Thursday, September 15, 2005

The reality in these TV shows is that they worked...

Back in the pre-reality days, 5 memorable TV shows debuted on this date. 3 of the 5 would go as high as top 10 in ratings, all were memorable and the average lifespan of these shows was 8+ years. Try that today ! What follows is a review of each show:

"The Lone Ranger": Since it pre-dated the arrival of Gunsmoke on both radio and TV, starting as a radio show in 1933, we can safely call this the first successful western on the medium. Clayton Moore was of course the Lone Ranger with his trusty companion Tonto played by Jay Silverheels. When Nielsen began compiling national ratings in 1950 it was the only ABC show in the top 15, reaching as high as #7. The Lone Ranger debuted on ABC-TV on September 15, 1949 and while the original show ended in 1957, reruns kept it alive until 1969 and the series would be revived in 1980...

"Bachelor Father": Debuted September 15, 1957 and starred John Forsythe. Although it would never crack the top 20 in ratings it was a highly popular show that lasted 5 years, ending in 1962...

"Green Acres": Starred Eddie Albert, Eva Gabor and let's not forget Arnold the pig. Green Acres was a top 10 rated show that reached as high as #6. The "riches to rags", "city to farm" series ran 6 years ending in 1971. It debuted on September 15, 1965...

"Lost in Space": This sci-fi series also debuted in 1965 and starred June Lockhart and Guy Williams. Although it never reached the top 20 it was a most talked-about series and one of the first of its genre that didn't take itself too seriously. It bowed out in 1968...

"Columbo": Debuted on Serptember 15, 1971 as part of NBC's Sunday Mystery Movie, alternating with McMillan & Wife and McCloud. This series would go as high as #5 in ratings during its original 22 year run but the series continues today with made-for-TV movies. Peter Falk was and still is Lt. Columbo and he still wears the same old crumpled trenchcoat...

There was also a show that ended on this date, "Bosom Buddies". The show which debuted in 1980 ran its last episode on September 15, 1984. The sitcom was about two struggling guys sharing a room who were forced to dress like girls in order to gain entrance to the all-female Susan B. Anthony hotel. The show starred Peter Scolari and some unknown by the name of Tom Hanks...

All of these shows were successful, some with higher ratings than others. Interesting isn't it that not one was a reality series? Some info you may not know about these shows in my commentary...

More September 15 Memories...

1928) Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin in a mold...

1948) WHN changes call letters to WMGM but don't worry they will return...

1949) "The Lone Ranger" premieres (feature story)...

1952) The Braves play their last game in Boston (at what now is Nickerson Field) before moving to Milwaukee...

1954) Marilyn Monroe's skirt flies up during the filming of "The Seven Year Itch" infuriating husband Joe DiMaggio. The couple will divorce shortly after...

1957) "Bachelor Father" premieres (feature story)...

1958) A commuter train crashes through a drawbridge near Newark killing 48...

1962) The Beatles are called "a nothing group" in a London Daily Mirror interview by Peter Jones...

1963) The Alou Brothers (Felipe, Matty & Jesus) play in the same outfield for the Giants...

1964) The Beatles leave the stage at Cleveland's Public Auditorium so the screaming crowd can calm down...

1965) "Green Acres" and "Lost in Space" premiere (feature story)...

1968) The TV musical series "Soul" premieres with Lou Rawls and Martha & the Vandellas guest starring...

1969) "Sugar, Sugar" by the Archies tops the charts...

1971) "Columbo" debuts (feature story)...

1971) "Greenpeace" is founded...

1978) 36-year old Muhammad Ali beats Leon Spinks to become the first heavyweight to win the title 3 times...

1979) The Red Sox' Bob Watson is 1st ML player to hit for the cycle (single, double, triple, home run) in both leagues doing it previously with Houston...

1980) The "Space Man" becomes "The Elephant Man" as David Bowie debuts on Broadway...

1982) The first issue of "USA Today" hits the newstands...

1983) Israel premier Begin resigns...

1984) "Bosom Buddies" ends its 4-year run (feature story)...

1990) The White Sox' Bobby Thigpen becomes the first relief pitcher to record 50 saves...

2001) President Bush identifies Osama bin Laden as the prime suspect in the 911 attacks and tells Americans to prepare for a long, difficult war against terrorism...

Happy Birthday to...

1927) Boston born comedian Norm Crosby...

1938) Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry...

1940) Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen...

1946) Tommy Lee Jones...

1946) Oliver Stone...

1961) Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino...

1984) Britain's Prince Harry...

Commentary...

Here are some interesting factoids on the TV shows featured in today's post:

"The Lone Ranger": The show's most famous quote was "You kemo sabe. It mean trusty scout", spoken by Tonto in the first episode...

"Bachelor Father": Linda Evans appeared in one episode playing the girlfriend of Kelly Gregg (Noreen Corcoran). Two decades later she and John Forsythe would re-unite as man and wife on "Dynasty"...

"Lost in Space": Billy Mumy who played young Will Robinson wished his entire family into the cornfield on one of the most famous "Twilight Zone" episodes in the 50s...

"Columbo": Peter Falk was not the first choice for the role of Lt. Columbo, Bing Crosby was. Der Bingle didn't want it to interfere with his golf game and passed...

"Green Acres": The farm bought by Oliver Wendell Douglas (Eddie Albert) was located outside Hooterville, the setting for "Petticoat Junction"...

"Bosom Buddies": The actress who played Isabelle who would manage the Susan B. Anthony Hotel was none other than Telma Hopkins of Tony Orlando & Dawn...