In the Midwest, the chilly arrival of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas creates the perfect environment to draw the drapes and hunker down to watch some television. Continue reading ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ (1973): A fun warm-up to better Peanuts specials
Tag Archives: Paul Mavis
‘The Thanksgiving That Almost Wasn’t’ (1972): The forgotten tradition of holiday specials
Since you’re not watching the NFL this Thanksgiving…how about some vintage Hanna-Barbera holiday fun?
‘Magnum, P.I.’ (Season 5): Quintessential 80s detective show still delivers
Sad news: versatile character actor John Hillerman passed away the other day, so we thought we’d dig out a Magnum, P.I. season five review, featuring Hillerman in his most recognizable role as the indomitable Higgins.
Continue reading ‘Magnum, P.I.’ (Season 5): Quintessential 80s detective show still delivers
‘The Legend of Lizzie Borden’ (1975): Brilliant made-for-TV splatter shocker
Haunting, dreamy, crazy nightmare thrills. There’s a reason I and several million other people my age and older remember so well The Legend of Lizzie Borden, the 1975 ABC made-for-TV splatter shocker: it’s flat-out brilliant.
Continue reading ‘The Legend of Lizzie Borden’ (1975): Brilliant made-for-TV splatter shocker
‘The Possessed’ (1977): Pre-superstar Harrison Ford does TV horror
Not being able to decide whether or not I was going to catch the new Harrison Ford Blade Runner 2049 sci-fi opus this month (the original was such a revelatory experience for me when I saw it in a deserted theater back in ’82, I can’t help but feel I’m going to sully that memory in some weird way if I see this new one), I descended into my DVD dungeon and prowled through the catacombs for something equally Harrison Fordy, and re-discovered The Possessed.
Continue reading ‘The Possessed’ (1977): Pre-superstar Harrison Ford does TV horror
‘Dynasty’ (Season 1): A soap in search of a villain
As we await the CW’s way more Hispanic, way more gay Dynasty reboot this October, why don’t we go back to the all-white, just a tad gay original ABC primetime soap opera that debuted in 1981.
Continue reading ‘Dynasty’ (Season 1): A soap in search of a villain
‘Petrocelli’ (Season 2): The final courtroom battle
A continuance has been granted, pursuant to improved ratings, for Petrocelli’s second season. Too bad about Starsky and Hutch, though….
Continue reading ‘Petrocelli’ (Season 2): The final courtroom battle
‘Petrocelli’ (Season 1): From the big screen to weekly TV
Your Honor, now that the jury has seen the exhibits concerning Petrocelli’s inception—specifically the big-screen The Lawyer and the made-for-TV movie Night Games, let us proceed to Petrocelli’s first season.
Continue reading ‘Petrocelli’ (Season 1): From the big screen to weekly TV
‘Night Games’ (1974): Petrocelli returns…on TV
In anticipation of reviewing the recent DVD release of the cult 70s TV courtroom mystery, Petrocelli, starring Vanishing Point’s Barry Newman, we thought we’d first look at the two movies that directly led to the creation of that fondly-remembered NBC series, Continue reading ‘Night Games’ (1974): Petrocelli returns…on TV
‘The Lawyer’ (1970): Petrocelli on the big screen
In anticipation of reviewing the recent DVD release of the cult 70s TV courtroom mystery, Petrocelli, starring Vanishing Point’s Barry Newman, we thought we’d first look at the two movies that directly led to the creation of that fondly-remembered NBC series, beginning with director Sidney J. Furie’s big-screen The Lawyer, from 1970.
Continue reading ‘The Lawyer’ (1970): Petrocelli on the big screen
‘The Love Boat’ (Season 3): Everything that’s great & terrible about escapist TV
Anchors aweigh and get another bottle of bleach: they don’t call it “The Love Boat” for nothing!
Continue reading ‘The Love Boat’ (Season 3): Everything that’s great & terrible about escapist TV
‘Big Driver’ (2014): Stephen King TV movie drives critics nuts
Keep ‘em locked and loaded, ladies. Ballsy, unapologetic rape revenge meller, with that sick, patented Stephen King black humor.
Continue reading ‘Big Driver’ (2014): Stephen King TV movie drives critics nuts
‘The Bionic Woman’ (Season 1): 70s hit still enjoyable today
Bionic babe captures reviewer’s heart…all over again.
Continue reading ‘The Bionic Woman’ (Season 1): 70s hit still enjoyable today
‘Two-Minute Warning’ (1976): Disaster film fumbles its way to TV
Strange, cold, perverse thriller from the golden age of disaster movies.
Continue reading ‘Two-Minute Warning’ (1976): Disaster film fumbles its way to TV
‘Falcon Crest’ (Season 1): Intrigue, drunk on wine
We like our 80s prime time soaps here at Drunk TV. Oh yes we do.
Continue reading ‘Falcon Crest’ (Season 1): Intrigue, drunk on wine
‘The Love Boat’ (Season 2): Where A-to-Z listers flock to undock
Oh, it’s the same alright. Nothing’s changed on The Love Boat this sophomore season except the guest passenger list and the ever-morphing rationalizations for the rampant sexual harassment plaguing the Pacific Princess. And ain’t you glad they left it alone?
Continue reading ‘The Love Boat’ (Season 2): Where A-to-Z listers flock to undock
‘Mannix’ (Season 3): A man’s (& woman’s) perfect fantasy
Only a little more than halfway over, 2017 has been a terrible year for vintage TV lovers, with stars Roger Moore, Mary Tyler Moore, Roger Smith, Adam West, Martin Landau, and Don Rickles passing away, as well as a particular boyhood favorite of mine, Mike “Touch” Connors. Continue reading ‘Mannix’ (Season 3): A man’s (& woman’s) perfect fantasy
‘Sea Hunt’ (Season 1): Glamorous, exotic ’50s action-adventure
“Let’s get wet, huh?” Continue reading ‘Sea Hunt’ (Season 1): Glamorous, exotic ’50s action-adventure
‘The Love Boat’ (Season 1): TV for the true TV lover
It’s Love, American Style on water! Or, Nine Years of Constant Nautical Fornicating and Not One Sexual Harassment Law Suit! Continue reading ‘The Love Boat’ (Season 1): TV for the true TV lover
‘Deadman’s Curve: The Story of Jan and Dean’ (1978): A true rock tragedy
When I heard recently that actor Richard Hatch had died of pancreatic cancer, Continue reading ‘Deadman’s Curve: The Story of Jan and Dean’ (1978): A true rock tragedy
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