Loading the player…
This is a promotional spot for ABC’s new Friday night lineup for the 1967-1968 season, which featured four new programs: Off to See the Wizard, Hondo, The Guns of Will Sonnett, and Judd, for the Defense. The network used the slogan “A Very Special Season” and distinctive kaleidoscopic imagery to promote its new and returning programs. New programs included N.Y.P.D., Cowboy in Africa, Good Company, The Flying Nun, Off To See the Wizard and Judd, for the Defense. Due to Labor Day, ABC kicked off its premiere week on Tuesday, September 5th.
This Friday schedule for 1967-’68 wasn’t too successful in the long run, except for the two series at the tail end of the evening (all times Eastern):
7:30 OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD
{MGM’s attempt at creating a “Disney-esque” anthology, featuring animated transition sequences [from Chuck Jones’ unit] involving their “Oz” characters- in addition to several of the studio’s older theatrical “family” films- often seen in two parts- some interesting material was added…including a rejected 1964 ABC pilot, “ALEXANDER THE GREAT”, co-starring William Shatner and Adam West}
8:30 HONDO
{short-lived adaptation of the 1953 John Wayne movie, starring Ralph Taeger}
9:30 THE GUNS OF WILL SONNETT
{great Aaron Spelling/Danny Thomas western starring Walter Brennan and Dack Rambo, which should have lasted more than two seasons- “No brag- just fact”}
10:00 JUDD, FOR THE DEFENSE
{good legal drama starring Carl Betz, finally able to shake his “Alex Stone” father image from “THE DONNA REED SHOW”}
Amazing that within a year, Fridays on ABC would be considered “the coolest night on television” with the Bradys, Partridges, Room 222, et al-as opposed to this fare
I’ve been watching the HONDO series on Warner Archive Instant, and it isn’t bad at all. It’s a shame that ABC couldn’t try to find a better time slot for it for the second half of the season instead of cancelling; it really had no chance to make any headway against GOMER PYLE and STAR TREK.
Or as I like to call it….M-G-M’s WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR