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Where's "Battle of the Network Stars"?? (1 Viewer)

todd s

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Does anyone else remember this annual show that aired from 1976 to 1985? It pitted stars of shows on ABC, NBC and CBS against each other. At the time it got some big name stars to appear. And who can forget Gabe Kaplan beating tough guy Robert Conrad in an event. I would love for someone to release these shows (Shout Factory?)

ps-I know in '03 the did a knock off. But, it wasn't that good and wasn't the networks. Can you imagine if they did it right now. You have 6 networks or 8 if you include HBO & Showtime.
 

MattPeriolat

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HAH! I was just watching my tapes of I Love the 70s from Vh1 and this was on there! Add my voice to the question. One would think with most of the shows that stared the er... stars featured in Battle out on DVD now, this would be a natural.
 

LizH

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I remember that. :)

I also remember "Circus of the Stars." (Imagine for a moment Vanilla Ice as a human cannonball ... or David Hasselhoff as a lion tamer. Back then, TV's biggest stars would get together and put on a circus.)

You couldn't do those shows today (The potential liability is outrageous. :frowning: )
 

AndyMcKinney

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I'm sure negotiating the rights to these wouldn't be easy or cheap, if all the participants had to be paid and/or sign off on it.

Also, much as I'd like to see the likes of Lynda Carter, et al in swimsuits and the dunking booth, I'd say that ABC (or whomever owns the rights now) probably doesn't see much of a market for these.

Those of you lucky enough to get the Trio channel may get to see some of them, though. They aired a few of the specials a year or two back.
 

Joseph DeMartino

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Remember SNL?

"Battle of the Network Ts and As! The biggest Ts! The nicest As! See Lynda Carter, Loni Anderson, Adrienne Barbeau and Carol Wayne compete!"

:)

Regards,

Joe
 

Randy*S

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I would love this entire series on Dvd!
These are my kind of stars, not like now.
Besides, I especially loved seeing Lynda Carter and Erin Gray compete. Two of my biggest crushes of all time!:D
 

Mark To

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That was the whole point of the "competition". It was soft porn. Let's put TV's hottest looking women in skimpy t-shirts without bras on and get them wet. They only aired them during sweeps periods. I actually think they were all rerun not long ago on Trio.
 

Randy*S

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Jeez, don't even get me started on those two.

Anyway, back to the series itself...
I would love to see "Battle" and "Circus Of The Stars" both on dvd. Trio did rerun it, and it was cool seeing it again because I had only seen a couple of episodes when they first aired.
 

LizH

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Oh, God ... and after I've just had lunch, too!



Do they even MAKE t-shirts in negative sizes? :confused:
 

Tim_P_76

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Somehow I could imagine James Gandolfini doing the "Triple Lindy" to the voice of Howard Cosell in a diving/swimming competition. But I dont know If I could handle watching all those has beens of yesteryear. Might be fun watching once. Though I'm always for releasing everything for history's sake.
 

Randy*S

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They're not has beens to me.

I would'nt even watch a new version, there's noone I can even stomach now.

And... who's James Gandolfini??

I may be stuck in the 70's but can you blame me? :D
 

MattPeriolat

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We all love the 70s... and any classic era for TV. It's why TV on DVD exists.

I'm very curious about the rights clearances neccessary to release the show. Like I said earlier, with shows like Wonder Woman and Kojac out on DVD already, this seems a natural follow up. Just good clean fun, ya know?
 

Ruz-El

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these would be great. I think Mr. T lead a team on the last one.

I would also live Wildest West Show Of The Stars, that featured Pee Wee Herman in a shoot out!

I think the next SCTV boxset should feature "Battle Of The PBS Stars" that features the classic Mr. Rodgers VS Julia Childs boxing match.
 

Jay Pennington

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Once, circa 1986, Letterman was a guest on Carson to promote a Late Night prime time special (remember, Letterman was on NBC at the time).

In his usual self-depriciative way, Letterman was moaning that the special would tank, joking that it had been scheduled opposite "Battle of the Network Breasts". :laugh:
 

todd s

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Just to bump this. On Bravo they have been airing a "Battle of the Network Reality Stars". 4 teams made up of people from various reality shows. Anyway, during the show they have been showing clips from the original series. And even have been using the original site...Pepperdine University.

The original so needs to be released. It is amazing the stars they were able to get to come on the original. I find it hard to believe that todays stars would be as accomidating.

Just found this news tidbit...
 

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