Why didn't Ozzie and Harriet go into syndication immediately after the show ended?

[Janine the Dream]

Many classic TV shows like Jack Benny, Burns and Allen, etc., went into syndication right after their run ended or even while still producing first run episodes. Since Ozzie was such a go getter, I wonder why he did not assemble syndication packages while he was still alive?

[OH Nuts!]

I don't know but its a pity that it didn't. I adore the show and hope more releases come out - it's been a while (sadly)

[Cincy Guy]

This series lasted for 14 seasons, but just seemed to end with very few re-runs either on the network or in syndication. I have to think there was - and still must be - a firm hand in control of its rights. From time to time, I see some of the shows here on some un-identified cable channel although the quality is not the best and the credits at the end don't seem to match that particular episode. The music played during the credits is just an up-temp guitar instrumental (which may come from the series later seasons) not the theme that was used during most ot the years of the series.

[Janine the Dream]

Originally Posted by Cincy Guy

This series lasted for 14 seasons, but just seemed to end with very few re-runs either on the network or in syndication. I have to think there was - and still must be - a firm hand in control of its rights. From time to time, I see some of the shows here on some un-identified cable channel although the quality is not the best and the credits at the end don't seem to match that particular episode. The music played during the credits is just an up-temp guitar instrumental (which may come from the series later seasons) not the theme that was used during most ot the years of the series.

I surprised after the run on the Disney Channel, the show was not picked up by a cable network. Some of the DVD's out are poor quality and are not complete with Rick's songs and commercials, these cheapen the show which is best enjoyed in its entirety with Rick's songs and commercials included.

[MickeyMac]

This whole thing has turned into a mess and it never should have gotten that way.

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by Janine the Dream

I surprised after the run on the Disney Channel, the show was not picked up by a cable network. Some of the DVD's out are poor quality and are not complete with Rick's songs and commercials, these cheapen the show which is best enjoyed in its entirety with Rick's songs and commercials included.

Yes, there is nothing like watching a COMPLETE O & H ep, uncut with commercials songs and all.

Hope more and better does come about BUT something is still better than nothing and some of the Mill Creek eps are pretty close to complete (although others are clearly not)

[Jude The Obscure]

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

Yes, there is nothing like watching a COMPLETE O & H ep, uncut with commercials songs and all.

Hope more and better does come about BUT something is still better than nothing and some of the Mill Creek eps are pretty close to complete (although others are clearly not)

Was the show never in daytime reruns on ABC?

I know several episodes still have the OZ logo for syndication distribution purposes.

[TV Knowledge Fan]

...in fact, it was withheld from syndication for several years because a) Ozzie owned the show, and b) he felt there were too many episodes [over 400, I forgot the actual number] to be successfully "packaged" as an off-network series. He finally chose what he felt were "the best 200", and parceled them into syndication [through Filmways] in the early '70s. Today, David controls the rights to the series, and he has no intention of releasing EVERY episode for broadcast or DVD release.

[Jude The Obscure]

The series appeared to have fallen into public domain very easily.....I know my Fox station (before Fox came along) went on the air in 1980 and aired this show for a couple of years everyday, but I never recalled seeing a distribution logo.