Anyone remember a mid 70s sitcom titled Joe and Sons? The show was set in Hoboken, NJ and starred Richard S. Castellano as Joe Vitale, widowed father of two teenage sons. Barry Miller and Jimmy Baio played his sons, Jerry Stiller was his fiend and co-worker Gus, Bobbi Jordan was the neighbor Estelle and veteran actress Florence Stanley was the boys Aunt Josephine.

Though the show had a talented cast, it didn't last and was replaced by a similar show titled Popi.

I remember watching the first episode. I don't remember much about it though.

I VAGELY remember it.

Both shows, Joe and Sons and Popi are super, super rare shows. I have never heard of anyone having any, either collectors nor any of the major archives. Those 1970s short-run videotaped shows are harder to find than kinescoped shows from the 50s.

I've heard of the show but have never seen it. I take it this was before Barry Miller's success in Saturday Night Fever and Fame.

The SUPER exists at UCLA, but I don't know of any viewable episodes of JOE AND SONS available (none at Paley, UCLA or Library of Congress).

Both shows, Joe and Sons and Popi are super, super rare shows. I have never heard of anyone having any, either collectors nor any of the major archives. Those 1970s short-run videotaped shows are harder to find than kinescoped shows from the 50s.

Videotapes of these short lived, unsuccessful 70's shows were likely discarded or erased and recorded over. Too bad because although the shows didn't succeed, they're a part of TV history that's now lost. Would be cool nowadays to be able to see short lived shows from yesteryear.

Videotapes of these short lived, unsuccessful 70's shows were likely discarded or erased and recorded over. Too bad because although the shows didn't succeed, they're a part of TV history that's now lost. Would be cool nowadays to be able to see short lived shows from yesteryear.

You have no idea what you're talking about. Name one videotaped prime time series that was erased or taped over.

You have no idea what you're talking about. Name one videotaped prime time series that was erased or taped over.
he said they were LIKELY erased or taped over; he didn't say they were erased or taped over.

he said they were LIKELY erased or taped over; he didn't say they were erased or taped over.

Highly UNLIKELY. He's clueless. I love how people who know nothing about the industry make these comments.

Highly UNLIKELY. He's clueless. I love how people who know nothing about the industry make these comments.

So you think I'm clueless? Oh yea that's right I forgot, you're the smart one here, the TV expert who knows everything about anything. So prove to us that all 14 Joe And Sons episodes and all 11 Popi episodes are still in existance. We're all impatiently waiting. Quickly now, let's see what you can come up with. It shouldn't take you long since you're such an expert.

C'mon bencasey, where's your reply? We're all impatiently waiting here, we want to know the scoop from the expert.

LOL I don't have to wait for a reply, whatever he would say would be irrelevant to me anyway. As far as I'm concerned, the only definite proof that all 14 Joe And Sons episodes and all 11 Popi episodes exist would be if the episodes appeared again on TV, or if complete series DVD of both shows were issued. Unless one of those events occurs, it's entirely possible the videotape masters were discarded or erased. It's happened before with other videotaped shows.

C'mon bencasey, where's your reply? We're all impatiently waiting here, we want to know the scoop from the expert.

LOL I don't have to wait for a reply, whatever he would say would be irrelevant to me anyway. As far as I'm concerned, the only definite proof that all 14 Joe And Sons episodes and all 11 Popi episodes exist would be if the episodes appeared again on TV, or if complete series DVD of both shows were issued. Unless one of those events occurs, it's entirely possible the videotape masters were discarded or erased. It's happened before with other videotaped shows.

I told you, name one prime time series that was erased. As if you would know.

I told you, name one prime time series that was erased. As if you would know.

Just like I figured, irrelevant. I never said the Joe & Sons and Popi episodes were erased, I said it's POSSIBLE they were erased since no one seems to have them. You're supposed to be the TV expert here who knows everything about anything, so give us indisputable proof that every single episode of every single videotaped prime time series in the history of american television is still in existance. In addition to that, who owns the rights to Joe & Sons and Popi? If the episodes exist, who is in possession of them and where are the episodes located? Those are the questions that need to be answered. Reply again when you have something relevant to contribute in this discussion, until then I have no further comment. :wave:

Just like I figured, irrelevant. I never said the Joe & Sons and Popi episodes were erased, I said it's POSSIBLE they were erased since no one seems to have them. You're supposed to be the TV expert here who knows everything about anything, so give us indisputable proof that every single episode of every single videotaped prime time series in the history of american television is still in existance. In addition to that, who owns the rights to Joe & Sons and Popi? If the episodes exist, who is in possession of them and where are the episodes located? Those are the questions that need to be answered. Reply again when you have something relevant to contribute in this discussion, until then I have no further comment. :wave:


I didn't know that you had access to the CBS vaults at Iron Mountain in Pennsylvania. Because that's where they have the shows that are in dead storage that are not likely to be seen again. I do know that Calucci's Department is there as well as other shows they produced on 2-inch tape.

As for Popi, that was a UA show, now owned by MGM. No, I can't say for sure that it exists but have no reason to believe otherwise. Companies don't discard their assets.

I didn't know that you had access to the CBS vaults at Iron Mountain in Pennsylvania. Because that's where they have the shows that are in dead storage that are not likely to be seen again. I do know that Calucci's Department is there as well as other shows they produced on 2-inch tape.

As for Popi, that was a UA show, now owned by MGM. No, I can't say for sure that it exists but have no reason to believe otherwise. Companies don't discard their assets.

Something should be done so these short lived shows from yesteryear can see the light of day again. There are people that are interested to see these shows, the shows may not have been successful but retain at least some nostalgia value, keeping the episodes stored in vaults and left to rot isn't accomplishing anything.

I remember Calucci's Department with James Coco, not a bad show but it was placed in a bad spot in the schedule, on Friday night up against The Brady Bunch on ABC and Sanford & Son on NBC. No chance for good ratings in that time slot.

I never saw it until years later when I got a copy of the pilot. Found it to be a funny show. But at the time I was watching Sanford and Son like everybody else was.

I never saw it until years later when I got a copy of the pilot. Found it to be a funny show. But at the time I was watching Sanford and Son like everybody else was.

I was actually a Brady Bunch watcher in those days. I was never really fond of Sanford & Son, just not my type of show I guess. I did tune in a couple times to Calucci's to find out what the show was like, I thought it was OK but not as good as The Brady Bunch, so I switched back to ABC.

Anyone remember a mid 70s sitcom titled Joe and Sons? The show was set in Hoboken, NJ and starred Richard S. Castellano as Joe Vitale, widowed father of two teenage sons. Barry Miller and Jimmy Baio played his sons, Jerry Stiller was his fiend and co-worker Gus, Bobbi Jordan was the neighbor Estelle and veteran actress Florence Stanley was the boys Aunt Josephine.

Though the show had a talented cast, it didn't last and was replaced by a similar show titled Popi.

I enjoyed this series, the cast was good and the episodes were well written. I was not a big fan of Stiller and Meara, so I was very surprised at how good Jerry Stiller was in the show. I enjoyed Bobbi Jordon's work as well. Interesting this should come up, Bobbie Jordon passed away last November. The show had a lot of heart while at the same time being very funny.