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.
1971-1983 All in the Family featuring: Caroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner & Sally Struthers
I practically grew up with this television show about the bigot, the dingbat and the meathead. I wasn't always allowed to watch it, but when it was on, I caught it. I was a fan of comedy, even if I didn't understand all the humour. When the character of Edith was killed off in the series, I thought Jean Stapleton had died.
1983-1987 The A-Team featuring George Peppard, Dirk Benedict, Dwight Schults & Mr. T.
1,000 bullets were fired every episode. Not one person was killed. Or so I remember.
One day, my dad took me shopping with him and I was with my friend. As we shopped my dad was pretending to be BA Baracus. My friend was playing Murdock and I was Hannibal Smith.
1989-1990, 1994-1997 Alien Nation featured Eric Pierpoint & Gary Graham
The theme song pretty much explains what it was about. This TV show was based off the 1988 Alien Nation film. Drinking sour milk had the same effect on the Newcomers as beer would to us.
This A-Z list has been brought to you today, by....
1951 - Ajax
1977 - Arthur Treacher's
1983 - Apple Computers
I remember the A-Team very fondly - used to watch it every Saturday. My fav was always Face :) Then Alien Nation - I never got to see much of it when it was originally aired, but I collected a few of the novels and have since caught more of it in reruns.
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
A lot of people never liked Alien Nation but I thought it was an interesting premise.
DeleteI had completely forgot about 'All in the Family' but I know I watched it was a was a kid.
ReplyDeleteThe A-Team, sweet memories! They re-aired it here in Italy last year. I caught a few episodes. Still enjoyed them :-)
And you know? This are kind of shows that would never be produced today, I think.
I agree, too many reality tv shows and audiences who are unwilling to give something new a chance. If the words CSI are not in the title, people veer away.
DeleteThose commercials are a blast from the past. This will be a fun theme.
ReplyDeleteI watched All in the Family and The A-Team, but couldn't get into Alien Nation.
There were a few letters it was hard to find theme songs for or commercials. But I managed to do it. Hope everyone enjoys these blasts from the past.
DeleteI forgot about the A-Team! I never watched Alien Nation but it looks pretty funny. I LOVE your classic commercials. Having been in advertising most of my career life, I really dig TV commercials. Loved the Ajax one. Funny how long the spots were back in the 50s. So much longer than the 10, 15 & 30 second spots of today.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great Apple commercial. Wow, 1984.
Excellent post Jeffrey. I love it. I'm going to enjoy traveling this nostalgia journey with you...
Michele at Angels Bark
I've got some great days ahead, some themes and commercials I really loved and even found a few odd songs and jingles I had never heard before. Some kind of racy, some kind of embarrassing. It's all interesting how commercials have progressed. As you say, even the time of the commercials.
DeleteThat was a fun blast from the past! All in the Family was a favourite show. I remember my mother saying to my father that he reminded her of Archie Bunker, sometimes. ☺ The A Team I couldn't get into, but it was certainly popular in its day, probably thanks to Mr. T. Believe it or not, I've never heard of Alien Nation. Loved the old commercials! We used to have an Arthur Treacher's in the neighbourhood. This is such a fun theme!
ReplyDeleteI too remember an Arthur Treacher's. But it was gone a long time ago. I found a show you've never heard of? Oh, there will most likely be a few more as we take a step back in time.
DeleteNo doubt. ☺ I was living in Europe from 1965 to 69, so probably missed quite a few.
DeleteWhich is still okay. I dug up some I'm sure others will have never heard of.
DeleteFinally I found someone else doing TV Sitcoms (yes, me too)
ReplyDeleteAnd Thank you so much for this stroll down memory lane, especially Alien Nation. I remember watching the show as a kid. Was nice to relive it again.
Will be back for the rest :)
My entry for the #AtoZChallenge -
Tv Shows: A - Agents of SHIELD
I was worried when I first stated preparing this. I wasn't sure if I could remember a TV show for each letter of the alphabet. In the end, my plan pulled together. And I love it when a plan comes together.
DeleteI love it when a plan comes together!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, this brought back memories. I didn't watch Alien Nation, but the rest... nailed it!
Hilarious. I didn't read your comment till after I posted the reply above. LOL
DeleteUsed to love The A Team, we would sit round together as a family and watch it together :) You always knew they'd win the day, but still enjoyed every episode LOL!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne from
Suzannes Tribe
It was always interesting to see HOW they would win the day and what sort of antics Murdock would get into.
DeleteHi, Jeffrey!
ReplyDeleteYou flogged my memory with these artifacts of the past, good buddy. All in the Family was great the first couple of years but, by the time it became Archie Bunker's Place, it wasn't nearly as good and the character had lost much of his punch. I pity the fool who didn't watch and love The A-Team, and you ain't gonna get me up in one of them air-o-planes, Hannibal! I remember watching Alien Nation but quickly lost interest in it. As a child I was constantly exposed to the commercial jingle for "Ajax, the foaming cleanser." I forgot all about Arthur Treacher and his Fish & Chips fast food chain. I used to dine there in my late teens and early 20s. I came to know Arthur as the announcer and sidekick on The Merv Griffin Show. The iconic TV spot for Apple is another great addition to your "A" post. I remember it well!
Thanks, Jeffrey!
I think all in the family jumped the shark when Edith died.
DeleteOh, those early days of computers. I have a few more golden oldies heading your way. Stay tuned.
Jeffrey, Alf and The A-Team were great 80s TV programs. I wish Netflix would carry Alf so I can watch it again. Of course, I grew up watching All in the Family and the opening theme music is fabulous with Archie & Edith singing. Man, that show would not make it today with all the racial comedy, but still it's hilarious! I remember thinking MacIntosh wouldn't survive. They did more than survive, they are explosive and I love Apple's products. I wish I had the foresight to buy stock in the company in the early days. lol Great "A" post.
ReplyDeleteCurious as a Cathy
All Things Vintage: Artists #AprilA2Z #BoTB
It's amazing how much racial tension were in a lot of TV shows of the late 70s, early 80s. Even some of the commercials. As you'll see in some upcoming days.
DeleteSo does this post get an 'A' grade?
I love that Ajax commercial. My dad could sing the low part and taught his sisters-in-law to sing the rest of it.
ReplyDeleteMy dad used to walk around singing old commercial jingles. Most of them I could never understand what he was singing about.
DeleteSomeone go grab Stephen T. McCarthy's hand and bring him over here...he loves Archie Bunker. All these shows are SO familiar...I may have had a television addiction in my youth. I seem to remember all the shows and theme songs.
ReplyDeleteGreat theme!
Cherdo
Cherdo on the Flipside
"Favorite Characters, Favorite Lines" on the A-to-Z Challenge 2016
Even the shows I have not watched, I seem to remember the theme songs. Funny how that works.
DeleteNot into any of these, especially the talking puppet. Hate talking puppets. LOL
ReplyDeleteDon't know how I missed this yesterday! Oh well, here now. LOL
With so many AtoZers, I'm sure it's easy to miss a few from time to time. Same goes for me. I am always playing catch up.
DeleteI remember all of them except Alien Nation
ReplyDeleteAlien Nation was only on for the season, then it came back for a few TV movies. So it was easy to miss.
DeleteAll in the Family, what memories! As a teen, I saw many similarities between Archie and my dad...although Daddy was far from a a bigot. And many similarities between Edith and my mama, although Mama was far from a dingbat.
ReplyDeleteI watched a lot of the A-Team too, mostly because I thought Kirk was handsome.
Revisit the Tender Years with me during the #AtoZChallenge at Life & Faith in Caneyhead!
All in the family was certainly a product of a different generation. And parents were far from the characters on the show, still, they could identify with them.
DeleteI remember all of those shows :D Wonderful theme! I look forward to more
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Lori
My A2Zs @ As the Fates Would Have It & Promptly Written
Follow Me (Ravyne) Twitter|Facebook
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoy the rest of the set.
DeleteAll in the Family would never get made today with all the politically correct BS. Love the Ajax kitchen cleaner commercial.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. The worst thing anyone can do these days is hurt someone's feelings. Sad, when it's something so petty.
Delete