Column: Thanks for Listening

Growing up through a couple of decades that gave us good old-fashioned TV sitcoms made me really enjoy television that left you with a good feeling and a little bit of wisdom of how you should be as a person.

Over the last two years a few TV shows are coming back to that platform, and I am really happy to see it. The two shows that stand out for me are “Modern Family” and “Parenthood.” These two shows make me remember the great television we had growing up.

As I evoke a few memories, feel free to try and recall your own favorite TV shows growing up. I think it is fun to think back on certain series and how you can remember where you were, whom you were with and what kind of food you ate while watching these classics.

I distinctly remember Jiffy Pop popcorn because I hated popcorn and my sisters made it all the time. I did think Jiffy popping was the coolest thing ever and just knew that this was how the astronauts must have eaten popcorn. Me, I was good with Tang.

Do you remember the shows “Petticoat Junction,” “I Love Lucy,” “Bonanza,” “I Dream Of Jeannie” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show”? How about “The Honeymooners,” “Mr. Ed,” “Father Knows Best” and “The Patty Duke Show”? Some of my favorites growing up were “M*A*S*H,” “Happy Days,” “Laverne & Shirley,” “The Brady Bunch” and, of course, “Charlie’s Angels.”

“Charlie’s Angels” made me strive after my first career ambition of owning a detective/modeling agency and only talking to them through a speaker on a desk. Sadly, this career did not come to fruition. A few of my other favorites were “The Twilight Zone,” “Flipper” and “The Waltons.”

I remember my sisters loved “Family Affair,” “My Girl with Marlo Thomas” and “Little House on The Prairie.” My wife, Bonnie, loved “Fantasy Island,” “Love Boat” and “Love, American Style.” My entire family always watched “Bob Newhart,” “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Lassie.”

It is pretty amazing the wholesome shows that we used to get on our three channels growing up. I sure am glad we are starting to see a few of these sitcoms come back. I personally feel that if I wanted reality TV, I would just turn on the news. When I finally do get a chance to watch TV, I want a break from the daily grind. I want to laugh, or at the very least get a break from my daily worries.

Do you remember any of these television shows?

What are your favorites?

What memories do you have based on a few of the above-mentioned shows?

 

Wrestling excitement

Congratulations to all of the area wrestling teams and coaches. It was so very exciting to follow the Minnesota state wrestling finals last weekend. We had so many excellent athletes place high in the state and one, Bryce DeBoer, brought home a state championship. You should all be so proud. Well done.

 

Undefeated!

Congratulations to the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball team for going 29-0 and winning the sub-sectional final against Blue Earth. Good luck in the sectional final Friday against St. Peter, and I am looking forward to seeing the Panthers make it to state.

 

Tribune Publisher Scott Schmeltzer’s column appears every Thursday.