smithb
Screenwriter
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
- Messages
- 1,536
- Real Name
- Brad Smith
So I've read in reviews about some of the TV shows being released on DVD from cut up syndicated releases. I've experienced it personally with the "Little House in the Prairie" sets. Its quite obvious where the commericals were by the abrupt cuts before and after the break. The transitions should be much smoother.
I started wondering why this hadn't been as obvious to me in the past if this is a standard procedure when show's go to syndication. Although it makes some sense why it might be done from the perspective of creating more commercial slots.
Thinking back, I haven't watched much as far as broadcast TV for the last few years. During the '90s I probably watched a fair amount of reruns on TBS/TNT regarding the Law and Orders series and a few other shows (Home Improvement and Cosby when my father-in-law is in town, he loves those shoes) but I do not recall anything obvious as far as cuts. Since I did not see the original broadcasts I cannot be sure.
During the '80s I probably watched a fair amount of reruns like MASH, Happy Days, and other similar shows. Some of these I had also seen the original broadcasts and I don't recall ever seeing obvious edits.
I thought maybe I just didn't know enough back then about it so I didn't look for it. Recently, I picked up the first season of Andy Griffith which has been stated to not be made from cut up syndicated material. I thought it would be interesting to see material that hasn't been seen since the original broadcasts. I'm pretty familar with this show from watching it in the mid '70s through the mid '80s.
After seeing the first four episodes, there is nothing new that I hadn't seen when watched in syndication. Which is fine since I had forgotten how good this show was. Even though I pretty much know what evey episode is about, I'd either forgotten how funny it was or I'm enjoying it even more now that I'm older.
So the question is, when did they start cutting up or speeding up syndicated shows? How rampant was? Was it certain networks and not others (e.g., local stations more then large cable channels)?
To tell the truth, Little House on the Prairie is the only one I can ever think of where I saw this done.
I started wondering why this hadn't been as obvious to me in the past if this is a standard procedure when show's go to syndication. Although it makes some sense why it might be done from the perspective of creating more commercial slots.
Thinking back, I haven't watched much as far as broadcast TV for the last few years. During the '90s I probably watched a fair amount of reruns on TBS/TNT regarding the Law and Orders series and a few other shows (Home Improvement and Cosby when my father-in-law is in town, he loves those shoes) but I do not recall anything obvious as far as cuts. Since I did not see the original broadcasts I cannot be sure.
During the '80s I probably watched a fair amount of reruns like MASH, Happy Days, and other similar shows. Some of these I had also seen the original broadcasts and I don't recall ever seeing obvious edits.
I thought maybe I just didn't know enough back then about it so I didn't look for it. Recently, I picked up the first season of Andy Griffith which has been stated to not be made from cut up syndicated material. I thought it would be interesting to see material that hasn't been seen since the original broadcasts. I'm pretty familar with this show from watching it in the mid '70s through the mid '80s.
After seeing the first four episodes, there is nothing new that I hadn't seen when watched in syndication. Which is fine since I had forgotten how good this show was. Even though I pretty much know what evey episode is about, I'd either forgotten how funny it was or I'm enjoying it even more now that I'm older.
So the question is, when did they start cutting up or speeding up syndicated shows? How rampant was? Was it certain networks and not others (e.g., local stations more then large cable channels)?
To tell the truth, Little House on the Prairie is the only one I can ever think of where I saw this done.