'70s TV reverie

[ceebeegee]

I'm idly surfing right now, and thought of a little-known show from '79. Anyone remember California Fever? It lasted for about 13 episodes (if that many)--it starred Jimmy McNichol and Marc McLure as groovy Southern California teenagers with Michele Tobin and Loranzo Lamas in supporting roles. I remember the theme song--

Maybe it's the water,
Maybe it's the air,
Maybe it's the sunshine
That gets in your hair,
Maybe it's the ladies,
Or the clothes that they wear,
I don't know,
I don't care,
I just got to be there
California (something something)
And I love you, and I got fever for you
'Cause I love you! (fever, fever, fever)

I loved this show--I watched it faithfully fall of '79 when I was in the 7th grade. I even remember some of the dialogue and the plots. And yet this article mocks it! The sad thing is, I loved many of these series listed here, like Hello, Larry. I LOVED that show! I loved Ruthie with her awesome long blonde hair--Kim Richards was such a '70s icon (and is, coincidentally, Paris Hilton's aunt). Although I was a bit confused when the actress playing Diane suddenly disappeared (and then turned up 4 years later playing a hooker in the awesome honor-student-by-day-Hollywood-hooker-by-night movie Angel). I also remember a quickly canceled TV series of The Bad News Bears--Meeno Peluce (brother of Soleil Moon Frye, and was in the original Amityville Horror movie) was in it, as was Corey Feldman and some absolutely adorable kid playing Lupus (I had a HUGE crush on him). And in the 5th and 6th grades I remember loving The New Mickey Mouse Club. Lisa Whelchel (later she starred as Blair in The Facts of Life) got her start there, and Mindy Feldman (Corey Feldman's sister) was also in it. But my favorite was Allison. I liked her haircut, and the fact that she played piano. I remember the NMMC had different sobriquets for each day of the week--one was "Who, What, Where, When, Why and How" Day and I remember Friday was "Showtime." They had songs to go with this--"It's Showtime! Get up and go time! Showtime! You're gonna know-time! Showtime...with the Mousekteers." My friend Beth and I used to make up dances to go with these songs and do them on the back steps of my house. We LOVED the NMMC.

Man. I loved those shows. *Sigh.*

Comments

[wonderpanther.livejournal.com]

Some friends and I went on a mission to watch the worst movies ever. We saw all the Angel movies. Angel II, where she is a lawyer, is probably the worst...or was that Angel III? Funny thing is that she never turned a trick in the movie. Not a very profitable hooker.

[dje2004.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's a scary deep knowledge of obscure pop culture trivia you've got there.

[ceebeegee.livejournal.com]

I always had a soft spot for the shows that didn't last. I even remember watching Mr. T and Tina.

[ceebeegee.livejournal.com]

I never saw the later ones, only the first. THAT was a GREAT movie. "Her two worlds are about to collide." And the hooker-killing psycho was played by the same guy who was in Stripes (the one who "didn't want to get drafted"). I loved how Angel worr her hair in ponytails when she was a student (and yet--hot lil' sex outfits at night! OOOh, the dichotomy of teenagers!) and I liked it when Angel pulled the gun on the asshole football players.

I so remember Hello Larry!!!

[malphoof-speaks.livejournal.com]

I SO remember Hello, Larry and I was beginning to think that I hallucinated it! Also, the Bad News Bears show too!
How about "Here's Boomer", or "It's Your Move" with Jason Bateman, or "Tales of the Gold Monkey" with Stephen Collins playing an Indiana Jones type.
I was shocked as heck when I found out "The Greatest American Hero" (with William Kat from Pippin) is out on DVD. I also just rented "The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Mysteries" from the 70's from Net Flicks. Sooo bad, yet so warm. Watching stuff like that makes me feel like I'm 10 again!

Re: I so remember Hello Larry!!!

[ceebeegee.livejournal.com]

Oh my God!! Get out of my head! I am seriously considering buying the Hardy Boys DVD set--I was a HUUUUGE Hardy Boys fan (I was also a Shaun Cassidy fan, so the two interests dovetailed nicely), and read *all* the books. I loved the theme song of the series (that creepy, mysterious melody followed by the deep voice saying "Tonight on...The Hardy Boys..."), and just last week I was checking out Hardy Boys websites. And I also watched The Greatest American Hero--I had pictures of William Katt all over my room in 8th grade. That was a great, if dated, show--do you remember the episode where Bill MAxwell is possessed by the ghost that rich woman?

Here's Boomer--a show about a dog, although I don't think I watched it.
Tales of the Gold Mokey--with Caitlyn O'Heany (?). I liked that show. There was another Raiders rip off show too, although I can't remember the name.

Hello, Larry
You talk to people all day for a living
But all the easy answers you are giving...
Are you really living your life that way?
Portland is a long way from LA

Re: I so remember Hello Larry!!!

[malphoof-speaks.livejournal.com]

BRING 'EM BACK ALIVE Starring Bruce Boxlightner was that other Raiders rip off.
YES, I rember that episode of the Ghost possessing Robert Culp. It's the one I JUST ORDERED from Netflicks
I have the Hardy Boys at home right now, and I'm enjoying the "Mystery of the Haunted House"
Loving it!
We should totally be friends. Are you in New York?

Re: I so remember Hello Larry!!!

[ceebeegee.livejournal.com]

I totally am! I'm Duncan's friend, Clara, and I directed Sami in Sleeping in Tomorrow. I've been telling Duncan which X-Files episodes to watch (pushing him toward "Clyde Bruckman" and Small Potatoes," of course).

Ah, I'm so jealous that you're watching that GAH episode! I love it when he hisses "Get...out of the way." And his eyes turn blue. So cool! I (audio-)taped that episode when I was a kid.

Re: I so remember Hello Larry!!!

[malphoof-speaks.livejournal.com]

Had a Hardy Boys marathon yesterday. Duncan was around and could only make it through one episode. (I think the music was bothering him; Glen A Larson wasn't much of a composer, I guess)
I don't think we have ever met, (Duncan says you didn't make it to our last party) but it's nice to know I'm not alone in the world when it comes to my taste in cheesy ole' TV.
Cheers!

Re: I so remember Hello Larry!!!

[malphoof-speaks.livejournal.com]

R U a director, BTW....

Re: I so remember Hello Larry!!!

[ceebeegee.livejournal.com]

See above.