One of the most common plotlines in classic TV shows introduces the possibility of moving from one residence to another. In almost every case the idea at first generates much support and excitement, then gradually loses some of its appeal, until the third-act epiphany that results in our characters realizing they’d rather stay where they are.    Viewers are usually ahead of the characters on this story, because they know an actual move would necessitate new sets and a series that looks different from what it had to that point. That’s why it was so surprising that when Mary Ric ..read more

  My journey arrives at last to Saturday nights in 1973, and the unveiling of perhaps the decade’s most celebrated prime time schedule. When crotchety old geezers like me reflect on how television was so much better back in my day, it’s the CBS lineup from this season that will always figure prominently in those recollections.      How we got from this era of television to where we’re at now, with people dancing and singing about their diseases in commercials, I’ll never know. But that’s why so many of us prefer looking back to a time when television brought us together ..read more

  I regret kicking off this piece on a downbeat note, but I feel a need to acknowledge that it was inspired by a sobering thought that occurred while watching a 1974 episode of Police Story – it was the realization that so many of the talented artists who continue to fill my evenings with hours of viewing enjoyment are no longer with us.   Obviously I was already aware of that on some level, but there are moments when thoughts like this that sometimes lightly float through in passing suddenly settle in for a longer stay, making one aware of one’s own advancing years. And maybe that’s ..read more

  As I’ve acknowledged before, outside of news and sports I pay very little attention to the current TV landscape. But every so often a current series references the classic TV era in a way that merits notice.   Such a moment happened last week when there was a Facts of Life cast reunion on The Drew Barrymore Show. That alone would not be worth mentioning here, were it not for how Drew paid homage to guests Lisa Whelchel, Nancy McKeon and Mindy Cohn. She didn’t just share fond memories of watching the show – she described how much Blair, Jo and Natalie meant to her, and how they help ..read more

  If TV Land were a real place, professional wrestling would be located in one of the sketchier parts of town.   It’s a violent place full of tough men and women striving for gold and prepared to beat up anyone who gets in their way. It’s a neighborhood populated by masked men from parts unknown, who at any moment might hit you from behind with a steel chair. It’s home to some heroes as well, but don’t get too attached to them, as they can turn on you when you least expect it.      If you’re wondering why wrestling even claims any real estate in this otherwise wholeso ..read more

  Here we go again – another look at one evening’s prime-time schedule from my favorite decade of television. The objective, beyond sharing memories about some great shows, is to discover whether there are any I missed then and still have not had a chance to enjoy.   Thursday, 1973   ABC Toma Kung Fu The Streets of San Francisco   ABC gives us the most interesting lineup for this night, featuring two new shows – one was a hit, the other would likely have become one if its star had not quit after the first season.   Toma was based on the career of David Toma, a real New ..read more

  As I’ve written here before, winter has its pleasures up to around Christmas, but in January it languishes into a long and dreary slog toward spring. It’s when we all spend more time indoors, which is why I still regard settling in for an evening of classic TV as more of a winter pursuit.   The winters are milder where I live in Southern Nevada, but the temperature still drops and the days are still shorter, and if we’re going to get lots of rain, this is when we get it. And for the last few days that’s about all we’ve had.   Do you have some go-to shows to lift your spirits w ..read more

  In 1977, Lindsay Wagner received the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Dramatic Role, causing many eyebrows to be raised – especially among her fellow nominees. Family star Sada Thompson in particular did not hide her umbrage over the selection.     Did Wagner deserve to win? How should one answer that? Emmy categories will always be apples-to-oranges comparisons, even within the same genre.   On Family, Thompson’s Kate Lawrence coped with a cancer scare, an ailing parent, a daughter with a broken marriage and a son who dropped out of high school – all rich dr ..read more

  When I first scanned the network schedules for Wednesday nights in 1973, what stood out were two unlikely attempts to adapt popular movies into television series. Neither was successful, but that’s not surprising with this particular transition. For every M*A*S*H there are five Baby Booms.   Let’s dive into the schedules and, as always, see if my quest to watch at least one episode from every 1970s prime time series will be dealt another setback.   Wednesday, 1973   CBS The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour Cannon Kojak   CBS delivers another winning lineup of top ten sho ..read more

  It seems like everyone enjoys making lists as the end of a year approaches – top ten news stories, predictions for 2024, etc. Perhaps that’s why Variety chose this month to publish its list of the 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time, though the piece could  just as easily have run in July.   I have no will power when it comes to “Best of” and “Worst of” selections, even though I know I’m always going to be frustrated by the results. And any list that ranks RuPaul’s Drag Race as one of television’s best achievements doesn’t deserve the attention it’s getting here. But I can’t hel ..read more