Retro TV

“Good news Classic TV fans! TVLand has announced they will make episodes of “The Andy Griffith Show” available online via their free “On Demand” service. The episodes are full length and uncut and will be updated daily. The Andy Griffith ran from 1960-1968 and starred Andy Griffith, Ron Howard, and Don Knotts.

classic television, classic sitcoms, The Andy Griffith Show, TVLand

Hello classic TV fans!

You won’t want to miss Bravo’s special 5 part series on the 100 best TV characters. Their list is full of classic favorites-everyone from Herman Munster to Ed Norton! You can check out the list and find out more information here

Once you’ve checked out the list, drop me a comment and let me know if you agree! Is your favorite included? Think they left out someone? Leave a comment and let’s talk about it!

classic television, 100 greatest television characters, bravotv.com

If you’re a fan of a show that hasn’t been released on DVD or of one who’s releases stopped after a season or two because of slow sales, you might be tempted to purchase a set from one of the many sites that claim to offer the entire series on DVD. I can only say “buyer beware”. If a show hasn’t had an official studio release, what you’re buying is most likely an illegal bootleg. You’ll get a set of DVD-R’s and the episodes will probably have been recorded off TVLand or another cable station. This means they won’t be unedited(except for the removal of commercials) and the quality won’t be stellar. It is tempting, especially if you’re a fan of a show that in all likelyhood won’t ever be released on DVD (Dragnet, Barney Miller, and Adam-12 all come to mind-their studios cancelled plans to release future seasons after their Season 1 sets had poor sales), however be aware that the actors and writers involved in the show don’t make a dime from these sales. So again I say, “buyer beware!” Here is an interesting article about one such company.

classic television, classic tv on dvd, TVLand, Barney Miller, Dragnet, Adam-12

Henderson, NV, September 11, 2007 –(PR.com)– TV4U, which presents free internet television on a 42 channel broadband network TV4U.Com, will provide seven channels of free internet TV programming to the new Classic TV service, which will be available in September exclusively on HP consumer notebook PCs and accessed through HP QuickPlay software. The service will allow HP viewers , thru their internet connection*, to access all programming at no charge and offer the option to buy DVD or video download versions of the programs at popular prices. In all, more than 5,000 classic programs are being made available to HP consumer notebook PC users through this unique service.

“We are very excited to be providing a seven channel broadband network to HP,” said Charry Kennedy, TV4U,Inc. President and CEO. “The HP Classic Channels provide a fun and interesting mix of some of the greatest TV from the past 60 years and we think the viewers will just love it.”

“Access to their favorite older television programming is a unique facet of mobile entertainment that we think HP consumer notebook PC users will appreciate,” said Jonathan Kaye, director of consumer notebook marketing for HP. “TV4U is already being viewed in more than 150 countries every day and now HP customers will be able to easily access this content as well.”

TV4U is programming seven HP Classic TV channels - Action, Comedy, Classic Commercials, Drama, Sports, Variety, and Western.

Action programming includes “Combat”, “Burke’s Law”, “Peter Gunn”, “Sea Hunt”, “Flash Gordon”, “Dick Tracy”“Robin Hood”, “Long John Silver”, “Ramar of the Jungle”, “Sky King”, “Zorro”, “Lassie”, “Fury” and a wide collection of Kung Fu Classics.

Comedy programming includes “The Lucy Show”, “Dobie Gillis”, “Love That Bob”, “The Beverly Hillbillies”, “The Andy Griffith Show”, “The Dick Van Dyke Show”, “Green Acres”, “Mothers in Law”, “Our Miss Brooks”, ”Gomer Pyle,USMC”, “Topper”, “The Three Stooges”, “Petticoat Junction”, “Life of Riley” and others.

Classic Commercials includes the campiest, funniest and most nostalgic commercial spots produced in the history of TV. From the Miller Lite ‘Taste Great Less Filling’ to Maypo, to Mikey, to future stars just getting their start, each is a treat in its own right.

Drama Channel includes “Arrest and Trial”, “The Loretta Young Show”, “Four Star Theater”, “GE Theater with Ronal Reagan”, “Studio One”, “Dragnet”, “Mannix”, “Highway Patrol”, “Ellery Queen”, “Mike Hammer”, “Alfred Hitchcock”, “One Step Beyond” and series from the Golden Age of Television as well as many early soap operas.

Sports includes complete game action from some of the greatest sports events of the past 60 years. Muhammad Ali, Floyd Patterson, Pele, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Lawrence Taylor, Richard Petty and Isaiah Thomas are just some of the stars who will appear.

Variety programming includes “Hollywood Palace”, “Milton Berle”, “Red Skelton”, “Jack Benny”, “Mike Douglas”, “Liberace”, plus a wide variety of classic game shows such as “The Price is Right”, “Truth or Consequences”, “Break the Bank”, “Beat the Clock”, “Concentration” and many more.

Western Channel includes John Wayne movies, “The Deputy” with Henry Fonda, “Sugarfoot”, “Stoney Burke”, “Shotgun Slade”, “The Rifleman”, “Jim Bowie”, “Wyatt Earp”, “Bat Masterson” and a wide variety of legendary spaghetti westerns with stars like Lee Van Cleef as well as “Bonanza”, “Wagon Train”, “Rin Tin Tin”, “The Lone Ranger”, “Cisco Kid” and “Roy Rogers”.

classic television, TV4U.com, HP Classic TV, free classic television on the internet

30 years ago this month, this is what the new televison season brought us:

Mondays

ABC
8:00 San Pedro Beach Bums
9:00 Monday Night Football

NBC
8:00 Little House on The Prairie
9:00 Monday Night Movie

CBS
8:00 Young Daniel Boone
9:00 The Betty White Show
9:30 Maude
10:00 Rafferty

Tuesdays

ABC
8:00 Happy Days
8:30 Laverne & Shirley
9:00 Three’s Company
9:30 Soap
10:00 Family

NBC
8:00 The Richard Pryor
9:00 Mullligan Stew
10:00 Police Woman

CBS
8:00 The Fitzpatricks
9:00 M*A*SH
9:30 One Day at a Time
10:00 Lou Grant

Wednesdays

ABC
8:00 Eight is Enough
9:00 Charlie’s Angels
10:00 Baretta

NBC
8:00 Grizzly Adams
9:00 Oregon Trail
10:00 Big Hawaii

CBS
8:00 Good Times
8:30 Busting Loose
9:00 Wednesday Night Movie

Thursdays

ABC
8:00 Welcome Back Kotter
8:30 What’s Happening
9:00 Barney Miller
9:30 Carter Country
10:00 The Red Foxx Show

NBC
8:00 CHiPs
9:00 Man From Atlantis
10:00 Rosetti and Ryan

CBS
8:00 The Waltons
9:00 Hawaii 5-0
10:00 Barnaby Jones

Fridays

ABC
8:00 Donny and Marie
9:00 Friday Night Movie

NBC
8:00 Sanford Arms
8:30 Chico and the Man
9:00 Rockford Files
10:00 Quincy, M.E.

CBS
8:00 Wonder Woman
9:00 Logan’s Run
10:00 Switch

Saturdays

ABC
8:00 Fish
8:30 Operation Petticoat
9:00 Starsky and Hutch
10:00 The Love Boat

NBC
8:00 Bionic Woman
9:00 The Saturday Night Movie

CBS
8:00 The Bob Newhart Show
8:30 We’ve Got Each Other
9:00 The Jeffersons
9:30 The Tony Randall
10:00 The Carol Burnett Show

Sundays

ABC
8:00 Six Million Dollar Man
9:00 The Sunday Night Movie

NBC
8:00 The Wonderful World of Disney
9:00 The Big Event

CBS
8:00 Rhoda
8:30 On Our Own
9:00 All in the Family
9:30 Alice
10:00 Kojak

I was 7 years old in 1977 but this still brings back a lot of memories!! How about you?

classic television, 1977 television season, All in the Family, Alice, Bionic Woman, CHiPs, Kojak, Happy Days, Waltons, Barney Miller, Bob Newhart, Carol Burnett, Monday Night Football

We just spoke with Robert Pine (Sgt. Joe Getraer). Now lets check in with Larry Wilcox, who played Jon Baker, partner to Erik Estrada’s Ponch!

September will mark 30 years since CHiPs premiered. How do you feel about that? Does it seem that long?

Seems like 5-10 years, until I look at the show. Memory is such a romantic tool where reality is a non tangible.

The first season was just released on DVD, introducing a whole new generation to the show. Erik Estrada contributed commentary to several episodes. Have you been asked to do the same for the second season? If not would you if asked?

I would of course but once AGAIN this was another covert manipulative deal whereby WE (other cast members) were asked if we would provide interviews for these releases and they would grant us something like a flat screen. So benevolent! I asked them if they would allow “Favored Nations” and they would not respond. That told me they had already made a deal with someone, and were trying to con us. Never heard again from these fine people. Time Honors everyone doesn’t it!

There is currently a CHiPs motion picture in production. Would you appear in it if asked? How do you feel about another actor portraying your character?

I am flattered they will do a movie. I would do a cameo of course as it would suggest or bring closure. I love the fact that they would cast another character as time has passed my “pair of shoes (wingtips) that used to be on the shelf and fashionable. I hope they do mostly comedic actors and plots.

You played Jon Baker, the cop with a heart of gold. . How did you feel about your character? Did you enjoy playing him? How much input did you have into the character’s development?

I enjoyed ole Jon. He was a senstive nice guy that was a straight man for Ponch and a support system within a “system of flux”. At times he was boring and not flamboyant and my child ego yearned for such a meal but I know now that he was very genuine, comfortable with who he was and was not, and was a leader and teacher. I had some input with the character but I would say that more wise producers like Cy Chermak and Rick Rosner tried to define my character. I think Jon was a lot like me and that they just tried to expand such. I am deeply appreciative for the experience and the indulgence at such a young age in my life cycle. What a treat in so “many ways”. The Carnival had lots of rides at such a young indulgent age for most male identity crisis issues.

Your son appeared in two episodes. How did that come to be and did you enjoy working together?

My children are a perpetuation of the good and bad of myself. I am so proud of all of them as they are unique, intelligent and sensitive. I always asked for such favors to allow my children to ride these carnival rides together. What a memory and we got paid together. My goal was to help their young self esteem; my goal was to show them off to the world; my goal was to let them be peacocks for an episode; my goal was to say Thanks.

You left the show in the 6th season. Have you ever regretted it? Have you ever seen any of the 6th season episodes?

I have never regretted it. It was the correct thing to do based upon many ugly circumstances. I have seen some of those episodes and think they did a good job. I think the show had a loyal fan base, and the new marriage may not have been accepted, or…..the show had lost its life cycle. No biggie, no blame, just shelf life is ephimeral.

Do you keep in touch with any of your fellow castmates?

Nope…..really have no time to lounge around since my wonderful family keeps me so busy.

You left acting to become a successful businessman. Do you ever miss it? Would you act again if the right opportunity came along? How do you feel when people recognize you as the guy from CHiPs?

Acting for ME is kind of juvenile now. I say that with respect to the greats like Peter O Toole, James Dean and Brando of course. However, I find it a young, indulgent, and dysfunctional way to make a living. I am proud of many actors, proud for them, and ashamed of many “performers”. I highly doubt that I would act again, ever, but…yes, there may be something. I have no desire to ever be a Star and enjoy the truth of annomity. I feel flattered when people still recognize me, even though they are not “teenagers” any more.

Did you ever watch the show when it was in syndication?

Maybe for 15 mins at 3AM in a hotel where I could not sleep. My boys tell me it is Dorky so ….time has passed the hunks who reveled in the celebrity of a TV Series on NBC produced at MGM.

Tell us what Larry Wilcox is up to these days!

I am focused on building wealth for my family in public companies while supplying the emerging continents with banking and health solutions. My public companies ticker symbols are UCHB.OB and PSPJ.OB and there will soon be another and another. I want to form an International Banking Company for my two younger boys called Wilcox and Wilcox. I want to help Africa as it is so impressive as an emerging country. I want to help deliver to villages media and content and culture of their choosing but provide access. I want to provide a Nasdaq like ticker tape health system where patients are empowered with their daily real time tests, results and preventative care. I want to help countries purify water and have access to the basics.

Thanks so much Larry!

Classic tv, CHiPs, Robert Pine, Erik Estrada, Chris Pine, Larry Wilcox, CHiPs-99, CHP, tv on dvd

30 years ago this week, on September 15, NBC premiered a new show called “CHiPs”. It’s premise was simple enough: two handsome young California Highway Patrol officers patrol the freeways of 1970’s Los Angeles, catching the bad guys and getting the girls. Throw in some spectacular car crashes and you have a hit! CHiPs ran for 6 seasons and made Erik Estrada THE heartthrob of the 70’s. I recently had the chance to talk to two of the show’s stars, Larry Wilcox (Jon Baker) and Robert Pine (Sgt Joe Getraer). We’ll start with Robert.

September will mark 30 years since CHiPs premiered. How do you feel about that? Does it seem that long? Have you seen any of the episodes since the show ended?

The fact that it has been 30 years since we started CHiPs (1977) seems impossible. Unfortunately, the calendar doesn’t lie and I am just that much older. That is what is most difficult to accept. Fortunately, I am enjoying great health and seem to be as busy as I was then.

The first season was just released on DVD, introducing a whole new generation to the show. Erik Estrada contributed commentary to several episodes. Have you been asked to do the same for the second season? If not would you if asked?

I have not been asked to contribute commentary for the second year DVD but would love to do it. The problem is always compensation. Warner Bros., who owns the rights to the show and is releasing the DVDs, does not want to pay us to do this. I know this is sometimes hard for the fans to understand but this is how actors make a living and to the studios, whether it’s Warners or any of the others who release their videos to DVD, that is found money and it is only fair that they share some of the profits if we are going to create new material for release. They don’t even send a complementary copy to the actors. As you might be concluding here I have very strong feelings about this because I would like very much to add my presence to these DVDs. I would hope that they would include the entire core cast to comment on the show. I know the fans would really like that. But this is a huge conglomerate that is only looking to the bottom line and figures that you are going to buy it whether we are on it or not. They also figure that Erik is the only one that the audience wants really to hear from and they might very well be correct. He was our biggest draw. Having said all that, who knows. Things change. They may have a change of heart. I hope so.

There is currently a CHiPs motion picture in production. Would you appear in it if asked? How do you feel about another actor portraying your character?

I certainly would consider a role in the new motion picture of CHiPs. However, I have a feeling that will not happen. Again, they may ask Erik and/or Larry but they don’t want to overload the story with us. They want to tell a new story and give the new actors a chance to establish their characters and if we are there the temptation to compare is too great. I am sure if the movie does well at the box office they might consider reviving the series with the new cast. And as far as someone playing my part, I will be very curious to see their interpretation and will be in the front row cheering them on, cheering all of them on. I think we all feel that it was a good show that we are proud of and grateful to be associated with and would love to see someone carry on the franchise and enjoy the ride like we had.

You played tough but fair Sergeant Getraer. How did you feel about your character? Did you enjoy playing him? How much input did you have into the character’s development?

I loved playing Joe Getraer. I think he was the moral center of the show. My character always brought the boys back to the straight and narrow. I was the parental figure on the show. I was a good foil for Ponch & Jon. If they messed up they had to answer to Getraer. As for my input on the character, the producers and writers were always open to ideas. Mostly they threw some things into the early scripts and saw what was effective and wrote to those qualities. We had wonderful staff writers who were very sensitive to all our characters idiosyncrasies and, I thought, served all of us very well.

Your wife played your character’s wife in several episodes. How did that come to be and did you enjoy working together?

Gwynne Gilford, my real wife of almost 38 years, did play Betty Getraer for about 6 shows. I loved working with her. I’m just sorry that they couldn’t work her character in more. But one had to always remember that this was a show about Ponch & Jon not about the rest of us. Oh, it was about the rest of us but as we weaved in and out of their lives. And that is the way it should have been. I represented an older, more stodgy demographic and our show was aimed at the youth culture which I think was very successful.

The 6th season brought many dramatic changes to show, namely the loss of a great deal of the cast including Larry Wilcox. How did you and the remaining cast feel about those changes?

In the sixth season, Larry left, as did Randi and Michael Dorn and maybe some others. I have forgotten. The new cast members were all nice people but some of us could see the writing on the wall that our show was losing steam fast but not for lack of trying. MGM and NBC brought in a new producer, new writers with instructions to have more “fun” with the scripts. The result was some pretty silly shows that I was never very fond of and I think our core audience agreed evidenced by our numbers (Neilson) falling off precipitously. And that is always a recipe for disaster. Everyone gave it their all but it was a lost cause.

Do you keep in touch with any of your fellow castmates?

I don’t see Larry or Erik very much at all. I saw Larry last fall and I can’t remember the last time I saw Erik. The one I see the most is Paul Linke (Grossie). He and I have remained close friends ever since the show ended. He is a terrific guy and a very talented stage director especially in the one-man show format. I also manage to see Lou Wagner (Harlin) at least once a year at a New Year’s Day party he hosts at his house. Also a wonderful guy. I used to play tennis about twice a week with Michael Dorn (Turner) a few years back but I hurt my shoulder and had to scale back but we manage to have lunch every so often. Brodie Greer (Baricsa) has sort of dropped off my radar screen but because you have reminded me, I am going to track him down for an update. Those four guys were my pals on the show and remain so.

Your son Chris is a terrific actor and a rising star. Did you encourage him to get into acting?

You never encourage your children to attempt this business. It can be just too painful and heart breaking. But if they show a will and will not be denied, you do a 180 and give them all the support and encouragement you can. And I am delighted with the success Chris is having. He deserves it. He is a fierce worker and is always prepared for whatever comes his way. He’s also incredibly talented which doesn’t hurt. He’s off to a flying start and I think he will do very well. His Mom and I couldn’t be more proud of him. Did I also say he’s great guy? Well, he is!

What was it like reuniting with the cast for CHiPs 99?

We had a terrific time when we did CHiPs 99. Just sorry more of the cast couldn’t be with us. The movie did very well and we thought we would be doing more but TNT which owned the rights to CHiPs at the time wanted to go in a different direction with their in house productions. It would have been fun to do some more of them. As they say, that’s show business!

Finally, you’ve continued to act all these years. What are you working on now?

I have been rather busy of late, I am happy to say. This past spring I was in Connecticut doing a play for six weeks entitled, Viagara Falls. It was great fun and I will probably go out with it again this fall. We haven’t worked out the details yet. I finish a movie, Small Town Saturday Night, tomorrow where I play Chris’ Dad. How’s that for type casting and nepotism! I have a day on a Samuel Jackson film next week, Lakeview Terrace, and later in August start a film, No Man’s Land. So I am very grateful to be working. I seem to be avoiding the ageism in Hollywood they talk about.

Thanks so much Robert!

Next up we’ll talk to Larry Wilcox!

Classic tv, CHiPs, Robert Pine, Erik Estrada, Chris Pine, Larry Wilcox, CHiPs-99, CHP, tv on dvd

Today is a somber and sad day here in New York City. 6 years ago life changed forever when the World Trade Center fell and thousands died. Please take a moment today, wherever you are and say a prayer for those who were killed and those left behind, and tonight give your loved ones a hug and count your blessings!

9/11, New York City, terrorist attacks, September 11, World Trade Center

Legendary actress and Academy Award winner Jane Wyman has died at the age of 93. She was first wife of former President Ronald Reagan. In 1948 she won the Best Actress Oscar in for her role of a deaf/mute in “Johnny Belinda”, but she is best known for her role in the long running primetime soap “Falcon Crest”. She played vineyard owner and matriarch Angela Channing from 1981 to 1990, an era when primetime soaps such as “Falcon Crest”, Dallas” an “Dynasty” ruled the airwaves. She is survived by a son, Michael. Funeral details have not yet been announced.

yed

classic tv, primetime soaps, Falcon Crest, Jane Wyman, Ronald Reagan, Johnny Belinda

A morning radio show here in NYC recently had a countdown of what they felt were the Top 10 Sitcoms on TV today. I decided to make my own list of classics. Agree? Disagree? Think I left something out? Leave a comment and let me know!

1. Barney Miller
2. I Love Lucy
3. Mary Tyler Moore
4. The Honeymooners
5. M*A*S*H
6. WKRP in Cincinnati
7. All In The Family
8.Cheers
9.Dick Van Dyke
10. The Andy Griffith Show

classic tv, classic sitcoms, Barney Miller, MASH, Mary Tyler Moore, top 10 classic sitcoms, retro tv,

According to a report on AOL News, former child star Brian Bonsall, who played baby brother Andy on the hit 80’s sitcom “Family Ties” and later went on to play Worf’s son in “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, pleaded guilty to assault charges in Colorado. The 25 year old was arrested after his girlfriend reported to police that he threw a drink at her as she slept, and when she tried to leave, he put a chokehold on her and threw her on a bed. The actor’s lawyer said he had gone through a rehabilitation program and was now 5 months sober.

“Family Ties” as you’ll recall, introduced the world to a guy named Michael J. Fox. You may have heard of him. Let’s hope his co-star really has turned his life around and is no longer on the sad road so many child stars have taken.

child stars, classic tv, Family Ties, Brian Bonsall, Michael J. Fox, Star Trek: The Next Generation

Hello readers,
I apologize for the silence. I’ve been ill. I’m finally feeling well enough to get back to my writing so stay tuned for lots of great news and notes about classic tv and the people who made it. Thank you for your patience!

classic tv, news, illness