Jump to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Soap Opera Network Community

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Featured Replies

  • Member
On 4/7/2024 at 9:42 PM, DRW50 said:

 

Remember ABC's Townies, which was also meant to be a comeback for Molly Ringwald?

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

  • Replies 64
  • Views 9.1k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Author
  • Member

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 ?

  • 1 month later...
  • Author
  • Member

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.

  • Member
8 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

NBC piloted Pleasure Cove and later the mega flop Supertrain.

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

 

  • Member
On 6/6/2024 at 4:56 PM, Khan said:

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

 

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! 

  • Author
  • Member

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 by Paul Raven

  • Member
On 6/7/2024 at 11:18 AM, te. said:

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! 

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

18 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

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.

ICAM!

  • Member

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 by DRW50

  • Member
54 minutes ago, DRW50 said:

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

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.

1 hour ago, DRW50 said:

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

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.

  • Member
On 4/3/2024 at 1:56 AM, kalbir said:

The Cosby Show and Growing Pains

Both shows were set in New York.

Both shows had a doctor father that worked from an office that was a part of their home.

Both shows had a teenage son that struggled academically.

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

Edited by Khan

  • Author
  • Member

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?

  • Member
14 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

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.

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.

  • Member
On 6/8/2024 at 1:11 PM, Khan said:

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

Hahaha.

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

  • Author
  • Member
8 hours ago, Khan said:

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.

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 by Paul Raven

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.