Week of June 8: Ray Bradbury and Richard Dawson

By Sylvia Gurinsky

Ray Bradbury and Richard Dawson. One influenced the public view, while the other simply had fun with the public.

Ray Bradbury, who died this week at 91, was one of this country's most prolific science fiction writers. He took that talent to television during the medium's infancy. He wrote for everything from "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" to his own anthology series (which aired on cable).

Here's a clip from a "Twilight Zone" episode, "I Sing the Body Electric," Bradbury wrote in 1962:

Twilight Zone

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Richard Dawson came to prominence as Corporal Peter Newkirk on the CBS comedy series "Hogan's Heroes." During the early 1970s, he alternated guest starring spots on television series and game shows.

Then, in 1976, Goodson/Todman Productions tapped him as the host of a new game show in which families competed to come up with the most popular answers to questions asked in general polls. "Family Feud" was successful during the next decade, both on ABC Daytime and in syndication.

Subsequent editions have been produced. But Dawson's version was immortalized by two items: His "Survey Says" and his kissing of the female guests.

Here's a 1981 show, and watch Gretchen Johnson, in the blue print dress. Dawson did "ask her first": She later became his wife:

Family Feud

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See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!