Week of 6/24: Just One More Thing, Lt. Columbo

By Sylvia Gurinsky

Today, there is the late-breaking news that Peter Falk, who was Lt. Columbo, has died at age 83.

Falk distinguished himself in Academy Award-nominated roles in movies. But starting in 1967, he played Police Lt. Frank Columbo - first in various television movies, then as one of the troika (along with "McCloud" and "McMillan and Wife") in the successful "NBC Mystery Movie," then in another series of television movies for ABC from the 1980s through 2003.

Unlike any previous television detective, Columbo dressed in a rumpled raincoat and drove a beat-up car. His method of making inquiries was usually polite ("just one more thing") and often stream-of-consciousness: He could throw in a statement about his wife's favorite television programs alongside queries about where a suspect was at the time of a murder. The format of the program ensured that the viewer knew who the murderer was. The fun was in watching Columbo figure out how a crime was committed.

Here's the ending to "A Friend in Deed," in which Columbo's trail leads him right to the police commissioner, played by the great Richard Kiley:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQaGPwIBKCc

"Columbo" is available on DVD, so it is possible to have "just one more question."



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This week brings the unfortunate news that country singing star Glen Campbell has Alzheimer's - the disease Falk had. As everyone hopes for progress in fighting the disease, we take a look back at his biggest shining moment on television.

Launched by CBS in 1969 as a summer replacement for the Smothers Brothers' variety show, "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" was a variety show in which Campbell would perform some of his hits and other popular songs and have a number of guest stars, both musical and not. It stayed on CBS' lineup until 1972.

Here's Campbell performing one of his biggest hits, "Wichita Lineman," on the show:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HFCuBLAjXo

No DVD releases yet, and whatever VHS tapes are available are expensive, so YouTube's the best bet for now.


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Fans of classic television are embracing Antenna TV, which is showing up on some of the newer digital channels in many communities.

Named because the shows were created in an age of analog television, Antenna TV, created by Tribune, has a schedule including shows ranging from "Burns & Allen" to "Mad About You" and old movies as well. Here's the website, which includes a daily schedule:

http://www.antennatv.tv/

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Next week, YesterTube will be on holiday hiatus. Happy Viewing!

Week of June 17: Banner Achievements

By Sylvia Gurinsky

Producer Bob Banner's specialty was variety.

Indeed, Banner, who died this week, left plenty - not just in entertainment shows, but also in television films, during a career that lasted almost 45 years.

After producing and directing "The Dinah Shore Chevy Show" during the late 1950s, he then worked for the "Garry Moore Show," where he came into contact with a young talent named Carol Burnett; among the specials he produced for Burnett was 1964's "Once Upon a Mattress." Here's the definitely not bashful Burnett singing "Shy":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouL9ZMzEZ4k

Banner would later go on to produce the first three seasons of "The Carol Burnett Show."

Banner worked on variety shows with singers Perry Como and Andy Williams and the occasional television movie, such as "Lisa, Bright and Dark," a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation that aired on NBC in 1973 and is considered a landmark in the portrayal of mental illness.

For three seasons, he was the executive producer of "Star Search," a syndicated show hosted by Ed McMahon that introduced quite a few of today's top musical and comedy performers. Here's a 1984 opening including an image of Brad Garrett, years before "Everybody Loves Raymond":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jMdxd4NS-Y

Alas, neither the 1964 version of "Once Upon a Mattress," nor "Lisa, Bright and Dark" are yet available on DVD. Someday, perhaps, it will be possible to celebrate those banner achievements of Bob Banner.

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See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!

Week of June 10: The _________ Leonard Stern

By Sylvia Gurinsky

Leonard Stern, who died this week, will probably always be best known for creating "Mad Libs," the game in which millions (including Yours Truly) have had fun filling in the blanks.

But Stern also made a mark in television - most notably with two series.

The first was "Get Smart!" which ran on NBC from 1965-70 and starred Don Adams as bumbling (but effective) Agent 86, Maxwell Smart, and Barbara Feldon as Agent 99. Stern executive-produced the first three seasons and the series, created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, was a pointed spoof not only of the popular spy movies of the era, but of Washington:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5NBIyPmB0g

In 1971, Stern created his greatest television success: "McMillan & Wife," which ran as part of the "NBC Mystery Movie" and starred Rock Hudson as San Francisco Police Commissioner Stewart McMillan and Susan Saint James as his wife, Sally. It was more "Thin Man" than "Law & Order," but audiences loved it. Here's a scene from the pilot, "Once Upon a Dead Man":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JCRJjO8It0

"McMillan & Wife" has been widely syndicated, and the first four seasons have been released on DVD so far. Season 5 is scheduled to be released next month.
Hudson and Saint James were delightful together, and the show is a lot of fun.

Leonard Stern's programs left us with a _______ on our faces. (In "Mad Libs," I would put "smile.")

See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!

Week of June 3: So Long, Marshall Dillon

By Sylvia Gurinsky

Today brings the late-breaking news that James Arness, best known as Marshall Matt Dillon on CBS' "Gunsmoke," has died.

A World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Arness acted in movies and television during the late 1940s and 1950s - including an appearance as William Tell in a 1955 Hallmark Hall of Fame production.

1955 was a terrific year for Arness because he proceeded to get the lead role as Dillon; rumors always had the role being offered to John Wayne, who wound up introducing the show when it went on the air.

Westerns were extremely popular on television during the 1950s and 60s. "Gunsmoke" was among the best because it took its lead from movies such as "High Noon." During the glory years, its supporting cast included Dennis Weaver ("McCloud") as Festus and Amanda Blake as saloon owner Kitty Russell. Despite the 1800s setting, "Gunsmoke" managed to address issues relevant to the mid-20th century - including civil rights.

(Viewers can catch "Gunsmoke" on TVLand and the first four seasons are available on DVD - but in that annoying format that splits seasons.)

While Arness would have less screen time during the later seasons of the show, he and Milburn Stone, who played Doc, were the only primary cast members to stay until "Gunsmoke" finally went off the air in 1975. Later, Arness would appear in several "Gunsmoke" movies, a miniseries version of "How the West Was Won" on ABC and the detective series "McClain's Law" for NBC in 1981-82.

Here's a clip from the "Gunsmoke" episode "The Killer," featuring Charles Bronson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqyojnM9tlc

You did fine, Marshall. Just fine.

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Note: Today is Jim Lehrer's last day as "NewsHour" anchor. YesterTube will pay tribute next week.