The Munsters are owned by Universal Studios. Written, Presented & Compiled by Joe Ramoni / joeramoni / hatsoffjoe Please consider supporting me on Patreon: / hatsoffentertainment
@@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
Yes, but they ended up with a total of 70 episodes in that two seasons which would be like a 1990s series that lasted 3 years (back then Network TV shows had about 22 episodes per season) so I look at it like it was on for 3 seasons. Plus there's MUNSTER, GO HOME!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
@@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...
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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...
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.
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.
@@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!
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.
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
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.
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).
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!
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.
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
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.
Haha I was in 2 episodes of this show as one of Eddie's classmates - 'Silver Bullet' and 'The Eyes Have It'. Basically because my cousin was the casting director. lol. Have to say, it was a fun experience.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 think that they should either retire the Munsters IP or just make something completely new with a different premise. Its like you said the originals charm was because of the actors who portrayed them and the time it was made. Any remake or show attempt is never gonna live up to its predecessor so might as well just scrap it and do something different but with its own new charm. Fat chance that will happen though xD
@eatatjoes6751 humm 🤔 The Addams have gotten some pretty good actors and sequels to it. Maybe its just the casting choices and the script? The last movie that came out with the Munsters was just good awful. Guess well see if they get another movie after that
same, I even watched (and loved) the original Munsters, I am sure I would have watched this too... or perhaps I have pushed those memories into a deep hole in my bran reserved for this and what really happened to my dog
@@mattyt1961 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I too remember watching the original Munsters . . . (and now I want to know the story about the dog 😅?!?). If you want to feel better, I accidentally killed my pet parakeet when I was a kid 😭. It’s been 30 years now and my mom still brings it up when she wants to be a dick to me 🤣👍🏻!
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.
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.
If they ever do a Munters reboot/remake/whatever it would be way better for it to be animated, but if they need to be it in live-action, they would have to make a chemistry test with all the actors. And I would NEVER place it in modern times, if I was doing it, I would at least place it in a time without internet, so we can avoid Marilyn and Eddie's being the “cool kids” that makes the show dated very fast, it would be nice to explore the 60s again, and I would keep the show black and white. Monster High shows that kids loves monsters, it's a fun concept to work with, and being animated helps too (plus getting people who sound like the original actors would neat too). Just so food for thought.
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.
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.
I just NOW realized that THIS was my introduction to The Munsters. I remember playing Legend of Zelda on NES, and when I'd change the channel, it would either be Munsters Today or 1966 Batman....good times, I guess they were heavily syndicated.
2024 will mark 60 years of The Munsters which would be a great time to look back on the original show that started it all and to cover the forgotten attempts to bring back the franchise in 2012 Mockingbird Lane
They touched on Mockingbird Lane at the end. Not sure why the network didn't pick it up. It had alot of partial. The major problem i saw with it is that they did exactly what the original series avoided. It was an actual horror show, albeit tonight in cheek. They implied killing people on this version of the Munsters. That nixes the show for kids viewing. And might raise some eyebrows from network censors. Although the characters were very different from the Munsters of the 60's, they felt very real and the relationship was nuanced and complicated. Eddie was going through puberty while also becoming a werewolf. One line in the show that stood out was Eddie was hugging on the roof because he was upset. Herman very sweetly climbed up to have a chat with his son. Eddie said that he wanted to be a vegetarian. "So you can be a vegetarian" responded his father. "But i can't be a vegetarian and a werewolf" responded the confused teenager. "So you can be a vegetarian when you're not a werewolf" responded his dad. My favorite line in the show, far and away.
