Slightly OT: Home Run Derby on Netflix

by natteringnabob on May 15, 2008 9:01 AM PDT Comment 25 comments

While looking for something else, I noticed that they have several discs worth of the old show "Home Run Derby" available for instant viewing on Netflix. Most Netflix memberships these days include the ability to watch unlimited instant programming. For that matter, you can sign up for a 1 at a time plan for $8 or so that lets you watch as much instant programming as you wish.

For those of you unfamiliar with the program, it was made in the late 1950s. It was filmed in Wrigley Field (the one where the LA Angels and Hollywood Stars played; there's an interesting Wikipedia on it ), and features two contemporary sluggers competing to sock the most dingers. In between "innings", the fellas come back to the dugout and chat with the host, which is the best part of the show.

Netflix lists season one's contestants as Aaron, Mantle, Ernie Banks, Killebrew, Jim Lemon, Ken Boyer, Rocky Colavito, Jackie Jensen (seemingly forgotten in these parts, unfortunately), and Barry Bonds' Godfather.

I first saw it on ESPN classic a few years ago before they changed their programming to infomercials, live college football, and Rachael Ray shows.

Highly recommended and (assuming you're already in Netflix) scot free.

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I was told to get the first season of Torchwood from Netflix but I can add this to my queue as well.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 15, 2008 9:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd recommend Deadwood as well, as long as we're talking wood.

And no, that’s not a penis joke.

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on May 15, 2008 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cowboys cussing a lot? I’m there!

I made a deal with one of my friends: I’d get into Torchwood if she got into Psych. She told me to get on Torchwood because we’re huge slash fiends, and I told her to get on Psych because she’s a big Dule Hill fan. Now we blab about both shows to each other all day. It was a good deal.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 15, 2008 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is Torchwood the new Dr. Who spin-off? If it is, tell me how it is because I’m a big Dr. Who fan.

And everyone should watch Deadwood, ya cocksucker!

Bay City Ball

by xanthan on May 15, 2008 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes it is the spinoff of Dr. Who. It has one of those dudes from the new Dr. Who. I only watched the really old episodes so I don’t know what’s going on with the new stuff.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 15, 2008 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is Mr. Wu the greatest television character of all time?

Yes. Yes he is.

If you like things that are funny, perhaps you will enjoy ChatterBalks Dot Com?

by groug on May 15, 2008 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Swedgen!

Bay City Ball

by xanthan on May 15, 2008 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Torchwood is actually an anagram of Doctor Who.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 15, 2008 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why queue?

Watch now! NOWNOWNOWNOW

It actually works pretty well, assuming you don’t mind watching on your computer.

by natteringnabob on May 15, 2008 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I watch all my DVDs on my computer anyway! I will try this instant thing.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 15, 2008 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember

having to update some drivers/software, maybe a new version of Media Player. It took a bit more jostling to get it going on my wife’s laptop, but once it got going, it worked pretty well (although I get better performance on my wired network connection than she gets on wifi (which just means an occasional pause, no big deal)

by natteringnabob on May 15, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OMG … Torchwood is horrible. :(

I guess if you’re just watching it for eye candy/slash it’s okay but… urgh.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on May 15, 2008 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One ep I saw recently with the time rift thing and the survivors on the island was omg sad. I really liked that one.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 15, 2008 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve heard that Series 2 has been better than Series 1.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on May 15, 2008 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Series 2 ended not too long ago in the States. Only series 1 is available on DVD. :/

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 15, 2008 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve recced it here before, but if you want a truly awesome British drama… watch Life on Mars (and Ashes to Ashes). Sadly, I don’t think it’s been released on DVD in the states yet, but I think the whole things on SurftheChannel.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on May 15, 2008 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

will get

And thanks.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 15, 2008 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey jponry.....

What are your thoughts on the Little Britain Series? Worth a rental?

Adoptive papa to Omar...so basically I'm screwed.

by PacBellBoozer on May 16, 2008 1:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I found Torchwood unwatchable too.

I’m fairly ambivalent about Dr Who. I liked the Tom Baker years and enjoyed the new “season 1” with Christopher Eccleston, but then they switched Doctors and I found other things to do with my time.

Torchwood has all the cheesiness of Dr Who, minus the manic energy, plus sex.

All-Father Watch: 1.21 ERA, 4 saves, 0.99 WHIP, 22 Ks in 22 1/3 IP

by EliminateMe on May 16, 2008 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One minor problem with instant viewing on Netflix

It requires IE.

Boo.

Ruben Rivera: Incompetent oaf, or mad genius?

by Stuttering John Tamargo on May 15, 2008 11:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Damnation. I hate IE.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 15, 2008 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, sorry

I’m enjoying all these dandy “integrated media” things, but one of these days those things will require something other than XP, and…. I just can’t do Vista or whatever the next crapfest will be, and I hate to have to dual-boot to watch a movie.

by natteringnabob on May 15, 2008 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I mean, I don’t use it for my main browser because it’s crappy, but I keep it around for these occasions, plus the other important sites that don’t like Opera. Which I don’t get, because Opera is pretty dang cool.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 15, 2008 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i can never get over

those stupid f*ingwidgets.

so it’s back to firefox for me! I’m way too young to be this crotchety and cantankerous.

BROCK BOND LIKES HIS MARTINIS PUNCHED IN THE FACE, NOT STIRRED.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on May 15, 2008 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I ignore them. Which is strange because like you, I’m a cranky old bitch and I’m not even yet 26 years old and I find reasons to complain about everything. But the dumb little widgets? I ignore them and they don’t bug me. Maybe I’m slipping into senility already.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on May 16, 2008 6:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs