ABC promo campaign 1971

[JP5466]

The good old days... long ago and gone forever.

Now 85% of the channels on cable are saturated with fake 'reality' shows.

Now we are paying for cable tv and most of it is nothing but total garbage.

We really need a time machine. I would go back to the early 70's and never come back.

[scraps270]

@JP5466 hey jp make that time machine big enough for a few friends who want to go with you!

[RobertoFlackTV]

Amazing how much TV has changed in 30-40 yrs.

[zl1vette427]

DS, you are so right. Compared to the change from the family gathering around the radio or Victrola, those days were one of family togetherness. I was 9 at the time, we had 2 B&W TVs (an 11" in my parents bedroom and a 19" downstairs). Color TV wasn't until 1976 World Series. How did we even only choose 1 TV program per time slot ? No VCR's, No DVRs, no HD pictures.  We didn't even care. I love my technology setup today...but yeah, I get a bit misty thinking about the past.

[DSCOBLUE]

I was 15 and it was a special time... I can remember sitting around with MY FAMILY watching TV.... Those days are long gone... My kids come in the house and go staright to their rooms and close the doors... My wife's sitting in the family room watching DVR taped Soaps and I'm in the den channel surfing through one eye and YouTubing with the other.... Those days are long gone...

[MegaChicity]

@VintageTelevision do you remember a coca-cola commercial in 1976 about a group of African American youths sitting on the stairs singing and harmonizing? If you do can you PLEEEEASSE post! THANK YOU!

[tonywallacess45]

These spots started in late July and reminded you that school was around the corner. still get a twinge of nervousness when I watch.

[cartoonist1975]

just a diffrent world back then ! I dont even watch t.v though I shake my head when people are sucked into what's current

[zl1vette427]

I recognized 21 out of 34 of the shows that had slides....some shows on ABC were not shown, I am pretty sure, notably "LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE."

[prestush]

OK all you raggers upon reality shows and '70's nostalgia hounds, there were indeed some crap reality shows back then, though I guess maybe this is late 70's or early 80's. I'm talking about "That's Incredible!" and "Real People.". You know, with the bus. You feel me?

[zl1vette427]

Thanks you for posting this; I remembered the shorter version circulating elsewhere on YouTube but not the longer version.

How many of you who are over 45 (at least !) can ID all the different boxes/shows that appear in the video ? I count 34 different scenes and I can ID only 22...some of the more adult shows threw me (did I see Sandy Duncan ? If not, I'm down to 21 -- lol). BTW, did you all see the 1970's 'big screen' 25" color TV with knobs and no remote controle ! lol

[zl1vette427]

This is great....I remember the short version which is elsewhere on YouTube but not this longer version -- thank you for posting it.

How many of you who are over 45 (at least !) can ID all the different boxes/shows that appear in the video ? I count 34 different scenes and I can ID only 22...some of the more adult shows threw me (did I see Sandy Duncan ? If not, I'm down to 21 -- lol). BTW, did you all see the 1970's 'big screen' 25" color TV with knobs and no remote controle ! lol

[cowboybear40]

Of course the Partridge Family is singing the jingle

[jln55]

I thought Nilsson was going to start singing at the begining!

[Childist2]

Simply beautiful. None of today's shit will ever compare to the 70s. And I'm 13 and writing this comment.

[JHollowayNetwork]

in 1973, The Australian Nine Network copied it as the Place to Be in '73.

[fromthesidelines]

The 1971-'72 season was not a particularly successful one for ABC. Even though prime-time began at 8pm(et) instead of 7:30 {except on Tuesdays} that season [by order of the FCC], only ONE of their new series was renewed for another season ("OWEN MARSHALL: COUNSELOR AT LAW"). "BEWITCHED" and "THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER" were cancelled at the end of that season, as was "NANNY AND THE PROFESSOR" in mid-season. The only "sure winners" were ABC's Sunday, Tuesday and Friday night schedules...

[flipwiggins]

I remember around this time that on the Friday night in September before the new cartoon season started, ABC would premiere all of the new cartoons, and that was pretty exciting for a 10 year old.

[barber747]

(continued from last comment)

It should basically be actors on a greenscreen with multiple replicas of the ABC logo (the current version) flying @ a high speed. That'll be a definite throwback to the good old days. Maybe ABC should consider doing that next year--just in time for the 40th anniversary of the 1971 campaign.

[barber747]

This would look great today. ABC ought to go back to its roots by creating a revival of that "Psychedelic" looking sequence, or the whole thing in general--minus the reality shows!

[GoodguyNYS]

Music and lyrics by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter Where can we get away after the longest day Touch a star for free, so easily? Something is in the air Pull up in the easy chair Leave that turned down day Come fly away A smile can be seconds away from a tear An adventure waiting right here We'll turn it on for you Come this September This is the place to be Hey there remember This is the place to be This is the place to be with ABC

[hamursh]

@GoodguyNYS Wow, you know all the words of this promo? That's impressive!

[pmd467]

I remember how I looked forward to the fall season. The early 70's, The Jackson5, Love American Style..oh, and Monday Night Football. What has happened to us? Simpler times, and a prosperous future. But look at us. Remember all the cars from the big three including Pontiac and Plymouth? Sigh.. Thanks for the memories..

[TheTweeter53]

@pmd467 You ask: "What has happened to us?" I'll tell you! We've all gotten older! It's not 1971 anymore. Granted, they were simpler times then, but we were kids and did not yet have the responsibilities of adulthood. All the world asked of us was to try hard in school, play with our friends, and stay out of trouble! TV was an escape, as it is today. In 71, the Viet Nam War was going strong, and inflation was spiraling out of control. Today, we're middle aged. Then, we were kids.

[PlaneAndTVtechfan]

I wonder if this promo was created via Scanimation(spelling?) The animation on this looks great!

[Zoomer30]

Ah the early 70s. The last time "green was in". In the early 70s people liked looking at..farms and..grass and stuff since everyone knew it would beca steaming radioactive wasteland by 1980.

[michaelholmesfilms]

What I find so impressive about this promo is that there seems to be more soul in it than any of the current full-length bilge out there. The photography was seemless and my god, people actually singing in harmony - and on key, without the help of electronic enhancement. Two minutes long?!! People actually had attention spans back then. How ironic that an old promo can make you feel good.

[keithcop]

What a terrific feeling the song brings back to me! Remember when every September was exciting?!

[CTubeMan]

Between this and "Let Us Be the One You Turn To", ABC had some great generic promos in the 1970s! NEED MORE!!!

BTB, did I see Clarence Williams III in the flying videos twice?

[runnerman882000]

This makes me wish I could go back in time.

[dlsofsetx]

A great fantasy of mine also.

[chalemi]

Just goes to show, the networks have no creativity today. This was a good time in television

[lowfuellevel]

Love it! wish I could go back, I was 10 in '71.

[sitedezynz]

Me too. A lotta good people born in 1961!

[aftershock71]

The year I was born!

[happymundo]

Wow very nice....before the 100+ channels of junk cable TV of today.

[whitedevil2]

you calling Jersey Shore junk tv?

[dlsofsetx]

TV Land had some good stuff before all that reality shit they show now,& I always hated Roseanne,both the show & the obnoxious sweathog namesake.

[Nikes62]

That opening sequence is priceless...with the wide angle lense view of LA, then zeroing on the TV set, then the psychedelic/optical illusion graphics. Can't get that tune out of my head...

[sommerTN]

Short but great! ABC may have gotten low ratings at the time, but they were building up their core audience which was the 18-34. CBS got much higher ratings, but it was with shows like Petticoat Junction and Mayberry RFD.  By 1976, ABC was on top of the ratings, which they should have been all along!

[sitedezynz]

Look at the shows CBS had though... Carol Burnett, All in the Family, MASH... nobody could touch them back then. But this promo was so good I swear I would channel surf if I was on another channel to see if it was being run.

[Nikes62]

The opening guitar riff is from Nilson's "everybody's talking".

[MegaChicity]

I was 7 yrs old when this came out on Chicago's westside!

[GameShowNetwork]

gotta love that Scanamation!

[lowfuellevel]

I agree with slingweber...1971 was great...which I could go back...even if it was just for a little whle...xxoxo

[dlsofsetx]

I feel the same way.Ironically,after such a great promo,ABC had a disasterous season.

[slingweber]

That's why when I die I am going to 1971.

[sitedezynz]

Good times back then huh? I know...I cried when I saw this again...

[lowfuellevel]

groovy man

[Filmgazer1]

Boy, does this bring back memories of watching TV in the early 70's! While the clip played, I found myself humming the music and singing the lyrics. That's how memorable it is -- even after all these years. I always wanted to see this promo again. It fills me with a sense of nostalgia for the era in which it aired. Thanks so much for posting it!

[VeritasVeritas]

I feel exactly the same way. I still remember this!!! Come this September....Where did they ever find this? This is why I love youtube!!

[nickellodeon55]

Very "Everybody's Talkin'", "California On My Mind" textured neo-folk.

[pazzensutra]

I'm so glad I'm old enough to remember the 70's. They were the best.

[womanlybassplayer]

Quality programming and No Reality Shows! Great memories. I was 11 when this came out!

[dlsofsetx]

I hate reality shows!

[barber747]

Reality shows are garbage! This is pure gold!!!

[dlsofsetx]

I can't think of a reality show GOOd enough to be classified as garbage.

[fgldnglbs]

Touch a star so easily for free.

Not anymore, unless you're settling for the Big Three and the other three, etc.

[JustinPrimeTV]

Producer needs to lay off the drugs!

[vampyros1]

WOW...very groovy now sound, if ya know what I mean (and about 2 of you will).

[LEXICODER]

....and I'm one of 'em!!

[WordUp4Life]

What city was in the video?

[sitedezynz]

The city is Los Angeles. The towers in the beginning are the Arco Towers which is a dead givaway.

[barber747]

@sitedezynz

How can it be the Arco Towers if those weren't completed until 1989?

[sitedezynz]

@barber747 you is right

[sitedezynz]

@barber747 ok...I got it now... they're the Century Plaza Towers. That would make sense since it was the site of ABC entertainment center.

[pazzensutra]

Lost Angeles!

[buddyboy55]

Man, I wish TV was like that now...

[lowfuellevel]

that was awesome, brings back sweet memories of 1971, I was 10 yrs. old, remembering the start of a new school yr., the new shows, and old favs....too bad they don't have programming like this anymore...but what great memories...

[samudrikaz]

I really liked your channel and this video. If you need any help getting this video exposed I use a site called tubeviews.(net) It has really helped like 20 of my main videos get to the top in position.

There is software im using to send atleast 30,000 text message a day advertising my online business...it is amazing. I think they have free demos to try as well.

autotextsender.(c0m) and autotextmailer.(c0m)

Nice.

[thefabulousthomasj]

"Where can we get away/after the longest day/touch a star for free/so easily. . ."

I fisrt saw and heard this commercial at the age of 11, and all these years later, it's still stuck in my head.

Good times!

[happymundo]

Wow...before cable and laptops....a nice time.

[ashleydod]

Oh, my gosh! I've wanted to hear this FOR AGES! I loved this promo! Thanks so much for posting it to Youtube!!!

[RizMil]

I'd LOVE to go back to 1970-1971.

[Merely]

Me too! I'd be 7. :)

[Bradat26]

This was one of my favourite ads, too. When it aired, I was 15. I also looked forward to September for the new shows, new cars, and, yes, even school. Everything was new in the fall.

Thank you, Vintage Television, for posting this, and to you, GoodguyNYS, for the lyrics. I never really knew them all until now.

[keithcop]

I couldn't agree more. Something about those barrages of new shows every fall... I couldn't wait. This one and "CBS is Putting it All Together"--are my favorites. I had forgotten how much I loved this one!

[teverhat]

mca128 couldn't have said it better!!!!!I was also 9 and I have the EXACT same feeling about it.Thankyou!

[jimyjam99]

I find it really interesting that the montage of clips begings AND ends with Bobby Brady, first, playing the trumpet and last, playing the drums. I was 6 years old when this promo was running and I know that I saw it, but only because of just one memory: Bobby playing the trumpet. Bobby was my favorite and I couldn't wait for the new season to start.

[Ladiespetmansthreat]

You guys should see the life on mars commercial thay made it old school like this

[luvs2cover]

thanks for posting this, it really warms my heart and remind me of a time where things was so much nicer. thanks again.

[jmisolano]

TO GoodguyNYS: Where did you find the lyrics?

[mca1218]

Omigawd!! I was 9 when this was being played in the summer of 1971. I loved it, but then forgot about it for years and finally thought I imagined it for more than 30 years. These clips blow me away. I used to get so excited about the fall season and the new shows, the first day of school, reuniting with all my friends I hadn't seen all summer, and so on. And that promo film "This Is The Place to be-" with the multiple ABC's coming towards the screen- is marvelous. Thanks a bunch.

[barber747]

Wow! talk about ancient cinema!

[GoodguyNYS]

Where can we get away After the longest day Touch a star for free, so easily? Something is in the air Pull up in the easy chair Leave that turned down day Come fly away A smile can be seconds away from a tear An adventure waiting right here We'll turn it on for you Come this September This is the place to be Hey there remember This is the place to be With ABC.

[Mollycat14]

I've remembered this song since I was a kid. It was so beautifully done, and this was when ABC had all the great shows. Like everyone has already said, it really takes you back to your childhood.

[pahlorstoker]

yes it does. stuff like this just would never be seen on reruns. it's like one time only stuff. i always remembered this song though.

[rsanford100]

Incredible. For a moment I was back at the house I grew up in..sitting in front of the TV with my parents. Thanks for the memory.

[kxx46]

Thanks for posting !! Brings back a ton of memories !!

[KojiRecords]

Love, love, love your comment; me and my mom back in what was called the "TV room," as most families where I lived kept the TV in another room; the living room was reserved for family and friends to come over and talk, play cards or board game, eat, have fun; the stereo could be there as that did not deter from the conversation, but the TV stayed in another room or in the bedroom where you could relax and watch some good shows. ABC had such a wonderful lineup then in the late 60's to mid-70's.

[pahlorstoker]

same here

[endingman]

This must have cost a fortune to produce in 1971...

It's truly breathtaking, the animation and music.

[bsktgrvy]

This is so great! I wish we could go back to 1971. It was so much simpler then.

This really brings back great memories. Thank you for posting this.

[pahlorstoker]

T-RUE!

[Buckymania]

This is gorgeous and it holds up so well after all these years! Those lyrics make a night in front of the tube sound like a meditation session. I Googled a bit for the composers; the TV Party site names Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter as the songwriters, and Jimmie Haskell (who had a big hand in the Partridge Family records) as the arranger for this theme. My guess (just a guess) is that the group "The Love Generation", who did some Partridge backing vocals, sang this. Thanks for posting it!

[chalemi]

Unbelievable. I've had this song stuck in my head for almost 38 years. The networks need to take a long look at this ad. Is it still unknown who sings it?

[mb5b]

Notice the very opening of the guitar intro. Sounds very reminicent of Nilsson's "Everybody's Talking," Which was a huge hit around that time.

[totoro61]

I have looked for this promo probably for the last 15 years. I was 10 years old and madly in love with Henry Fonda who is in this promo for the show "The Smith Family" which I never missed. I actually met a guy online about ten years ago in a trivia chat room who remembered the jingle and we called each other up ( he in NY and me in LA ) and sang the whole song! Thanks for posting this one.

[GoodguyNYS]

Does anyone know who wrote this song? It's one of the finest music pieces any network ever commissioned for a Fall Season promotion. ABC had a winner on its hands with this spot. The fact that so many people remember the images and the music is a true testament to the talent of the creative team who produced this. ABC would be wise to revive the entire spot with the same soundtrack and just substitute its current lineup of shows for the ones featured here. THANK YOU for sharing this great film.

[Independentman41]

OMG, where was this found? I've been searching for this for years. Geez, that brings back memories. I was 11 and that house by the highway and the livingroom with that gorgeous console tv just waiting to be turned on to one of my favorite networks back then. Now 48, it feels like yesterday. Geez!

[livingnthepast]

I'm 46 and was 8 years old at the time. I also remember flying into the house in that living room. Hey, does anyone have a recording of that 5 tone ABC station identifier; a sustained high note at the end with ABC announcer stating "This,..is ABC". Please post somewhere if you do.

[roachtoasties]

I remember watching this. The jingle, and the fly-in into that living room. Don't ask me why, but it stuck in me all these years.

[Independentman41]

I thought it was just me!

[WorldScoping]

Love this!

This is when the networks had a creative passion for their network and when jingles were unique and so damn original.

[niko7sky]

If I can only have a time machine and go back to my pannelled den in 1971....the good humor man, click clacks, WABC radio, running under the sprinkler on the front lawn, chinese jump rope, and learning how to write peace and love in bubble letters (my hippy baby sitter taught me how....) I remember this one well...

[Independentman41]

Man we think aline. I remember this one so very, very well.

[SeahawksFan96]

I keep thinking the old days of our local ABC affliate in Seattle (KOMO TV 4) everytime I see this ad!

[jupitr2]

Holy crap! This is the 'Crown Jewel' of TV network promos! Thank-you, thank-you, THANK-YOU! I've seen a couple poor quality videos posted of this but nothing as complete or as crisp. I've had this jingle playing in my head on 'repeat' for over thirty years and now I get to see it AND hear it again the way it was meant to be. By far, the best promo ever and ABC had many other greats. Brings back a flood of memories, Thnx for the post!

[edifex]

Thanks for posting this. After it went off the air, I grew up singing the chorus to it. One of my fondest momories from my childhood.

I now collect vintage commercials.

[chaui]

Thank you for posting this promo, it really takes me back to my childhood, I always remembered the song and just remembered the shows moving by each other, thanks again for refreshing my memory.

[kbirdusa]

Interesting that Mike Lookinland (Bobby Brady) is both the first ABC star seen, as well as the last.

[tvpirate05]

Nice graphics from the early-70s.

[Jim856796]

The ARCO Plaza towers are depicted in this promo starting at :10. They were under construction at the time, having been topped out. The towers were completed by the first quarter of 1972.

[tkaye2]

The brightly colored silhouettes in motion reminds me of the original WEWS "Catch 5" promo from a few years later. I've noticed this style has been back in vogue lately, at least in print advertising.

[TServo2049]

The backing to this sound reminds me of "Everybody's Talking at Me" by Harry Nilsson...

[fromthesidelines]

Yes, TV networks have had affiliate conventions in the summer (since the '60s, at least), to let their local station managers know what's in store for their new fall schedule, and how to effectively promote them. I remember this jingle, by the way....

[AutisticPsycho]

They have/had affiliates conventions?

[JIMMASTERSTV]

Another "Vintage" gem. Wow, the shows that flew by, the warm,, smooth, 70s feel that worked. Great find. Thanks for uploading it. V.T. JimMastersTV

[happymundo]

To add...really nice..hopefully we can see more network promos from the 70s and 60s.