Who else agrees??
They'd be very collectable.


And all shows have their fair-share of fans.

I think its a great idea.
who agrees??

Perfect for us collectors, but VERY risky (financially) for studios who need to make profits from the DVD sets. However, some studios are taking the gamble as, amazingly, two of my favorite "one-year wonders" have resurfaced as DVD complete sets this year. The CBS police drama Brooklyn South (10/28), and Fox's The Ben Stiller Show(12/2).

Check'em out at Amazon -
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000C5RPT/qid%3D1069648189/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/102-3483698-3390552

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008PHCU/qid%3D1069648934/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/102-3483698-3390552

Who cares about recent shows? Anything that I liked in the past 25 years since VCRs came out I recorded anyway. I need the short run shows from the 50s and 60s to come out. Stuff that has never reaired like Hank, Love on a Rooftop, The Hero, etc.

Originally posted by bencasey
Who cares about recent shows? Anything that I liked in the past 25 years since VCRs came out I recorded anyway. I need the short run shows from the 50s and 60s to come out. Stuff that has never reaired like Hank, Love on a Rooftop, The Hero, etc.

Lots of people care about recent shows and dvd is a much better, durable, space-saving format to own tv series collections than stuff recorded on a vcr. As for short-lived series I'd like to see released on dvd: Dangerous Minds, I have most of the (19?) episodes on vhs, and South Central.

Lots of people may care but the point is anything that has aired in the last 25 years, if someone wanted it they could have recorded it. The shows I want all were on prior to home recording and no one had any opportunity to get them. Given the choice of a show I already have on tape (It's Your Move for example) or a show from the pre-taping era, give me the old show anytime. I can do my own DVD transfers from my VHS masters.

I have to agree with bencasey. Let the newer shows wait a little while. Fans mostly have those episodes on tape anyway.

There must be some cost effective way that studios can get those "lost" old shows into the home video market. They should act now, while we "boomers" are still around and have enough interest to make the effort worthwhile.

In a couple of decades those rare treasures from the 50s, 60s and even the 70s will lose their nostalgic effect and virtually all of their fiscal value.

How about guarantee pre-order sets?

They will be refundable if there is not enough ordered (to make it's release worthwhile), but not refundable once it reaches a significant number.

Therefore everyone wins- even though you have to put out your money ahead of time. It would be worth it for some shows.

It is a gamble for studios but there have been a handful of DVD releases, in addition to those mentioned already. Freaks and Geeks, although a recent show, is probably one of the most noteworthy, especially considering the expense. Also, the 1974 live-action Planet of the Apes series was released on DVD in conjunction with the release of the latest theatrical film. V: The Series and Battlestar Galactica were recently put out on DVD.

For shows that only lasted a handful of episodes the chances of a DVD release are slim to none. Planet of the Apes had only 14 episodes, with one unaired during the original run, but it had the momentum of the film to help it along. Battlestar Galactica was on for a full season, V: The Series for 19 episodes and Freaks and Geeks had 18 total.

Oddly enough, some short-lived shows from the past few years have found their way onto DVD, aside from Freaks and Geeks: The Tick, Keen Eddie (without the original broadcast music, though), Firefly and Wonderfalls (in a set containing nine unaired episodes).

The studios seem willing to take the risk of releasing these short-lived shows because they have fan bases and very strong ones. The fans of Freaks and Geeks were instrumental in getting the DVD set released. And Firefly is coming to the big screen soon, thanks in part to the fans and the sales of the DVD sets.

But what studio wants to risk remastering and producing DVD sets for short-lived shows from the 1960s or 1970s? Or even short-lived shows from the 1990s? What are the odds of My Life & Times getting a DVD release, with six episodes? Perhaps all six episodes could be compressed onto one disc but how many people will purchase it?

I am a vocal supporter of getting short-lived shows released on DVD. But I realize that DVD releases for most of the shows I would love to see are simply never going to appear.

It is a gamble for studios but there have been a handful of DVD releases, in addition to those mentioned already. Freaks and Geeks, although a recent show, is probably one of the most noteworthy, especially considering the expense. Also, the 1974 live-action Planet of the Apes series was released on DVD in conjunction with the release of the latest theatrical film. V: The Series and Battlestar Galactica were recently put out on DVD.

For shows that only lasted a handful of episodes the chances of a DVD release are slim to none. Planet of the Apes had only 14 episodes, with one unaired during the original run, but it had the momentum of the film to help it along. Battlestar Galactica was on for a full season, V: The Series for 19 episodes and Freaks and Geeks had 18 total.

Oddly enough, some short-lived shows from the past few years have found their way onto DVD, aside from Freaks and Geeks: The Tick, Keen Eddie (without the original broadcast music, though), Firefly and Wonderfalls (in a set containing nine unaired episodes).

The studios seem willing to take the risk of releasing these short-lived shows because they have fan bases and very strong ones. The fans of Freaks and Geeks were instrumental in getting the DVD set released. And Firefly is coming to the big screen soon, thanks in part to the fans and the sales of the DVD sets.

But what studio wants to risk remastering and producing DVD sets for short-lived shows from the 1960s or 1970s? Or even short-lived shows from the 1990s? What are the odds of My Life & Times getting a DVD release, with six episodes?

Perectly understandable, TVObscurities. Personally, I would've liked to see reruns of "The Two of Us," and the pilots for "Dear Teacher," "Carlton, Your Doorman," The Jackie Bison Show," "Beanpole," and "The World According to Straw," on DVD, but if it won't sell, I'll just have to live with not seeing them. On the other hand, there's a special edition of "Blazing Saddles," which features the failed pilot for "Black Bart" as one of the special features.


Oh FYI, here's the main cast for "The Two of Us." Just thought I'd post it here since I can't put it in the photo gallery yet.

Perectly understandable, TVObscurities. Personally, I would've liked to see reruns of "The Two of Us," and the pilots for "Dear Teacher," "Carlton, Your Doorman," The Jackie Bison Show," "Beanpole," and "The World According to Straw," on DVD, but if it won't sell, I'll just have to live with not seeing them. On the other hand, there's a special edition of "Blazing Saddles," which features the failed pilot for "Black Bart" as one of the special features.


Oh FYI, here's the main cast for "The Two of Us." Just thought I'd post it here since I can't put it in the photo gallery yet.

Speaking of pilots that never made it (aired or unaired), I think it would be a good idea for studios to release box sets of these episodes.
(maybe each studio could box them by time frame - 1970-79; 1980-89 etc.)

Besides the fact that all the episodes (or almost all) would be brand new to us, it would be a great to see all the up and coming actors and the time frames of each era.

And how much could it possibly cost to release shows that are basically non-existant?

And how much could it possibly cost to release shows that are basically non-existant?

Actually, the real problem would be to even find some of these unsold pilots. A while ago, ABC aired a special on pilots that were never picked up (aired and unaired) and I remember the producer mentioning in an article or in a newsgroup that there were at least two pilots that he wanted to use in the special but could not find copies of them anywhere. And he had the full resources of a major network.

If I recall correctly, one of them starred Alan Alda and involved an invisible alien baby being left on a doorstep!? I would love to see that. But it may be lost forever.

I disagree because as someone that grew up in the 1980's and 1990's there are many shows i liked that i was not able to tape for many reasons, such as my parents wouldn't let me or they were watching other shows and so on... and DVD is much better as it is a much more space saving format which can hold more data, and the picture never fades like it does with VHS. VHS fades after each viewing, DVD stays in top quality all the time. And i think that it is very unfair to say that just because a show is newer that it should have to "wait". Why can't they release both new and old shows? i'm tired of being made to feel like just because i am a fan of a new show that it isn't as important or good as an old show.


I have to agree with bencasey. Let the newer shows wait a little while. Fans mostly have those episodes on tape anyway.

There must be some cost effective way that studios can get those "lost" old shows into the home video market. They should act now, while we "boomers" are still around and have enough interest to make the effort worthwhile.

In a couple of decades those rare treasures from the 50s, 60s and even the 70s will lose their nostalgic effect and virtually all of their fiscal value.

I disagree because as someone that grew up in the 1980's and 1990's there are many shows i liked that i was not able to tape for many reasons, such as my parents wouldn't let me or they were watching other shows and so on... and DVD is much better as it is a much more space saving format which can hold more data, and the picture never fades like it does with VHS. VHS fades after each viewing, DVD stays in top quality all the time. And i think that it is very unfair to say that just because a show is newer that it should have to "wait". Why can't they release both new and old shows? i'm tired of being made to feel like just because i am a fan of a new show that it isn't as important or good as an old show.

You got me. I didn't mean to infer that anyone's desires were less important than my own. There may, however, be a little more urgency to mine. After all, statistically speaking, I'm probably closer to the end of the line than you are. (Here's hoping we both live a good, long time.) Besides, the longer a show goes without being released the less likely are its chances of ever being available. (Or so it seems to me.)
I'll make a deal with you, though. You get me the entire 17 episode, one and only season of Mr. Terrific on crummy old VHS tape, and I'll buy you a brand new DVD of a season of some newer show.

(P.S. There's one other pertinent point. Just because you were unable to videotape a certain program doesn't mean that someone else didn't tape it. That's what tape trading sites and message boards are for. If you look hard enough, you'll probably be able to get a print of pretty much any show aired during the post-VCR era. Maybe you'd prefer DVD, but at least you've got a chance of seeing your show. The programs I'm looking for, especially Mr. Terrific, appear to be virtually non-existent. I'll take them in any format.)

I'd love to get "Just Our Luck" and "Mr Smith"... one about the genie and the other the orangutan. I taped an episode of each way back in the early eighties, but the mold got to them many years ago... classics never to be seen again... I hope I'm proven wrong!!!

I still have a couple "Just Our Luck" episodes on tape. Or I did. Maybe the mold got to them, too. But I'm not going to hold my breath for a DVD. I got a buddy of mine who's registered with the Home Theater Forum to ask about the possibility of that show on DVD when they were having some chat or thread or something with a Warner Bros. representative. The guy didn't even know what it was.

Well, the show lives on in a way -- through the cover of the theme song done by Klymaxx.

The episode of Just Our Luck I had was when they went back to ancient Egypt and Shaboo (is that right?) wrote "Kee-ith-wuz-ere"... my and my brothers/sisters loved it! Ahhh good times, good times!

Lots of people may care but the point is anything that has aired in the last 25 years, if someone wanted it they could have recorded it. The shows I want all were on prior to home recording and no one had any opportunity to get them. Given the choice of a show I already have on tape (It's Your Move for example) or a show from the pre-taping era, give me the old show anytime. I can do my own DVD transfers from my VHS masters.


Well for some people recording shows on to VHS was just much, much to expesnive whereas DVD is much more cost affective and hello if something only aired once, people may not have known that in 10 years they would want to see it again. and on DVD theres no commericals, you get just the episodes. its much better than VHS also because DVDs never loose their quality, whereas VHS tapes loose pictuer/sound quality with each use. a DVD is forever.

The episode of Just Our Luck I had was when they went back to ancient Egypt and Shaboo (is that right?) wrote "Kee-ith-wuz-ere"... my and my brothers/sisters loved it! Ahhh good times, good times!

Shabu! And that one was called "King Kahoomi's Curse." Or "King Kahommi's Curse." Or "King Kahommis' Curse." One of those. Whoever wrote the guide at TV Tome claims that one didn't air, but I'm pretty sure that's not right, because I remember seeing that episode, too. The one with Roy Orbison was the first one I taped.

Well, you know, I guess there is hope that an episode could pop up on the next batch of Warner Bros. promotional DVDs. Rick Kellard did this show. He also did "Room for Two" -- an episode of which can be found in the "Murphy Brown" Season 1 box.

I would love to see "Thunder Alley" on DVD.

Many one year wonder shows still have their cult followings. Here's my personal wish list for one-year wonder shows on DVD:

Gidget (1965-66) (there have been rumors about this one being released soon)

My Mother the Car (1965-66). Yeah. One of the all-time stinkers which has a cult following and probably would sell well on DVD.

It's About Time (1966-67). Another stinker that a lot of kids liked at the time. And it's theme song was excellent.

Run Buddy Run (1966-67). Sitcom parody of the fugitive. I don't know if any other shows outside of the pilot still exist though.

Girl from UNCLE (1966-67). The Man from UNCLE is supposed to be coming out soon. This would be an ideal companion show.

He and She (1967-68). Highly ignored sitcom with Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss nevertheless did well with critics and was nominated for a few emmys and is worth rediscovery.

My World and Welcome to It (1969-70). Excellent sitcom that combined live action and animation was also a hit with critics but not audiences. Also worth rediscovery.

Bridget Loves Bernie (1972-73). Controversial sitcom because of the show's condoning and publicizing mixed marriages (Jewish and Irish Catholic). Still, it did well in the ratings and with critics.

Buffalo Bill (1983-84). Excellent comedy with Dabney Coleman as a consummate heal. Critics liked it but even viewers who liked less than nice characters like Archie Bunker didn't warm up to this show.

The Charmings (1987-88). Fantasy comedy with Snow White and her Prince in the modern world as well as the wicked stepmother. Enjoyable show with shades of Bewitched.

I think CPO SHARKEY GET RELEASED.

I disagree because as someone that grew up in the 1980's and 1990's there are many shows i liked that i was not able to tape for many reasons, such as my parents wouldn't let me or they were watching other shows and so on... and DVD is much better as it is a much more space saving format which can hold more data, and the picture never fades like it does with VHS. VHS fades after each viewing, DVD stays in top quality all the time. And i think that it is very unfair to say that just because a show is newer that it should have to "wait". Why can't they release both new and old shows? i'm tired of being made to feel like just because i am a fan of a new show that it isn't as important or good as an old show.



Okay, even if you didn't tape a show, I guarantee if it aired since 1980, someone did. As for picture fading, what are you talking about? It fades? You obviously don't know anything about tape to make such a preposterous statement.

As for the people whose tapes are moldy, where did you store these things, in your fishtanks? I have tapes from the late 1970s that play perfectly, as if they were recorded yesterday. They have no dropouts and look beautiful. They only people I have ever heard about having a problem are people who store their tapes in damp places (DUH!).

I wish we'd get more of those so-called "One year wonders" released on DVD.

I don't know, hasn't "Run Buddy Run" been released yet? If not, it's about time. ;)

Well, a little birdie told me about a couple of short-run sixties obscurities that could be in the pipeline soon. I don't want to jinx them until the deals are signed but people should be pleasantly surprised. Oh, and by the way, forget anything owned by a major studio. They ain't putting these things out and they ain't licensing them, at least not as of now.

I wouldn't mind seeing The Wiz Kids again, that went one season and was cancelled.

I wouldn't mind seeing The Wiz Kids again, that went one season and was cancelled.

I absolutely loved the Whiz Kids. It's always in my Top 10 to be released tv shows. It epitomised the early 80's. The show did do a crossover with Simon&Simon, so if that series ever gets a dvd release, at least we're guaranteed to see the Whiz Kids in action again. But yeah, I hope they do a season set for Whiz Kids, or even a Best Of will do me. Kids fun at it's best.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/miester30/whizkids.jpg

The "Pink Lady & Jeff Box Set" has been around for quite a while!

Oddly enough, some short-lived shows from the past few years have found their way onto DVD, aside from Freaks and Geeks: The Tick, Keen Eddie (without the original broadcast music, though), Firefly and Wonderfalls (in a set containing nine unaired episodes).


I just wanted to add Harsh Realm and The Lone Gunmen to the list.

at one time steve harvey had a ABC show called "Me and The Boys" which was from what i remember actually rather good, i'd love to see that again.

I'll agree that it's probably a big risk for media conglomerates to release most short-lived series on DVD, but here are three that I think would be big sellers (due to cult following, early performances from major stars, etc.), and most of these can probably be issued in relatively inexpensive 2 or 3 DVD sets:

SQUARE PEGS Cool one-year series featuring some early performances by Jami Gertz and Sarah Jessica Parker, among others.

IT'S YOUR MOVE I've already talked about this one on the series thread on this site (yes, there is one!), and this one had some good comedy performances with teenage Jason Bateman and David Garrison (from Married, With Children) both playing wise guys busy trying to outsmart each other, and lest we forget the legendary "Dregs of Humanity" two-parter that would in and of itself be worth the DVD set!

DAY BY DAY Well-remembered one year sitcom starring Christopher Daniel Barnes, with Julia Louis Dreyfuss in a regular supporting role (if for no other reason this sitcom will eternally be remembered for the "Brady Bunch" episode where Barnes has a dream about being the "long lost Brady sibling").

I'll agree that it's probably a big risk for media conglomerates to release most short-lived series on DVD, but here are three that I think would be big sellers (due to cult following, early performances from major stars, etc.), and most of these can probably be issued in relatively inexpensive 2 or 3 DVD sets:

SQUARE PEGS Cool one-year series featuring some early performances by Jami Gertz and Sarah Jessica Parker, among others.


I would really LOVE to see Square Pegs released soon. I'm surprised they haven't done this since Sarah Jessica Parker is in it. I'm sure some of her diehard fans who haven't seen her early start would be curious and shell out 20 bucks or so for the set. I definitely would. I watched it when it was on TV Land and I loved it!

I would also like to see the following 1-year wonders on dvd:
Gloria, Three's A Crowd, One in a Million (starring Shirley Hemphill) and The Ropers (even though it had 2 seasons).