The Munsters Today is an American sitcom and a revival of the original 1964–66 sitcom The Munsters that aired in syndication from October 8, 1988, to May 25, 1991.[2][3]
Plot
The series concerns the day-to-day life of a family of benign monsters, with married couple Herman Munster and vampire Lily Munster. Lily's Father Grandpa, who is also a vampire, lives with the family. Herman and Lily have a son named Eddie, who is a werewolf, and their niece, Marilyn, whom the family deems as strange, but is the only “normal” member of the family, also lives with them.
This sequel series starts with Grandpa creating "Sleeping Chambers," coffins which make the user fall asleep for a selected amount of time, and insisting the entire family try them out. After Grandpa sets the dial for 30 minutes and shuts the door, a flash of light and a falling beam change the dial to "Forever." 22 years later, a man named Mr. Prescott and his assistant explore the Munsters' house with plans to turn it into a parking lot when they unknowingly awaken the Munsters from their Sleeping Chambers. Finding themselves in the 1980s, the Munsters work to adjust themselves to the current time period.
This color revival of The Munsters starred John Schuck (Herman), Lee Meriwether (Lily), Howard Morton (Grandpa), Hilary Van Dyke (Marilyn) and Jason Marsden (Eddie), and broadcast 72 episodes from October 8, 1988, to May 25, 1991, giving it more first-run episodes than the original series. The pilot explained the 22-year gap following the original series by showing the family as they were in 1966. They were testing out a machine that Grandpa had created. The machine allows someone to sleep for ages without aging. But then an accident took place; the family then proceeds to sleep for years, only to wake up in 1988.[4]
Series pilot: Grandpa creates "Sleeping Chambers," coffins which make the user fall asleep for a selected amount of time, and insists the entire family try them out. After Grandpa sets the dial for 30 minutes and shuts the door, a flash of light and a falling beam change the dial to "Forever." Twenty-two years later, a developer named Mr. Preston (Dave Madden) and his assistant want to buy the Munsters' home and turn it into a parking lot. While Mr. Preston and his assistant are exploring the house, down in Grandpa's lab, the assistant gets tangled in spider webs and knocks the dial to "off." The Munster family awakens to the world of 1988 and have to figure out a way to buy back their own house which is being foreclosed upon due to 22 years of missed taxed payments and fines.
Herman decides to enter a baking contest, using an old family recipe. Too bad there was an ingredient Grandpa forgot...
2
2
"A Little Russian Dressing"
Dick Harwood
Hope Juber & Lloyd J. Schwartz
October 15, 1988 (1988-10-15)
Grandpa won three wishes from the Transylvania Idiots Clearing Sweepstakes, but what he really wanted was a Bacon Lettuce Tarantula sandwich .
3
3
"Flyweight Champion of the World"
Bob Claver
Bryan Joseph
October 22, 1988 (1988-10-22)
After being bullied, Grandpa mixes Eddie a strong-man formula that inflates Eddie's ego as well as his muscles.
4
4
"Magna Cum Munsters"
Bob Claver
Ann Gibbs & Joel Kimmel
October 29, 1988 (1988-10-29)
After feeling useless for not being asked questions in his home, Herman takes night school for Eddie to ask him questions, which leads him to the fourth grade: in Eddie's class.
5
5
"Designing Munsters"
Peter Isacksen
Bill Rosenthal & Noah Taft
November 5, 1988 (1988-11-05)
Lily becomes interested in the world of fashion, and she leaves all the housework and the cooking to Herman and Grandpa.
Grandpa is in big trouble when the family finds out he forgot to get a green-card when he came to the country. After Herman breaks him out, only an invisibility potion can save them.
Stock that Herman bought many years ago has accumulated so much that he holds a position in the business. However, he debates keeping the job when it conflicts with Eddie and Father/Son Day.
8
8
"Herman the Astronaut"
Doug Rogers
Danny Morris
November 26, 1988 (1988-11-26)
Herman likes the idea that he’s the first astronaut to go to the planet Venus. The bad news is Lily and Grandpa aren’t as thrilled as he is.
9
9
"Rock Fever"
Peter Isacksen
Ted Bergman & Kathy Joseph
December 3, 1988 (1988-12-03)
One of Marilyn’s favorite bands, The Lizards turned into real lizards on the day before their live Tv debut . Meanwhile, Lily thinks Herman must’ve forgot their anniversary.
10
10
"Professor Grandpa"
Lee Lochhead
William Cyr
December 10, 1988 (1988-12-10)
After Grandpa’s hair tonic destroyed the Munster Manor, he takes a job as a chemistry professor.
11
11
"Say Ah!"
Doug Rogers
Bryan Joseph
December 17, 1988 (1988-12-17)
The doctor was more concerned about Herman’s weight than Eddie’s sore throat.
12
12
"A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Cereal"
Peter Isacksen
Steven Baum & Neil Alan Levy
December 28, 1988 (1988-12-28)
After saving a kid, Herman becomes a hero. When a cereal company offers him a deal, he accepts. But once he finds out the cereal is a flop, will he keep on endorsing it?
13
13
"Computer Mating"
Lee Lochhead
Hope Juber & Kim Mortensen
February 4, 1989 (1989-02-04)
Grandpa gets a new girlfriend after feeling lonely. But after finding out his girlfriend has buried a large amount of husbands, Herman and Lily fear for Grandpa's life.
The Munsters open their house as a bed and breakfast to bring in some extra cash.
15
15
"One Flu Over the Munsters' Nest"
Lee Lochhead
Ann Gibbs
February 18, 1989 (1989-02-18)
Marilyn has to choose between her friends or her family.
16
16
"Green Eyed Munsters"
Peter Isacksen
Bill Rosenthal & Noah Taft
February 25, 1989 (1989-02-25)
Herman gets jealous when Lily's teacher takes up too much of her time. Will he win her back?
17
17
"The Not So Great Escape"
Bob Claver
Michael Davidoff
March 4, 1989 (1989-03-04)
Grandpa decided to enter the Houdini Classic Open, and he has two realistic problems: No one likes his magic tricks, and Lily and Herman want him to find a new hobby.
18
18
"Two Left Feet"
Peter Isacksen
Ann Gibbs & Joel Kimmel
March 11, 1989 (1989-03-11)
Marilyn’s dream date with her crush was cancelled right after his family became petrified of the Munsters.
Marilyn gets to make a movie for a project, while the family debates what type of film she should do. Meanwhile, Eddie is doing poor in school, causing panic for the teacher when it turns out that a parent-teacher conference is in order.
20
20
"Neighborly Munsters"
Norman Abbott
Bill Rosenthal & Noah Taft
May 6, 1989 (1989-05-06)
With new neighbors next door, everyone tries to make a good impression, while the wife tries to do everything to get a fancy pool in her yard (which would dig into the Munsters') except talk with them.
21
21
"Munster Hoopsters"
Lee Lochhead
Marc Brown
May 13, 1989 (1989-05-13)
Eddie wants to take up basketball, so that Herman can brag about him. There's only one problem: he cannot sink a shot!
22
22
"Don't Cry Wolfman"
Peter Isacksen
Lloyd J. Schwartz
May 20, 1989 (1989-05-20)
When two burglars hid the fortune in the Munster house, they were asleep. Now that they are awake, they devise a plan: one would pretend to be one of them. Unfortunately, he comes to like the Munsters' ways and even saves them. In the end, the "wolfman" burglar and the Munsters all vote to return the money.
23
23
"The Howling"
Peter Isacksen
Bob Hilgenberg & Billy Riback
May 27, 1989 (1989-05-27)
When Eddie's howling voice keeps him out of the glee club, Grandpa devises a wacky solution.
24
24
"Eau de Munster"
Peter Isacksen
Bryan Joseph
June 3, 1989 (1989-06-03)
When the town wants to demolish Munster Moore for a museum, Herman tries to put a stop to it. There's only one problem: Grandpa accidentally got him with a love potion, which takes effect on the woman running the idea.
Season 2 (1989–90)
No. overall
No. in season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
1
1
"Threehundredsomething"
Bonnie Franklin
Allan Burns, Ed Haas & Chris Hayward
October 7, 1989 (1989-10-07)
Lily attempts to put some romance back into her marriage, but it just leads to a fight with Herman.
2
2
"There’s No Place Like Home"
Lee Lochhead
Allan Burns, Leslie Eberhard & Ed Haas
October 14, 1989 (1989-10-14)
Herman and Lily embrace modern living when storm damage forces them to move into an upscale apartment complex.
3
3
"Raging Hormones"
Scott Redman
Allan Burns, Ed Haas & Chris Hayward
October 21, 1988 (1988-10-21)
Eddie decides to adopt a new look as he struggles with being a teenaged werewolf.
4
4
"Murder in Munsterland"
Bob Claver
Allan Burns, Ed Haas & Chris Hayward
October 28, 1989 (1989-10-28)
Losing their invitation causes the neighbors to believe a murder party at the Munsters' is an actual murder.
5
5
"The Trial"
Bonnie Franklin
Allan Burns, Ed Haas & Chris Hayward
November 4, 1989 (1989-11-04)
Herman ends up in court after saving a choking man’s life.
6
6
"It’s A Wonderful Afterlife"
Bruce Bilson
Allan Burns, Michael Davidoff & Ed Haas
November 11, 1989 (1989-11-11)
Grandpa shows Herman what life would have been like if he was never built.
7
7
"The Eyes Have It"
Scott Redman
Allan Burns, Mark Cassutt & Ed Haas
November 18, 1989 (1989-11-18)
Grandpa shows Eddie how to use the “evil eye” to deal with a bully, but it working ends up causing Eddie’s ego to go out of control.
8
8
"It’s a Sad, Sad World"
Bonnie Franklin
Allan Burns, Ed Haas & Chris Hayward
November 25, 1989 (1989-11-25)
Misfortune causes Herman’s downer of a co-worker to move in with them.
9
9
"The Melting Pot"
Bonnie Franklin
Andrew Borakove, Allan Burns & Ed Haas
December 2, 1989 (1989-12-02)
A bored Grandpa ends up gambling with more than his soul when he plays with the Devil.
10
10
"Once in a Blue Moon"
Bonnie Franklin
Allan Burns, Ed Haas & Chris Hayward
December 9, 1989 (1989-12-09)
Grandpa’s favorite ex-wife returns to make amends.
11
11
"Drac the Ripper"
Peter Isacksen
Allan Burns, Ed Haas & Chris Hayward
December 16, 1989 (1989-12-16)
When murders occur during Grandpa’s absences, Herman suspects he’s the culprit and reports him to the police.
12
12
"Gateman and Son"
Bonnie Franklin
Allan Burns, Ed Haas & Chris Hayward
January 27, 1990 (1990-01-27)
Chaos ensues when Herman lets his boss’ son stay with the family.
13
13
"Reunion"
Scott Redman
Allan Burns, Lisa DeBenedicts & Leslie Eberhard
February 3, 1990 (1990-02-03)
A wedding leads to a family reunion—which includes Herman’s hated brother Frank.
14
14
"Pants on Fire"
Peter Isacksen
Andrew Borakove, Allan Burns & Ed Haas
February 10, 1990 (1990-02-10)
The family tells lie on top of lie to get out of helping Lily clean the house.
15
15
"Munstergest"
Lee Lochhead
Allan Burns, Ed Haas & Chris Hayward
February 17, 1990 (1990-02-17)
Grandpa’s device to get Eddie to stop watching TV ends up zapping him into it and becoming part of the family of his dreams.
16
16
"Never Say Die"
Bonnie Franklin
Allan Burns, Michael Davidoff & Ed Haas
February 24, 1990 (1990-02-24)
A group of poodles attacks Grandpa’s pet skeleton.
17
17
"It’s A Baby"
Scott Redman
Allan Burns, David Carren & J. Larry Carroll
March 3, 1990 (1990-03-03)
Herman and Grandpa reminisce about the day Eddie was born when they think Spot is pregnant.
18
18
"Tell 'Em Herman Sent You"
Bonnie Franklin
Allan Burns, Ed Haas & Chris Hayward
April 28, 1990 (1990-04-28)
A fight with his boss leads to Herman decide to open his own funeral parlor.
19
19
"Thicker Than Water"
Lee Lochhead
Andrew Borakove, Allan Burns & Michael Davidoff
May 5, 1990 (1990-05-05)
Grandpa threatens to rat out a fellow vampire that writes a novel that goes against the vampire code.
20
20
"Misadventures in Time"
Bonnie Franklin
Allan Burns, Ed Haas & Carol Hatfield
May 12, 1990 (1990-05-12)
Herman and Grandpa end up in a future only inhabited by children.
21
21
"Will the Real Herman Munster Please Stand Up?"
Bonnie Franklin
Donna Blinder, Allan Burns & Laura Glendinning
May 19, 1990 (1990-05-19)
Lily and Grandpa call on one of Dr. Frankenstein’s descendants to find out why Herman’s been acting strangely.
22
22
"Deadlock"
Lee Lochhead
Allan Burns, Ed Haas & Chris Hayward
May 26, 1990 (1990-05-26)
Herman must convince his fellow jurors that his verdict is the right one when he and Grandpa get jury duty.
23
23
"Take This Job and Shovel It"
Lee Lochhead
Allan Burns, Ed Haas & Chris Hayward
June 2, 1990 (1990-06-02)
Herman becomes a TV addict when the gravediggers go on strike, and Grandpa ends up taking a job as a shoe salesman.
24
24
"That’s Gratitude"
Bonnie Franklin
Allan Burns, Michael Davidoff & Ed Haas
June 9, 1990 (1990-06-09)
The family must keep Herman from being taken advantage of by a grieving widow.
Season 3 (1990–91)
The Silver Bullet
Reception
The series lasted three seasons in syndication, and proved popular with international audiences. The show premiered in the United Kingdom on Saturday, January 6th 1990 on selected regions of ITV, continuing on the channel until June 1996.
In the United States, reruns aired on digital subchannel Retro Television Network from August 2008 until their distribution agreement with NBCUniversal expired in June 2011.
