Category Archives: Television 1960s

Peter and Gordon appear on ‘Ed Sullivan’ 50 years ago this hour (Nov 15 1964)


Video: 'Peter & Gordon I Don't Want To See You Again' (click here to watch)

(Sunday, November 15, 1964, 8 p.m. EST) — Peter and Gordon appeared on the live CBS television variety series The Ed Sullivan Show tonight, performing “I Don’t Want to See You Again” (written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles) and “500 Miles.” Continue reading Peter and Gordon appear on ‘Ed Sullivan’ 50 years ago this hour (Nov 15 1964)

Actor Ronald Reagan launches political career with paid televised Goldwater speech 50 years ago this hour (Oct 27 1964)


Video: '"A Time for Choosing" by Ronald Reagan'

(Tuesday, October 27, 1964, 9:30 p.m. EST) — Actor (and future President) Ronald Reagan spoke tonight in support of Sen. Barry Goldwater’s 1964 Republican presidential campaign in a paid pre-recorded televised speech he called “A Time for Choosing,” focusing on the importance of a strong defense against Communism and the need for smaller government.

Johnson warns Red Chinese against ‘nuclear blackmail’ 50 years ago this hour (Oct 18 1964)


Video: 'Lyndon B. Johnson-Report to the Nation on Events in China and the USSR (October 18, 1964)'

(Sunday, October 18, 1964, 8:30 p.m. EDT; during the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon Johnson told the people of the United States tonight that despite the Chinese Communists’ nuclear explosion and the change of Government in the Soviet Union, “the key to peace is to be found in the strength and the good sense of the United States” (click here to watch the full video).

The Animals debut on ‘Ed Sullivan,’ Jackie Mason allegedly gives host the finger 50 years ago this hour (Oct 18 1964)


Video: 'The Best of The Ed Sullivan Show: October 18, 1964' (Jack Jones, Volantes, Peter O'Toole segments from Mar. 15, 1964)

(Sunday, October 18, 1964, 8 p.m. EDT) — The Animals appeared on the live CBS television variety series The Ed Sullivan Show for the first time tonight, performing “I’m Crying” followed by their #1 hit “House of the Rising Sun.” Continue reading The Animals debut on ‘Ed Sullivan,’ Jackie Mason allegedly gives host the finger 50 years ago this hour (Oct 18 1964)

The Beach Boys debut on ‘Ed Sullivan’ 50 years ago this hour (Sep 27 1964)


Video: 'Beach Boys - Wendy (1964)'

(Sunday, September 27, 1964, 8 p.m. EDT) — The Beach Boys appeared live on the CBS television variety series The Ed Sullivan Show for the first time tonight, performing “I Get Around” and “Wendy.” Continue reading The Beach Boys debut on ‘Ed Sullivan’ 50 years ago this hour (Sep 27 1964)

‘Gilligan’s Island’ debuts on CBS 50 years ago this hour (Sep 26 1964)


Video: 'Gilligan's Island Intro Episode1' (Sept. 26, 1964)

(Saturday, September 26, 1964, 8:30 p.m. EDT)Gilligan’s Island, a situation comedy that followed the comic adventures of seven castaways as they attempted to survive the island on which they had been shipwrecked, debuted tonight as a regular television series on CBS. It starred Bob Denver, Alan Hale, Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Tina Louise, Russell Johnson and Dawn Wells. Continue reading ‘Gilligan’s Island’ debuts on CBS 50 years ago this hour (Sep 26 1964)

‘Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.’ series debuts on CBS 50 years ago this hour (Sep 25 1964)


Video: 'Gomer Pyle USMC 101 Gomer Overcomes The Obstacle Course' (Sept. 25, 1964)

(Friday, September 25, 1964, 9:30 p.m. EDT)Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., a situation comedy spin-off of The Andy Griffith Show about a naive but good natured gas station attendant from the town of Mayberry, North Carolina, who enlists in the U.S. Marine Corps, debuted tonight as a regular television series on CBS. It starred Jim Nabors, Frank Sutton and Ronnie Schell.

‘Daniel Boone’ series debuts on NBC-TV 50 years ago this hour (Sep 24 1964)


Video: 'Daniel Boone Season 1 Episode 1 Ken Tuck E Part 1' (Sept. 24, 1964)

(Thursday, September 24, 1964, 7:30 p.m. EDT)Daniel Boone, an action-adventure show about the frontier hero, debuted tonight as a regular television series on NBC. It starred Fess Parker, Patricia Blair, Albert Salmi, Ed Ames, Dallas McKennon and Rosey Grier. Continue reading ‘Daniel Boone’ series debuts on NBC-TV 50 years ago this hour (Sep 24 1964)

‘The Munsters’ series debuts on NBC-TV 50 years ago this hour (Sep 24 1964)


Video: 'The Munsters S01E01 Munster Masquerade (Full Episode)' (Sept. 24, 1964)

(Thursday, September 24, 1964, 7:30 p.m. EDT)The Munsters, a situation comedy depicting the home life of a family of benign monsters, debuted tonight as a regular television series on NBC. It starred Fred Gwynne, Yvonne De Carlo, Al Lewis, Beverley Owen and Butch Patrick.