Prime Time
FLOOPERS, BLEEP-UPS, AND POUNDERS: The various blooper specials did so well in the ratings that (what a coincidence!) two networks have simultaneously come up with weekly blooper shows. And both of them (less of a coincidence) are pretty awful.
Bill Holdship
HARDLY WATCHING
by Richard C. Walls
FLOOPERS, BLEEP-UPS, AND POUNDERS: The various blooper specials did so well in the ratings that (what a coincidence!) two networks have simultaneously come up with weekly blooper shows. And both of them (less of a coincidence) are pretty awful.
NBC's version is an hour-long effort called TV Bloopers And Practical Jokes, co-hosted by Ed McMahon and Dick Clark, while ABC's is the half-hour Foul-Ups, Bleeps And Blunders, co-hosted by Don Rickies and Steve Lawrence. The gist of these shows is the same, 'cause a blooper is a blooper and you either think they're funny or you dbn't. Myself, I love 'em—what could be funnier than watching some blowndry soap opera jerk trip over his shoelaces or some pompous newscaster forget his Own name? A good blooper is a form of revenge.