Classic Television Showbiz: 6/15/08

Saturday, June 21, 2008

The Smothers Brothers Show (1965)

I kinda like this failed sitcom starring The Smothers Brothers. Of course, I've always been a big fan of the brothers because their act is hilarious, but have also been a big fan of Tom Smothers for his mind and political perspective. I'm glad to have been able to talk to him on several occasions. Go see them live, if you have the chance, before it's too late. Watch two more episodes of this rarity by clicking on The Smothers Brothers Show subject line below. This is a show that Tommy assures me will never ever be on DVD. However, in an eccentric move, Season Three of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour comes to DVD this fall, followed by the first and second or second and first.

The Joey Bishop Show with guest star Bobby Rydell (1963)

Here we have the season premiere of season three of The Joey Bishop Show, which originally aired in color. If this show is such a dud, and it is considered as such by every book on sitcoms and old TV I've ever picked up, how did it manage to last four seasons!? Still, it's an always fascinating curio... in small doses. This one is far better than most as Joe Besser's obnoxious and unlikable character doesn't show up and ruin the whole thing as usual. You can watch a couple more episodes of this sitcom by clicking on The Joey Bishop Show tag below.

Friday, June 20, 2008

The Joker's Wild (1978)

Frank Sinatra Spectacular (1965)

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Rap About It with guest Dick Gregory (1975)

The John Forsythe Show (1965)

Just how many failed sitcoms did Guy Marks do? There is a line in the opening teaser where Elsa Manchester says, "I must talk to you about Norma Jean's diction problem," but I swear I had to play it over several times because I was certain I heard, "I must talk to you about Norma Jean's addiction problem," which would have been a strange line for a 1965 NBC sitcom, obscure or not.