I used to watch the original thirty minute GUNSMOKE before it was downgraded to a kid friendly after 1968.
We knew when someone was going to get killed because that was when Matt opened the show with philosophizing from Boot Hill.
I always remember the Cosby routine about his little kid wanting to watch “Froofie the Dog” instead of “Gunsmoke.”
“Ma, Dad was watching Gunsmoke, and they were drowning little baby kittens.”
So now I’m watching, “Froo-froo-Froofie The Dog.”
I love all of those shows. Gunsmoke definitely went downhill in the late 60s. But, my God, it was on for how many years? I first became fond of Steve McQueen from tv. First crush? Little Joe!