In today's modern society, we spend most of our time doing one of two things when not sleeping or working: We are either here on the computer (or iphone); or watching TV.
Clearly in the last 5-7 years the increase in some variety of computer communication has increased 1000-fold compared to 20 years ago.
Prior to that, our "down" time was spent taking in the latest hit on TV.
From around the early 50's to the late 80's---TV was king in the average American household.
After the Big War ended, our society changed; and looked to relax and enjoy something called television---that which brought radio to life. Much like the early days of radio---TV saw whole families watching a single show on some given night.
(Of course, this has all changed now; and we've since seen some of the negative
aspects of the excessive TV viewing----increased violence, poorly educated kids, etc)
Let's re-visit some of the high and low points of the Television Era.
This TV Edition does not have as much as I wanted; as I wasn't planning on doing this tonite....it's pretty weak(actually, it stinks)----So I need you GW's to STEP UP & help!!!!!
Being somewhat older, I treat the TV "Golden Era", from the 50's to the late 70's---though true TV historians believe it only to last until the mid-60's. (Many argue it never existed at all!!)
Having spent our last party going down memory lane---let us see if we can do it again.
Though the miracle of the internet & YouTube, etc----we can go back and find clips or full episodes of many of our favorite shows. (See links below)
Getting to be a teenager in the Fifties, I went from watching Howdy Dowdy & Highway Patrol to tuning in American Bandstand every day.
One single season ratings for tv in early Fifties:
October 1952 - April 1953
1. I Love Lucy
2. Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts
3. Arthur Godfrey and His Friends
4. Dragnet
5. Texaco Star Theatre
6. The Buick Circus Hour
7. The Colgate Comedy Hour
8. Gangbusters 9. You Bet Your Life
10. Fireside Theatre
11. The Red Buttons Show
12. The Jack Benny Show
13. Life With Luigi
14. Pabst Blue Ribbon Bouts
15. Goodyear TV Playhouse
Bring back some memories for you oldsters (like me)?
Great link
From the very late ‘50’s to the ’70’s, TV viewing exploded---and we all watched many exciting and/or crazy shows.
Below are some of my favorites---and I want you to join in and offer your winners (and losers) too.
The first major TV crime drama I watched was Dragnet
And that spawned many other crime dramas—I enjoyed Naked City;
and the Thin Man and many more....
There were the early westerns Roy rogers, Cisco Kid----
and later Have gun, Will Travel
Of course, we all watched the Sunday Night TV highlight; Ed Sullivan Show---an early memory
There were sooo many good shows on back then---which is why it was called TV's "Golden Era".
Shows like:
Four Star Playhouse
Father Knows Best
Our Miss Brooks
Leave It to Beaver
Alfred Hitchcock
And plenty more....you fill in (with links)
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Then we moved into the Swinging Sixties (part of which was also "Golden")
A lot more good drama; better Westerns, and excellent variety shows.
Remember Gunsmoke? and I Spy? How about the comedies---Bewitchedand
Gilligan?
This was the beginning of some good TV---
Ironside
The Avengers
Burke's Law
Carol Burnett Show
The Dean Martin Show
The Dick Van Dyke Show
And, again many more......Add your links...
--------For me the real serious quality TV viewing began in the late 60's--early 70's with the classic series like Mary Tyler Moore
, Bob NewhartShow,
Star Trek---of course, earlier Twilight Zone swamped the sci-fi category.
There was Laugh-In; and The Smothers Brothers (Hi. Dawn...)
Who didn't watchAll in the Family
or Get Smart?
There are 20-25 more shows I would liked to have linked to, but no time----you all will find them and tell us your memories....Mission, impossible, Honeymooners, Lucy,
Untouchables, Peter Gunn, M.A.S.H........Sesame Street & Mister Rogers, even...& on & on & on....
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Some links to check out---terrific for bringing back the good times...
70's shows...
50's list of shows
60's list of shows
The BING search engine is great for full episodes of many shows, which you won't find on google or you tube.
Links only please---NO embeds, Thx.
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Final note----this is going to be a TTFN diary for me hosting a Block Party.
I will still be attending others that get done; and will be checking in with the weekly AUV's; but DK4 has been rotten for me. I've spent some time over in the ME diaries----and posting a comment is a pain in the butt with simple delays, fast scrolling, lousy fonts, etc.
I need a rest---even over there I will be just doing some reading, and less commenting.
(And of course, Baseball season starts soon----and I love to spend time watching that instead of the crappy stuff they call "news" on our lousy cables.)
So......as far as hosting Parties go after tonight.......TTFN....