This is a little O/T for Season 2, but I had no idea VCRs were around in 1974 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JeffRuss1972 · 11-03-2005, 07:57 PM

In watching the season 2 episode "Clink Shrink", where Bob volunteers to start a therapy group in a maximum security prison, I was very surprised to learn that there were VCRs in 1974. One of the prisoners, played by a pre-Fonzie Henry Winkler, gives Bob and Emily a Video Tape Recorder to hook up to their TV to tape their favorite shows. Bob didn't even know what it was. I had no idea they were around that early. Just an observation.
I LOVE season 2 BTW

CAJeannieFan57 · 11-03-2005, 08:32 PM

They were around - BUT, they were all pretty expensive. It wasn't until the late 70s that there was a big race between VHS and Sony's BetaMax for who was going to win the VCR race. BetaMax was far better technology, but it was VERY expensive compared to VHS, so VHS won out of course, and the rest is, as they say, history.

I have been enjoying both seasons on DVD's and though I don't wish to wish my life away, am anxiously awaiting Season 3 (plus the release of IDOJ on DVD.).

Donna
http://www.geocities.com/jeanniesisters/
(An I Dream of Jeannie website)

JeffRuss1972 · 11-03-2005, 08:40 PM

Hey, thanks for the info!
Yeah, I'm anxiously awaiting seasons 3-6 of Bob Newhart, and hopefully his 80s show too.

I like the commentaries on this one as well. Usually, I'll watch the show first, then go back and watch with the commentary on. Makes it interesting.

CAJeannieFan57 · 11-04-2005, 07:37 PM

I did the same with the commentaries except in one case, where I already owned the episode on VHS and had just watched it not too long ago. That was "The Last TV Show." (That was one that TV Land ran on their mini-marathon anyway.)

I'm also hoping that for Season 3 and beyond, that they'll get Suzanne, Bill and Peter to make commentaries and be part of the interviews. That special stuff makes the DVD's.

Donna

TVFactFan · 11-23-2005, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffRuss1972

In watching the season 2 episode "Clink Shrink", where Bob volunteers to start a therapy group in a maximum security prison, I was very surprised to learn that there were VCRs in 1974. One of the prisoners, played by a pre-Fonzie Henry Winkler, gives Bob and Emily a Video Tape Recorder to hook up to their TV to tape their favorite shows. Bob didn't even know what it was. I had no idea they were around that early. Just an observation.
I LOVE season 2 BTW

I think VCR's in 1974 would be like how a High Defintion TV is 2005 to the average working person who wouldn;t be able to afford it.

11-03-2005, 07:57 PM	#1
JeffRuss1972 70s Sitcoms Rule!!! Eternal Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 11, 2005 Location: Villa Rica, GA Posts: 1,257	This is a little O/T for Season 2, but I had no idea VCRs were around in 1974 In watching the season 2 episode "Clink Shrink", where Bob volunteers to start a therapy group in a maximum security prison, I was very surprised to learn that there were VCRs in 1974. One of the prisoners, played by a pre-Fonzie Henry Winkler, gives Bob and Emily a Video Tape Recorder to hook up to their TV to tape their favorite shows. Bob didn't even know what it was. I had no idea they were around that early. Just an observation. I LOVE season 2 BTW
	__________________ Previously JalanRuss for a SHORT time, but got my OLD Username Back! Hello Again

11-03-2005, 08:32 PM	#2
CAJeannieFan57 Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 01, 2005 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 871	They were around - BUT, they were all pretty expensive. It wasn't until the late 70s that there was a big race between VHS and Sony's BetaMax for who was going to win the VCR race. BetaMax was far better technology, but it was VERY expensive compared to VHS, so VHS won out of course, and the rest is, as they say, history. I have been enjoying both seasons on DVD's and though I don't wish to wish my life away, am anxiously awaiting Season 3 (plus the release of IDOJ on DVD.). Donna http://www.geocities.com/jeanniesisters/ (An I Dream of Jeannie website)
	__________________ Donna

11-03-2005, 08:40 PM	#3
JeffRuss1972 70s Sitcoms Rule!!! Eternal Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 11, 2005 Location: Villa Rica, GA Posts: 1,257	Hey, thanks for the info! Yeah, I'm anxiously awaiting seasons 3-6 of Bob Newhart, and hopefully his 80s show too. I like the commentaries on this one as well. Usually, I'll watch the show first, then go back and watch with the commentary on. Makes it interesting.

11-04-2005, 07:37 PM	#4
CAJeannieFan57 Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 01, 2005 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 871	I did the same with the commentaries except in one case, where I already owned the episode on VHS and had just watched it not too long ago. That was "The Last TV Show." (That was one that TV Land ran on their mini-marathon anyway.) I'm also hoping that for Season 3 and beyond, that they'll get Suzanne, Bill and Peter to make commentaries and be part of the interviews. That special stuff makes the DVD's. Donna