I was digging through boxes again today — I do this about once a month, and each time I disinter another couple of items, bringing more of my past into the house, slowly but surely deciding to actually live here rather than just inhabit San Jose.
Anyway, I pulled out a few old videotapes of St. Elsewhere, recorded from the original network airings. As I started to watch, it seemed really bizarre — I had to double check to see if they were the actual original broadcasts, because of the absence of the screen junk we’ve all become accustomed to.
No network logo burned into the lower corner. No “You’re Watching St. Elsewhere” graphic. No animated promo for other programs. And no credits squished up to the side as more promos play. Just an animated Peacock wearing headphones over the opening titles… “In Stereo Where Available.”
Another thing that belongs to yesterday is the bumper — the 5 second card that announces when you return to the show after commercials. These days, every spare second of airtime is a promo; there’s something serene about this old way of easing back into the program and I miss it.
I wish I had taped more shows back in the 1980s and early 90s, before television became a cluttered, loud mess.
You may also like
