Struck by Lightning (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Struck by Lightning was a 1979
American
television sitcom about Frankenstein's monster
, which aired on CBS
.
Like Working Stiffs
, another 1979 CBS sitcom, this show was canceled after only three episodes were aired in the United States, although all completed episodes did end up being shown in England
on ITV
in 1980.
) is a science teacher who inherits a spooky old New England
inn inhabited by its hulking, good-naturedly homicidal caretaker Frank (Jack Elam
). It turns out that Ted is the descendant of the original Dr. Frankenstein
and Frank is the Monster who needs a special serum every 50 years to stay alive, and he wants Ted to recreate it for him ("If you don't, I'll die," he explains, "Let me put it another way, if you don't, you'll die"). Ted agrees to stay and continue his ancestor's experiments while keeping Frank's identity a secret.
The premise is similar to that of the 1974 movie Young Frankenstein
.
that he accepted the role of Frank after being told by the producers that he would not have to wear monster make-up because his naturally gnarled and bulgy-eyed appearance was already perfect for the part.
.
1979 in television
The year 1979 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1979.For the American TV schedule, see: 1979-80 American network television schedule.-Events:...
American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television sitcom about Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster is a fictional character that first appeared in Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. The creature is often erroneously referred to as "Frankenstein", but in the novel the creature has no name...
, which aired on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
.
Like Working Stiffs
Working Stiffs (TV series)
Working Stiffs is a short-lived 1979 television series which starred James Belushi and Michael Keaton as brothers Ernie and Mike O'Rourke. The pair were janitors who aspired to work their way up in the field of business. The brothers worked in an office building owned by their Uncle Harry...
, another 1979 CBS sitcom, this show was canceled after only three episodes were aired in the United States, although all completed episodes did end up being shown in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in 1980.
Premise
Ted Stein (Jeffrey KramerJeffrey Kramer
Jeffrey Kramer is an American film and television actor and film producer.-Life and career:Kramer was born in New York City and grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, graduating from Teaneck High School with the Class of 1963. He made his first appearance on the TV series Barney Miller starring in the...
) is a science teacher who inherits a spooky old New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
inn inhabited by its hulking, good-naturedly homicidal caretaker Frank (Jack Elam
Jack Elam
William Scott "Jack" Elam was an American film actor best known for his numerous roles as villains in Western films and, later in his career, comedies .-Early life:...
). It turns out that Ted is the descendant of the original Dr. Frankenstein
Victor Frankenstein
Victor Frankenstein was born in Napoli, is a Swiss fictional character and the protagonist of the 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, written by Mary Shelley...
and Frank is the Monster who needs a special serum every 50 years to stay alive, and he wants Ted to recreate it for him ("If you don't, I'll die," he explains, "Let me put it another way, if you don't, you'll die"). Ted agrees to stay and continue his ancestor's experiments while keeping Frank's identity a secret.
The premise is similar to that of the 1974 movie Young Frankenstein
Young Frankenstein
Young Frankenstein is a 1974 American comedy film directed by Mel Brooks and starring Gene Wilder as the title character, a descendant of the infamous Dr. Victor Frankenstein. The supporting cast includes Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars, Richard...
.
Episode list
Eleven episodes were made, but only the first three were aired in America.| № | Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Struck by Lightning" | |
| 2 | "Toot Toot Tutor Goodbye" | |
| 3 | "The Movie" | |
| 4 | "Frank Meets the Press" | -- |
| 5 | "Happy Birthday Frank" | -- |
| 6 | "The Main Event" | -- |
| 7 | "Frank the Crank" | -- |
| 8 | "Rich Frank, Poor Frank" | -- |
| 9 | "Looking Out for Number 2" | -- |
| 10 | "Frank the VIIIth" | -- |
| 11 | "My Mystery Guest" | -- |
Trivia
Elam claimed in an interview in VarietyVariety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
that he accepted the role of Frank after being told by the producers that he would not have to wear monster make-up because his naturally gnarled and bulgy-eyed appearance was already perfect for the part.
Availability
As of this writing, Struck by Lightning has not been released on home videoHome video
Home video is a blanket term used for pre-recorded media that is either sold or rented/hired for home cinema entertainment. The term originates from the VHS/Betamax era but has carried over into current optical disc formats like DVD and Blu-ray Disc and, to a lesser extent, into methods of digital...
.