Tag Archives: Paul Mavis

‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ (1973): A fun warm-up to better Peanuts specials

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

‘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?

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‘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.

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‘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.

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‘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

‘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

‘Falcon Crest’ (Season 1): Intrigue, drunk on wine

We like our 80s prime time soaps here at Drunk TV. Oh yes we do.

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‘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?

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‘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