Television Apes Series..

[david_b]

Hey all ~ Don't recall any recent threads on this, but what do most of you think about the POTA '74 series (not the animated one..). I remember the wave of Apedom cresting back in 1974, and I really went for the series when it premiered.

I understand why it didn't last long (sponsors weren't getting the response, and it was up against NBC's Sanford and Chico sitcoms..), but it certainly was fun with the lead characters (especially Naughton and McDowell..), and I finally bought the boxset a few months back while I was in Kuwait...

Granted, it was your typical 'fugitive-type' show, but I liked the humor and action. Some shows like 'The Trap' (where Urko and Burke were trapped in an underground subway station) still register nicely. Sure loads better than the later films, to me anyways.

Thoughts..?

[Mikey]

I never watched it when it first premiered ... For some reason, I never noticed it was on at the time ....... My family were big Sanford and Son fans, so i'm guessing that was the reason.

Watching the series today, it is enjoyable --- but I can totally understand why it was cancelled so early.
Each episode is basically the same premise --- over and over and over again.

[david_b]

Same here ~ When I was visiting my Dad in Milwaukee, he was a huge Sanford fan. Geez, watching Red Foxx on those old eps still remind me of him, same mannerisms.

I remember not having much money at all as a kid, so I didn't know whether to invest in the WGSH line or the POTA line back then, both were so appealing.

Ah, decisions..

[marmes]

Yeah,I was just watching my POTA tv series DVD last night.
THe one I was watching was an episode with Jackie Earle Haley.
These are entertaining for sure!!

[jessica]

I still love them. I used to scan the TV guide for anything ape-related and hogged the tv whenever anything Planet of the Apes related was on. My favorite episodes are: The Deception, and Up Above the World So High.

[toys2cool]

I saw a few as a kid,but that was way after it was first released

[censy]

I loved it as a kid and have the dvds now.

The show had HUGE potential, obviously. But fell into a routine of, one of the three main characters getting injured or captured and the other two having to save him.

Having said that, there are some good episodes and its fun to watch.

Chris

[Mikey]

The first time I ever seen (or even heard) of the show ....... was in the late 70's, when some of the episodes were re-edited into TV movies.

[Seeker]

Actually I thought the animated series was the best. Sure the actual animation could have been better but the story line followed the original book better. (Apes with a more modern technology) and a better sci fi angle.

[Raydeen1]

Watched as a youngster. Didn't see it since it went off the air for like 20 years. It was a trip watching them. My faves are the pilot and the one with Burke and Urko trapped in the subway. I still love it. I still love most of the old shows though.

[twilitezoner]

The first time I ever seen (or even heard) of the show ....... was in the late 70's, when some of the episodes were re-edited into TV movies.

Channel 48 in Philadelphia would show those movies up until the early 80s.

[HardyGirl]

As a kid, I never watched this, but I remember my dad caught a few eps, and when I played in his room, I'd sorta glance at it now and then. However, now I love it! I got the whole series (edited though it may be) when the Sci-Fi channel aired it. I remember when I had Zachary over once, and we watched The Horse Race and played w/ my apes while we watched. And whenever he plays w/ the apes, he comments that he could play w/ them all day.

[AUSSIE-Rebooted-AMM]

Watched it last year for the first time that I can remember and really enjoyed it.

Mainly sought it out as Merlyn1976/Paul and Ant liked it so much and there were a flood of ape folk on the board all of a sudden.

Shame it had such a short run. . .I enjoyed the characters and the concept. . . but they certainly could have done more with it.

[apes3978]

Channel 48 in Philadelphia would show those movies up until the early 80s.

The "TV series movies" first came out in syndication in the early 80s (1981 if I remember correctly... They had to have been shown later than that, cause that's when they were released...

[apes3978]

Watching the series today, it is enjoyable --- but I can totally understand why it was cancelled so early.

It was cancelled early on because, as they say "it didn't sell enough soap"... The network wanted older viewers, those buying the advertised products, but it was drawing a younger audience... The network didn't feel they were worth bothering with as far as potential consumers, so it was taken off the air... One has to wonder if it would have done better in it's originally scheduled night rather than Friday when most of the networks target audience was going out rather than staying home watching TV...

Each episode is basically the same premise --- over and over and over again.

Can't you say that about so many shows though?

GILLIGAN'S ISLAND: They are about to be rescued and Gilligan messes up their plans yet again...

THE INCREDIBLE HULK: David Banner wanders into town as a drifter, says "Don't get me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry". Gets all Hulkified and drifts out of town only to be seen hitch-hiking again at the end...

STAR TREK: They face an enemy or strange alien. Fight them or deal with them rationally and then peace and understanding is yet again achieved by the crew of the USS Enterprise...

CHiPs: They're on the highway, they catch the bad guy, Ponch gets it on and then they're off on another chase in the next episode...

THE DUKES OF HAZZARD: Car jump and yeehaw...

There were (and still are) many "formularic" shows... I don't see why APES is always singled out.