Disappointing

I am a big fan of the original show, and cast, but if you want to talk about "tainting" look at the terrible performances made by Lewis, DeCarlo and Gwynne in the 1981 movie "Munsters Revenge". I cannot watch this movie without cringing. It was VERY badly done, and badly performed.

This movie was meant as a teaser for a new series to feature the original cast (except obviously for Eddie and Marilyn played by different faces). The film was a failure, and the idea for a new show was ditched until 1988 when The Munsters Today was taken on by the Arthur company, who I think did a great job!

I do agree that John Schuck was a very different Herman, but not a terrible one. Gwynne's portrayal was and is favoured by many die hard fans, but i still love the character Schuck played very much. Meriwether, as Lily and the late Howard Morton as Grandpa were fantastic, and born for these roles!

I do agree that into the second series The Munsters Today abandoned the original intentions of the first series and its own first season, the writing changed, and the direction and format. This wasnt welcomed by fans, but was still good tv. Its later episodes were sooo much like married with children. Fans of MT prefer season one over all.

It may sound at times I am critising the shows (both of them) but its just my feelings. Be interested in thoughts.

thanks! :)

I enjoyed The Munsters Today. I thought it was cool that the second series had the Munsters sleep from the 60's until the 80's. The characters were different in Today, but they were still very likable. The new cast did a nice job. The original Munsters was a comedy classic, but The Munsters Today was an enjoyable series. It was a fun show. I miss it!

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The worst aspect of this series was the abandonment of the main comedic premise. In the original, the Munsters thought they were completely normal - even when faced with the reality of the world outside. When they changed the premise to the Munsters wanting to BE normal, the entire concept was gone. Probably the worst aspect of this was Eddie wanting to change his hair and clothing to "fit in". The "real" Eddie would never have even dreamed that he didn't already fit in. It was everyone else in the world that was strange.

They actually had entire episodes of the family trying to be normal. It was far more than just disappointing.

John Schuck is horribly miscast as Herman...

Lee Meriwether, Howard Morton, et al, manage to take extremely drippy dialogue that is so sub-cornball it's unspeakably bad and almost make it worthwhile to watch.

Almost.

Especially Howard Morton, who really gives Grandpa justice.

There's a lot of talent in this show. And it's all wasted.

The title song lyrics are horrendous.

The 80s pink sets are so stereotyped it's beyond belief...

It all feels fake.

And you know that's a laugh track in the background too.

How this lasted longer than the original - it must have been in syndication... Star Trek TNG is another show that was syndicated and, had it been on a network, would have been canned halfway through season 1. (thankfully the show grew into something more than a pale, typical 80s, caricature-like imitation of TOS...)

I can't believe that CRAP run for four years, AWFUL, AWFUL show!

It can't compare to the original series, but I watched "The Munsters Today" from time to time over the four seasons it was on TV and thought it was an entertaining diversion and the cast were charming. I'd put it on my shelf next to the original Munsters if it was on DVD.