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

post #31 of 650
10/25/06 at 8:40am

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

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.
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post #32 of 650
10/26/06 at 9:09am

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

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.
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post #33 of 650
10/26/06 at 9:40am

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

Wow! The degree to which people are willing to live with music replacement, edited episodes, etc., never fails to astound me.
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post #34 of 650
10/26/06 at 11:49am

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

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.
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post #35 of 650
10/27/06 at 7:55am

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

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.
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post #36 of 650
10/27/06 at 8:54am

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

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.
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post #37 of 650
12/10/06 at 9:06pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

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
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post #38 of 650
12/10/06 at 10:09pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

That looks pretty promising, but I think I'll hold the applause until I see something more definite.
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post #39 of 650
12/10/06 at 11:02pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

I'll believe it when I see it.
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post #40 of 650
12/10/06 at 11:42pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

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.
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post #41 of 650
12/11/06 at 12:00am

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

They should at least try to get as much of the original music as possible. Otherwise, forget it.
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post #42 of 650
12/11/06 at 8:29am

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

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!
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post #43 of 650
12/11/06 at 9:44am

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

TVSHOWSONDVD has a post about it, saying they are replacing the music, and that Hugh Wilson is happy with the way it is being done.

I'll still be buying. When I think of the show, I just think of Les and Herb and Mr. Carlson, not the music.
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post #44 of 650
12/11/06 at 9:52am

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Martin
TVSHOWSONDVD has a post about it, saying they are replacing the music,

Some of the music.

I don't know which songs will be kept and which replaced, but what I think is happening is that the songs more likely to be replaced are the very short snippets (five or ten seconds) that aren't essential to a scene. I hope they will have retained the songs that were really used as an essential part of a scene (like "Hot Blooded") but I guess we'll have to find out.

In any case, I will say that the possibility of this show coming out with every song intact was next to nil; look at My Name is Earl, another Fox release -- that's a current show and it still had music substitutions on DVD. It's not my favorite thing, but it's better than a) having a show out of circulation forever and b) Having WKRP exist only in those really atrociously re-dubbed Nick at Nite versions (the new versions on the DVD can't possibly be as bad).
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post #45 of 650
12/11/06 at 10:54am

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

Here is the link to DVDs on TV website regarding the news about WKRP:
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=6708
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post #46 of 650
12/11/06 at 11:21am

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

I will be buying this despite music alterations but I was wondering if anyone in the know would be able to tell if the replacement music is an actual period piece or a modern day throwback. That is, did they replace the music with more affordable / easier obtainable music from the era?
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post #47 of 650
12/11/06 at 11:24am

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

Wow, I find this very hard to believe! I know that for some, the substitution of music will be an issue, but if Hugh Wilson thinks they're finding good alternative songs, then I'll be open minded to it.

Though the one show where Bailey is mooning that Johnny stands her up on a date I will always associate with the Earth Wind and Fire song. And I wonder how they deal with songs that Johnny actually names, like Carl Perkins. "Jam it pizza face!"
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post #48 of 650
12/11/06 at 11:52am

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

A lot of assumptions based on very little information other than Fox saying there will be replaced songs.

Could be just a random song here or there ... or it could be most songs edited out and replaced.

For me personally, it means waiting until the sets have been reviewed and the editing identified (unless Fox decides to be so forthcoming and release a list of the songs it has edited out and replaced, in advance of the release date, which I can't say that I'd expect to happen.)

I'm hoping I'll be surprised and the edits will be minimal, maybe 2-4 songs for the enitre season, which might make tolerable enough for me to buy the set.

But if this is one of those where the edits are frequent and routine throughout the season, then I really don't care if Fox can sell this for $29.99, which seems to be the standard threshold for the majority of the buying public to accept anything the studios wish to put out as being wonderful, edits or no edits.
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post #49 of 650
12/11/06 at 12:06pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Randy_Cre
For me personally, it means waiting until the sets have been reviewed and the editing identified (unless Fox decides to be so forthcoming and release a list of the songs it has edited out and replaced, in advance of the release date, which I can't say that I'd expect to happen.)

That would be something I'd like to see studios do, actually, though I agree it's unlikely.
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post #50 of 650
12/11/06 at 12:07pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

if Universal can clear both Miami Vice (the 80's WKRP) and SNL, why couldn't Fox clear WKRP?
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post #51 of 650
12/11/06 at 12:15pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay_B!
if Universal can clear both Miami Vice (the 80's WKRP) and SNL, why couldn't Fox clear WKRP?

I don't know about Miami Vice, but one difference between WKRP and a variety show like SNL is that WKRP used the original commercial recordings of the songs, which means that everything has to be cleared twice: you have to clear the song, and you have to clear the recording.
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post #52 of 650
12/11/06 at 12:54pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

With the news of this release, I expect there to be flying turkeys in the sky today!
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post #53 of 650
12/11/06 at 1:04pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

It will be amazing if they end up swapping out every snippet of songs in the song contest and then overdub a new actor saying the answers, but that may be tough swapping in generic music and having them give some phony song titles and artists
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post #54 of 650
12/11/06 at 1:37pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony Hom
It will be amazing if they end up swapping out every snippet of songs in the song contest and then overdub a new actor saying the answers, but that may be tough swapping in generic music and having them give some phony song titles and artists
I believe there's a loophole in U.S. copyright law that allows short clips to be used freely (though I'm hardly an expert in the area). I think the song contest might be safe. Besides, who would notice if they were replaced. I haven't seen the episode in a long time, but wasn't the whole point that it wasn't humanly possible to identify the songs?

I know this won't be a popular thing to say, but I'll buy it no matter how badly it's edited. I'm really really hoping they clear all but one or two songs. Yet, I haven't seen the show in so long and I love it so much, that I'll still pick it up. Unlike other shows I've passed on due to editing, such as Quantum Leap (S2-S4) and The Tick (due to a missing episode), I don't expect to see this one released in another region in better shape. In my perfect dream world, this will cost $40, be on DVD-9 discs, be original airing length, and will have fewer than four insignificant songs edited out. All of that is still possible at this point and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
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post #55 of 650
12/11/06 at 3:03pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

For those who are hoping for only a few music substitutions, I doubt that that will be the case. It's likely that most of the songs lasting longer than a few lines will be replaced. I also seem to remember reading something that allows a few lines of a song to be used without violating copyright laws (which are outrageously ridiculous, btw. Why hasn't anyone done something about them???).

In any case I will probably buy the set, simply because I loved the show and its comedy aspects. Yes, the music was important, but having the episodes on DVD is more important to me than quibbling over song substitutions which are hopefully well-done.
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post #56 of 650
12/11/06 at 3:15pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

I'm not much of a fan, but this still seems like a letdown. After years of holding it back due to music rights, they just did what everyone else does and replaced the music? Why didn't they just release it years ago if they were going to do that?

"Here you go, folks! WKRP, finally!"
"So, you cleared the hurdles?"
"More like we sidestepped them."

I hope the Wonder Years people don't look to this example and do the same thing.

Of course, if it turns out they only did the most minor of replacements, forget the above.
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post #57 of 650
12/11/06 at 3:34pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

If they pay for a certain number of songs that were in it originally, could they use parts of those songs for the parts being replaced?
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post #58 of 650
12/11/06 at 5:34pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

Am hoping that Fox does follow through with its `Coming Soon' and releases WKRP. If there's music substitution, I won't mind that much, since I really enjoyed the show more for its comedy, not the music.
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post #59 of 650
12/11/06 at 6:00pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

The Hot Blooded sequence has been substituted in new syndication, so there is a chance it will be reaplaced in the DVD,too. Also in Gotta Dance, he introduces an Olivia Newton-John song (as Olivia Neutron Bomb), so they would have to substitute the dialog if they change the song.
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post #60 of 650
12/11/06 at 6:41pm

Re: Enough already Fox. Are we EVER going to see WKRP released?

One syndicated version used to dub the intros to match the changed song (with obviously white guys in for Venus, which was funny I guess). There was talk of them getting covers, which would be cheaper...

Regardless, I'll get them. I've never seen non-syndication edits and I'd love to, especially since reading about them (most of the time, Bailey got cut).

The only guy who's really happy with though are the bootleggers with the original music copies. They're going to make even more bucks off it now...
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