Love Is On The Air!
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Love has been a part of our media culture for years: books, music, radio, television, you name it.
As we approach Valentine's Day this Saturday, I thought I would take us down Memory Lane about some great TV shows either with the word "love" or just all about amour! Now most all shows have elements of love in them but the ones listed below are those where love is the primary focus:
1. Love That Bob: Syndicated title for The Bob Cummings Show. Aired on CBS and NBC from 1955-1959. The original sex comedy albeit very tame by today's standard. Cummings starred as a photographer who worked with the most beautiful models on Earth, chauffeured them around town, yet couldn't settle down with any of them. His secretary Shultzy (Ann B. Davis) loved Bob but couldn't compete with the glamourous models. I had this show on KXTX in the 1980's.
2. Love, American Style: aired on ABC from 1969-1974. This show was an anthology of short subjects put together in a 30 minute show with big names stars that dealt with the all -important subject of love. Actors featured were Ann Southern, Phyllis Diller, Milton Berle, George Gobel, Dorothy Lamour, and many, many others.
3. The Love Boat: aired on ABC from 1977-1986. Love on the Pacific Princess luxury cruise ship commanded by Captain Merrill Stubing (Gavin MacLeod, formerly Murray Slaughter on CBS's Mary Tyler Moore Show). Each episode dealt with love between couples and often times involved the ship's crew. The relationships may have become strained at the start or the middle of the show but at the end all was well! Love Boat can be seen locally Sundays at 1pm on MeTV, KTXA 21.2.
4. I Love Lucy: aired on CBS from 1951-1957 and then forever in syndication. Enough said here! And it was a lot about love between Lucy and Ricky!
5. Game shows: The Newlywed Game, The Dating Game, and Love Connection. First two shows were produced by Chuck Barris with Bob Eubanks and Jim Lange as hosts, respectively. Aired on ABC during the 1960's. Love Connection was hosted by Chuck Woolery.
6. Everyone Loves Raymond: aired on CBS from 1996-2005 and then after in local syndication. Comedian Ray Romano stars as sports writer Ray Barone. While he's successful at his job and as a family man, he is not quite as adept at dealing with nosey parents and his brother!
And of course, how could we NOT mention network daytime drama with CBS Daytime's The Young & The Restless and The Bold & The Beautiful !
My first job in TV was at WGHP-TV in Greensboro NC as a production assistant (later moved in Sales). When we were not working, we watched the legendary ABC Daytime dramas of All My Children, One Live To Live, and General Hospital. ABC Daytime branded these shows as "Love In The Afternoon". General Hospital was my favorite because I was in love with Dr. Monica Quartermaine (played by actress Leslie Charleson). Charleson will turn 70 years of age this year on Sunday, February 22nd (Happy Birthday Leslie!!).
See you next time. Happy Valentine's Day to you!
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