The Johnny Carson Show Was Almost The Dick Van Dyke Show
Show: The Dick Van Dyke Show
Original Network: CBS
Est. Production Budget: $40,000 per episode*
From 1961 until 1966, The Dick Van Dyke Show was broadcast on television. It nearly wasn’t called The Dick Van Dyke Show, though. Dick Van Dyke wasn’t even going to be the main character on the program when its creator, Carl Reiner, first intended to refer to it as “Head of the Family.” Comedian Johnny Carson was originally supposed to play the lead role of Rob Petrie. Luckily for Van Dyke, Carson didn’t end up working out. After Dick was cast in the lead role, the show’s name was eventually changed to reflect the actor’s stage name. As they say, the rest is history.
The Johnny Carson Show Was Almost The Dick Van Dyke Show
Wagon Train Promoted Colored Television Sets
Show: Wagon Train
Original Network: NBC
Est. Production Budget: $100,000 per episode*
Popular Western drama Wagon Train offered more than just enjoyable viewing. It helped to promote color television sets as well. However, how could an Old West-themed television program advertise a technology that didn’t exist at the time? It’s easy. Wagon Trail, like the majority of the shows of the era, ran in black and white on television. The fifth season of the show was filmed in color to promote the new color TV from its parent company, RCA, following four seasons without color. Talk about putting out all the stops and utilizing every resource available.
Wagon Train Promoted Colored Television Sets
