Did some research, and not only was Trapper John the only show to debut at the start of the year to make it to another year (not counting Knots Landing)...but two of the shows ("The Last Resort"; "Working Stiffs") went "3 and out" (made it all of three episodes before CBS gave those the quick hook).
Even though there would be a tinge of irony in CBS' campaign (but hey, it could be worse...NBC anyone?) heck the song itself is just killer! I love watching classic promos like this, and I'm a Gen Y'er myself.
So maybe television won't be like this again...but I'd love to see someone pull off a promo like this nowadays. Would be interesting to see. :)
In the late 70's, CBS and ABC were the only 2 channels worth a damn. NBC was just throwing crap up against the wall, seeing what would stick until they finally struck gold with Cheers and Family Ties, in 1982.
I agree with everyone when they say that these kind of promos are way better than the stuff they do now, as well as the shows themselves, and I'm 24. It's a shame that TV has gone to crap so much that a young guy like me have to say that lol. I never get tired of hearing these kind of tunes, I could have a terrible day and listen to this and then feel better. Forget the modern abstract stuff, BRING BACK THE OLD SCHOOL METHODS!!!! Thanks for posting this, it's great stuff!
wow an actual movie on NETWORK TELEVISION! What a concept. THey never show movies on prime time tv anymore. Just reality shit. WHat a shame. All the shows back then were quality and well written. Now just reality shows, snooki, Paris Hilton. All LOSERS!! Gimme the Jeffersons anyday over the crap we have now.
That is a great tune! Of the shows they listed, I only remember Trapper John but I watched a lot of the other shows like Alice, The Jeffersons, The Incredible Hulk, One Day at a Time, WKRP,Was it still All in the Family or Archie Bunkers Place? Mom loved MASH so I had to watch it. We didnt really watch Dallas or The Dukes of Hazard. In this, they show a lot of the movie Oh God with George Burns and John Denver and Silver Streak with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor.
this brings me back so many memories. I was living in Tampa Florida back in 1979. these were the glory days. you will never see anything like this ever again. today's tv is CRAP.
This CBS promo takes me all the way back to memory lane to when I was 7 years old in the 1st grade & to when THE DUKES O FHAZZARD was in its 2nd Season & THE INCREDIBLE HULK was in its 3rd Season. They sure dont make promos like this anymore either.
The guy on top of the train who gets caught in the overhead railroad signal at 1:26 / 1:27 for some reason I remembered that vividly. Was that from the movie Silver Streak?
This promo came out 10 years after I was born,and I see how CBS is now. I think the network is total crap. They don't have one show worth watching. I see shows on this promo that are far better then anything on any network. I wish that TV would go back to be about quality and not stupidity.
They maybe popular but I don't like them actually I should say the reality shows.Those show are crap,and there sitcoms. The crime shows are much better.
@EncoreEnterprisesLLC those are good. I do like the crime/tech shows. However, they have the crime shows as far back as 60's and 70's to think for it!
@coolwafferman Do you suppose we were born in the wrong decade. I do remember some of this. Definitely Jeffersons and Alice(or was it Mel's Diner) whichever program that was during the promo that ran(saw a waitress so it's gotta be one of the two)
TV promo people have forgotten that catchy melodies and smart editing get and keep people's attention..Today its all about how abstract and generation X a promo can be..The 79 CBS promos are 30 years old and we still remember them.Today's ad and promo people should learn that quality not wierdness captures a viewers attention...
The problem is that the networks, and the people themselves who run them, are crap. And the American public is by and large pretty stupid, too, so nowadays, even if there IS quality out there, the American people often won't go for it. It's the scenario of the crap leading the crap, if you will. And because of the networks' dearth of ideas for original American programming, the fact of the matter is that they often have to clone British programs for "new shows." Eh. Just a sign o' the times.
Another thing is that the reality programs are cheaper to make than scripted programs. For some reason people are watching the reality crap and CBS and the others are happy to oblige so that they can save money. Message to CBS and all the networks: The Reality is that Reality shows suck. A lot of the shows in this promo have run on syndictation and on TV Land. Will people be watching the reruns of the reality shows 30 years from now on TV Land? I seriously doubt it.
@jajvick , maybe it'll take Ron Paul to win in 2012 for American to change its ways and return to the goodness of the 1980s but it'll be 2012 and beyond.
Thanks for this video! Without Youtube us who live half a world we've never seen this video. Even the private Italian television in those years have inspired you promo of American Television, especially Channel 5 (CBS The Italian) than in the seventies and eighties has purchased many films, Téléfilms by CBS and ABC .. Thanks again for the video!
omg i remember these network promos. it was like seeing the fall line up. every summer i couldnt wait to see if my fav shows was returing back in sept.
En mi país, América TV (el canal 4 de Lima), hizo una copia al carbón de ese jingle, como sucedería en 1988 con "La televisión "Stand Up and Tell'em You're from Detroit" de Frank Gari, en 1993 con "El canal de las estrellas", basándose en las promos de XEW-TV de México DF, y más recientemente copió varias claquetas de Disney Channel.
Actually, no. In that time frame, as I recall, ABC was #1 in the ratings especially with their usually reliable Tuesday & Thursday night comedy blocks of shows such as "Happy Days", "Laverne & Shirley", "Three's Company", etc. I think actually CBS had come down in the ratings quite a bit after the departure of such shows, in the mid-late 1970's (1976 - 78) of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" & "Carol Burnett Show". I don't think CBS went back to #1 until 1982.
Well, I was 15 to 16 years old back in 1979. I don't know how I am able to remember all of that. Some of that has come from books I've read (I have worked most of my adult life in libraries) or from the internet (it's not too difficult to find on the internet past ratings for TV & TV schedules of years past).
@Yesimustbestupid2 yes true. That's all more public knowledge what with medias: Books are written and published on Tele and demographics. And there's tons of sites on here.
@Yesimustbestupid2 Yes, that's my recollection too. CBS took a dip around1977-78, after the demise of MTM, "Carol Burnett", and with drop in quality of "All in the Family" (still on, but people largely stopped watching after Mike and Gloria left the show); "Dallas" was on by this time, but wouldn't become a hit until "Who Shot JR" in 1980; "Sixty Minutes" and "M*A*S*H" remained CBS' only blockbuster shows by this time. Wasn't it NBC that de-throned ABC in the '80s with "Cheers" and the like?
Great post thanks.. ATV Channel 10 in Melbourne Australia used this same theme and promo in 1981.. "When you're looking at Channel 10 in Melbourne.. You're Looking Good !!"
@bacardilvr it got 3 if you look, JR, JR and Jock, Pamela. Dallas was still fairly new. If this was after 9/79, it was in it's 3rd season, and the by season's end, it would be no. 1 in Nielsen Ratings. J.R.-mania!
Did some research, and not only was Trapper John the only show to debut at the start of the year to make it to another year (not counting Knots Landing)...but two of the shows ("The Last Resort"; "Working Stiffs") went "3 and out" (made it all of three episodes before CBS gave those the quick hook).
HamptonRoadsTVFan 8 months ago
ATV10 Melbourne used the Looking Good slogan in 1981.
JHollowayNetwork 9 months ago
ATV10 in Melbourne, borrowed the campaign in 1981.
JHollowayNetwork 9 months ago
you got that right. its a far cry from when I grew up in the 1970s & 1980s.
scrowfan41 11 months ago
70's went out good.
videozfann 11 months ago
Even though there would be a tinge of irony in CBS' campaign (but hey, it could be worse...NBC anyone?) heck the song itself is just killer! I love watching classic promos like this, and I'm a Gen Y'er myself.
So maybe television won't be like this again...but I'd love to see someone pull off a promo like this nowadays. Would be interesting to see. :)
nextg 11 months ago
In the late 70's, CBS and ABC were the only 2 channels worth a damn. NBC was just throwing crap up against the wall, seeing what would stick until they finally struck gold with Cheers and Family Ties, in 1982.
Diskoboy1974 1 year ago
holy shit i remember this i was 8 years old then wow what a trip
kuriaki71 1 year ago
daem that was LOOKING GOOD!!!! xD -_-
mfuji02 1 year ago
I agree with everyone when they say that these kind of promos are way better than the stuff they do now, as well as the shows themselves, and I'm 24. It's a shame that TV has gone to crap so much that a young guy like me have to say that lol. I never get tired of hearing these kind of tunes, I could have a terrible day and listen to this and then feel better. Forget the modern abstract stuff, BRING BACK THE OLD SCHOOL METHODS!!!! Thanks for posting this, it's great stuff!
Vandal626 1 year ago 2
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wow an actual movie on NETWORK TELEVISION! What a concept. THey never show movies on prime time tv anymore. Just reality shit. WHat a shame. All the shows back then were quality and well written. Now just reality shows, snooki, Paris Hilton. All LOSERS!! Gimme the Jeffersons anyday over the crap we have now.
toeman2035 1 year ago
That is a great tune! Of the shows they listed, I only remember Trapper John but I watched a lot of the other shows like Alice, The Jeffersons, The Incredible Hulk, One Day at a Time, WKRP,Was it still All in the Family or Archie Bunkers Place? Mom loved MASH so I had to watch it. We didnt really watch Dallas or The Dukes of Hazard. In this, they show a lot of the movie Oh God with George Burns and John Denver and Silver Streak with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor.
nostalgiajunkie70 1 year ago
this brings me back so many memories. I was living in Tampa Florida back in 1979. these were the glory days. you will never see anything like this ever again. today's tv is CRAP.
BatNuklier 1 year ago 2
Archie Bunker playing Russian Rouliette at :41
Fanik8 1 year ago
CBS was the channel of the 70s
BatNuklier 1 year ago
this really takes me back. that CBS Sports spectacular at 0:57 graphics was ahead of it's time.
BatNuklier 1 year ago
This CBS promo takes me all the way back to memory lane to when I was 7 years old in the 1st grade & to when THE DUKES O FHAZZARD was in its 2nd Season & THE INCREDIBLE HULK was in its 3rd Season. They sure dont make promos like this anymore either.
100572a 1 year ago 2
I miss TV like this.
HGbunny 2 years ago 4
The guy on top of the train who gets caught in the overhead railroad signal at 1:26 / 1:27 for some reason I remembered that vividly. Was that from the movie Silver Streak?
Tigerboy83 2 years ago
Wasn't that used in the opening credits for "The Fall Guy"?
cityhawk 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Where the heck was TPIR in this promo?
zachhoran 2 years ago
the dukes werent cancelled in 79
plowmaster1206 2 years ago
This promo came out 10 years after I was born,and I see how CBS is now. I think the network is total crap. They don't have one show worth watching. I see shows on this promo that are far better then anything on any network. I wish that TV would go back to be about quality and not stupidity.
coolwafferman 2 years ago 2
Well, then why are the shows CSI, Numb3rs, and NCIS popular? They are good shows right there.
EncoreEnterprisesLLC 2 years ago
They maybe popular but I don't like them actually I should say the reality shows.Those show are crap,and there sitcoms. The crime shows are much better.
coolwafferman 2 years ago
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@coolwafferman yes agreed. Crime shows are great.
entertainme3000 1 year ago
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@EncoreEnterprisesLLC those are good. I do like the crime/tech shows. However, they have the crime shows as far back as 60's and 70's to think for it!
entertainme3000 1 year ago
None of the networks are any good today. Everything is a freaking reality show or some other trash. I quit watching network TV years ago.
banther1972 2 years ago 2
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@coolwafferman Do you suppose we were born in the wrong decade. I do remember some of this. Definitely Jeffersons and Alice(or was it Mel's Diner) whichever program that was during the promo that ran(saw a waitress so it's gotta be one of the two)
entertainme3000 1 year ago
CBS wil never be proud like this again.
listner90 2 years ago
TV promo people have forgotten that catchy melodies and smart editing get and keep people's attention..Today its all about how abstract and generation X a promo can be..The 79 CBS promos are 30 years old and we still remember them.Today's ad and promo people should learn that quality not wierdness captures a viewers attention...
jajvick 2 years ago 14
The problem is that the networks, and the people themselves who run them, are crap. And the American public is by and large pretty stupid, too, so nowadays, even if there IS quality out there, the American people often won't go for it. It's the scenario of the crap leading the crap, if you will. And because of the networks' dearth of ideas for original American programming, the fact of the matter is that they often have to clone British programs for "new shows." Eh. Just a sign o' the times.
Bonkoz 2 years ago 2
Another thing is that the reality programs are cheaper to make than scripted programs. For some reason people are watching the reality crap and CBS and the others are happy to oblige so that they can save money. Message to CBS and all the networks: The Reality is that Reality shows suck. A lot of the shows in this promo have run on syndictation and on TV Land. Will people be watching the reruns of the reality shows 30 years from now on TV Land? I seriously doubt it.
Superbatfan 2 years ago
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@jajvick true.
entertainme3000 1 year ago
@jajvick , maybe it'll take Ron Paul to win in 2012 for American to change its ways and return to the goodness of the 1980s but it'll be 2012 and beyond.
jaworskij 7 months ago
why don't the networks ever do these anymore?
DanIN72 2 years ago 5
Because someone has fallen asleep at the wheel. If you agree, raise your hand.
Juliaflo 2 years ago 3
I agree with you, that is why I don't watch too much network programming, because it is by large nothing but fucking crap!
bhilcu1 2 years ago
I AMMmmmmazinggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!
Animalll2003lll 3 years ago 5
Thanks for this video! Without Youtube us who live half a world we've never seen this video. Even the private Italian television in those years have inspired you promo of American Television, especially Channel 5 (CBS The Italian) than in the seventies and eighties has purchased many films, Téléfilms by CBS and ABC .. Thanks again for the video!
CBS RULEZZZZ 5rate x You!
Mangia Italy
themangia 3 years ago 5
This song is so darn catchy!
kc86er 3 years ago 5
I think this is the second best new season jingle of all the ones I've heard, second only to ABC's "Still the One" campaign.
garrisonskunk 3 years ago
Excellent Presentation From 1979!! Well Done!! CBS had the montage done right that year. A Fat 6!!
Green18600 3 years ago 3
omg i remember these network promos. it was like seeing the fall line up. every summer i couldnt wait to see if my fav shows was returing back in sept.
TAMCLIF92 3 years ago
En mi país, América TV (el canal 4 de Lima), hizo una copia al carbón de ese jingle, como sucedería en 1988 con "La televisión "Stand Up and Tell'em You're from Detroit" de Frank Gari, en 1993 con "El canal de las estrellas", basándose en las promos de XEW-TV de México DF, y más recientemente copió varias claquetas de Disney Channel.
MartinVillafuerte85 3 years ago
Excellent comment! Too bad people who only speak ENGLISH can't understand it. :-(
Bonkoz 3 years ago
TV Nowadays is a load of crap
PGMEagle 3 years ago 11
I'll secmond that
eci4r 3 years ago 4
I'll third that.
Seventiesfan 3 years ago 4
@PGMEagle true that!
videozfann 11 months ago
The good old days of network television. Today, network television is all but dead.
300palms 3 years ago
Man, CBS was at the top of its game in the 79-80-81 time frame, wasn't it?
lonestarrooster 3 years ago
Actually, no. In that time frame, as I recall, ABC was #1 in the ratings especially with their usually reliable Tuesday & Thursday night comedy blocks of shows such as "Happy Days", "Laverne & Shirley", "Three's Company", etc. I think actually CBS had come down in the ratings quite a bit after the departure of such shows, in the mid-late 1970's (1976 - 78) of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" & "Carol Burnett Show". I don't think CBS went back to #1 until 1982.
Yesimustbestupid2 3 years ago
How the heck do you know or remember all that?
blaqceeza 3 years ago
Well, I was 15 to 16 years old back in 1979. I don't know how I am able to remember all of that. Some of that has come from books I've read (I have worked most of my adult life in libraries) or from the internet (it's not too difficult to find on the internet past ratings for TV & TV schedules of years past).
Yesimustbestupid2 3 years ago
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@Yesimustbestupid2 yes true. That's all more public knowledge what with medias: Books are written and published on Tele and demographics. And there's tons of sites on here.
entertainme3000 1 year ago
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@Yesimustbestupid2 yes HD and TC were good shows. I espeically remember the 81-82 seasons vividly as a child...but can always watch the repeats.
entertainme3000 1 year ago
@Yesimustbestupid2 Yes, that's my recollection too. CBS took a dip around1977-78, after the demise of MTM, "Carol Burnett", and with drop in quality of "All in the Family" (still on, but people largely stopped watching after Mike and Gloria left the show); "Dallas" was on by this time, but wouldn't become a hit until "Who Shot JR" in 1980; "Sixty Minutes" and "M*A*S*H" remained CBS' only blockbuster shows by this time. Wasn't it NBC that de-throned ABC in the '80s with "Cheers" and the like?
mthivier 11 months ago
Great post thanks.. ATV Channel 10 in Melbourne Australia used this same theme and promo in 1981.. "When you're looking at Channel 10 in Melbourne.. You're Looking Good !!"
Thanks to CBS !
aussiebeachut 3 years ago 2
I still remember every word to this promo... Thanks for bringing it back!!
nickc71 4 years ago
back when they had actual tv shows. Now what do they have-reality shows. uggh.
Anglynn74 4 years ago 2
The Dukes of Hazzard was renewed.
bigcataholik 4 years ago
These are the promos for the 1979-1980 season. Dukes of Hazzard debuted in January 1979, in the 1978-1979 season.
rrunner81sg 4 years ago
One of the alltime best promo songs for the new season.
345kvline 4 years ago
Wow, this was just before the "Who SHot J.R" phenomenon blew up, because it only got one scene in this whole preview.
bacardilvr 4 years ago
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@bacardilvr it got 3 if you look, JR, JR and Jock, Pamela. Dallas was still fairly new. If this was after 9/79, it was in it's 3rd season, and the by season's end, it would be no. 1 in Nielsen Ratings. J.R.-mania!
entertainme3000 1 year ago
Oh right, never thought of that
krystlerita 4 years ago
You say this year only Trapper John MD survived, but wasn't this the year Knots Landing premiered?
krystlerita 4 years ago
Knots Landing premiered in December 1979 so that is why it is not in this promo.
drummerbraves 4 years ago
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@krystlerita Jefferson and WKRP also lasted past 79-80....WKRP til 82, Jeffersons til 85.
entertainme3000 1 year ago