According to Variety, ABC is planning to revive Battle of the Network Stars. The original program, which ran from 1976 to 1985, showcased the talent of three networks in an amateur Olympic competition. So now imagine an actor from Chicago Med swimming against an actor from Quantico. Or an actress from Conviction running against an actress from NCIS: New Orleans.
You’re having problems imagining this, aren’t you?
That's because of the proliferation of channels over the last 30 years—we simply have fewer shows in common to discuss. For example:
Have you seen the latest episode of The Walking Dead?
No, I was watching The Man in the High Castle.
I’ve been meaning to see that but now I’m onto Sneaky Pete.
And how about that last episode of 2 Broke Girls?!
Okay, no one has ever said that last line. But the only way this could succeed is if ABC expanded the competition to include the likes of HBO, Amazon, and Netflix. That, of course, remains highly unlikely (can you imagine those contract negotiations?).
It was a simpler time when the Battle first debuted. Americans were glued to three channels—ABC, NBC, and CBS.
Go ahead and watch the opening of that first episode from 1976 (or watch the whole episode!). The team captains were Telly Savalas (Kojak), Robert Conrad (Baa Baa Black Sheep), and Gabe Kaplan (Welcome Back, Kotter). Teammates included Farrah Fawcett Major, Jimmy Walker, and Adrienne Barbeau. Play-by-play was by, who else, Howard Cosell.
In case you were wondering, Linda Carter really is Wonder Woman:
And the show was still a hit into the 1980s.
Why, here’s Erin Gray of Buck Rogers!
And Michael J. Fox in a dunk-tank!
Battle of the Network Stars is a gem from a time long past. ABC can give it a go, but pitting stars from The Goldbergs against cast members of The Great Indoors probably won’t have the same feel.