finding old TV shows on Youtube

Recently I have stumbled across full episodes of old TV series on youtube.  I began with Combat, the World War II series with Vic Morrow and Rick Jason.

More recently I have found Richard Boone’s Have Gun Will Travel, perhaps my favourite western series (1957-63) (one totally hilarious show plot involved the rivalry between two small towns’ baseball teams and Boone’s character thought to be the only impartial man around because he was a non-resident of either burg was forced into being umpire),

The Wild, Wild West with Robert Conrad (1965-69) – concept was James Bond on horseback,

Reilly Ace of Spies with Sam Neil (1983 miniseries).

It is a treat to watch these full episodes.  One startling feature with Combat and The Wild Wild West, both series began with black and white film and later switched to colour as colour television sets became popular and families bought them for home use.

Combat had a terrific set of guest stars.  Guest stars appeared as squad members, French citizens or German soldiers. In the first season, the then little-known Ted Knight and Frank Gorshin made appearances. Notable guest stars included Lee Marvin, Robert Duvall, James Coburn, Dwayne Hickman, Telly Savalas,Luise Rainer, Charles Bronson, Richard Basehart, Eddie Albert, James Caan, Jeffrey Hunter, Leonard Nimoy, Frankie Avalon, Sal Mineo, Brandon De Wilde, Tab Hunter, Beau Bridges, John Cassavetes, Roddy McDowell, Mickey Rooney, James Whitmore, Dennis Hopper, Tom Skerritt, Harry Dean Stanton, Keenan Wynn, Richard Jaeckel, Fernando Lamas, Ricardo Montalban, Claude Akins, Warren Oates, Nick Adams, Joan Hackett, Jack Lord and Dean Stockwell.

rejoining the fleet

Colonial Viper – Konami (Photo credit: Thorsten Becker)

I recently purchased the reimagined Battlestar Galactica season 1.  I have rejoined the fleet, my Viper was almost out of fuel, but I made it back.  Looking forward to playing cards with KARA THRACE aka call sign “starbuck”.  I know I can beat her this time, I just have to watch how much I drink.

Seriously, though, folks, this must be in the top five best tv shows of all time.  The characters are compelling, the plots fiendishly twisty and turny, the questions of a political and social nature, how to deal with terrorists and the nature of the enemy, those alone, are examined in the most entertaining and enlightening way.  This show makes you think.

NCIS what the heck

I watched the finale of the season for NCIS and was alarmed at the conclusion which had two shocks: Ziva David remained in Israel and Gibbs somehow had removed the wooden boat from his basement.  Both will leave me with an unsettled feeling through the summer wait for the return of my favourite show.

THE UNIT – THE SHARK IS BACK IN THE OCEAN

stayed up late to watch The Unit on KIRO 147 on my box.  Excellent story again, which left me with s astrange take on my surroundings, namely in the case of a chlorine gas attack, what around me offers life giving air: in the show, that included a pool toy, an old lady’s  oxygen tank, and a neighbour’s scuba tanks, along with air from a car tire.  The wonder of the air we breathe.  Great show, great cazst.  Glad to see Tiffy and Mac reconnecting, I hope it lasts.