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1. Messageboard  |  General Chat  |  Classics in General  |  SAME OLD GARBAGE!

2. 

   colin

   120 Posts, Associate Producer

   Posted 24-Jul-2012, 12:21 PM

   Every month I look forward to receiving the Foxtel guide....vainly hoping that Fox Classics will FINALLY get some new (old) shows. Again I'm disappointed. I know this has been said before but PLEASE consider buying some new TV shows, e.g.: 77 SUNSET STRIP HAWAIIAN EYE SUGARFOOT BRONCO All of the above are in current syndication from Warners. How about it? Col
3. 

   Peterm

   69 Posts, Body Double

   Posted 24-Jul-2012, 3:13PM

   I agree wholeheartedly Col. Classics was one of the principal reasons I signed up to Foxtel in the first place. Might soon be time to unplug if nothing changes. I can totally understand if there are significant legal reasons preventing the acquisition of some programs, but as you rightly point out there are many in syndication that shouldn't be in question. Seems a little like lazy programming, a sort of "set and forget" approach. Not really good enough. Regards Peter
4. 

   colin

   120 Posts, Associate Producer

   Posted 24-Jul-2012, 8:00PM

   Why would anyone want to watch MASH for the zillionth time? it's time that it went....along with I LOVE LUCY, BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, GUNSMOKE, BIG VALEY, CHINA BEACH (aaargghhh!!), WALKER TEXAS RANGER (so bad that no words do it justice) etc.....and all of those awful British "comedies".
   
   New shows like:
   
   DOBIE GILLIS (in current syndication)
   NAKED CITY (one hour shows)
   THE ROGUES
   etc.
   
   Anything would be better than the current rubbish.
   
   I've been a Foxtel subscriber since 1996. We deserve better!
   
   Col
5. 

   jefroe20

   394 Posts, Casting Director

   Posted 25-Jul-2012, 9:15PM

   Agree totally,as usual Col. Up until about 2-3 years ago,the changeover of programs was about 6-9 months. Combat,Mannix,etc.etc..Now it's more like a 3 yearly turnover ,with the rejects of the 'U.K. Channel' getting prominence.Hey Peter,your comment re, the "set and forget" approach is spot on.In case you haven't seen older posts,this has been going on for YEARS!. My statement to Fox Classics about a year ago challenging them to let me (and others here) program shows for whatever time they agree to,and if the shows don't get terrific response then I'll watch the entire boxed set of 'Walker Texas Ranger'.(see Col's regard for that show above. Cheers Jeff
6. 

   Peterm

   69 Posts, Body Double

   Posted 26-Jul-2012, 9:06AM

   Thanks Jeff. Short of putting your life on the line that'd be the ultimate gesture! Cheers
7. 

   colin

   120 Posts, Associate Producer

   Posted 28-Jul-2012, 8:17AM

   I'd put my life on the line to see TALES OF THE TEXAS RANGERS again.
   Another forgotten classic. Channel 9 ran it for 10 years...along with other Columbia/Screen Gems shows ( now owned by SONY) such as CIRCUS BOY, 77TH BENGAL LANCERS, ADVENTURES OF RIN TIN TIN, CASEY JONES, IVANHOE etc.
   
   Col
8. 

   westernfan

   26 Posts, Cameraperson

   Posted 28-Jul-2012, 11:32PM

   Every Time i See The Names Of The Old Shows i Start Frothing At The Mouth.
   The Other Day i Had a Look At The 1960 Programming In America From 7.30 To 10.30 pm On NBC, CBS And ABC.
   SUNDAY NIGHT
   Colt 45, Maverick, Lawman, The Rebel, The Alaskans, Riverboat.
   MONDAY NIGHT
   Cheyenne, Bourbon Street Beat, Adventures In Paradise, Tales Of Wells Fargo.
   TUESDAY NIGHT
   Sugarfoot, Bronco, The Life And Legend Of Wyatt Earp, The Rifleman, Philip Marlow, Tightrope, Laramie, The Many Loves Of Dobie Gillis ( Just For You Col, But imho The Thorn Amongst The Roses)
   WEDNESDAY NIGHT
   Hawaiian Eye, Wagon Train, Wichita Town
   THURSDAY NIGHT
   Johnny Ringo, Dick Powells Zane Grey Theater, Law Of The Plainsman, Bat Masterson, Johnny Staccato, The Lawless Years
   FRIDAY NIGHT
   The Man From Blackhawk, 77 Sunset Strip, The Detectives, Black Saddle, M Squad, The Troubleshooters, Hotel De Paree.
   SATURDAY NIGHT
   Perry Mason, Wanted Dead Or Alive, Gunsmoke, The Deputy, Have Gun Will Travel, Bonanza.
   
   COME ON FOX CLASSICS GET OFF AUTO PILOT AND CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE SHOWS.
9. 

   Peterm

   69 Posts, Body Double

   Posted 29-Jul-2012, 8:43AM

   What amazing lineups westernfan. A man would pay double the Foxtel subscription to get similar programming right now. I, too, am a real Dobie G fan ( the thinking person's sitcom) but will forgive the negative reference given your obvious good taste in other areas. Cheers
10. 

    Columbo

    22 Posts, Cameraperson

    Posted 29-Jul-2012, 11:03PM

    My advice - give up on Fox Classics. It is beyond a joke now. I've tried being polite about it in the past, but the programmers clearly either don't know or don't care about quality vintage television.
    
    I'm steadily buying up my favourite 60s and 70s shows on DVD (Amazon UK is very good) and putting them on a hard drive, which is then networked throughout the house - TV heaven.
    
    Remember, Foxtel only cares about sucking new people in. Long-term customers do not come into their consideration - hence the billionth rerun of MASH. Maybe if they put as much effort into programming as they do their incessant ads, things would improve.
11. 

    MichaelD

    540 Posts, Assistant Director

    Posted 30-Jul-2012, 8:51AM

    You have a point, Columbo. Apart from GYoH, I don't bother with Fox Classics anymore but it is indicative of Foxtel in general. TCM is an absolute joke now. As much as I love 'Ben Hur' and 'Adventures of Robin Hood', there is only so many times one can watch them month after month after month on TCM.
    
    I have written a couple of times to TCM about bring the Australian channel into line with the US TCM which has a much varied program of film classics but never receive a reply.
    I totally agree with your comment about Foxtel not caring. The incessant advertising (including the horrible funeral insurance ads) is completely annoying to say the least.
    
    I am also stockpiling DVD collections of vintage film and television and in the next couple of months it will be goodbye Foxtel for me.
    
    Perhaps one of us should consider starting up our own blog where we could discuss classic television and film. Just a thought! Best to all -- Michael
12. 

    colin

    120 Posts, Associate Producer

    Posted 01-Aug-2012, 8:16AM

    Hi Michael,
    
    You are so right. TCM (Australia) is hopeless. The same movies have been running since day one....1995. In the USA, TCM plays lots of Columbia and RKO films....we don't get them here. Why? As you said, you've asked that question but didn't get a reply. I think that sums up the attitude of the Pay TV industry in this country. They just don't care.
    
    Col
13. 

    saratoga

    258 Posts, Producer

    Posted 01-Aug-2012, 3:26PM

    Hi.
    I think the problem is that most of the people at FoxClassics are probably more than 20 years younger than all of us.
    I mean how can you truly think 'Walker Texas Ranger' is a classic?
    I love ABC but even they don't put many movies on late at night much these days.
    Repeats of Rage and even SANFL.
    At least this Sunday we get 'All That Jazz' followed by 'Second Chorus' with Fred, Burgess and beautiful Paulette Goddard.
    I like most of you, just collect my dvd's.
    Just recently got 'Tarzan' series with Ron Ely and also a lesser known series 'Honey West' with Anne Francis.
    cheers to you all
    saratoga
14. 

    Peterm

    69 Posts, Body Double

    Posted 01-Aug-2012, 3:57PM

    This is a bit like flogging a dead horse but......I just got an email
    from Fox telling me that Jeopardy is coming to Fox Classics. Apart from the fact that it's been running continuously on another Fox channel forever I'm scratching my head trying to figure out how it qualifies as a classic in any sense of the word. One of the better quiz shows I know but I think someone at Fox Classics is really having a laugh. I'm really flummoxed about this one. Yours in confusion Peter
15. 

    saratoga

    258 Posts, Producer

    Posted 01-Aug-2012, 4:35PM

    Hi Peter.
    I like you got an E-mail & could not believe it "JEOPARDY" on FoxClassics!!!!
    
    What a joke!!!
    
    Next we will probably get "IT'S A KNOCKOUT" "SALE OF THE CENTURY" and maybe "WHEEL OF FORTUNE" with Burgo.
    
    OH!!!PLEASE!!!!!
    Give me a break!
    Thank God for the Olympics!
    saratoga
16. 

    Johnno

    24 Posts, Cameraperson

    Posted 01-Aug-2012, 5:19PM

    Tarzan???? Where did you get that from Saratoga?
    Is that out on DVD?
    Cheers, John
17. 

    saratoga

    258 Posts, Producer

    Posted 01-Aug-2012, 5:28PM

    Hi John.
    
    I got it from www.downunderdvd.com
    
    Alas when you go to website he is on holidays till 15th Sept.
    
    I got 1st season(31 episodes) 8dvd's@$52.
    He also throws in 'Doc Savage'...
    
    Also he's got quite a few great series and such plus more...
    
    Check it out!!!
    
    All the best.
    saratoga
18. 

    saratoga

    258 Posts, Producer

    Posted 01-Aug-2012, 5:32PM

    Sorry but we bloody well need an edit button!!!!
    
    John.
    
    Downunderdvd is also free post and he has quite a good collection of radio series as well...
    Movie Serials, etc.
    
    saratoga
19. 

    jefroe20

    394 Posts, Casting Director

    Posted 01-Aug-2012, 8:16PM

    Hi All.
    I knew Cols' post would stir up yet another hornets nest.And it's great to see.Thanks Col! I think we've all given our best passionate,and(this is important) non contestable arguments for quality programs."Classics" has become a travesty of a word.(the recently screened movie ADIOS SABATA would make BLAZING SADDLES look like HIGH NOON.)
    All the comments I've read are spot on.Michaels comment on TCM (and Foxtel in general) and the 'funeral insurance ' ads,particularly depress me. Who wants to be reminded of their own mortality every 10 minutes?.Because of the revenue gained,viewers sensibilities, meaning us as subscibers mean NOTHING.
    As for 'Jeopardy' the word 'Flummoxed' has been used.I would add Bewildered and Gobsmacked,as my reaction.Saratoga's alternate choices are not out of the question now.
    I reckon 'Judge Judy' is in for a shot,as well. would be very interested in an alternate gathering point.a new Classics blog on Facebook perhaps? cheers Jeff
20. 

    jefroe20

    394 Posts, Casting Director

    Posted 01-Aug-2012, 8:39PM

    And yes,Saratoga."Thank God for the Olympics"...
21. 

    jefroe20

    394 Posts, Casting Director

    Posted 01-Aug-2012, 10:22PM

    And yes,Saratoga."Thank God for the Olympics"...
22. 

    jefroe20

    394 Posts, Casting Director

    Posted 01-Aug-2012, 10:22PM

    And yes,Saratoga."Thank God for the Olympics"...
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