Many TV shows came and went during my ‘kid-hood’. Many of the shows that have sent my memories on fire are shows that I can easily recall; some may not be familiar with them.
During my first days starting school, I was an avid watcher of Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Green Jeans, featuring Tom Terrific, who wore a funnel hat.
Sunday nights weren’t the close of our weekend unless we spent an hour watching Candid Camera. (after Church)
The Sunday night show I missed while attending church was The Wide World of Disney. Over the years, many cartoons have come and gone, but some have remained as landmarks of our childhood.
Popeye, Rock Island Red, Felix the Cat, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Bugs Bunny, Tom and Jerry, and Road Runner were my go-to cartoons.
Sitcoms were too part of my favorites as TV evolved over my childhood. Petticoat Junction, Gomer Pyle, Andy Griffith, I Love Lucy, Beat the Clock, To Tell the Truth. Sky King, Paladin, Gilligan’s Island, PT 109 – I spent hours watching Red Skeleton and Sea Hunt. If I did not mention all the viewing I enjoyed throughout childhood was on a Black and White television, all powered by a set of vacuum tubes. The color TV viewing hadn’t been considered and was part of our future.
Looking back, those evenings spent in front of our old television are some of my fondest memories. The soft hum and gentle warmth of the TV filled the living room, bringing the family together to laugh or share in the adventures of our favorite characters. Commercial jingles lingered in my mind, and the anticipation of a special holiday program or Saturday morning cartoon marathon made each week feel unique. Those classic shows not only entertained but also shaped my sense of humor and imagination, creating a lasting nostalgia for a simpler time.
~Tim
From-The-Road Adventures 