Wednesday, October 18, 2006

What's on the Tube? Forty Years Ago Tonight.

Boy, there has been nothin' on television recently (except for Turner Classic Movies, of course). Aren't we supposed to be in the hot-and-heavy new fall line-up season? Are people really still interested in "Survivor," "Extreme Makeover," and "Dancing with the Stars"? OK. I'll admit I'm somewhat hooked on the weirdly fascinating "Project Runway" which has its finale tonight, but if push came to shove, I could easily live without it.

Anyway, for grins I thought I'd check what was on TV forty years ago - my early high school heyday - to see if things were any better. Remember, folks, there were only three network options.

1966-67 Season, Wednesday Nights
7:30-10pm

ABC: Batman
The Monroes
The Man Who Never Was
Peyton Place

CBS: Lost in Space
The Beverly Hillbillies
Green Acres
Gomer Pyle, USMC

NBC: The Virginian
Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre

Never heard of "The Monroes" or "The Man Who Never Was." I was obviously in the "The Beverly Hillbillies"/"Green Acres" camp. (I'm a little embarrassed about that now, yeah.) But I'll stand up straight and tall for "Batman" and "Peyton Place" (though I'm sure I had to sneak upstairs to watch the notoriously steamy PP). In fact, I'd kinda like to watch re-runs of "Peyton Place" - really young Mia Farrow, Ryan O'Neal, Barbara Parkins (what ever happened to her?), Christopher Connelly.

Still, the schedule looks better than tonight's (with 2000 channels). Thanks for the list, Wikipedia.

6 comments:

Joy Des Jardins said...

Out of your 66-67 lineup there Mary...all I really watched faithfully was Peyton Place...oh that Ryan O'Neal and skinny minny Mia. I probably watched some Batman too now that I think about it. Maybe I just never watched that much TV back then...that was the year after I graduated from H.S....and out in the big world working.

Elsie said...

I was only 5 during that great tv season. I remember all the CBS shows, so those must have been the only ones I was allowed to watch. And, when Bob's out on the lawn mower, I can't help but whistle the Green Acres tune.

For this year's season, I'll admit to watching "Men in Trees." It's only been on a few times, but I've been thoroughly enjoying it. It's a girly-girl show. I could also easily live without it, if only I had a social life and got out of the house on Friday nights. Don't let Anne Heche scare you off, she's completely delightful in her wacky role.

Anonymous said...

Great idea for a post, Shorty! I had no idea that Wikipedia schedule was there. Good find. I feel a blog coming on...

Like you, I prefer the schedules back then much more than today's reality crap...

MaryB said...

The funny thing is that most of those 60's shows are still rattling around on TV Land or Nick or TBS. (But not Peyton Place - )

Elsie, Men in Trees seems to come on at a time/channel that eludes me (sort of like 3rd Rock from the Sun used to do). I'll try to track it down.

Elsie said...

Mary, "Men in Trees" is on here tonight (Friday) at 9:00 on ABC.

Anonymous said...

My favourite (I was in the UK at the time) was
the kiddies SF program “Doctor Who”, 405-line scan (360i), in black & white (1963–1967), mono sound

Daleks forever!