Family Entertainment TV, which joined DirectTv at channel 323 just a month or so ago, runs Hazel every weekday at 11:00 and 11:00 A.M. in chronological order. If the comments on this blog are any indication, the final, non-George-and-Dorothy season of the series is not only divisive, but quite provocative.
FETV just started season 5 on Friday, so if you want to get a look at Ray Fulmer and Lynn Borden as the replacements (who wouldn't want to get at least a look at Lynn Borden, really), check out this channel. I can't fully endorse this, though, because I believe the episodes are stretched to fit a full screen, edited, and possibly time-compressed.
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Saturday, August 12, 2017
Streaming Video Power Rankings: Week #72 (Special "Wow" edition)
This was a huge week for streaming video news, so let's get to it:
1) Netflix: The company made some big announcements lately, like it is determined to tell everyone, "Stick it! So were $20 billion in debt. We can still throw money at everyone we want." But what happens when the recipient doesn't want the money?
Despite Netflix announcing new projects coming with David Letterman (sounds great), Carol Burnett (bless her, but that particular idea sounds terrible), and the Coen Brothers (sure) and the acquisition of comic publisher Millarworld (interesting move that doesn't move me much one way or the other at the moment), all the buzz is about content it is losing, as Disney announced it is starting its own OTT service in 2019 and putting new Disney movies on it.
Still unanswered: What about Marvel? Star Wars? What about the 99% of the Disney catalog that never even made it to Netflix? I think a lot of people don't understand that Netflix never showed most of the Disney catalog, it already lost some of it (movies like Mulan), nor that Hulu has some of that content now.
However, the fact is, this week proves Netflix is the standard. When someone asked me about the possible cost of a Disney streaming service, I said part of it probably depended on what Netflix would do and if it raised rates by 2019 (it will; the question is how much). Everyone is reacting to the industry leader.
This really isn't good news for Netflx, though.
2) Amazon Prime: The new series Comrade Detective sounds interesting, and Amazon has been on a roll snapping up cheap catalog TV series lately, getting a bunch of shows from MPI (like the public domain Beverly Hillbillies episodes) and from FilmRise (Carsey Werner programs like Third Rock from the Sun). I don't really care for much of it, but it's more than Netflix has done lately.
3) YouTube: Let's talk about the decision by many "copyright holders" to allow material on YouTube but to monetize it. Good and bad, right? Good that it means more stuff stays up there, but bad because you're listening to an album or something, and an ad comes in right in the middle of a song.
4) TubiTV: Added a lot of movies lately, and not just the usual blend of recent-ish movies that cycle through all the services, but genuine classics like Wuthering Heights and The Magnificent Seven.
5) Warner Archive Instant: I am not even gonna make a snide reference to WAI not adding movies in several months. Grant Goodeve dueting with Willie Aames is worth dozens of classic un-added films.
6) Hulu: I think Difficult People is terrible, but a new season is here. I'm getting super annoyed at Hulu promoting the new season of Ray Donovan to me. I don't get Showtime. Quit acting like I can watch this series without paying more money.
7) Pub-D-Hub: An intriguing add last weekend was an episode of The Big Record with Patti Page.
8: TuneIn: Have I mentioned that Deep Oldies, the Phoenix-based radio station that rules the world, is virtually free of commercials?
9) HBO: Respect for the premiere of Hard Knocks.
10) PureFlix: A family-friendly outfit that strives to be the Christian Netflix. I looked at some of the offerings this week, and there isn't a lot there, but I give them credit for trying. I give them credit for brass, too. Their monthly plan is 10.99/month, which makes them by far one of the priciest services out there, all for "safe" viewing. Yet they are spending money on original programming, so let's give them a spot this week.
1) Netflix: The company made some big announcements lately, like it is determined to tell everyone, "Stick it! So were $20 billion in debt. We can still throw money at everyone we want." But what happens when the recipient doesn't want the money?
Despite Netflix announcing new projects coming with David Letterman (sounds great), Carol Burnett (bless her, but that particular idea sounds terrible), and the Coen Brothers (sure) and the acquisition of comic publisher Millarworld (interesting move that doesn't move me much one way or the other at the moment), all the buzz is about content it is losing, as Disney announced it is starting its own OTT service in 2019 and putting new Disney movies on it.
Still unanswered: What about Marvel? Star Wars? What about the 99% of the Disney catalog that never even made it to Netflix? I think a lot of people don't understand that Netflix never showed most of the Disney catalog, it already lost some of it (movies like Mulan), nor that Hulu has some of that content now.
However, the fact is, this week proves Netflix is the standard. When someone asked me about the possible cost of a Disney streaming service, I said part of it probably depended on what Netflix would do and if it raised rates by 2019 (it will; the question is how much). Everyone is reacting to the industry leader.
This really isn't good news for Netflx, though.
2) Amazon Prime: The new series Comrade Detective sounds interesting, and Amazon has been on a roll snapping up cheap catalog TV series lately, getting a bunch of shows from MPI (like the public domain Beverly Hillbillies episodes) and from FilmRise (Carsey Werner programs like Third Rock from the Sun). I don't really care for much of it, but it's more than Netflix has done lately.
3) YouTube: Let's talk about the decision by many "copyright holders" to allow material on YouTube but to monetize it. Good and bad, right? Good that it means more stuff stays up there, but bad because you're listening to an album or something, and an ad comes in right in the middle of a song.
4) TubiTV: Added a lot of movies lately, and not just the usual blend of recent-ish movies that cycle through all the services, but genuine classics like Wuthering Heights and The Magnificent Seven.
5) Warner Archive Instant: I am not even gonna make a snide reference to WAI not adding movies in several months. Grant Goodeve dueting with Willie Aames is worth dozens of classic un-added films.
6) Hulu: I think Difficult People is terrible, but a new season is here. I'm getting super annoyed at Hulu promoting the new season of Ray Donovan to me. I don't get Showtime. Quit acting like I can watch this series without paying more money.
7) Pub-D-Hub: An intriguing add last weekend was an episode of The Big Record with Patti Page.
8: TuneIn: Have I mentioned that Deep Oldies, the Phoenix-based radio station that rules the world, is virtually free of commercials?
9) HBO: Respect for the premiere of Hard Knocks.
10) PureFlix: A family-friendly outfit that strives to be the Christian Netflix. I looked at some of the offerings this week, and there isn't a lot there, but I give them credit for trying. I give them credit for brass, too. Their monthly plan is 10.99/month, which makes them by far one of the priciest services out there, all for "safe" viewing. Yet they are spending money on original programming, so let's give them a spot this week.
Friday, August 11, 2017
The most ANNOYED man in classic TV: Wildcat Wendell Corey
There's nothing like strapping yourself in and enduring the high-octane thrill ride that is Harbor Command. OK, maybe it's not the most exciting crime drama in the annals of television history, but it's a reasonably entertaining 30 minutes, and coming from ZIV, you know it's going to be reasonably well produced.
Even when the show itself is not a huge winner, I get a warm feeling. Harbor Command is not a world beater, but it has its charms.
Looks impressive, don't it? But this isn't just any old sea/land hybrid entertainment. ZIV reminds us each time out that Harbor Command enjoys the cooperation of the local authorities:
I also like the propers given to the true-life Harbor Commanders.
The best part about the series, though, is Wildcat Wendell Corey, who manages to look annoyed in any situation. Pursuing a thief? Annoyed. Tracking the carrier of a deadly infectious disease? Annoyed. Getting vital information from a fellow civil servant? Annoyed.
Telling the audience about his real-life counterparts? Annoyed.
Thanking us for watching? Annoyed.
Wildcat Wendell Corey: The most annoyed man in classic TV.
Even when the show itself is not a huge winner, I get a warm feeling. Harbor Command is not a world beater, but it has its charms.
Looks impressive, don't it? But this isn't just any old sea/land hybrid entertainment. ZIV reminds us each time out that Harbor Command enjoys the cooperation of the local authorities:
I also like the propers given to the true-life Harbor Commanders.
The best part about the series, though, is Wildcat Wendell Corey, who manages to look annoyed in any situation. Pursuing a thief? Annoyed. Tracking the carrier of a deadly infectious disease? Annoyed. Getting vital information from a fellow civil servant? Annoyed.
Telling the audience about his real-life counterparts? Annoyed.
Thanking us for watching? Annoyed.
Wildcat Wendell Corey: The most annoyed man in classic TV.
Monday, August 7, 2017
'Mooners Monday #22: The low point for Ralph Kramden?
You may have noticed this feature was absent last week. I think on some level I was avoiding writing this one. I normally love to defend my boy Ralph Kramden, even when it seems he is doing something indefensible. But in my current rewatch of the Classic 39, I have hit something I cannot defend.
Ralph Kramden did a lot of dumb, inconsiderate, and, yea, even downright cruel things on The Honeymooners, but I think Please Leave the Premises represents his low point. Yes, landlord Johnson is a real jerk about raising the rent. He just seems too giddy about the opportunity to stick it to the tenants. Oh, how I wish I could back Ralph in this fight against DA MAN.
However, he takes it too far, and most importantly, he drags Alice down with him--literally down the stairs, out the door, and onto the streets. His refusal to pay the rent first forces them to hole up inside the apartment without heat, water, or electricity--well, the last one isn't a hardship considering they don't have any appliances, but you get the gist.
I don't have much else to say about this episode except that I love the title. For some inexplicable reason, I always enjoy it when one of the characters refers to "leaving the premises," and to see that formal-sounding bit of speech embedded in the title pleases me. Be a better man next time, though, Ralphie boy!
Ralph Kramden did a lot of dumb, inconsiderate, and, yea, even downright cruel things on The Honeymooners, but I think Please Leave the Premises represents his low point. Yes, landlord Johnson is a real jerk about raising the rent. He just seems too giddy about the opportunity to stick it to the tenants. Oh, how I wish I could back Ralph in this fight against DA MAN.
 |
| Look at that rent-eating grin! |
 |
| How dare you point your finger at a hard-working, upstanding member of the Gotham Bus Company? |
However, he takes it too far, and most importantly, he drags Alice down with him--literally down the stairs, out the door, and onto the streets. His refusal to pay the rent first forces them to hole up inside the apartment without heat, water, or electricity--well, the last one isn't a hardship considering they don't have any appliances, but you get the gist.
 |
| Ralph, we know you're a man of principle, but... |
 |
| He's actually trapped Alice in the apartment. |
 |
| Well, it can't get any worse. |
 |
| Strike that. |
I don't have much else to say about this episode except that I love the title. For some inexplicable reason, I always enjoy it when one of the characters refers to "leaving the premises," and to see that formal-sounding bit of speech embedded in the title pleases me. Be a better man next time, though, Ralphie boy!
Friday, August 4, 2017
Streaming Video Power Rankings Week #71 (Special "Ah, '71 was a good year--the Pirates won it all" edition)
1) Netflix: I wasn't impressed with the August 1 catalog dump--it's nice to have The Matrix trilogy, but not much else is exciting--and I am not into Wet Hot American Summer. However, I AM interested in Michael Keaton in The Founder, and Netflix has to at least chuckle that for a change, HBO and not it was hacked.
2) Hulu: I detect real long-term momentum building for Hulu. More people are becoming aware of its movie library and appreciating recent announcements of catalog acquisitions. It looks like losing the Criterion Collection barely hurt the service. In September, once Fall TV starts, Hulu will look even more valuable.
3) YouTube: My main man Sean Mc has been on a tear lately, giving us plenty of those great 1970s and 1980s ads and promos! Plus I discovered a new (to me) channel with tons of old TV movies. Yes, I have my beef with YT every now and then, including some of the inane channels my kids watch on there, but overall, it delivers tons of free entertainment each week.
4) Nosey: I'm a little disturbed that Sally is nowhere to be seen in the "Most Popular Videos" category on here. Is it possible a whole generation of viewers is going through life unaware of the greatness of Sally's troubled teen episodes?
5) Tubi TV: Hey, since when did Tubi have the Steed/Peel Avengers episodes? Well, they do now!
6) Watch ESPN: This one really came through for me when I realized my off-satellite recordings of 30 for 30: Best of Enemies were screwy. I wish the Roku version had all the 30 for 30 shorts that are on the web version, though.
7) Shout! Factory TV: August doesn't look particularly interesting, with just a few MST3K episodes added, but I did enjoy seeing Richard Lewis guest on an old Dr. Ruth show.
8) Warner Archive Instant: Time for some more content, WAI. Not everyone is as crazy about Eight Is Enough and Dr. Kildare as I am.
9) Crackle: Almost a pity ranking, but it did add a lot of stuff in August. The classic TV section can really use a boost, though, and it's been a very quiet summer for Crackle.
10) Brown Sugar: This relatively new (less than a year old) app gets a spot for finally getting on Roku. I think it's a great idea--emphasis on African-American movies, with a marketing emphasis on classic Blaxploitation, with a 3.99/month price tag. It gets a giant demerit, though, for apparently preventing you from browsing its library without signing up.
2) Hulu: I detect real long-term momentum building for Hulu. More people are becoming aware of its movie library and appreciating recent announcements of catalog acquisitions. It looks like losing the Criterion Collection barely hurt the service. In September, once Fall TV starts, Hulu will look even more valuable.
3) YouTube: My main man Sean Mc has been on a tear lately, giving us plenty of those great 1970s and 1980s ads and promos! Plus I discovered a new (to me) channel with tons of old TV movies. Yes, I have my beef with YT every now and then, including some of the inane channels my kids watch on there, but overall, it delivers tons of free entertainment each week.
4) Nosey: I'm a little disturbed that Sally is nowhere to be seen in the "Most Popular Videos" category on here. Is it possible a whole generation of viewers is going through life unaware of the greatness of Sally's troubled teen episodes?
5) Tubi TV: Hey, since when did Tubi have the Steed/Peel Avengers episodes? Well, they do now!
6) Watch ESPN: This one really came through for me when I realized my off-satellite recordings of 30 for 30: Best of Enemies were screwy. I wish the Roku version had all the 30 for 30 shorts that are on the web version, though.
7) Shout! Factory TV: August doesn't look particularly interesting, with just a few MST3K episodes added, but I did enjoy seeing Richard Lewis guest on an old Dr. Ruth show.
8) Warner Archive Instant: Time for some more content, WAI. Not everyone is as crazy about Eight Is Enough and Dr. Kildare as I am.
9) Crackle: Almost a pity ranking, but it did add a lot of stuff in August. The classic TV section can really use a boost, though, and it's been a very quiet summer for Crackle.
10) Brown Sugar: This relatively new (less than a year old) app gets a spot for finally getting on Roku. I think it's a great idea--emphasis on African-American movies, with a marketing emphasis on classic Blaxploitation, with a 3.99/month price tag. It gets a giant demerit, though, for apparently preventing you from browsing its library without signing up.
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
One of the worst kind of posts/articles there is
I write a lot of short, meaningless pieces. This is probably gonna be one of them. But I do not indulge in clickbait, nor do I like to waste my readers' time.
One of the most aggravating type of articles I see on the web is the shallow list. I'm not even talking about the listicle phenomenon or the slideshow. Look at the slew of posts that pop up around the end of the month with titles like, "Here are all the Netflix Originals coming in ___." OK, that's useful info.
However, you read the piece, and all the details are about the shows you already know about. We know what Wet Hot American Summer is by now, and we don't need two paragraphs of Marvel propaganda about The Defenders But what the hell is Disjointed? Does it star Will Arnett like 3 out of 4 Netflix series? What is True and the Rainbow Kingdom? I see a bunch of names that look like standup comedians. How about a little info on them?
And Brad Paisley's Comedy Radio is probably exactly what it sounds like, but a few details would be nice. Instead, you'll see an article about Netflix additions in August that talks about how cool it is The Matrix movies are arriving.
Do better, streaming video news sites!
One of the most aggravating type of articles I see on the web is the shallow list. I'm not even talking about the listicle phenomenon or the slideshow. Look at the slew of posts that pop up around the end of the month with titles like, "Here are all the Netflix Originals coming in ___." OK, that's useful info.
However, you read the piece, and all the details are about the shows you already know about. We know what Wet Hot American Summer is by now, and we don't need two paragraphs of Marvel propaganda about The Defenders But what the hell is Disjointed? Does it star Will Arnett like 3 out of 4 Netflix series? What is True and the Rainbow Kingdom? I see a bunch of names that look like standup comedians. How about a little info on them?
And Brad Paisley's Comedy Radio is probably exactly what it sounds like, but a few details would be nice. Instead, you'll see an article about Netflix additions in August that talks about how cool it is The Matrix movies are arriving.
Do better, streaming video news sites!
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