As a long-time enthusiast of captivating television shows that delve into the realms of medicine and adventure, I find myself compelled to express my thoughts on three remarkable series that, unfortunately, have yet to find their way onto modern streaming platforms: FormA-Roni, Chicago Hope, and The Adventures of Sinbad.
In today’s era of on-demand viewing, it seems only fair that both classic and modern series be accessible for everyone. With multiple providers vying for viewers’ subscriptions and striving to amass extensive digital catalogs, one might expect a wide array of content. However, some old shows remain elusive, leaving fans questioning whether the creators overlooked them or if streaming platforms deemed these TV productions unprofitable.
Viewers from previous eras might think there’s no need to discuss this issue, as in the past, television programs would cease to exist after they were taken off air. Finding them on VHS was difficult, and it wasn’t until the advent of DVD that a solution was found. Regrettably, DVD technology is now outdated, so any shows initially released on DVD but not yet available for streaming are included in this list. Updates will be made once these shows become streamable.
10 Ed
2000 – 2004
The early-2000s NBC series, Ed, revolves around a prominent New York lawyer struggling to overcome two significant setbacks. In this show, Ed (Tom Cavanagh), is let go from his job after accidentally placing a comma in the wrong spot on a contract, leading to a $1.6 million loss for his firm. On the very same day, he comes home to find his wife involved with the mailman, prompting him to return to his small-town roots where he establishes a new legal practice and endeavors to win back the affection of his childhood sweetheart.
Unresolved Ownership Issues for Ed
As a devoted movie enthusiast, I can attest to the fact that the groundbreaking series “Ed” captivated an astounding 16 million viewers and almost joined the ranks of the all-time greatest legal dramas. With quick wit and recurring humor reminiscent of shows like “Better Call Saul” and “Suits,” it certainly held its own. Yet, it wasn’t afraid to plunge into the depths of darkness when necessary. Over a successful four-season run, this show was tailor-made for a streaming platform. If it had been streamed on Netflix, I believe its popularity would have soared even higher.
Regrettably, the comedy-drama “Ed” remains unavailable online, and neither the creators nor viewers have found an explanation. In an interview with Vulture, co-creator Rob Burnett expressed confusion, stating that he isn’t sure why “Ed” is not accessible, speculating that it could be due to music rights issues or because it is jointly owned by two studios: NBC-Universal and Paramount. If only they could reach a fair agreement for the shared custody of this beloved series.
9 Tales from the Crypt
1989 – 1996
In Tales from the Crypt, what you give will eventually come back to you – this is a recurring theme of karma and justice being served. This television series, inspired by the 1950s EC Comics, presents standalone tales filled with chills and twists. The narrator, known as The Cryptkeeper, is an amusing skeleton who shares his ghoulish wit throughout the episodes. Unlike the comics, The Cryptkeeper is animated rather than human, but the stories themselves remain mostly consistent.
A Legal Mess Prevents Tales from the Crypt from Streaming
The witty dialogues and stern moral lessons presented in ‘Tales from the Crypt’ continue to strike a chord among contemporary audiences. Notably, this ’80s and ’90s horror-comedy series boasts an impressive roster of guest stars, including Brad Pitt, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Hanks, and Benicio Del Toro. Unfortunately, it seems that this beloved show has vanished from our screens, as a legal tangle during a revival attempt, as explained by former TNT president Kevin Relly, has left it stuck in a complex web of rights issues. He shared with Deadline: “Unfortunately, that one got entangled in a complete legal mess due to a very complicated underlying rights structure.”
8 Murphy Brown
1988 –1998
In the TV show “Murphy Brown,” the main character, Murphy Brown (played by Candice Bergen), who is a journalist and former alcoholic, resumes work following a period in rehab. Despite facing difficulties, the CBS news magazine host demonstrates no loss of form. She effortlessly continues from where she stopped, taking on her male colleagues and guests with equal vigor, solidifying her position once more as one of America’s most tenacious media figures.
Murphy Brown Is Not Really a CBS Show
1. Due to its strong themes promoting women’s empowerment and professional advancement, Murphy Brown amassed a devoted audience for an impressive 10-season run. The interest in the series was so intense that CBS decided to bring it back in 2018, only to cancel it after just 13 episodes. However, despite fan anticipation, the original seasons haven’t been released. This situation is puzzling, but Decider conducted some research and provided explanations. The show was produced by Warner Bros., making it impossible for CBS to stream it on Paramount+ until certain rights-related complications are addressed. Furthermore, the series heavily utilized music that would need to be cleared before any distribution could take place.
7 Police Squad!
1982
In a humorous take on common police series, Police Squad! presents the tale of Sergeant-Detective-Lieutenant Frank Drebin, a character known for his clumsy investigations. Despite his preference for socializing over solving cases, duty always comes first. The diverse group of officers working under his often unsteady command make up an entertaining cast as well.
The Story Went On in Naked Gun
Jokes fly just as quickly as episodes in the hilarious show “Police Squad!”, a creation of the comedy powerhouse team: David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker, who had previously left audiences rolling with laughter from their hit movie “Airplane!”. Regrettably, ABC decided to end its run after only one season, making it unavailable ever since. This is puzzling given that the storyline was later continued in the hugely successful “Naked Gun” films. Although the movies can be watched independently, viewers who are familiar with the show’s plot may find them even more enjoyable. The mystery remains as to why it’s not accessible; there has been no clear explanation, but ownership disputes could be the culprit, since ABC aired the show, while Paramount produced it.
6 Once and Again
1999 – 2002
In the television series “Once and Again“, Jake (Jeffrey Nordling), a divorced dad, and Lily (Sela Ward), a nearly divorced suburban soccer mom, cross paths and start dating. However, they quickly discover that winning each other’s hearts isn’t always easy, as they both have children who require their constant attention. To make matters worse, each of them is constantly grappling with personal issues in their lives.
More Questions than Answers for Once and Again
The captivating chemistry between the main characters, coupled with its groundbreaking portrayal of queer representation on television networks, made Once and Again stand out in numerous ways. To add to this, it even earned an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress. However, despite these accolades, the show has yet to make a comeback, leaving little room for optimism. The slow pace at which Buena Vista (formerly Disney’s home entertainment division) released DVD sets didn’t help matters. They put out Season 1 in 2002, but it took additional years and a significant petition to release Season 2. The executives showed no interest in Season 3, and by 2007, the license had expired. When asked about the lack of availability on streaming services by Variety, the show’s creator, Edward Zwick, expressed his confusion, stating, “It remains a mystery and a frustrating one.”
5 Shogun!
1980
The old Shogun! has been eclipsed by its admittedly masterful remake, which has earned comparisons to Game of Thrones. It’s arguably just as good. The story is about shipwrecked English navigator (Richard Chamberlain) who ends up joining a warlord’s bloody power struggle in 17th-century Japan. The miniseries is loosely based on the exploits of British navigator William Adams, who sailed to Japan in 1600 and climbed the ranks in the service of the shogun.
Shogun! Is Sitting in the Dust
The legendary Jerry London received an Emmy for his work in this sharp little jewel, which uses a spellbinding narrative device to explore the pettiness of power struggles. With a budget of $22 million ($69 million when adjusted for inflation), the miniseries represented opulent television. It also smashed screen taboos by featuring scenes of beheading and even golden showers. Given the new show’s popularity, the old show might just do well too, but according to Vulture, NBC has no claim to its distribution rights.
4 Thirtysomething
1987 – 1991
In this television series, we follow a group of individuals in their thirties who were born during the baby boom era in Philadelphia. The show explores how they navigate the shifting societal norms of the ’80s, having been influenced by the counterculture movement of the 1970s. Many of the stories revolve around the married couple Michael Steadman and Hope Murdoch, along with their daughter Janie.
The Fight Continues for Thirtysomething
Due to its authentic characters, the television series Thirtysomething made a significant cultural impact. It pioneered the format of the hour-long drama, focusing on the domestic and professional lives of young urban Americans, and received a total of 13 Emmys as a result. Today’s viewers might find it appealing, yet it remains difficult to access. Actors Mel Harris and Peter Horton have been advocating for a streaming release and even suggested a reboot, but their pleas have gone unheard. In a recent tweet, Harris emphasized that there are “no ownership issues” standing in the way, encouraging fans to flood MGM/Amazon with messages, urging them to do so repeatedly!
3 Journeyman
2007 – 2008
An engaging suspense novel titled “Journeyman“, this story will strike a chord with anyone who’s found their life thrown off course by events beyond their control. The protagonist, Dan Vasser, played by Kevin McKidd, is a news reporter who inexplicably starts leaping through time at the most unexpected moments. These temporal jumps can take him several years back or as far as 25 years into the past. With each leap, he finds himself compelled to alter someone’s fate.
Fans Were Left in the Cold with Journeyman
Many excellent time travel series exist, so fans of the genre might not miss Journeyman too much. However, due to its engaging cliffhangers at the end of each episode and the outstanding performance by McKidd as the main character, it would be a fantastic addition for a streaming service. The show also had an enthusiastic fanbase who went as far as sending NBC boxes of Rice-A-Roni in an attempt to persuade them to renew it. Despite its absence, there’s no apparent reason why it’s not available, but one might speculate that executives are hesitant about reviving a show that was previously canceled.
2 Chicago Hope
1994 – 2000
Chicago Hope, while not as famous, holds its ground as a captivating medical drama, often eclipsed by the more popular ER. This series is set in a fictional charitable hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and delves into the lives of various doctors, with Dr. Jeffrey Geiger (Mandy Patinkin) being one of them. He’s a gifted surgeon who grapples with emotional turmoil due to his past, where his wife tragically drowned their infant son. The show explores the personal lives and professional challenges of other doctors in the hospital.
A Singing Problem for Chicago Hope
The captivating medical tales of Chicago Hope, told with an artistic flair and a romantic touch that will leave you breathless, can enthrall even the most casual observer. This series presents a wide array of characters, from the unfaithful to the devout. Unfortunately, despite its appeal, this drama is not currently available on any streaming platforms. The reason for this lies in the peculiar habit of one of its main characters, Dr. Jeffrey Geiger, who was known to sing songs during surgery. Given the high cost of licensing these tunes, it seems the producers have decided against the hassle of making the show accessible to contemporary audiences.
1 The Adventures of Sinbad
1996 –1998
As a passionate cinephile, I’d say that “The Voyages of Sinbad” narrates my journey alongside Sinbad and his sibling as we embark on a perilous maritime expedition where the supremacy of exploration clashes with the whims of destiny. Once we amass an unyielding crew, we hoist anchor from Baghdad aboard our vessel, the Nomad. Our objectives are wealth and thrill, yet the road leads us to confront fearsome beasts, sorcerers, and hostile clans.
The Adventures of Sinbad Remains in Low Circulation
The show, “The Adventures of Sinbad,” created by science fiction author Ed Naha, is an engaging blend of heartwarming and awe-inspiring entertainment, featuring supernatural fantasy, action, satire, and philosophical elements. Filmed and choreographed beautifully, this series has gained attention due to the success of fantasy shows in recent years. Unfortunately, it was only distributed on DVD in Canada following its initial broadcast, leaving fans worldwide hoping for a streaming release on platforms like Netflix or Hulu.
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2024-08-15 04:03