Yes, we only had three major networks and just a handful of TV channels we could choose from, but the term "Less is Better" certainly applied to TV back then.
What we didn't have in choice, we had in quality, and we didn't realize it back then--or care--but looking back, the shows that were on the air were filled with not only quality, but creativity.
Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the premiere of two TV shows that were highly influential on the makeup of television for years to come. One is pretty much acknowledged as such, the other had just as much influence, but in a more subtle way.
NBC's "Star Trek" debuted 50 years ago yesterday, and television science fiction--and science fiction in general--has never been the same since it came into our consciousness.
Gene Roddenberry's vision of the future--and his dealing with social issues within the context and framework of science fiction--was not anything new--Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone" certainly opened the door for "Star Trek"--but putting this into the structure of a weekly show with regular characters was something new and different.
Capt. Kirk, Spock, Sulu, Chekhov, Scotty, Bones, Uhura ... they helped us relate to what Roddenberry was trying to say, and while not every episode was a social commentary about the world of the 1960s, many episodes were, all brought to us in the context of science fiction.
William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and the rest of the cast became household names--all from relative obscurity--and many people today probably think the show was a success from the get-go.
Of course, the show was not that popular when originally shown, became a phenomenon in reruns, has spawned countless movies and followup series, but for the purity of Roddenberry's vision, the original "Star Trek" still cannot be beat.
Another show made its debut on the very same day. I cannot remember if I watched the premiere of "Star Trek" or this particular show, but suffice it to say, I did probably watch one of them, was taken by it, and have become a life-long fan of both shows.
The other TV show that came on the air for the first time 50 years ago yesterday featured a much more subtle look at mid-1960s culture, and its influence is not often acknowledged, but looking back, it helped changed the role of women on the small screen forever.
"That Girl" was an ABC sitcom featuring a single girl trying to make it in the big city, meaning New York, as an actress. Featuring Marlo Thomas as Ann Marie and Ted Bessell as her journalist boyfriend Donald Hollinger, the show--a vision of Thomas, who was the un-listed executive producer of the show--was as revolutionary as "Star Trek" was, but in a different, more down to earth way.
Ann Marie lived alone as a single woman in Manhattan, had a regular boyfriend, and pursued her dream of becoming a big-time actress. The show went as far as it could in portraying Ann Marie as a chaste good girl, but times were a-changin', and Thomas delivered, as an independent woman who had a clear goal and went after her dream.
Thomas, a feminist herself, insisted that the show portray the character as independent, even with boyfriend Hollinger and her father in tow. But Thomas' character at least opened the door a little bit for even more independent female characters, where the innuendo was out the door and the lifestyle of single women was talked about openly.
And there was plenty of innuendo here. Hollinger was always seen running out the door during every episode, but looking back at the show as an adult, you pretty much figured that he would eventually run back in, and stay for a while, if you get what I mean. I mean, you just couldn't show that side of the obvious on TV back in 1966.
Yes, "That Girl" was criticized for being nothing but a showcase for the fashion whims of Thomas, was knocked as being unbelievable as far as where she lived, how she lived, and her overall lifestyle on the show in lieu of the fact that she was supposed to be a struggling actress, but the show made the theme of single women living their lives apart from their families somewhat plausible.
Mary Tyler Moore, even when few would listen to her, has acknowledged many times that without "That Girl," there would have been no "Mary Tyler Moore Show" to throw the door wide open on the emerging feminine lifestyle, and in the context of that, "That Girl" was as influential as "Star Trek" was.
1966 also saw the debut of other extremely influential shows, including "Dark Shadows," "The Monkees" and "Batman," so if there was a watershed year for television, 1966 was it.
Having been there when all of these shows debuted, all I can say is that it makes me feel old and young again at the very same time.
Speak to you again on Monday. Have a nice weekend.
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