Bad Japanese sci-fi from the '60s/'70s

Yeah, like there was any kind of sci-fi coming out of Japan in the 60's and 70's that was good...

I was poking around the iTunes store today when, much to my surprise, I found out they are now selling all 26 episodes of "Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot." Anyone out there remember this show...anyone?

When I was growing up we spent at least 1 weekend a month at my grandparents' house outside St. Louis. On Saturday afternoons the local UHF station KPLR (Channel 11) ran episodes of Johnny Sokko, Ultraman (my other favorite!), and old movies--Abbot and Costello, The Bowery Boys, and Charlie Chan.

I bought 3 episodes of Johnny Sokko and started watching them. I've got to say...they're awful. Just horrible--really bad special effects, lame story lines, evil characters straight out of central casting, etc. However, they bring back a lot of good memories of a time when I loved every second of every episode, and couldn't wait to see the next one. It's weird how things that seemed so great as a kid seem so lame now, but they still bring enjoyment.

So I'm curious--what's your favorite show from younger days?

More later...

The fall TV season is here!

OK, technically, the fall TV season kicked off with a few early premieres last week. But it gets into full gear this week--man, I'm going to be burning up the DVR with all the stuff I want to record! I have to confess that I am a total TV junkie. It started when I was a kid--I had a lot of allergies and spent most of my time in the house. I've outgrown most of my allergies, but never lost my taste for TV. It was said once that "Television is called a 'medium' because it is neither rare nor well-done." I respectfully disagree. Is TV high art? In some cases yes but in most, no. Having said that, it definitely has its place, and does most of the time (Jerry Springer aside) deliver content that entertains, enlightens, and makes you think.

Now, with that, what are the new shows/returning series I'm looking forward to? In no particular order:

• Survivor: China
  
• NCIS
• The Unit
• Heroes
• Journeyman
• Chuck
• The Biggest Loser
• Bionic Woman
  
• Ghost Whisperer
• My Name Is Earl
• The Office
• 24 (later in the year)
• The Amazing Race (later in the year)

I love watching recorded shows vs. live TV, as it makes it a lot easier to skip over the commercials. In one way, I feel sorry for the advertisers but in another, I don't--the commercials fly by so fast that it's almost a form of subliminal advertising, and they stick with us longer!

Hope you're enjoying the fall season also.

More later...