By the 1970s, huge hits like All in the Family and Dallas started as midseason replacements. But what about the 50s/60s? What were the first shows produced specifically as midseason replacements for cancelled shows? Why did the practice start? And when did the modern practice of saving a renewed show for midseason use (like the last season of New Girl) start?
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History of midseason replacements
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This doesn't quite fit, but I think "To Tell The Truth" was brought back as a mideason replacement on CBS's prime time schedule in early 1967 to replace a show that had been canceled. The prime time "TTTT" had been canceled following the 65-66 season. Also (just thought of this) there was a prime time spinoff of the daytime soap "As The World Turns" called "Our Private World" a year or so earlier that was either a midseason or summer replacement on CBS's schedule. Just thought of this one, too...Wasn't "Secret Agent" a midseason plug-in as well? As far as saving renewed shows, it seems like that's kind of a recent thing, and more doable today when the concept of "seasons" in TV doesn't mean as much as it used to.
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I'm not sure I would call Dallas a midseason replacement. It began in April 1978 and the first "season" was only five episodes.
As far as midseason shows from the 60's, "Batman" is the one that stands out. It wasn't supposed to premiere until the Fall of 1966, but ABC's 1965 Fall lineup was (again) a disaster, so they rushed it into production and put it on in January 1966. What's amazing is that in the span of roughly 15 months from late 1965 until late February (?) 1967, 94 half-hour episodes AND a full-length movie were cranked out. Nowadays, shows are lucky if they get one-third of that output--and without a movie to make.
As far as midseason shows from the 60's, "Batman" is the one that stands out. It wasn't supposed to premiere until the Fall of 1966, but ABC's 1965 Fall lineup was (again) a disaster, so they rushed it into production and put it on in January 1966. What's amazing is that in the span of roughly 15 months from late 1965 until late February (?) 1967, 94 half-hour episodes AND a full-length movie were cranked out. Nowadays, shows are lucky if they get one-third of that output--and without a movie to make.
I'd think that Dallas would fit into a category that started in the 70's of giving a show a trial run of 4 to 6 episodes to see if they do good, and get their first full season in the Fall. Three's Company would be another example.
Seinfeld took even longer. IIRC it started with the pilot as a one shot special in 1989, then 4 episodes in 1990, followed by 12 in 1991 after that. The first full season wasn't until season 3 in 1991-92.
Seinfeld took even longer. IIRC it started with the pilot as a one shot special in 1989, then 4 episodes in 1990, followed by 12 in 1991 after that. The first full season wasn't until season 3 in 1991-92.
There were not many mid-season replacements prior to the 70's. I'm sure some could find a few, but the business changed in the 70's in this regard.
That being said "All In The Family" perhaps goes down as the most successful mid-season replacement of all time. #1 for six straight years after it went on the air. Some forget that this was initially an ABC franchise, that was quickly cancelled after just one airing due to complaints. Based on the British series, Till Death Does Us Apart, All In The Family debuted in January 1971. The half-season from January 1971 till summer was later titled "season 1". "season 2" became the 1971-72 season.
That being said "All In The Family" perhaps goes down as the most successful mid-season replacement of all time. #1 for six straight years after it went on the air. Some forget that this was initially an ABC franchise, that was quickly cancelled after just one airing due to complaints. Based on the British series, Till Death Does Us Apart, All In The Family debuted in January 1971. The half-season from January 1971 till summer was later titled "season 1". "season 2" became the 1971-72 season.
Seinfeld was a very late bloomer. It didn't top the ratings until late in its run
Going back to the very early days of TV, Mister Peepers, a show about a science teacher starring Wally Cox,
was an NBC midseason replacement for a show that had failed miserably.
was an NBC midseason replacement for a show that had failed miserably.
AITF was originally an ABC property (with the title of "Justice for All" since instead of the Bunkers, they were the Justices). A pilot was made in 1968, but it never actually aired:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRy1BDQack0
Here's the SECOND pilot for ABC filmed a year later, with the title changed to "Those Were the Days":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZiUGHNhFw0
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David Harris, in his NFL business history The League, likened Dallas Texans/KC Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt to Cox's Mr. Peepers.
OTOH I guess I'm a member of the first generation who knows Wally Cox (I always liked that name) from his voicing Underdog and his regular status on the Peter Marshall Hollywood Squares. So much so that as a kid, whenever I saw Wilcox Street in Trainer, PA (I was born and raised near Trainer) I naturally thought of Wally Cox.
)ixnay
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CBS premiered "The Millionaire" in January, 1955, replacing a nighttime version of "Strike It Rich." Probably the first true mid-season replacement.
"TTTT" returned on 12/12/66, replacing the failed sitcom "The Jean Arthur Show" on CBS. At that point, it was again paired up with "IGAS," in the 10-11 PM ET hour.
Another example of a midseason start was "Emergency!" on NBC, premiered 01/15/72.
Dallas' spin-off, "Knots Landing" would be considered a midseason replacement, with its pilot episode airing Dec. 27, 1979.
One night earlier, Sanford And Son debuted, as a replacement for a failed drama called The D.A.(a Jack Webb-produced show, starring Robert Conrad).
Its spin-off show The Jeffersons was a mid-season replacement as well, premiering in January 1975 to begin a ten and half year run.
What a juggernaut Saturday nights were for CBS at the time. All In The Family, then The Jeffersons, then The Mary Tyler Moore Show, then The Bob Newhart Show and then The Carol Burnett Show.
Airwolf premiered on CBS Jan. 22, 1984 after Super Bowl XVIII between Washington and L.A., and stayed there for 2.5 years, before going to USA for its much maligned fourth and final season in 1987.
Barney Miller, like The Jeffersons, premiered in Jan. 1975 on ABC, and had a 7.5 year run on that network to 1982.
Barney Miller, like The Jeffersons, premiered in Jan. 1975 on ABC, and had a 7.5 year run on that network to 1982.
Two other mega-hit ABC sitcoms would have midseason debuts in the next two years: 'Laverne & Shirley' in 1976, and 'Three's Company' in 1977, helping form a powerhouse Tuesday night lineup following 'Happy Days'.
The Jeffersons premiered on 1/18/1975, replacing a sitcom that bombed, "Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers." Anyone remember that show?
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