Why in the World Was "Superstar Television" in MGM Shutdown?

[DisneyGal126]

I guess I understand the legal issues with the older shows...but why not a least change it and make it current or old ABC shows. Maybe My Wife and Kids or Alias or 8 Simple Rules or the Practice, etc...?

I mean, people love TV and some idolize certain shows and characters. Getting to act in your favorite show would be a lot of people dreams and just pure fun. I just don't see how this kind of attraction COULDN'T be popular.

I agree! I only went into this attraction once when I was about 9 but I remember one of the scenes was a guest and Lucy on the chocolate line. It was so funny!

For those who asked what it was, it was a live show, it had sets from different old black and white TV shows (I Love Lucy is the ony one I remember). A guest member would be choosen ahead of time to play one of the characters. If you watched the stage it was just that person acting by themself. If you watched the TV above that person whould be in the shot with the TV people.
Hope that makes sense. If that isn't correct bare with me because I'm going off a memory from 11 years!!

I agree that it should be reopened!

Jamie

 

[WDWhumanmap]

I agree. With ABC riding high on ratings wave, they should quickly utilize their popular assets. I think ABC Superstar Television with scenes from Desperate Housewives, Lost, Alias, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, All My Children and a mix of classic shows would pack the house. I remember Superstar Television was so great because everyone loved it. I can still hear the laughter in my head.

I agree right back at you. I love Housewives my best friend was actually on the show part time. I would love it if they remade SST with Housewives and all the rest. I think it would be a pretty cool idea that you got here.
I mean it always pack houses in anyway it would be a good idea for a theatre that is just sitting there vacant now. :wave:

 

[Pix E. Dust]

It lasted about 30 minutes. Some of the shows included I Love Lucy, The Golden Girls, Cheers, Empty Nest, Home Improvement, The Late Show with David Letterman, and Gilligan's Island. For more information visit:

http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id68.htm

http://www.solarius.com/dvp/wdw/superstar-tv.htm

 

[Disney Oracle]

I wish they would do SOMETHING with that building. It seems a shame to have such a prominent venue sit empty for so long.

I saw Disney's On the Record in Boston the other night and walked out thinking, "Disney should do an abbreviated version of this show in the old Superstar Television theatre."

 

[Pix E. Dust]

Disney Oracle, what is On the Record?

 

[stitchcastle]

On the Record is a broadway musical which uses Disney songs....It's actually more suited for a theme park than a broadway show, it's the least impressive broadway musical Disney ever made.

 

[BeachClubVillas]

I really loved Superstar Television. It was always funny because, like others have said, it was always different. And it was in the vein of what the Studios are supposed to be like, a working television studio where you learn how they make television. And shows like I Love Lucy and Letterman are still very popular. For that matter, so is the Golden Girls really. And I think it's a great idea to update it with new ABC shows.

It really is sad to see that great building just sitting there

 

[Invero]

I was told by someone who worked the attraction that except for peak times, Superstar Television was always dead, and they had a hard time getting people into the show, nevermind finding the stars.

 

[slappy magoo]

Heh, I got to be Al from Home Improvement once. Apparently, I was so "good" people thought I was a plant. I thought it was fun. The one major complaint I remember people having was, because of the obvious legal rights issues, you couldn't try videotaping people "acting" in it. And of course, Disney couldn't make one either, since a few of the series used in the live show weren't owned by Disney.

 

[askmike1]

I agree. With ABC riding high on ratings wave, they should quickly utilize their popular assets. I think ABC Superstar Television with scenes from Desperate Housewives, Lost, Alias, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, All My Children and a mix of classic shows would pack the house. I remember Superstar Television was so great because everyone loved it. I can still hear the laughter in my head.

Housewives, Lost, and Children aren't really 'family-shows' (although I do love Lost). I'm sure most parents don't let their young children watch Desperate Housewives. Would these shows make for good entertainment in a Superstar attraction, yes. Could I see Disney ever doing this, no. XMHE however could be a good one, as they could do something similar to the HI skit (or maybe a challenge between Ty and the audience member who can annoy the most people with a megaphone).

The attraction I really want to see go in the vacant ABC Theater, however, is a Whose Line is it Anyway? show. I think this would be great (and maybe every year, the real WLiiA cast can come down a do a show).

-Michael

 

[MissM]

I got to be in it back in '89 when I went to MGM right after it's opening. I asked David Letterman to try dropping a watermelon off of a building. *chuckles*

I remember it being a LOT of fun. Seems the general concenscious for anyone who got to go that they had a good time. It was a unique thing to do. Universal had an Alfred Hitchcock one where they restaged famous scenes with volunteers but that's long gone now too.

People always seemed to like it and I think if they just updated the shows, it'd work. (But with something less slutty then Desperate Housewives of course. :animwink People enjoy being part of the show or at least watching someone they know be part of it.
-m

 

[PacMan2006]

Housewives, Lost, and Children aren't really 'family-shows' (although I do love Lost). I'm sure most parents don't let their young children watch Desperate Housewives. Would these shows make for good entertainment in a Superstar attraction, yes. Could I see Disney ever doing this, no. XMHE however could be a good one, as they could do something similar to the HI skit (or maybe a challenge between Ty and the audience member who can annoy the most people with a megaphone).

The attraction I really want to see go in the vacant ABC Theater, however, is a Whose Line is it Anyway? show. I think this would be great (and maybe every year, the real WLiiA cast can come down a do a show).

-Michael

See, I think you are a little wrong here. While you aren't going to have guests reenact a ______ scene between Gabrielle and her gardener, you could still use a show like Desperate Housewives...maybe it's just a funny situation between Susan and Mike talking...Or someone sneaking around a house looking for stuff...it doesn't have to be explicit.

 

[askmike1]

See, I think you are a little wrong here. While you aren't going to have guests reenact a ______ scene between Gabrielle and her gardener, you could still use a show like Desperate Housewives...maybe it's just a funny situation between Susan and Mike talking...Or someone sneaking around a house looking for stuff...it doesn't have to be explicit.

They could do a DH section, but it would probably be difficult to come up with something good. I mean if they did, it wouldn't be able to have the murder theme or s_x theme (which makes up most of the show). As for Lost, I'd rather see a full mini-land of this show on Discovery Island. The location would be isolated so only those who wished to go to it would see it. Also, they can make this a seperate thing you have to pay for and everyone spends one night there solving a mystery (or just being scared beyond all reason). For Superstar though, I'd rather see comedies (Drew Carey Show, George Lopez, etc.) and classics (Happy Days, All in the Family, etc.)

-Michael

 

[jmuboy]

It really bothers me that prime real estate like this building isn't being used. SuperStar TV would be a perfect show to bring back to MGM. It's rather inexpensive PLUS the shows used can/could be rotated out to advertise all of ABC's biggest shows. They could have Lost, Desperate Housewives, Good Morning America, ESPN Sports Center, maybe even bring back the I love Lucy Chocolate Factory scene for good measure.

 

[NADisney]

Superstar limo was not that bad of a ride, just bad location ..but since it is now being turned into a Monster Inc attraction ,DCA might bring in the crowds much better.

As for Superstar TV ,it was a fabulous show.

I Love Lucy, the Golden Girls, Gilligians Island, The Jay Leno Show (not David Letterman), Howrd Costel interview with a kid playing a baseball player,Home Improvement, ABC News reporter on opening day of Disneyland, Howdy DooDy Time,Ed Sullivan and the Supremes,All My Children.

Those that got to go onstage was able to buy a copy of the show after the show was over .

 

[MissM]

... The Jay Leno Show (not David Letterman)

Nope. I did a David Letterman one. I've always been a Letterman fan and I distinctly remember that it was a silly skit where he was tossing objects off of buildings. It was like Hey Dave! How about a watermelon?! And they cut to a clip of a watermelon going off a building.

My mom did one where she was in a choir or something; I don't remember. But mine was definately David Letterman.
-m

 

[spectropluto]

ABC Theatre

I always thought they should do a "Schoolhouse Rock" style show!
(I mean, Disney DOES own the rights to the series)

But I am also a realist that while parents might go for this; if a kid sees the word "school" on their vacation, they might start screaming!

Think of all the SHR things they could sell outside! Magnets, keychains, books, DVDs, CDs....
Any thoughts?
*T

 

[Woody13]

As for Superstar TV ,it was a fabulous show.

I Love Lucy, the Golden Girls, Gilligians Island, The Jay Leno Show (not David Letterman), Howrd Costel interview with a kid playing a baseball player,Home Improvement, ABC News reporter on opening day of Disneyland, Howdy DooDy Time,Ed Sullivan and the Supremes,All My Children.

Those that got to go onstage was able to buy a copy of the show after the show was over .

That's a rather accurate description of the attraction. I saw the show once. It bored me. It was a total waste of time. Who (in their right mind) would desire to watch such junk?

 

[Ned Brainard]

I did this back in 1990! I got to play the Skipper from Gilligan's Island. I was 10 and got to beat the crud out of another kid with my hat! I still have the video of it somewhere. It was too funny.

 

[PacMan2006]

I believe guests could also appear in a show like Bonaza...