Four Favorite Television Shows I Barely Remembered

Since prehistoric times humans have told stories to entertain and educate each other. In early times those stories were told around the fire. These stories shape our culture and our personal individuality. In the modern age stories are shared via the medium of television. In ancient times stories were a way to enhance our tribe, and this remains the intention, in the stories seen on television, however it makes our tribe so much larger. Although, this modern way of sharing stories does not diminish our need to share stories, within the more intimate groups of family or friends, as the ancients did. It can enhance our culture, and for many of us they form our world view. Our world views may be offensive to some, or appreciated by others, however they are what make us individuals, and the reasons for them should be understood and appreciated in our own consciousness.

I was not one of those children left in front of the television, for it to be my babysitter. My family was very close. We played games and had many activities. I went fishing with my father quite often. My mother had a large family, and as such, we had many good times with them, as well as, with my father’s family. We attended social functions, mostly at church. My parents involvement with the church, also included visiting the sick and elderly. Even though we had a full life, my family still loved to watch television. For my parents, my sister, and myself, television also became a needed break, from the pain and misery we saw, while fulfilling a conviction to be there for those in need. For this reason, I have to owe some of who I am today, as a person, to the stories presented to me in television shows at an early age. Some of the traits and viewpoints I have, because of being exposed to the shows, that I am about to spotlight, may be considered good ones, while others no so good. They are, however what makes me an individual. I appreciate these shows for giving me the traits and views that I consider to be good, and I work on affecting a change in myself, in regards to the ones I feel are negative. These are shows that I barely remember, however in later years my parents talked about how much I loved each of them. When looking at what these shows were about, I can see how much they shaped me as the individual I am today. If you are in my age group, these shows may also have had an effect on you, during your informative years.

It’s About Time

This, Sherwood Schwartz, comedy had its run on CBS, from 1966 through 1967. Some believe that it was actually two series with the same name, due to a retooling of the show part way through. In the first incarnation of the show, two astronauts, played by Frank Aletter and Jack Mullaney, are thrown back in time to prehistoric times, and live with cave people. The cave people, are lead by Shadd, played by Imogene Coca, and Gronk, played by Joe E. Ross. In the middle of the second season, the show was retooled, having Shadd, Gronk, and their family, come back with the astronauts to the 1960s.

This show was in Black and White, and like many 1960s comedies, it was absurd and wacky. This show, and others like it, are what I believe gave me my core sense of humor. They also gave me my sense of absurdism. I feel, that had I not been exposed to this show at an early age, that I may not likem the Absurdist authors, Camus and Kafka, as much I do. As a result, Two of my cats would not have been named after those authors. Also, this show is most likely responsible for my interest in time travel and alternate universes. It may be responsible for my later interest in Science Fiction shows like The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, and more recently, Lost, with all of its explorations of time and the quantum world. Much of the artwork, music, and writing I do involves themes that I can relate directly back to this television series. Because of this I feel, It’s About Time had the most impact on my life and views, of any of the television shows that I have watched. I barely remember watching it way back then as a child. Only vague memories of the cave people coming back to 1960s Earth.

It’s About Time- Intro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1G-TsdNWGg

Daktari

This show was also on CBS. It ran from 1966 until 1969. Based on The 1965 film, Clarence the Cross-eyed Lion, it was also, produced by Ivan Tors, and starred Marshall Thompson, as veterinarian Dr. Marsh Tracy. The series title comes from the Swahili word for doctor. Cheryl Miller played Daktari’s daughter, Paula Tracy. In the final season, Erin Moran, joined the show, as orphan Jenny Jones. The main stars of the show were, however Clarence The Lion and Judy the Chimp.

I feel that this show gave me my strong interest in animals. At one time I wanted to be just like Daktari, and go to Africa to save animals. I may not have done that. However, for me a big part of why my wife and I bought a farm and raise animals, came from watching this show as a child. We may not have a herd of zebras, a lion, or a chimp, but we do have some cool looking sheep, a donkey, a llama, and other critters.

Excerpt from Daktari

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJEQw8e18VQ

Amos Burke: Secret Agent

This was the title given to Burke’s Law during its final season in 1966. The show starred Gene Berry, as Amos Burke, a millionaire detective. He was chauffeured around the town in a Rolls Royce, and was a bit of a playboy. The series was revived, on its original network CBS, between 1994 and 1995. I did not watch that version of it.

This was apparently, one of my favorite shows as a child, as I named a dog, after the title character, Amos Burke. Although I have no interest in law enforcement, what I believe this show gave me was a liking for the good life and glamor. At one point in my life, I was very interested in a lifestyle similar to that of Burke, however, without the law enforcement part. At one time I, as many men have in their youth, wanted to live the life of a rich playboy. I have grown and can do without the playboy part now. However, I still retain an appreciation of the finer things in life. For that reason I believe that this show had both a negative and positive effect on me. Getting past the negative effect was a personal achievement. Make no mistake about it I still enjoy and want more of the finer things in life. I just do not want them in a tacky way.

Clip from Amos Burke: Secret Agent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzNbE5wqCMo

Although, I have included how I believe these television have affected my world views, this piece is not about me. It is attended to show gratitude to these shows, as well as serving as a model, for you to consider how your favorite television shows, as a child, affected you. Even though, television has its negative effects, those of us who grew up being exposed to television, owe some debt of gratitude to its positive effects. I for one, simply choose to focus on the positive, and work towards rectifying the negative. I hope this helps you to do the same.

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