MovieChat Forums > How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) Discussion > the network's brain was two sizes too sm...

the network's brain was two sizes too small

posted 17 years ago by boolittlek
12 replies | jump to latest

Congratulations, ABC! If you're going to show this, show it intact--not with chunks edited out! Off the top of my head, I noticed four parts that were missing from tonight's broadcast:

-- the game that's a rollerskate type of lacrosse and croquet
-- the group of servers at the feast (each of whom is smaller than the previous one) who serve Cindy-Lou Who
-- the Grinch trying to pull a panicked Max off of himself
-- the last two verses of 'You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch' were edited together

I'm sure there were other problems, but these were the ones I spotted right away.

I've watched this at least once a year (frequently more) every year for over thirty years. Don't mess with our Christmas traditions!

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Islay64 17 years ago

The sad truth is my favorite off-the-wall part of "Grinch" is when they show Zu-Zither-Kar-Say (sic) the "game that's a rollerskate type of lacrosse and croquet". My son and I were, waiting, waiting, waiting...no Zu-Zither-Kar-Say. We noticed it instantly; we've always gotten a kick out of it. Then, my daughter's favorite moment is the 2nd one you mention with the last server serving Cindy-Lou Who the strawberry.

The truth is we won't watch another Christmas special on ABC from now on.

[–] Brynjolf_Bjarme 17 years ago

I noticed that too. All so they can cram a few more commercials in there. Usually I mute the commercials when they come on anyway.

[–] crazydude1989 17 years ago

Yeah, I was p'oed too. It's all because of money money money for more commercials. I usually watch the Grinch on the Family Channel, or Cartoon Network, and they usually never edit. I loved the strawberry part, :(
And I also noticed, at the end, when the Grinch slides down the mountain on Christmas morning, he plays this trumpet fanfare, and Cindy-Lou Who gives Max a piece of roast beast at the Christmas feast (rhymes, lol) Both scenes were chopped out.

Don't Genius Live in a Lamp?-Patrick Star

[–] Quentin36 17 years ago

What is Christmas without ruining a classic to get a few more comericals in??

My daughter and I, who taped it, rewound to see if we missed some parts becasue we were talking but no, you're right they took them out.

Shame on them

[–] andyp86 17 years ago

TO QUENTIN36: FEAR NOT!!!! Save your tape and wipe it over with CARTOON NETWORK'S broadcast print of "The Grinch".....

I have seen "The Grinch" on the Turner cable networks (TBS, Cartoon Network, TNT etc....) for years and it has been shown complete with one commercial break (right after "the sleigh started toward the homes where the whos lay a-snooze in their town"). Furthermore, a friend of mine works for programming at Cartoon Network and he confirmed that it will be the complete print....

For those interested:
Apparently, in addition to the Turner cable networks, the show used to be broadcast on WPIX up until last year when it reverted to ABC. ABC got a hold of the new 2006 remastered DVD print and that was the version shown this year (in its edited form). The Turner / Cartoon Network print is time-compressed to fit in the 30 mintue time slot with commercials and still be shown complete whereas the ABC print was not time compressed and had to be CUT instead.....

ANYWAY

The next few broadcasts are on CARTOON NETWORK:
WED. DECEMBER 5th.....8:30PM
SUN. DECEMBER 9th.....8PM
SUN. DECEMBER 16th....8PM

I'm sure your daughter will be quite happy.....Hope this helps....MERRY GRINCHMAS!!!

[–] Quentin36 17 years ago

Thanks Andy!!!

Unfortunatley I just got your note this morning but I ended up buying the Grinch for the kids because of the missed scenes on TV.

Take care and Merry Christmas!!!!

[–] cinefool 17 years ago

I would say "unbelievable!" but unfortunately it's all too believable. I missed the broadcast, but it seems I didn't miss much. This also shows the benefit of buying the video and/or DVD.

[–] m-lake 17 years ago

Hey I own it on Video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[–] Quentin36 17 years ago

wow good for you

[–] andyp86 17 years ago

TO BOOLITTLEK:

Rest assured you can now enjoy "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" in its entirety over the next few weeks.....

I have seen "The Grinch" on the Turner cable networks (TBS, Cartoon Network, TNT etc....) for years and it has been shown complete with one commercial break (right after "the sleigh started toward the homes where the whos lay a-snooze in their town"). Furthermore, a friend of mine works for programming at Cartoon Network and he confirmed that it will be the complete print....

For those interested:
Apparently, in addition to the Turner cable networks, the show used to be broadcast on WPIX up until last year when it reverted to ABC. ABC got a hold of the new 2006 remastered DVD print and that was the version shown this year (in it's edited form). The Turner / Cartoon Network print it time-compressed to fit in the 30 mintue time slot with commercials and still be shown complete whereas the ABC print was not time compressed and had to be CUT instead.....

ANYWAY

The next few broadcasts are on CARTOON NETWORK:
WED. DECEMBER 5th.....8:30PM
SUN. DECEMBER 9th.....8PM
SUN. DECEMBER 16th....8PM

[–] dodgesmokeshow 17 years ago

my best friend looked at me like i was nuts!! I noticed all the cuts on abc and sat there dumbfounded..cbs also did a little bit of chopping on rudolph too..I of course went out and bought the dvd afterwards in order to enjoy them in their original versions...