SPOTSWOOD–Showing numerous small screen performances from the 1950s-80s, radio co-hosts Don Buzney and Danny Scott held a presentation highlighting popular oldie TV shows.
“People just love television. I mean, it’s what we grew up with, it’s part of our heritage growing up,” Scott said during a presentation last month at the Spotswood Public Library.
Buzney is the host of the Rutgers University Radio show “The Veterans Corner” and Scott is a corporate and commercial videographer.
The two discussed sitcoms including Gilligan’s Island, Happy Days, M*A*S*H, The Dukes of Hazzard, Welcome Back Kotter and I Love Lucy.
Scott said when Gilligan’s Island first aired, “[T]hey weren’t planning for the show to be a hit. … The guy who produced it thought it would be a pilot and it would be over. [The show’s theme song] was this horrible calypso song … and they said you know it might be a hit so let’s get a real song.”
Residents also saw clips from classic crime TV shows that included McCloud, Mannix, Mission Impossible, Perry Mason, Peter Gunn, The Fugitive and Miami Vice.
Scott said in the crime/drama show Perry Mason, actor Raymond Burr played the iconic defense attorney.
“Raymond Burr actually got fan letters from people who actually thought he was an attorney … that’s how convincing he was,” Scott said.
Scenes from western-themed TV shows were also shown, including Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel and The Wild Wild West.
Assembling numerous clips from several TV shows, Scott said, “It takes a long time because there is so much to take from … and [to figure out] which one is more emblematic of the show, it takes a while.”
Residents also saw clips from fantasy/sci-fi shows such as I Dream of Jeannie, Fantasy Island and Star Trek.
Scott said Star Trek is one of the highest grossing franchise in United States history.
“We could probably do with 10 more of these shows,” Buzney said.
Once the presentation concluded, residents offered suggestions of TV shows Buzney and Scott could add to their presentation, such as Leave it to Beaver, Father Knows Best and Lassie.
For more information, visit www.spotslibrary.org or call 732-251-1515.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
