YouTube Spotlight: Tucker's Witch stars promote the series

I come across these Nebraska press junket videos quite often, which proves either that someone there was diligent about preserving them and making them available or that Nebraska was the Television Capital ofn the Midwest in the 1980s.  I think you know which one I prefer.

Tucker's Witch co-stars Tim Matheson and Catherine Hicks are a charming pair here promoting the series. As I noted in this week's show notes post, Matheson does an admirable job of transitioning from the awkwardness of the show they're hyping being untitled to the premise of said show.  Check out Hicks' casual posture!

I also enjoy how the host asks about Shakespeare almost as if she doesn't think the bard is relevant, yet later she surprises them a bit by sharing her own theater bona fides.

Tucker's Witch: The video playlist is now live!

After enjoying this week's discussion of short-lived but compelling series Tucker's Witch on the podcast, check out our video playist for the show! Click below to see original promos! Catherine Hicks for the U.S. Treasury! Glimpses of more of Tim Matheson's TV work! And we hope you can handle more Art Hindle!

And remember to visit our official YouTube channel for all of our past episodes plus video playlists like this for each one of them!

Show Notes: Episode 8-7: Tucker's Witch

 *Tucker's Witch aired on CBS October 6, 1982 to November 10, 1982,  before returning at the end of the season for a brief run.  There are a total of 12 episodes plus the unaired pilot.

*All episodes are now available again on Amazon Prime Video and on this YouTube channel as well as the FilmRise Roku channel.

*The official broadcast version of the pilot premiered Wednesday, October 6, 1982 at 10:00 P.M.  It followed Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Alice, and Filthy Rich. Oddly, the latter is the name of a new series on Fox starring...Kim Cattrall from the unaired pilot.

ABC showed Game 2 of the American League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the (then) California Angels. 

NBC's lineup consisted of Real People, Facts of Life, Family Ties, and Quincy.

*Porky's with Kim Cattrall (born 1956 in Liverpool) and Art Hindle (born 1948) had a wide release in March 1982 and went on to become the #5 box office hit of the year.

*Genre fans may be miffed we don't mention Hindle's roles in Black Christmas and the 1978 Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and he is very well known in Canada, so consider this props!

*The age difference between Cahterine Hicks (1951) and Tim Matheson (1947) is less than 4 years.

*Ted Danson (just for the record, born 1947 and older than all of the other actors we have mentioned) starred in the premiere of Cheers September 30, 1982, so this episode aired a week later!

*Bill Morey went on to become a regular on The John Laroquette Show. He also had a recurring role on Dallas and did voices on G.I. Joe.

*The series' stars talk about the name of the show in this vintage interview from several months before the premiere. Check how Matheson gets past the awkwardness of the lack of a title and right into explaining the premise/

*Here is Cinema Cats' profile of the inimitable feline actor Dickens.

*Hear more about the great Heinrich of Midvale in this episode!

*Does anyone prefer the unaired pilot to the aired version? Let us know!

Episode 8-7: Tucker's Witch Aired and Unaired Pilot

In short-lived detective series "Tucker's Witch," a married couple solves crimes with a little help from the wife's extra psychic abilities. In a twist, Ted Danson plays the villain. In another twist, producers recast the leads and refilmed the pilot for air. In another twist...we talk about both.

Check out this episode!

Tomorrow on Battle of the Network Shows...

 

New rarity on Prime Video: Tucker's Witch (1982, CBS)

Lost in the shuffle amidst a wave of classic TV for Prime Video last week was the rare 1982 CBS series Tucker's Witch, with all 12 episodes now available to stream:


Tim Matheson and Catherine Hicks star as a married P.I. team with a twist--yes, she's a witch! Barbara Barrie and Alfre Woodward also appear in the light detective series, which debuted Wednesday nights at 10:00 P.M., following Alice  and Filthy Rich, but was quickly yanked from the regular schedule before a brief return in the spring. Apparently witchcraft was no match for bitchcraft--the series went up against Dynasty and Quincy M.E. (you see, Quincy, uh, liked to bitch about stuff).

It's cool to see an obscure show like this pop on Prime. Anyone remember this series?