Frank Soyke
Screenwriter
I was thinking about all the stalled shows from CBS and began to do some mathematical figuring as to their appeal to the desired DVD buying demographic. The premise I'm using here is that seeing as how CBS is a major and not catering to the niche market (like Timeless), I'm guessing they are more than likely deciding what is to be released based up the demographic group that is most likely ot buy DVD's (20-40). Before I do the numbers, let'd make dome educated assumptions first. To begin with, the top end of my group (40) assumes a birth year of 1973. Secondly, aside from us who were glued to the set early, an average individual wasn't watching adult TV until about age 10. That brings us to 1983. My first point is this. Most of the stalled shows in 1983 were well finished (Bilko), a few years gone (Barnaby Jones), or almost down and out (Happy Days). Even in sydication, by 83, you weren't seeing a lot of Love American Style or Mod Squad. The sad truth is that this is stil a profit churning business and I just don't see CBS releasing more Bilko when the average age of someone that saw it in first run is over 60. The older releases seem confined to classics that people have name recognition with (Gunmoke, Bonaza, Mason.) Time passes fast and while it may seem ridiculous to us, the average 30 year old has no idea who Buddy Ebsen or Ricardo Montalban are. The point is that I just don't see most of this stuff coming out from a major company like CBS. The market just isn't there outside of die hard collectors.
As a side point, the only 2 shows that don't fit my theory are Mannix and Have Gun. Although I was thrilled to see Mannix, I still can't believe they finished all 8 seasons. This show has not been syndicated much in 35 years and Conners is not a household name and did little after the show. My own personal belief is that someone at CBS had a liking for this show and pushed it along. Either way, I'm thankful. Same with Have Gun. Who, thats not a collector under 40 knows who Richard Boone Is?
I hope I'm wrong, or at minimum they liscence them out.
As a side point, the only 2 shows that don't fit my theory are Mannix and Have Gun. Although I was thrilled to see Mannix, I still can't believe they finished all 8 seasons. This show has not been syndicated much in 35 years and Conners is not a household name and did little after the show. My own personal belief is that someone at CBS had a liking for this show and pushed it along. Either way, I'm thankful. Same with Have Gun. Who, thats not a collector under 40 knows who Richard Boone Is?
I hope I'm wrong, or at minimum they liscence them out.