Five Movie Blocks You Forgot

 

TBS has bought back the classic 90's TV Series Dinner And A Movie, releasing June 1st with husband and wife duo Jason Biggs and Jenny Mollen hosting. For those unfamiliar the series is basically a movie is played with segments intercut with commercial breaks featuring commentary from the hosts on the film being played. The original series, the hosts would provide recipes on dishes which often were puns related to the film playing. 

I'm not sure if the same recipe format will be followed, and some may scoff at the idea of reviving the series in today's world. However, I for one believe there still is a place for these type of programs and will check it out. So it got me thinking about similar programs that you probably forgot about. Here are five movie entertainment programs, you may have tuned into at one time and don't remember.

5. Casino Cinema

In the early 2000's country themed network The Nashville Network (TNN), morphed into The National Network before finally settling on Spike TV. In 2004 the network debuted Casino Cinema featuring Beth Ostrosky Stern and Steve Schirripa famously known as Bobby Baccaleri on The Sopranos. In between commercial breaks, the hosts and sometimes guests guests would engage in a different gambling game showing the audience how to play. The set is made to resemble a small casino and the vibe was very adult themed but clean enough and fun. The series lasted until 2007.

4. Monstervision

Horror TV icon Joe Bob Briggs debuted a series on TNT in 1991 with MonsterVision. In which the series would often play classic horror films, before mixing in middle of the road and b-movie films which were not always horror films. Joe Bob would often provide his off the cuff commentarycommentary on the film playing, including if he hated the film. The series lasted until 2000, and Joe Bob's commentary put's in a class of it's own.

3. Joe Bob's Drive In Theater

Before hosting Monstervision, Joe Bob had his own show on premium B level cable network  The Movie Channel. Starting in 1986, it was essentially the same format as his TNT program watched a program or two during his allotted time and offer his commentary on the film. In this case since The Movie Channel is a premium channel, his commentary was often before the movie setting up the film and after giving his stamp of approval or hatred. He hosted this show alongside Monstervision, until Drive-In Theater ended in 1996. Joe Bob currently has a similar program on streaming service Shudder The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs.

2. The Movie Lounge

A spin-off of Dinner And A Movie, Movie Lounge I'll admit I vaguely remember and not even sure if I sat down and watched it before. It starred actor Kent Osborne and the set was that of an actual lounge, to help round out the cast were talking puppets and a mascot for the program. The series debuted in 1998 and while the format was slightly different than it's companion show. Audience members found them too similar and it was not as well received. In case you need a memory refresh, here's a promo for the series.  

1. Saturday Nightmares

Many remember USA Up All Night, the late Saturday Night programming block hosted by Rhonda Shears. Many however, do not remember USA Saturday Nightmares, likely because there was not a host associated with the program it was just a TV block. Debuting in 1984 and running until 1994, the series had it's own intro to let audience know what they were in for. Which mainly were B-level horror films with the occasional mainstream horror film thrown in. Very simple and to the point, which has made it forgettable these years later.