How did it compare to the original? - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

tv star collector · 10-23-2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ

How do fans of the original Munsters series feel about the updated version? What did you like/dislike about it?

In 1966, directly after the series' cancellation, a feature film called MUNSTER,
GO HOME was released. In my opinion, it was as good as the series (if not
better). Then, in 1981, a TV-movie reuniting most of the original cast, THE
MUNSTERS' REVENGE, was aired. Not as good as the series or the first movie,
but still not bad. (Sid Caesar and Howie Morris were marvelous.) What both
of these productions had was most of the original cast. For that reason, they
should have stopped after the second feature-length film. In THE MUNSTERS
TODAY, for some inexplicable reason Herman (John Schuck) had gained fifty pounds and Marilyn had regressed to the age of 16. It didn't help that the show was in garish color (instead of black & white). Then there was the 1995 TV-movie, HERE COME THE MUNSTERS starring Edward Hermann as Herman (who, Al Lewis said, eerily reminded him of the late Fred Gwynne) and finally THE MUNSTERS' SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS (1998; TV-movie) with Sam Mc-
Murray as Herman. None of the remakes managed to recapture the magic
and appeal of the original. And that's the inherent problem with any remake
that does not (or cannot) use the original cast. Anything is going to pale in
comparison. Every time.

Munsters#1 · 10-29-2005, 01:33 PM

There was also a short lived cartoon series called "The Mini-Munsters". It aired in 1973 on ABC.

Ireneparalegal · 10-29-2005, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Guy

I think "Munsters Today" ran 1988-91. It was really horrible, though -- lousy scripts and cheap-looking (it was videotaped instead of filmed!). John Schuck was terrible as Herman! When did Herman get so fat?

Lee Meriweather was a pretty good Lily, though.

Oh God that show was awful. The original is the best and the ONLY ONE that should be seen. John Schuck, I am in agreement with you, he made the character of Herman seem so "wuss" like and stupid. Herman (the original) was cool!

dave insinga · 12-18-2005, 11:31 PM

apple to oranges cheezy scripts

comedyfreak · 12-24-2005, 09:13 AM

Not even a good scipt could have helped this show, Lilly was the only bright spot of the whole cast.

mraw · 06-21-2007, 04:37 PM

I can't remember which series I saw first, "The Munsters" or "The Munsters Today". I was not a fan of John Schuck as Herman, either. I enjoyed Lee as Lily and even Howard as Grandpa (but I knew him already from "Gimme a Break").

I think another problem with the show was that it kind of backtracked by being filmed in front of an audience whereas the original show was filmed on a closed set and had several scenes take place outside (they also had the exterior of the mansion to use as a backdrop in most episodes). They also showed several rooms within the mansion and this (IMO) gives it a slight edge over The Addams Family.

I was 8 years old when it premiered, so I watched it faithfully and have fond memories of "The Munsters Today".

Mikado · 06-21-2007, 09:54 PM

I tried to watch the remake a few times, but, after 2 or 3 mins, i was hitting the clicker button....the old show rules......Better than any remake, OR the Adams Family!

mraw · 06-23-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mraw

I was 8 years old when it premiered, so I watched it faithfully and have fond memories of "The Munsters Today".

I had to quote myself on this one- I just received a dvd with 5 episodes of The Munsters Today on it and it was a terrible show. I'm embarrassed to say that I used to watch it.

Mikado · 06-23-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mraw

I had to quote myself on this one- I just received a dvd with 5 episodes of The Munsters Today on it and it was a terrible show. I'm embarrassed to say that I used to watch it.

Dont feel TOO badly, tastes change when you become an adult......theres a lot of shows i loved as a kid, that i cant STAND now!

comedyfreak · 09-26-2007, 05:35 AM

If they would have stuck with the original formula it might have worked. Shuck's Herman was just too stupid and should have been played more seriously. Actually he was the wrong actor for the part.

gopyle · 10-23-2011, 09:37 PM

Pointless to produce. Painful to watch.

FanofRetroTV · 03-16-2012, 03:59 PM

It was just plan dumb.

Mark Glicker · 06-03-2012, 01:20 AM

I did not even know that this show existed. Wish I still hadn't.

12-18-2005, 11:31 PM	#19
dave insinga Forum Regular Member Join Date: May 19, 2005 Posts: 581	it didn't apple to oranges cheezy scripts

09-26-2007, 05:35 AM	#25
comedyfreak Senior Member Where No One Has Gone Before Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 9,057	If they would have stuck with the original formula it might have worked. Shuck's Herman was just too stupid and should have been played more seriously. Actually he was the wrong actor for the part. __________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

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10-29-2005, 01:33 PM	#17
Munsters#1 Banned!! Happy Holidays! Join Date: Jun 29, 2004 Posts: 2,917	There was also a short lived cartoon series called "The Mini-Munsters". It aired in 1973 on ABC.

12-24-2005, 09:13 AM	#20
comedyfreak Senior Member Where No One Has Gone Before Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 9,057	Not even a good scipt could have helped this show, Lilly was the only bright spot of the whole cast.

06-21-2007, 04:37 PM	#21
mraw Forum Regular Movin' On Up! Join Date: Jul 09, 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 334	I can't remember which series I saw first, "The Munsters" or "The Munsters Today". I was not a fan of John Schuck as Herman, either. I enjoyed Lee as Lily and even Howard as Grandpa (but I knew him already from "Gimme a Break"). I think another problem with the show was that it kind of backtracked by being filmed in front of an audience whereas the original show was filmed on a closed set and had several scenes take place outside (they also had the exterior of the mansion to use as a backdrop in most episodes). They also showed several rooms within the mansion and this (IMO) gives it a slight edge over The Addams Family. I was 8 years old when it premiered, so I watched it faithfully and have fond memories of "The Munsters Today".

06-21-2007, 09:54 PM	#22
Mikado Forum Celebrity Main st bridge Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,727	I tried to watch the remake a few times, but, after 2 or 3 mins, i was hitting the clicker button....the old show rules......Better than any remake, OR the Adams Family!

10-23-2011, 09:37 PM	#26
gopyle Frequent Poster Member Join Date: Oct 22, 2011 Posts: 100	Pointless to produce. Painful to watch.

03-16-2012, 03:59 PM	#27
FanofRetroTV Forum Regular Member Join Date: Oct 15, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 279	It was just plan dumb.

06-03-2012, 01:20 AM	#28
Mark Glicker Frequent Poster Member Join Date: May 29, 2012 Location: New York Posts: 61	I did not even know that this show existed. Wish I still hadn't.