The TV Generation--What We Watched Before There Was Cable
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Introduction
I grew up in the 1960's and 1970's. Because we were children at a time when TV was fairly new and because we watched a lot of it, my generation is sometimes referred to as the TV generation. In the same way, today's youth will probably be referred to as the internet generation. Back then we had the three major network TV channels to watch: ABC, CBS, and NBC, and we also had PBS (the Public Broadcasting System or the learning channel it was sometimes called) which no one watched---or so it seemed! For the general population, there was no cable, no dishes, no satellites. TV reception was through a large tower that stood outside of your house. These are some of the shows that I remember watching during that time along with a few thoughts and observations. If you remember watching them too, then you are probably "old" like me.
1
I Love Lucy
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz starred as Lucy and Ricki Ricardo. Fred and Ethel Mertz, their neighbors and landlords, were the other main characters of the show. This was a fun and zany show. Basically, Ricki was a band leader and singer. Lucy spent a lot of time getting into trouble, usually in cahoots with Ethel. Fred played a grumbling but lovable tightwad who was usually in cahoots with Ricki. The plot line often amounted to a battle between the sexes. Someone was always scheming or hatching a plan on this show.
"Oh Lucy, you've got some 'splainin' to do."
"Oh Lucy, you've got some 'splainin' to do."
2
Leave It To Beaver
The story of a happy, idealistic family of the 1950's., the Cleavers. June and Ward, were the parents, and Wally and the Beaver, were their sons. Eddie Haskell and Larry Modello were friends of Wally and the Beaver who often got the Cleaver boys into trouble.
This show inspired the poet in me:
I wanna be
just like Junie C
and find me a Ward to marry.
Have a couple kids
like Wally and the Beav
but not like Larry or Eddie!
This show inspired the poet in me:
I wanna be
just like Junie C
and find me a Ward to marry.
Have a couple kids
like Wally and the Beav
but not like Larry or Eddie!
3
Mister Ed
The story of a smart aleck talking horse who belonged to Wilbur and Carol Post. Neighbors, Roger and Kay Addison, rounded out the cast.
4
Gilligan's Island
"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip
That started from this tropic port
Aboard this tiny ship."
You couldn't have lived during this time and not have at least heard of the peculiar mix of characters that ended up as castaways on a deserted isle after that ill-fated three hour tour.
My husband offers this observation, "When I was a kid, I watched Gilligan's Island and I always thought the Skipper was too heavy. Now when I see the old reruns of the show, I think that Gilligan is too skinny."
A tale of a fateful trip
That started from this tropic port
Aboard this tiny ship."
You couldn't have lived during this time and not have at least heard of the peculiar mix of characters that ended up as castaways on a deserted isle after that ill-fated three hour tour.
My husband offers this observation, "When I was a kid, I watched Gilligan's Island and I always thought the Skipper was too heavy. Now when I see the old reruns of the show, I think that Gilligan is too skinny."
5
Bewitched
The story of a mere mortal (Darrin Stephens) who marries a witch (Samantha Stephens) and the chaos that results. Don't forget the wacky neighbors, Gladys and Abner Kravitz, and troublemaker mother-in-law, Endora.
6
Flipper
Here's a clue--the Dolphin always saves the day.
7
Lassie
The story of a boy and his dog. Of course, in this one, the dog is the one to save the day.
8
Dennis the Menace
Dennis the Menace was a show based on the comic strip by Hank Ketcham. Dennis, the son of Henry and Alice Mitchell, was the source of great aggravation to his neighbor Mr. Wilson, in spite of his well-intentioned actions.
9
Andy Griffith Show
Life in the small town of Mayberry with Sheriff Taylor, Barney the deputy, Aunt Bea, and Opie.
10
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
A spinoff of the Andy Griffith Show in which Gomer, the gas station attendant, enlists in the United States Marine Corp. and Sgt. Vince Carter has the job of turning him into a Marine.
11
Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom
Nature show sponsored by the insurance company, Mutual of Omaha, and hosted by Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler.
12
Dick Van Dyke Show
Dick Van Dyke portrayed Rob Petrie, a writer for a television show. His wife Laura was portrayed by Mary Tyler Moore.
13
Green Acres
Oliver Wendell Douglas heads off to a farm in Hooterville bringing along his city-loving wife, Lisa. They must get used to life on the rustic farm after abandoning their life of luxury.
Theme song lyrics:
Green acres is the place for me.
Farm livin' is the life for me.
Land spreadin' out so far and wide
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.
New York is where I'd rather stay.
I get allergic smelling hay.
I just adore a penthouse view.
Dah-ling I love you but give me Park Avenue.
...The chores.
...The stores.
...Fresh air.
...Times Square
You are my wife.
Good bye, city life.
Green Acres we are there.
Theme song lyrics:
Green acres is the place for me.
Farm livin' is the life for me.
Land spreadin' out so far and wide
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.
New York is where I'd rather stay.
I get allergic smelling hay.
I just adore a penthouse view.
Dah-ling I love you but give me Park Avenue.
...The chores.
...The stores.
...Fresh air.
...Times Square
You are my wife.
Good bye, city life.
Green Acres we are there.
14
I Dream of Jeannie
An astronaut finds a genie (named Jeannie) in a bottle and becomes her master. Lots of magic and smoke and appearances and disappearances and things getting very large and very small or turning into something they are not. Time travel was another staple here.
15
The Monkees
A comedy about a four man rock band. It was patterned after the movie, "A Hard Days Night" starring The Beatles.
"Hey, Hey, we're the Monkees...."
"Hey, Hey, we're the Monkees...."
16
Batman
Batman and Robin, the crime fighting, caped crusaders who fought against evil villains in Gotham City.
17
The Brady Bunch
A stepfamily extraordinaire is showcased on the Brady Bunch. Mike Brady who has three sons marries Carol who has three daughters. Don't forget Alice the housekeeper who holds the blended family together.
18
The Partridge Family
A mother and her five children form a rock band and travel in a brightly painted bus to their concert bookings. Band manager Reuben Kinkaid adds to the mix of characters.
19
The Carol Burnett Show
Musical variety show loaded with zany comedy sketches. Starring Carol Burnett, this show also featured Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, and Lyle Waggoner.
20
Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour
This show combined musical performances and comedy sketches highlighted by on-stage sparring between husband and wife team Sonny and Cher.
21
Happy Days
Happy Days was a fun fifties show centered around Richie Cunningham and his family: Father--Howard, Mother--Marion, and sister---Joanie, as well as, his friends-- Fonzy, Potsie and Ralph.
22
The Waltons
Set in the depression era, this show is about the lives of the John and Olivia Walton family which included seven children and Grandma and Grandpa Walton. This show was based on a real life family, and it told of their triumphs and struggles with mountain life.
23
Little House on the Prairie
This series was based on the books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It was a family drama about life on the prairie.
24
Mary Tyler Moore Show
LIfe in a newsroom is depicted on the situation comedy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The cast of characters included Mary Richards, Lou Grant, Ted Baxter, Murray Slaughter, Sue Ann Nivens, Georgette Baxter, Rhoda Morgenstern, and Phyllis Lindstrom.
25
Bob Newhart Show
Bob Newhart plays Dr. Robert Hartley, a psychologist living in Chicago with his wife Emily, a schoolteacher. Neighbor, Howard Borden, and Dr. Jerry Robinson, an orthodontist that works on the same floor as Bob, as well as, Jerry's receptionist Carol are some of the other regulars.
26
All In The Family
All In The Family was a groundbreaking show that had immediate impact on the entire television industry. This sitcom revolved around blue-collar worker Archie Bunker and his family. Bigoted, opinionated, and uneducated, Archie made no bones about his racial and political views, which were borne out of every negative stereotype imaginable
27
Welcome Back Kotter
Teacher Gabe Kotter returns to his former high school to teach the remedial class to which he once belonged. His students include Vinnie Barbarino, Arnold Horshack, Freddie "Boom-Boom" Washington, and Juan Epstein.
28
Taxi
An ensemble cast of Alex Reiger, Louie De Palma, Elaine O'Connor-Nardo, Tony Banta, Bobby Wheeler, Reverend Jim Ignatowski, and Latka Gravas play out the daily life of a New York City taxi company.
29
M*A*S*H
This series was a medical drama/black comedy that followed a team of doctors and support staff stationed at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in South Korea, during the Korean War.
WOW that was great, Daisy!
How about Laugh-In, Petticoat Junction, Sky King, Ed Sullivan Show, Bonanza, The Virginian, Raw Hide.."Get'em up move 'em out, Rawhide!!" My Three Sons...The Walt Disney Show.
We only got to see one show a night. There were 3 kids. We made sure we picked different ones.
How about Laugh-In, Petticoat Junction, Sky King, Ed Sullivan Show, Bonanza, The Virginian, Raw Hide.."Get'em up move 'em out, Rawhide!!" My Three Sons...The Walt Disney Show.
We only got to see one show a night. There were 3 kids. We made sure we picked different ones.
Great list! Several of these shows are my all-time favorites. I can't tell you how many times I have tried to explain to my kids that I grew up in a time without a remote control (our first one was corded when I was in high school), and that we didn't have 24 hours cartoon shows. We lived for the couple of hours after school when we'd get reruns of sitcomes like Brady Bunch, Andy Griffith, or one of the best shows ever ... Dick Van Dyke.
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