Not that I have anything against David Carradine, but why did he take over for his brother Keith? Did Keith want out or did the History Channel want to replace him? I like them both but I think Keith did a better job on this show.
shareKeith got a network job.
sharewhy cruel fate of limited history! why!
I must be watching re-runs on the History Channel. I preferred David Carradine as the host...he's perfect...former star of KUNG FU, now KILL BILL...just the right amount of sardonic, gallows humor--love it. Keith wasn't a bad host--I saw an episode with him as the host a few days ago--but David is more engaging as a host. The show gives me a greater appreciation for late 19th Century America generally and the Old West in particular.
I agree; they were both good, but Keith had an "aw shucks, ma'am" air about him and David had more of an edge. Besides, the scene for the transition was great!
shareI preferred David myself. Keith was ok, but David seemed to enjoy hosting the show and get into more. The episode with both of them was definitely a cool one though.
shareI was lucky enough to happen to be at Paramount Ranch the day they shot the transition scene and got to watch them film it!
shareThat is really neat! I can't believe the History Channel didn't do at least 50-60 episodes,at least. I enjoy watching 'Wild West Tech' whenever it appears on the History Channel.
Chris
R.I.P. David Carradine.
nWo 4-Life! Halloween Rules!(The Holiday)
It would seem that the History Channel filmed it as a joke, but Keith and David were playing poker for very high stakes, namely hosting the show itself and I don't doubt that at the time, David didn't mind having the work and paycheck.
;-)
What with I believe was 3 ex-wives? Plus a fair amount of alimony to at least 2 of these ladies.
History channel pulled the plug after they felt that the series had run out of 'history' which I don't believe at all, probably had to do with paying for the re-enactments plus either host weren't there for chump change, why would they be?
I agree. There was plenty of history yet to cover. I think they could have done at least done 20-30 more episodes.
Frank: Just a man.
Harmonica: An ancient race.
I agree with you 100%; I would love to see THC do at least 15-30 more episodes. I mean intelligent people are clamoring for something new, smart & fun to watch & this show had all 3; it was anything but dry history. Also, I would like to see THC sell these episodes at a bit more reasonable price; that is to say, $24.99 for a 50 minute show is a little steep for this one-income/middle-middle class household. But enough griping, I love this show and will watch it however I can.
b/b)O(
It was one of my favorite shows on the History channel. I still try to catch the reruns on History International. I think they should bring the show back.
Frank: Just a man.
Harmonica: An ancient race.
Well, they did have two episodes about circus freaks and one about the paranormal.
In all fairness, what kind of themed episodes could they do that they hadn't done once or twice already? The logging industry and trapping come to mind, but I can't think of much else.
Keith tried moving on to a sitcom. I liked "Complete Savages". The fanbase wasn't there though.
shareI would have loved one episode with Robert in Stetson, duster & chaps with horned rim glasses going full Cowboy Nerd.
shareIt would have been fun to have had all three brothers at Paramount Ranch at the same time! Robert filmed an episode of Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire at the ranch a few years earlier, where the town was one of those kitschy Wild West roadside attraction type places. David guest starred on Dr. Quinn when it was at Paramount Ranch, and I recently discovered that he had scenes for Death Race 2000 at the ranch, on the old racetrack on the property, back in the 1970's. I wouldn't be surprised if Kung Fu might have shot some at Paramount Ranch, as they often shot at nearby Malibu Creek State Park. The only thing that I know for sure Keith did at the ranch was the hand-over episode of Wild West Tech. His previous host segments were done, if I remember correctly, at the Disney ranch and other places. David's episodes also alternated with another location or two. I'm in the process of trying to document exactly which of David's episodes used Paramount Ranch for the NPS Archives. Unfortunately, the Permits folks don't document individual episodes of shows that shoot multiple episodes at the ranch.
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