TIL WE MEET AGAIN…
Okay…So, my Dear, what do you want to watch this evening? She replies, “Oh, I don’t know. What do YOU want to watch?”
I REALLY, don’t care…but, let’s just “search around” through the channels until we find something to watch.
And, so after we settle into our comfortable seats to enjoy an evening’s entertainment, I pick-up the T.V. remote, and begin the journey into the world of T.V. LAND. The search, it seems, lasts long. The ticking of the clock nestled on the wall behind us grows louder…and LOUDER! Time marches on!
After what seems like FOREVER, I hand the remote over to Carolyn, who takes command of the issue.
HOWEVER…after another see-mingly endless Eternity of searching, she becomes nearly as frustrated as I am over the lack of anything decent or outstanding, or even remotely attractive among our well over 200 television channels from which to choose.
WHAT EVER HAPPENED???
Naturally, we could have submitted to the numerous offerings of game shows, food programs, boringly non-attractive movies (each with well-over an hour’s worth of commercial breaks), reality catastrophes, and more science & police dramas than one could “shake a stick at.”
Same-Old…Same-Old! Nothing truly worthwhile to view! Now, how could this be? How could this dilemma have happened..especially with such a veritable smorgasbord/cornucopia of programs and selections from which to choose?
What were we to do now? After such a loonnngg day, the screen on the wall was expected to be our gateway into relaxation. Disappointment reared its “ugly face.” Not only was the lack of worthwhile entertainment disappointing, but with such an incredible plethora of stations from which to choose, one would expect to find SOMETHING! NOT TONIGHT!
MEMORIES, MEMORIES
Turning-off the T.V., a conversation arose between the two of the saddened viewers (us).
We could both recall the Times of our young Lives, when the World of Television was contained within the boundaries of only three stations. For myself, those stations of my youth were broadcast in black and white, and viewed upon a, basically “rounded” viewing tube nestled into a wooden cabinet. NO remote was available in those days, nor were cable and satellite broadcasts. The stations were “captured” for viewing by adjusting the two extensions of the T.V. rabbit-ears, attached to an antenna on the roof!
Saturday morning programs were my favorites as a child: Sky King, Hop-A-Long Cassidy, Tom & Jerry Cartoons, The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, Howdy Doody, and many others. Of course, when ANDY DEVINE shouted out, “Plunk your Magic Twanger, Froggy!” I always jumped to my feet and shouted along!
Later in the day, and during the weekdays, being from Pittsburgh, we had CAPTIN JIM and POPEYE (sailing on the Nancy B.), ADVENTURE TIME with PAUL SHANNON & THE 3 STOOGES, HANK STOHL & KNISH, JOSIE CAREY, RICKI & COPPER, and MORE…and MORE!!!
During the daytime, Mom would always have the opportunity to watch QUEEN FOR A DAY, Soap-Operas in their infancy, cooking with KAY NEUMAN, MATCH GAME, HOLLYWOOD SQUARES, and others.
Evenings were graced with, among others, BONANZA, WALT DISNEY, THE MILLIONAIRE, PERRY MASON, THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW, THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW, GUNSMOKE, HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL, THE RIFLEMAN, DR, KILDARE, BEN CASEY…the list goes on, and on.
WHO COULD FORGET
Among the most prominent Pittsburgh T.V. personalities, who could EVER forget the memorable BILL CARDILLE? The programs which arose from his incredible talents were STUDIO WRESTLING, and CHILLER THEATRE! His remarkable influence was the foundation for the funding of George Romero’s memorable film, THE NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD.
Other shows we could never forget are: DIALING FOR DOLLARS with DEL TAYLOR, BOWLING FOR DOLLARS, ROMPER ROOM, LAWRENCE WELK, ANDY WILLIAMS, and…my “fav” as a young pubescent boy, AMERICAN BANDSTAND!
AFTER REMEMBERING THE PAST
The evening pressed forward for Carolyn and myself. Then, my BRILLIANT wife said, “Hey, I bet some of these old television shows are still living on YOUTUBE!”
WOW! Yeah, I hoped she was correct in her assumption.
YEP! She WAS!
Since I, a few years ago, decided one day to subscribe to the YOUTUBE channel, I quickly grabbed the T.V. remote, clicked to the channels available via internet through our device, and selected the YOUTUBE channel.
After we both took-in deep breaths, and held them, I clicked the “select” choice, and typed-in the title, “What’s My Line.” We were more than astounded with wonder! There, before our very eyes, was the program which started in the 1950’s. Not merely ONE episode was available for our viewing pleasure, but EVERY episode, from EVERY season of the program! We began with the episode in which ED Sullivan was not only the “mystery celebrity,” but also wore a monkey mask throughout his appearance! That one half-hour episode was followed by several others that evening.
Since that initial viewing experience, we have searched for, and FOUND, many other classic T.V. shows, including my Mom’s favorite, QUEEN FOR A DAY, and Carolyn’s Mom’s fav, the LAWERENCE WELK SHOW.
BACK TO THE PRESENT
Yes, I KNOW, several of the older shows ARE available via cable and satellite offerings…and, several of the newer programs ARE, indeed, enjoyable and entertaining…but, somehow, the Past is there to remind us of a simpler Time. A Time, in which the characters, situations, and tales, were laced with all the Honesty and Courageousness of true Heroes and Heroines. A Time which brought folks closer together…a Time which spoke to each of us then, and formed us into the People we are now. A Time which was built upon American Pride.
Now, Mr. Welk, what were the lyrics to the song closing your show?
Good night, sleep tight and pleasant dreams to you
Here’s a wish and a prayer that every dream comes true
And now ‘til we meet again
Adios, au revoir,
auf wiedersehen - Good Night!
LAWRENCE WELK
(Adios, Au Revoir, Auf Wiedersehen)
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