At 50, TV’s ‘The Waltons’ Still Stirs Fans’ Love, Nostalgia

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://tvnewscheck.com/programming/article/at-50-tvs-the-waltons-still-stirs-fans-love-nostalgia/

The Rev. Matt Curry’s parents were children of the Great Depression, just like “The Waltons” — the beloved TV family whose prime-time series premiered 50 years ago.

When Curry was growing up on a farm in northern Texas, his carpenter father and teacher mother often argued playfully over who had a poorer childhood.

“The Depression was the seminal time of their lives — the time that was about family and survival and making it through,” said Curry, now a 59-year-old Presbyterian pastor in Owensboro, Kentucky. “My dad used to talk about how his dad would go work out of town and send $5 a week to feed and clothe the family.”

 

[Joseph_Gallant]

Nobody gave "The Waltons" much of a chance to succeed when it premiered in September, 1972.

The reason was the timeslot opposition: Flip Wilson's variety show on NBC, and the crime drama "Mod Squad" on ABC. Both shows were very popular.

Most in and out if the industry expected "Waltons" to bite the dust by the end of 1972 while Flip Wilson and "Mod Squad" would it duke it out for timeslot supremacy throughout the 1972/73 TV season.

It turned out that when the 1972/73 TV season ended, "Waltons" was the hit and both "Mod Squad" and Flip Wilson were cancelled. According to historical Nielsen data as published in Brooks and Marsh, "Waltons" finished tied for the 19th most popular prime time shows on network TV in it's first season.

"Waltons" was in the top ten the next two seasons (1973/74 and 1974/75), and finished as the second most popular prime time network TV show in the 1973/74 season. It remained quite popular, finishing the season among the top thirty prime time shows four more times.

 

[Lester_the_NightFly]

The Flip Wilson show ended in Feb 74, Flip Wilson himself stated it was not canceled, he made the decision to end the show.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://deadline.com/2022/09/cw-a-waltons-thanksgiving-premiere-date-1235118887/

The Waltons to have a Special on the CW in November.

The CW will premiere the new, original made-for-television movie A Waltons Thanksgiving on Nov. 20.

The movie is a follow up to the network’s successful The Waltons’ Homecoming, which was was the network’s second most-watched special of the 2021-22 season. The latest flick reunites the Walton family as they prepare for Thanksgiving in 1934. The Depression has affected everyone, but John Walton (Teddy Sears) has found a way to provide for his family through the farm and by picking up odd jobs from the eccentric Baldwin Sisters. It’s also the time of year for the Annual Harvest Festival Fair, where carnival rides, talent shows and pie contests become the center of attention for the Waltons. As the story unfolds, John Boy (Logan Shroyer) learns the true meaning of taking responsibility, Mary Ellen (Marcelle LeBlanc) comes to understand patience and collaboration,

 

[IM42A]

The Waltons was possibly the best show that ever appeared on American television. Everything about it was utterly flawless. It was wholesome family entertainment and was impeccably scripted, and richly textured, with an excellent cast. Television doesn't get any better than that.

It did, however, go downhill when they got another actor to replace Richard Thomas as John-Boy. He was born to play that role. Ditto for Ralph Waite and Will Geer.

 

[kwthom]

Nobody gave "The Waltons" much of a chance to succeed when it premiered in September, 1972.

The television film The Homecoming: A Christmas Story was broadcast on December 19, 1971. Based on it's success, the pilot was commissioned.