Must-See Television Shows and Specials

Cailin

New Member
Location
Boston, MA
What were your family's must-see television shows when you were young? I treasured the annual showing of "The Wizard of Oz." I recently wrote a short story about it. An Annual Family Tradition

Another annual television event was the broadcast of Rodger & Hammerstein's "Cinderella," starring Leslie Ann Warren. This wonderful movie is available for free on YouTube.

What were some of your family's favorites?
 

My mom liked the animated "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol".
Live action programs "A Christmas Memory" and "Holiday Inn".
I never miss "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." I have a soft spot for his poor dog, Max.
Is "A Christmas Memory" based on a Truman Capote short story?
 
We also enjoyed many of the comics like Jackie Gleason, Lucille Ball, Red Skelton…

My parents enjoyed the variety shows and holiday specials like Ed Sullivan, Lawrence Welk, Liberace, Andy Williams, Perry Como. It seems like every major celebrity had a television show at one time or another.

 
I have a vague memory of seeing "Amahl and the Night Visitors" on TV. I don't know which version it was, but had to be late 1950s or early 1960s. Can't say I was overly impressed. Kids want to see cartoons.
I agree, debodun. For a Christmas show, "Amahl and the Night Visitors" was too serious in tone for kids. I don't think they had much interest in opera.
 
We also enjoyed many of the comics like Jackie Gleason, Lucille Ball, Red Skelton…

My parents enjoyed the variety shows and holiday specials like Ed Sullivan, Lawrence Welk, Liberace, Andy Williams, Perry Como. It seems like every major celebrity had a television show at one time or another.

Red Skelton was such a great clown. I remember Jackie Gleason's variety show and we'd never miss Ed Sullivan. Perry Como was my dad's favorite singer and my grandparents were huge fans of Lawrence Welk.
 
I have a vague memory of seeing "Amahl and the Night Visitors" on TV. I don't know which version it was, but had to be late 1950s or early 1960s. Can't say I was overly impressed. Kids want to see cartoons.
My parents took me to see the stage version in the mid 1950s at the old Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh, PA. I loved it. I still love some of the music written by Gian Carlo Menotti.
 
Viewing with my parents, it would have been The Carol Burnett Show, Red Skelton, All In the Family, Sanford and Son, The Honeymooners, Sonny and Cher, The Flip Wilson Show, Ed Sullivan and Laugh-In.
 

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