Where To Watch
Do you remember these 7 forgotten sitcoms from 1966?
This was the year TV gave us time-traveling astronauts, John Wayne's son, and Phyllis Diller.
Top image: Everett Collection
For every iconic program like I Love Lucy and M*A*S*H, there are several others that never made it past the first season. The year 1966 was a big year for TV, with hits like The Andy Griffith Show, Bonanza, The Beverly Hillbillies dominating the airwaves. It was also the year franchises like Star Trek and Mission: Impossible launched.
While those two shows lived long and prospered, the following seven shows were dead on arrival. Do you remember any of these programs that only lasted one season?
1. It's About Time
Sherwood Schwartz was the mastermind behind hits like Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch, but he also had a few misses. In 1966, Schwartz created It's About Time, a comedy about two astronauts who get sent back in time after traveling faster than the speed of light.
Image: Tom Devine
2. Run, Buddy, Run
Having a prime timeslot after Gilligan's Island on Monday nights couldn't help this situation comedy, which only lasted 16 episodes. The show was about two jazz musicians on the run from the mob. Hmmm... Sounds familiar, right?
Image: Bedazzled!
3. The Rounders
The Western comedy was based on the 1965 film of the same name, but failed to click with audiences. Network executives cancelled the series after 17 episodes. One fun tidbit about this show was that it starred Patrick Wayne, son of Western icon John Wayne.
Image: TV Acres
4. The Pruitts of Southampton
Despite featuring one of the most successful comedians of the 20th century, The Pruitts of Southampton only lasted one season. Network executives launched this show seeking to turn Phyllis Diller into a sitcom star like Lucille Ball. Alas, the program was plagued from the start, and even changed its name to The Phyllis Diller Show halfway through its only season.
Image: Wikipedia
5. The Tammy Grimes Show
Kudos to you if you remember this failed TV show. With Broadway actress Tammy Grimes at the helm, the network decided to cancel the eponymous show after just four (!!!) episodes. Now that's brutal.
Image: Wikipedia
6. Hey, Landlord
Despite having a name that makes renters across the country cringe, there were two great things about this show. First, its theme music was composed by Quincy Jones. Second, Hey, Landlord was the first show Garry Marshall created. He would go on to helm Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley a decade later. Maybe he just needed some time to master his craft.
Image: Wikipedia
7. Occasional Wife
Despite a strong showing at the start of the first season, Occasional Wife dipped in the ratings and was cancelled after 30 episodes. However, this series is notable because it became one of the first comedies to get rid of the laugh track.
Image: Wikipedia
Related
6 Comments
No, it wasn't. It was about *one* jazz musician on the run, Buddy Overstreet. Hence the title. And he didn't dress in drag, so your comparison kind of dies on the vine.
By the end of the 1966-1967 Season, Not only was this show long gone,"The Green Hornet" was cancelled, "Batman" was cut back to one half-hour a week (from two) and NBC passed on Dozier's "Dick Tracy" Pilot/Series.
Amazing that in a year and a half you can go from being a hit producer of a show, to struggling to keep one show on the air...