1971-72 Television Season 50th Anniversary: The Courtship of Eddie's Father (series' close)

As we do each season, we'll be spending some time looking back at some of the television season's series that are ending their production run. First up, one of our very favorite series from this early 1970s era - The Courtship if Eddie's Father. The show ended its run on ABC network primetime television fifty years ago this week on March 1, 1972 after a successful three year run. Today, we have the final segment of the final episode of the series from the March 1, 1972 broadcast airing.
The series was created by James Komack, who also played Norman Tinker on the show. The series was based in Los Angeles, and was about the relationship between widower Tom Corbett, played by Bill Bixby, and his six-year-old son, Eddie, played by newcomer Brandon Cruz.
Tom is an editor of the fictional 'Tomorrow' magazine, and Eddie is endlessly involved with matchmaking attempts with the various women who come into and out of their lives. Mrs. Livingston (Miyoshi Umeki) is the family housekeeper, Tina (Kristina Holland) is Tom's secretary, and Norman (as noted above, played by James Komack) is the magazine's art editor.
The theme song from the series, 'My Best Friend', sung by Nilsson, has become one of the most famous and recognizable television theme songs of all-time.
The show, which began on September 17, 1969, ran for three seasons on ABC, and had a nice syndication run as well. For Bill Bixby, the show marked his second hit television series, following the success of My Favorite Martian in the early 1960s. Bixby would go onto to star in the television series The Magician soon after the end of Courtship. Although Magician would not become a hit and would last just one season, Bixby came back to television again later in decade with his third hit series, The Incredible Hulk.
Not many actors have three hit televisions series, and that is a testament to the lasting charm. talent and warmth of actor Bill Bixby.
RIP Bill.
This video clip is presented here on KZbin for the entertainment and informational value of the viewer, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Enjoy.

[@LizC1213]

Mom often complains about me still loving shows like this one at my age (almost 62), tells me to grow up and watch shows like her favorites (NCIS, CSI, etc). Can I help it, if I prefer wholesome TV shows? I'm still a kid at heart. I also can't anyone other than Bill Bixby and Brandon Cruz playing Tom and Eddie Corbett. The show wouldn't have been the same without them. They sure did act like father and son, spent quality time together off the set.

[@LizC1213]

I still love watching Courtship of Eddie's Father and I've been a Brandon Cruz fan since the show premiered on 9/17/69. I sure wish it had lasted more than 3 seasons. I'm so glad I have it on DVD.

[@TelevisionVanguard]

Thank you for watching Liz and for your comments... we completely agree. We have the series on DVD as well! - Television Vanguard staff

[@jeanbaumgartner4052]

The Courtship Of Eddie's Father Is One Of My Favorite TV 📺 Shows!

[@jeanbaumgartner4052]

Bill Bixby And Brandon Cruz Are MyFavoriteEntertaners!

[@LizC1213]

@@jeanbaumgartner4052 Same here

[@theresaweichert6410]

Added to that talking about my best friend

[@frankrmartinez-uf7mf]

Great TV show!

[@theresaweichert6410]

I like that alot the show and the song with it my son s birthday is soon and he loved to watch that show himself even l did as a child still mean while to this day he like the haulk and as I recall guess who plays him too has. And art my son does real good with art his haulk drawing is great at a young age and he likes superman to so the haulk and superman will be on his cake this year he is now in the 40 ties guess I am getting old too thanks for the show and the movies like the haulk I do do art work so well but I love my son and his art work thank you

[@patriciaguth6882]

When I was a kid, I wanted a housekeeper like Mrs. Livingston. She was so sweet and kind as well as beautiful.

[@brookcrowley4254]

If this show has reruns on TV today, it would skip the closing credits and jump to the current MGM logo.