Unsuccessful old TV shows that have been forgotten

[AndyC]

Did anyone mention DELTA HOUSE (which was a very short-lived series based on ANIMAL HOUSE)?  Sorry if I missed it among all these great memories . . .

I have extremely hazy memories of that one. Its run was so brief, and I was too young to have even seen Animal House at the time. I remember I liked it, but my older siblings who had seen the movie didn't think it measured up. I think I'd forgotten about Delta House by the time I first saw AH on TV a couple of years later, but I'm sure I'd agree.

Has anybody mentioned The Last Precinct, starring Adam West as a police captain? That one was on the air and back off again after eight episodes, in spite of a really optimistic post-superbowl launch. Looking at the promo on YouTube, it might actually have been as funny as I thought at the time, although my memory of the show is hazy at best. I completely forgot it had Ernie Hudson and Rick "The Burbs" Ducommun, and James Cromwell comes as a surprise, this being years before he became a big name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0Ba1k2wgZ0
Wouldn't mind seeing this one again, if only for the 80s-style hotties.

[Derf]

And don't forget Dusty's Trail, which was Gilligan's Island set in the Old West. It even starred Bob Denver.

Not only do I remember watching this show, but I remember being upset when it was canceled (after a very short run).  Someone edited together a few episodes and released it on videotape as THE WACKIEST WAGON TRAIN IN THE WEST (trying to pass it off as a feature film).  Imagine renting THAT one.

Rent it? I own it. I bought it for a dollar at Wal-Mart.

[retrorussell]

Another in the same vein.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70ycH-IMcGE

[AndyC]

Another in the same vein.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70ycH-IMcGE

Tracey Walter was the best thing about that show.

"Folks call me Frog."
"What's your real name?"
"Frog. I guess that's why folks call me that."

I wonder what ever happened to Joel Higgins. He did Salvage 1, then this show, then had a hit with Silver Spoons, then he kind of dropped off the radar. Looked him up, and I guess he's done a bit of TV guest work, but mainly been a stage performer.

[retrorussell]

Mr. Smith, 1983.  A show about a talking orangutan who serves as a political advisor.  No, I'm not kidding.

[hellbilly]

Hell Town from the mid 80s:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNzD2na9CgE

[AndyC]

Anyone mention The Highwayman? That was a show that might have had some legs if it had come out a few years earlier. It had the spiky-haired action heroes, the cool high-tech vehicle, the hot babe and a William Conrad narration. And it had Jacko as Jetto!

The show was pure Glen Larson gold, but the whole Knight Rider/Airwolf thing had pretty much run its course. Although, it didn't really have a fair chance either, being on the air for just a couple of months in 1988. By the time I finally got around to seeing it, I was only able to catch a couple of episodes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLLyS88_DB8

[AndyC]

My Mother the Car

I saw one or two episodes of this in the 80s, when one of the independent TV stations used to show old TV shows all night in the summer. My reaction was basically "WTF?"

I think that show really has found its place in TV history though, as an example of the utterly goofy premises a series could be based on. The Simpsons' "Lovematic Grandpa" was a good parody. And it's a fine example of an actor making a bad choice, since Jerry Van Dyke turned down the role of Gilligan in order to do it.

[retrorussell]

AndyC,
Off your 'related vids' from the Highwayman opening, I found this little 'goodie' from the early '80s.  Uh.. nice Tron costume.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeC3aesu0Lc

[Allhallowsday]

"Misfits Of Science" starring DEAN PAUL MARTIN   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRZWKfeN1u4

"Gung Ho" starring SCOTT BAKULA 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut1k0Ok6PI4

[retrorussell]

I remember those shows.. I remember the original Gung Ho, the movie with Gedde Watanabe and Michael Keaton.  Mr. Watanabe is hilarious.

A couple more..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwSZeYDRd08&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm-o_7AGJRQ&feature=related

[AndyC]

Voyagers might have lasted longer if it hadn't been for that unfortunate business with the prop gun.

[Derf]

I'm not sure it really qualifies for this topic, but it only lasted one season:

Fernwood Tonight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gwUtEEjZJ8&feature=related

[retrorussell]

I couldn't find the English opening for Mr. Merlin (1983).  Pretty dumb show about Merlin in modern times, dressed as a regular old guy and helping a young teen become his apprentice.

[The Burgomaster]

How about MR. T AND TINA starring Pat Morita