July 26, 2006

Sixty-Five Years of TV Time Flying

Time flies.

It’s been 65 years since first network shows began to appear on TV. Pioneer programs included “The Sunoco Newscast” with Lowell Thomas and a quiz show called “Truth or Consequences” that was hosted by Ralph Edwards.

Since those early days, thousands of shows have come and gone and television has become an important part of the American scene.

If you’ve been around since the days of the round screen and “rabbit ear” antennas, as I have, your favorite TV memories may include . . .

Chief Dan Matthews — played by Broderick Crawford — grabbing his radio microphone and yelling “10-4! 10-4!” while standing outside his cruiser on “Highway Patrol”.

 Kukla, Fran and Ollie.

 Shelly Berman one-liners.

 The Lone Ranger and Tonto.

 “Our Show of Shows” with Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca.

 Uncle Miltie.

 “Just the facts, m’am.”

 Marshal Dillon, Miss Kitty and Festus Haggen.

Joe and Sons, Joe & Valerie, Joe & Mabel, Joe Bash, Joe Forester, Joe’s Life, Joey & Dad, “The Joey Bishop Show” and “Joey Faye’s Frolics”.

KITT, the sleek and black customized Pontiac Trans-Am driven by Michael Knight, aka “Knight Rider.”

Lassie saving Timmy from yet another near disaster.

Archie Bunker.

”Holiday Hotel” starring Edward Everett Horton, Don Ameche and The Charles Tate Dancers.

Napoleon Solo and Ilya Kuryakin on “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”

Soupy Sales.

“It’s Howdy Doody time/it’s Howdy Doody time. . .”

Stacy Keach as tough, opinionated Mike Hammer.

A talking horse named Mister Ed who belonged to a man named Wilbur Post.

Detectives Matt Helm, Matt Houston, Micky Spillane, Mike Logan, Harry McGraw, Cary Maxwell and Maddie Hayes.

Robin Williams as Mork from the planet Ork.

Quiz Shows like “Two for the Money.”

Ed McMahon, Skitch Henderson. Milton Delugg and Tommy Newsom on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson”.

Patty Duke playing U.S. President Julia Mansfield on the sitcom “Hail to the Chief”.

Connie Stevens as Cricket Blake on “Hawaiian Eye”.

The line “Have Gun, Will Travel . . .Wire Paladin, San Francisco” from the western series “Have Gun, Will Travel”.

Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss playing the title roles in the comedy “He & She”.

© 2006 North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

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