Still Wtd: Sanford (1980) "The Meeting" Hour-Long Premiere from NBC - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

cloggedmind · 01-07-2021, 01:07 PM

Most of the episodes that circulate are from recent, syndicated transfers which are complete, except for this one called "The Meeting" that was the series premiere. It originally aired as an hour-long special with a half-hour conclusion the next week.

Cuts were made to facilitate a show recap when it was extended to 2 episodes eliminating nearly 4 minutes of material, which is why I'm interested in seeing the uncut show.

Curiously, and as a side note, the episode titled "Retrospective" had been restored to its hour-long form (48 and 1/2 minutes) for streaming editions (as proven by this forum's own KRW- Thanks for verifying that!) where previously it had, also, been cut into two half-hours on syndicated television (BET, actually) for years.

If anyone has access to a copy of the original, hour-long premiere airing of that first episode "The Meeting" I'm sure we can talk turkey.

Thanks for looking, any comments welcome.

KRW · 01-07-2021, 02:26 PM

It may not be the original airing off of NBC. But I do have the episode you're talking about as a whole. I'll check it out later for you.

cloggedmind · 01-07-2021, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRW

It may not be the original airing off of NBC. But I do have the episode you're talking about as a whole. I'll check it out later for you.

Great! Thank you!

I'll be interested to know what's been edited out if it is complete.

cloggedmind · 02-17-2021, 03:28 AM

As it goes, I'm still looking for this. And, it turns out I was wrong and there are still some episodes that have not been restored to their original hour-long format: "Here Comes the Bride" and "Cal's Diet" remain split into half-hour episodes just like "The Meeting: Part 1".

Wonder why only "Retrospective" got restored?

I've also found a different copy of Here Comes The Bride that runs 47:28 and has a teaser at the beginning featuring scenes from both half hours:

Sanford Show Teaser

It may have come from an early 90's airing on BET and does not have the station bug in the corner and, well, BET sometimes didn't brand shows like that in those days.

Funny thing -- In the middle of another copy of "..Bride" as taped off BET (no logo) there is a quick cut where you hear a Redd Foxx voiceover start: "How.."-- sounds like he's going to start narrating something like "How am I going to get out of this mess? You'll have to tune in next week.." or something. But that cuts right off with no credits and the next episode is the last half of the show with a slightly different recap/teaser opening. That doesn't happen here. Esther yells, "We goin' to Freemont! Freemont, here we come. Haw, Glory!" and a cross-fade to the road trip immediately follows.

So many changes over the years, right?

What's also neat is the long version still has a Columbia Pictures logo instead of Sony:

But, the hour long ep is still missing up to 3 minutes, as hour shows from that era should go about 49-50 mins total.

Frr-rustration!

Silver · 02-19-2021, 04:42 AM

I have it from ctv. it is two episodes 25:14 each. Is that what you're looking for?

cloggedmind · 02-19-2021, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver

I have it from ctv. it is two episodes 25:14 each. Is that what you're looking for?

Thanks for the response! Those would be the same ones I ended up with in the Mantronix "Studio Masters" bootleg, judging by the run time. Not a bad set in itself, and not time-compressed to hell like the BET runs from the 2000's. Honestly, those compressed episodes ran so fast they looked like Keystone Kops!

I was hoping someone might have run across original airings of the premiere episode, as well as the hour-long episodes as aired on NBC. Those shows have scenes not included once they were cut to half hour syndicated episodes.

Folks have lots of promos for the shows, including this short one for the premiere, but nothing insofar as original airings:

Silver · 02-19-2021, 08:12 AM

Bummer. probably very hard to find original airings although I have found some nice original airings of some shows from 1987 recently

cloggedmind · 02-20-2021, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver

Bummer. probably very hard to find original airings although I have found some nice original airings of some shows from 1987 recently

Surprisingly hard to find original airings. Though I only ever knew one guy who had the wherewithal to record Sanford and Son when it was on in the 70's. Local guy had a restaurant near where I grew up and loved the show. Used to let his tapes play behind the counter for the last couple of hours of business every night when there wasn't sports on during the late 70's/early 80's. He's been gone for years.

Bet all those tapes and expensive recording gear got tossed.

01-07-2021, 01:07 PM	#1
cloggedmind Inactive Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 30, 2007 Posts: 529	Still Wtd: Sanford (1980) "The Meeting" Hour-Long Premiere from NBC Most of the episodes that circulate are from recent, syndicated transfers which are complete, except for this one called "The Meeting" that was the series premiere. It originally aired as an hour-long special with a half-hour conclusion the next week. Cuts were made to facilitate a show recap when it was extended to 2 episodes eliminating nearly 4 minutes of material, which is why I'm interested in seeing the uncut show. Curiously, and as a side note, the episode titled "Retrospective" had been restored to its hour-long form (48 and 1/2 minutes) for streaming editions (as proven by this forum's own KRW- Thanks for verifying that!) where previously it had, also, been cut into two half-hours on syndicated television (BET, actually) for years. If anyone has access to a copy of the original, hour-long premiere airing of that first episode "The Meeting" I'm sure we can talk turkey. Thanks for looking, any comments welcome.
	Last edited by cloggedmind; 02-17-2021 at 03:43 AM. Reason: Update Title

02-17-2021, 03:28 AM	#4
cloggedmind Inactive Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 30, 2007 Posts: 529	As it goes, I'm still looking for this. And, it turns out I was wrong and there are still some episodes that have not been restored to their original hour-long format: "Here Comes the Bride" and "Cal's Diet" remain split into half-hour episodes just like "The Meeting: Part 1". Wonder why only "Retrospective" got restored? I've also found a different copy of Here Comes The Bride that runs 47:28 and has a teaser at the beginning featuring scenes from both half hours: Sanford Show Teaser It may have come from an early 90's airing on BET and does not have the station bug in the corner and, well, BET sometimes didn't brand shows like that in those days. Funny thing -- In the middle of another copy of "..Bride" as taped off BET (no logo) there is a quick cut where you hear a Redd Foxx voiceover start: "How.."-- sounds like he's going to start narrating something like "How am I going to get out of this mess? You'll have to tune in next week.." or something. But that cuts right off with no credits and the next episode is the last half of the show with a slightly different recap/teaser opening. That doesn't happen here. Esther yells, "We goin' to Freemont! Freemont, here we come. Haw, Glory!" and a cross-fade to the road trip immediately follows. So many changes over the years, right? What's also neat is the long version still has a Columbia Pictures logo instead of Sony: But, the hour long ep is still missing up to 3 minutes, as hour shows from that era should go about 49-50 mins total. Frr-rustration!
	Last edited by cloggedmind; 02-17-2021 at 04:23 AM.

01-07-2021, 02:26 PM	#2
KRW One Bad Mother Funker Forum Regular Join Date: May 23, 2017 Location: The Funk Dojo Posts: 899	It may not be the original airing off of NBC. But I do have the episode you're talking about as a whole. I'll check it out later for you.

02-19-2021, 04:42 AM	#5
Silver Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 13, 2017 Posts: 109	I have it from ctv. it is two episodes 25:14 each. Is that what you're looking for?

02-19-2021, 08:12 AM	#7
Silver Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 13, 2017 Posts: 109	Bummer. probably very hard to find original airings although I have found some nice original airings of some shows from 1987 recently