The Lookback : Return to Green Acres

The Flashback 

     Personal note:   I love  Green Acres , it's funny a show , weird and something that the networks would do now, make a genuine show that is goofy, a comedy that doesn't need to be complex to be fun.  The Series ran from 1965 to 1971, when CBS killed it because it was a "rural  show" and the wanted city folk shows with city problems.

         As always people with shows they love ,want to have reunions of those casts (as if to recapture the magic) , this is also continues our list of shows that had stuff  after the main show. In this case,  CBS decided to make a TV movie in 1990 , called Return to Green Acres .   So everyone was back, well not the people who played the Ziffels.   Hank Patterson and Barbara Pepper , who played the husband and wife passed on after the series ended.  Ok let's lookback.... (our regretful words isn't it?)

     Well , there's the theme song  and they intro is sepia tone (because nothing says past , like sephia tones) the current  addition lyrics and pictures are in color.   It's 20 years later : Oliver (Wendell) Douglas still owns the farm with his wife ,Lisa.  There's a limo for some reason being seen driving , and later we find out it's the limo of a land developer (played Henry Gibson) and his son.  I guess our Green Acres reunion needs a land developer?   Oooh Arnold , the pig is still alive, now being taken care of by the Ziffels' niece , Daisy.  EB is married and has a lot of kids.
 

  The Brady Bunch remake looks strange /copyright MGM

       Let's get to our plot : It starts with Oliver talking to Mr.Haney about how great the Alfalfa is doing , that he bought from Mr.Haney. Wait, why did he buy anything from Mr.Haney? That seems like regression of Oliver from the series.  This reminds me of other 90's shows being made into films apparently they think they needed a villain (because everything needs a villain, everything!)  So Mr.Haney is helping the land developers and he seems more greedy and evil  ,which is a change in character for him , usually just a weird huckster but still lovable. (Like that one guy you know) After finding out that the Alfalfa is poison oak . Oliver decides he wants to sell Green Acres. (well that's return to Green Acres done , let's go home ,that was short)  The Land developers want the people of Hootersville  to sell their homes because they want to build a city. (Hey guys it's 1990 not 1890. who's building cities anymore?)    It seems the show is trying to get a romance between the land developer's son and  Daisy Ziffel.(Because all movies need villains and romance, it's the law)  Everyone in  Hootersville decides to sell their homes and business , etc.  We now interrupt our movie for Oliver and Lisa in New York...(maybe this was a slight at CBS for canning the show to have more city shows or we read too much into this)  

        

If they can make it here they can make it anywhere/ Copyright MGM 

      Everyone in Hootersville finds out that  that plan is move them out and have an industrial city to be built.   They decide to go to New York City and get Mr.Douglas to help sue and get their homes and town back,  He decides to help them  first they go to Mr.Armstrong (the developer)  and he lies blaming his son and he says that deeds all theirs again.(Everything Fixed, movie over, oh wait there's what? 33 more minutes uhhhhh)


   As you can figure out it's not really fixed , he actually speeds up the bulldozer time  to start his project.  We now interrupt our movie for Arnold the pig gets on a Taxi , Oliver and Daisy  talk the police,who of course think it's a child lost (how is Arnold 5?)  though that was short, and we see Arnold's taxi took him to a Chinese restaurant. (Pigs like Chinese food too)

I would do the same thing if a pig came into my kitchen, he might hurt my apples!/ Copyright MGM

   Oh yeah our plot: everyone is back in Hoooterville (yes I know ,we dropped the S, that's because we were saying the way Lisa says it)  They protest and try to block the bulldozers, and Eb was about to be arrested  but Lisa takes his spot and Oliver is in jail with her.(That's love)   The land developer's son  tells Daisy he's leaving for good  ,oh his name is Brad Armstrong. (Everybody named their kids Brad in the late 70's and early 80's--this is a lie)  He falls in a mud hole and him and Daisy forgives him.(What... I guess the pig on a Taxi plot really took up some time)  Brad Announces he is going to help the town and stop the dozers.  Brad proposes to Daisy (uhh well then, what?)   Lisa comes up wit ha plan to make Mr.Armstrong think the town is on an earthquake fault.  They fake an earthquake and it works...(uhhhh ok). He leaves and I guess they got their land back  , and Lisa says she really loves  Green Acres  and she loves him and they decide to comeback and he buys back Green Acres.  Well that's the movie.


 Well , that could have been better... I mean it was a reunion ,yes , the story was kind of out of the way for a Green Acres thing , they did have some the gags from the show  but that seemed just squeezed in and also the movie seemed rushed at points.   It's not  horrible but it really could have been a more fun thing if it was Green Acres just 20 years later to see how everyone was doing , and maybe a fun story  ,though it could have been worse.  If you are fan of Green Acres ... watch it to see what you think , you might at least be happy to see everyone again.  If you want to be a fan of Green Acres...don't watch this first.
That's our lookback , tune in next time when we see the Reunion of  The Flintstones. (hahhahaha)

It's Lookback ,Charlie Brown : You're Not Elected ,Charlie Brown

The Flashback 

    Happy Election year!  (Wait where are you going?)  Well let's talk about Charlie Brown not getting elected. Wait, did this special gives us the ending , that  Charlie Brown runs for some election and loses?  Also before anyone notes: this is not a holiday related special at all , so we are in the clear.  Let's take a look.

                                     Hmm someone is just being mean now/copyright Peanuts

     "You're Not Elected ,Charlie Brown" was first broadcast on CBS ( might as well say the network)  on October 29, 1972 (an election year, the reelection of Nixon ) . The  Special does re air on ABC, as part of their broadcasts of "The Great Pumpkin" we will talk more about ABC in this too.

 I am not sad that I won, I am sad there is no cream for this coffee  

 
       It starts with Sally is unhappy with school  and  after Charlie Brown and her play 20 questions  we found out that she is unhappy about her locker , she can't get it open. (It's 24 left , Sally, 24 left!) Charlie Brown says he will help her with the situation.   So the few minutes is Charlie Brown and Sally talking ,having breakfast, and Snoopy made their lunches.(Because why not?,and still no Charlie Brown not being elected )   We get some handy locker tips , after that didn't work out well  Sally brings Charlie Brown to her class (Charlie Brown is nice big brother...or Big Brother ) where she presents him as her show-and-tell-project, after Charlie leaves the class he finds out some kids gathered around  a student body election sign up poster.
                                         

Charlie Brown was then led to the room ...and never seen again/Peanuts 

     (Wait...tell them)  If you have only watched this special on ABC you may be wondering what I am talking about. (We wonder that anyway)   The Whole scene was edited out , they even changed the music on the opening.  They did keep in the Snoopy making his breakfast part, that is where they started , and the part where he gives the lunch, then jump cuts to Charlie Brown at the sign up poster.   (ABC: A Big Cut )   

         Linus tells Charlie Brown that he should run and he would vote for said Charlie Brown. (Linus a True friend)   Lucy  volunteers to be  his campaign manager   (woah Lucy being nice) and she does a poll and finds out that he has no chance (never mind).  I guess that ends our special..Charlie Brown wasn't elected.  The Joe Cool scene was kept in the ABC broadcast. So the idea turns to Linus running  for the president. 

You will vote for this face/ copyright Peanuts 

     Lucy goes around polling students ,with some minor threats added, (aww 1972, you never fail me) Though one person she asks says no, because he is running.  99% said they would , so Linus announces that he was running.  Schroeder nominates  Linus and compares him to Beethoven. Lucy makes Charlie Brown her assistant. (she is being really nice in this special) Snoopy and Woodstock become Charlie Brown's assistants.  Linus is for Drinking fountains, wants longer recess, and against homework and for sick pay. (Vote for Linus) 

No Homework ,you say? He wins my vote 

   The next part of running an election campaign  is going to do interviews, so Linus does a call in talk show.  Ok ABC edited this scene , they edited the part to just two callers and then the talk show ends. (Cheap) The full part has a couple more phone calls. I am feeling it was removed due to commercial needs or something because it has some funny moments and doesn't seem not to be un needed. (In fact the ABC edit I have goes to commercial break right after the edited scene)

                                 How I feel about ABC's commercials./Copyright  Peanuts

       Now it's election speech day ,we find out the name of Linus' competition ,  Russel Anderson,  He gives a short speech. Lucy calls it the worst speech she ever heard.(ah 1972)  Linus gives a more rousing speech. (Guess what ABC did?)   Yep they did edit out part of his speech. (just like the media)  

    In the ABC version Linus says "I will demand immediate improvements and any little dog who happens to wonder on the playground will not be chased away, but welcomed! " 

 In the original :  "I will demand immediate improvements , I will demand cross the board wage increases for custodians, teachers, and all administrative personnel,  and any little dog who happens to wonder on the playground will not be chased away, but welcomed!" They did keep the getting rid of cap and gown kindergarten graduations and 6th grade dances.    

Linus has Passion  /Copyright Peanuts 

        Now the last speech  Linus mentions The Great Pumpkin and everyone laughs at him.  But luckly Linus has a great team working for him and can clean up his mess. (Just like a real candidate)     Election day comes , even Russel votes for Linus and it ends up being 84  Linus 83 Russel. Linus becomes president.  But as Linus finds out there is a higher power where he can't do everything he though he could.    

   ABC at the end did edit out  at the end where when Sally kicks the locker it opens, but didn't notice, they edited out the part where it opens.  That's a funny part because one of Charlie Brown's suggestions was to hit it at the bottom. 

  

 A fun fact: this was the first animated special to have Woodstock in it, and we get the Joe Cool theme for the first time here.   It is based a set of strips from October of 1964  (you can read starting from here  or in color starting from here )   Where he is encouraged to run but  in this case , he loses it after the Great Pumpkin debacle.  

 That's our lookback ... tune in next time when Lucy runs for mayor.  

Joshuaonline 10 years: A Thanks

          Joshuaonline is 10 years old now , and first, I want to say Thankyou for your support and visiting, even if this is your first time.  10 years ago ,  I kept hearing about blogs and I wanted one , it took some time to see if I really wanted to ,so I searched for how to get a free blog (yeah yeah) and I  found blogger, and I started Croglog, our sister site, in 2006 then around the same time Joshua Online was started.  This site was never about TV at first,  and the name is of my dog, Joshua, who sadly passed later that year. I tried different things for this site and my other , and then kind of let it gather dust when I was focusing on Mychiller, our other site. I have an interest in a few subjects : history, news, politics, television/television presentation, and probably other things.   I also didn't know how blogging worked  at first, so there's  a reason why any posts from 2006-07 aren't here because of me thinking that there would a space problem if I didn't delete.  By 2009 I started leaning this site toward Television and media talk and it stuck to now.
      The name , I did consider changing , but didn't have the heart, or honestly couldn't think up a name that would fit  this site.  This site abashedly does it own thing , not following the TV trend , mostly because it's my hobby, never made  money from this thing . Though if you would like to send money that'd be interesting.  We do some TV news and reviews and pretty much  in our own way , again this is a one person (currently) hobby , that means we can't cover it all so we don't try it all, or else I would have shut this place down a long time ago.
      One of the things I really love doing is the Lookbacks, which started as what was to be short term thing in 2014, when the final traditional commercial network Children's block , Vortexx, was going away. I grew up at the point where Saturday Morning network Children's TV was a part of  my Television experience , but at the same time Nick, Cartoon Network, Disney, and Fox Family were also my places any other time, that means  I pretty much would be in a last generation where  the big networks were spaces for this programming.  I do think it 's sad and I decided to write about former Children's TV blocks on network TV, even ones that were kind of obscure now. I felt it would be nice to write about as  maybe a way for those who grew up with any 60's -late 2000's blocks  to maybe  have a good remember.  Last year, I started our monthly Peanuts Lookback , where 3 things alligned so well for them :  The Comic was turning 65, the Christmas Special was turning 50 , and the movie was coming out. I am  a big fan of the peanuts , will watch anything Peanuts,  So those lookbacks ,which we are still doing, of specials  gave me a chance to see some I haven't seen at all  , so this let me do things at once : Watch Peanuts specials and write about them, which is great. Soap Operas are part of this blog. I mean , if this site was a living person , Soaps would be in it's DNA structure. Writing about ended soaps , even the ones that didn't last long is a fun experience that I hope was enjoyed or even maybe brought back a memory or two.

    Note sure what else, there is to say  but Thanks for your visiting and 10 years is impressive feat  or just the being around and letting time pass maybe.

The Lookback: Children's TV : The Fox Box and Beyond

The Flashback Children's TV 

We will return to FOX post Fox kids in the future .

                                                                               - Joshuaonline 2014   

 
       Well it is the future (what it is?, where's the flying dolphins I've been hearing about?)  and time to tackle that Fox after Fox Kids thing.  Now we wrote that on Saturday, September 7, 2002 that FOX Kids  packed up and left .  What did FOX do on  Saturday Mornings?   Well much like the other networks were doing at the time, minus the WB , they leased out their mornings to another company, 4 Kids Entertainment.  4 Kids entertianment  was a company created by the creator of Thundercats  and the creator of G.I Joe series .   4 Kids got it's big break , it could be called when they brought the Pokemon Anime  to America. (more on that in our Kids WB article)  They started dubbing other anime and other programming for the American children's TV market , the other program of note , would be Yu-Gi-Oh, which was brought in 2001 to Kids WB.  FOX ending FOX Kids gave them an opportunity. FOX and 4 Kids entered into an agreement , they would get to control 4 hours of FOX programming  and they also got the ad money, (what a deal)

FOX BOX , or FB OX 

           The first programs on this block were:  Stargate Infinity (you know , this site seems to be attracted  to  animated versions of  Live action shows ) , Fighting Foodons, Kirby:Right back at ya , Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy, and Ultraman Tiga. (Apparently some shows got repeated twice in the 4 hour block, lazy lazy. )  

         Pretty much they were like a port for 4 Kids to take their licensing deals  of Anime and some European cartoons to import them into the U.S . Anyway in 2005, they decided that the FOX BOX name had too much lacking of the name 4 kids in it , so they renamed the block , 4 KIDS TV. 

   

    

        
         G.I Joe .... hmmm interesting.
        In 2006  , they lost rights to  dub Pokemon in English... going to umm  Pokemon itself,  Yu Gi Oh it's self did move to Fox from the WB.  They otherwise continued to their path of dubbing , they also worked a deal with MGA to make a TV show based off the Bratz toys, and a TV Show based off a video game called Viva Pinata, (remember this is company that was has half created by a guy who a made GI Joe a TV series)  Their other top series was Teenage Mutant Nijia Turtle related  , which they revived as animated series in 2003.

       This is where the story gets more ... beyond ish. In our Kids WB post  we noted how the block ended... the CW decided to sell it's Saturday Morning slot from outside the ownership structure...and that buyer was ... 4 Kids entertainment.  In 2007 ,it was announced that  Kids WB was ending in 2008. (sad isn't it?)
  Back to FOX ,,, you could maybe tell something was going to give , when the 4Kids block on the CW began in May 2008, a few programs moved networks.   Ironically , Yu Gi Oh, and the 2008 fall schedule on FOX was all repeats and show burn off. (sniffs the channel)
    Maybe Fox was unhappy about the CW thing , or the CW thing was  result of FOX being un happy with 4 kids , which ever way it was  (or some third thing)  4 Kids announced in November that FOX was going to end the block.   In 2009, the 4 hour block was broken up , where 2 hours were given to the affiliates. (to air things like news, infomercials, E/I shows , boring stuff ) and 2 hour networked (!) infomercial block , called Weekend Marketplace. (uhhhh)

"The New Action on Saturday Mornings"/ Copyright Oreck 

More after the Jump 

CW and Tribune renew affiliation agreement (with one exception)

TV NEWS 

  After much wondering and probably some wrangling  Tribune Media, one the larger owners of CW affiliates has renewed their deal with the network this means KTLA 5 Los Angeles,  KWGN 2 Denver,KDAF 33 Dallas, WPIX 11 New York, KIAH 39 Houston, WCCT 20 Hartford, WDCW 50 Washington DC , WSFL 39 South Florida, WNOL 38 New Orelans , WGNT 27 Hampton Roads, KPLR 11 Saint  Louis, KRCW 32 Portland,OR,  will remain with the CW.  Tribune's former deal was made at the launch of the CW in 2006.  The one change is WGN-TV in Chicago which will be leaving the network on September 1st.  It is moving to Fox  owned WPWR -50 , which is currently a My Network TV station (My Network TV is also owned by FOX).

     WGN-TV says they will focus on their sports commitments  which includes rights to games from Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox , Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Blackhawks.   Due to CW  agreements they couldn't air as much Cran's Chicago Business Reports.   This could also be a boost to the low rated Chicago Station, WPWR-TV, to air the CW programs as a way to gain viewers. The MyNetwork TV programming will most likely be moved to another time slot.

   This will be the first time since 1995, WGN-TV will not be affiliated with a network , WPWR was affiliated with  UPN from 1995 to 2006 , when CBS (owners of the UPN) and Time Warner (owners of The WB along with Tribune) decided to merge their operations and create the CW.

press releases after the Jump

Upfront 2016: The CW

The CW  Upfronts2016 TVLookfall2016 

     
      The CW has announced their fall schedule.  New to their schedule is the addition of "Supergirl" as it makes it's move from half-sister network, CBS.  It will air Mondays at 8pmet, the same time it was on CBS.   The CW's other D.C Shows take the other 8pm slots, with the exception for Friday. "Supernatural" has moved to Thursdays .  "Crazy EX Girlfriend" has moved to Fridays  
"I Zombie" , "The Originals”, and “Reign” come in at midseason with "Riverdale" ,the archie comics based show also coming in at mid season.

Here's the schedule : new shows are in blue highlight and all times ET/PT


Monday
8 p.m. “Supergirl” (moved from CBS)
9 p.m. “Jane the Virgin”

Tuesday
8 p.m. “The Flash”
9 p.m. “No Tomorrow”

Wednesday
8 p.m. “Arrow”
9 p.m. “Frequency”

Thursday
8 p.m. “Legends of Tomorrow”
9 p.m. “Supernatural”

Friday

8 p.m. “The Vampire Diaries”
9 p.m. “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”

press release after the jump

Upfront 2016: CBS

CBS  Upfronts  TVLookfall2016 

 CBS has announced their fall schedule , which sees more comedies.    "The Amazing Race" is not on the schedule it is being held, possibly to fill in a gap if a show is canceled, Like the past couple years with CBS having right to half a season of  Thursday Night Football (this time NBC also has rights) "Big Bang Theory" will start the season on Mondays then make it's move back to Thursdays starting October 27th.  The Reboot "MacGyver" gets a Friday slot.
Midseason has the new seasons of "Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders" and "Undercover Boss", new dramas  "Doubt" and "Training Day" , and a reality show  "Hunted."  

Here's is the new schedule :
All times ET/PT
new shows in Blue highlight

Monday
8 p.m. “The Big Bang Theory” (September-October)/“Kevin Can Wait” (beginning late October)
8:30 p.m. “Kevin Can Wait” (September-October)/“Man with a Plan” (beginning late October)
9 p.m. “2 Broke Girls” (new timeslot)
9:30 p.m. “The Odd Couple” (new timeslot)
10 p.m. “Scorpion” (new timeslot)

Tuesday
8 p.m. “NCIS”
9 p.m. “Bull”
10 p.m. “NCIS: New Orleans”

Wednesday
8 p.m. “Survivor”
9 p.m. “Criminal Minds”
10 p.m. “Code Black”

Thursday

September-October
8 p.m./5 PT: “Thursday Night Football”

Starting Oct. 27
8 p.m. “The Big Bang Theory”
8:30 p.m. “The Great Indoors”
9 p.m. “Mom”
9:30 p.m. “Life in Pieces” (new timeslot)
10 p.m. “Pure Genius”

Friday
8 p.m. “MacGyver”
9 p.m. “Hawaii Five-0”
10 p.m. “Blue Bloods”

Saturday

8 p.m. “Crimetime Saturday”
9 p.m. “Crimetime Saturday”
10 p.m. “48 Hours”

Sunday
7 p.m. “60 Minutes”
8 p.m. “NCIS: Los Angeles” (new timeslot)
9 p.m. “Madam Secretary” (new timeslot)
10 p.m. “Elementary”

press release after the Jump

updated with trailers also after the jump

Upfront 2016: ABC

ABC Upfronts TVLookFall2016 

    ABC has announced their fall schedule .
   The Middle is making a move to Tuesdays  same time slot as it currently holds on Wednesdays this is the first move for the show.  They are launching 5 new shows in the fall  : a legal Drama  "Conviction" , "Notorious", Designated Survivor.   New Comedy  of  "American Housewife"  and Speechless.  "Speehchless" will be surrounded by ABC veteran shows on Wednesdays. Also Tuesday will be 2 hours of comedy, giving ABC 5 hours of comedy a week.  "Agents of  S.H.I.E.D " is moving to 10PMET on Tuesdays  , it has been a weak ABC performer,

New Shows in Blue highlight and all times ET/PT

Monday

8 p.m. “Dancing With the Stars”
10 p.m. “Conviction”

Tuesday

8 p.m. “The Middle” (new timeslot)
8:30 p.m. “American Housewife” 
9 p.m. “Fresh Off the Boat” (new timeslot)
9:30 p.m. “The Real O’Neals” (new timeslot)
10 p.m. “Agents of SHIELD” (new timeslot)

Wednesday

8 p.m. “The Goldbergs” (new timeslot)
8:30 p.m. “Speechless”
9 p.m. “Modern Family”
9:30 p.m. “Black-ish”
10 p.m. “Designated Survivor”

Thursday

8 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy”
9 p.m. “Notorious”
10 p.m. “How to Get Away with Murder”

Friday

8 p.m. “Last Man Standing”
8:30 p.m. “Dr. Ken”
9 p.m. “Shark Tank”
10 p.m. “20/20”

Saturday

8 p.m./5 PT: “Saturday Night Football”

Sunday

7 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8 p.m. “Once Upon a Time”
9 p.m. “Secrets and Lies”
10 p.m. “Quantico”

Press release after the Jump