TV and Movies

[Oznell]

Our local ME TV station ditched this for the summer, and I think showed Remington Steele or something instead...

Thank goodness it's now back on and they have started from the very beginning of the (I think 8 year series.  If you have a bit of a weakness for D Van D (sorry for being cryptic but the last time I mentioned this wonderful comedic actor both his first and last names starting with D were blanked out!  What an indignity for poor D.!) and slightly bland 90's crime/mystery series, this might be worth taping to see if you like it.

Van D. is a humane, former military MASH doctor in a big L.A. hospital, and Van D.'s real life son Barry Van D. plays his son who is a policeman.  D. Van D. happens to solve mysteries, and works closely with Barry on cases.  Also has adorable Scott Baio as fellow doctor, and the wry, witty Victoria Rowell as a morgue doctor...

Great chemistry on the show, as you would expect with any Van D. project, esp. between father and son.  Sometimes real life relatives don't have much going for them when they act together, but not D. and his son Barry.  There is an almost palpable warmth between them and they mesh closely...

Love that!  It's not exactly Moliere, but it's a fun show and sort of soothing, in a weird way...

[proudlyfromNJ]

I get the same channel. Sorry but I find Diagnosis Murder and a number of the other shows on this channel very dated. The only exception I have is Columbo, which has a bit of substance and not the same old outdated cliches.

[DukeBlueNan]

I've always enjoyed that show and love D Van D not only in Diagnosis Murder, but anything he's done @Oznell! He's talented in many ways.

Also, we're able to watch several episodes each day on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. 

[Irish1210]

I do have ME TV, but love all those older shows.....calling my cable company in the am : )

[MoJoV]

I don't watch Diagnosis Murder but I love DVan D.  I heard an interview with him on the radio a few months back.  Sharp as a tack and still very funny. I think he's about 90. So great.

[kitcat51]

I enjoy MeTV too. My favorites are Columbo & Matlock & if I'm up in the wee hours The Twilight Zone & Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

[Pearlee]

@Oznell  Hallmark Movies and Mysteries station shows several hours of Diag. Murder each weekday and every now and then has a marathon of it on a weekend.   

The show is OK but the premise is preposterous (a doctor helping the police force and being in on arrests, access to all the police files, as well as his staff having that too).  Also, sorry to say, his son is one of the worst actors ever.   But I always do enjoy DVD on everything.  He has aged quite well (still handsome in that show) even in his very, very old age now.

[Oznell]

Aww, I like Barry's acting in this.  The thing is, many actors sort of pale in the presence of a unique performing personality like D. Van D.   He has that unstoppable warmth, and a kind of "pixie twinkle" that is so endearing.  Remember his "Burt" in "Mary Poppins".

Barry inherited a different pattern of genes-- he's sturdy and grounded, and his police character is a bit plodding.  But I still like their interplay....   Barry may be more into producing now, I'm thinking...

[Oznell]

What a dope-- I forgot to mention it's on daily during weekdays at 11:00 a.m. Easten on ME!  That's neat that it's on other channels, too. 

[aggravated]

In the last few years this series seemed to employ all of the Van D. clan as actors - three generations.  They all look so much alike; it became easy to see.