A Travis-ty

I got a nice comment from someone who remembered ALMOST PERFECT (CBS 95-96, starring Nancy Travis). Les Moonves said it was the best show he ever cancelled…which I suppose is like the girl I lusted after in high school saying to me at the reunion: “you’re the best guy I never slept with”. We made 34 episodes, it had a loyal following and usually received a 16 share. Later the show enjoyed a brief run in syndication on Lifetime and USA. And yet, Paramount has not released it on DVD…which brings up one of my many pet peeves: why are some TV series on DVD while other more deserving ones aren’t?

No ALMOST PERFECT on the shelves but you can get…..

the first season of BA BA BLACK SHEEP, the complete collection of TABITHA (please Nora Ephron, don’t turn this into a movie), the second season of the DORIS DAY SHOW (yes, there was more than one), THE BEST OF MR. ED #3 (contains the one where Mr. Ed talks and Wilbur has to cover for him), PRIVATE SECRETARY (for the many Ann Southern fans) , THAT’S MY MAMA season two (the really good season), AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE (otherwise known as “Bulimics at the Beach”), DUSTY’S TRAIL (the Gilligan spin off – lasted four episodes ).ED SULLIVAN’S AMAZING ANIMAL ACTS (“the Romanian Dancing Bears! Take a bow, youngsters!), RAMAR OF THE JUNGLE season ten (by season ten he was fighting the Survivor Africa contestants), HEE HAW (the classic ones with Tucker Lynn Twitty & Clower)….

and just this week comes word that the 1976 CAPTAIN & TENNILLE Variety Show is being released…as a boxed set. Ohmygod! Captain & Tennille??? It’s bad enough having to listen to “Muscrat Love”, imagine seeing them do it? And you don’t just get music, oh no. You also get their (gulp) comedy routines.

Here’s an example. Their guest is Jackie Gleason. Get ready to laugh.

TONI: I am so excited to have one of the greatest funnymen in the history of television right here on this stage.

CAPTAIN: Thank you, Toni.

TONI: No, honey, it’s not you, sweetheart. I’m talking about Jacking Gleason (applause)

JACKIE: Well Toni and Captain, I want to congratulate you on your first show. And I hope you will have a very long television career.

TONI: Aw, thank you.

JACKIE: (re Captain) The only trouble is, I feel that he hasn’t got the correct attitude.

TONI: What do you mean?

JACKIE: Well, I don’t think he believes this show is going to last long. He hasn’t even taken his hat off.


Apparently, it lasted long enough to be released. Meanwhile, ALMOST PERFECT sits in the vault. Come over sometime and I’ll show you the tapes. And if you’re not thoroughly entertained I’ll sing “I’ve Never Loved a Man the Way I Loved You”.