What Were We Watching 45 or 50 Years Ago?

Many of us consider 50 years ago to be the "good old days" for many reasons, and one of those reasons would have to be the television we watched. It's difficult to talk about all of the great shows we were entertained by in just one post, because we had variety shows, sitcoms, dramas, specials, movies of the week, late shows, mysteries, musicals, sports, animal shows and more. For having only 5 channels, including the PBS and local station, we sure did have a lot of great TV to choose from!

On a typical sunday night we had quite a choice. We might watch Wild Kingdom and The Wonderful World of Disney, then maybe the ABC Sunday Night Movie, or maybe the NBC Mystery Movie. We might choose The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour or maybe Bonanza.

Monday night might be Gunsmoke, laugh-In, or The Doris Day Show. And if we jump a few years later, we might choose The Rookies or Gunsmoke. Tuesday night might be Happy Days or Maude, or Adam-12. Keep in mind we always had a weeknight movie to choose from. And throughout the rest of the week we could watch, Hawaii Five-O, The Waltons, The Brady Bunch, The Captain and Tennille Variety Hour, Bobby Vinton, Sonny and Cher, or a host of other wonderful shows. Now, in 1974 we had quite a line up on Saturday night. Are you sitting down? Good, now hold on to your hat.. We could watch, back to back, All in The Family, MASH, Mary Tyler Moore, The Bob newhart Show, and the pinnacle of all variety shows, The Carol Burnett Show. Is that a line up or what?!

Now, let's speak for a moment about the Carol Burnett Show. It was the ultimate in variety shows, and the 70's had plenty of them. No other show has or ever will come close to this masterpiece of entertainment brilliance. The chemistry between Carol and her cast of regulars (Vicki, Harvey, Tim, and Lyle) comes once in a lifetime. They show was classy and always had a major guest star. You felt as if you knew them. They were your friends that you got to spend time with every Saturday night. The were talented as all get out. Comedians, singers, dancers, actors. They were the cake and the icing, all in one. The whole kit and kaboodle. I would suggest to any young people who have never seen this show or any other great shows of the 70's, 60's or 50's, that you take the time to watch them. Even as kids in the 70's my brother and I watched reruns of the shows that came on before us, such as the Honeymooners, The Jack Benny Show, The Patty Duke Show, I Married Joan, Leave it to Beaver, The Andy Griffith Show, and so many others. Even a bit later on, mid to late 70's, the shows were still something special. Alice is a classic. The Facts of Life is still hilarious with a cast of class acts.. Columbo is one of my favorites to this day. We just had GOOD TV.

I could go on and on, listing show after show, but the truth is, they were all wonderful. There was something very special about TV back then. It's something that is missing, nowadays. Kids could watch and there was always a moral to the story. Families would watch TV together and parents didn't have to worry about what their kids might see.. Even the commercials were something special.

I miss those days. Fortunately, however, we can get most of these on dvd, now. But there was something about watching them as they aired for the first time. I suppose looking back makes it more special because of the memories that are attached to the shows. The feelings they bring on, the flashbacks of my brother and I sitting on the floor, much too close to the TV, in our pajamas, watching Carol or Mary, or Bob, and our parents sitting in their chairs behind us laughing along with us. Going into the kitchen for a King Don or some Charles Chips cookies during the commercial break. It was just a very special time in American history. I miss it, I really do. It's something that just can't be duplicated and I am so grateful to have been a part of it.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ..in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.