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.
1974-1980 / Rockford Files featuring: James Garner, Noah Berry Jr.
I was pretty young when this was on the air. As such, I always assumed the show was called Rockford Files because it took place in Rockford, Illinois. It doesn't. His name is Rockford. Something I didn't realize for a long time.
1979-1980 / the Roper's featuring: Normal Fell, Audra Lindsey, Jeffrey Tambor, Patricia McCormack
A spin-off from Three's Company that should never have happened. Sure it was a campy comedy like Three's Company, but there wasn't much to draw me in, that I didn't get from other TV shows at the time. Patricia McCormack was about the only thing to watch it for.
1983 - 2006 / Reading Rainbow featuring: Levar Burton
A few years before Star Trek the Next Generation came along, Geordi La Forge was teaching me that reading could be fun. It was about this time I started to realize I liked to write. Perhaps some day, someone will read one of my books.
This A-Z list has been brought to you today, by....
1960's - Rock'em Sock'em Robots
1969 - Rice Krispies (Featuring Woody Woodpecker)
1980 - Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
I only know one of them and it wasn't my fav - I never could bring myself to like Rockford (probably too young :)). Robin of Sherwood was one of my favs in the 80s - loved to watch it every week.
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
I'm not sure if I remember Robin of Sherwood.
DeleteHi, Jeffrey!
ReplyDeleteLeave it to you to find long lost, obscure TV series and commercials for every letter of the alphabet. I worked at an NBC station that carried Remington Steele. I was in love with Stephanie Zimbalist (and she never even knew it). I didn't watch Rockford or The Ropers very often, but I admired the work of character actor Norman Fell, having first noticed him as the grumpy landlord in the movie The Graduate. (Can you say "typecasting"?) I haven't thought about Patty McCormack in decades. A model, Patty was one of those "it" girls during my coming of age years and I enjoyed her acting performances in early 60s juvenile delinquent films that included The Explosive Generation and The Young Runaways. I well remember the commercials for Rock'em Sock'em Robots, a toy that taught boys the best way to settle a dispute with another kid is to "knock his block off."
Thanks, good buddy Jeffrey!
At the very least, the rock'em sock'em taught boys to use robots instead of beating up each other. Yes, I loved Stephanie too. Remington Steele was always cool and I loved it. Though I later went on to blame the show for Tom Baker not appearing in the episode "The Five Doctors" of Doctor Who. I later learned, it wasn't because he was filming Remmington Steele at the time, but that he didn't want to return to the show.
DeleteI agree the Ropers was terrible! Not even close to Three's company.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger I had a babysitter for the summers while mom worked and she loved the Rockford files.
It's so much fun to see how much memories these clips bring back.
DeleteMy dad liked The Rockford Files. I much preferred Remington Steele (pictured on the TV Guide, I do believe). I also liked Riptide.
ReplyDeleteI think my brain was also partly functioning yesterday.
DeleteR shows I miss: Revolution (I really wish they'd given it one more season!) AND Roswell (which rocked the first season and then dipped into a terrible place where the only good storyline was Michael and Maria, but I miss THEM!).
I hate when a good show goes bad, only because of a bad time slot or because the producer doesn't care about it. It's happened many many times.
DeleteWe sure did pick different shows today! I couldn't figure out what your TV Guide show was... I remember watching the Ropers but don't remember liking it very much. Reading Rainbow I'm not familiar with but that's cool that it had such an influence on you.
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE Rock'em Sock'em Robots! I loved playing with those as a kid!
fun commercial for me!
Michele at Angels Bark
The TV Guide is Remington Steele. Reading Rainbow was a PBS show featuring Levar Burton. He appeared in the mini-series Roots, and went on to play Geordie Laforge in star Trek TNG.
DeleteThere is a local game store where I discovered them selling an updated version of the rock'em sock'em. They look pretty much the same too.
We caught the Rockford Files on reruns and now have them on Netflix. Great program, until they brought that squirrely guy, Angel in. Then I quite watching! LOL
ReplyDeleteSo many people like the Rockford Files. I only saw a few shows, but I did like it at the time. I just never followed it with dedication.
DeleteHi, Jeffrey - just found you via the a-z challenge. Like your theme! The Rockford Files? God yes, I remember...
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames from
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Glad you finally found your way here. Stop back any time for more nostalgic memories.
DeleteThis is so sad! You and Michele had all different TV shows (except for The Rockford Files)—and I didn't know any of them!!!! Pathetic, really. Ah, but the Reese's commercial I do remember :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visits over at Life In Dogs, Jeffrey... Your comments and engagement make me smile :)
You have good tips and suggestions, love the A-Z series.
DeleteWell, now I'm interested in finding out if you have seen any of my 's' television shows.
I kind of liked Rockford, but Remington was better;-) Both seemed a world away from Rawhide and the Rifleman (grin). I never saw Reading Rainbow but I'm sure I would have loved it:-) Oh, those hot summer days with an icy soda to tickle your nose and a peanut butter cup that made your taste buds dance!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I liked the Remington Steele better. But I thought Rockford had the more catchier tune.
DeleteNext to Twix, Reese PB cups are my favourite candy bar.
My did I love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and whenever I visit home in the United States, the peanut butter cups are the first thing I buy.
ReplyDeleteI remember the Rockford Files even though I didn't watch many of the shows. What I didn't know was that Levar Burton had a show before Star Trek - The Next Generation.
Visiting from the A to Z Blog Challenge.
Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
That's like me when I visit Europe. The first thing I head for is the chocolate aisle in the nearest Tesco's. Nothing like European chocolate.
DeleteLike I mentioned above, Levar Burotn was also in the mini-series Roots.
Loved the Rockford Files! James Garner always cracked me up. And, I love a good mystery with a happy ending.
ReplyDeleteMary
#AtoZChallenge R is for Reba
James Garner is a great actor.
DeleteLoved The Rockford Files! He always got beat up. James Garner suffered with his knees back then and had a heart attack as well. I can't remember what else happened but when the show was down for a bit, he paid the cast & crew out of his own pocket. I also loved Remington Steele. I also watched Ripley's believe it or not with Jack Palance. Sad news..I heard Prince died
ReplyDeleteI remember Ripley's Believe it or Not. I was considering that theme for this entry. I didn't know that about James Garner. He really was all-go wasn't he?
DeleteYes, I think we all heard about Prince now. So shocking.
The Ropers...I remember there was a show, but don't even remember watching it. Three's Company was my fave :)
ReplyDelete~Katie
TheCyborgMom
Three's Company was big at the time. I was shocked when John Ritter died, it was so sad. There was a film he was in I loved, 'Hero At Large' about a down on his luck guy who was not a super hero, but he tried to be one, despite not having any powers. I wonder if anyone else remembers that.
DeleteI lived through the Rockford era of fast cars, women, hustlers, con-artists, you name it - the show had it all. What an age, what a show. I always wanted my pa to own a firebird, oh well.
ReplyDeleteThere is still the option of you owning a firebird. How awesome would that be?
DeleteI watched The Rockford Files in repeats years later. When I was older. Great show. The Ropers was on when I was young and impressionable. Probably why I liked it. I haven't seen it since, but I imagine I'd hate it now.
ReplyDeleteLiz A. from
Laws of Gravity and
Unicorn Bell
The Ropers would be one of those shows you would quickly switch off if anyone else were to walk in the room.
DeleteI absolutely love your theme!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a latchkey kid, my brother and I would walk home after school and we got about three channels on TV. I remember the Rockford files always playing and I HATED it. Lol I don't know if I ever even watched the show before I made up my mind.
I remember the Ropers, and loved the idea and the Ropers but I thought the show was boring.
I don't remember any of the commercials, but I have never watched commercials.
Great post! This brings back lots of memories.
I was never a big watcher of commercials. But back in the day, you didn't have a choice. You couldn't fast forward. Still waiting to find someone who thought the Ropers TV show was brilliant. LOL
DeleteSchool got exciting when they turned reading rainbow on
ReplyDeleteI remember watching it after school. But I also had much younger siblings.
DeleteLoved Remington Steel and Rockford! The Ropers was pretty awful; pablum for the masses. Getting tired yet? The end is in sight! ☺
ReplyDeleteAfter this past weekend, yes I am tired. I've been getting up around 4:30 every morning to prepare and visit other blogs. After next week, I'll be sleeping in till 7:30 and plotting my next A-Z theme for next year.
DeleteSounds like a plan! ☺
DeleteYou've stumped me again. I've heard of the Rockford Files but that is about it. Have a great day and look forward to Q!
ReplyDeleteQ was the day before. Today I am on S. :)
DeleteI hope to find at least ONE show you will remember before this series is up.
Hi Jeffrey - must have watched the Rockford files in South Africa as a release ... and Remington Street ... the others I've not heard of ... cheers - everyone's enjoying your memory rush! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised most have not heard of Reading Rainbow. It was on the Public Broadcasting System. I don't know if many of those shows went overseas.
Delete