Posted on 10/17/2015 9:49:59 AM PDT by PJ-Comix
The other day I was watching a rerun of a popular TV show from the past. Suddenly it occurred to me that this was the most CONSERVATIVE TV show ever despite the fact that it wasn't specifically a political show.
Okay, I'll give you the name: DRAGNET. I was watching the color version that came back to the airwaves in 1967. Detective Joe Friday didn't fool around. He was all business with NO apologies in enforcing the law. Also notable was how he sneered at hippies, drug addicts, or (in the case of the episode I was watching) idiotic teenyboppers who shoplifted strictly to be members of a dopey club.
Mt. Airy isn’t perfect but muggings are uncommon to the point of being unheard of. It’s in a beautiful spot in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, with mountains rising just a few miles away. Pleasant place by and large, but the economy is only so-so. Still haven’t recovered fully from textile job losses. Wineries and tourism only go so far.
Webb liked his ex-wife well enough to cast London and her second husband, Bobby Troup, in “Emergency”
Well, you’re getting into sub-categories. I recall a book I have which ideologically divided up movie messages into five categories: conservative; conservative-centrist; centrist; liberal-centrist; liberal. Most 50s/60s tv is actually “conservative-centrist.” Which is a bit more inclined to put faith in institutions, compared to strict “conservatism,” which usually involves individuals taking charge and resolving conflicts. The post-war years were indeed more heavy on “conservative-centrist” attitudes. Compared to pre-WW2. Now this is in terms of the culture, moreso than actual politics.
In other words, the 1930s might be regarded as a hugely progressive era, owing to FDR and politics. But the cultural attitudes of the populace at large were in many ways more ‘conservative’ than the postwar Eisenhower 1950s. At least, in that sort of sense, involving things like individuals and personal responsibilities.
I just loved the John Adams series, as did my teen daughter. Awesome choice.
Good to know. It just sounded creepy, not knowing ALL of the history. I was thinking of Sarah Palin with the guy who moved in next door for the summer with the intent of spying on her family.
Some have suggested The Waltons. I enjoyed the show years ago, but can no longer watch it after reading about Grandpa’s real life. Will Geer. What a disgusting man.
Good catch!
Greene Acres
Petticoat Junction
The Real McCoys
The Dick VanDyke Show
Basically, though, the show was aimed at simpletons. If you saw one episode of Dragnet, you had pretty much seen them all. The problem for viewers back then was that we had only two or three channels to choose from so we tended to see more of that kind of show than we needed to see.
You're right about the changes, though. Conservatives are not so trusting in government authority figures now.
Webb took over ‘’77 Sunset Strip’’ in 1963 and ruined that great show. It didn’t finish its sixth season on ABC.
One of the lesser known channels on Dish Network shows re-runs of Daniel Boone. Lots and lots of guns, justice and other things that were main stream America when I was younger.
Short answer “Daniel Boone”.
Yea, but at time nearly all southerners were FDR boosters to the hilt.
Oh My! That is some BAD plastic surgery!
Yes, I know exactly what you’re referring to, in terms of “Dragnet.” Yet I don’t actually think it was Webb’s intention. His goal actually seemed to be to eschew the Hollywood artiface and have his ‘witnesses’ seem like real people. Which was relatively ground-breaking for the time, probably concurrent with the wave of Italian neorealist directors. Directing his own shows, he instructed his actors to talk in that monotone sort of way. But he carried it to such a length, that it started coming across as almost comically stylized. And it also inadvertently created a sort of us versus them dichotomy, of the smart “professional” and the dimwitted “citizen.”
At least, that’s how I always saw it. It doesn’t necessary rankle me that much, as it might otherwise, because I think I understand Webb’s aesthetic intentions.
Well, to be fair she’s got to be close to 80 by now.
She needed Mary Anne’s plastic surgeon.
I used to enjoy The Waltons too. Then I saw a program about the actors, and let’s just say “Grampa Walton” spoiled the show for me. I also started noticing the pro-government messages in the series.
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