TV of Yore

[jducoeur]

[Happy birthday to eudociainboston!]

It really is fascinating, doing the VHS-to-DVD dubs of the obscure TV shows that never made it long enough to get commercially released. I am reminded of all these shows that were, if not exactly *good*, at least very interesting in retrospect.

For instance, today is VR-5. Only lasted half-a-season in 1995, but take a look at the high concept. We've got a 20-something girl named Sydney, whose father bequeathed upon her a mysterious legacy of skills that she is only beginning to understand as she probes her own memories, mentored by a character played by Tony Head who was a member of a mysterious organization whose motives are somewhat unclear and with whom he has fallen out.

Sound just a wee bit familiar? It's always fascinating to watch the genre thrashing around, trying to find the right way to make ideas click...

Comments

[umbran.livejournal.com]

I loved VR5. It has a great soundtrack album...

[elizabear.livejournal.com]

Another thumbs-up for VR-5.

[cellio]

That was a fun show. It's allegedly available on DVD, but good luck with that -- it's been "currently unavailable" at Amazon ever since I stumbled across the listing last spring.

[jducoeur]

As far as I can tell, Amazon lists everything they can, regardless of whether it's really in-print. My guess is that someone sold a bootleg edition for a while, and then it went away -- hence the listing. I've never seen any sign that a legitimate DVD edition has ever existed.

Someone really needs to come out with a big box edition of "SF TV One-Season Wonders". VR-5, Nowhere Man, etc -- all those great shows that died before their time. It would be the most *frustrating* boxed set ever, but it would be so very interesting.

(Actually, Nowhere Man *is* available; I need to pick it up one of these days...)

[isisofcool.livejournal.com]

If you might be willing to make an extra copy of VR-5 for me, you would solve a huge gift giving dilemma for me for this year. My mother still takes the cancellation of that series personally to this day.

[jducoeur]

If it's relevant, you two are signed up to get the VHS originals that I'm copying *from*. (Which, mind you, are off-the-air, so the picture quality is variable.) For the most part I'm trying to get the whole thing done before I have everyone come in and cart is all away, but I'm perfectly happy to have y'all get the tapes before then if you want...