TZ and videotape: Do they mix?

[Brian]

There were several TZ episodes recorded on videotape to save money. Personally, I didn't like those episodes. It gave the show limited surroundings because they had to film indoors. "Night of the Meek" would have been a better episode had it been filmed instead of taped. I don't think black and white and tape mix very well. What is your opinion?

[DarleneIllyria]

I never thought in a million years I could meet someone that felt the same way I do about those videotape episodes. I like the Billy Mumy episode with the telephone but the way it was filmed is such a distraction. I always compared those videotape episodes to soap operas. It looks like a soap opera and the color on the tv is screwed up. I always thought that when I see those eps on.

[Nedrta]

That Inger Stevens was so hot and thus voluptuous in the videotape ep about the droids living with the elderly couple and their daughter that I love that ep on film or tape. I could care less which. But for the other eps I think though more limited in script possibility that tape made it seem more realistic and even deeper.

[Sean Snow]

Originally posted by Jenny
I never thought in a million years I could meet someone that felt the same way I do about those videotape episodes. I like the Billy Mumy episode with the telephone but the way it was filmed is such a distraction. I always compared those videotape episodes to soap operas. It looks like a soap opera and the color on the tv is screwed up. I always thought that when I see those eps on.

I agree. The B&W video tape works for some shows (The only other one I know of that is rerun that was taped on video tape in B&W is Dark Shadows, and that fits the mood of that series), but it didn't for TZ. It doesn't fit the series, imo. And like some people said, it limited some of the choices for the series. No wonder most shows of the time used film instead of video tape.

[Mr. Bevis]

Of the videotaped TZs I've seen recently, "Twenty-Two" looked fine, but this might be because I saw the DVD version; they might have remastered it.

I have mixed feelings about the look of "Long Distance Call." On the one hand, I don't like that the picture doesn't look as sharp and clear as the filmed Zones; on the other hand, the "fogginess" sort of adds to the creepy atmosphere. That's a redeeming feature, but all in all, I'd prefer to have that ep be on film.

I don't have mixed feelings about the look of "The Whole Truth"--it looks terrible, especially the opening. That would be one of my least favorite eps anyay, but the videotape doesn't help it.

I haven't seen "Static" or "Lateness Of The Hour" in a while, and haven't seen "Night Of The Meek" at all. (Out of the 18 eps I haven't seen yet, that one is probably the most popular.)

[Zone1]

I love " Static", very nostalgic.
I like " The Whole Truth", " Lateness of the Hour"and " Night of the Meek" too.

The videotaping does not bother me at all. If an ep is good IMHO it is due to its cast,acting, plot,dialogue and moral and yes, visuals are important,yet, I never had a prob with the videotaped eps.

" Long Distance Call" is boring to me, not due the taping, its due to its pacing and story IMHO.