The Contest -- original version vs syndicated version

Last night I watched my copies of The Contest, as it aired in its original season, and The Contest, as it aired recently in syndication.

The original version had stand-up at the beginning and the end. The syndicated version had no stand-up at all. Some of the very first dialog may have been snipped too -- but I have to go back and watch the opening scenes one more time to verify that.

I don't know whether the opening and closing stand-up was cut by the local Dallas station or just cut out for syndication forever. Did anyone else tape it in syndication recently? If so, does yours have the stand-up?

debbie

In article , [email] wrote:

Your not obsessed with the show or anything, huh? Open a window, woman. Let a little fresh air in.

[email] (djk) wrote:

Why are you harrassing me again. I don't recall doing anything that should have upset you recently. You're the one who proudly announced to the newsgroup recently what my posting record was for the past 6 months -- as if that was significant. For your information, I offered to provide another Seinfeld fan with a copy of the original version, so I watched the episose as I taped it for her. There has been quite a bit of discussion in the newsgroup about syndicated episodes being cut. So, since I had the original version fresh in my mind, I thought I would check the syndicated version. What is your problem with that? What exactly have I done to piss you off? I'll tell you what. I will never post a reply to anything you post -- and I don't think I have done that since the last time you blasted me -- if you will promise to not to post anything to me or about me ever again.

[email] (debbie) wrote:

Personally, I found that post more entertaining than the on-going sagas about who is or is not Jewish, and amazingly long threads about what subset of humanity the show is bashing this week.

Actually, your post was a breath of fresh air. ;-)

[email] (debbie) wrote:

I have a copy of the syndicated version..But I recorded it here in Dallas..I don't remember any stand up.. I'll check.. But I really doubt it..

First-run episodes get a lot more money for commercial time than do syndicated episodes or reruns. So reruns tend to have a lot cut out. If you notice, the first run shows on any series contains the full opening song and credits. Reruns just play a little bit.

In reruns you'll also notice some scenes sped-up to fit. Or they'll cut out meaningless scenes completely. For example if the original episode shows a character walking across the room for 1 second, they may take it out and save the second.

See? Even television is playing mindgames with us!