Last night the man and I went on a date to the Trylon, a microcinema with only 50 seats.
We went because they were playing one of my favorite movies of all time. Sabrina.
So I got to thinking as someone in the theater mentioned the remake of this movie. People don’t like to leave stories alone. Books are made into movies, movies have remakes and sequels, and occasionally…
…movies are turned into TV shows, or vice versa. Tonight’s blog will list/rate a few of these TV/Movie “hybrids.” (if man-go-round is reading, that is for him).
Movies made for TV, and TV made for Movies
1. Clueless: Movie–>TV. The movie here was clearly superior to the TV show, but I loved both. There were several of the same cast members, except for the ever important Cher, Josh, and Elton. Clearly the movie, which entails Paul Rudd, wins.
2. Brady Bunch: TV–> Movies (I think there are two). It’s a toss up for me here. The TV show is pretty classic, but the movies (starring Shelly Long, Gary Cole, Christine Taylor, and Jean Smart) are satire and very funny. It’s sort of comparing apples to oranges here, so no one wins. Except we all know the loser… and I don’t mean Jan. I mean Cindy, who sucks in every incarnation
3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Movie–>TV. I think the TV show wins here, even though Dylan from 90210 is in the movie. The TV show wins because of its all-star cast, its staying power/ cult status, and its overall cheese.
4. Charlie’s Angels: TV–>Movies. I can’t pick a winner again, I know, grow a pair… But obviously the TV show has an edge for Farrah Fawcett’s…hair…and the movies are awesome because of the action scenes and Bill Murray.
5. Sex and the City: TV–> Movies. I’m not sure I even need to type this, but the TV show is better. There is no part of either movie that is better than a single part of the TV shows, in my humble opinion.
6. Starsky and Hutch: TV–Movie. I haven’t seen the TV show, but I’m betting the movie is better. It has some of the funniest actors of our time, plus Snoop Dogg as Huggy Bear.
7. Kids in the Hall/ Brain Candy: TV–> Movie. Toss up. Man do I love Dave Foley. TV, movies, News Radio…
Others: Da Ali G show, several hundred SNL skits, Sabrina the teenage witch (yes, there are movies), Lizzie McGuire, Dukes of Hazzard, The Mask, Ace Ventura, Bewitched, Mission Impossible…
So. What do you all think of the watering down of our general media pool by converting all of these stories into every possible type of media? Videogames, Theater, Movies, TV, Books… there seem to be no limits.
And I’m doing a special project tomorrow for Make my List Monday. Help a girl out and tell me a TV show I should check out!
i really love Brothers and Sisters! have you watched it yet?
I used to watch it with my mom, and I like that they are a big, loud family just like mine- it feels like home! Parenthood is the same way for me too.
I’m a guy and I DO think the first SATC movie was good. It was the perfect ending to the show. But i heard the second one was just rubbish.
I have the attention span of about a cricket, so for me the 27 minutes of quality TV were better than 3 hours of Carrie whining and changing clothes
I definitely agree- some things are better off as tv shows and not movies. Sex & the city- omg… those movies are horrible. Just horrible and I was a big fan of the show and even own the big pink book of all the seasons. Same with Buffy. I was a HUGE Buffy fan back in the day lol. Loved the show, but the movie was whack. 🙂
And to recommend a show to watch…. right now I’m excited for the new season of The Vampire Diaries to start and then that new show on CBS this fall- A Gifted Man.
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/a_gifted_man/video/
Thanks for the ideas! I have that SATC book too haha! I love the page where they show tons and tons of clips of the outfits… guilty pleasure… I might have to do an all SATC post one day this month!
There was a television show for Ace Ventura? I knew there was a “The Mask” cartoon but no clue about Ace. Learn something everyday. The Twin Peaks movie by David Lynch (a very good series, at least the first season) deserves mention in this. And you can never forget Beavis and Butthead, I hear they are back ripping on the Jersey Shore although I cannot confirm this. Finally, to make my father proud, all of the Star Trek movies. Some of which are not bad. Those are what I came up with.
Have you watched any of “The Wire?” I think it’s a very worthwhile series. “Deadwood” was super good, but I like Westerns. I’m pretty sure you know about everything else I enjoy/have enjoyed like arrested development, freaks and geeks, etc. etc. “Treme” is an interesting show for sure.
I don’t know if I’d necessarily call it watering down, just because by using different mediums it changes they dynamic between the art and the viewer/consumer. The main one I do have a problem with is TV to movie and vice versa just since they are virtually the same medium and it feels the most like a money grab or to keep the good times rolling just a bit longer, but all forms feel this way to an extent sadly.
There was- I watched it about once. It was awful, obviously didn’t have the key element (Jim Carrey). I’ve never seen Twin Peaks, in any form. I’ve heard its good though! I’ll have to check out THe Wire and Deadwood. I liked your Party Down recommendation so I trust you! I have only seen a few episodes of Freaks and Geeks but we have been having an Undeclared marathon this week because I have the complete series from the library. I am loving it, especially the Seth Rogen character haha. I keep hearing that they are going to make an Arrested Development movie, but HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE??
Ohhh Undeclared is good too! The Arrested Development movie, to me, is like saying Led Zeppelin reunited just because Robert Plant and Jimmy Page are playing together. It sounds awesome and has amazing potential, I am just not sure if it’ll be the real thing or actually happen. I’d for sure watch The Wire, it might be the best show I’ve ever seen (not that I’ve seen a whole lot), Twin Peaks is awesome especially if you like David Lynch, and Freaks and Geeks might be my second favorite kind of cheesy nostalgia show for me next to Full House.
Okay, I trust you- I’m going to check with ye olde local library for the Wire. Or is it streaming on Netflix?
its not on netflix that i know of. they have it if you get the discs but not streaming (this is as far as I know, I dont have the netflix but use it at friends’ places sometimes.)
I bet the library will have it 🙂
I’ve been recommending Party Down to people who aren’t even asking, so…plus it’s on Netflix streaming.
I agree- Steve recommended it to me when we first got Netflix and we watched both seasons in about 3 weeks haha! Are there more seasons out or just those two?
Sadly, there were only two seasons of PD. Henry Pollard started showing up on network TV on Parks and Rec and that spelled the end of it.
I haven’t seen parks and rec, and I am still trying to figure out where he is familiar from. Is parks and rec good?
Perhaps you recognize him from “Are we having fun yet?” 😉 I noticed yesterday at the gym that he was in the movie Step Brothers. I’m guessing that’s not where you became familiar with him, though.
Parks and Rec has grown on me, although at first I didn’t think it was all that great. I had to put in the effort of marathon streaming sessions on one of those days during this winter where I couldn’t get out of my apartment and therefore decided not to even get out of bed.
haha- of course, why didn’t I think of that? I haven’t seen Step Brothers, but rewind- the gym has movies? Maybe I should join a gym! I think I would watch anything Jane Lynch is in. I saw the one nerdy awkward guy in Undeclared last week and it took me so long to realize it was Roland or whatever his name is. Even though Undeclared is 10 years old, the actor looked identical… eerie.
Naah, the gym–or I should say–the carpeted room with mirrors, weights, spray antiseptic and elliptical machines (Snap Fitness by Cheapo on Snelling) has cable, which is a one-up on my apartment. I’m not going to say I go there strictly for the cable, but on Friday night I did treat myself to five close-captioned scenes from Donnie Brasco while halfheartedly pushing a few of moving parts of the arm resistance machines. I guess I like the TV more than the workout is what I’m saying.
Roman does have a pretty distinct[ive]? (I’m always a little unsure about this one) face. Good eye!
Ah yes, Roman. It’s funny that you say “good eye,” because the running joke between the man and I is that I choose a show for us to watch, that he sometimes is not even interested in, and then I’ll blog or go cook, and forget to watch, and he will end up watching instead of working on his computer. so we got to the end of the episode where Roman dresses up as the rock star guy, and only then did I realize and say, “Oh, that’s the NERD guy!” and the withering glare I recieved made me realize this was not new information for the average viewer, who was actually paying attention. oops.
I watched the Glee Project tonight for the first time. Is that a spin off of Glee? I didn’t see it all and didn’t exactly know how they are related since I’ve only seen Glee once. It drew me in though. I agree that sometimes things get watered down with all the multi-media versions or grabs (as Stephan called them). I think an all time winner was Gone with the wind. Loved the book and even though the movie was made before I read the book I didn’t see it til many years later and then only on TV. I’m glad I read it first. It was such a good read and especially to a young teenage girl.
Oh no… I have to admit my attention span problems here.. I couldn’t even watch the movie without getting up to do other stuff… so god help me with the book! Are you ashamed of me?
Oh, and I haven’t heard of the glee project- but if its about glee clubs it probably is riffing on that same idea! Was it any good?
Did you ever watch Six Feet Under? I recently watched the entire serious (on netflix) and loved every minute of it and bawled like a bay on the last episode!
I love six feet under- I used to work at a Hollywood Video back in college and I watched the whole series for free then on DVD 🙂
I can’t wait for The Ricky Gervais Show to come back for its next season. Same with An Idiot Abroad.
I love Ricky Gervais but haven’t seen his show. I haven’t heard of An Idiot Abroad- thanks for the recommendations!
I think I agree with you all the way around! Buffy was totally a better show! Joss Whedon is a freaking genius! Which leads me too…
TV shows by Joss Whedon you should watch, if you haven’t!
“Firefly”
“Doll House”
“Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog”
haha- what exactly is Dr. Horrible’s Sing along blog- just like it sounds?
Hahahaha, it was a three piece web episode series. They have it streaming on Netflix, all three of Joss’ show actually.
Anywho, the whole length is 45 minutes, and it’s a musical blog about Dr. Horrible who wants to be a villian, and Mr. Hammer- the kind of hero, and the girl they both love. Honestly, one of the funniest things ever! Neil Patrick Harris plays Dr. Horrible! Just go watch it… right now!
that sounds awesome- I wish I could watch it now but I have to wait to get home!
I actually know lots of those TV shows/movies you listed!
But one of my all time most FAVOURTIE TV shows has to be:
‘Outrageous Fortune’… the NEW ZEALAND version of course!
I think our show is now being made in the USA with American actors… it will NOT be as good as the real thing I assure you!
It is hysterical… but not really a comedy.
ooh I’ve never heard of it- where did you see it? on netflix or hulu? or is it on cable somewhere?
Oh and don’t click on my name in the first comment cos I typed my blog name wrong! This one is right:
http://diet-coke-rocks.blogspot.com
i think the original of anything is always the best…be it a book, movie, tv show, etc.
aside from twilight (because someone lent me the movie while another lent me the first three books), i almost never go out of my way to read/watch the followups to an original movie/book…unless it comes out on tv or someone gives it to me.
[oomph.]
oh, i think i told you about two shows last time – drop dead diva (lifetime, sundays) & pretty little liars, royal pains (USA).
I am a dedicated Drop Dead Diva watcher ever since I got addicted last summer… I don’t know what it is about that show, maybe margaret cho 🙂 but I love it! I’ll have to check out the other two also!
There’s no “I think” about it…Buffy the TV show kicks Buffy the movie’s butt any day. BtVS was epic. I’ve watched it from start to finish more than once.
I used to watch it on the WB, but perhaps I should start again at the beginning!
Dangit, I am all out of chunks of my horcruxed out soul.
if I looked like that, I’d be chinking away at my soul in a locket for that dress!
hehe
my hubster just was reading something that said Hollywood is running out of ideas to write.
but look at how many stories are getting a re-write.
it’s a little eerie!
xo
that dress is one of my all time favorite film outfits. I love it. I love her wardrobe throughout the whole movie…
Sabrina is super good- I haven’t seen it in forever. I also like the SATC tv show better than the movies (though I do love the movies!). The book that inspired the series…I couldn’t get into it. I think I’m not a fan of Candace Bushnell’s writing style, which makes me sad because I really do want to like it! Off 5th Avenue was pretty good though.
Have you watched Curb Your Enthusiasm? It’s one of my faves.
I have also tried reading Candace Bushnell books- I was similarly disappointed. Somehow the producers of SATC must have extracted everything decent out of the books, then added a LOT of pizazz to make the show so good! I find her books incredibly boring, which is too bad.
Oh, and I haven’t seen curb your enthusiasm, but it looks funny! Thanks!
Sadly I think many movies/tv shows/books are ruined when converted (especially when a film is made into a tv show), but nothing ruins more than a disney sequel! I wish I NEVER saw Pocahontas 2 or Hunchback of Notre Dame 2. Whyyyyy?!
oh man, some of the Disney sequels are unbelievably awful- ever seen the other Aladdin films? I’m not sure if its Disney, but I do think Toy Story 2 is a good sequel though!
I love Breaking Bad and True Blood!
I keep hearing about Breaking Bad- what is it about?
There are way too many shows that we watch. I really like Parenthood, Royal Pains, Grays, Criminal Minds, and many other ‘criminal’ related shows. So take your pick. Haha
I don’t tend to seek out criminal/ law/ justice shows, but if they are on for even a minute I get so sucked in!
I love small theaters like that 🙂 so much fun! Happy to have found your blog 🙂 New follower!
Glad to have you! I love your blog too 🙂
I think it depends on how things are made. For example, I didn’t care for the Clueless TV show, because it took the satire feel out that was so great in the film. I loved the Brady Bunch movies, because they didn’t follow the formula of the show and decided to go a little lowbrow instead.
Thanks for following my blog btw! I love yours!
I love how funny the Brady Bunch movies are- the part where Greg and Marcia are “interested” in each other? cracks me up.
ugh speaking of the new charlie’s angels on TV i can’t believe leighton meester is in it.. thats like.. the opposite of Blair Waldrof who doesn’t do anything but get Dorota to do it haha
Whoa I didn’t know they were making another remake- I’ll have to look it up, but it sounds like a first: TV show into movies into TV show again!
I think it’s sad that the way we know a book is a big deal is if it has a movie to go with.
I might be late to this party but: Gilmore Girls, Sons of Anarchy, Covert Affairs, NCIS: LA, Bones are all some of my favorites.
Oooh that’s a lot of good recommendations! The only one I’ve seen is Gilmore Girls which I definitely like!
my fav tv shows are modern family and parenthood
I keep hearing about Modern Family but still haven’t seen it yet! I’ll have to start at the beginning!
First off, that theater sounds adorable! And, I completely agree with you on the movies to tv and vice versa. I loved the Clueless tv show, and the movie is still a favorite of mine. And SATC. OOhh how I love it. I have watch the entire show 3 times through. It’s a tradition, I think.
Amber
Ambersmouthwash
It is obscene how many times I’ve seen each SATC episode- I used to just watch the DVDs to have something “on” for noise at night when I lived alone. Now its on TV all of the time. Pretty much memorized!
Haha, I would totally sell my soul for Audrey’s dress. I’ve always admired it.
http://www.stylocrat.blogspot.com
PS Thanks for the comment and I’m following you now! 🙂
Glad to have you here! How do you think we might get our hands on a dress like that? Just become super famous haha?
I love the SATC movie (first one) but I do agree that the TV episodes were still much, much better. As for TV shows, I am obsessed with True Blood. And like you, Drop Dead Diva! I love Jane!
I love Jane, but I also adore the margaret cho character haha
I just saw this and read all the comments. I’m a big twin peaks fan and i just noticed tonight that it’s on streaming. Probably an acquired taste but I think I got Libby to like it a little. There’s no show like it and it holds a mythical place in mind. Some of the best characters ever. One show that people love that I cannot stand is Curb Your Enthusiasm, I wonder if you’ll like it, I f$&#ing hated it hahaha.
Hmmm, two people I definitely trust have now recommended twin peaks. Its getting harder to resist! What do you think are the chances that the mr. will tolerate it are?
Well, I definitely don’t have Mr.GoesRound’s tastes pegged but I’m thinking yes… he will like it. Here’s my sell: It’s a show with a lot of depth and many layers. On the surface it’s like a soap opera / small town mystery story. But to me it’s really a satire of soap operas and small town life. Plus a lot David Lynch common themes, supernatural elements, native american folklore, 50’s style female characters, along with some of the most unique supporting characters I’ve ever seen. Picture this a director known for making avante-garde art flicks gets to make prime time network television show and it’s the most watched show since Dynasty across the country and wins every award. The whole country hangs on the murder mystery aspect but every episode it gets less and less mainstream and further and further out there, closer to a David Lynch movie. Almost like a practical joke on the american public. I think he’s quoted as saying something like “they’ll never let anyone make a series like that ever again!” But it’s good the whole way through, prob my favorite TV show of all time and the only one I’ve watched all the way through 3 times. Agent Cooper the main character is my hero, played by Kyle Maclachlan. I have all the DVD’s if you just want to borrow. It is an acquired taste though and something you have to get into. I’d watch them with you again if I had time! Last night Netflix streaming stopped working during the one hour Libby and I have to watch t.v. and man we were pissed!! haha-