I saw this show back in 1978 and never saw it again though I often dreamed about it. It left a lasting impression. Thank heavens that someone recently put it on Youtube. The memories came flooding back. This was basically a variety show along the lines of Donny and Marie, using the Archie characters. There were songs, long skits and quick joke skits. The comedy wasn't that great. The gags were mostly of the "groaner" variety. Still, to see the characters come to life was a real treat. Also, they added Big Moose and Midge to the Archies rock band. I did notice a few odd things. Moose was considerably less "stupid" on the show. I don't think he even said "D'uh!" once. Reggie seemed more neurotic than nasty. Archie seemed a bit uptight and not as likable as in the comics. The Jughead version on this show seemed to like girls which is considerably different than the Jughead I grew up with. The skits dealt with the gang having to dissect frogs in Miss Grundy's class, Archie and Betty debating an important decision (the kind they never even hinted at in the comics), Archie debating with his dad (Gordon Jump-AKA Arthur Carlson from WKRP in Cincinnati!) about his freedom to buy a car and Veronica misplacing a set of tickets. There were lots of quick jokes in between and a few songs. The main one was called (I think) "Smile on Your Face". There was one in which Betty sang of how unfair it was that Archie preferred Veronica to her. It was almost like a musical soap opera. My favorite was called "Gotta Break Our Date Tonight" in which the gang took turns calling each other to either set up or break a date for the evening. It was very creative. The show was a pilot (actually the second pilot) for what would have been an Archie TV series but it never happened (sadly). The show then seemed to disappear completely. There would later be a (disappointing) TV movie in 1990 based on the comic strip but the characters were all grown up by then and a lot of changes had occurred. This show, although not perfect, is a real treat for anyone who grew up reading the comics and digests. It is also a good artifact of 1970s entertainment. culture.
2 Reviews
A Grave Injustice To The Archie Comics Series
trevorbarnhill26 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I grew up an Archie fan as a kid. I had a bunch of Archie comics which I still wish I had. My love of the Archie comics series started as a little boy when The New Archies came on Saturday mornings. I outgrew Archie later on, but my love for Archie and the gang returned when CW started airing Riverdale. It's a great adaptation of the Archie universe, although the stories are darker than the light-hearted adventures in the comics. I heard something about there being a live action Archie special that cane out in the late 1970s. So I looked it up on YouTube and watched it. And sorry that I did.
While the Archie Situation Musical Comedy Show was in tune with the comic series, most of the actors were very bad. While Riverdale has superb acting, the acting on this show was horrendous. Only ones that I cared for were Gordon Jump and Audrey Landers who, as Fred Andrews and Betty, did a good job but still couldn't carry the rest of the cast on their laurels.
Also the musical numbers were mediocre at best and the jokes and skits at times fell flat. Also didn't like how some of the characters were portrayed. Archie came across as too uptight and whiny. Especially the skit where Archie picks up Betty for their date until she receives a phone call from her Mother that they would be stuck out of town overnight due to bad weather. Archie talks Betty into staying in as we know what he has in mind. A golden opportunity for sex. However, when Betty tells Archie that she's not yet ready, he flips out. He starts ranting and raving and throwing a childlike tantrum. When Betty tries to explain herself, he pouts and they get into an argument. Cooler heads do prevail and they go out on their date after all.
Reggie wasn't as obnoxious and conceited on the special like the comics. He came across more as flaky and neurotic. Veronica and Jughead were closer to their comic counterparts. Moose and Midge were just annoying as hell.
I wanted to like the Archie special so bad. I really did. But thanks to the really bad acting and writing, it left a bad taste in my mouth instead.
While the Archie Situation Musical Comedy Show was in tune with the comic series, most of the actors were very bad. While Riverdale has superb acting, the acting on this show was horrendous. Only ones that I cared for were Gordon Jump and Audrey Landers who, as Fred Andrews and Betty, did a good job but still couldn't carry the rest of the cast on their laurels.
Also the musical numbers were mediocre at best and the jokes and skits at times fell flat. Also didn't like how some of the characters were portrayed. Archie came across as too uptight and whiny. Especially the skit where Archie picks up Betty for their date until she receives a phone call from her Mother that they would be stuck out of town overnight due to bad weather. Archie talks Betty into staying in as we know what he has in mind. A golden opportunity for sex. However, when Betty tells Archie that she's not yet ready, he flips out. He starts ranting and raving and throwing a childlike tantrum. When Betty tries to explain herself, he pouts and they get into an argument. Cooler heads do prevail and they go out on their date after all.
Reggie wasn't as obnoxious and conceited on the special like the comics. He came across more as flaky and neurotic. Veronica and Jughead were closer to their comic counterparts. Moose and Midge were just annoying as hell.
I wanted to like the Archie special so bad. I really did. But thanks to the really bad acting and writing, it left a bad taste in my mouth instead.
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