Why Are The Previews Edited?

[QuasarVM]

Now, I don't know if NBC did this, but many shows from that time (on ABC at least) had a billboard (still photo with the name of the series on it) come on right after the final fade out with one of the leads saying something like "This is William Shatner; stay tuned for some exciting scenes from next week's episode."

Could that be what you are referring to? Your local UHF station probably ran the 16mm syndication films uncut, and those would have the bumpers and billboards attached. I have a 16mm episode that has mid-episode bumpers and the sponsor cards, but the end credits and previews are missing, so I can't check. But this would make sense, since the previews seem to be unedited aside from that "Next Voyage" clip. The aduio was untouched (except for The Menagerie).

I think what you and judexavier describe is exactly what it was! Thanks for jarring my memory!

Jude -- you saw it on the TWOK DVD?

 

[Ssosmcin]

This is one reason why I would love it if TV shows on DVD would regularly include the extra network bits, like the In Color and "station idenficiation" cards. This was all part of the experience of watching TV then. I understand not having this sort of thing on later 80's syndicated shows though. TNG had the 5 second theme and series title every single commercial, going into it and coming back. THAT is a little annoying. But back before shows were cut down to 43 minutes, there were these lovely 4 and 5 second clips; In Color intros; sponsor intros; station breaks; announces about previews, etc..

What made this stuff an organic part of the show was the fact that they would create artwork or a cool background for these things, and have series related music composed especially for the bits.

And really, what can it hurt to include them? The fans wouldn't mind them, and people who aren't fans won't by the DVDs anyway. The Invaders Region 1 DVDs actually kept the In Color intros and no one complained. It's a reminder and a chronicle of an age long gone.

The best DVD sets for this kind of thing are the Twilight Zone Definitive DVDs. They have all that stuff and even advertise other shows on CBS that week.

Now those would be great for "seamless branching."

 

[QuasarVM]

This is one reason why I would love it if TV shows on DVD would regularly include the extra network bits, like the In Color and "station idenficiation" cards. This was all part of the experience of watching TV then. I understand not having this sort of thing on later 80's syndicated shows though. TNG had the 5 second theme and series title every single commercial, going into it and coming back. THAT is a little annoying. But back before shows were cut down to 43 minutes, there were these lovely 4 and 5 second clips; In Color intros; sponsor intros; station breaks; announces about previews, etc..

What made this stuff an organic part of the show was the fact that they would create artwork or a cool background for these things, and have series related music composed especially for the bits.

And really, what can it hurt to include them? The fans wouldn't mind them, and people who aren't fans won't by the DVDs anyway. The Invaders Region 1 DVDs actually kept the In Color intros and no one complained. It's a reminder and a chronicle of an age long gone.

The best DVD sets for this kind of thing are the Twilight Zone Definitive DVDs. They have all that stuff and even advertise other shows on CBS that week.

Now those would be great for "seamless branching."

I agree, SS! The only reason for not having it on the discs is if it TRULY no longer exists. When DVDs were first on the market, that was one of the selling points -- was that we'd see things like this -- and that the DVDs would be a true archive of the original viewing experience.

But, as the days, months, and years went on they seemed to forget this selling point and just started gouging fans with -- let's face it -- some pretty bare-bones releases.

Now, of course...the longer they wait to release this stuff the less interest there is as these things get lost in the "sands of time" and audiences who never knew the stuff existed to begin with.