The Fugitive, Season Two Volume 1 - Reviews - Page 20

Gary OS · 06-24-2008, 10:25 AM

For the record, I don't think anyone is really getting on the composer CBS hired. I know the word "hack" has been used, but I don't believe it was done as a real slight to the man himself. It was just used out of anger comparing the original, beautiful score that we all know and love to the new synthesized version. And I do feel kinda bad for the guy. It's CBS who I'm upset with at this point, not Mark Heyes.

Gary "this whole thing really stinks" O.

John DeAngelis · 06-24-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary OS

At least until we hear otherwise I'm becoming more and more persuaded that this was just a matter of CBS needing to work just a little bit harder. If we find out they were being held hostage, so to speak, then I'll be more forgiving. But right now it looks like the blame rests squarely on their shoulders.

At this point I'm convinced that someone at CBS/Paramount took the easy way out and had the music replaced because there MIGHT be a problem. I think that's why CBS doesn't want to talk specifics about this. I believe, the more we find out about this, the more foolish CBS is going to look.

Jeff*H · 06-24-2008, 11:07 AM

In my opinion, I think revenue was the driving factor in rushing this release to market rather than properly researching the music cue ownership.

As often happens with studio releases, a release date is pencilled in before the release has completed production, and the studio is counting on this revenue during that particular month. Had they pushed back the release date, they would not have the budgeted revenue coming in for that release, which affects their bottom line for the month. And trying to fill that revenue hole would mean pushing up something else by a month or more on the schedule, which would also be problematic.
With a season one set, it's possible they spent more time and money because they know that set will sell the best and generate the most revenue for years to come. That, combined with the given reason that there were fewer music cues on season 1, may be why season one was relatively intact. Season 2 was a direct result of how well season 1 sold, and probably had less lead time and a smaller budget as a result.

Ultimately, I think it's safe to say it all comes down to $$. The big question now is not whether they will correctly re-issue S2V1 (no way in hell), but what will they do with S2V2, which they are probably sitting on as it's fair to say they probably re-scored the entire season at once for cost efficiencies. They really are between a rock and a hard place, and the fans will suffer.

michael_ks · 06-24-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

As often happens with studio releases, a release date is pencilled in before the release has completed production, and the studio is counting on this revenue during that particular month. Had they pushed back the release date, they would not have the budgeted revenue coming in for that release, which affects their bottom line for the month.

No argument there, regular and anticipated revenue in a given time frame is what drives everything in this game. But to throw all caution to the wind where tampering is concerned and then to make a great effort in concealing it and having ZERO understanding of the fallout in light of the many snafus that have been witnessed in the tv/dvd business by now--that's what floors me.

Classic tv fans on the whole are quite astute and perfectionisist oriented types who take great offense at being bamboozeled--it's just patently insulting to not come clean from the get-go if the plans call for such wholesale alteration of a beloved entertainment product.

Quote:

At this point I'm convinced that someone at CBS/Paramount took the easy way out and had the music replaced because there MIGHT be a problem. I think that's why CBS doesn't want to talk specifics about this.

I completely agree. An uber-litigious society breeds a ridiculously cautious one.

beatlejam · 06-24-2008, 11:24 AM

I'll share with you guys what I'm doing to deal with this debacle.

I live in the Atlanta area, and I get the Retro Television Network (RTN) on my system. It shows "The Fugitive" everyday at 2:00 PM, so I'm just recording away. I don't know if these are "time-sped" or anything like that; I don't notice it if they are. RTN is cool because they have relatively short commercial breaks, and other than an "RTN" logo at the bottom right of the screen, they don't hit you with other channel garbage (no promos or other "messages" popping up, no squeezing or talking over the closing credits, etc.). And, unlike when A&E ran it, the episode title card and voiceover are intact. In short, I think this is probably as good as it's gonna get.

So, I'm going to edit out the commercials and make my own DVDs. To heck with CBS and their altering.

I'm just grateful that I have this alternative.

Jeff Willis · 06-24-2008, 11:50 AM

Tim, that sounds like a great alternative. I don't have RTN on DirecTV (the original dual-LNB dish) system. I don't know if RTN is available on DirecTV's newer systems.

What are the actual run-times of the episodes on RTN minus the commercials? I'm curious if they're the original un-cut versions. If so, they should clock in at about 50-51 minutes run-time. I'm beginning to wonder if the original versions are available for broadcast anywhere since their initial runs in the 60's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary

Gary "I still can't believe this has happened to my favorite show of all time!" O.

You've got a lot of company, Gary. This one has moved to a tie for my #1 show.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael

No truer words were written, Gary. I would have rather had the stock music on "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" replaced with Fred Astaire dance numbers.

That's classic, Mike!

Paula, thanks for posting that Variety News article! As Gary said, it's great that this issue is getting some press out there.

beatlejam · 06-24-2008, 12:38 PM

I haven't timed them, but they appear to be complete. Nothing seems missing. And, as I mentioned, RTN has very short commercial breaks, so I don't think they cut out parts of the show to squeeze more commercials in. Currently, RTN is finishing up showing the third season of "The Fugitive" (today's airing is "In a Plain Paper Wrapper"). When they get back around to showing the first season, I'll compare what they air to the first season DVDs and see if anything's missing.

But overall, I'm pleased. RTN (so far) seems to be MUCH better than any other channel for classic stuff (TV Land, etc.)

beatlejam · 06-24-2008, 12:51 PM

Oh, and by the way, even if you get RTN on your system, that doesn't guarantee that you'll get "The Fugitive" or whatever show you're looking for; different areas/markets get different lineups.

I'm just fortunate that "The Fugitive" is on the RTN in my area.

For more on RTN, go to this website:
Welcome to RTN the Retro Television Network

Hollywoodaholic · 06-24-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatlejam

I'll share with you guys what I'm doing to deal with this debacle. I live in the Atlanta area, and I get the Retro Television Network (RTN) on my system. It shows "The Fugitive" everyday at 2:00 PM, so I'm just recording away. I don't know if these are "time-sped" or anything like that; I don't notice it if they are. RTN is cool because they have relatively short commercial breaks, and other than an "RTN" logo at the bottom right of the screen, they don't hit you with other channel garbage (no promos or other "messages" popping up, no squeezing or talking over the closing credits, etc.). And, unlike when A&E ran it, the episode title card and voiceover are intact. In short, I think this is probably as good as it's gonna get.

So, I'm going to edit out the commercials and make my own DVDs. To heck with CBS and their altering.

I'm just grateful that I have this alternative.

I don't know how it looks in Atlanta, but the shows on RTN (Rockford, Fugitive, Hawaii Five-O, etc) broadcast in Florida look faded and awful. And I'm assuming it's the same network feed. I don't know what source prints they're using, but they don't remotely match the quality of the re-mastered DVD sets. I know, I know, better than nothing ... but once you've been spoiled with a good image ...

Jeff Willis · 06-24-2008, 01:50 PM

Tim,

Thanks for the info. I checked out the RTN site after reading your earlier post and there's no affiliate in my area (Dallas Tx). The nearest affiliate location from DFW is about 100 miles east via an over-air channel. Since we're talking about the Fugitive, it's almost worth mounting a 3-story directional anntenna in my back yard

If RTN was carried by DirecTV I'd have already subscribed to this one. You're right, it's the best programming lineup I've seen. I never had access to another "retro" service "Goodlife Channel/Network" so I can't compare those two for 1st place.

That's also interesting about the programming varying in different markets around the country.

Hollywoodaholic · 06-24-2008, 01:59 PM

I get the same RTN programming as Atlanta (Cannon, Fugitive, Streets of San Francisco, etc), but seriously, these prints are often below pirated versions. The movies even worse. I'd really like to know where their source material is coming from. Why don't they just use the DVD sets? It would look better than what they are broadcasting. It's shameful.