This year, I'll be recalling some of my favourite programs from television, via A-Z, of course.
How many of these do you remember?
Were these before your time?
This blog post has been written in front of a live studio audience.
1948-1967 Candid Camera featuring: Durward Kirby, Alan Funt
I have a suspicion this show needs no introduction. It's been on in one form or another since it's inception. And there are many shows that ape the premise, right down to today on youtube channels.
1976-1981 Charlie's Angels featuring: Kate Jackson, Farrah Faucet, Jaclyn Smith & Cheryl Ladd
Before I discovered girls, this show was seldom seen in my house. I was more interested in TV shows with laughs. However, if I were somehow trapped in the late 70's, this would certainly be a program I would never miss.
1982-1993 Cheers featuring Ted Dansen, Shelley Long, Rhea Pearlman, George Wendt & John Ratzenberger.
Before I was 21, and able to drink. I was already a regular at my favourite bar. No, no one there knew my name and no one was glad I tuned in. But they entertained me all the same.
This A-Z list has been brought to you today, by....
circa 1963 - Clanky the Spaceman
1970's-ish - Calgon
1983 - Canada Dry (Featuring Whitney Houston)
I never managed to watch much Charlie's Angels when it was first shown, but I do remember loving it when I was allowed :). Cheers was never my thing though.
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
I did like Cheers more than Charlie's Angels. I also watched Candid Camera no matter when it was on.
DeleteYeah, I was a sucker for Charlie's Angels. I wonder why...?
ReplyDeleteI could recite that Calgon commercial.
And ignore my comment in the email about the Challenge list sections - brain turned to mush and I confused you with someone else!
Probably the same reason as me.
DeleteHmmm, when did you even send that email? I don't recall seeing it, so I guess you are safe.
Hi, Jeffrey!
ReplyDeleteCandid Camera is an ideal series for your C post. I grew up watching the show, first as a segment on Jack Paar's Tonight Show, then on the Garry Moore Show, and finally the longest run of the practical joke concept as a regular series of the 60s hosted by Allen Funt and his announcer and sidekick Durward Kirby. Candid Camera always produced what I call a "nervous laughter" response which is not my favorite type of comedy. I didn't like Charlie's Angels as much as the millions who raved about it. I thought Farrah was overrated but liked Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd. I watched Cheers faithfully in the beginning when Shelley Long was part of the cast, then eventually withdrew my support during the Kirstie Alley years. To this day, Mrs. Shady can't stand Ted Danson. I never heard of Clanky Chocolate Syrup. The product must not have been marketed in my region of the U.S. I well remember Calgon's "Ancient Chinese Secret" ad campaign.
Thanks for the info and entertainment, good buddy Jeffrey! C-U soon!
I liked Kirstie Alley, so Cheers was still cool for me then. I just hated she ran the bar.
DeleteMake sure Mrs.Shady isn't following along on Wednesday then. When Ted Dansen will be making a guest appearance.
No Columbo? ☺ I watched all of those shows. Loved Cheers, even after Shelly Long left. Kirstie Alley was a good replacement, IMO. Ted Danson has continued to do well on TV. Do you remember Becker? He just finished a stint on CSI Cyber and apparently has a new sitcom coming out in the fall. Clanky Chocolate Syrup I'm not familiar with and have never seen that Canada Dry commercial, but the Calgon one is definitely familiar. Looking forward to your next post. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteIt was difficult finding a decent Columbo theme I wanted to use. That's why he got the Honorary TV Guide listing. Because I wanted to use him.
DeleteAs for the commercials, I'm trying to find some obscure adverts as well as well known ones. I think the Clanky one has a catchy tune. I discovered it recently as I began my research for this series and I now find myself singing it.
Charlie's angels was one of my favorites. I saw every episode. My girlfriends and i would all play them when we were kids. That Calgon commercial was part of growing up. I still quote it. Columbo was my uncles favorite show and i had to watch it whenever we visited.
ReplyDeleteFun post!
I suppose for girls, Charlie's Angels were cool role models.
DeleteBoys were watching for other reasons I think.
Jeffrey, I'm loving your series! Charlie's Angels was the be-all and end-all for a while there, and Cheers was awesome (I actually met one of the minor actors much later... we taught English at the same school). And Candid Camera! What memories :)
ReplyDeleteGuilie @ Life In Dogs (and member of co-host Damyanti's team, D's Company )
At the height of it's popularity, two local radio DJ's were able to guest on the show as extras.
DeleteLoved the "Cheers" theme song the most.
ReplyDeleteHope you're having fun, Jeffrey!
I'm have a TON of fun with this theme.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
I absolutely love your choices!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoy them. Hope to see you again. :)
DeleteI still watch Columbo! Always enjoyed Candid Camera and who could forget that Calgon commerical? I'd never heard of Clanky the Spaceman, but that was cute ;-) Interesting that Whitney did a Canada Dry commercial. I look forward to your nostalgic gems:-)
ReplyDeleteI think you'll like a few more of my commercials. I tried to find some really hidden gems, with some surprising guest actors.
DeleteChalrie's Angels! When I was a kid, I never missed an episode :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd Colombo... as a matter of fact, my dad is watching it right now. I think it has never gone away from TV here in Italy.
I can still catch Colombo on a hidden channel on local networking. Funny that your dad was watching it as the TV Guide popped up.
DeleteI watched all three of these gems. Fond memories of all. I think it's a real shame that The Cosby Show has been tarnished by Bill Cosby. I guess if people knew what he was doing WHEN he was doing it, well it would never have become popular. But anyway... I also really like Charmed.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, that was one of the reasons I opted out of highlighting the Cosby Show. What makes things worse is he was one of my favourite comedians and I bought as many of his albums as I could find. Now I have a hard time listening to them.
DeleteCharlie's Angels was a must watch every week. And I watched Cheer religiously. I loved Peter Falk in Columbo. And dang it.. I really liked that Calgon commercial!
ReplyDeleteMary
Twitter: @KnottyMarie
Literary Gold - Free and Bargain priced books
Jingle Jangle Jungle
Ancient Chinese secret, huh?
DeleteOh, Candid Camera was such a great show! I remember watching it all the time.
ReplyDeleteClanky the Chocolate syrup?? Never heard of it. Loved the campy commerical. I fondly remember the "Ancient Chinese Secret" spots! And Whitney Houston in a Canada Dry spot?! Wow. You feature some great classic commercials. Love it!
Michele at Angels Bark
Seems like no one remembers the Clanky commercial. But it was WAY before my time.
DeleteI did not like Charlie's angels. But their nickname definitely fit!
ReplyDeleteColombo is a favorite.
Happy April 4th!
I think Charlie's Angel was one of those shows where you loved it or hated it. No in-between.
DeleteI loved Cheers...always a good laugh. Sometimes my husband and I will watch reruns on Netflix. Thanks for the visit today!
ReplyDeleteKatie
TheCyborgMom
I watch a lot of the shows on Amazon Prime.
DeleteThe video for "Candid Camera" is from one of my favorite sites, the Museum of Classic Chicago Television. I know the guy who runs it.
ReplyDeleteThese are great videos, especially the one for Clanky...
Somehow, I had a feeling you would appreciate the Clanky commercial. It's pretty nostalgic to a whole new degree.
DeleteI love this! Charlie's Angels was my favorite show as a kid. I idolized Cheryl Ladd...thought she was the most beautiful woman ever. Farrah was only on the show regularly for a year...and that was before I watched it. I remember watching Candid Camera, too, although it wasn't in black and white by the time I caught it. I guess I came in late to everything!
ReplyDeleteCandid Camera ran for a long time, off and on. I used to watch a lot of old TV shows with my parents, especially when cable became popular and finding a TV show featuring such was much easier.
DeleteCool shows I remember them all!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed them. :)
DeleteJeffrey, We watched Candied Camera when I was a kid, then DH & I continued after we got married. Allen Funt put fun into watching TV. I always secretly wish to hear those famous words, "Smile, you're on Candied Camera!" That was then, this is now and I'd probably die of embarrassment. You highlighted some other great TV programs popular with me when they originally aired. Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteCurious as a Cathy
All Things Vintage: Cab Calloway #AprilA2Z
I always thought it would be cool to be caught on one of those Candid Camera moments too. Always wondered how I'd react.
DeleteI loved Candid Camera.... and Cheers. Charlie's Angels I watched and laughed at Farrah being able to chase the bad guys on a skateboard even when she is on grass-hahahaaa. That Calgon Commercial brings back memories but..oh boy...could never be done today-talk about sterotyping
ReplyDeleteYou think the Calgon one was bad? Wait for the letter J.
DeleteLoved Cheers, Colombo, Charlie's Angels -do I sound like I watched a lot of TV? LOL:) Sue @Sizzling60 from
ReplyDeleteSizzling Towards Sixty
Back in the day, I KNOW I watched a lot of TV. I've gotten away from that now. But there isn't always a lot on that's good.
Deleteno Cosby Show? i understand in the wake of what we have now discovered about him is disgusting, but that was a great show. i loved Charlie's Angels and still watch it today when it comes on. Cheers was great. It was a tossup between cheers and cosby for me, but i chose to write about the Cosby Show as my fave C show from the 1980s
ReplyDeleteI do agree, it was a great show. I did feel a little uncomfortable including his show, so when I had to find a show to cut from my list, that was the first to go.
Delete