tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6319982385052710495.post119690218875655210..comments2024-03-25T14:00:23.934-04:00Comments on The Land of Whatever: Classic TV: Matt Houston (1982)hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6319982385052710495.post-26530647811985210032022-11-30T12:45:13.071-05:002022-11-30T12:45:13.071-05:00Oh, right.Oh, right.hobbyfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6319982385052710495.post-1338236175570251962021-01-30T17:29:33.928-05:002021-01-30T17:29:33.928-05:00Not his dad, that was David Wayne. He was 'Unc...Not his dad, that was David Wayne. He was 'Uncle Roy.rickr442https://www.blogger.com/profile/00632377368287944104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6319982385052710495.post-92203645980033106452021-01-30T16:29:36.939-05:002021-01-30T16:29:36.939-05:00I think things started to pick up when Spelling hi...I think things started to pick up when Spelling hired Buddy Ebsen in a stunt move to boost ratings. Buddy, a ways removed from Barnaby Jones, play Matt's dad.hobbyfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6319982385052710495.post-29403918855514498402020-08-20T17:24:47.688-04:002020-08-20T17:24:47.688-04:00Typical Aaron Spelling schtick: A bazillionaire ta...Typical Aaron Spelling schtick: A bazillionaire taking on elite/upscale criminals with a side of healthy jiggle and HUGE HAIR! This cast had more hair than anyone on TV except of course the OTHER Spelling creations. <br /><br />Lee Horsely actually did a decent job in the character except when he overdid the Teyuxuss Drawwwwl. The fistfights were well choreographed and the office penthouse set was interesting in short doses. BABYT, the wondrous '80s computer with all the supporting cast headshots, was a miracle of Texas Instruments technology. <br /><br />Ms Hensley, married to the Producer, was a scenery chewer of sorts, never underdressed, and a vital part of the stories. Like many female leads before her (Gail Fisher in Mannix, Kate Jackson in The Rookies) she got kidnapped more than needed, but even bound and gagged in a desert shack her rouge and eye makeup were flawless!<br /><br />The best ep in the series, IMHO, was late in season 2 when the former LAPD contact, John Aprea's Vince Novelli, returned, having been framed for theft of a week's worth of 1984 TV production crew cocaine from the Evidence locker. After beinbg shot and pensioned from duty he had moved to Hawaii to run his mom's restaurant. The solution of the crime and the clearing of his name itself was run of the mill but the Ha=waii element rose at the end when Novelli gives Houston a red Hawaiian shirt identical to that worn by that OTHER big mustached TV DETECTIVE guy with lotsa hair and a fast red car, TOM SELLECK. You don't see much subtle humor in any of ol' Aaron's series.<br />Gotta tell you, I HATED this series when it was first run. Give me MANNIX or HARRY ORWELL instead of these over-funded pretty boys from Spelling or Cannell. That said, I had a decent time watching most of the Houston series. I kept the groaning to a minimum and only threw stuff at the screen once or twice. I'm mellowing with age.rickr442https://www.blogger.com/profile/00632377368287944104noreply@blogger.com