Highway To Heaven vs. Touched By An Angel - Highway to Heaven (1984) Discussion

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] sun78 17 years ago

I think they both are very good. But there's one difference in both shows. Michael Landon is an angel, but he doesn't tell people. He just goes around with Mark and helps people, where as, in Touched by an Angel, they are all angels and they make it known who they are. Plus Highway to Heaven was made in the 80's and while I was born in 1982 and only lived my first 8 years in the 80's and don't remember anything, I think the 80's were really funky and weird. I'm sure am glad that those super short shorts for guys are out of style. That was just wrong.

But still, Highway to Heaven is still really good. My family owns the first 3 seasons and enjoy it very much. But I can't make a descision about which is better because as I said before, I think they are both really good.

Stephanie

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[–] TheColossalAvenger 17 years ago

I'm not totally sure why, but I love Highway to Heaven a lot more than I ever did Touched By an Angel (although still a very good show).

---
Once I snorted Coke. But an ice cube got stuck in my nose and I never did it again.

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[–] ricktc 16 years ago

Michael Landon was an absolute genius and the producers who made Touched By An Angel took the premise of HTH and did a "take-off" of Mike's show. There were other take-offs such as "7th Heaven", "Quantam Leap", and so on. Taking his idea to make their own isn't very original, but that is how Hollywood is...they'll do anything to make money and cash in. Roma Downey had never seen an episode of HTH in her life, when she first got the job for Touched. A good actress, yes. As for the show's concept, that's the flip side of the coin.

R~

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[–] artoftom 17 years ago

I definitely preferred Highway to Heaven because Landon does not tell people he is an angel. He uses his powers to change pivotal events but in the end, the people are the masters of their own destinies. Landon simply presents the oportunities given to them. Their consciences decide the outcome. Brilliant! God, I think I'm about to cry!

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[–] garymoore1985 15 years ago

how well can you remember 1986?

the first month of my life I can remember is june of '83(I was born in 8/79)

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[–] Trs4FrsFanatic 17 years ago

Highway To Heaven was a much better show. Touched By An Angel was a bit frufie for me. It was OK, but not as good. Againas aonther poster commented Johnathan Smith rarely told anyone he was an angel, which gave the show some mystique in a way. However when he did reveal himself, it was neat as he used his powers. Highway To Heaven is one the greatest shows in TV history.

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[–] NSurone 16 years ago

I watched just one episode of HTH. Can't remember the details, but I found it so nauseatingly gooey that I never watched the show again. Too bad, 'cause I always loved Michael Landon in LHOTP. He just went overboard with this one.
On the other hand, TBAA was a very good show--moving without all the phony sentimentality. I especially liked John Dye (drool!) and Della Reese.

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[–] A_Million_Lights 16 years ago

I think it all depends on who you ask. I'm going to have to say "Highway To Heaven" as I didn't watch "Touched By An Angel".

"Could you please not use the F-word in Vera Wang?"-Charlotte,Sex and the City.

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[–] pianoteacher1218 16 years ago

I remember one time Jonathan revealed himself and that was to a mentally handicapped homeless boy. Does anyone remember that episode? He told him right from the start.

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[–] realplayer54 16 years ago

Highway to Heaven was way better. If it wasn't for the actresses playing the angels on Touched By An Angel, may be I would have liked it more. Or then again maybe I just thought it was a knockoff of HTH. Either way, Highway to Heaven is one of the best.

I spent my entire childhood growing up. What a waste.

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[–] AnnieBell 16 years ago

I absolutely loved both. But H2H is my favorite. I think the best way to start is with the first episode. You get to see how Mark and Jonathan met. Plus, it's a hilarious two parter. I love the old man who keeps shmoozing Mrs. Wicks, Estelle. LOL "Is that your Duggie?" :p

AnnieBell

Perfect Love casts out all fear.

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[–] weresmurf 16 years ago

"moving without all the phony sentimentality"

Are you kidding me? The comment was about Touched By an Angel btw. Every time I watched that show, there'd be soft luminescent lighting around the women, they'd pretty much carry placards around with them saying 'IM A FREAKIN ANGEL' as pretty much every episode they'd reveal it to everyone.

I think the most insulting episode of TBAA was one where some kids played 'Carjack 2000' and went and stole a car, they presented the game as being made by Satan himself, which had me laughing so hard, then had the kid on the stand, trying to persuade him to blame the videogame itself. Highly insulting when peoples actions, are their own responsibility.

Which is why I loved Highway to Heaven, no soft lighting as far as I recall unless absolutely nescessary, a grainy real world look to it, the lessons in it, were usually subtle, or presented well in a non patronising way and the fact they never really presented Landon as an angel to people, short of 1 or 2 people, helped with the idea of a man going around doing good for goods own sake.

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[–] glassrose385 15 years ago

I like both shows but I prefer Highway to Heaven. I liked that Jonathan never revealed himself as an angel except in the episode with the homeless boy. I liked how he and Mark worked together to help people.

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[–] lennon62 15 years ago

Before I make my comment. I just want to thank the poster Weresmurf. When, he said this,

"they'd pretty much carry placards around with them saying 'IM A FREAKIN ANGEL' as pretty much every episode they'd reveal it to everyone."

Look, my roomates are about to wake up. And, put this HARSH cleaning schedule out for all of us to do. And, that will probably keep me laughing, and chuckling for the rest of the day. I will only be able to picture Roma Downey with that white light above her head. While, holding a sign. Like the Wiley Coyote from Looney Toons saying "HEY I AM A FREAKiN ANGEL!!!" and having a goofy look on her face while holding it too. LOL

Now, I have seen both shows. I am 34. So, the first I seen, and loved was Highway. Touched was ok too. I didn't mind that white light angel revealing thing. But, I have to agree. That was over done. Highway had more of a meaning, and a lesson to be learned. Plus, Landon had the ability to just smack the viewing audience with real emotion. He was able to do that with Little House, and even more so with Highway.

What really puts this show into prospective. Is, the fact that he didn't always reveal himself. Unless the situation drastically called for it. It is more realistic the way Landon did it I think. Brilliant man, lose can certainly be felt in the world of Tv. Where today most, if not all tv just sucks.

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[–] glassrose385 15 years ago

Lately I have been watching episode of Highway on Inspiration and I have compared them to some of the TBAA episodes that I sometimes watch on Hallmark and I have realized more that TBAA was overdone and had many poorly written episodes. Michael Landon and Victor French were much better actors than the TBAA actors.

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[–] DonnaLevin 13 years ago

I have a passion for any movie or television show that portrays the universe as an ultimately benign place where a Higher Power is watching over us, will mete out justice in the end, and best of all, in which there is indeed a heaven where almost everyone but Ted Bundy and Hitler will get to spend eternity. I don't believe this, but then again it's possible, right? Even Steve Jobs, with %6.5 billion, had to die.
TBAA was far more overtly Christian, but although I'm Jewish (my name is your first clue) that didn't bother me much b/c they were fastidious about making approx. five episodes in which Jews are not only portrayed favorably (granted, as stereotypes), but even get to go to heaven w/o accepting Jesus as their personal savior. (If I were a Hindu, I'm not sure how I'd feel.)
H2H is more generally about the values of being good, generous, etc. I agree with those who prefer that ML did not reveal himself as heavenly being in most episodes, b/c 1)it's easier to imagine that these are true events and 2) of COURSE you're going to learn the lesson if a woman in a white dress sends out 500 watts.
A bit of theology for anyone still reading: TBAA based on the Biblical premise that G-d created angels separately from humans, while H2H is based on revisionist idea that a person who dies *becomes* an angel (as opposed to a saint, for ex).

"I've loved you my whole life."
"You've only known me three days."
"That's when my life began."

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[–] nicoledesapio 10 years ago

I like both shows but slightly prefer "Highway to Heaven" because the two leads are so appealing and because I just have fonder memories of it. I basically grew up with "Highway to Heaven" (in reruns) and didn't watch "Touched by an Angel" until I was in college.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Movie_Piranha_1979 12 years ago

I prefer by far "Highway To Heaven"

Prostitute: What the *beep* are you doing?
Johnny: I'm gonna kill a bunch of people.

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[–] DonnaLevin 12 years ago

I'm baaack... Now that I've watched about 2/3rds of the entire series I'd like to add a comment about the differing portrayals of G-d in the two shows. In TBAA the angels refer to Him as "Father" and describe him as loving and forgiving. We see Him forgive Monica, for example, for breaking "the rules" on more than one occasion. But overall, He seems to expect an awful lot from the angels: constant work and perfect behavior.
The G-d of HTH expects a lot from Jonathan, too, most dramatically when He keeps him apart from his deceased wife. But overall, "the Boss" is a being whom both Jonathan and Mark can talk to, even joke with, as a friend. When Monica blows it, she's on her knees groveling; when Jonathan blows it a simple apology will usually do.
There is one time when Jonathan defiantly declares to G-d "This time I think You're wrong," and beats up a couple of a*******. Even *then* he isn't threatened with H-E-double-hockey-sticks, and Mark's frank defense helps get J. off the hook.

"I've loved you my whole life."
"You've only known me three days."
"That's when my life began."

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[–] CountOroku01 10 years ago

"There is one time when Jonathan defiantly declares to G-d "This time I think You're wrong,""

That actually happens!?

Guess there really are people who act worse than 12 year olds.

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[–] cyclgrrl 9 years ago

I read somewhere that ML had an IQ of 159. I appreciate this (true or not), when I watch H2H. It never condescends to its viewers, or treats them as if they are stupid, and various situations and contexts (sports world, Hollywood, disabled people, etc. etc.) are presented realistically with a lot of attention to detail. Overall, I feel H@H is much more respectful to its viewers, and I put the intelligence of Michael Landon as the prime reason. I have really enjoyed watching this show (in 2015, for the first time) - except for the tendency to tear up often while watching!

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[–] greenbudgie 7 years ago

I like to follow Tess in 'Touched By An Angel' so that's my preference. I think that the stories are just that bit better on there as well.

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