REPLIES: 137 comments
V! YES!
Chestnuts roasted by Bizzar @ 08/15/2004 09:57 PM EST
Ahh, V. I remember V, it ruled. Thing I remembered the most was the alien symbol. The thing that looked like an F but didn't. (I was a kid)
Chestnuts roasted by Xylan @ 08/15/2004 10:12 PM EST
I remember when she ate that rat. mmm.....
Chestnuts roasted by Mr King @ 08/15/2004 10:29 PM EST
I remember when this was on, I'm not sure if it was the first or second mini-series(due to the fogginess of childhood memories) but I do remember it being a *huge* deal to my parents and their friends at the time.
My only other memory is of being ushered of to bed just as it began to get good.. (violent)
So what is this about a (sort of) remake?
Chestnuts roasted by Cyanyde @ 08/15/2004 10:33 PM EST
You lied!
Matt, you got my hopes up that Bronson Pinchot was dead, but a check at www.imdb.com says otherwise! How cruel of you to get my hopes up like that!
Chestnuts roasted by Joe in OH @ 08/15/2004 10:35 PM EST
Yeah, yeah, yeah!!!!!!! V, V, V!!!!!!
D, D, D!!!!
Chestnuts roasted by The Unstoppable @ 08/15/2004 10:50 PM EST
I was born late in the 80's, so sadly, I never saw V (Though the retrospective of it on VH1 looked damn cool). A real shame, because it looks like my kind of miniseries.
Chestnuts roasted by Behonkiss @ 08/15/2004 10:51 PM EST
I guess I have nothing to say about this mini-series since I was not even born when it aired. But, this mini-series seems interests to watch though the special were bad.
Hey, Matt, you know what Robin's impreganted with mutated alien creature remind me of, one of shorts of the Simpson's Halloween Special which Kang impreganted Marge. As you can see, Maggie was the result of Marge and Kang, with green tentacles and male voice. Speaking of Alein, Matt, did happen to receive your Fruit Loops Alein Fruit Monster.
Chestnuts roasted by Beta-Theta @ 08/15/2004 10:59 PM EST
I never saw this, nor did I ever hear of it. Figures, though, since this doesn't seem like it would have been "girly" enough for me.
Chestnuts roasted by Anna @ 08/15/2004 11:03 PM EST
As my assumed name suggests, I am a V fan. As a V fan, I am very happy to see a tribute on X-E. Especially one so thorough. Great article, thanks for the memmies.
Chestnuts roasted by V Fan @ 08/15/2004 11:06 PM EST
SWEET!! It's out on DVD, I need to pick myself up some V!
Chestnuts roasted by Rayzak @ 08/15/2004 11:07 PM EST
I can't even tell you how many times my friends and I have made reference to this miniseries, particularly after having a college roommate who watched his video of it constantly (well, when it wasn't being shown on the SciFi network anyway). Boy, I've had enough V.
Chestnuts roasted by Shelby @ 08/15/2004 11:18 PM EST
My brother got me the DVD of the original V mini-series for Christmas last year,and I haven't watched it yet. It's about time I remedied that situation.
Chestnuts roasted by Overlord @ 08/15/2004 11:23 PM EST
Has Sci-Fi ever shown this? I've had it for a couple years and they've never shown it. Kinda surprise they didn't have a marathon to promote the DVD's.
Aliens eating human isn't original. There's a famous Twilight Zone episode called "To Serve Man" that's practically the same plot as V.
Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 08/15/2004 11:51 PM EST
Red dust.
Oops. Gave away the ending to The Final Battle.
Chestnuts roasted by Mr. Mr. Mr. @ 08/16/2004 01:23 AM EST
I remember I went to Six Flags Magic Mountain back in the mid-late 80's and got my grandparents to buy me a V toy. It was a 12" action figure. Had the red uniform and, I think, a laser rifle. The sweet thing was, you could pull off the face and see the lizard face beneath. Oh yeah, and a switch on the back made the forked tongue slip out. I think I still have that hidden away somewhere...
Here's a link, I seem to remember that my box weas different, though.
Toys
Chestnuts roasted by Wookie @ 08/16/2004 03:09 AM EST
Without a doubt, one of the ten greatest things ever created for television. I own both the original and Final Battle. They just released the series on dvd but I'm reluctant because I just don't remember much about it and because the conflict wasn't resolved in its 19 episodes. Supposedly they original writer-director is planning a V--The Second Generation with the same cast. I have doubts to that as well, but I'll definitely give it a shot.
One thing I feel must be said, though--corrected, I guess--the kid that Donavon finds in the street isn't his son and that's hella important in regards to the rest of the entire V storyline. It's his son's best friend. Donavon's search for his missing son is very much his character's main motivation through both mini-series'.
But it's an honest mistake Matt, and God bless you for reviewing this . . . and Gold bless Robin Hood.
Chestnuts roasted by inkmage @ 08/16/2004 03:09 AM EST
Damn. "Gold bless Robin Hood"? I was trying to make a humorous reference to that Kevin Costner flick and failed. Damn freudian slips.
Chestnuts roasted by inkmage @ 08/16/2004 03:10 AM EST
Wow, holy crap Matt, I was just watching V - The Series on DVD (it just came out on DVD, not as good as the original 2 miniseries, but still a blast for those of us who remember V), and decided to check out your web site, and there was a "V" review! Great job Matt!
Chestnuts roasted by Destro @ 08/16/2004 03:36 AM EST
matt,
you should totally do a beastmaster review, they use to have it on USA Up All Night every weekend along with Hell comes to Frogtown with Rowdy Roddy Piper, i think
that would kick 80's ass
Chestnuts roasted by marksingerclone @ 08/16/2004 04:25 AM EST
I watched & loved V when it was on TV. Of course, I was just seven (or so) years old so I didn't "get" most of what was shown--but still, the lizards-who-wore-humans struck a major chord with me. In fact, I think between that, Raiders of the Lost Ark, the old horror movies on USA Networks, and old Twilight Zones, I know why I am twisted.
Chestnuts roasted by shelly @ 08/16/2004 08:30 AM EST
Matt,
Saw V when I was a wee lad. I even wrote obsessively about it in my camp journal when I was forced to go away for the summer.
Didn't some human traitor get served up as dinner? I seem to recall that scene quite vividly, but I can't recall what character
Chestnuts roasted by zappadog @ 08/16/2004 09:24 AM EST
Matt, you completely started my week off on the right foot. This is by far my favorite thing ever on tv. I have both mini-series on DVD, and I have watched them about 10 times. Imagine my shocked awe when I opened up this page today. There is nothing more fitting that I would have liked you to review.
Zappa, his name was Danny I think. He was a human who started working in the Visitors army, in some teenage Visitor program. H0e turned in Ruth, the old lady who was working as a cleaning lady on the inside of Visitor HQ. The Resistance kidnapped one of the big wig Visitors, and left Danny there and he kind of got blamed for it. So they ate him.
Chestnuts roasted by Y2JB78 @ 08/16/2004 10:01 AM EST
Like Matt, I was scared pretty badly by the whole V phenomenon. I totally agree on what a bold move the whole Lizard-Human affair was for primetime TV. Right in the middle of the Religious Right Movement. Even at age seven, I knew exactly how taboo the sexual innuendo was. Since that time, I have been trying to mate with lizards, with mixed results. The most shocking scene for me was when that Lizard-baby or "laby" was born.
Chestnuts roasted by El Bang @ 08/16/2004 10:03 AM EST
I don't know anything about this series...but Arthur did not come back yet on SFU. 
Chestnuts roasted by princesspeachypoo @ 08/16/2004 10:44 AM EST
I remember watching this when it first came out. I was 8 or so. For some reason, I'm combining the two mini-series in my head. I could have sworn that the baby huzard was born in the first one. Huh. Makes me want to go our and rent them and refresh my memory. Didn't the father of the huzard die at some point? I remember that rat scene being much more scarring the first time I was it, though. I liked how they cut away to show Donavan in between shots of the real Diana and the Diana cake face.
Oh, yeah: who's Julia again?
Chestnuts roasted by trajeal @ 08/16/2004 11:01 AM EST
I was hoping that if a new alien-movie review was to appear, it would be of "Mac & Me"! But, alas....never saw "V", but now I want to! Way to go Matt!
Chestnuts roasted by Muppet Baby @ 08/16/2004 11:29 AM EST
I was too young for this one, though I probably would have watched "the thorn birds" instead anyway.
Chestnuts roasted by chicklet @ 08/16/2004 11:34 AM EST
Although come to think of it Richard Chamberlin did have a bit of a lizard king thing going on in that movie anyway-especially when they aged him to look, like, 1000 years old...
Chestnuts roasted by chicklet @ 08/16/2004 11:36 AM EST
(annoying chicken voice)Pick, pick-pick!(/ annoying chicken voice)
The actress who played Diana is Jane Badler, not Jane Badder. Although Badder makes her sound, well, badder.
Chestnuts roasted by trajeal @ 08/16/2004 12:08 PM EST
Man I was 6 when "V" came out and my mother and I watched both mini-series as well as the V series. My mom rocks she watches sci-fi with me. We also watched the Alien Nation franchise. Mat, you should review Alien Nation. Damn Slags!
Chestnuts roasted by OldSchooler @ 08/16/2004 12:20 PM EST
No idea how I ended up with Badder in the editing process. Perhaps I was triggerhappy on the spellcheck. An excuse that would carry more weight if "badder" was a word.
Will fix later, thanks.
Alien Nation. Sour milk drunk stuff.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 08/16/2004 12:26 PM EST
Ah V, I was 8 when this came out and remember that rat scene vividly. Thanks for the memories.
On 2 completely unrelated notes, however:
1. Matt: DRACULA THE MUSICAL HAS PREMIERED!!!! Yesterday, I think. Will there be a review soon?
2. DO NOT SEE OPEN WATER. It sucked the big one. As Flava Flave used to croon: Don't . . . Don't Don't Don't believe the hype!
Chestnuts roasted by Pedro @ 08/16/2004 12:33 PM EST
First of all, the "V" stands for "Quality."
I saw it the first time, and freaked when Diana did her swallow. Even then, I knew the cut-away was a cheat, but the idea that they tried to show the alieness of the Visitors in a surprise fashion stunned me, at least until Dad said "Hey lady, save some for later!" The show was an allegory for the way the Nazis ingratiated themselves into the public awareness, promising solutions for society's ills. Of course, it wasn't long before they began to tell society what it's ills were, and started thier real plans, that people started to take those long train rides to the "showers." Even the Visitors symbol, part of the lizard-language, was a variant of the Nazi swastika. Just done up like an old LED calculator from the 80's. If you have "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" on DVD, look at the deleted scenes for the extended studio chase, there is a shot of a prop yard and a V-shuttle is featured prominently. I wanted action figures!
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 08/16/2004 12:35 PM EST
hooray for matt, I am now your meme whore
Chestnuts roasted by cvhhfghg @ 08/16/2004 12:39 PM EST
I guess it doesn't matter if you spoil Open Water, but try not to when I ask: how was it?
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 08/16/2004 12:41 PM EST
Never saw "V" myself ... I'm mostly familiar with the series because I know that's where David Icke gets all his material ...
Chestnuts roasted by Al Boondy @ 08/16/2004 12:45 PM EST
There's an interesting bit in one of Larry Niven's collections (either N-Space or Playgrounds of the Mind, I forget which one), where he says that he (Jerry Pournelle might've been involved too) almost got involved in V. He said that when they were working on the series the producer talked to them for help with the aliens. He said the producer said that while they had alien technology and costumes and all, they had never actually described what their aliens were like (aside from eating people...).
Niven said he proposed the idea that the Visitors are descendants of the dinosaurs. After all, if they're coming for water, they could get all they wanted in ice chunks in Saturn's rings... So why did they want to set up shop on Earth? Well, the air smells right, the gravity feels right... there were intelligent dinosaurs that flew off into space before the meteor hit, and now their descendants have returned.
Niven said he was never called back after the initial meeting...
Chestnuts roasted by CaptainCaveman @ 08/16/2004 12:49 PM EST
THIS HAS SPOILERS SO DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT OPEN WATER SPOILED.
Matt:
The filming is gritty and Blair Witch-esqe in the sense that it tries to look as though it is being filmed by an amateur with a Sony Handycam. There is almost no character development -- we don't know if the couple is married, how long they've been together, what they do for a living, etc. It's just clear that the woman is a workaholic and the couple needs a vacation. THERE IS SOME GREAT GRATUITOUS NUDITY IN THE BEGINNING, I'M TALKING FULL FRONTAL AND THE LEAD WOMAN IS HOT!! I don't know if it's $10.50 worth of nudity, but it's there nonetheless. So, the happy couple goes scuba diving and they get left behind b/c some jackasses get in and out of the water and the guide losses count. Also, our knuckleheaded protagonists stay down for 1 hour, instead of the 35 minutes the guides tells them to stay down.
So, now they're stranded and floating about. First, they get stung by jellyfish. Then some fins appear and they get freaked out. Lots of long montage scenes of the ocean and island people going about their daily business selling fruit and crappy souveniers. Then back to the couple, who thinks they are getting bitten, etc. This goes on for a long time.
Anyhoo, Dan (he's the male lead) gets a bad shark bite, which the woman fixes up w/ her weight belt. Dan is hurt and pissed, they blame eachother for getting left behind, blah blah blah (like when you and your wife/girlfriend fight over who got you lost in the car).
Night falls, storm comes. Sharks attacking, lighting striking, sharks attacking, lightnings striking . . . . .
Next day, Dan is dead. Chick unhooks his gear (why they kept all that heavy crap on is beyone me) and he floats away and is promptly eaten by the sharks. No gore though.
Cut to the scuba guy who realizes the next day that he left the couple behind and massive search is launced, but alas, it is too late. Cut back to the hot chick alone. She takes off her scuba gear and goes underwater, ostensibly to feed herself to the sharks.
THE END
While credits role, gritty scene of fisherman who caught a shark that day. They open the shark's stomach and find Dan's underwater camera.
End, i go smoke a butt.
Its playing at the AMC 25 on 42nd and 8th. On sat. it was showing every 45 minutes. There were about 20 people in the theatre. Not a great showing.
Sorry for the length.
Pedro
Chestnuts roasted by Pedro @ 08/16/2004 12:53 PM EST
Are they remaking V?
Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 08/16/2004 12:54 PM EST
And sorry for the spoilers, but it truly is a crappy movie. Admittedly, it has one of the best trailers I've seen in a while; however, it will surely disappoint you in every way.
Chestnuts roasted by Pedro @ 08/16/2004 01:03 PM EST
http://www.chud.com/news/july04/jul16thud.php3
V GETS THE X
"Here’s a bummer: NBC has turned down the new V miniseries. Jeff Gaspin, the net’s head of miniseries, says this: 'I just don't think it was different enough from the original, frankly. It wasn't as innovative as the original. It felt like a good sequel if we'd done it immediately after [the original], but in the 20 years that other space operas have come and gone, it doesn't feel as fresh as it did 20 years ago'.
Let’s not give up hope – the network has sent series creator Kenneth Johnson back to the drawing board and hoping he comes up with a new story. I hope so too – the original V miniseries has aged surprisingly well, and I would love to see the story tied up eventually. Hell, I’m even excited about the lame series getting a DVD release."
Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 08/16/2004 01:05 PM EST
Speaking of slightly strange and cheesy mid 80s and early 90s Sci-Fi, I was always a fan of Alien Nation. That was a kick ass show, even if the movie that spawned it sucked.
Haven't seen V, though. I'll be checkin' Sci-Fi Channel for it.
Chestnuts roasted by AngeFaitore @ 08/16/2004 01:11 PM EST
"Space operas"!?!?!? Never heard that one before, but I think I love it! Oh yeah, and Freddy Krueger was my hands down favorite character in V.
Chestnuts roasted by Blah...blah @ 08/16/2004 01:22 PM EST
Blah...blah, think Flash Gordon, or some would say Star Wars.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=Space+opera&db=*
Main Entry: space opera
Function: noun
Definition: any melodramatic literature, motion picture, or television program set in outer space
Etymology: based on soap opera
Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 08/16/2004 01:28 PM EST
I watch V every Sunday on Space http://www.spacecast.com/shows/rerun/V.asp
Plus I have all the comics!!!
Chestnuts roasted by SuperStar @ 08/16/2004 01:41 PM EST
I want the aliens' outfits...
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 08/16/2004 02:11 PM EST
Howzabout Visitors vs Newcomers? Giant Saucer Demolition Derby! Winner has to fight the ID4 aliens.
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 08/16/2004 02:26 PM EST
Matt, although I know you abhor illegal use of music and dolls for storytelling (Imagine a smiley face here winking, since Original Flavor ME does not use emoticons), I still think you will get a kick out of "Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story" by Todd Haynes.
Nickelodeon should consider letting you make a darker version of "Action League Now!!" for the more cynical kids of today. Nick and Jessica were made to be parodied in something like this since they are Ken and Barbie's evil living vessels in our world.
Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 08/16/2004 02:31 PM EST
Dominique Dunne, the older sister from Poltergeist was originally cast as the daughter who gives birth to a lizard. Some of her scenes were actually shot, before she was murdered by her ex-boyfriend outside of her apartment. David Packer "Daniel" sat inside her apartment while she was strangled. The two had been practicing their lines for the upcoming shoot.
Apparently Packer heard a commotion and struggle, but didn't intervene. I guess he didn't know she was being choked out.
Next on the E:True Hollywood Story...
Chestnuts roasted by Loogie @ 08/16/2004 02:33 PM EST
Don't forget about the V-ness in "Pee Wee's Big Adventure."
In the deleted chase scene on the DVD, there is a V landing craft in the WB backlot.
Chestnuts roasted by Ripplin @ 08/16/2004 03:01 PM EST
I've been waiting for this one to make it on the site for years.
Chestnuts roasted by Jon @ 08/16/2004 04:50 PM EST
So...giant gerbil eating lizards come to Earth to steal our water and eat us. Not that far-out but...it's greaaaaaat.
Go Terps.
Chestnuts roasted by Walks @ 08/16/2004 05:02 PM EST
I wanna eat gerbils....
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 08/16/2004 05:27 PM EST
I bought the V DVD on a whim last year, not really knowing anything about it and thought it was just kick ass. The DVD has a full length commentary from the writer that was pretty interesting. Didn't think as much of the Final Battle, but it had MICHAEL FREAKING IRONSIDE in it so it wasn't all bad.
Chestnuts roasted by Curious Orange @ 08/16/2004 05:33 PM EST
Didn't Jimmy Neutron did somewhat of a parody of this a year ago with egg like race (cleaverly name Yorken or something) being friendly and all before feeding the citizens of Retroville to a giant space chicken. It had the same plot structure with aliens basically taking control of everything (shops, schools,government, military, etc.) and Jimmy Neutron (think younger, smarter version of Donavon) knowing that alien are up to something since it one of his arch-enemy and all.
Chestnuts roasted by Mega-Ultra Llamma Lord of Science @ 08/16/2004 05:55 PM EST
Matt... I love you even more for doing this review... and I REALLY hope you decide to do Final Battle.
My friends and I actually PLAYED V with our lazer tag guns..
Ah...the memories...
Chestnuts roasted by Laura @ 08/16/2004 06:17 PM EST
Loved the zippy sound the blasters made.
zing! zap! zip-zip!
Bet the Vistors were evolved Sleestaks.
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 08/16/2004 06:23 PM EST
Sleestacks? Holy crap, I thought I was one the only people in the world to have watched Land of the Lost. I was a sleestack for halloween one year when I was a kid. Sadly, I didn't save the costuem.
Chestnuts roasted by Pedro @ 08/16/2004 06:44 PM EST
Like V, Land of the Lost holds up well storywise because of the great writers they had for the original show. The 90's version was not very good.
http://www.landofthelost.com/
Chestnuts roasted by Enik @ 08/16/2004 06:58 PM EST
Was Abraham the old german guy in monster squad??
Chestnuts roasted by BettieBoo @ 08/16/2004 08:01 PM EST
Check the cover of this 80's Thrash metal band: http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=2917
Mark Price had it on Trick or treat!!
Chestnuts roasted by Viruete @ 08/16/2004 08:04 PM EST
Mountain Dew has a new flavour out called "Mountain Dew Baja Blast", and it's sold only at Taco Bell. Will Matt brave the "Tropical Lime Storm"?
Chestnuts roasted by Gnarkill @ 08/16/2004 08:28 PM EST
I newver saw V. I was born in 1992 for cryin' out loud. THank god it's on DVD.
Anyway, changing the subject, Matt can you please do an article the Bionicle toyline (one of the few toylines being sold in stores that are not from the 80s). Most kids now love it. If you have no clue about what the #%$# Bionicle is, go to BzPower.com.
PS Matt, do you like Yu-Gi-Oh? Personally, I like the TV show, but not the card game.
Chestnuts roasted by TOM @ 08/16/2004 08:29 PM EST
Bionicle does have a direct-to-video movie, with another on the way, but the first one was really good without being pop culture-y, so it won't get reviewed here. 
The 90's version of Land of the Lost had better Sleestacks, and the hot jungle babe, but not much else. I wish they made more "Hypernauts" episodes myself.
Now to V. I was too young to stay up to watch it, although I was able to watch Knight Rider on Friday nights since there wasn't any school the next day. I've only been able to see bits and pieces of the two miniseries since when it aired in syndication or on Sci-Fi (or was it USA or TNT?), but it does look good. I hope to see the whole thing someday.
Chestnuts roasted by ShadowWing the Technorganic Autobot @ 08/16/2004 10:12 PM EST
Matt-Dammit, you caught me skimming!
Anyway it looks like a great TV movie. Too bad that hot cick died in that one clip though. But still, the only thing that could make this B-movie even more of a B-movie, and perhaps better as well, was showing a pair of boobs or an ass (or both). But I guess since this is a TV move...in the early 80s...it wasn't gonna show none of that.
Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 08/16/2004 11:06 PM EST
Screw Bionicle, lets see something one the Bionic Six.
Ain't nothin' like a bionic ape!
Chestnuts roasted by SuperStar @ 08/17/2004 01:30 AM EST
Mega-Ultra Llamma Lord of Science:
Nah, there aren't really similarities between Jimmy Neutron and V at all - well, except for humans being kidnapped. Even then, it's only the parents. The Yolkians receive a message from Jimmy (who is trying to contact alien life forms), and they kidnap all the parents while Jimmy and his friends sneak out at night to visit the opening of Retroland, the local amusement park. Jimmy converts all the amusement park rides into rockets, and the kids track the Yolkians to their home planet, where they discover that the parents are all under mind control. There's a great Body Snatcher parody where Jimmy tries to rescue his dad, but instead his dad points at him and begins to hiss. Before the parents are about to get fed to the Yolkians' God, they are forced to do the Chicken Dance. Heh heh.
Chestnuts roasted by Aussie Ben @ 08/17/2004 08:31 AM EST
Body Snatchers use to freak me out when I was a kid. Still creeps me out to this day. Course it doesn't help when your dad constantly teases you when your a little kid and he acts like he's freaking been body snatched. As you can tell I'm a little bitter about that
Chestnuts roasted by OldSchooler @ 08/17/2004 10:56 AM EST
Great review I remember watching the series on TV, one of my favorite scenes was when Robin eats the raw meat right out of the refridgerator, gross but great!
Chestnuts roasted by Caylor @ 08/17/2004 12:22 PM EST
V is/was the shit...period,just hope that all goes well with the new project of V
Chestnuts roasted by pogocorpse @ 08/17/2004 12:45 PM EST
ShadowWing, the 90's version was a good attempt, but I don't think the writing was there (The original had a lot of former Star Trek and other big series writers). If you mean the 90's Sleestaks were better designed by use of animatronic heads then I would agree, but it was a silly move to make them more dinosaur-like in the face (When there are dinosaurs on the show) and have them speak.
Remake Action figures:
www.bigreds.com/LandOfTheLost.html
What the new faces looked like:
www.starspacetoys.com/wpe324.jpg
The originals are still freaky if you show them to a little kid, because they just hissed and they were huge thanks to NBA players being inside the suits:
http://krofft.dementedstuff.com/staks03.jpg
www.apemania.com/RESTORATIONS/SleezTak.jpeg
My namesake was the intelligent ancestor of the Sleestaks in the original who could speak and believed he was actually their descendant:
http://krofft.dementedstuff.com/enik2.jpg
No one will argue with you though about the hot chick in the 90's version, and don't forget the future star of "That My Bush!", Timothy Bottoms, played the dad.
Original: www.imdb.com/title/tt0071005
Remake: www.imdb.com/title/tt0101130
Disney, I believe, still has the feature film rights. If they do get around to making a film it would be great if they got a Rick Baker-type make-up fx person to update the original design and freak out a whole new generation.
Chestnuts roasted by Enik @ 08/17/2004 01:50 PM EST
My mistake, the movie was/is being made by Sony.
Announcement: www.landofthelost.com/movie.htm
Screenwriter: www.landofthelost.com/lotlmovie.htm
Old news, yes, but some movies take a long time to get made.
Chestnuts roasted by Enik @ 08/17/2004 01:59 PM EST
I apologize to Matt for taking up so many space with non-V info, but I posted too soon above about the LOTL movie.
Here is a great original series overview with pictures. It also uses the movie summary info from the link above, and ends by mentioning budget trouble for the movie: www.cylon.org/lol/lol-01.html
'Pufnstuf' and 'Land of the Lost' remake dropped by Sony?
www.krofft.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1
Chestnuts roasted by Enik @ 08/17/2004 02:25 PM EST
One of my favorite bits of obscuro trivia is that "Pufnstuf" was partially inspired by "The Prisoner." The idea was: No matter how hard the Hero tries, he never gets off the damn island.
What do you want?
The flute.
You won't get it.
By hook or by crook, we will, you dopey goody-goody!
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 08/17/2004 02:59 PM EST
I was only 7 when this was on tv -- and looking back now -- I cannot believe my parents let me watch this!! They never let me watch anything, but somehow I remember watching the whole mini-series... I loved it -- even then!
Chestnuts roasted by theEvilAngel @ 08/17/2004 03:37 PM EST
dont forget, Beastmasters camera guy at the beginning was in another cult classic... Kentucky Fried Movie.
is this a chewade?
Chestnuts roasted by Ken @ 08/17/2004 04:14 PM EST
Just so ya know, the role of Robin was originally to be played by Dominique Dunne (Poltergeist), but a psycho ex killed her.
Chestnuts roasted by killdozer @ 08/17/2004 04:29 PM EST
Absolutely hilarious! I remember being about 4-5 when this was on, being caught up in it, being scared of the "V". This review was absoutely hilarious! Can't wait for the next one.
Didn't Michael Ironsides play one of the bad@$$ guys in the resistance later on (after they discovered the sneezing powder that totally F'd up the aliens?)
Chestnuts roasted by Ben @ 08/17/2004 04:36 PM EST
man, you keep offering up excellent reviews of major happenings of my childhood. i was ten when this show aired and i couldn't get enough. i think i would have joined up with the aliens just to fly one of those kick-ass shuttles! i loved 'em. i saw every epi and can't wait to get the dvd. thanks for the memories, bob!
Chestnuts roasted by major bludd @ 08/17/2004 05:33 PM EST
And whatever happened to the dangling plotline about the sworn enemies of the Visitors? The ones they tried to contact at the end of Final battle, I think?
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 08/17/2004 06:00 PM EST
Please do a sequel review of V2. People who didn't see it the first time will be clamoring to find out what happened with the human / alien hybrid (gee nice rip-off X-Files). Also, Michael Ironsides is the baddest of the bad asses in doling out serious hurt to the lizards. And his side-kick was awesome too. V forever!
Chestnuts roasted by Michael Ironsides is God! @ 08/17/2004 06:17 PM EST
Now Matt has to review that OTHER great alien movie from the 80s.
Of course I'm talking about...Meatballs II.
Chestnuts roasted by Luap @ 08/17/2004 06:22 PM EST
I could use everyone's help with this. Matt, your creative mind would help too. I'm creating an 80's themed restaurant and I need more stuff for my menu. I'd like everyone to give me some ideas. I especially need more appetizers. This is what I have so far:
Ralph Maccio Nachos
Mozzarella Styx
Ryan Sandburger
Breakfast Club Sandwich (served all day)
Andre the Giant Grinder (whole loaf of french bread as the roll)
Boss Hog's Chili Dogs
Pat Morita Fajitas
Mr. T-Bone
Meatloaf (just Meatloaf. that's my favorite)
Big Country Fried Steak or Chicken
Tony Danza's Pasta Bonanza (Who's the Boss? You Are!! Choose the type of pasta and sauce)
The Challenger Chocolate Explosion (that might be a little too offensive but I'm still trying)
The Miracle on Ice (margarita or other frozen drink)
Doc Brownies
Ideas?
Chestnuts roasted by T.J. @ 08/17/2004 06:37 PM EST
Almost forgot everyone's favorite sides. Family Ties Fries, Monster Bash Mash, Onion Ringwalds, or Jim Rice.
Add a Full House Salad to any entree for $1.99
Chestnuts roasted by T.J. @ 08/17/2004 06:50 PM EST
Best scene is when the lizard baby crawls out of its human mothers womb on its own, and its human like twin shoots its forked tongue at the camera. A life changing moment in the Paratestes household.
Chestnuts roasted by Harry Paratestes @ 08/17/2004 08:16 PM EST
Yeah, i see the videos, the shok is the same after 20 year.
Today V can be a reflex of a most terrible movie called "W".
An awful movie abuot a facist regime of evil and lies, an "we come in peace"shit,(Like in V) who attack contries seekin false Weapons of massive destruction, but the real motive its take over every natural resource in the planet, an eat all the irak children , and young people of the USA.
The only reptile thing on them are they brain.
Beware te nazi beign "W" the most hated beign of planet EARTH, son of "G.Bush",
Chestnuts roasted by Erasmo from Mexico @ 08/17/2004 08:23 PM EST
i thank this is going to be i boarding movie.
Chestnuts roasted by dawn @ 08/17/2004 09:50 PM EST
Gotta add Huxtable Hasbrowns to the sides.
On (another) non-topic note, I've seen some of this year's Halloween candy - its the return of Shrek. This time with Glow-in-the-Dark wrappers of Skittles, M&M's, Snikers, and Milky Way. I fear there will be more.
Chestnuts roasted by Emperor_Zorak @ 08/17/2004 10:58 PM EST
T.J-
You forgot a few-
Critter Fritters
Mogwi Pie (Chocolate pie with a whipped cream stripe down the center (Not served after midnight)
Run DM Sea food salad
Care Bear stare shakes (Blue berry, Mint green, strawberry red, etc: with lucky charms marshmellows of the proper type floating in it (Clover for green, Rainbow for red etc
The Brat pack stack attack- (A platter with Onion Ringwalds, Sheedy wings, Judds suds(a pitcher of your choice of drinks), Halls Balls (Sweedish Meatballs), Robs Kabobs, a bowl of Andrew stew, and somthing Emilio related
The Pound Hush Puppies
and thats all I can think of
Chestnuts roasted by Mr Mango @ 08/17/2004 11:11 PM EST
Hey Matt, did you hear fans are trying to get you to wear the Katie Vick outfit that RD Reynolds and Blade bought? I say go for it
Chestnuts roasted by Dannyjoe @ 08/18/2004 12:28 AM EST
Hey TJ, How about, Fried Green Tomatoes. (Or Killer Tomato somethings)
Hehe.. Love the menu but you're right.. The Challenger one is just a tad heartless..
Also, if you ever burn anything just call it a Freddy Krueger special.
Yeehaw, Cajun style!
Chestnuts roasted by Cyanyde @ 08/18/2004 12:44 AM EST
It was more than 10 years after I saw "V" that I learned where the whole concept came from.
It was inspired by a book by Thomas Pynchon. Pynchon wrote it as a study in how rapidly an open, democratic society could be transformed into fascism.
If you look at the Visitors' logo, you'll notice that it looks remarkably reminiscent of a swastika.
Chestnuts roasted by Nygard @ 08/18/2004 01:00 AM EST
Damn, Matt, what can I say but THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Great review for one of my most beloved shows ever when I was younger - V & the A-Team were 2 of my favs! I always liked how Michael Ironside played the perrenial bad-ass everywhere from this series on. I've been waiting for such a review of this show - now if only there was an in depth review of Alien Nation the series.
weswoijdeojidjs awesome!
Chestnuts roasted by Mugzy. . . @ 08/18/2004 01:23 AM EST
Oh, almost forgot - the old, Jewish dude, also played an old, Jewish dude in the movie, MONSTER SQUAD! He was a Nazi wartime survivor that the kids feared, but later became friends with. I'd love to hear your take on that movie as well, Matt. (I also can't wait until Monster Squad finally comes to DVD)
~A-braham is A-okay!
Chestnuts roasted by Mugzy. . . @ 08/18/2004 01:31 AM EST
I ran into Fay Grant at a friends funeral in Santa Monica two weeks ago and she said that V is back on and she is going to be starring in it again. Watch for news release in about a month.....
Chestnuts roasted by Angie in PHX @ 08/18/2004 02:44 AM EST
Pedro - Dracula's been previewing for a few weeks now, and it opens on Thursday. I saw it earlier tonight and wrote a bit about it on my blog (click on my name). The show commits the cardinal theatrical sin of being enormously boring.
Chestnuts roasted by Seth Christenfeld @ 08/18/2004 04:50 AM EST
I shall buy this!Huzzah!
Chestnuts roasted by Pedro Garcia @ 08/18/2004 06:07 AM EST
Hey guys...
It's Augest 18th...
You know what happened this day last year?
You sure you don't remember?
HAPPY SLIMERMAS!!!
http://x-entertainment.com/articles/0822/
SLIMERMAS!
Chestnuts roasted by Mr. Mr. Mr. @ 08/18/2004 11:27 AM EST
Can't have enough John Hughes refernces, tj, so how about if anytime someone says it's their birthday, you bring out a small cake, with, ahem, Sixteen Candles on it. and a picture of Gedde Watanabe on it saying "What's happening, Hot Stuff?"
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 08/18/2004 11:47 AM EST
Great review. Never saw it, but now I'll check it out.
101st!
Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 08/18/2004 01:04 PM EST
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.
Chestnuts roasted by Pedro @ 08/18/2004 01:37 PM EST
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.
Chestnuts roasted by machinesquad @ 08/18/2004 02:09 PM EST
You are correct, sir, Parker Lewis was 1990. I will shut up now.
Chestnuts roasted by Pedro @ 08/18/2004 02:25 PM EST
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.
Chestnuts roasted by Kay @ 08/18/2004 03:29 PM EST
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!!
Chestnuts roasted by Pedro @ 08/18/2004 05:01 PM EST
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
Chestnuts roasted by SodaDrinkersAnonamus @ 08/18/2004 05:10 PM EST
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
Chestnuts roasted by thejyav @ 08/18/2004 05:46 PM EST
I loved V.
My old girlfriend got me to watch it... and we loved it together.
Chestnuts roasted by V is for VISITOR @ 08/18/2004 05:59 PM EST
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.
Chestnuts roasted by Reeder @ 08/18/2004 06:31 PM EST
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???
Chestnuts roasted by Cliche-Man @ 08/18/2004 09:16 PM EST
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.
Chestnuts roasted by Beta-Theta @ 08/18/2004 10:03 PM EST
Also before I go looking another site (most probable 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.
Chestnuts roasted by Beta-Theta @ 08/18/2004 10:09 PM EST
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.
Chestnuts roasted by TOM @ 08/19/2004 12:08 AM EST
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.
Chestnuts roasted by TOM @ 08/19/2004 12:08 AM EST
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...
Chestnuts roasted by Luap @ 08/19/2004 12:27 AM EST
In the last frame of the lizard-lady video, she looks like Delta Burke.
Chestnuts roasted by springsprite @ 08/19/2004 02:13 AM EST
The more mini- series
you can see the best visit now:
http://www.panamaparties.com/index.php
Chestnuts roasted by Mr. series @ 08/19/2004 07:14 AM EST
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!"
Chestnuts roasted by CaseyJones @ 08/19/2004 09:25 AM EST
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.
Chestnuts roasted by A. C. @ 08/19/2004 06:26 PM EST
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/
Chestnuts roasted by A. C. @ 08/19/2004 06:47 PM EST
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.
Chestnuts roasted by Alexarc @ 08/19/2004 09:35 PM EST
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 
Chestnuts roasted by AliveDownHere @ 08/20/2004 12:09 AM EST
HUMAN CYLONS SUCKED BIG TIME!
Chestnuts roasted by AliveDownHere @ 08/20/2004 12:13 AM EST
when reading your review, i thought that old guy looked familiar. He is none other than that scary german guy from, "the monster squad"!!!
Chestnuts roasted by monsteraquad17 @ 08/20/2004 03:16 PM EST
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
Chestnuts roasted by dave @ 08/21/2004 01:55 AM EST
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?
Chestnuts roasted by JAY @ 08/21/2004 06:58 AM EST
Baby....Forked Tongue...Should have received much therapy...
80's Menu:
Saved by the Stuffed Bell Pepper
Chestnuts roasted by whitemale_98/competent soldier @ 08/21/2004 12:16 PM EST
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.
Chestnuts roasted by Stumanchu @ 08/21/2004 03:45 PM EST
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
Chestnuts roasted by Travis @ 08/24/2004 09:47 PM EST
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!
Chestnuts roasted by crzyfligrl @ 09/03/2004 12:30 AM EST
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.
Chestnuts roasted by vfanatic @ 09/03/2004 06:23 AM EST
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.
Chestnuts roasted by shootdashit @ 09/10/2004 04:56 AM EST
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.
Chestnuts roasted by Liz @ 09/30/2004 01:12 PM EST
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.
Chestnuts roasted by bfingur @ 10/03/2004 04:28 AM EST
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!
Chestnuts roasted by Grateful Ed @ 10/15/2004 10:16 PM EST
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Chestnuts roasted by florist @ 11/04/2004 07:55 PM EST
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 
