September 12: Blast from the Past

The sitcom Family Affair aired on CBS from September 12, 1966 to September 9, 1972.

The series starred Brian Keith as bachelor Bill Davis and follows his adventures as he attempts to raise his brother’s orphaned children, 15-year-old Cissy (Kathy Garver) and the 6-year-old twins, Jody (Johnny Whitaker) and Buffy (Anissa Jones). The butler, Mr. Giles French was played by Sebastian Cabot. The show ran for 138 episodes. Family Affair was created and produced by Don Fedderson, also known for the series My Three Sons.

“Lassie” debuted in this day in 1954

The television series Lassie followed the adventures of a female Collie named Lassie and her human companions. The show debuted on Sunday, September 12, 1954 and aired till March 24, 1973 on the CBS network. It was one of the longest running dramatic series on TV, with seventeen seasons before entering first-run syndication for the final two seasons. Lassie was initially filmed in black and white, making the transition to color in 1965. It was the created by producer Robert Maxwell and animal trainer Rudd Weatherwax. In its first years Lassie won two Emmy Awards and its stars, Jan Clayton and June Lockhart were both nominated for Emmys.

The Monkees aired on this day in 1966

The Monkees is a NBC situation comedy that aired from September 12, 1966 to March 25, 1968. The series follows the adventures of four young men (The Monkees) as they strive to make a name for themselves as rock ‘n roll singers. The show won two Emmy Awards in 1967.

Theme Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0FUvLfxyp0

Bonanza debuted on this day in 1959

Bonanza is western television series that ran on the NBC network from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 430 episodes, it ranks as the second longest running western series (behind Gunsmoke). It still continues to air in syndication. In 2002, Bonanza was ranked #43 on TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Tine.