Around the dial

CNN

Ready for some lightness in what's been a grim week? Let's start out with Martin Grams and his link to this interview with Mickey Mouse, which I should think would bring a smile or two to many a face out there.

At A View from the Junkyard, Roger looks at the A-Team episode "Labor Pains," which once again demonstrates that unregulated capitalism makes for great bad guys. If that sounds strange coming from me, keep in mind that the best regulation for any kind of -ism, as Whittaker Chambers once pointed out, is that of morality. Whose morality? Well, that's a topic for another day.

Some interesting tidbits over at Television Obscurities include this brief NBC promo for the 1972 Fall Season, as well as some audio from CBS News's dramatic coverage of the funeral of General and former President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1969, an event that marked the further closing of the window to an era.

At the Secret Sanctum of Captain Video, it's a look at "Planet of the Robots," a story from the comic strip adventures of Star Trek, courtesy of the British weekly comic magazine TV Century 21. The story ran in 1969, before the series had even premiered over there.

Commemorations of two different types from Terence at A Shroud of Thoughts: first, the 70th anniversary of The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, the first "adult" television Western; second, the passing of Mark Volman, founding member of The Turtles, who died at age 78. We're all aging at the rate of 60 minutes per hour, but sometimes it seems the clock runs very fast.

At Mavis Movie Madness, Paul pays tribute to actress Polly Holliday, who died earlier this week; she's the wonderful Flo from the sitcom Alice, who then moved on to her own sitcom, a successful show that fell victim to circumstances beyond its control. 

At Cult TV Blog, John takes a look at a genre we don't discuss often enough, the documentary: it's "The Apartheid Killer," an episode of the BBC's Africa Eye series, and it describes the consequences of living in "a community where you have either suffered from crime or have benefitted from it."

And in case you miss my weekly (daily?) promotions, here's a very nice mention of Darkness in Primetime and It's About TV at The Saturday Evening Post, courtesy of friend of the blog Bob Sassone. Now I can say I've appeared in the same magazine as Norman Rockwell!

Also, my latest "Two Minute Author" video is up, and even though I came in at just under four minutes this time, I think you'll like it; it's a look at how the Hollywood Blacklist influenced many of the shows I write about in the book. Directors, writers, and actors were all involved at one time or another, and you can see the effects in the stories and the performances. TV

If you enjoy the content here and want to support my broader creative work, please consider making a donation at my Ko-fi page. Any amount you contribute helps me continue writing, researching, and sharing these articles and projects. Thank you!

Around the dial

At The Twilight Zone Vortex, Jordan continues his examination of the show's final season with "The Self-Improvement of Salvadore Ross," an better-than-average episode improved by stellar performances from Don Gordon and Gail Kobe.

A double-dose of Brit TV begins at Cult TV Blog, with John's take on "The Classroom," an episode of the little-remembered and difficult to categorize anthology series The Frighteners. I always enjoy his looks at these obscure series, because I'm always on the lookout for interesting new shows to check out.

Continuing across the pond, at Comfort TV, David looks at Department S, which is a cross between, what—Murder, She Wrote, The Avengers, and James Bond? If that inexact comparison is enough to whet your appetite, I urge you to check out the series.

At A Shroud of Thoughts, Terence invites us to view the intriguing UPN series Nowhere Man, which premiered 30 years ago. It's the story of a documentary photographer, played by Bruce Greenwood, who finds that his entire life has been "erased" from everyone's memory, except for his. Interested?

That's just one of many series celebrating anniversaries over the next few weeks, which makes sense given September is the month when most series used to premiere. Television Obscurities has a comprehensive list of those shows; see how many of them you remember from back when.4

At A View from the Junkyard, Roger's retrospective on The A-Team brings us to "The Taxicab Wars," a delightful episode that's just as much fun to watch today as it was when it originally aired, and for classic TV fans, that's often a relief.

And it just wouldn't be Friday without a little self-promotion from yours truly, right? My latest edition of the "Two Minute Author" (which only runs for three-and-a-half minutes this time) looks at David Karp's 1955 drama "One," and how a classic TV historian manages to write about an episode that no longer exists.

If you enjoy the content here and want to support my broader creative work, please consider making a donation at my Ko-fi page. Any amount you contribute helps me continue writing, researching, and sharing these articles and projects. Thank you!

Around the dial

We'll begin the week with some blatant self-promotion on my part, and why not, when I've got a lot to promote? 

From last week, here's the latest edition of the American TV History series with Dan Schneider, in which we discuss TV of the 1990s. A good show, if I do say so myself. Meanwhile, here are my most recent podcast appearances promoting Darkness in Primetime: first, a delightful conversation with Jeff Dwoskin at Classic Conversations, followed by a wonderful chat with Steve Beverly and his TV Classics. Both great guys, and I had a terrific time. Finally, my latest two-minute (or so) video runs a little over that, as I talk about one of the more mysterious programs chronicled in Darkness in Primetime, the 1967 drama "The Investigation." tps://ko-fi.com/mitchellhadley And if that doesn't give you motivation to buy the book, I'll just keep working at it! Now to our regular programming.

In the year 1976, ABC is riding the wave to the top of the television ratings, as we can see in David's continuing journey through 1970s TV at Comfort TV. It's Thursday night, and a lineup with Kotter, Barney Miller, and The Streets of San Francisco is going to be hard to beat. See what CBS has to offer. Oh, and NBC is an afterthought.

McHale's Navy without McHale? You read that right; it's the 1965 movie McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force, and at Silver Scenes, the Metzingers tell how this movie works in spite of the fact it's missing the title character.

At Cult TV Blog, John introduces us to the 1972 children's series The Intruder, and the episode that kicks it off, "The Stranger," a startling story of identity that carries through the entire series. It's one of those "adult" children's shows, which means anyone can enjoy it.

We're back with The A-Team at A View from the Junkyard, and this week Roger casts his eyes on the episode "When You Comin' Back, Range Rider," a double-length episode that features chase scenes, plenty of flashbacks, a new threat, and a good time had by all.

At TV Obscurities, Robert celebrates the life of David Ketchum, actor and screenwriter, who appeared on Get Smart, Camp Runamuck, and I'm Dickens, He's Fenster, and died earlier this month at the age of 97. Be sure to follow the link to Robert's article on Runamuck. 

Also on the list of obituaries is Frank Price, who had a long career in television as a producer before going on to head up Columbia Pictures; he died this week, age 95. Terence has the story of his long list of credits at A Shroud of Thoughts.

One of the treats on MST3K is when the gang riffs on educational shorts, many of which are truly horrific. But if you want to see them intact and without commentary, Paul has the answer at Drunk TV, as he looks at the Classic Educational Shorts Collection, Volume 5. TV

If you enjoy the content here and want to support my broader creative work, please consider making a donation at my Ko-fi page. Any amount you contribute helps me continue writing, researching, and sharing these articles and projects. Thank you!

Around the dial

In case you've been asleep all week, Darkness in Primetime published this week. You can find out how to order it here. My latest interview, with Doug Hess of the Forgotten Hollywood podcast, is available here. And on an non-book related note, here's the latest edition of Eventually Supertrain, in which Dan and I continue to look at the very entertaining Garrison's Gorillas. I think that's about enough self-serving content for one week, don't you?

At The Hollywood Reporter, Steven Zeitchik asks whether Colbert's cancellation signals the last call for late night talk shows. It's one of those stories that asks and answers its own question, giving ample proof as to why these big-mouth chatterboxes are no longer must-see, or even maybe-see, TV.

The latest Brit mystery to fall under John's gaze at Cult TV Blog is the 1974 anthology series Dial M for Murder, which is not about the famous Hitchcock movie or the play from which it's derived, but a series of, well, murder mysteries, including this week's excellent "Whatever's Peter Playing At?"

Speaking of Hitch, at Clasic Film & TV Café, Rick presents us with seven things to know about Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Some fun factoids here, and a pleasant reminder of an anthology that was frequently quite entertaining, and which I should probably return to someday.

From the Ford 50th Anniversary Show of 1953, the Broadcast Archives presents a very funny sketch by Mary Martin, staged by famed choreographer Jerome Robbins, on the history of fashion. I wonder what they'd do with today's fashions?

At Comfort TV, David looks at what he refers to as "the carefree era of commercials," when ads had personality, distinctiveness, even a sense of humor—and, I might add, were not a source of political controversy regarding the latest cause célèbre.

Television's New Frontier: the 1960s returns with the 1962 episodes of the seminal cartoon series The Jetsons, which spawned comic books, soundtrack recordings, toys aplenty, and a surprisingly accurate look at how automation might affect our way of living.

At Mavis Movie Madness!, Paul examines Lee Marvin's only dramatic television series, M Squad, which literally packed a punch over its three seasons, and is absolutely my idea of what a half-hour police drama should be like. 

Maddie looks at the great Eve Arden at Classic Film and TV Corner; on television, she was Our Miss Brooks and one of The Mothers-In-Law, and she had an incomparable film career as the premier essayist of what has come to be called the "Eve Arden Role."

At A Shroud of Thoughts, Terence pays tribute to a couple of fallen stars: Tom Lehrer, the satiric songwriter who died last month (you've already read a couple of tributes to him), and Danielle Spencer, former child star on What's Happening!! who later became a DVM.

Martin Grams is back with more reviews of classic books from Bear Manor Media, including biographies of Grant (The Incredible Shrinking Man, Hawaiian Eye) Williams, Virginia Gregg, Steve Ihnat, and Joi Lansing.

A View from the Junkyard gives us our weekly A-Team fix, as Roger reviews the episode "The Only Church in Town," in which Our Heroes are hired by one of their own, Face, in a bittersweet kind of story. TV  

Around the dial

I claim the top spot for myself this week, with a couple of notes. First, if you haven't yet ordered your copy of Darkness in Primetime, you've still got a couple of weeks to get in on the introductory pricing; go here for details. In support of Darkness, I've launched a new series of two-ish minute videos focusing on the book, what went into its writing, behind-the-scenes stories, and more. You can see that video here, and keep up on additional episodes by subscribing to my YouTube channel, or signing up for my newsletter.

You can also hear me on the latest episode of Eventually Supertrain, as Dan and I discuss the latest on Garrison's Gorillas, plus segments on Bronk and Ghosted. As I am prone to say, don't you dare miss it. And now on to some non-Mitchell related goodies.

At bare•bones e-zine, Jack's Hitchcock Project continues full steam ahead, with "The Impossible Dream," which is not about Don Quxiote but does tell a nasty story of blackmail, written by Meade Roberts and starring Franchot Tone, Carmen Mathews, and Mary Astor.

We're visiting 1961 in the latest episode of Cult TV Blog, as John looks at The Seven Faces of Jim (not to be confused with The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao), part of a succession of three comedy series starring Jimmy Edwards. This week features a comic spin on Quatermass, and sounds like a hit.

It's short but sweet at the Broadcast Archives, with a singing commercial message from Pottsylvainan TV. If you know what the reference means, you know you're in for something fiunny; if you don't, all the more reason to check it out.

At Comfort TV, David's journey through 1970s TV has arrived at Wednesday nights in 1976, and memories of the dominant ABC schedule, including The Bionic Woman, Baretta, and Charlie's Angels. What did NBC and CBS have to counter them? You'll find out.

The Twilight Zone Vortex returns with a look at the final-season episode "The Long Morrow," with Robert Lansing and Mariette Hartley. I agree for the most part, with Jordan's negative assessment, but I've got to make allowances for the episode's lovely score, made up of stock music.

At Classic Film and TV Corner, Maddie visits the TV adaptation of The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, based on the movie with Gene Tierney and Rex Harrision, which ran from 1968-1970. Our TV version, which more than holds its own, stars Hope Lange and Edwards Mulhare.

Apparently the message that we've had enough of death for one year hasn't kicked in yet, as we add Loni Anderson to the list of those leaving us; at A Shroud of Thoughts, Terence pays tribute to this native of Minnesota, so familiar from WKRP and television appearances of all kinds.

Finally, if you know anything about nuclear power, you know that heavy water has nothing to do with heavy bread; no, "Recipe for Heavy Bread" is the latest episode of The A-Team to fall under Roger's microscope at The View from the Junkyard. TV  

Win a Copy of Darkness in Primetime!

What can we learn from landmark television episodes of the 1950s and ’60s that predicted today’s social concerns—like conformity, loss of liberty, family breakdown, and the silencing of public faith?

In anticipation of the August 12 release of Darkness in Primetime, I’m excited to offer one lucky Goodreads reader a free copy—winner’s choice of paperback or eBook edition!

Here’s how to enter:

1. Add Darkness in Primetime to your Goodreads Want to Read shelf.
2. Email me at mitchell-at-itsabouttv-dot-com OR leave a comment below with your Goodreads username or a screenshot showing you've added the book.
3. Optional but appreciated: Follow me on Goodreads to stay updated on future news and giveaways.

Deadline to enter: August 10

Winner notified: August 12

If you have a Goodreads account, now’s the perfect time to join the fun!

Also, today (July 30), I can be heard on Channel 2 of The Authors Show® discussing "Darkness in Primetime." It's about 15 minutes and can be heard throughout the day tomorrow. Tune in if you have a few; I'd appreciate it! TV  

Darkness in Primetime now available for preorder

It occurs to me, looking at the blog, that I'm just not promoting Darkness in Primetime enough. (I don't know what it is; just a feeling, I guess.) But of course one has to take advantage of every opportunity there is, especially when you're an indie author with a limited marketing budget. (I suppose I could start a tip jar, and maybe someday I will, but as an author I remain committed to offering my content here for free. As a publisher, I think the author is an idiot for doing that, but in this case the author wins.)

At any rate, Darkness in Primetime: How Classic-Era TV Foresaw Modern Society's Descent into Hell is now available for pre-order in both paperback and eBook formats. The official publication date is August 12, but if you order now, you can take advantage of a limited-time launch pricing special through August 19.

Get the paperback for just $24.95 (regularly $29.95) or the eBook for only $7.99 (regularly $9.99). 

Interested? Why wait? Grab your copy now while the discount lasts!

For all the details and to place your order, visit this link.

If you haven't made up your mind yet, here are a couple of videos that might help you along, beginning with this two-minute trailer:

You'll also be interested in this interview I did last week with the great Chance Bartels at The Nostalgia Podblast. I've set the video to begin around the eight-minute mark and my appearance, but feel free to go back to the beginning and some cool video preliminaries:

And while you're at it, it doesn't hurt to check out my other books as well. I'd appreciate it! TV  

Around the dial

It came as a revelation to me, many years ago, to see a reference in an old TV Guide to "Win" Martindale. At first I assumed it was a typo, but as we can see in this post from the Broadcast Archives, Wink Martindale was known, for a time, as Win. Either way you look at it, he was one of game show history's biggest winners.

At Comfort TV, David's journey through 1970s TV takes us to Monday nights, 1976. The highlight, of course, was Monday Night Football, but for every touchdown (Little House), there's an incomplete pass or two: The Captain and Tennille, All's Fair, Executive Suite. Stick to the movies and the game.

John returns to the world of the private detective at Cult TV Blog, with a look at the Shoestring episode "Find the Lady," with our heroic private "ear" on the trail of a murder—or is it? Check out an interesting story with a stellar guest cast.

At Captain Video's Secret Sanctum, we take a look at 2009's Spaceballs: The Animated Series, which ran for 13 episodes, and is pretty much exactly what you'd expect from an animated Mel Brooks project. I wonder what I was doing that I don't remember this?

Does a movie count as TV if you saw it on your television? It does in this case, as at Classic Film and TV Corner, Maddy reviews the top four performances from one of the all-time greats, Toshiro Mifune. I've seen all four of these movies, and I can't argue with a one of them; they're all superb.

Speaking of superb, at The View from the Junkyard, Roger reviews the concluding episode of The New Avengers, "Emily," which serves as a fitting end to the series, "a celebration of everything this show does best."

At A Shroud of Thoughts, Terence pays tribute to the legendary Brian Wilson, who died last week at 82. He was certainly a familiar face on television in the 1960s, given the prominence of the Beach Boys, and one of those tortured geniuses who accomplished so much, and paid a price for it.

Martin Grams is back with another selection of book reviews designed to appeal to the TV and film buff in you. I mention these not just because they sound interesting, but to remind me that I have a pile of books to review myself, all on hold while I finished my own book. Which is done, by the way.

And that leads to my reminder that if you'd like to sign up for updates on Darkness in Primetime: How Classic-Era TV Foresaw Modern Society's Descent into Hell, you can do so at this link. There's another reveal next week leading up to the August release date; why not take a moment to sign up? TV  

How classic television foresaw the future

Xx  Unless you're a complete stranger to this website—and if so, what took you so long?—you know that for years, I've been beating the drum for the value of classic-era television as a primary document of sorts, a glimpse into not just the history of television itself, but of our culture: the trends, the influences, how it reflects our national and cultural history, and how, in turn, how it has been influenced by it. 

However, if you require any further proof of this, my new book Darkness in Primetime: How Classic-Era TV Foresaw Modern Society's Descent into Hell gives you a precise look at our current world—as it was envisioned by the writers of television shows in the 1950s and 1960s. With remarkable foresight, these writers applied the lessons they'd learned from history—the French Revolution, the rise of Communism, the McCarthy era of the Blacklist—to a view on what the world might be like twenty, thirty, fifty years from now. It was, in many ways, a depressing look, filled with totalitarian images, widespread consumerism, constant surveillance, oppressive governments, and a purposeless society that had descended into an endless quest for pleasure. By then, many people had abandoned God altogether, content with their reinvention as their own gods, masters of the environment, controllers of the mind, arbiters of the soul. In place of the individual, there was only the monolith: the State, the collective, the society in which all must look alike, think alike, be alike, in order to avoid confronting our worst fears.

If we'd paid more attention to these programs at the time, and what they were saying—ah, but that ship has long since sailed. As cultural historians, we can only look back at the themes of these shows and what they reveal about the world that helped spawn them. These programs served as more than simple entertainment, though entertaining they often were; the problem was that even the television industry didn't take them seriously enough. My efforts to track down some of these programs were ample proof that when it came to preserving its own history, television took itself no more seriously than many of its critics did. It was, as I write, as if "painters were to throw out their canvases following an exhibition, or playwrights burned their manuscripts after a performance." Hopefully, in addition to informing readers about the fascinating history of these programs, it will serve as a reminder that television can do more than produce cheap laughs, real-world exploitation, and dramas that carry no moral weight.

Many of you have probably seen this already, but for those of you who haven't, this is the trailer for Darkness in Primetime. Please take a couple of minutes to watch it, and feel free to share with others who have an interest in classic-era television.

Darkness in Primetime will be available in August; you can sign up for updates on when you can preorder, as well as information not only about this book but the others that I've written. I feel confident that after you've read Darkness in Primetime, you'll have a new appreciation for the value of classic-era programs, and the light they can shed on our history: who we were and who we are. TV