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Boomer TV: The Stuff We Watched - Part 3
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On these pages, we'll remind you about the television shows that made a permanent imprint on our minds. We have the cast, description, pictures, and in many cases, even the memorable theme music.
Tell us your boomer TV memories here.
On this page, we feature these shows (Scroll down to see
what's on other pages):
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Dennis the Menace Gilligan's Island The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The Munsters I Dream of Jeannie The Rifleman The Waltons McHale's Navy "F" Troop Kojak |
Sonny & Cher Show Route 66 The Roy Rogers Show Winky Dink The Monkees The Partridge Family Mission Impossible Good Times Star Trek Sky King |
Little House on the Prairie The Bob Newhart Show Police Woman I Spy I Remember Mama Green Acres Welcome Back Kotter The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour The Carol Burnett Show Topper |
This is the third installment of 100 of the best television shows of the boomer years.
TV themes and some pictures are available only to BBHQ members. Click here for information on how to become a BBHQ member.
 Cast: Jay North - Dennis Mitchell Henry Anderson - Henry Mitchell Gloria Henry - Alice Mitchell Joseph Kearns - Mr. (George) Wilson Sylvia Field - Martha Wilson Jeannie Russell - Margaret Wade Description: This was a television version of the popular comic strip by the same name. Just in time for boomers, this was a pretty good series, better than the recent movie. CBS, 1959-1963. |
Cast: Bob Denver - Gilligan Alan Hale, Jr. - The skipper, Jonas Gumby Jim Backus - Thurston Howell, III Natalie Shafer - Lovely Howell Dawn Wells - Mary Ann Summers Russell Johnson - The professor, Ron Hinkley Tina Louise - Ginger (Grant) the beautiful actress Description: Well, you all know the story here.... the S. S. Minnow, her crew of two and five passengers, took off for a 3-hour tour... a 3-hour tour. During a storm, they landed on an uncharted island and made the best of a bad situation. And of course, had the series had gone on, they'd still be there today. This was a goofy, but well-done series. The big secret seems to be what Gilligan's first name was. We hear that it was once written in a script as "Willie," but for some reason, the name never made it on the air. CBS, 1964-1967. |
Cast: Robert Vaughn - Napoleon Solo David McCallum - Illya Kuryakin Leo G. Carroll - Mr. (Alexander) Waverly Description: In the shadow of the wildly successful James Bond films of the mid 60s, this was one of television's popular responses. Alexander Waverly headed up the United Network Command for Law Enforcement from behind the false front of the Del Florias Taylor Shop. His primary agents, Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryahkin, did weekly battle against the forces of the enemy, THRUSH, a secret organization trying to rule the world. NBC, 1964-1968. |
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Cast: Fred Geynne - Herman Munster Yvonne DeCarlo - Lily Munster Al Lewis - Grandpa Munster Beverly Owen - Marilyn Munster Par Priest - Marilyn Munster Butch Partick - Eddie Munster Description: The Munster family thought they were normal. In fact, daughter Marilyn was normal... except that she thought the rest of her family was just a tad.... quirky. In fact, they were nuts... but in a nice, harmless way. They lived at 1313 Mockingbird Lane, in, of course, Mockingbird Hts. "The Munsters" was very funny. CBS, 1964-1966. |
Cast: Barbara Eden - Jeannie Larry Hagman - Capt./Maj. Anthony Nelson Bill Daily - Capt. Roger Healey Description: This was a 1960s twist on the Aladdin and his lamp story. Capt. Nelson crash lands on an island in the Pacific and finds a green bottle. Poof! Out pops an attractive genie, who offers to be his slave... every man's dream. But Jeannie gets her master into trouble more than she grants him wishes. Still, this was another delightful, harmless sitcom. NBC, 1965-1970. |
Cast: Chuck Connors - Lucas McCain Johnny Crawford - Mark McCain Hope Summers - Hattie Denton (owner, general store) Joan Taylor - Millie Scott (owner, general store) Description: "The fastest man with a 40-44 hair-trigger action rifle," widower Lucas McCain tries to raise his son on a cattle ranch in New Mexico at the end of the 19th century. Many years after the series ended, Soviet Premier Leonoid Brezhnev met Chuck Connors and gave him a huge bear hug. Obviously, he was a big fan. ABC, 1958-1963. |
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Cast: Ralph Waite - John Walton Michael Learned - Olivia Walton Will Geer - Grandpa Zeb Walton Ellen Corby - Grandma Esther Walton Richard Thomas - John Boy Walton Judy Norton - Mary Ellen Walton David Harper - Jim-Bob Walton Kami Cotler - Elizabeth Walton Jon Warmsley - Jason Walton Mary Elizabeth McDonough - Erin Walton Eric Scott - Ben Walton Description: Every boomer remembers "The Waltons," a heartwarming series about a large, close-knit family in Jefferson County, Virginia during the depression. CBS, 1972-1980. |
Cast: Ernest Borgnine - Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale Joe Flynn - Capt. Wallace Binghamton Tim Conway - Ensign Charles Parker Carl Ballantine - Seaman Lester Gruber Description: On the island of Taratupa, in the South Pacific, during WWII, Captain Binghamton tries to get Lt. McHale out from under his skin. Binghamton tries to maintain order; McHale continues to try to make a buck. ABC, 1962-1966. |
Cast: Forrest Tucker - Sgt. Morgan O'Rourke Larry Storch - Cpl. Randolph Agarn Ken Berry - Capt. Wilton Parmenter Melody Patterson - Wrangler Jane Description: A Civil War captain, who has clearly reached his level of incomptence, tries to maintain order as commander of F Troop in Fort Courage, Kansas. ABC, 1965-1967. |
Cast: Telly Savalas - Lt. Theo Kojak Dan Frazer - Chief Frank McNeil Kevin Dobson - (Lt. Bobbie) Crocker Demosthenes Savalas - Det. Stavros Vince Conti - Det. Rizzo Mark Russell - Det. Saperstein Description: Tough, but mild-mannered Lt. Kojak, of the Manhattan South precinct, tackles the tough issues and the tough crimes. Who loves you, baby? CBS, 1973 - 1978. |
Description: This was one of the last variety shows. It was the odd chemestry between Sonny & Cher that helped make it a success. The regular sketches included "Cliff House," "The Laundromat," "The Vamp Sketch," and "Window on the World." CBS, 1971-1974. |
Cast: Martin Milner - Tod Stiles George Maharis - Buzz Murdock Glen Corbett - Linc Case Description: Two young travelers drive down Route 66 in search of life's meaning and in an attempt to find themselves. The theme music has long outlived the series itself. CBS, 1960-1964. |
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Cast: Roy Rogers Dale Evans Pat Brady The Sons of the Pioneers Description: Roy and Dale owned a diner, ran the Double R Bar Ranch and helped keep law and order in Mineral City. Their famous horses were Trigger and Buttermilk. Cook Pat Brady had no horse; he drove one of those new fangled vehicles; he named his Jeep Nellybelle. The dog was Bullet. CBS, 1951-1964. |
Cast: Jack Barry Mike McBean Mae Questel, the voice of "Winky Dink" Description: For some reason, most every early boomer remembers this one. This was an early "participation" kids show. Parents could buy a Winky Dink kit, which contained a film to place over the TV screen. Then, kids could draw on the screen to corresponding images on the show. The problem was that some kids drew on the screen even though they did not have the kit. Oops! Winky Dink was a cartoon character; his dog was Woofer. CBS, 1953-1957. |
Cast: Davy Jones Mike Nesmith Mickey Dolenz Peter Tork Description: "Hey, hey, we're the Monkees! People say we monkey around. But were too busy singing, to put anybody down." We know; it does not make sense. But that is part of its particular... charm. The Monkees's TV show was more like a cartoon than a sitcom. Still, it was kind of cute. NBC, 1966-1968; CBS, 1968-1972; ABC, 1972-1973. |
Cast: Shirley Jones - Shirley Partridge David Casidy - Keith Partridge Susan Dey - Laurie Partridge Danny Bonaduce - Danny Partridge Jeremy Gelbwaks - Chris Partridge Description: This is every your teenager's dream... or a variation thereof. Young Danny Partridge organizes the family into a rock band, which tours the country in a modified school bus. The family dog... was Simon. ABC, 1970-1974. |
Cast: Peter Graves - Jim Phelps Steven Hill - Dan Briggs Barbara Bain - Cinnamon Carter Greg Morris - Barney Collier Peter Lupus - Willy Armitage Martin Landau - Rollin Hand Leonard Nimoy - Paris Lesley Warren - Dana Lambert Greg Morris - Barney Collier Peter Lupus - Willy Armitage Sam Elliott - Dr. Doug Robert (Lang) Lynda Day George - Casey Peter Lupus - Willy Armitage Description: The was perhaps the most successful of the high-tech, adventure series of the 60s and 70s. The IMF (Impossible Missions Force), a top-secret organization of the government, takes on the toughest challenges threatening our nation's security. "As always, Mr. Phelps, should you or any member of your IM force be captured or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your existence." CBS, 1966-1973. |
Cast: John Amos - James Evans Esther Rolle - Florida Evans Jimmie Walker - James (JJ) Evans, Jr. Bernadette Stanis - Thelma Evans Ralph Carter - Michale Evans Description: One of the first and one of the best "real" sitcoms, and one of the first to feature a black family in the lead roles. This series showed how life in a housing project in Chicago can have its funny moments. "Dy-no-mite!" CBS, 1974-1979. |
Cast: William Shatner - Capt. Kirk Leonard Nimoy - Mr. Spock Deforest Kelley - Dr. Leonard (Bones) McCoy Michelle Nichols - Lt. Uhura James Doohan - Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery Scott (Scotty) Grace Lee Whitney - Yeoman Janice Rand Majel Barrett - Nurse Christine Chapel George Takei - Mr. Sulu Description: If you don't know about Star Trek, you need to get out more! The U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC 1701, representing the United Federation of Planets, goes where no man has gone before in the 22nd century. NBC, 1966-1969. |
Cast: Kirby Grant - Sky King Gloria Winters - Penny King, Sky's neice Ron Haggerthy - Clipper King, Sky's nephew Ewing Mitchell - the sheriff Description: "Out of the blue of the western skies comes Sky King!" The location is the Flying Crown Ranch, in Grover, California. Sky King, a former WWII flying ace, helps maintain law in order in the wide open country of California. CBS, 1952-1966. |
Cast: Michael Landon - Charles Ingalls Karen Grassle - Karen Ingalls Melissa Gilbert - Laura Ingalls Melissa Sue Anderson - Mary Ingalls Description: This was family values 125 years before we knew what faimly values were. The Ingalls family struggles to help settle the town of Walnut Grove, Minnesota. NBC, 1974-1984. |
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Cast: Bob Newhart - Dr. Robert Hartley Suzanne Pleshette - Emily Hartley Bill Daily - Navigator Howard Borden Peter Bonerz - Dr. Jerry Robinson, an orthodontist Marcia Wallace - Carol Kester, the office secretary Description: A wonderful cast and terrific writing made this sitcom, seemingly about very little, enormously funny. The Hartley's lived in an apartment in Chicago. CBS, 1972-1978. |
Cast: Angie Dickenson - Sgt. Pepper (Suzanne) Anderson Earl Holliman - Sgt. William Crowley Charles Dierkop - Sgt. Pete Royster Ed Bernard - Sgt. Joe Styles Val Bisoglio - Lt. Paul Marsh Description: A spinoff of "Police Story," this series showed a female in a strong but feminine role. She was beautiful, smart, strong, compassionate.. and she was a terrific cop! NBC, 1974-1978. |
Cast: Bill Cosby - Alexander Scott (Scotty) Robert Culp - Kelly Robinson Description: Scotty and Kelly were two undercover agents fighting the evils of the world. This was the first series to feature a Black actor as a star. Bill Cosby played the smarter of the two characters. But the show was not about race; race played no part in the show. That is part of what made it a success. NBC, 1965-1968. |
Cast: Peggy Wood - "Mama" Marta Hansen Judson Laire - "Papa" Lars Hansen Dick Van Patten - Nels Hansen Rosemary Rice - Katrin Hansen Iris Mann - Dagmar Hansen (1949) Robin Morgan II - Dagmar Hansen (1950-1956) Toni Campbell - Dagmar Hansen (1956-1957) Description: "I remember the big white house on Elm Street, and my little sister Dagmar, and my big brother Nels, and Papa. But most of all, I Remember Mama." Perhaps only your parents... or your older sister or brother will remember this series. It was my mother's favorite. This was the story of a Norwegen family settling in San Francisco in the early 1900s as seen through the eyes and words of Katrin Hansen. Heart-warming, gentle, educational, inspirational, and occasionally funny, this was a delightful contribution to early television. CBS, 1949-1957. |
Cast: Eddie Albert - Oliver Wendell Douglas Eva Gabor - Lisa Douglas Pat Buttram - Mr. Haney Tom Lester - Eb Dawson Alvy Moore - Hank Kimball Frank Cady - Sam Drucker Hank Patterson - Fred Ziffel Barbara Pepper - Doris Ziffel Fran Ryan - Doris Ziffel Arnold - Arnold Ziffel Sid Melton - Alf Monroe Mary Grace Canfield - Ralph Monroe Kay E. Kuter - Newt Kiley Edgar Buchanan - Joe Carson Bea Benaderet - Kate Bradley Eleanor Audley - Eunice Douglas Description: "Green Acres is the place to be." Attorney Oliver, wanting to leave the rat race behind, buys a farm in Nowheresville. (OK, OK... it was Hooterville.) His wife, played very well by Eva Gabor, was made for New York City, and yearns to return. Chaos and dissention ensue... and the result was a very amusing sitcom. Nope; we don't know where Hooterville was... but we can imagine. Yes, Arnold was the pig. Lisa's dog was appropriately named Mignon (just like the steak). CBS, 1965-1971. |
Cast: Gabe Kaplan - Gabe Kotter Marcia Strassman - Julie Kotter, Gabe's wife John Travolta - Vinnie Barbarino Robert Hegyes - Juan Epstein Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs - Freddie Washington Ron Palillo - Arnold Horshack John Sylvester White - Mr. Michael Woodman, the principal Debralee Scott - Rosalie (Hotsie) Totzie Vernee Watson - Verna Jean Helaine Lembeck - Judy Brown Dennis Bowen - Todd Ludlow Catarina Cellino - Maria Melonie Haller - Angie Globagoski Stephen Shortridge - Beau De Labarre Charles Fleischer - Carvelli Bob Harcum - Murray Irene Arranga - Mary Johnson Description: A graduate of James Buchanan High School, in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Gabe Kotter returns as a teacher to do his part to educate and civilize the "sweat hogs." ABC, 1975-1979. |
Cast: Leo G. Carroll - Cosmo Topper Anne Jeffreys - Marian Kirby Robert Sterling - George Kirby Lee Patrick - Henrietta Topper Kathleen Freeman - Katie, the maid Edna Skinner - Maggie, the housekeeper Buck - Neil (the dog) Description: This was a very early sitcom, and it lasted for only 3 seasons. But for some reason, most early boomers remember it well; I sure do. At the beginning of each episode, the announcer set the scene: "This is Cosmo Topper. Bank Vice-President, loving husband, and, no he's not a magician. George and Marion Kerby are doing that. Ghosts. Yes, a handsome couple who were swallowed by an avalanche and came back to spread a little joy into a sedate business man's life. And that's their ghost-dog Neil. The St. Bernard who couldn't save them. That's what you get for drinking on the job old boy. Aren't they a wonderful bunch? And just think, Topper is the only person in the whole world who can see or hear them. Except for you and I, of course. Well, it's off to the bank for Topper. What a way to start the day!" The show was based on the movie by the same name. The St. Bernard dog (the third ghost) had a particular affinity for liquor... fine liquor. This was a very clever twist to the show. CBS, 1953-1955. |
Cast: Tom Smothers Dick Smothers Pat Paulsen Mason Williams Description: Pushing the edges of comedy and variety entertainment, "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" was very creative and very well done. The comedy sketches and songs were topical and sometimes controversial. One of them got them kicked off the air in 1970. CBS, 1967-1969; ABC. 1970. |
Cast: Carol Burnett Harvey Korman Vicki Lawrence Lyle Waggoner Tim Conway Description: You just cannot say enough good things about "The Carol Burnett Show." Her show outlasted all the variety shows of the 70s and left no room for anyone to do any more. Best leave well enough alone. CBS, 1967-1978. |
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Now you can have a great piece of boomer memoriabilia for yourself or your favorite boomer. Click here for BBHQ's Pictures, Posters & Autographs. It's great stuff!! |
But wait... there's much, much more!
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And... part 4 arrives at BBHQ soon!
Boomers' memories:
Tell us what you remember about your favorites TV shows of the 50's,
60's, and early 70's. We're waiting to hear from you...
"My little Margie" with Gale Storm, who was a "dream bunny" also went on to "Oh Sussanna". "Our Miss Brooks", with a young, and very comedic Richard Crenna. How bout more game shows, i.e. Beat the Clock, Video Village, T or C, Treasure Hunt, Seven Keys, etc.?
"Watching Saturday morning cartoons was the thing to do. MIGHTY MOUSE was my favorite hero. It was comforting to know that no matter how bad the villain, Mighty would save the day!"
"What about Ernie Kovacs shows? There was a great show (I believe too intelligent for the times) "Hot Off the Wire" with Jim Backus that lasted one season. Also there was a short-lived Jay Ward variety comedy show called I believe "The Nuthouse"? It was not a cartoon show, circa 1964. One show featured a man-eating giant chocolate cake.
Laramie, The Rebel, Bat Masterson, Hotel DeParee, Eight Seventh Precint, these live in my heart. Especially Laramie, and Wagon Train.
