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Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

#1
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11/27/07 at 10:29am
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Since I wasn't traveling for Thanksgiving this year and had no plans at all, I decided to spend the day watching season 1, volume 1 of Love, American Style.

I had a great time with it. However, the show is rather dated. It's...cute, but not as funny as I remember it. Maybe it got better as it went along. There were several good segments that stand out for me. Love and the Living Doll, Love and the Good deal (a take off of Barefoot in the Park) and Love and the Divorce Sale are the ones that really stand out for me. I was very surprised to see Harrison Ford show up in one episode.

All in all, a good show that I will be buying more of when they come out.
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#2
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11/27/07 at 10:51am
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

The only one i really remember is Love and the Happy Days. Yep, the pilot for the series. I watched the show again a few years ago on TVLand, i think. It has that 70s charm, but your right, its dated as hell! Some of the stuff is even cringe worthy bad. I recall as a kid i didnt find it as funny as other sitcoms, but we still watched it.
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#3
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11/27/07 at 2:09pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

You're right. It's very, very dated. There's no mistaking that this show was early 70s.

I have the Happy Days pilot that Nick at Nite showed years ago. Until this set came out, it was the only episode of Love, American Style that I had on tape. Honestly, I didn't think that Love and the Happy Days was all that great of an episode. It's interesting from a TV history point of view, but in my opinion there were much better episodes of Love, American Style than that.
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#4
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11/27/07 at 2:11pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

I like how the show has to dance around the obvious. And there's the unintentional humor - like we're supposed to believe that Paul Lynde would want to seduce a female secretary.

This is beautiful '70s kitsch that's much more entertaining than the sketches on so many variety shows. Next batch has a great episode with Tony Randall getting frisky with Julie Newmar - that's TV!

come see the reviews at
http://thedvdlounge.com/

and the Seinfeld Tour Bus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DztXpmMbj_0

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#5
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11/27/07 at 2:17pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by Corey3rd
I like how the show has to dance around the obvious.

Totally. It took several episodes before anyone even said the phrase, 'making love' in reference to sex.

The show tried to be naughty, but didn't quite hit the mark. While it was imginative in a way, at times it just seemed too coy.
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#6
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11/27/07 at 2:52pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

How great is it to finally see the full one hour versions again after almost 40 years? And with The Cowsills singing the theme song! Yes it's dated, but then again what show from that long ago isn't dated? It's a comedy about sex without anyone actually getting any sex. But compared to a show from the same era like The Brady Bunch, which was a 50s show in the 70s, at least it was of it's time. I don't hold a lot of hope for the DVDs to go far into the run but I'll take as much of it as Paramount puts out.
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#7
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11/28/07 at 11:49pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Same here. I'm really looking forward to see one of my three favorite segments from the show, "Love and the Positive Man" featuring Hamilton Camp and Marianne McAndrew, which I understand is on Disc Three (My set is still in transit, having ordered from DVD Planet during their 20% sale.)

Hopefully, Paramount keeps the series going long enough for my other two favorites to make it on DVD:

"Love and the Pen Pals" featuring Diane Keaton and Monte Markham; and

"Love and the Forever Tree" featuring Robert Morse and Elaine Joyce.
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#8
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11/29/07 at 4:41am
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

I'm a fan of datedness. I'll take one! Sounds like a blast and a half.

I can't remember a single episode. I just remember watching it every time it was on.

Real Name: Arthur Belling of "St. Looney Up-The-Cream-Bun-and-Jam"

BEAR: 1992?-2007.
GOLDIE: 1997-2008.
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#9
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11/29/07 at 5:53am
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

I do recall that the show used some episodes of the shelved all-black TV version of "Barefoot In The Park" starring Scoey Mitchell as LAS installments in syndication. Is that the situation here with the DVD release? Is "Love And The Good Deal" one of these?
Bring "The continuing story of PEYTON PLACE" home on DVD: the one that started it all- from Dallas and Dynasty to Desperate Housewives and Gossip Girl!!! Starting this May, see the legendary saga starring Mia Farrow, Ryan O'Neal, Barbara Parkins, and Oscar-winner Dorothy Malone on DVD thru Shout!...
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#10
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11/29/07 at 10:59am
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by Radioman970
I'm a fan of datedness. I'll take one! Sounds like a blast and a half.

I can't remember a single episode. I just remember watching it every time it was on.

Same here I used to watch it as reruns back in the late 70's and early 80's and haven't seen it since and I can't rememeber a single episode but I definately remember the theme song.
...When you eliminate the impossible whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth

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#11
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11/30/07 at 4:31am
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by Randy Korstick
Same here I used to watch it as reruns back in the late 70's and early 80's and haven't seen it since and I can't rememeber a single episode but I definately remember the theme song.
Ive never forgotten the song either and the fireworks during the opening credits. I had no idea The Cowsills did that. I equate LAS with staying home from school. It would rerun with gameshows during the day. Man, daytime TV used to be fun at one point, even with less channels.

Real Name: Arthur Belling of "St. Looney Up-The-Cream-Bun-and-Jam"

BEAR: 1992?-2007.
GOLDIE: 1997-2008.
Still mourning my girls.

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#12
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11/30/07 at 4:18pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by Radioman970
Ive never forgotten the song either and the fireworks during the opening credits. I had no idea The Cowsills did that. I equate LAS with staying home from school. It would rerun with gameshows during the day. Man, daytime TV used to be fun at one point, even with less channels.

The version used on the half hour syndication didn't use the Cowsills version. it was done by a group of studio singers.

come see the reviews at
http://thedvdlounge.com/

and the Seinfeld Tour Bus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DztXpmMbj_0

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#13
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11/30/07 at 10:39pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

i was just a kid when this first aired.
i can barely rmemeber it myself but i just remember it.

the theme song was one of the best on tv ever.
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#14
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12/1/07 at 7:53am
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Dated indeed, from the first moment it aired. Blech. Shame about the show, but what a GREAT theme. You can't underestimate the appeal of kitsch nor the power of childhood viewing memories. IMO, those are the two biggest factors drving vintage TV on DVD purchases. It is a sad commentary that a show like this is on DVD while contemporary comedy shows such as MTMS or Barney Miller are such a struggle to sell, not to mention contemporary dramas.
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#15
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12/1/07 at 3:53pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by ToddR2
Dated indeed, from the first moment it aired. Blech. Shame about the show, but what a GREAT theme. You can't underestimate the appeal of kitsch nor the power of childhood viewing memories. IMO, those are the two biggest factors drving vintage TV on DVD purchases. It is a sad commentary that a show like this is on DVD while contemporary comedy shows such as MTMS or Barney Miller are such a struggle to sell, not to mention contemporary dramas.
Maybe so, but I'd much rather have LAS than the two you mentioned.
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#16
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12/1/07 at 9:24pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by ToddR2
Dated indeed, from the first moment it aired. Blech. Shame about the show, but what a GREAT theme. You can't underestimate the appeal of kitsch nor the power of childhood viewing memories. IMO, those are the two biggest factors drving vintage TV on DVD purchases. It is a sad commentary that a show like this is on DVD while contemporary comedy shows such as MTMS or Barney Miller are such a struggle to sell, not to mention contemporary dramas.
What are you complaining about, both the shows you mentioned came out on DVD long before Love American Style. I guess the studios don't know there not supposed to release shows you don't like. I want another season of Mary Tyler Moore too, but it's got nothing to do with Love American Style and you know it.
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#17
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12/1/07 at 9:29pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by Corey3rd
The version used on the half hour syndication didn't use the Cowsills version. it was done by a group of studio singers.
I got to admit I like the non-Cowsills version better. Are you sure they just didn't change the theme during later seasons. Night Gallery, for instance, had a different version of its theme during its 2nd season then it had on its first.
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#18
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12/1/07 at 10:15pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by chas speed
I got to admit I like the non-Cowsills version better. Are you sure they just didn't change the theme during later seasons. Night Gallery, for instance, had a different version of its theme during its 2nd season then it had on its first.

They did change it in the later seasons. But when it came time for the syndication version - even the early episodes received the Charles Fox singers version of the theme song. If you get the Retro TV Network, you'll notice it.

It is pretty wrong to rag on how come Love American Style is out on DVD and MTM and Barney Miller aren't somehow huge hits. We don't know the numbers moved on Love American Style have been. I'm eager for Season 1 Vol 2 to get a prime transfer of Julie Newmar and Tony Randall episode. Plus there's Adam West and Goober.

Also it's Paramount putting out Love - MTM is Fox and Barney Miller is Sony. Paramount has been aggressive in the past year putting out shows on DVD.

come see the reviews at
http://thedvdlounge.com/

and the Seinfeld Tour Bus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DztXpmMbj_0

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#19
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12/2/07 at 4:06am
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

I get so sick of hearing whines about TV shows (or movies) being called "dated". What does that mean, anyway? That things in ugly 2007 aren't how they were back in 1970 (which is a shame, actually)...? I prefer to use the term "period piece" rather than "dated". The stories in the first volume of LAS are supposed to be taking place in 1969.... so, naturally, everything will look and play as though it was 1969! I mean, do people watch a western taking place in 1888 and say "oh, this is sooooo dated!!" ... ? Do you watch a biblical film set in the year 131 B.C. and moan "oh, this is so dated!?!??" It's ridiculous.

As for LAS, I bought the DVD and have only checked out the first episode. Not really much to go on at this point except to say it brings back warm memories of better times. When I was a kid I used to go to my cousins' house every Friday night when my family got together to play cards. While they were all in the kitchen doing their thing, we kids were in the living rom watching this lineup:

8:00 - The Brady Bunch
8:30 - The Patridge Family
9:00 - Room 222
9:30 - The Odd Couple
10:00 - Love, American Style

I've always remembered the feel-good theme song to LAS, but being the young age I was at the time, this was the point in the evening where things became "too adult" for me to appreciate. And always at some point during this last hour of the night it would be time for us to go home, so I never saw the entire show.

Look at that lineup. What do today's 7 - 10 year-olds have to watch today? Over 100 channels, yet nothing on. Unless they want to watch nonstop blatant sexcapades, people hating and killing each other, and "reality" garbage like "To Catch A Predator," where Dateline NBC goes after men trying to get sex from young underaged girls. "Hey mom -- pass the popcorn!" .
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#20
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12/2/07 at 10:05am
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Karlosi
I get so sick of hearing whines about TV shows (or movies) being called "dated". What does that mean, anyway? That things in ugly 2007 aren't how they were back in 1970 (which is a shame, actually)...? I prefer to use the term "period piece" rather than "dated". The stories in the first volume of LAS are supposed to be taking place in 1969.... so, naturally, everything will look and play as though it was 1969! I mean, do people watch a western taking place in 1888 and say "oh, this is sooooo dated!!" ... ? Do you watch a biblical film set in the year 131 B.C. and moan "oh, this is so dated!?!??" It's ridiculous.

As for LAS, I bought the DVD and have only checked out the first episode. Not really much to go on at this point except to say it brings back warm memories of better times. When I was a kid I used to go to my cousins' house every Friday night when my family got together to play cards. While they were all in the kitchen doing their thing, we kids were in the living rom watching this lineup:

8:00 - The Brady Bunch
8:30 - The Patridge Family
9:00 - Room 222
9:30 - The Odd Couple
10:00 - Love, American Style

I've always remembered the feel-good theme song to LAS, but being the young age I was at the time, this was the point in the evening where things became "too adult" for me to appreciate. And always at some point during this last hour of the night it would be time for us to go home, so I never saw the entire show.

Look at that lineup. What do today's 7 - 10 year-olds have to watch today? Over 100 channels, yet nothing on. Unless they want to watch nonstop blatant sexcapades, people hating and killing each other, and "reality" garbage like "To Catch A Predator," where Dateline NBC goes after men trying to get sex from young underaged girls. "Hey mom -- pass the popcorn!" .


I too was a big fan of that Friday night lineup (as well as most of the ABC shows in general in the 60s). And it was funny that even on a show like LAS that was "about sex", it wasn't vulgar like just about any sitcom today. Sitcoms nowadays, every "joke" and I use that term loosely, is a sex joke. I'm glad I don't have kids because it's impossible to protect them from this shit.

By the way, at least we have all of those shows on DVD except Room 222, but we've been over it many times how badly Fox sucks. Thankfully I have almost all of them from the USA run in the 80s. Not remastered but Fox will never give them to us.
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#21
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12/2/07 at 6:05pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by chas speed
I got to admit I like the non-Cowsills version better.

Me too. The Charles Fox Singers did a much better job with the theme song in my opinion. In fact it was jarring to pop this dvd in and hear that theme song. It just wasn't the same at all. Thankfully, the nice jazzy ending theme was the same as I remembered and a joy to listen to.

Gary "no doubt about it - the Cowsills version does nothing for me, nothing at all" O.
"Do not challenge supernatural unless armed with sword of truth"
                                             ...CHARLIE CHAN ON TREASURE ISLAND

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#22
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12/2/07 at 7:28pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

put me down for the non cow version too.
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#23
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12/2/07 at 10:19pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Dated or not, it's great that these have come out as it's TV's last real comedy anthology series. Being presented in the original 1-hour format is a plus!

__________________________________________________ __________________________
A little bit of trivia - The "Love American Style" production office at Paramount was Gene Roddenberry's old "Star Trek" Production offices.

After "Love American Style" ended, Gene got the offices back when he
was set up to develop the return of "Star Trek" in some form (First as a TV
Movie that eventually became the theatrical movie never made,then as the tv series "Phase II" never made,and then finally as The Motion Picture.)

However, he had to have the offices redone as the "Love American Style"
people redid the office in 1969 with a red-white-and Blue motif!
__________________________________________________ _______________________
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#24
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12/2/07 at 10:59pm
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

I think you guys are just so used to the generic theme which is pretty much all that anyone has heard since 1970. But the Cowsills are a great group, much better than a bunch of studio singers. It's a similar case with Partridge Family where the better first season theme wasn't heard again until decades later. Even worse, the vocal theme from Here Come The Brides was removed in syndication and wasn't even put back on the first season DVD set. The only way to hear it is on the TV's Greatest Hits Volume (5 I think) that included it.
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#25
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12/3/07 at 3:02am
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

I was unfamiliar with the "history" of the theme song. But when I put this DVD into my player, I could tell the song didn't sound as upbeat as it was in my memory. So in other words, I think I prefer the later, non-Cowsills verison myself. Believe it or not, since I didn't recall ANY of the episodes themselves, the catchy and happy theme song was the prime reason I wanted to revisit the show now as an adult. I don't mean to be pessimistic here but I really doubt the sales of this DVD are going to be very good, and I wonder if we'll ever get far enough into DVD releases for the "studio singers" intros...?
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#26
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12/3/07 at 5:55am
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank Dearborn
I think you guys are just so used to the generic theme which is pretty much all that anyone has heard since 1970.

That may very well be the case with other people Hank, but it wasn't with me. I have both versions on my computer via some nice little mp3's. I know both versions and the differences between them, but I so prefer the later one that it still jarred me to hear the Cowsills when I saw the opening credits. In the back of my mind I knew it was coming, but it still bugged me because I really do prefer the more peppy/jazzy Charles Fox Singers' version.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Karlosi
I don't mean to be pessimistic here but I really doubt the sales of this DVD are going to be very good, and I wonder if we'll ever get far enough into DVD releases for the "studio singers" intros...?

I may be mistaken, but I think the theme changed after the first season, so if we can just get this series to Season 2, I believe we will hear the one we prefer. But I might be wrong about that. Someone will have to check (I will later on if someone else doesn't in a reasonable amount of time). Perhaps Paramount would consider placing the well known "Love and the Happy Days" episode on the second half of Season 1 as a bonus. It's from the final season and it definitely has the later (and better, IMHO) theme song.

Gary "I'm sure Hank is right about a number of folks simply being used to the later theme, but I had heard both many times and still have both on my computer - I just greatly prefer the jazzier one" O.
"Do not challenge supernatural unless armed with sword of truth"
                                             ...CHARLIE CHAN ON TREASURE ISLAND

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#27
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12/3/07 at 6:03am
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by Corey3rd
The version used on the half hour syndication didn't use the Cowsills version. it was done by a group of studio singers.
I'll probably get a Flintstones season 1 feeling from it then. The "restored" opening titles never did feel right to me. Still, If I wasn't broke I would've bought this while in Walmart last week. I actually like The Cowsills. I can imagine them doing an okay job with the song. It won't have the nostalgia for me though. It shouldn't be as bad as something like Married with Children getting that awful replacement tune instead of Love & Marriage. That was just sad.

Real Name: Arthur Belling of "St. Looney Up-The-Cream-Bun-and-Jam"

BEAR: 1992?-2007.
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Still mourning my girls.

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#28
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12/3/07 at 7:18am
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

It must have been odd timing to have the Cowsills singing a theme song on the same night and network as The Partridge Family - a rip off of their backstory (minus the abusive father).

The Charles Fox singers come off as a clone of The Ray Conniff singers. This works better for the show. Since the Ray Conniff singers come off as a futuristic harmonies act. You can imagine them performing in yellow turtlenecks. There's a sterile quality to their sound. This reassures you that this show might deal with sex, but its not going to get dirty. The Cowsills rockin' version almost promises more than the show can give under ABC's Standards and Practices dept.

come see the reviews at
http://thedvdlounge.com/

and the Seinfeld Tour Bus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DztXpmMbj_0

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#29
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12/3/07 at 10:53am
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Karlosi
I get so sick of hearing whines about TV shows (or movies) being called "dated". What does that mean, anyway? That things in ugly 2007 aren't how they were back in 1970 (which is a shame, actually)...?

I didn't mean that in a negative way. You have to admit that when watching a show like Love, American Style, there is no mistaking what year it was made. It was a product of it's times. Therefore, dated. Now there are shows that inspite of the clothes, hairstyles and language (using trendy catchphrases of times) of the time, manage to not come off as 'dated.' Quincy comes to mind. To watch a season one episode of that show, it's not as obvious that it was filmed in 1976. I'm sorry, but Love, American Style is dated.

Quote:
I prefer to use the term "period piece" rather than "dated". The stories in the first volume of LAS are supposed to be taking place in 1969.... so, naturally, everything will look and play as though it was 1969! I mean, do people watch a western taking place in 1888 and say "oh, this is sooooo dated!!" ... ? Do you watch a biblical film set in the year 131 B.C. and moan "oh, this is so dated!?!??" It's ridiculous.

I tend to think of a 'period piece' as something that was purposely filmed to reflect a certain time period. Like a western. Love, American Style was not a period piece. It was a comtemporary program at the time it was made. It is now a period piece of sorts in that it reflects the period it was made.

I happen to like it for its dated quality.
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#30
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12/3/07 at 11:48am
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Re: Watched Love, American Style - Volume 1

Joe, thanks, but I already know who is putting out the shows I cited. Paramount HAS been more aggresive w/their catalog of vintage TV, we all know that. Jeff, where did I ever say in my post that I wished for only my favorite shows to come out on DVD? Or, for that matter, that there was some connection between Paramount's LAS release and Fox's abandonment of MTMS (among others)? Well? I'm sorry if I hurt any feelings, but I maintain that shows that appealed mainly/mostly to kids from this era are the ones that will sell the best and get released the fastest. A quick review of what's out there and what's on "most wanted" lists will confirm this. I have no issues with studios releasing whatever they think will sell, nor should I (or anyone else). It IS disappointing that a lot of what sells is rather silly, that is all.
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