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08/15/2004: V – The Original Mini-Series Review.

In one of those “should have been reviewed a long time ago” kinda reviews, here’s a really long, really really long look back at V: The Original Mini-Series. Airing on NBC in 1983 across two nights, it was a record-breaker seen by millions and loved by at least half of them. I’m with them, this was amazing stuff and still holds up fantastically over 20 years later. Followed up by V: The Final Battle, which I’ll review at some point in the next five years. Two-page review features a bunch of video clips and at least one crayon drawing of evil aliens.

I missed Six Feet Under for this. Did Arthur come back yet????~!

Posted by Matt. E-mail me!

Discussion Thread: 143 comments

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Great review. Never saw it, but now I’ll check it out.

101st!

Ghosted by jhnnywalkr @ 08/18/2004 1:04 PM EDT

Am I mistaken, or have we managed to talk all this 80s w/o mentioning those long since dead 80s sitcoms like Boys will be Boys (Starring Matt Perry) and Parker Lewis can’t Lose (Ferris Bueller ripoff which starred the legendary dude who played buddy in Just One of Guys) and Hammer (some blond dude w/ a big gun playing a cop.)

What about Max Headroom???? Anyone remember his movie? If I recall correctly he got his name by getting decapitated by a sign indicating a bridge’s height that read "Maximum Head Room" or something like that.

Forgot who made the reference to Kentucky Fried Movie, but man, that was the best. I think Lew (this time, weef feeeeewing) played a small role in the V series. As we all know, KFMovie gave birth to the 80s version, Amazon Women on the Moon. Another classic starring the likes of Arsenio Hall (ain’t no fucking thelma live here dammit) B.B. King and the dude from unsolved mysteries.

Ghosted by Pedro @ 08/18/2004 1:37 PM EDT

The Hammer show you refer to is Sledgehammer. It’s out on DVD now.

I thought Parker Lewis Can’t Lose was early 90s. I could be completely wrong. I used to love watching that show on Fox.

Ghosted by machinesquad @ 08/18/2004 2:09 PM EDT

You are correct, sir, Parker Lewis was 1990. I will shut up now.

Ghosted by Pedro @ 08/18/2004 2:25 PM EDT

I remember V when it first came out. I think I was about 9 or 10. It was appointment television in our house, everybody was gathered together to watch it. I just watched it again this year and was surprised to see how affecting it still is. The lizard babies never disappoint. And yeah, Robert Englund was just a big ball of cute in it.

Ghosted by Kay @ 08/18/2004 3:29 PM EDT

Yep, according to imdb.com the dude that played Loo in Kentucky Fried Movie, Evan C. Kim, played the character Tony Wah Chong Leonetti in the V series. He also starred in Alien Nation. Pesky type-casts!!

Ghosted by Pedro @ 08/18/2004 5:01 PM EDT

hey Matt when are you going to do that review on "little shop of horrors"?? when/if you do review it i think you should review the 80′ version

Ghosted by SodaDrinkersAnonamus @ 08/18/2004 5:10 PM EDT

I remeber seeing it when I was older. It was a rerun of it around like 1990 they showed all of the mini seires for a week during the afternoon on our local fox channel. It was great

Ghosted by thejyav @ 08/18/2004 5:46 PM EDT

I loved V.
My old girlfriend got me to watch it… and we loved it together.

Ghosted by V is for VISITOR @ 08/18/2004 5:59 PM EDT

I loved V, I watched from start to finish, The orginal TV series, debuted the same time Hunter did. MMM watch to watch V or Hunter, in my opinion that was a no brainer. V I was so bummed when it was cancelled, but the TV execs ran it into the ground it had nowhere to go, except maybe the home planet. Diana was such a great villian, her homosexual tendecies turned me on!! I like guys, but I would have let Diana do my sister!! Oh well, great site thanks for the memories.

Ghosted by Reeder @ 08/18/2004 6:31 PM EDT

Don’t know if anyone will read this far down the links but anyways…

Anyone else noticed the new EXORCIST film tagline ripping the hell of the good old PHANTOM MENACE????

Which film has the tagline "Every story has a beginning?"

Thats right, BOTH OF THEM!!!!

Never thought I’d see the day anyone actually ripped anything off The PHANTOM MENACE. Wonder if Jar-Jar Binks makes a cameo appearance in the new EXORCIST film?

Oh yeah, V was cool. What happened to the made-for-TV movies that were high budget and good?

I guess the last one was Battlestar Galactica. That was OK but human cylons sucked. What a cop-out. I cant be alone wanting shiny, evil robots can I? Can I???

Ghosted by Cliche-Man @ 08/18/2004 9:16 PM EDT

Since it seems awhile for me for Matt to update and V airing before I was born, I guess I’ll talk about the lastest mini-series (or ABC said Mega-series) I saw a few years back: Dinotopia. Being a fan of the books, Dinotopia, the mega-series, was not as I aspect it was as Hallmark replace the two main character of the books series with two twins brother. To make matter worest, Hallmark decided to Jar-Jar Bink the series with the series with their own annoy dinosaur (sorry forgot his name, but it did began with a B). Possible the worst mega-series/ adapted (spelling!) of the book ever, though you boy may like the scene which one of twin had sex at the creek with the main girl of the series.

Ghosted by Beta-Theta @ 08/18/2004 10:03 PM EDT

Also before I go looking another site (most probable http://www.thesims.com) I also want posted a comment that when the Phantom Menace came out in 1999, some Dinotopia-fans (book not series) thought Lucas copy(steal) idea of from one Dinotopia city, Waterfall city.

Ghosted by Beta-Theta @ 08/18/2004 10:09 PM EDT

Well, Mega-Ultra Llamma Lord of Science , I think I know what you’re taliking about. It’s the Jimmy Neutron TV movie called"THe Eggpire Strikes Back". Looks like you’r wrong Aussie Ben. Well, Ciao.

Ghosted by TOM @ 08/19/2004 12:08 PM EDT

Design your own Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Contest:

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040816005599&newsLang=en

Too bad only kids can enter…

Ghosted by Luap @ 08/19/2004 12:27 PM EDT

In the last frame of the lizard-lady video, she looks like Delta Burke.

Ghosted by springsprite @ 08/19/2004 2:13 AM EDT

The more mini- series
you can see the best visit now:

http://www.panamaparties.com/index.php

Ghosted by Mr. series @ 08/19/2004 7:14 AM EDT

In kindergarden and first grade, we used to put Elmer’s glue on our hands, let it dry, and then peel it off like it was skin, and yell "V! V!"

Ghosted by CaseyJones @ 08/19/2004 9:25 AM EDT

I learned of this article from: http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=1083717

I Posted the food ideas to: http://www.louiserobey.com/

Anyone ever watch ”FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE SERIES?”

APPLE II FOREVER!

Till later, A. C.

Ghosted by A. C. @ 08/19/2004 6:26 PM EDT

Oh…

Here is my e-mail:

mac_099999@yahoo.com

(like the only ones who will ever see it will be anything but Spam Bots…)

I don’t have a Blog but here is one I read:

http://posthumanblues.blogspot.com/

Ghosted by A. C. @ 08/19/2004 6:47 PM EDT

I was in the 5th grade when V came out, my friends and I replicated what we could of their alphabet. Most of it, naturally, was made up by us.

Ghosted by Alexarc @ 08/19/2004 9:35 PM EDT

I was a teenager when the show aired here in Argentina and I was utterly shocked by the gross sight of Diana eating that rat!

I stopped watching the series (what a sissy!) until one day I had dinner at a friend’s house and I had the misfortune of catching that episode of Robin having those disgusting little babies!

Now I regret being so stupid as to actually missing this 80’s milestone when the WHOLE world was talking about it. And I mean the WHOLE WORLD.

I’ll have to watch it on DVD

Ghosted by AliveDownHere @ 08/20/2004 12:09 PM EDT

HUMAN CYLONS SUCKED BIG TIME!

Ghosted by AliveDownHere @ 08/20/2004 12:13 PM EDT

when reading your review, i thought that old guy looked familiar. He is none other than that scary german guy from, "the monster squad"!!!

Ghosted by monsteraquad17 @ 08/20/2004 3:16 PM EDT

anyone else notice the not-so-subtle swastikas all over all the aliens stuff? sort of heavy-handed if you ask me. i guess that the lizard men from space were actually nazis after all (who woulda thunk it). but hey, say what you want about the tenets of nationial socialism, at least its an ethos

Ghosted by dave @ 08/21/2004 1:55 AM EDT

wow matt! thanks for the memories!!i was nine when the v came out but here in iowa it was treated with huge mass histeria "DO NOT LET YOUR CHILDREN WATCH THIS"THEY WILL BE SCARED FOR LIFE!HAVE NIGHT MARES INTO THIER 20S!!! i couldnt even leave the hall way while my mom watched but i caught glimpse of diana eating the what resembled a chickadee ass end up and ofcourse the infamous skin pealing! the next day walking to school in the mid jauary below zero temps my friends where talking about the nightmares they already where having!!!
but id swear it ran in 85 not 83?

Ghosted by JAY @ 08/21/2004 6:58 AM EDT

Baby….Forked Tongue…Should have received much therapy…

80’s Menu:
Saved by the Stuffed Bell Pepper

Ghosted by whitemale_98/competent soldier @ 08/21/2004 12:16 PM EDT

My first remembered nightmare is of the V alien baby… On another note, the scientist "Abraham" was also in 1987’s "Monster Squad" and if i remember correctly he was a holocaust survivor in that too. Weird. He was also in Dune, and had one of the more memorable roles as Baron Harkonnen’s doctor. Monster Squad was sooo corny, i loved it as a kid and watched in less than 50,000 times…a day.

Ghosted by Stumanchu @ 08/21/2004 3:45 PM EDT

Actaully I believe I was about 10 or 11 when V came on television. I didnt miss one minute, I would almost piss myself holding out to the commercials sometimes. Damn! You really brought it home, too. Now that I think I think about it, though it didn’t have much of the high tech gadgets or special effects we have nowadays, it has to be one of the most engaging television series I have ever seen on television. One of the better reviews I’ve read, and the memories. Thanks

Ghosted by Travis @ 08/24/2004 9:47 PM EDT

i loved V! watched it with my dad and enjoyed every moment of it. i cought it when it was on the sci-fi channel, brought back great memories. i used to run around the house making the laser sounds of the lizards guns!

Ghosted by crzyfligrl @ 09/03/2004 12:30 PM EDT

You are quite incorrect in your review of "V". You write that Abraham’s "wife" walks around placing bombs inside shuttle crafts. "Ruby" was not Abraham’s wife (we are left to assume that his wife died in the Holocaust)…we know that Ruby is not Abraham’s wife for the following reason.

1) Abraham’s grandson (the smarmy guy who lusted after Robin Maxwell, joined the "Visitors Youth Friends Group", captured Dr. Julie, and ended up on the serving tray by orders of Steven) confronted Ruby before he killed her, saying "I thought I recognized you" and her reaction, was basically, "How can you kill me, I’ve lived on the same block as you."
2) Also in all the meals at Abrahams house, there is only the traitor grandson and the grandson’s parents.

Ruby was a friend of Abrahams and lived in the neighborhood.

Ghosted by vfanatic @ 09/03/2004 6:23 AM EDT

i was little when V came on but I remember I was so into the whole rat eating scene that I would eat a big gulp of mash potatoes when my mom made them to try to get my throat to get all large like it did when they ate the rats and scare my younger brothers.

Ghosted by shootdashit @ 09/10/2004 4:56 AM EDT

I’m anthor person that begging you to do a Beastmaster review.It is one of my favorite movies of all time.This is one of the few movies that I can watch over and over again.

Ghosted by Liz @ 09/30/2004 1:12 PM EDT

all this about diana and the guinea pig….maybe it was from the second series, but i have a much more vivid memory of her looking all hot in her red v-suit eating a cute white mouse. i was only 6 or 7, so maybe it means that it is ingrained in our genetic code to enjoy watching chicks put white flesh (pardon the racial selectivity here) in their mouths.

Ghosted by bfingur @ 10/03/2004 4:28 AM EDT

Hey dude!! What about Julie in the conversion chamber? i think I speak for many young men today when I say that that was a highlight of my childhood years. You should really show some pics and a clip!

Ghosted by Grateful Ed @ 10/15/2004 10:16 PM EDT

Hey dude, just wanted to put something out there to say what a big fan of v my best friend was. he has just died so wont get to see the new one theyre making, his name was pete and his fave charachter was diana. he had all the episodes and loved her ruthlessness i even got him a very funky canvas of her painted, he loved her put downs of others and sharp wit. i guess i just wanted to share this with some other people who shared his fascination with the visitors as not many people remember v. if you have any really good pic or stills of her could you post or mail them.

Ghosted by Neil @ 09/13/2006 8:47 AM EDT

I’m 30 and can clearly remember when this mini-series was on, as well as the Final Battle. This mini-series was a huge deal. There was “V” merchandise everywhere. My friends and I used to play “V” as an alternate form of tag. Nothing like it today at all. Clearly transcends. I make it a point to revisit it every couple of years. Highly recommended!!!!!!

Ghosted by Frank @ 10/03/2006 1:34 PM EDT

I was a big fan of the V series, which ran in the mid-80s’ over here in Sweden. Today I am 33, but still think back with nostalgia on this awesome show. Things that have stuck in my mind since: The coolness of our hero Mike Donovan, the evilness of Diana and the cuteness of Julie Parrish (think I had a slight crush on her back then ).
Great if a sequel is really made, though I am somewhat sceptic to the outcome.

I am considering buying the original show on DVD, but I am afraid I am going to get disappointed. What if it all looks oldfashioned and cheesy compared to the movies we can watch today. Might do it anyway though. It was truly an amazaing show back then!!

Ghosted by Crusader @ 10/25/2006 10:42 AM EDT

What a hoot! Your review is excellently written: top marks! I loved ‘V’ and I can’t wait until you find time to review the ‘Final Battle.’ Perhaps before they film a remake? Hope so.
Cheers for keeping me amused and for allowing me to reminisce about a superb show.
Bea

Ghosted by Bea @ 11/25/2006 1:08 PM EST

V… I love that mini series I wish they would make it into a movie! I still find my self looking for the DVD but they always have it in VHS…darn it. If they ever decide to turn it into a movie I hope that Steven Spilburge would do..put that magic touch he got on it…..

Ghosted by Vilady04 @ 03/29/2007 4:48 PM EST

My mother hated V & put a 1-year moratorium on it for my younger brother & I. In other words, we were only allowed to watch it once a year when we were growing up. Of course, we found many clever, creative ways to get around it. We’d always watch V: The Miniseries and immediately follow it w/ V: The Final Battle (the serviceable, though decidedly less relevant sequel). Now I have the original on DVD, though I haven’t quite shelled out the money for the Final Battle & Series DVDs yet (though I probably will).

Word is, original creator Kenneth Johnson is working on a modern-day retelling of the original miniseries, w/ as much of the original cast as possible, though I’m not sure it could re-create the magic of the original. Still, any new V would be welcome!

Ghosted by MetalFRO @ 07/19/2007 1:13 PM EDT

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