Announcing TV Guide 365: 1964-1965

As I revealed earlier this month, I’m diving back into my collection of TV Guide from the 1964-1965 season. Five years ago, I explored all 52 issues on a weekly basis (which I’m currently doing with the 1989 calendar year). My new project, TV Guide 365: 1964-1965, will feature daily prime time listings drawn from the pages of TV Guide.

Starting next Thursday (September 19th), every day I’ll post the prime time listings published 55 years earlier in TV Guide. The plan is to try to recreate the TV Guide experience as much as I can. That means using the shortened titles often included in listings and noting whether certain programs were in color or not. What you won’t find are channel numbers, only networks. All times will be Eastern/Pacific.

Because this is Television Obscurities, I won’t be including cast and guest cast details for popular, long-running shows like Bonanza, The Lucy Show, Bewitched, or The Dick Van Dyke Show. The same goes for movies broadcast as part of NBC Saturday Night at the Movies, The ABC Sunday Night Movie, or NBC Wednesday Night at the Movies. That information is typically easily available online.

I will take the time to type out cast and guest cast details for obscure shows like Wendy and Me, 90 Bristol Court, The Baileys of Balboa, and Kentucky Jones. Some of this information may also be available online but it may not be.

Here’s an excerpt from the listings I’ll share on Saturday, September 19th, 1964:


8:30 DEFENDERS–Drama (CBS)
“A Man Against Himself.” If convicted, Danny Ross feaces 15 years imprisonment on a manslaughter charge for accidentally killing a man in a street brawl. And Danny insists on handling his own defense. Script: Raphael Hayes.. Preston: E.G. Marshall. Ken: Robert Reed. (60 min.)
Guest Cast
Danny Ross …………… Ivan Dixon
Janet Lamb …………… Ellen Holly
Dr. Leonard ………….. Michael Shilo
DA ………………….. J. D. Cannon
Judge ……………….. Marc Connelly
“Gilligan’s Island”–a comedy series starring bob Denver, Alan Hale and Jim Backus–debuts in the 8:30-9 P.M. time spot next week, followed by the premiere of “Mr. Broadway” from 9-10 P.M. “Defenders” begins its new season this coming Thursday in the 10-11 P.M. time spot.

KENTUCKY JONES–Drama (NBC)
[DEBUT] After nine years as “Gunsmoke’s” Chester, Dennis Weaver walks tall (and without a limp) as Kentucky Jones, a veterinarian and former horse trainer. Ricky Der is Dwight Eisenhower Wong, Kentucky’s 10-year-old Chinese ward,. and Harry Morgan plays his side-kick, Seldom Jackson. Tonight: Recently widowed Kentucky gets the news that the orphan he and his late wife had planned to adopt is waiting at the airport.
Guest Cast
Mabel Healey ……………. Diane Brewster
Doris Caine …………….. Marlyn Mason

LAWRENCE WELK–Music (ABC)
Lawrence launches his 10th year on TV. Scheduled musical highlights include “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter,” “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails,” “Sugar Blues” and “Faith Unlocks the Door.” (Live; 60 min.)


Finally, the focus of this project is TV Guide listings, not what actually aired, so whatever TV Guide published in its listings is what I’ll be sharing every day. Even if a program or episode was pre-empted, I’m still going to include it.


Related Posts

Become a Patron Today

Are you a fan of obscure television? Please support Television Obscurities on Patreon by becoming a patron today.

One Reply to “Announcing TV Guide 365: 1964-1965”

  1. to date;; the rights for KENTUCKY JONES have been the most difficult access in the entire array of our interests here; …….. you tube once had a pirated clip years ago** IT NEVER EVEN SURVIVED THE USUALTY RERUN SCHEDULE BACK THEN …..just in lousy black and white—-it was so low budget; but this does not preclude its interests.. so GO persue here further

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.