Addams Family: gothier, mordant, wicked. Gomez/Morticia chemistry and Lurch are big pluses. Plus former child star as freaky Fester.

Munsters: More rock and roll (better theme), goofier. Fred Gwynne actually a very cool and interesting guy (among other things gave Tom Waits the song title for "Yesterday is Here" when they both worked on The Cotton Club). Former movie star Yvonne DeCarlo (who inspired Sondheim's song "I'm Still Here."

Addamses also had Thing, whom I was very fond of, though the movie version is even cooler.

Bless and comfort to the sickies, with extra gentle hairpats to Theo and no hurty-itchy face to msbelle.

And Felicitations to libkitty! I wish you a year ahead of health and good work, friends and time to enjoy yourself!

I am cold and achy today. I think I shall go put on sweats and make some chai.

Jilli will be quite peeved she's missing the Addams v Munsters discussion. She'll probably be asleep for an hour or two more yet as she & Cass closed out the Vampire Ball last night.

Me, I'm just sad I missed the swearing discussion last week.

I like this idea. I'm sure it doesn't have to be that expensive. Someone gimme some. Of course, this idea just looks stupid.

Were those supposed to be the same link, ita?

So which one is the realer deal--Addams Family or The Munsters?

I adored both shows, but I think for "realer deal," Addams Family wins by virtue of the comic. As Scola points out, the show is a crude approximation, but it's a hell of a pedigree.

Still, I loved the Munsters just as much, for the reasons Hec and Theo have pointed out. It had lots to love about it, too.

Hey, when it comes to campy sixties TV sci-fi, I still love Lost in Space, even though it was an unabashed theft of Roddenberry's pitch for Star Trek. He pitched it to CBS before he pitched it to NBC, and the suits at CBS grilled him for hours on his ideas for how to produce a sci-fi TV show on an affordable budget, then showed him the door with a "Don't call us, we'll call you." Shortly after that, Lost in Space came along.

Hey Seany! Wow, I'd never heard that Lost in Space story before. Ah, network bastardry; a fine vintage.

Roddenberry recounted the tale in a book, I believe. MM would probably remember which book. It may have been in Shatner's book about the series years. They all run together after a while.

Hi Pete!

Oh well, at least no one named a space shuttle the Jupiter 2.

You know, somebody should write a crossover where the Jupiter 2 lands on Lost Island....

OMG WHY IS THERE STILL LAUNDRY?

I have washed fifteen squillion loads of laundry this weekend, and am seriously considering packing up and moving the whole family to a nudist colony.