The Prime Time of Life: Saturday, Oct. 2, 1971 (the U.S. network TV lineup 52 years ago tonight)

[@georgehenderson7783]

All in the Family was a real ground breaker. Nothing like Archie and Edith and Meathead to make our day!

[@garywright7826]

My grandpa never missed an episode of Mission: Impossible back in the day ! He was hooked 😂 . Thanks Fred

[@FredFlix]

I watched it with my parents. My father would invariably go to the bathroom. When he finally came out and asked my mother what's happening in the show, she would always answer, "I don't know."

[@FIREBRAND38]

@@FredFlix When Lucille Ball was the sole owner of Desilu Studios after her divorce from Desi Arnaz, she had a conversation with one of the producers about _Mission Impossible_ where she confessed that she had no idea what was happening in the episodes. He asked her what she was doing during the broadcast and she answered something like reading production reports or getting up for a glass of water. he told her to sit in front of the TV and focus on the program. Then she saw that it all made sense.

[@RJS1974]

Loved the made for tv movies in the 70s. Less channels but more to watch back in the day.

[@jonathanmccool2871]

My 12th birthday! I got a little GE 10 inch color set and spent that evening trying out the rabbit ears. Good times.

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

I remember that opening sequence like it was yesterday - I LOVED that show as a kid!!

[@6omega2]

And the lyric from the "All In The Family" theme song that baffled viewers for years, was "Gee our old LaSalle ran great!" (It was a popular car make of the 1930s).

[@davidrosler5413]

Thank you!

[@TheBrooklynbodine]

It was made by General Motors and was one step below the Cadillac.

[@markcornish2519]

I never understood the part between girls were girls and men were men, "when we went in" it sounds like

[@bridgetmccracken1381]

I was 10 but still remember a lot of those shows. Not a lot of episodes, but the shows. Thank you Fred

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Bridget.

[@merce10554]

A Mission:Impossible fan since 1966 with Steven Hill, just like my mom. Archie Bunker I could never stand. 💜🤟

[@misterwhipple2870]

I could never stand The Meathead.

[@merce10554]

​@@misterwhipple2870🤷🏽‍♀️

[@rolfsinkgraven]

Sadly tv was a lot better than today, nice one again.

[@FredFlix]

Thanks, Rolf.

[@thegoldendog7991]

Fewer channels but higher quality programming generally speaking.

[@Portugal2025]

The Good Life was pretty enjoyable. Funny premise and Larry Hagman is always a treasure

[@markcornish2519]

13 year old me was infatuated with Donna mills!

[@Peter2025-wf9do]

@@markcornish2519Outstanding taste. Your 13 old self then certainly knew quality ❤

[@ChantelleBrown-fb7gy]

Thank you Fred! l love thinking about the house I was born in and what we might have been doing....along with watching TV on that night in October 1971! I enjoy these!!!

[@FredFlix]

I too always think about what houses we lived in during those years, Chantelle.

[@robertscott2210]

Good stuff Fred. I don't remember that Don Adams show, must've been right after Get Smart ended. Guess it didn't last long. 👍👍👍

[@FredFlix]

It sure didn't, Robert.

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

In the fall of 1971 ALL IN THE FAMILY was the new big hit, the top-rated prime-time show for five years. Bad news for THE PARTNERS and GETTING TOGETHER, which were on at the same time on the other networks. But it also meant big ratings for FUNNY FACE, which followed in on CBS. (But the show had to be suspended mid-season because of Sandy Duncan's eye surgery. It returned as THE SANDY DUNCAN SHOW the following season but on another night, where it was less popular.)

[@johnshields6852]

11 in 1971 I loved some of these shows, Archie was hilarious, my father and grandfather were very similar, guess I am too.

[@kevinbutler1955NYC]

I was lucky enough to meet Ms.Pat Carroll..in NYC years ago..a sweet and talented lady.

[@d.a.elliottjr.367]

I only remember 3 of those shows: All In The Family, Mary Tyler Moore & Mission Impossible. Also I can remember something I did on Sat 10/2/71. I was 8 years old. I saw a football game on TV where I saw the Goodyear blimp. After that I always called Oct. 2 Blimp Day.

[@dougbrowne9890]

Love the Persuaders! And that theme song is one of the best in TV history. Booo KZbin!! Thanks Fred.

[@bobwigg761]

I remember all of these shows, but at 8PM, Emergency! on NBC would soon take that time slot and on ABC, Bewitched in its last season. It was tough to decide which Network show to watch, as All in the Family started out on CBS on Tuesday nights at 9:30 earlier that year.

[@fromthesidelines]

Fred Silverman really wanted Sandy Duncan to be a success on CBS. When "FUNNY FACE" ended production in mid-season so she could undergo eye surgery, he waited until she was able to act again before he scheduled "THE SANDY DUNCAN SHOW" in the fall of '72 [he even went so far as to have her guest star on "THE NEW SCOOBY-DOO MOVIES" that season- but that series also ended after 13 episodes].

[@tigre7739]

We watched so many of these together as a family when I was growing up. Even at a very young age I loved music and enjoyed some of these theme songs and music, especially Mary Tyler Moore show and Mission Impossible! Edith Bunker's screeching always made me laugh😄 Thanks as always, for serving up the fond memories Fred!😀

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, tigre.

[@dgm2485]

Thank you for continuing to make such great videos. I love walking down memory lane. It's the perfect distraction from all the crap of today's world.

[@FredFlix]

Happy to do it, dgm.

[@kd2mill]

I had a childhood crush on Mary Tyler Moore. Brings back memories of my youth. It's funny how you can associate memories with songs, TV shows and movies of your childhood.

[@gittes98]

Don't recall much of the first two shows but when Archie and Edith appear all is more than well. Also the same for MTM, instant nostalgia

[@terawattyear]

Nice touch with the MTM kitty at the end. I watched the Mary Tyler Moore show for years. Some of the shows, however, I must say I've never heard of. Thanks Fred! (Wave of nostalgia washing over...)

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Tera.

[@fromthesidelines]

2:25- "From TELEVISION CITY, in Hollywood.............."

[@Dorthy-wx9fq]

Oh, thank you for sharing this video. This is the year that I turned 9. This was also the year that the February 9th earthquake happened. And I remember that, gee I didn't know that All in the Family was on, I know that it was big in the 80's. Keep coming up with the old stuff that I remember.

[@tomripsin730]

I was 12 years old in 1971. CBS was always home base for our family, (particularly on Saturday night) so I never knew about the counter programming, until seeing these clips now.

[@FIREBRAND38]

3:12 Shows like _The ABC Movie of the Weekend_ were a cost effective way to get the most from pilots submitted for proposed TV shows. _Sweet, Sweet, Rachel_ was originally the Pilot Episode of the show that was picked up as _The Sixth Sense_ but with a cast change for the lead character from Alex Dreier to Gary Collins as the ESP researcher. And that night's episode of _Mission Impossible_ was _"The Tram"_ "The IMF (Impossible Missions Force) must infiltrate a Syndicate financial meeting - held at a mountain resort only accessible by aerial tramway - to discover the group's Swiss bank account number." Backtracking a bit, _Getting Together_ was a spin-off from _The Partridge Family_ having introduced the two main characters in the first season finale episode. Like _The Partners_ it aired against _All In the Family_ and never stood a chance.

[@FredFlix]

Thanks, Firebrand.

[@tomservo56954]

Interestingly...both Pat Carroll and Wes Stern appeared on MARY TYLER MOORE the previous season

[@billdozer3674]

Thanks for getting in what you could of the persuaders Fred, I always loved that show 👍👍

[@FredFlix]

I tried, Bill.

[@billdozer3674]

@@FredFlix thanks Fred!!

[@dennisdeleo74]

Fred-tastic once again Fred…I was about to turn 13, just starting to get into “ grown-up “ shows…I loved the Persuaders, thought they were so cool…especially Tony “Bernie Schwartz” Curtis, a fellow Bronxite…

[@FredFlix]

Thanks, Dennis.

[@tedquaker954]

Thank you, my father never missed "meathead" and cast!!

[@FredFlix]

I still watch the reruns, tedquaker.

[@davidrosler5413]

Great time machine again, Fred. This one appears to be an interesting combination of hits that went on forever and flops that vanished instantly at the start of the season.

[@FredFlix]

It was one of the worst seasons for new shows, David. See my video The Fall That Failed.

[@davidrosler5413]

@@FredFlix I'll watch it, thank you. That was about the time that new President at CBS who hated the rural audience ordered the "country network" to scrap all their hit shows like The Beverly Hillbillies which was still something like number 3 in the ratings after being number 1 for something like 8 years. It makes sense the networks, managements would be ill-advised across the board at that time.

[@FredFlix]

@@davidrosler5413 Ah, yes, the Rural Purge.

[@davidrosler5413]

@@FredFlix dumbest programming move anyone ever made. In 6 months CBS went from first to third. And again, they did that shitty thing to He & She. " Come to CBS! The sons if bjtches network!" Should have changed the call letters from CBS to SOB.

[@RobertR3750]

Good stuff to watch on a Saturday, Fred!

[@FredFlix]

Glad you did, Robert.

[@TheBrooklynbodine]

At 1:40, that was Jack Somack. Also, October 2, 1971 was when the episode of Archie going to jail first aired (All in the Family) when Archie tried to pull Mike out of an antiwar protest. It was Season 2, Episode 3, titled "Archie and the Lock-Up."

[@thewatcher5271]

Thanks For Makin' Me Feel OLD Again, Fred!! I Was "Only" 13, Then! Really Man, Thanks For The Memories!!

[@FredFlix]

We'll someday wish we were THIS young again, watcher.

[@tomklock568]

Very cool. Thanks Fred!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Tom.

[@carlstenger5893]

Great video (as always)! Thanks

[@stevenj2380]

Watched as many Mission ... episodes as a kid, back when, as I could. Would not miss Mary Tyler Moore (then also Bob Newhart) as a teen, with Mom back when. Sometime years later, MTM reruns were shown 2x, at different point in the series, late night. One night the last episode was shown, followed by the first of the series. Quite emotional for me.

[@pywacket80]

Watching these vintage openers makes me feel so good...of course, it could be the edible, too.

[@luisreyes1963]

Glad I was too young to criticize those shows, especially lame fare like Getting Together, The Sandy Duncan Show, The Good Life & The New Dick Van Dyke Show. My dad was a fan of Mission: Impossible. Thanks, FredFlix. 📺

[@FredFlix]

Seems like every dad was, Luis.

[@archangel_one]

Mission Impossible meant time to go to bed. I remember talking my father into letting me stay up until the tape recorder melted.

[@BrittMFH]

That was my 13th birthday. So many memories! ❤️

[@bobm7250]

50 years ago today was the series premiere of "Police Story".

[@brendajeanproffitt6919]

Wow Awesome ❤❤❤it Fred thank you so much

[@FredFlix]

Glad you enjoyed it, friend Brenda.

[@markcornish2519]

Thanks for more great nostalgia!! I tried to watch the partners because i loved get smart, but it wasn't good

[@mikerocks56]

Only ones I watched were All in the Family, MTM, and Mission Impossible

[@Ij-jan]

Thank you for the video❤

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, l j.

[@matthrivnak6572]

Color TV was so much different in the '70s!

[@ludhugs]

Funny Face was one of those rare shows that was a hit, but ended up being cancelled, such as Briget Loves Bernie. In this case it was because of Sandy Duncan's health crisis and recovery... 😢

[@MichaelSimmons.]

Getting Together was a spin-off from The Partridge Family.

[@elifoust7664]

Great times

[@ernestcruz6316]

They waited too long to give Bobby Sherman a series. When he got Getting Together, his popularity was starting to wane. If he'd gotten that show (or a better one) a year earlier it may not have been a ratings winner, but it would've been popular enough to get renewed for another season.

[@Onteo1]

Yeah, he was about done, but I think this show was after his other one Here come the brides.

[@ernestcruz6316]

@@Onteo1 Yes it was. But also, in hindsight that was when his popularity began and pretty much ended. His popularity was why Brides was on the air as long as it was. He wasn't a particularly good singer or actor, kinda a late '60s-early '70s version of Frankie Avalon or Fabian. Mostly just a pretty face.

[@deementia6796]

As someone who was born in 1971, I always wondered what exactly Sandy Duncan did, more specifically how she was famous, other than being Sandy Duncan. I knew her from the trisket commercials, where she would tell us that she's Sandy Duncan, and then replacing Valeria Harper on the renamed Hogan Family.

[@Kate-yv2or]

She got famous after doing a very successful perfume ad campaign. If memory serves, it was called Skinny Dip. The jingle "...makes a girl feel pretty, Skinny Dip!".".

[@tomservo56954]

​@@Kate-yv2orShe made her mark first on stage...grabbing the attention away from LAUGH-IN alum Judy Carne in a revival of the musical THE BOY FRIEND

[@wheeler71]

Thanks 👌📺🌞

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Lance.

[@richardsylvanus2717]

I was 15. Don't remember the show Partners with Don Adams. Guess it didn't last long.

[@gregggoss2210]

Never saw or heard of Getting Together, but wish I did. I had a crush on Susan Neher. I used to watch "To Rome With Love" with her in it. I guess I had a thing for redheads. Thanks Fred. 👍

[@RusstheTroubadour]

Thanks Fred as always. The voiceover for "ABC Movie of the Weekend" is the legendary Dick Tufeld. " Duel" the first film Steve Spielberg directed premiered 6 weeks later on Nov 13. He previously had directed one of the segments of " The Night Gallery" pilot which aired in late 1969. And an episode of " The Name of the Game" which had aired in early 1971. The film helped launch his career and is considered one of the best TV movies ever made. I wonder what ever happened to him? 😉😜

[@FredFlix]

Can only wonder, Russ!

I was 8 yo then. Back then you had to make hard choices as sometimes two channels had something you wanted to see. There were no VCRs and if you missed a show you’d have to wait about 6 months for the rerun.

[@Mediawatcher2023]

All in the Family was Based on the British sitcom Till Death Us Do Part

[@Laceykat66]

You can show MTM but can't show The Persuaders??? Gotta Love KZbin. Great post as usual. I do not remember half of these shows.

[@FredFlix]

I think it mostly depends on the copyright holder's philosophy. MTM: The theme will encourage people to seek out the show. Persuaders: You dare use our precious material????

[@tomservo56954]

​@FredFlix Same with THE GOOD LIFE, whiich was Dawn (pre-Tony Orlando top billed) performing the song of that name originally done by Tony Bennett

[@GuitarAnthony]

Don Adams in a kind of straight role on a cop show? Crazy.

[@tomservo56954]

Co-star Rupert Crosse was cast opposite Jack Nicholson for the movie THE LAST DETAIL...then he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Director Hal Ashby shut down production for a week, to let him decide if he wanted to continue (he didn't)

[@kevinbarr9003]

My grandfather was Archie Bunker.

[@timbrook7810]

Ahh Fred .... just in time

[@FredFlix]

Always, Tim. (except when I'm not)

[@alg11297]

I watched too much TB back then but I still don't remember many of these shows. Interesting that the Mary Tyler Moore show was the only one where no one is the cast in mentioned during the opening sequence. I suppose her ego wouldn't allow for it.

[@GuitarAnthony]

Peter Lupus? If that was the actor's real name he probably should have considered changing it.

[@eddiefaccioni2453]

He originally did in the early '60's (Rock Stevens).

[@timfremstad3434]

The Good Life had copyright rules? That's funny.... it only lasted like 1season and was replaced by Emergency!......and it wasn't funny either

[@FredFlix]

It was the opening music that was copyrighted.

[@sonnytoo9077]

Thanks Fred 👍

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, sonnytoo.