MovieChat Forums > The Paper Chase (1978) Discussion > Which version of the show do you prefer?

Which version of the show do you prefer?

posted 16 years ago by towerman123
8 replies | jump to latest

As I recall, there were two incarnations of "The Paper Chase" that appeared
on television: CBS,and Showtime cable channel (PBS aired reruns for a few years following its departure from CBS). CBS ran the show originally for one season, '78-'79 and then it was picked up by PBS which ran reruns of the
show for a couple of years then in 1983, the Showtime cable channel picked the show ran new episodes from '83-'86 under the titles of "The Paper Chase: The Second Year", "The Paper Chase: The Third Year" and "The Paper Chase:Graduation Year". Which version of the show do you guys prefer? I actually prefer the Showtime one because they had more freedom to do and say things (language and sdult situations) without fear of network censorship. I think it made for a better show. And lastly, why on earth is this not available on DVD? It seems that there are plenty of crappy shows from the '80s available on DVD but hardly any quality shows like this one.

[–] RJSawyer 16 years ago

I preferred the CBS episodes. I missed Robert Ginty (Anderson) and Francine Tacker (Logan) when they switched to Showtime, and I must confess to actually really, really liking the Seals and Crofts opening theme from the CBS episodes, and that version of the opening-title sequence.

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ROBERT J. SAWYER, Science Fiction Writer
Hugo Award winner for HOMINIDS
http://www.sfwriter.com * [email protected]
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[–] zaphod08 16 years ago

I agree with Sawyer.

In the kingdom of the blind, you're the village idiot.

[–] offshoredtoIndia2002 16 years ago

Both were still far and away better than most television shows of that era. Now why isn't this show out on DVD as one big set, with the movie and some extras?

[–] Eric-62-2 15 years ago

The original CBS version, by far. I liked the theme better and the supporting ensemble, plus this was a show that didn't need to have the looser standards of cable to give us good drama. In fact, seeing Hart with the freedom to curse and having affairs if anything took away the sense of midwestern wholesome naivete he brought to the first episodes on CBS that made it so much easier to identify with him as a character.

[–] stuartfanning 15 years ago

Yes the first season was the best one. I think subsequent seasons missed the Elizabeth Logan character. I wonder whether she refused to appear in future seasons, as there was no way the Logan character would have dropped out of Law School!

[–] Eric-62-2 15 years ago

That was one of the problems I had buying the revival, the fact that Bell would still be in Law School but Anderson and Logan wouldn't! I think by 1983, Francine Tacker, who had played Logan was no longer in the business because I don't see her name on any credits post-Paper Chase. Robert Ginty, I'm sure turned down any offers to return since he was doing much better with guest shots by then.

[–] Dan-136 14 years ago

Robert Ginty & Francine Tacker were maried from 1980 to 1983 and have a son together.

[–] Eric-62-2 9 years ago

Should have responded to this sooner, but obviously the fact that they'd married and split by the time of the revival makes it obvious as to why they wouldn't have returned. Anderson was referenced once in the final episode (but only in passing with no mention of what happened to him) but there was never any mention of Logan at all.