Television tagged with 60s - 2/5

Davey and Goliath

Saturday mornings in the 60s and 70s provided hours upon hours of kid-friendly entertainment, with every network vying for their young audience's attention. On the other hand, when Sunday rolled around, the TV often seemed like a vast wasteland by comparison. Still, there was a charming little show that offered moral guidance to the kids that didn't happen to be attending church, and thy name was Davey and Goliath. And, let's face it - after a few hours the previous morning, watching Wile E. Coyote try to destroy the Roadrunner, a little moral guidance probably couldn’t hurt.

F Troop

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Considering the adoration that fans retain for the fine soldiers that made up F-Troop, it seems impossible that the show only ran for a mere two seasons. And yet, in that short amount of time, the show was filled with so many memorable moments of silliness that it was destined to pick up numerous fans in later syndication. Perhaps the first parody ever produced of the Old West, F-Troop was a groundbreaking sitcom, fondly remembered for its wacky characters and “Anything goes” attitude.

Frosty the Snowman

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The folks at Rankin/Bass produced some of the most memorable Christmas specials of all time, featuring their innovative use of stop-motion animation in such hits as Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. But they turned to a more traditional hand-drawn medium to weave their fanciful tale about a snowman who comes to life, thanks to a magic hat, in their 1969 classic, Frosty the Snowman.

Gilligan’s Island

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These lines - known to nearly every man, woman and child in the English-speaking world - opened the infectious story-song that took viewers to the tropical locale of Gilligan's Island every week. The ditty is right up there with the likes of The Beverly Hillbillies and The Brady Bunch in the category of best-known television theme songs, and has been remade in every musical style known to man: rap, polka, reggae, even heavy metal. It is and always will be a part of popular culture. This song, however, is merely one part of Gilligan's Island's universal appeal.

Gumby

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

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Ask any random group of people what their favorite annual holiday television show is you will likely get substantial votes for How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Based on a children’s book of the same name, written in 1957 by Theodor Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss,) the characters were brought to life (in animated form) on television for the first time during the Christmas season of 1966 and over 40 years later, there are no signs of diminished popularity.

I Dream of Jeannie

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

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Those lovable Peanuts characters certainly have a knack for showing up each year without fail, just in time to help us welcome in some of our most beloved holidays. One such occasion is Halloween, which means it's time to huddle around the television for an annual viewing of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. First airing in 1966, it has remained a beloved classic for millions of current and former children, and a testament to the genius of a kind man named Charles M. Schulz.

Love, American Style

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Long before the Love Boat set sail in a search of romance on the high seas, there was another series where love was perpetually in the air. From 1969 – 1974, Love, American Style gave television viewers a comedic glimpse into the lives of those caught up in the various stages of romance. And while it seemed at the time like there must be something lewd about the show, looking back it was all pretty innocent. It did, however, bestow a priceless gift upon television viewers that many would forever cherish. For had it not been for this quirky little amorous show, we might never have come to know Fonzie.

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

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From 1968 to 2000, Fred McFeely Rogers invited viewers to spend some quality time in his little yellow television house. Soft-spoken, but with strength of purpose and complete sincerity, Mister Rogers offered a simple but powerful message: “I like you just the way you are.” And, in retrospect, we liked him just the way he was. Today, we look back at this iconic and educational children's show that left many of us with such fond memories.