I watched many of the same shows as you. My brother and I watched Star Trek together. I was a bit of a music nerd and enjoyed watching the variety shows with my parents, Carol Burnett and, yes, Lawrence Welk. After all, we had only the one black and white TV in a heavy wooden cabinet and me for the "clicker" (I was the one who got up and changed the channels.) I also remember being glued to the news coverage of the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968. There were late night broadcasts that I was allowed to stay up for, considering it was Christmas break. And we watched Walter Cronkite every evening. That's the way it was.
A friend of mine used to work for UC athletics as an assistant AD. During one of Senator Tubs years they played in a Christmas or close to it bowl game in Hawaii.
Sold 50 tickets, total, to alums. Lost six figures net after travel expenses.
My oldest (of three) graduates from undergrad in four or five short months. Between our 10 hour work days (12 w/ commute), two kids away at college, and a busy HS junior we don't often "see," my happiest times are when all five of us are together. Today's piece reminds me I'm not alone and maybe, just maybe, I'm doing something right.
I spent 4 years being educated in the Severn, marching to Navy-Marine Corps Stadium every fall. The shift to “winter” uniforms always seemed to start on the hottest Saturday in early October. Nothing smells quite like a sweaty wool uniform.
Was in Annapolis this fall for my 45th reunion. It is a special place. Roger Staubach was honored at halftime, his number 12 permanently marked on the field. And many great athletes have performed on that field. I remember seeing Tony Dorsett run wild while I was at Navy.
But mostly what I remember are my classmates. Guys from across the country who chose to give up their 20’s (our commitment ran into our late 20’s) to serve our country. Many served at least 20 years. Four became 4 star Admirals. Every reunion is similar, we catch up with company mates and spouses, learn how kids are doing, share pictures. We go to the amazing Academy Chapel and remember the 100 classmates no longer with us.
But as the football game winds down, we all leave the reunion gathering area and head out toward the field. And we stand and sing our Alma Mater with those who went before us and those getting ready to join the fleet. And we shed a tear for the great privilege we had to serve our country.
If you get a chance to see a game at Navy, go. Watch an Army-Navy game. So much better than watching the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl (Rutgers won).
I had to think about my favorite TV shows of the 60’s. (I got my drivers license in ‘71).
Shows that actually chose to watch were probably Bozo the Clown and Batman. After dinner we watched what dad wanted to watch. What I recall was Saturday nights, 7 pm. Blackhawks on the ice, mom made pizza. Mom, dad and my 5 siblings all piled in the family room (only TV in house) and watched Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita take on all comers.
It’s a different world now. TV’s in most rooms in the house. We have 4, not counting the ability to stream on iPads. We watched some football over Christmas (having it on a Monday was so weird).
The atrocious bowl programming has made sports watching an exctinct endeavor for me this week. Not even any NCAA bball games, presumably because of the bowls. I'll even muddle through Jets/Browns tonight just to avoid the Mama Make It Stop Bowl. Can't wait to resume normal programming.
Well said today. With a son of my own about to depart for his home hours from here, you’ve encapsulated many familiar emotions in your opening paragraphs. He’s still here so I’ll describe him as “erstwhile” later today and see if St X & Ohio State did their job. 😂 I’m a new subscriber. Glad you’re still producing good content.
I was old enough to watch the Smothers Brothers for the music and the satire. CBS censors killed it when the “boys” wouldn’t back down. It got pretty intense before the end.
Doc, hoping you had a very Merry Christmas with family and friends and wishing you a Healthy and Happy New Year too. Now then, a lot to digest in this FreeForAll Thursday, but I'll offer the one that brought me a laugh - Beano Cook: "Helluva Schedule!" Thanks for sharing that. It was a great comment indeed. Snickering again even as I write this. Also giving thoughtful memories to my Father who served in Saipan during WWII and a very dear friend (like a second father) who was there at Peleliu, not to mention Iwo Jima. Yessir, a tough-tough schedule for those guys. Remembering them with great fondness and better for having known them. RIP men, job well done.
Was sad to hear Tommy Smothers had passed, although like you, I didn't watch the show much as a 9-year-old in '67. What I did watch was Batman, Gomer Pyle, The Beverly Hillbillies, Andy Griffith and my favorite - Green Acres. Still love watching episodes of that show.
That song takes on much deeper meaning when one realizes that it retells his encounter with a former girlfriend on Christmas Eve 1975 in Peoria Illinois.
Combat makes me think of my dad. We never missed it. The bowl games are beyond ridiculous. The eye balls watching must be low in numbers and eye lids. Are people that desperate to stare at something? I hope you all had a great Christmas. I couldn't make it through the song. It was not my cup of tea to say the least.
I watched many of the same shows as you. My brother and I watched Star Trek together. I was a bit of a music nerd and enjoyed watching the variety shows with my parents, Carol Burnett and, yes, Lawrence Welk. After all, we had only the one black and white TV in a heavy wooden cabinet and me for the "clicker" (I was the one who got up and changed the channels.) I also remember being glued to the news coverage of the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968. There were late night broadcasts that I was allowed to stay up for, considering it was Christmas break. And we watched Walter Cronkite every evening. That's the way it was.
A friend of mine used to work for UC athletics as an assistant AD. During one of Senator Tubs years they played in a Christmas or close to it bowl game in Hawaii.
Sold 50 tickets, total, to alums. Lost six figures net after travel expenses.
My oldest (of three) graduates from undergrad in four or five short months. Between our 10 hour work days (12 w/ commute), two kids away at college, and a busy HS junior we don't often "see," my happiest times are when all five of us are together. Today's piece reminds me I'm not alone and maybe, just maybe, I'm doing something right.
I spent 4 years being educated in the Severn, marching to Navy-Marine Corps Stadium every fall. The shift to “winter” uniforms always seemed to start on the hottest Saturday in early October. Nothing smells quite like a sweaty wool uniform.
Was in Annapolis this fall for my 45th reunion. It is a special place. Roger Staubach was honored at halftime, his number 12 permanently marked on the field. And many great athletes have performed on that field. I remember seeing Tony Dorsett run wild while I was at Navy.
But mostly what I remember are my classmates. Guys from across the country who chose to give up their 20’s (our commitment ran into our late 20’s) to serve our country. Many served at least 20 years. Four became 4 star Admirals. Every reunion is similar, we catch up with company mates and spouses, learn how kids are doing, share pictures. We go to the amazing Academy Chapel and remember the 100 classmates no longer with us.
But as the football game winds down, we all leave the reunion gathering area and head out toward the field. And we stand and sing our Alma Mater with those who went before us and those getting ready to join the fleet. And we shed a tear for the great privilege we had to serve our country.
If you get a chance to see a game at Navy, go. Watch an Army-Navy game. So much better than watching the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl (Rutgers won).
“Helluva Schedule”. .. best humor is often the truth
I had to think about my favorite TV shows of the 60’s. (I got my drivers license in ‘71).
Shows that actually chose to watch were probably Bozo the Clown and Batman. After dinner we watched what dad wanted to watch. What I recall was Saturday nights, 7 pm. Blackhawks on the ice, mom made pizza. Mom, dad and my 5 siblings all piled in the family room (only TV in house) and watched Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita take on all comers.
It’s a different world now. TV’s in most rooms in the house. We have 4, not counting the ability to stream on iPads. We watched some football over Christmas (having it on a Monday was so weird).
Oh, yes, Dan Fogelberg, one of my favorite big flashes in the pan.
The atrocious bowl programming has made sports watching an exctinct endeavor for me this week. Not even any NCAA bball games, presumably because of the bowls. I'll even muddle through Jets/Browns tonight just to avoid the Mama Make It Stop Bowl. Can't wait to resume normal programming.
Batman
The Monkees
Get Smart
Rat Patrol
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Bonanza
Marcus Welby, M.D.
The Mod Squad
The F.B.I.
Mannix
Get Smart, Leave it to Beaver, Mr. Ed, Batman
Well said today. With a son of my own about to depart for his home hours from here, you’ve encapsulated many familiar emotions in your opening paragraphs. He’s still here so I’ll describe him as “erstwhile” later today and see if St X & Ohio State did their job. 😂 I’m a new subscriber. Glad you’re still producing good content.
I was old enough to watch the Smothers Brothers for the music and the satire. CBS censors killed it when the “boys” wouldn’t back down. It got pretty intense before the end.
Tommy was a pretty good gymnast in his day.
Doc, hoping you had a very Merry Christmas with family and friends and wishing you a Healthy and Happy New Year too. Now then, a lot to digest in this FreeForAll Thursday, but I'll offer the one that brought me a laugh - Beano Cook: "Helluva Schedule!" Thanks for sharing that. It was a great comment indeed. Snickering again even as I write this. Also giving thoughtful memories to my Father who served in Saipan during WWII and a very dear friend (like a second father) who was there at Peleliu, not to mention Iwo Jima. Yessir, a tough-tough schedule for those guys. Remembering them with great fondness and better for having known them. RIP men, job well done.
Was sad to hear Tommy Smothers had passed, although like you, I didn't watch the show much as a 9-year-old in '67. What I did watch was Batman, Gomer Pyle, The Beverly Hillbillies, Andy Griffith and my favorite - Green Acres. Still love watching episodes of that show.
That song takes on much deeper meaning when one realizes that it retells his encounter with a former girlfriend on Christmas Eve 1975 in Peoria Illinois.
Combat makes me think of my dad. We never missed it. The bowl games are beyond ridiculous. The eye balls watching must be low in numbers and eye lids. Are people that desperate to stare at something? I hope you all had a great Christmas. I couldn't make it through the song. It was not my cup of tea to say the least.