Well, it's all Mike's fault...

[M-I-Coug]

One day last week, based purely on curiosity, I decided to watch a couple of episodes of "Gunsmoke". Never really watched it before, especially growing up as a child. I can't believe how good this show is. Now, I'm seriously hooked, and have to watch an hour a day, while I look forward to each new recorded episode each night. Pretty cool stuff. Said to be the longest running prime time TV show in Amercia, from 1955-1975, with 635 espisodes. I've got 631 to go. It's all Mike's fault.

 

[Coug95man2]

Truly one of the best shows… And it had such a long run, you can keep watching and even if you've seen that episode before, you still watch. Still fresh!!! I'm with you MI… It's a fantastic show that is timeless.

 

[M-I-Coug]

Truly one of the best shows… And it had such a long run, you can keep watching and even if you've seen that episode before, you still watch. Still fresh!!! I'm with you MI… It's a fantastic show that is timeless.

Yeah, the casting, the writing, the creativity, the stories. They don't make shows like this anymore,right? Not quite "The Beatles", but an arms throw away.

 

[bhamm03]

I gotta go with MASH myself. Very a young guy that comedy makes me laugh.

 

[SCglory]

One day last week, based purely on curiosity, I decided to watch a couple of episodes of "Gunsmoke". Never really watched it before, especially growing up as a child. I can't believe how good this show is. Now, I'm seriously hooked, and have to watch an hour a day, while I look forward to each new recorded episode each night. Pretty cool stuff. Said to be the longest running prime time TV show in Amercia, from 1955-1975, with 635 espisodes. I've got 631 to go. It's all Mike's fault.

I am actually sort of shocked you had not seen GS before. Next thing you'll be saying is that you haven't seen Bonanza either!

 

[M-I-Coug]

I am actually sort of shocked you had not seen GS before. Next thing you'll be saying is that you haven't seen Bonanza either!

Well here's how it went down. Grew up in the 60's and 70's. Everytime Gunsmoke or Bonanza was on, as I flipped channels, (Brady Bunch, Happy Days, Leave it to Beaver), it was just a bunch of cowboys shooting guns at each other. Remember, GS is an Adult show. Not for little kids! As I got older, in my thirties and forties, GS and Bonanza appeared to be "old school". Always loved westerns, but from a TV perspective, it had the mid-century look, which kind of turned me off, so I really never gave it a chance. Mistakingly, judged it by it's cover. Frankly, I'm shocked, too.

Can't believe... "I didn't know what I didn't know", (was ignorant).

 

[cr8zyncalif]

You guys mention both Gunsmoke and Mash above. Those two would easily be in a TV top 25 list, and would deserve serious consideration for top 10. Different genres, but each is possibly the top of its category.

 

[SCglory]

Well here's how it went down. Grew up in the 60's and 70's. Everytime Gunsmoke or Bonanza was on, as I flipped channels, (Brady Bunch, Happy Days, Leave it to Beaver), it was just a bunch of cowboys shooting guns at each other. Remember, GS is an Adult show. Not for little kids! As I got older, in my thirties and forties, GS and Bonanza appeared to be "old school". Always loved westerns, but from a TV perspective, it had the mid-century look, which kind of turned me off, so I really never gave it a chance. Mistakingly, judged it by it's cover. Frankly, I'm shocked, too.

Can't believe... "I didn't know what I didn't know", (was ignorant).

I know every time a woman showed up on Bonanza as a love interest for Ben or the sons, she was doomed.....the writers were scared out of their minds they'd ruin the formula. Little Joe wearing the same green jacket for over a decade, Hoss in his same outfit. Hell, everyone could see the matte background....but it was great. It was a family ritual for us....9:00 pm on Sunday nights I think

 

[kayak15]

M-I, got a kick out our your post. I am currently doing the same thing, watching Gunsmoke episodes on youtube. Must be a Mercer Island thing. This thread doesn't have a thing to do with sports or WSU but is a refreshing change from another thread which will be unnamed.

Yes, the acting was pretty good, especially by TV standards. The character actors called in were also topnotch- Strother Martin, George Kennedy and others.

A couple of notes interesting and amusing to me. Marshall Dillon must have been one hell of a shot. One shot; one dead bad guy. Can't recall many villains, if any, who were only wounded. And, good Lord, they drank a lot! Nothing pressing to do? Well, let's go down to the Long Branch and have a beer or shot of rye. Those guys started drinking shortly after breakfast at Delmonico's and finished only when Miss Kitty closed up her saloon.

Best western series ever made and one of the best series of any type to appear on TV.

Thanks for starting this little thread. A welcome diversion.

 

[YakiCoug]

One day last week, based purely on curiosity, I decided to watch a couple of episodes of "Gunsmoke". Never really watched it before, especially growing up as a child. I can't believe how good this show is. Now, I'm seriously hooked, and have to watch an hour a day, while I look forward to each new recorded episode each night. Pretty cool stuff. Said to be the longest running prime time TV show in Amercia, from 1955-1975, with 635 espisodes. I've got 631 to go. It's all Mike's fault.

BONANZA TRIVIA QUESTIONS:

1. What was Hoss's real first name?
2. How many wives/widows did Ben Cartwright have and what were their nationalities?
3. How big was Hoss (played by Dan Blocker)?
4. How did the show's writers explain Adam's (Pernell Roberts) and Hoss's disappearance/departure?
5. How big was the Cartwright ranch and where was it located?
6. Why did Roberts leave the show?
7. Which of the show's supporting actors went on to a long career in a TV soap opera?
8. What is the name of the Cartwright family cook?
9. Which Cartwright son had the best formal education?
10. True or false: the show failed to make the Top 30 in the ratings its first and final seasons.
11. Which character typically sported a Cougar crimson shirt?

 

[Flatlandcoug]

Never was a Gunsmoke guy but loved Bonanza when I was a kid. Haven't watched either for years. Funny thing about living in Kansas is that the state owned Casino based in Dodge City is a sponsor of Gunsmoke.