The Originals and the Imitators

[Soaplovers]

Ironic that show was supposed to be a comeback for Molly Ringwald..but both Jenna Elfman and Lauren Graham got more notice during the brief run.

I always thought of it as being loosely based on Mystic Pizza

[Paul Raven]

Bonanza NBC /Big Valley ABC

Bonanza- Ben Cartwright, a widower, along with his three sons, Joe, Adam and Hoss, faces several difficulties as they run their large ranch while also assisting the neighboring community.

Big Valley - Victoria Barkley, a widow, and her family tackle various problems while living on a ranch in California's San Joaquin Valley.

Bonanza was #1 when BV came along so why not imitate ?

[Paul Raven]

ABC hit pay dirt with Love Boat/Fantasy Island-weekly anthologies mixing comedy and light drama with lotsa name guest stars.

NBC and CBS tried their own spins with little success.

CBS piloted something called 'Rendezvous Hotel' and 'Time Express' with Vincent Price (a Fantasy island rip off) got a short  tryout.

And then there was Flying High with threw a Charlies Angels theme into the mix.

NBC piloted Pleasure Cove and later the mega flop Supertrain.

ABC went back to the well with the Debbie Reynolds 'Aloha Paradise' found success with Hotel, but Finder of Lost Loves and Glitter failed  and International Airport didn't make it past the pilot.

[Khan]

Better known as "Silverman's Folly," lol:

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[te.]

I've never watched Supertrain but I don't think I've ever heard of a train with a gym and a disco on board. It seems like lifting heavy weights on a moving train could go very wrong really fast! 

[Paul Raven]

Lynn Loring associates in charge of casting - she should have stuck with acting based on that  opening credit list -makes Fred Grandy on Love Boat look A list.

That original opening sequence. An endless list of no names and C list actors. And we get it, Harrison Page's character is a fluck up and Charlie Brill is supplying the 'laughs'.

The hasty revamp seemed to dump all but 3 of them and the remaining didn't even rate an appearance in the credits.

Created by author  Donald Westlake- obviously was smart enough to get a credit -more $$$ and then walk away.

Edited June 7, 2024 by Paul Raven

[Khan]

According to wikipedia, the train also boasted a swimming pool, shopping centers, a library and a medical center.  But, no Starbucks, lol!

ICAM!

[DRW50]

Supertrain is one of those shows I wish had been a hit just to see how they possibly could have maintained such a ludicrous concept. 

That cast...nothing against Alan Alda's father, but when he's the main actor I know, they aren't sending their best. 

Aarika Wells sounds like an adult entertainment name.

There's something hellish about that second opening. It looks like an acid trip from a late '60s film.

Edited June 8, 2024 by DRW50

[Khan]

I think they were attempting to emphasize the sci-fi elements that were inherent in the show's premise, since it was clear the goofy sitcommery that had informed the first opening wasn't landing with folks at home, lol.

Conversely, Gavin McLeod might not have been a big star when "The Love Boat" premiered, but he had enough cache from working for seven years on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" to be, in certain respects, a household name.

[Khan]

IOW, "Growing Pains" was for those who thought the Huxtables were too uppity, lol.

Edited June 8, 2024 by Khan

[DRW50]

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[Paul Raven]

Poor Supertrain- a disaster every step of the way.

It seemed Fred Silverman was determined to buy NBC a hit. They spent all the money on the sets and forgot about the scripts. I think the concept was a thriller type story with some comedy filler.

There was obviously no money for promotable guest stars-the likes of Steve Lawrence, Larry Linville and Bernie Kopell was the best they could muster.

NBC lost millions. Wonder what happened to the set and miniatures?

[Khan]

I think "Supertrain" would have had a chance if it had been set in a post-apocalyptic America; one where the country essentially was the Wild West again.  Or, they could have gone in another, more steampunk direction and have the concept of a futuristic-looking train during the great age of railroad expansion.  In either case, there could be some comic relief in every episode, but stories would be edgier and more allegorical.

[kalbir]

Hahaha.

Growing Pains had three kids instead of five so it wouldn't be too obvious that it copied The Cosby Show.

[Paul Raven]

Sorry,not on NBC in 1979.

Silverman was cluttering up the schedule with the likes of Cliffhangers, Sweepstakes, Buck Rogers and Harper Valley-'America really wants to see Barbara Eden again!'

The first risk taken was Hill St Blues and that was a game changer.

 

Edited June 9, 2024 by Paul Raven