Lost Sitcoms that are not being aired or streamed. The series is gone. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Merry24 · 03-15-2024, 01:31 PM

As we know there are so many TV Sitcoms out there but sadly there are some sitcoms that are not being shown in syndication or streaming. Sadly those Sitcoms must be dead. Can you name any Sitcoms that are & will continue to be gone forever and just be a Memory.

ThisLittlePiggy · 03-15-2024, 04:27 PM

Was Brothers, the sitcom that aired on cable from 1984 to 1989 ever syndicated?

TV Guy · 03-16-2024, 03:59 AM

Yes, Brothers was syndicated. I lived in Philadelphia in the late 80s/early 90s, and WGBS (channel 57) showed it.

ThisLittlePiggy · 03-16-2024, 02:28 PM

Oh, Okay. I wasn't sure.

stevea · 03-16-2024, 06:26 PM

I know this sounds odd, but parts of a couple of older sitcoms appear to be dead.

1. The Donna Reed Show

In (mostly) the 60s this sitcom was quite popular. The first five seasons have been issued on DVD season sets, mostly with complete episodes. Seasons 6 and 7 are generally unavailable. The final season, 8, which apparently has always been available in syndication, still is. As far as I know, Weigel Broadcasting still has the rights to all seasons except 6 and 7.

There have always been problems with the rights and ownership. Todon Productions (Tony Owen's and Donna Reed's company) owned the show for the first five seasons, and it was co-produced by Todon and Screen Gems. Reed tired of the grind and wanted out after five seasons, but a deal was worked out, and Todon sold the show to Screen Gems, along with an agreed-upon slightly-reduced season size.

So deals were worked out with the Owen-Reed estate to issue to issue the previously mentioned DVD sets, and possibly syndication deals. Sony syndicates season 8, but, though they appear to own the rights to seasons 6 and 7, these seasons are unavailable. There are some possible reasons for this--one might be that that simply don't have possession of the films.

2. My Three Sons

No complete, unedited home media sets have ever been issued for any seasons of this show. Seasons 1 thru 5 are black and white episodes aired originally on ABC and seasons 6 thru 12 are color episodes originally aired on CBS.

Seasons 1 and 2 were beautifully remastered, obviously from the original network masters. But they changed stock music from the Capitol library--which no other studio did--these music cues were used on virtually all sitcoms from that time period. Seasons 3 thru 5 were issued more recently on DVD, using any masters available, some of them syndication copies.

The color seasons have never been fully issued on home media, and never on DVD. Only seasons 6 thru the first half of 11 have been syndicated in the modern era; that is, mastered to videotape for syndication. The second half of season 11 and all of season 12 have never been officially syndicated in the modern era, and are unavailable in full, original network form.

MikeLutton · 03-18-2024, 04:06 PM

when i first read the title of this i thought somebody had died

merlinjones · 03-18-2024, 07:02 PM

RE: Donna Reed seasons 6 and 7 -- some speculate that Bob Crane's billed co-starring role in those two seasons is somehow a deal breaker. Royalties? (His guest spots in season 5 don't seem to be a problem).

Maybe because these seasons have never been syndicated there are lots of back payments to be made all around?

I would love to see these.

TMC · 03-20-2024, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeLutton

when i first read the title of this i thought somebody had died

I think that this is in reference to sitcoms that as of now, are considered "lost media". The term "lost media" is basically defined as being any media that is believed to have been forgotten or no longer exists in any format. TV Tropes has an entire page on this called "Keep Circulating the Tapes".

snowpeck · 03-21-2024, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

2. My Three Sons

No complete, unedited home media sets have ever been issued for any seasons of this show. Seasons 1 thru 5 are black and white episodes aired originally on ABC and seasons 6 thru 12 are color episodes originally aired on CBS.

Seasons 1 and 2 were beautifully remastered, obviously from the original network masters. But they changed stock music from the Capitol library--which no other studio did--these music cues were used on virtually all sitcoms from that time period. Seasons 3 thru 5 were issued more recently on DVD, using any masters available, some of them syndication copies.

The color seasons have never been fully issued on home media, and never on DVD. Only seasons 6 thru the first half of 11 have been syndicated in the modern era; that is, mastered to videotape for syndication. The second half of season 11 and all of season 12 have never been officially syndicated in the modern era, and are unavailable in full, original network form.

Nearly the entire run (minus a handful of episodes that may or may not have rights issues) is on Amazon Prime now, so I don't think My Three Sons qualifies anymore.

tvfan25 · 03-21-2024, 07:35 AM

Double Trouble
My Sister Sam
Jennifer Slept Here
For Your Love

tlc38tlc38 · 03-21-2024, 09:40 AM

The Drew Carey Show
Empty Nest

Merry24 · 03-21-2024, 10:42 AM

Sister Kate

Big Brother Jake

Mister Ed

Hi Honey I’m Home

The Charmings

Just The Ten Of Us

Mr.Belvedere

Perfect Strangers

NBC Sisters

Nurses

Kate & Allie

Our House

You Can’t Do That On Television

Where In The World Is Carmen San Diego?

Car 54, Where Are You?

Amen

He-Man and The Masters Of The Universe

She-Ra and The Princess Of Power

Muppet Babies

Pee Wee’s Playhouse

The Drew Carey Show is currently on antenna tv.

stevea · 03-21-2024, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merlinjones

RE: Donna Reed seasons 7 and 8 -- some speculate that Bob Crane's billed co-starring role in those two seasons is somehow a deal breaker. Royalties? (His guest spots in season 6 don't seem to be a problem).

Maybe because these seasons have never been syndicated there are lots of back payments to be made all around?

I would love to see these.

I've heard that there's some speculation as to Bob Crane's deal. At the time of his few appearances in earlier seasons he wouldn't have been under contract yet; therefore, those appearances aren't an issue.

There has to be some issue with Crane, since he appeared in a season 8 episode that was probably held over from season 7. Although season 8 has run on MeTV/Decades/Catchy, that episode is withheld.

Of course Crane is long gone, but the contract may extend to his heirs.

stevea · 03-21-2024, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowpeck

Nearly the entire run (minus a handful of episodes that may or may not have rights issues) is on Amazon Prime now, so I don't think My Three Sons qualifies anymore.

The first half of season 11 has been beautifully remastered (plus the previously-remastered seasons 1 and 2), but the rest of the seasons on Amazon Prime are the same hodgepodge that has shown on TV for years.

icecream · 03-21-2024, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merry24

Our House

I miss when INSP aired Our House. I would buy Our House on DVD, but I don't think anyone cares about making it.

03-15-2024, 01:31 PM	#1
Merry24 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 10, 2017 Location: beach Posts: 2,042	Lost Sitcoms that are not being aired or streamed. The series is gone. As we know there are so many TV Sitcoms out there but sadly there are some sitcoms that are not being shown in syndication or streaming. Sadly those Sitcoms must be dead. Can you name any Sitcoms that are & will continue to be gone forever and just be a Memory.
	Last edited by Merry24; 03-18-2024 at 09:03 PM.

03-18-2024, 04:06 PM	#6
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,888	when i first read the title of this i thought somebody had died
	__________________ Tv And DVD Addict got over a hundred dvds in my collection more than anyone in the neighborhood. also huge Animal lover family man

03-18-2024, 07:02 PM	#7
merlinjones Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 30, 2019 Location: los ángeles Posts: 933	RE: Donna Reed seasons 6 and 7 -- some speculate that Bob Crane's billed co-starring role in those two seasons is somehow a deal breaker. Royalties? (His guest spots in season 5 don't seem to be a problem). Maybe because these seasons have never been syndicated there are lots of back payments to be made all around? I would love to see these.
	Last edited by merlinjones; 03-24-2024 at 02:52 PM. Reason: wrote the wrong seasons initially

03-21-2024, 09:40 AM	#11
tlc38tlc38 Member Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Posts: 19,284	The Drew Carey Show Empty Nest
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

03-15-2024, 04:27 PM	#2
ThisLittlePiggy Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Nov 02, 2013 Posts: 85,643	Was Brothers, the sitcom that aired on cable from 1984 to 1989 ever syndicated?

03-16-2024, 03:59 AM	#3
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Yes, Brothers was syndicated. I lived in Philadelphia in the late 80s/early 90s, and WGBS (channel 57) showed it.

03-16-2024, 02:28 PM	#4
ThisLittlePiggy Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Nov 02, 2013 Posts: 85,643	Oh, Okay. I wasn't sure.

03-16-2024, 06:26 PM	#5
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 45,066	I know this sounds odd, but parts of a couple of older sitcoms appear to be dead. 1. The Donna Reed Show In (mostly) the 60s this sitcom was quite popular. The first five seasons have been issued on DVD season sets, mostly with complete episodes. Seasons 6 and 7 are generally unavailable. The final season, 8, which apparently has always been available in syndication, still is. As far as I know, Weigel Broadcasting still has the rights to all seasons except 6 and 7. There have always been problems with the rights and ownership. Todon Productions (Tony Owen's and Donna Reed's company) owned the show for the first five seasons, and it was co-produced by Todon and Screen Gems. Reed tired of the grind and wanted out after five seasons, but a deal was worked out, and Todon sold the show to Screen Gems, along with an agreed-upon slightly-reduced season size. So deals were worked out with the Owen-Reed estate to issue to issue the previously mentioned DVD sets, and possibly syndication deals. Sony syndicates season 8, but, though they appear to own the rights to seasons 6 and 7, these seasons are unavailable. There are some possible reasons for this--one might be that that simply don't have possession of the films. 2. My Three Sons No complete, unedited home media sets have ever been issued for any seasons of this show. Seasons 1 thru 5 are black and white episodes aired originally on ABC and seasons 6 thru 12 are color episodes originally aired on CBS. Seasons 1 and 2 were beautifully remastered, obviously from the original network masters. But they changed stock music from the Capitol library--which no other studio did--these music cues were used on virtually all sitcoms from that time period. Seasons 3 thru 5 were issued more recently on DVD, using any masters available, some of them syndication copies. The color seasons have never been fully issued on home media, and never on DVD. Only seasons 6 thru the first half of 11 have been syndicated in the modern era; that is, mastered to videotape for syndication. The second half of season 11 and all of season 12 have never been officially syndicated in the modern era, and are unavailable in full, original network form.

03-21-2024, 07:35 AM	#10
tvfan25 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 10, 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 634	Double Trouble My Sister Sam Jennifer Slept Here For Your Love

03-21-2024, 10:42 AM	#12
Merry24 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 10, 2017 Location: beach Posts: 2,042	Sister Kate Big Brother Jake Mister Ed Hi Honey I’m Home The Charmings Just The Ten Of Us Mr.Belvedere Perfect Strangers NBC Sisters Nurses Kate & Allie Our House You Can’t Do That On Television Where In The World Is Carmen San Diego? Car 54, Where Are You? Amen He-Man and The Masters Of The Universe She-Ra and The Princess Of Power Muppet Babies Pee Wee’s Playhouse The Drew Carey Show is currently on antenna tv.