banjo78
Stunt Coordinator
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2011
- Messages
- 58
- Real Name
- CharlieBravo
Hi all,
It's been a long time since I have posted on this topic but hoping maybe we can get some new or updated clarity on the status of this show.
There has been a lot of speculation over the years that this show was lost in the fire of 2008 (or at least broadcast/syndicated masters). The fact that it has not surfaced since then definitely raised questions to support that theory. I do know around 2010 Fabulous Films tried to source masters from Universal but were apparently told by they couldn't source any due to the fire.
There was a poster on here a few years ago (I think banned for his abusive posts) who swore that it had received a digital transfer in 2011 along with Movin' On (which has seen a HD release)
Adding weight to that poster's claims, in 2011 a show called 'American Trucker' on Speed channel had an episode all about the restoration of one of the original truck and trailer combos used in the show. What is very interesting about that episode is there were a number of clips shown in that episode of B.J. and the Bear in at least 2k quality.
I have attached some HD caps (phone screenshots, reduced quality) of the footage that American Trucker licensed from Universal in 2011. (This should dispel the rumour that the negatives or interpositives for BJ and the Bear were lost in Universal's 2008 backlot fire.)
Some are from the opening credits, but the Bear shot can only be from season one and Evigan’s credit shot can only be from season two. There is also a scene from season 3 and the pilot episode 'Foundlings', hence they had to get these from more than one episode.
Either one of these two things are possible, but what’s more likely;
Did they pull 35mm film from multiple episodes to get a few shots for American Trucker? Or had Universal already remastered the entire series in HD by 2011?
There’s no real reason to get Evigan’s credit scene from season 2, there’s no material difference in the type of shot for his credit scene between seasons.
Would love thoughts from people more in the know than me?
It's been a long time since I have posted on this topic but hoping maybe we can get some new or updated clarity on the status of this show.
There has been a lot of speculation over the years that this show was lost in the fire of 2008 (or at least broadcast/syndicated masters). The fact that it has not surfaced since then definitely raised questions to support that theory. I do know around 2010 Fabulous Films tried to source masters from Universal but were apparently told by they couldn't source any due to the fire.
There was a poster on here a few years ago (I think banned for his abusive posts) who swore that it had received a digital transfer in 2011 along with Movin' On (which has seen a HD release)
Adding weight to that poster's claims, in 2011 a show called 'American Trucker' on Speed channel had an episode all about the restoration of one of the original truck and trailer combos used in the show. What is very interesting about that episode is there were a number of clips shown in that episode of B.J. and the Bear in at least 2k quality.
I have attached some HD caps (phone screenshots, reduced quality) of the footage that American Trucker licensed from Universal in 2011. (This should dispel the rumour that the negatives or interpositives for BJ and the Bear were lost in Universal's 2008 backlot fire.)
Some are from the opening credits, but the Bear shot can only be from season one and Evigan’s credit shot can only be from season two. There is also a scene from season 3 and the pilot episode 'Foundlings', hence they had to get these from more than one episode.
Either one of these two things are possible, but what’s more likely;
Did they pull 35mm film from multiple episodes to get a few shots for American Trucker? Or had Universal already remastered the entire series in HD by 2011?
There’s no real reason to get Evigan’s credit scene from season 2, there’s no material difference in the type of shot for his credit scene between seasons.
Would love thoughts from people more in the know than me?
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