The Munsters Today | Forgotten Failures
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- Опубліковано 28 жов 2023
- The Munsters are owned by Universal Studios.
Written, Presented & Compiled by Joe Ramoni
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The balls on Al Lewis to show up to audition for his own re-casting. It's honestly inspirational.
They should have made a Grandpa Munster tv series instead
The people who cast the original show knocked it out of the park. The 80s series had dreadful casting by comparison.
They could have made a role for him as "Great-Grandpa Munster". Like how The New Addams Family made John Astin "Grandpapa Addams."
Recently watched a mini doc on Fred Gwynne, and aside from his obvious skills in acting, he was extremely talented in multiple areas; he could have easily become a success as a cartoonist (and already basically was one, with cartoons published nationally)... But more importantly, he was just as wholesome a person as the ones he portrayed on screen, which only helped his depiction of the characters shine that much more.
What a lovely comment
Fred was so great. Was the doc on YT?
I think when he excepted Herman, he wanted to translate that wholesomeness into the character and he definitely succeeded with that
I saw that documentary. Gwynne was such an interesting, talented, kind person.
Its remarkable how far more dated the Munsters Today is than the original show. The big side effect of going all in on contemporary fashion and design I guess.
60s TV was shot on film, while most 80s TV was shot on tape. More than anything, this downgrade in image quality makes the 80s shows feel older, cheaper, and overall lower quality.
@@ZachAttackIsBack And in the case of The Munsters, the old show was in black and white and looked like the old Universal movies, whereas the reboots keep being made in color for some reason. They just don't look right in color, even in that movie where they were (except Marilyn) played by the same actors. (Edit: corrected wrong character recast)
@@ZachAttackIsBackYup, especially in America, though. Go back to British shows like 60s Doctor Who or Allo Allo and you'll see it switch between extremely cheap-looking tape and beautiful-looking film
@justmeherethereandeverywhere I think in this case the 80s version made an effort to play up the fact that these characters were now in the present day. Its making a big deal about of being in the 80s. The 60s version just happened to be made in the 60s and didn't make a point of it.
In design, black and white tends to be timeless (think of how a little black dress has been a staple item for all time, or how many black and white home decor styles have come and gone). It’s easier to blend it in as a sort of ethereal fantasy. The 80s color palate is pretty specific to the 80s, and while it’s come back in and out of style the combo of EVERYTHING being those colors with the cheap video quality just pegs it for exactly when it is.
I actually remember watching this live with my folks. My mom was disgusted by the makeup and crummy jokes. I can't wait for him to talk about Mockingbird Lane.
Can't believe the writers got paid for those scripts and lines I heard in this mess. Stealing show concepts from the original show is pure laziness.
10:29 I audibly yelled "No!" the moment the sentimental sitcom music started to play. The original Grandpa Munster would never get this sappy.
I'm amazed there are so many OG Munsters clips that can perfectly critique the 80's version. But that's thanks to your always-improving editing skills.
I'm sure that's the case for basically anything. Joe is just that good at finding fitting clips and editing them accordingly.
So hard to believe the original show only lasted two seasons
Not all. Plus, a film in 1966.
@@bobstevens457 that’s one of my favorite universal films of the 60s along with those Don Knotts comedies between 1966, and 1971 and the Doris day and rock Hudson comedies between 1959, 1964 and those two movies, Blake Edwards made for Universal international in the late 50s the perfect furlough 1958, and operation petticoat 1959
If the Munsters had gotten a 90's New Addams Family style reboot by the same production company, I'd have been happy. That show always felt like it understood how to pay respects to the original while updating.
indeed, though it might have been kind of more difficult. They were satirizing things in very different ways. unlike the norm-defying Addamses freaking people out, the munsters WERE the normies, the squares, looking at everyone around them as weird and ugly but tolerating them anyway. The only way it could have worked is if they'd done a similar tone to the 90s Brady movies.
Well, there was a lot of love and passion behind that Addams Family series. Gomez's actor said it was his dream job and absolutely lived that dream when he got to work along side John Astin. This Herman did it for the paycheck. Big difference.
@@mightyfilm I assume our good Penguin was referring to the classic 90s movies, not the new addams family series (which WAS pretty watchable and did get to include John Astin)
@@KairuHakubi If he's talking about the movies, that's The Munster's problem right there. Those movies evolved the characters and elevated the already great source material. In an era where they made bad movies based on old sitcoms where the joke was "lookit how bad this thing was," The Addams Family took what was established by the television series, but made it its own thing. Didn't hurt things that said films lead to a cartoon series and eventually The New Addams Family. Not saying that The Munsters was stuck in it's 60's sitcom role, and it's not for the lack of trying, it just never had that big project that went from revival to cultural reestablishment of the franchise. It just never had that reinvention of itself the Addams' movies outside of Mockingbird Lane.
With THIS series the problem was they went about it as semi-parody. Almost a "Honey I'm Home" type concept. And it seems they were trying for a younger audience, so we're in the dreaded Kidcom/Tweencom market. Seems more like a Nickelodeon show in retrospect. I'd imagine if the Addams Family did the same exact Boomer Nostalgia Meta concept, that wouldn't have worked for it either. Supposedly there was a horrendous Addams Family variety show pitched in the 70's that was so bad it became lost media. I'd imagine that would have ruined that franchise before it even became one.
The New Addams Family was corny as hell, but still pretty alright given it was a Saban production. I never went out of my way to watch it, but if I saw it on I wouldn't immediately change the channel.
Munster, Go Home deserves its own episode.
No one is replacing Fred Gwynne in that role, and that's all there is to it. He was one of a kind.
Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis are irreplaceable.
I agree. They made these characters work, and nobody came close to them since.
I mean they worked together before the munters on the show car 54 where are you? So they did have years of experience working together
@@Nick-ty9us they gone and done it indeed
I disagree on Al. Don't get me wrong. He was perfect as Grandpa but Robert Morse and Daniel Roebuck were great in the rolls because they delivered lines like him and did a good impression. Fred I definitely agree. Even the late great Edward Herman couldn't do it
@@andywinslow9638 I'll have to check the out.
Something interesting, Al Lewis continued to play the Grandpa character (without using the name Munster) as a horror host at the same time this show aired.
i love the playful passion, that dictates
Wow, were have all the years gone!!!
The orginal Monsters were on the air in 1964 that is only 24 years from 1988. This show was on 35 years ago
Every clip from this show feels like a weird Adult Swim parody that's about to turn sinister in the end except it's a real 80s sitcom with no point.
Why did the actor who played Herman choose to do Paul Lynde impression? Also, only Al Lewis can play grandpa. He set the tone and acting for that character perfectly.
I don't know if that was his intention, but John Schuck has often been more than a little camp.
John Schuck sounded like he was choking on something
That "she hasn't been new anywhere in years" line got me more than I expected 😂
I loved this show as a kid. I'll always have a soft spot for it.
It's strange that,at least over the last 35 years the Munsters never had a major movie released in theaters. It's like,studio executives seemed to thing they only work on television. Meanwhile,the Addams family has had several movies released to the big screen since 1991.
You could say that The Addams Family have had everything thrown at the wall; to try and make them more relevant, but The Munsters, have had basically nothing; for nearly 40 years; probably because of how amazing the original Munsters is. And sure; even though "The Munsters Today" ran further than the original series, it doesn't automatically make it BETTER than the original no matter how many things they may have tried in this version.
Rob Zombies version was going to be released in theaters but was so bad it went straight to video ( streaming).
I had no idea that this show existed. My first exposure to The Munsters was on Nick @ Nite back in the late 90s when they were playing the original show.
You got me googling "Al Lewis Urine Analysis" trying to find the context of that quote
They used to show this on a Saturday afternoon in the UK. I enjoyed it, though it would never compare to the comedic genius of Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis in the original.
This was a regular Saturday afternoon syndicated watch for me as a kid along with Small Wonder, Charles in Charge, Out of This World, etc.
Reminded me a little of The New Monkees
Hard to imagine that in a few short years Jason Marsden would go from playing a werewolf on this show to hunting them on Eerie, Indiana.
So Extreme Ghostbusters wasn't the first time he hunted ghosts?
Holy shit, that's quite the character arc before Marsden voiced a cat and later on Max Goof, Chester from FOP and even Noel from Final Fantasy XIII-2.
Jason played the mysterious character named Dash in the later episodes of Eerie, Indiana. He was kind of a frienemy to the two leads.
@maximusprime3459 I see its just I never saw Eerie, Indiana back in the day
@@masterseal0418Wait really?!? He was Max from Goof Troop, Chester from the Fairly OddParents; and Noel from Fina Fantasy Xll-2? All those notable characters? I thought the guy's name sounded familiar; but I thought it was just because he had a familiar sounding name...
This show and The Charmings (Snow White and her family in the 80s) live rent free in my brain
The editing for this episode was stupendous, attaboy Hats Off Entertainment.
Thank you for your great work, friend! Forgotten Failures is brilliantly entertaining.
And this episode truly showed how great the original Munster’s were. That show is something that can never be replicated.
I thought I knew about all the different terrible versions of The Munsters but this one is completely new to me.
Fred Gwynne said it best, "Sometimes dead is better."
I know so forgettable
John Schuck also played Frankenstein's monster in "The Night Dracula Saved The World 1979.
Oh man, I've been waiting so long to see your take on Mockingbird Lane. I'm looking forward to next year! Excellent video as always.
Nothing against the actors, but man, they really look like they belong in a very crummy Munsters parody sketch.
For instance, the Addams Family 90's movie despite the actors having to work based on pre-existing roles, really nailed the part with their own takes on the characters. Their outfits and make up really made them look like an upgrade instead of a low budget Halloween costume.
The Addams Family reboot is trash, beloved ONLY by kids who grew up with that. Nothing beats the original TV cast. Gomez was funnier, Morticia was sexier and Uncle Fester was the best.
The Addams Family movies from the 90's where based more on the original source material by Charles Addams that was more darker than the 60's tv series While Munsters Today looked like a school play
Mockingbird lane could've been something. Can't wait to next Halloween for your retrospect on it. Eddie Izzard was perfect in it. One of my fav comedians ever!
Indeed. I was rooting for it for Eddie alone. The show was… a big swing.
As an ‘80’s kid, the time capsule catches me in its jaws once again. I watch these clips and am instantly transported back to then. Quite a time…
I watched the original on Nick at Nite. That had so many 50s 60s reruns that didnt exist anywhere else at the time.
I loved watching the original Munsters in syndication and have vague memories of watching this reboot as a kid. Having seen clips of the reboot over the years... yeesh, some things are better left forgotten.
This show was *HUGE* in Latin America, it was one of the first ones one could see on our "Saturdays Cartoon" hour version of the US one.
I remember watching this show it aired Sat. afternoon along with Small Wonder & Out of this World (For a cheap syndicated tv show it wasn’t bad) it was very 80’s it was later moved to evenings on Sat. night (Looking back at it the biggest problem was it being in color if it was in b&w it would’ve actually looked better! The key of the 1980’s was pure excess (everyone in LA were doing massive amounts of Bolivian Marching powdered) everything was over saturated in that decade
I liked Mockingbird Lane.
One of the problems with the new Munsters show is they picked a short actor to play Herman. Even with the platform boots he was short.
The biggest problem is when the show came out Hollywood was obsessed with live audience shows. Which severely limited the show. The original series not being performed before a live audience could use multiple sets on different sound stages, outdoor scenes, and location shots.
I also enjoyed Mockingbird Lane and it has me oddly nervous about next year's video.
It's just really bad makeup.
Good point. Fred Gwynne was a really tall guy which made him look imposing, and ironically that was a contrast to his wholesome personality.
@@axelalvarado7031 and yet they still put platform boots on him. 6'6" plus 4" lifts = 6'10"
@@axelalvarado7031 Fred Gwynne was tall but skinny. They had to put a real heavy prosthetic suit which Fred suffered horribly. He had to drink pitchers of Lemonade.
Wow, you are bringing back memories for me. I remember this show from when I was a kid. I didn't like it then and it's even worse now. The 'Munsters Rap' scene made me cringe with embarrassment on behalf of the cast.
Excellent work on this video as always!
I watched all the seasons. My Sunday morning schedule was Superboy, Munsters Today, etc.
Original makeup was spot on and amazing. And everytime they do a new reboot it keeps getting worse and worse
Can’t believe this lasted three seasons
Despite being the target demographic, I never saw this. I did see the commercial, featuring the theme song, and it just didn’t work; it felt so try hard, not to mention the hokey 80s sitcom conventions they didn’t properly spoof but moreover relied upon. I’m surprised it lasted longer. That’s crazy.
Very excited to see Mockingbird Lane coming next year. That’s a show that didn’t get a proper chance and had so much potential. Hopefully I’m not the only one who thinks so.
Why can the munsters never catch a break? Just one good adaptation is all we're asking for
Exactly! They can't ever catch a break! They kept getting closer and closer, until rob zombie had to get his filthy hands on it, and this show probably wasn't THAT bad; but couldn't touch the original series, I mean; sure "The Addams Family" 90's movies weren't the best; but with the late, great Raul Julia as the dad; in both of those movies; makes them work, but they couldn't get any similar kind of magic working for The Munsters?
What were they smoking with ALL these reboots/remakes/spin-offs? They just didn't know when to stop. I mean; they really wanted to re-create the magic of the original Munsters, didn't they? But they clearly couldn't...how desperate were they to get a "hit"? Because it NEVER worked out once; and it's never GOING to work, with the way they're doing it, they're never going to re-create the magic of the original series, no matter how many times they try this; no matter how many times they try to recast the actor's, no matter how many times they try to find the magic, it's just NOT there! I mean; putting people like Rob Zombie on for the recent movie? That was a terrible idea just waiting to fail from the start, if his other projects weren't enough of a sign already, because Zombie can't make a good movie to save his life(in my opinion). But even though I didn't grow up with the original show, it looks pretty good in these black and white clips. And nothing's going to be able to replicate the original series; no matter what they do, but it doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to catch a break, right? How hard is it to get any adaptations of The Munsters right; even once? Sorry if I went on too long though...
@@shawnfields2369
Rob Zombie always cast his wife who can't act as well
The only remark of the Munsters that is good is Here Comes The Munsters (1995)
@@duckman2173 Well; if he loves his wife; that'd be fine; but really, shouldn't he be casting people who can you know...act?
@@duckman2173 You're(probably) right. Because I haven't ever seen The Munsters myself; I'll take your word.
I loved that show growing up. Great theme music !
Protip: Don't use a red border. The youtube 'already watched' bar is red. So if someone see the red bar at the bottom of the thumbnail, they may skip the video (as I did the first 3 times this popped up on my home page).
Last year Peacock had the whole show in 1080p around this I am guessing for the Halloween season.
Well, probably a raw upscale from 480p or whatever it was shot in.
Jason Marsden has portrayed the voice of Robin Dick Grayson in many cartoons and video games.
He also famously portrayed the role of young Burt Ward in the TV movie Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt (TV Movie 2003)
Every time I hear his voice, be it in anything from his various voices in Skyrim to a single episode of Myster Inc., I will always only think one thing: Oh hey! It's Max Goof!
He’s a well known voice actor
I feel like this ran for years on UK TV. Like, way into the late 90s on repeats. We had a few channels that'd pack out the schedules with random American sitcom repeats though.
I never even heard of this version.
Seeing this makes the running joke from the recent Rescue Rangers movie about old characters trying to rap even funnier.
This was my first introduction to The Munsters as a youngster. Thankfully the original series later got reissued on TV and I much preferred that.
Lee Mariweather was Lily Munster… good casting choice
Meryl Streep wasn’t available
Ahh no!
The problem is obvious. Not only is it an 80's sitcom, it's an 80's low budget syndicated sitcom. Anyone remember "Out of this World?" I used to watch that one all the time and I still have trouble remembering it was real and not a weird recurring dream. I'd imagine if it had network backing there would have been a little more money and quality control over it, but I could also think it wouldn't have lasted a full season. I'd imagine that, being syndicated, they also had a quick turn around to get all the episodes out at once, leading to slipshod writing and an exhausted cast limbering through them. Anything else I can't say, since I saw these when I was really little and I do remember enjoying them, but not much else about them. I remember seeing an episode as part of a new digital over the air channel's start up programming, and thinking it was okay, but overall unmemorable. They went camping in that one, so maybe the episodes where they aren't mostly in the house set are rare.
Anyway, this at least looks a hell of a lot better than the weak animated series pilot. Yes. There was going to be a Munsters cartoon that focused on Eddie and his friends with Grampa and Herman just being there for maybe one or two lines of comic relief. Think an even worse Pebbles and Bamm Bamm. I think the pilot aired as part of one of those 70's Super Movie blocks (with other failed animated pilots), and I can't remember where I found it and if it's still available, but it was just dull and forgettable.
It's on UA-cam man. It's called the mini Munsters
Can’t wait to see the Mockingbird Lane video. I watched the pilot the day it came out and loved it
No al Lewis which is funny cause he reprised his role as a horror host presenting old monster movies on the wtbs superstation show "super scary saturday" 1987-1989. Ofcourse I'm on older side of early 40s. Look it up.
Fun video. There's no truth in the story that Al Lewis auditioned for Munsters Today - he was never even considered. I interviewed cast and crew about this and the rest of the show's development for an extended feature in the November 2023 of UK sci-fi/fantasy magazine SFX. Everyone was pretty candid and gave a lot of insight into the creative decisions behind the show and its compromises as a low-budget production. I hope Munster fans will seek it out.
Sounds like good trivia was provided.
Looked forward to this every Friday whilst being in Kindergarten.
Howard Morton captures Al Lewis so well I still find myself smiling whenever Grandpa is on screen, his face and voice are so close, even Daniel Robuck in the Rob Zombie movie, there's some kind of magic the right nose and voice has that makes it easy to forget it isn't Al Lewis, Herman on the other hand seems impossible to get spot on, Edward Herman in 'here come the munsters' is the only man who comes close to making you forgot about Fred Gwynne and just see 'Herman', and in an entirely different category Jeff Daniel Phillips from the Rob Zombie movie nearly reinvents the character in his efforts to be as little like Fred Gwynne as possible and represent the Herman psyche as a bumbling goofball, it was the only route to take knowing he could never replicate Fred's voice or stature, his well spoken voice combined with preposterous screaming and abrupt reference pulls fully won me over, just so awkward I couldn't help but love what he was doing
What was perfect about Fred Gwynne was he was believable as Frankenstein's monster. He towered over everyone. In this show, Herman and Grandpa were almost the same height. Herman Munster should be equal parts frightening and goofy. This guy is just goofy.
Yeah, and while I agree, it's a serious shame that Goofy was already taken and a household name before this though...
I didn't forget this show
The complete series of The Munsters Today was on Hulu for the longest time. So sad they removed it ☹
I don’t know how it’s considered a failure when it managed to last slightly longer than the original show. I love both shows.
I guess failure in the sense that it basically disappeared and is now regarded as awful while the original is still popular.
Their apartment is totally stolen from Empty Nest. the 6 people who remember that show will probably agree.
I remember it!
That was a show that I only watched because my mom had it on. The "Joe Isuzu" guy was the neighbor.
This is the show I have waited for you to cover. The original Munsters is still the best.
This is the Munsters show I watched over and over again as a teen.
I do remember watching this as a kid, but it was more of a "there's nothing better to watch" type show rather than one I wanted to watch. I also remember watching some of the originals, they were both in syndication here in Australia during my childhood in the 80's.
I vaguely remember this show, & it was certainly my introduction to the Munsters. I remember the characters in this show, appearing in a nightmare, i had, back in the late '80s. I'm actually really glad that you covered this, & i actually really wish i could watch & own the show. Sure, it's nowhere near as good, as the original, but to me, it looks like i'd still enjoy it. Damn you Universal, for never releasing it to home media, or making it available for streaming!!
I watched this as a kid and young teen, and i really liked it.
Completely forgot about this version. I remember watching this when I found it by accident on TV. I don't recall watching its' entire run, but did watch some of the episodes back in the day.
Lee Meriwether was also on Barnaby Jones
If there was ever a show that deserved to be lost, it was this one.
Yeah, definitely.
Love your videos.
Believe it or not, I actually got to watch this show on the Hulu... right after Hulu first started. Well before Hulu became the premium service that we pay for nowadays. I remember watching this, Charles In Charge, (which for some reason I liked the first season better than the rest of the seasons), the made-for-TV Fudge-A-Mania movie, and the follow-up Fudge TV series on there at the time. Thankfully, my experience on Hulu was NOT my introduction to The Munsters, as my grandmother had taken it on herself to introduce me to classic TV when I was a kid. The Munsters, along with a host of other well known classic TV shows will forever rank among my all time favorites. I honestly can't say for sure if I just never saw The Munsters Today as a kid when it first aired, or if I did and was just one of those that forgot all about it.
They really date this show more than the original in their attempt to look hip and modern for it's time when the OG felt more like a classic that still holds up to this day.
Every single Munsters reboot only illustrates what a great job Fred Gwynn did with the character.
Your videos keep getting better and better! Great job!
I’m looking forward to the Mockingbird Lane review. I really enjoyed and am sad Fuller didn’t get to show us more of that story
I briefly remember this airing here in Canada. Kinda wish it got a treatment like how the Addams Family did for TV. And that one was even shot up here in the Toronto area.
In theory this show is less ill-conceived than "The New Monkees"🤣
Mockingbird Lane video next year? That was an interesting attempt at rebooting the show with a darker tone.
This edit starting at 1:43 and cutting back to the original show made me choke on my coffee.
I think this show fills the same area as late 80s shows like The Charmings & Maniac Mansion, aiming for a young audience released then immediately forgot by most.
When it sang "We went to sleep many years ago, and we woke up with a brand new show" it all came flooding back from my childhood
This was broadcast a lot in Colombia, in the early to mid 90s. I am pretty sure the producers managed to cut a good deal because I also spotted it on Peruvian and Bolivian tv.
I remember catching this show when it was rerun during the early 90's and actually liked it
excellent work.
I’ve had the theme to this stuck in my head since i watched it as a kid when it first aired.
This makes Rob zombie's look good. Some how this is worse than his Herman..that opening theme...yeesh.
Was just about to say that
I found the "Munster's today" on hulu, many years ago. i have always loved the classic show since my childhood I spent a lot of time with my grandparents watching Munster's on netflix or reruns on me tv. i was happy when i discovered the rebooted show i guess, but i next discovered how it was not the show love and grew up with. i only watched a few episodes and thats it. thank you for the videos i love the channel. have good day.
Don't know how true it is but supposedly after this remake was cancelled the plan was to include it alongside the original Munster's syndication package.
I remember watching this when it first came out, and my family agreed that it just did not feel the same. Sadly the theme song occasionally pops up in thought, but watching this reminds me why I questioned it being made.
i was born in 1993 so i grew up what i think it a unlikely time to become a fan of these shows but i remember tv land was one of the few channels we had when i grew up so i grew up watching these shows. but it is interesting even how i get older i like discovering these forgotten and lost to time. i loved the munsters allot when growing up so it is interesting how this so i knew so well. had follow ups that tv history basically threw in its closet while nothing can replace the original i do wish a revival would come out that atleast comes close to bringing back the original.
This Rendition of the Munsters is an Absolute Fever Dream!!!
smooth edit at the beginning I love it.
I remember watching this. Grandpa was taller than Herman, if you take away Herman's monstrous platforms. Woeful.
I do recall the catchy and helpful intro theme.
I knew there’d be a Hats Off Entertainment video today!
Grandpa seems to have quit Cigars!!
I have all the Munsters sequels twisted in my head. I could have sworn Christine Taylor was on this show!
Was every "successful" 80's movie/TV star on this show? And also, why did the Grandpa look like an extra from Happy Gilmore, in one shot?
I really wish shows like this would get dumped on any of the streaming services we have available. I'd love to go back and watch this or "The New Addams Family" .... which I actually have been watching here on UA-cam.
I got one that I'd like to add to the forget failures that was a spin-off to the hit Tv sit-com "Friends" called "Joey" that only lasted about a couple of seasons until it got canned.