 out of the 10 volumes manufactured. I really wanted to purchase the remaining editions. Do you know if the MISTER ED tapes will be reissued? Customer service also said GREEN ACRES had also been discontinued. Well Purple_eyes, please keep us posted if you find out any information. It would be wonderful if Columbia House would issue replacements for all the videos containing edited episodes. Many Many Thanks! Oh, please put in a suggestion to put THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE AND HARRIET out on RE-TV/Columbia House. It is my favorite show ever. Regards - Ricknelsonfan

Mr. Ed and Green Acres were owned by Orion, which was swallowed up by MGM.

I have the Sanford and Son & Good Times tapes and noticed the problem as well. I would like to be able to get a replacement for the Scratching and Surviving tape of GT.

However, I don't have proof of purchase on some of them and I just want to be able to send them in and get them complete.

Also, for the "SOAP" collection, the episode that begins with Burt and Saul in ancient Rome, then has Billy Tate rescued from the cult and Benson's goodbye is edited. I don't know the number off hand; the series had no episode titles.

Im glad I havent gotton any edited shows!

I have all in the family from COLUMBIA HOUSE and thankfully they arent edited!

[This message has been edited by Dude111 (edited 12-08-2024).]