Route 66 - Nick Knacks at Nite #1

[@doryna_sira]

This is probably one of the best series to look at early 1960's American culture as well. Most media and attention focuses on the "sixties" as being 1964 onwards (hippies, British invasion music, psychedelia, etc). But since decade trends never "flip" just because the tens digit changes, there's obviously still a lot of hold over from the late 1950's present in the series, and it's interesting to see the transitions starting to creep in. ETA: I'm glad you're in a place to start this series now. Hope things continue to get better for you.

[@Captain_Subpar]

I just gotta say, what you're doing is awesome. Your channel deserves more subscribers. I never had Nick as a kid. In fact, I never had cable TV until I went to college. My parents are in their 70s and they still only watch broadcast television. So almost every show you cover is brand new to me. I don't have nostalgia. I watch all your videos purely from an informative perspective and they are top notch. Thank you for creating a world that I can mentally place my childhood self into and wonder about what could have been.

[@jacksampsonforever]

Happy new year, Greg! Been waiting a long time for this one. And you mentioned the tie-in with Manos! Awesome. Wishing you the best in 2025

[@stvojay]

I’ll admit, I wasn’t really pining for “Nick Knacks at Nite” but I really liked this! I was 2 at the launch of Nick at Nite but by age 3 or 4 I was a regular Nickelodeon viewer. Most of the shows outside of Mr Ed, Dennis the Menace, and later on Munsters didn’t appeal to me. I’m 41 now and would be more receptive to some though. This show sounds fun. TBH, I would really love to see episodes of “On the Television” and “Hi Honey I’m Home”, any of the originals would be great but I understand the purpose of this series and the tiers to help get something like this to happen. Congrats on start of this series and Happy New Year!

[@Panthersoup]

Literally yesterday I thought "I hope Pop Arena is still gonna do Nick Knacks at Nite someday", and I guess today is someday. Hell yes!!!

[@daelen.cclark]

I can’t believe that Route 66 & Manos had that connection! It’s amazing how many impacts all those connections can have!

[@theshopislocal]

Manos hands of fate out of damn nowhere.. thank you as always for the wonderful work you do!

[@CaptainBZarre]

Oh shoot this came to fruition after all! Can't wait to dive on in! Shame Maharis was treated so poorly during production and I think he was right to petition for better treatment; I feel awful that his career wound up basically becoming nothing after this show. I was also surprised to hear about the directors that worked on this show including the director of Manos: The Hands of Fate - if the legend is true, talk about a serious downgrade between productions. I didn't grow up in this era whatsoever, I'm a 2000s kid through and through, but I am interested in American history and this show sounds like the perfect gateway drug for both the acting styles and lifestyles of the early 1960s in ways not many other shows of its era tackled. I also wanted to give a shoutout to your video production quality for getting me invested in this show despite having never watched it, and these kinds of dramatic shows usually aren't my thing whatsoever, but you really made this one click for me in a way others haven't so far. Thanks for the recommendation, I'll be sure to check it out!

[@matthewhunter1193]

As someone in my early 20s', it was definitely funny going through the actors and seeing young Leslie Nielsen and old Buster Keaton.

[@waddlesdpuffin]

In case anyone didn’t mention it but Siliphant was an early student of Bruce Lee and gave Bruce one of his earliest US appearances in his PI show Longstreet

[@BlackScarabFilmZ]

22:35 This makes me realize that I've never seen Buster Keaton as an older man, just at his Sherlock Jr age... Well until this video, and wow that was a star (or soon to be star)-studded show!

[@BlackScarabFilmZ]

24:32 MANOS? This show really had a hand in everything, huh? (Sidenote: I probably knew that because I can't imagine Jackey Neyman Jones didn't mention that in her memoir but wow!)

[@Lynn17]

I don't remember ever watching this show, but I am so psyched for the premiere of this series. :D Nick at Nite was a staple of my childhood.

[@ivanhoeivanhoe810]

I'm so excited for the Nick Knacks at Nite series! I grew up on Nick at Nite and didn't really have peers who went all in for old sitcoms the way I did. As a middle-aged leftist I still don't have those peers. I loved your analysis on the Nick series. To anyone reading, also check out Matt Baume's amazing deep dives on sitcoms.

[@1dbanner]

I hope you cover the rerun countdowns. The 1992 countdown was the first time I ever stayed up until midnight on NYE, and always remains special to me. Plus, I haven't been able to dig up any information on what the various placeholders were for the countdowns year by year, and your expertise might turn up something 🙂

[@KaiserBeamz]

I've actually heard that specific Route 66 episode with Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Lon Chaney Jr. get talked about on podcasts by Gen Xers/elder millennials who grew up with this era of Nick at Night. Probably the only cultural legacy this show might have had before this video.

[@radd1865]

So happy to see you get started on this project! I've been developing a real appreciation for older television, visiting shows from the 60s with my dad. There's a surprising amount of relevancy in some of these shows and their messages, still -- and even the ones that aren't insightful can still be pretty entertaining in one way or another. I'd never heard of Route 66, but Adam-12 was one of my mom's favorites. I might have to check this one out because of this vid. Thanks for doing all that you do. :)

[@2dskillz]

This was so engaging. You continue to amaze with the threads and stories you pull from TV history.

[@madelinedaltroff4071]

I rarely comment, but I was so happy to see this, your nick at night episodes are some of my favorite videos of yours. Thank you.

[@sport02]

Oh my goodness! I did not expect on a Sunday afternoon to receive this on my timeline, that we are starting a new series within the nick knack universe. I can't wait to see future episodes

[@rushomancy]

I am so absolutely hype for this. I loved watching the old Nick at Nite shows nobody has heard of since... Route 66 foremost among them!

[@Scotfre]

So glad to see this series starting. Nick at Night was a big part of my early 20’s. We’d watch it after the bars closed and revel in the surreal nature of the shows and the ads.

[@HulkieD]

Let an “oh shit” when this popped up in my notifications, and I’m eagerly anticipating diving in.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

The Master approves of this new spin off series *cue the haunting Torgo's Theme*

[@NB1980]

I was wondering if he would mention it... it's pretty obscure. But the moment he mentioned El Paso, I knew what was coming next.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

​@@NB1980I may have cheered a little once I saw Hal Warren appear on screen 😂

[@heavysystemsinc.]

I think the other interesting thing about the name itself is that the route now is mostly abandoned due to the US freeway system having been completed. All of the old traveller destinations became deserted and towns died. It's actually pretty interesting from that aspect as that's an entire type of life referenced in that title that no longer exists. It was the 60's version of 80s 'Venice Beach' kind of vibe...a freeness that is uniquely Californian but somehow by proxy 'American'.

[@bakomusha]

San Bernadino is still alive and kicking, hell it's one of the largest cities in America. It's the traditional endpoint for R66, tho it actual kept going to Riverside. Always amusing to see old media reference it as a sleepy small town, when it's always been huge. Even today I'll sometimes see it referenced as a small town. But yes a lot of boomer bait media in the 80s and 90s pinned about the death of R66.

[@christopherjudge1138]

The Birth of Nick at Nite: July 1, 1985, featuring lots of classic sitcoms a LOT funnier and better than Hangin' In! I can't believe it's been close to 40 years since Nick at Nite debuted!

[@redwaytoo]

Hell yeah, nothing like some retro TV right before the new years!

[@DLZ2000]

Just when we were coming up on the end of my time watching Nickelodeon (well, circa 1993, so several episodes of Nick Knacks from now), you keep me watching much longer. I'm here for this! And Route 66 is something I've been curious about, as I haven't actually seen it. When I started watching Nick, Car 54 Where Are You was on Nick at Nite and I actually didn't watch, yet.

[@elliottfreeman9336]

I actually started watching this show because of the Nick Knacks episode on Nick at Nite, so it's great to see this!

[@asskinf]

Good to see you back in my feed all your videos are great

[@poetrycomix5831]

Thrilled to see that your channel has grown to the point where you can do this spinoff series. Looking forward to more

[@Predsboy18]

This makes me excited for the future. I've been hoping for more Nick At Nite content! Much appreciated!

[@patd25]

Neilson was an unrecognizable dramatic actor for a bunch of old tv.

[@BlackCanary87]

What's really wild is watching his stuff from just before Airplane! like the episode of Murder, She Wrote where he plays a cruise liner captain. He was cast for Airplane! for basically the same reason Andre Braugher was cast in Brooklyn 99 -- he was known as a serious, dramatic actor, and they basically wanted him to act exactly as he did in his dramatic roles, just in the context of a farce. The result is that he's acting exactly as he does in Airplane! but it's actually a drama, and so you don't know if you're supposed to laugh or not!

[@twkreviews6683]

This could just be my ND brain, but when I see two studs in a muscle car traveling the country I can't help but think that Supernatural was inspired by this.

[@BlackCanary87]

Yes! I remember people saying that way back when the show started. IIRC it was also a direct inspiration for Scooby-Doo!

[@Nickrj3]

This show aired at 7:30pm back when that time slot was available to networks.

[@DanJackson1977]

From my recollection, some cable companies didnt air Nick @ Nite at first... they just kept switching Nick to A&E like they used to. I remember seeing ads for Nick @Nite for a least a year or more before finally being able to watch it.

[@thorn0fcamorr]

Amazing! (Watching on my tv but had to use my phone to say I’m really glad you finally got to this Patreon tier. You deserve it and I’ve been frothing at the mouth for nick knacks at nite

[@janedoe3043]

Yessss!!!! Nick at Nite getting its due! I love you man.

[@GothamAdam]

I was hoping Nick Knacks At Nite would happen. I'm so happy.

[@GalaxyUnicorn]

Omg!!!! I’m watching this when I get off work in an hour

[@ITNEPress]

The anticipation i feel as this channel creeps closer and closer to the golden age of nick is immense

[@vgtrp]

So far so good, looking forward to Nick Knacks at Nite, for however long it goes. I just hope you’re not stretching yourself too thin.

[@NB1980]

The moment he mentioned El Paso, I had a feeling what he was going to talk about next. ✋️🤚

[@gldni17]

So curious about this show but never set aside time to hunt down any episodes. Very cool to see this video, excellent stuff. ^_^

[@janedoe3043]

This show was just barely before my Nick at Nite time and I regret it. I want to watch this now.

[@Moder_20]

I waited since 2022 for this

[@thegayghost872]

I love watching videos about things I’ve never heard of

[@leegoldsmith2028]

Me me I stayed up late at my grandpop’s to watch car 54! Thanks for doing this. You’re great.

[@newstarcadefan]

I have seen Route 66 before (just not on Nick at Nite). it's one of those shows you get engrossed in, even if you have it on in the background you'll get engrossed in.

[@dmancluster2631]

Looking forward to the next nick at nite shows you’ll cover. You made this one seem pretty cool.

[@BlackCanary87]

Happy New Year, Greggifer! Hopefully 2025 isn't as personally awful for you as 2024 was. I was looking for a new show to watch while stationary biking, and it seems like Route 66 could be a good fit! It might be interesting to talk about some of the later shows that have a bit of the Route 66 DNA in them, like the original Scooby-Doo, Poker Face (basically, "What if Route 66 starred female Columbo on the run from the mob?"), or the first few seasons of Supernatural.

[@MarkStevens-fh3wb]

Nicely done, however two interesting points you didn't mention, one, amongst the celebrities who appeared on the show, one episode in season 3 dealt with a viral outbreak and the Doctor charged with sorting things out was played by none other than Hawkeye himself Alan Alda! Also each season except the last, always ended with an episode where the car was wrecked and the boys having to buy a new one for the following year. The rationale being Chevrolet's sponsorship of the show, and thus wanted this year's model on screen!

[@BlackCanary87]

...they were wandering looking for work but could always get the latest model car? Eh, I guess one of them is a Rich Boy.

[@leonardhayhurst5469]

I refer to Route 66 as 'wandering anthology' show. You have one or two main characters who go from place to place from week to week. Others would include Wagon Train, The Fugitive, The Incredible Hulk, Branded, Here's Boomer, even Quantum Leap.

[@thezenitsufan1249]

There was one anime that was very very similar plot and structure wise to Route 66: Kino's Journey. Both are about nomadic travellers who spend a short time in a small town and then leave very quickly. Great job on the episode, btw.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

I guess, at least the car doesn't talk here!

[@skystarless]

I'm sorry to hear about all the Patreon shenanigans. But I'm so excited about this spinoff series! Nick at Nite was HUGE for me as a kid. There was a time from about 1992-1994 when I left the TV in my room permanently tuned to cable channel 17, because Nick was all I ever wanted to watch. I remember watching Mister Ed with my nostalgic Boomer parents in the early days, but I didn't get really hooked until they started airing 1970s shows like Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newhart, and Welcome Back Kotter. I'm still kind of obsessed with the 1970s to this day. Route 66 stopped airing on the network before I was even old enough to see it; in fact, I'd never heard of the show until I saw this video. Definitely didn't expect the Manos connection! Two guys traveling and having adventures is a good premise for a show, but it seems like scripted 'road trip' shows like that have more or less been replaced by travelogue shows, where they go to whole other countries and talk to real people. But from a historical perspective, the show still seems worth checking out. The early 60s sort of get glossed over in the cultural conversation, maybe because it was mostly just an extension of the 50s.

[@BlackCanary87]

The shooting on location aspect would also be a hard sell today. Among other things, directors expect to be able to show up an episode early to do location scouting and adjust the script. You could do it, but you'd have to have an advance team with the upcoming director. Not to mention all the logistics of booking hotels and hiring extras. And nowadays it might have to be a period piece to get the vibe right, which would be another layer of complication...although, Supernatural clearly has some Route 66 DNA in its early seasons, and that was a contemporary show, so maybe not. Ooh, and Poker Face!

[@Jamessmith-xk3fh]

I'm 40 and watched Nick @ Nite when I was growing up

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

That was me too (47 here).

[@r66fplaysgames]

29:23 I have that "Route 66: Return to the Road with Martin Milner" video. I haven't watched it in a long time.

[@bryanloveseighties]

3:05-3:25 You heard the guy! He's not going to cover a Nick at Nite show that he already covered on his main Nick Knacks series and he's not going to accept requests for Nick at Nite shows for Sample Platter videos. Now, with that being said, Greg, thank you for telling me in advance what the next eight shows are that you'll be covering in your Nick Knacks at Nite series and for telling me that it's your "when I have spare time" project. I'm more concerned with regular Nickelodeon shows anyway and I look forward on what you have to say about those yet-to-be-covered shows.

[@Tacom4ster]

Hype for your next episode on licensing

[@iam9991000]

Oh wow, I did not expect Hanako Games to show up at the end there! Long Live the Queen is good.

[@TigerNightmare]

While I missed this show when they aired it, I easily transitioned from daytime Nickelodeon to Nick at Nite because all those goofy slapstick sitcoms easily appealed to preteen me. I was later disappointed that our cable provider would swap to A&E, enabling me to understand MST3K's Jack Perkins jokes, but disappointing me expecting those network interstitials promising Mr. Ed coming up to not be a lie. And a later provider instead swapped to a Spanish only network GEMS apparently aimed at women and I only remember seeing talk shows as the channel switched itself, which is even farther away from a talking horse. Looking forward to seeing episodes about stuff I remember like Laugh-In, Smothers Brothers, Car 54, and Hi Honey, I'm Home (which I understand is probably years away).

[@bradleygiven5193]

Wow, I would not have thought Buster Keaton, MST3K and the friggin’ JBS (glad a show of this era was mocking them) would all have been referenced in a Nick Knacks.

[@AJ-xc4qe]

If you ever start a Nick Knacks @ Nite Sample Platter, I’ve been meaning to request an episode of Hollywood Heights because I watched the entirety of the show every night and only lasted a few months and no one has talked about it! 3:23 oh, okay. At least Connor the Waffle talked about it.

[@GoingRampant]

Interesting look at a show I've never heard of but am now confident was the basis of Supernatural: Route 66 meets The X-Files. Somber Leslie Nielson resembles Boring Leslie Nielson from MASH. Whoa, Manos!

[@Jamessmith-xk3fh]

I was thinking about something Nick at Nite should have done. If they could have I think they should have had a rotation of shows. What I mean is have a lineup but when you show all the episodes of a show rotate it out for another new show to the lineup

[@gojikranz]

As soon as Hal warrens name dropped I knew what was coming but was still shocked.

[@only257]

Saw this tv series on Pluto tv it was great 😊

[@candidgamera]

Never saw this show, but it seems like it might have more going for it than I thought.

[@Furore2323]

Dang this show looks great.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

Now you understand.

[@basehead617]

From that clip it looked like Kerri Green was in the Route 66 reboot?? But I checked IMDB and she wasn't in it... Also saw a young-ish Ed Asner in another clip..

[@darktetsuya]

cool to see the launch of this series! even though I didn't watch much of these originally (maybe aside from mr. ed, which until recemtly I learned was actually terrible)

[@yszman6478]

Might too late to ask now, but are you going to be a special episode on the Nick At Nite Top 25 New Years countdown?

[@WeirdoOfWeirdos]

Nick Knacks at Nite! Let's go!!!

[@janeteggleston6978]

Welcome back mister popperina

[@tylerferguson3193]

Hope you're having a good day

[@nazishhussain2712]

i didnt know jim duffy died in 2012

[@Jamessmith-xk3fh]

I've never seen this show or I don't remember it

[@bluebaron6858]

👀

[@janeteggleston6978]

Nick at night bumpers

[@acykat2069]

"Route 66 is problematic because..."

[@KaiserMazoku]

He never says this.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

​@@KaiserMazokuThank goodness.