Route 66

This was a sequel to the 1960s TV series, not a remake. I watched the first episode of the 1993 series, and in it, the main character discovers who his real father is--the character played by George Maharis in the original series, that he died, and left him with everything he's got. He had a lot of debt, so all that was left to the son was what was in the garage of his house. They actually used photos of George Maharis as the son looked at pictures of the father he never knew and of course he left him his 1960's red Corvette.

I remember the series from the sixties, mainly my parents watching it--I was nine when it went off the air.

Always liked the Nelson Riddle theme song, much better than the "Get Your Kicks" Route 66 song.

In this sequel to the classic show, James Wilder plays Nick Lewis, the illegitimate son of Buz Murdock, who was played by George Maharis in the original series. He never knew his now deceased father but inherited a few old record albums, some photos and a perfectly preserved 1961 red and white Corvette convertible. He picks up Arthur Clark, a loud-mouthed hitchhiker (Dan Cortese) and their journey into escapism begins. On June 3, 1993, Cortese and Wilder served as emcees for "Route 66 Day" in Santa Monica, California, organized to kick off the series and also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Corvette. They presented Mayor Judy Abdo with a bronze plaque on behalf of NBC and Columbia Pictures Television saluting the city for its participation in "Route 66 Day" and the city's historic position near the end of the famous highway. Harley Peyton, executive producer and writer of the new series, said the idea for the show simply came from his desire to do a road show. He said he knew that such a show would be a rip-off of the early 60s series, so he just concluded he might as well do a new Route 66. But I personally think he should have used an original title like "The Highway" or whatever. I think he was probably capitalizing on the name of the original series to give it a shot in the arm. Hey, at least he didn't use the original theme song. The music for the new show was by the very capable Warren Zevon. I was a big fan of the original Route 66, and to be completely fair, instead of scoffing at the idea of a sequel, I welcomed it. Most Generation-Xers had probably never seen or heard of the original series and it could have been a great modern day adventure of a couple of guys travelling the highways and byways, meeting new people and experiencing life. But with just four episodes, it just didn't get the chance to completely develop the characters or stories. Part of what made the original series such a hit was the scenery. All four episodes of the remake were filmed in beautiful California, but not enough scenery was shown.

Actually, I remember previews of this show and I swear I saw it once, but that's about it. Actually, the original ran from 1960-1964, and they changed cars as the model years changed. But in this show, they were driving a 61.

This remake was doomed, IMHO, from day one simply because it was wrong. If anyone remembers the last episode of the original Route 66, they remember that Linc let Tod take the car (which was actually his to start with.) But in this show, somehow Buzz got ahold of it (how I don't know) and gave the car to this son he didn't know. Maybe I'm crazy, but that doesn't make any sense. Besides, it's hard to match the charm Milner and Maharis (and don't forget Glenn Corbett) gave the show.

You start off with "the original series ran in the 60's or the early 70's." The original series ran from 1960 to 1964. Why you would take the time to post a comment on a show that you apparently really know nothing about the heritage, I guess, is part of the new age of people with too much to say about things they have no knowledge of. Yes, for those who loved the original series, the remake was weak and badly cast. But it seems like you never saw the original and are just simply evaluating the newer version with some blind eye to what it was based upon. But then again, I see your comment was posted 8 years ago and is the leading comment for this forgettable remake. I stumbled upon this by mistake, and just had to put my two cents in. I am currently re-watching season two on DVD of the original route 66 series and just enthralled with how good it was. They do not make shows like this anymore. The writing, the acting, the show in total is one of the greatest under rated American shows of all time. It is a shame that someone like yourself, posted a comment on the weak remake of it, and clearly has not point of reference to what they are talking about. Make fun of the remake if you want, but at the least, please go back and do your home work on what this failure was trying to replicate. The original was a masterpiece.

The original Route 66 with Tod and Buz/Linc was absolutely wonderful and great! Each week bringing its viewers to a different actual location instead of some Hollywood 'set'. Engrossed in people's lives, always the 'good guys', you just couldn't help but fall in love with Tod, Buz and Linc. Back in the day when blue collar jobs were plentiful, wages were decent and cost of living was reasonable.

This show however, was a horrible attempt to re-create what the original series offered. Black and white shows were the best - back when writers knew how to actually write and audiences appreciated an intelligent show. These days TV seems to be made for morons or people who think it's fun to watch other people insult one another. That's why I prefer to check out old TV series from the local County Library or watch them on Netflix. I'll never pay for cable TV.

The Corvette in the original series was inherited by Tod from his dad (the only thing he left him as he died penniless) which is stated in the first Episode of Season one - a wonderful episode if you can find it. Likewise, Tod did most of the driving. The Sports Car never belonged to Buz (or Linc) so he could not have willed it to anyone - that's a fail right there. Buz would not have abandoned a son since he himself had grown up in an orphanage. It was never stated the car was Red - in fact in interviews with Milner, Maharis and Silliphant (the original writer) they stated the car was blue and sometimes green. The car did change with the latest models.

Going even further - some may think Route 66 was fashioned after "On The Road" by Jack Kerouac, whom Buz and Linc resembled a bit. I however, think that Milner was the better actor and was overlooked time and time again for his abilities - just because he didn't have dark hair and a pretty boy face - although he was very tall and handsome! Milner had a big part in "Valley of the Dolls" and later went to to star in Adam12. He is now 80 years old and looks it. If you look hard enough, I'm sure you can find an episode of the original series that was filmed in your state or possibly your home town! That's one of the wonderful things that was so great about the original series - they actually filmed on location!