"The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams"

Originally Published May 8th, 2004

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This beloved series, loosely based on a historical figure, began as a novel, was adapted for the big screen and eventually came to television on NBC as a weekly series in February of 1977. Starring Dan Haggerty as Grizzly Adams, the show was twice ranked by the National Parent Teacher Association as one of the most positive shows on television. Although it performed moderately well for NBC, after only one and a half seasons the series was canned in May of 1978. A follow-up telefilm was broadcast in 1982, wrapping up the series.

In 1973, a novel entitled The Live and Times of Grizzly Adams, written by Charles E. Sellier, Jr., was published. Loosely based on the life of 19th century adventurer, hunter and animal trainer James Capen "Grizzly" Adams, the novel was turned into a film of the same name in 1974.

In both the novel and film, Grizzly Adams is accused of a murder he did not commit and a $1,000 bounty is placed on his head. Knowing he won't be able to convince others of his innocence, Adams fled deep into the wilderness to start a new life.

The film adaptation of The Live and Times of Grizzly Adams was released in November of 1974 and starred Dan Haggerty in the title role and proved quite successful, due in no small part to intensive market research carried out by its producers [1]. When NBC broadcast the film on Monday, May 17th, 1976, it proved equally successful, pulling a massive 43 share [2]. This popularity led NBC to order a weekly series, with thirteen episodes due to air during the 1977 midseason [3].

The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams premiered on Wednesday, February 9th, 1977, airing opposite The Bionic Woman on ABC and Good Times and The Jacksons on CBS. Dan Haggerty continued in the role of Grizzly Adams, who had as a constant companion a grizzly bear named Ben (in real life named Bozo). Joining Haggerty in the series was Denver Pyle (who would later go on to play Uncle Jesse on the popular The Dukes Of Hazzard) a roving trader who would occasionally drop by Grizzly's cabin, bringing supplies and conversation.

View the Opening Credits to Grizzly Adams

Mad Jack was somewhat less into nature and animals than Grizzly was. He had himself a burro (a wild horse), known as Number Seven, but the two shared a fierce stubborn streak and rarely got along. When frustrated, Mad Jack would tell Number Seven that burro Number Eight was on its way. He did, however, love flapjacks and Grizzly could make a mean flapjack. The only other recurring character was Nakuma, played by Don Shanks, a Native America who was a "blood brother" of Grizzly.

The theme song to the series, "Maybe," was written and sung by Thom Pace. The thirteen episodes that made up the shortened first season aired through May of 1977. Satisfied with the ratings for the first batch of episodes, NBC renewed The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams for a second season and added the series to its 1977-1978 fall schedule in April of 1977 [4].

The second season of The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams began on Wednesday, September 28th, 1977. This time, it was up against Eight is Enough on ABC (The Bionic Woman had moved to NBC) and Good Times and Bustin' Loose on CBS. The premiere episode ranked 30th for the week with Eight is Enough doing slightly better, tying at 25 with Barney Miller (also on ABC) [5].

During his thirty-fourth birthday party in November of 1977, Dan Haggerty was badly burned when a flaming drink was accidentally splashed across his face, setting his beard on fire. Although a nearby waiter attempted to put on the flames with his own body, Haggerty nevertheless required plastic surgery. Due to his injuries, production on the series was halted for a month [6].

In February of 1978, the National Parent Teacher Association for the very first time ranked network television programs as either "positive contributions to the quality of life in America" or violent and/or vulgar [7]. The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams was one of four NBC shows to be rated excellent (the others were Little House on the Prairie, Mulligan's Stew and World of Disney). Other excellent programs in the top ten included The Waltons on CBS and Eight is Enough on ABC.

NBC was found to have the most programs with violent content and, in response, NBC released a statement that included the following: "The study appears to be based not on objective or scientific criteria but rather on subjective value judgments, not necessarily reflecting those of the country as a whole" [8].

View the Closing Credits to Grizzly Adams

In May of 1978, NBC canceled roughly one-third of its prime-time schedule, including The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, in an attempt to reinvigorate its programming line-up and move out of third place in the ratings [9]. For the 1977-1978 season, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams averaged a modest 17.5 rating, tying for 48th with ABC's Julie Farr, M.D. out of 110 shows [10].

A total of 24 episodes were shown during the second season, the last of which aired on May 12th, 1978. A special ninety-minute installment entitled "The Renewal" aired on March 22nd, 1978 from 8-9:30PM. In August of 1978, the National Parent Teacher Association again ranked network television programs and once again The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams was considered among the top ten best network offerings (as was Julie Farr, M.D. which was also cancelled at the end of the 1977-1978 season) [11].

During the 1978-1979 season, another ninety-minute special, this one called "Once Upon A Starry Night," was broadcast on Tuesday, December 19th, 1978 from 8:30-10PM. Both ninety-minute specials were later offered in syndication as two-part episodes. The series was syndicated under both its full title and simply Grizzly Adams.

The Capture of Grizzly Adams, a made-for-TV movie was broadcast on Sunday, February 21st, 1982 by NBC. In this follow-up to the series, Dan Haggerty returned as Grizzly Adams, who, as the title suggests, was finally captured. Adams was forced to clear himself of the murder charge and find his long-lost daughter, Peg.

In 1990, a new film, this one direct to video, was released. The Legend of Grizzly Adams (also known as Grizzly Adams: The Legend Continues) did not star Dan Haggerty as Grizzly but instead Gene Edwards as the title character.

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Last Updated June 26th, 2008