Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released? - Page 2

MatthewA · 10-25-2006, 11:40 AM

Well, on the "Mama's Family" thread, someone said the syndication versions were at least 6 generations removed from the original.

Assuming their storage has been adequate, the original tapes to WKRP would be better quality (or at least a digi-beta transfer from the original 1" or 2" tapes, which a theoretical DVD release would use). "What's Happening," for instance was a taped sitcom from the same time (and actually used the same post-production facility as WKRP, Golden West) and the DVDs look far superior to syndicated versions.

"All in the Family" looks bad in any version because Norman Lear wanted it to look as ugly as possible. He didn't even want color; CBS made him shoot in color. Someone once commented that the Bunkers' living room looked like something out of the Great Depression. Other videotaped 1970s shows on DVD look better.

HenryDuBrow · 10-26-2006, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda Thompson

But, you can't have it both ways. You simply cannot have both music substitutions AND unaltered scenes.

Did you check out the list to which I posted a link before? Even with the music alterations which have already had to be made for the show's latter-day syndication runs, there are many cases in which dialogue has had to be altered, left out, or re-recorded by vocal impersonators. To me, that definitely constitutes the sort of altering you both say you could NOT accept.

Consider this... Even something as simple as the scene in which Mr. Carlson walks into the booth while Johnny is playing Pink Floyd's "Dogs"...Mr. Carlson listens a moment and then asks "Do I hear dogs?" Johnny answers "I do."

If the rights to "Dogs" couldn't be negotiated, how would you suggest that scene be handled on a DVD release? Would the rest of the episode work without that one scene? In the overall scheme of things, yes. But, would I be satisfied if that scene were altered in any way, or left out completely? Absolutely not.

Several here (including the two I quoted above) have stated that they would accept music alterations but NOT cut or altered scenes, but that simply is not possible. That's just the way it is with shows like this...you CAN'T alter the music without altering the scenes themselves.

I think it could be done. In the dogs scene, just insert dogs barking instead of the Floyd song, wouldn't that be possible? It wouldn't be a biggie to me. Even altered dialogue I can live with, to be honest. I know it sounds terrible to say, but it'd just be a few snippets, nothing earthshattering or plot hurting (hopefully). It's either that or syndications, and I won't have those. Whole scenes left out, is what I won't accept.

george kaplan · 10-26-2006, 12:40 PM

Wow! The degree to which people are willing to live with music replacement, edited episodes, etc., never fails to astound me.

HenryDuBrow · 10-26-2006, 02:49 PM

Depends on what you mean by 'edited', I don't think many here are willing to live with episodes missing scenes. That is my sole point. I love WKRP, I consider it the best sitcom ever, best written, best cast, it's just perfect and TV comedy doesn't get any better that this. But I'm also tired of waiting...still, I don't want some half-ass job by Fox, but want them to do the best they can to secure it as complete (and authentic) as possible.

Scott_F_S · 10-27-2006, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HenryDuBrow

Depends on what you mean by 'edited', I don't think many here are willing to live with episodes missing scenes. That is my sole point. I love WKRP, I consider it the best sitcom ever, best written, best cast, it's just perfect and TV comedy doesn't get any better that this. But I'm also tired of waiting...still, I don't want some half-ass job by Fox, but want them to do the best they can to secure it as complete (and authentic) as possible.

You seem to be contradicting yourself. You say it would be OK to replace the music, but you don't want some half-ass job and you want it complete and authentic? I'm confused.

HenryDuBrow · 10-27-2006, 11:54 AM

I don't see it's contradictory, I won't mind good music replacements, not something half-baked. By authentic I mean, if they need to loop lines, that it's as authentic as can be. All this can hopefully be avoided (though I won't say no to it), if they can secure the music rights and thereby make it original and complete. In essence, I won't mind it either way, it's the shoddy syndications I don't want.

Pavan_P · 12-11-2006, 12:06 AM

WKRP is coming soon from Fox!

Check out the blog story with a photo of an insert saying this set is coming soon:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/20...-dvd-soon.html

Curtis F · 12-11-2006, 01:09 AM

That looks pretty promising, but I think I'll hold the applause until I see something more definite.

Michael Alden · 12-11-2006, 02:02 AM

I'll believe it when I see it.

David Rain · 12-11-2006, 02:42 AM

I like this show and am surprised that it's not currently airing in syndication on any of the big channels but I would not want this on DVD if there were a lot of changes done to it. If that would involve not only removing songs but also replacing dialogue and/or entire scenes then that could easily become a butcher job.

I shudder to think what a first season DVD release would look & sound like. Perhaps they've recast Loni Anderson with Ruth Buzzi.

MatthewA · 12-11-2006, 03:00 AM

They should at least try to get as much of the original music as possible. Otherwise, forget it.

HenryDuBrow · 12-11-2006, 11:29 AM

Great news! I wish they'd release the whole thing in one go, it's just four seasons, would save us the headache/heartache of whether it continues or not. Come on Fox, one big WKRP box-set, none of that usual by-season stuff!