I was born in 1947. It was not that long after the TV started becoming prominent in the homes. Now I am supposed to remember TV when I was 5 and 6? Well, actually, I do remember a few shows. Oddly, Amos and Andy was one of them. The whole family loved it. I even remember a few of the characters, a couple of their names. If you ask me to say something about any specific story plots, forget it.

Once I was half way through my sixth year, I remember a few more. Superman, Bennie and Cecil the seasick sea serpent. Of course I watched Superman. I think about every kid back then wouldn’t miss the show. I was one of those kids running around with a towel hanging off my neck and pretending to fly.

I guess Disneyland was one of my favorites. I remember very well each of the three part series of Davey Crockett. I also remember the theme song remained on the Hit Parade for, well it seemed months. I got the impression that those who had to sing the song each week got tired of coming up with new ways to present it. (if you don’t know of what I speak, Google “Your Hit Parade”)

But Disneyland wasn’t tied down to just one thing. There were the nature shows, the cartoons, Peter Pan and who knows what all. It really wasn’t like just one show. It seemed a little different each week and we all made sure to watch it.

Cartoons were prevalent. About 4 or 5 everyday, there were a bunch of them, Popeye, Felix the Cat. Sorry, just can’t remember them all. None of them were the likes of Spungebob Square Pants. I have no idea what kids today see in that thing.

Saturday morning was the best time for cartoons. There was Mighty Mouse, a variety of cartoons from Warner Brothers. Loved Speedy Gonzalez. Really got upset when they started targeting him because he was seen as racial. Roadrunner was and is one of my favorites. That poor coyote just couldn’t ever win. So many times, he ended up splatting at the bottom of that canyon. Loved those expressions those artist put on that poor guy when he realized he’d been had again. Then there was Tweedy Bird and Sylvester. Who would ever think such a small little bird could always cause such damage to that that big bad kitty cat.

As I aged a little, my interests turned to the westerns. Must have been dozens of them, most by Warner Brothers. The later ones, Gunsmoke, High Chaparral and Bonanza just never had my interest much. I mean they were dramas that were placed in the old west days, but they were not real westerns. I mean most of the plots would have fit right in today, with a few minor changes. By the way, don’t much care for most dramas, modern, ancient, or western. Have to hand it to that composer though; the one who wrote the Bonanza. It’s a great piece of music.

The others in the family liked Bonanza but when it came on, I generally found something else to do.

Finally, there was the private eye era. 77 sunset strip, Hawaiian Eye and so forth. Sorry. Just can’t remember them all. It did seem there were a couple on each of the networks.

I guess the private eye thing continued on to this day but it’s not nearly the same. It seems every time they come up with a good genera they just can’t wait to ruin it. I mean, the purpose of the show is entertainment. It really isn’t so good if it doesn’t entertain, regardless of what Hollywood or the critics think.

Consider, who would have ever considered a movie about a suave British agent doing the impossible with ridiculous gadgets? But it succeeded to the point it was copied, even on TV. Remember Man From Uncle and Get Smart? If you are less than 30, maybe not.

It seems that, these days, the folks producing shows are more interested in furthering the liberal agenda. If they entertain someone, it is totally by accident.