Around the dial

Wt Cult TV Blog, John's latest look at the 1970s anthology Play for Today focuses on "The Right Prospectus," a challenging drama by noted playwright John Osborne. What kind of commentary might Osborne have been offering here? See for yourself.

In his review of Friday night television in 1977 at Comfort TV, David notes that this was the first night in which there were no top 30 shows for the year on the schedule. Does that mean they were bad shows? Wonder Woman, Rockford, Quincy, Donny & Marie?

At ReMind, Rob Edelstein looks at the worst game shows of all time, and while there are plenty to choose from throughout the years, I don't think you'll disagree that some of these shows are really bad. 

The Metzingers review the 1974 British teen drama series Soldier and Me at Silver Scenes, and find an unusually literate, gritty series that includes Cold War spies and genuine danger for its young heroes. It's the kind of series Disney would never offer, because of what it doesn't include.

At The View from the Junkyard, Roger's weekly foray into The A-Team takes us to "Cup A' Joe," a contender for the funniest episode of the series, and one that gives us a little more insight into Murdoch's character.

At Drunk TV, Paul takes a look at one of the infamous miniseries of the '70s, Washington: Behind Closed Doors (it helps if you imagine Howard Cosell's voice), a sleazy, over-the-top Watergate-esque story that, as I recall, helped diminish the stature of the miniseries genre.

Cult TV Lounge returns with the 1980s adventure series Tales of the Gold Monkey, a hit show that fell victim to network politics. Good credentials, though: Donald P. Belisario as creator, Stephen Collins as star, and some rollicking good fun. Which is really what it's all about, right? TV

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