♦Welcome to another edition of the Open Book Blog Hop!♦
Topic #75
What television shows from your childhood would you bring back and why?
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Scooby-Doo Mysteries, hands down. There was no need to think about this. How many mysteries could those meddling kids get down in? I have no idea how much would be too much. Maybe it was ended when it was on top, and still had that pull that makes you want more; anymore episodes could have devolved the show completely. All I know is that I have all of the classic Scooby-Doo on DVD for a reason. I love that crazy Great Dane. (In fact, there are numerous ornaments on my tree that are the Doo, right now.)
About five years ago, a new series was done, but it only lasted a few years. It was one of the best attempts yet. The animation was fabulous and the story was pretty good. Let’s never talk about A Pup Named Scooby-Doo. The movies, I liked, but I know many don’t.
I have always been very much into animation. The art that makes up an animated show is amazing. It’s a lot of work to make still drawings line up to form movement, keeping story straight, and not jumping all over and mucking up the color. So much planning!
My other favorite, which those who know me have heard me talk about extensively. I used episodes from this series in my film studies work. It hits my topics, warms my soul, and has a bit of nostalgia for me. M*A*S*H!
Alan Alda as Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H.
(TMS Inhouse CD, ID No. Q111)
CD © 2005 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment,
November Consumer Mailing
The M*A*S*H series was one of the most perfect series ever filmed. People still discuss the writing and execution today. Not ironically, the series was adapted from a book by Richard Hooker and W.C. Heinz. At the time, the series was critical of the Vietnam War, crossing a line that television and movies had not dared with such razor sharp wit. The public was tired of the war. However, they weren’t tired of M*A*S*H. It aired for 11 seasons (1972-1983).
I have not watched a show since that came anywhere close to the writing and poignancy of this series. Sometimes I think I am watching one, but the shine wears off so quickly, and M*A*S*H is still there, a wise old friend with still more to show for itself.
The times have changed, and with them the tastes and endurance of most audiences. The majority of the mainstream demographic will sit through hours of reality television, but won’t stand to sit for anything that requires reflection or thought. A desire to watch self-destruction is the main drive behind most entertainment today. Sadly. Education has been maligned for years, and thus anything resembling thinking has become taboo in many social circles.
I’d love to see either of these shows return. To me, that would be a sign that audiences have returned to wanting more complicated entertainment. That, to me, is a clue that society is evolving once again.
Let’s hop on over and see what shows the other authors would bring back…
Ah yes, M*A*S*H. Who could forget Hawkeye and especially Klinger, dressed in his frills and high heels? One wonders if the original cast are still alive? It wouldn’t be the same making another series with new actors.
My grandchildren watch Scooby-Doo, as I did at their age. He seems to have been going forever!
Just can’t get enough!
I totally agree with you about MASH. We watched the whole series last winter and it wasn’t dated at all. Same with Scooby. There’s a timelessness there.
I will, however, disagree with you about modern television not featuring good writing. Reality television aside (and, yes, I know it’s very popular – regrettably) there are some great shows out there these days that require a brain to watch. The Blacklist, Game of Thrones, and Orange Is the New Black come immediately to mind. Most of the best written shows are produced cable or Netflix (which is how we see them since we don’t have cable). Unfortunately, the mindless absorption in reality television sees many of the better written network shows canceled for low ratings. It’s not that they’re not out there. It’s that audiences have to be persuaded to tune in.
Unfortunately, many will not tune in to anything that doesn’t match their worldview. MASH was able to make statements about the Vietnam War because it was set in the Korean War. I remember my mom and stepdad saying “That wasn’t our mindset back then.” They were right because MASH was very subversive in how it presented its message. Today, I submit, if the message doesn’t meet the predetermined topics of a particular viewer, they will turn it off because they refuse to be confronted by anything that challenges their worldview.
Which rather limits writers to write tripe.
Only the Blacklist is on regular television and widely accessible, yes. Regular television is what I was generalizing. Unfortunately, this show has also grown predictable, such as the faked death–such a waste with such superb actors. I smelled that device miles off and it wasn’t necessary to go at it from the angle they did. It appears the writers are just falling back on old standards. I HAD hoped it would be up there still. I watch most of my shows on Netflix going on seven years now. Vikings was a show I had liked but it died out for me as well by the second/third season. I haven’t watched it to even catch up and give it another chance. Floki was my favorite character and soon became the only redeeming quality of that show. I don’t care how handsome Travis might be. LOL
Indeed! Cognitive dissonance is quite powerful in making tastes. It’s really too bad, because challenging ourselves to think is so worthwhile.
I think one of the secrets of MASH was how real the characters were. They all had their good and bad characteristics. No one was either the perfect hero or the perfect villian.
Seems as though a few of us liked MASH. And, Scooby-Doo was one that I’d forgotten about but always enjoyed. Thanks for reminding me.
Yay! I love MASH! 😀