The Dick Van Dyke Show ©Cnn /Alamy
Ever feel like you know all there is to know about your favorite classic TV shows? Think again! Even the most dedicated fan may be surprised to learn that there’s always an interesting tidbit of information that has eluded them.
From actors who were younger than their on-screen children to the show that charged its extras to be on set, these lesser-known facts about classic TV shows are sure to surprise you. Have a gander and see how many you already know.
Show: The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Original Network: CBS
Est. Production Budget: Unknown
The sketch, which showed legendary writer/director Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic profile in silhouette, was created for use on a Christmas card. That’s right! It was never meant to be at the forefront of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.
However, Hitchcock loved the design so much that he asked to make it the show’s opening credits. The sketch became an instant classic and is still associated with the Hitchcock brand to this day. It just goes to show that sometimes the most iconic moments on television are the result of a happy accident.
Show: The Virginian
Original Network: NBC
Est. Production Budget: $330,000 per episode*
The Virginian aired from 1962 to 1971 and was the first western on U.S. television to be a 90-minute show. The extra time allowed for more intricate storylines and character development. Starring James Drury as the titular title character, the show was set in Medicine Bow, Wyoming, and followed the adventures of the foreman of the Shiloh Ranch.
At a time when Westerns were still ruling the tube, the show’s success paved the way for other long-form Westerns, such as Bonanza and Gunsmoke, to follow suit with extended episodes.
Show: The Time Tunnel
Original Network: ABC
Est. Production Budget: $500,000 per episode*
While recycling props is common in Hollywood, it’s always fun to see nods to other beloved sci-fi shows. The Time Tunnel was one of Irwin Allen’s lesser-known creations, but its sets were no less intricate.
In an effort to save on production costs, The Time Tunnel reused props from other Irwin Allen productions like Lost in Space and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Sharp-eyed viewers can spot familiar props like the robot from Lost in Space and the Seaview submarine from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea in various Time Tunnel episodes.
Show: Jeopardy!
Original Network: NBC
Est. Production Budget: $5 million per year*
The popular quiz show Jeopardy! has been entertaining audiences for over three decades, but did you know that the idea for the show didn’t come from a big-time network executive? It was sparked by Merv Griffin’s wife?
In the early 1960s, Griffin and his wife were on a flight when she suggested creating a game show where contestants are given answers and must phrase their responses as questions. Griffin loved the idea, and the rest is history. Today, Jeopardy! is a household name, beloved by fans of all ages, and guest-hosted by TV stars and Super Bowl champions.
Show: Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
Original Network: NET
Est. Production Budget: $6,000 per episode*
Mr. Rogers is known for his cardigans and comforting demeanor. But did you know that his mother, Nancy Rogers, actually hand-knitted all of his famous sweaters? She made every single one until she passed away in 1981.
In an interview, Fred shared that his mother used to say how nice he always looked in his cardigan sweater. He took her advice to heart and made it a signature part of his wardrobe on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Talk about a heartwarming piece of TV history from a man who lived and breathed family values.
Show: The Odd Couple
Original Network: ABC
Est. Production Budget: $150,000 per episode*
Despite its popularity, The Odd Couple was always on the brink of cancellation during its five-season run from 1970-1975. The show, which starred Tony Randall and Jack Klugman as mismatched roommates, struggled to find a consistent time slot and was often preempted for other programs.
The show’s fate was sealed when its creator, Neil Simon, decided to end it after five seasons. However, it has since become a cult classic and inspired multiple adaptations, including a 2015 sitcom revival starring Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon.
Show: Welcome Back, Kotter
Original Network: ABC
Est. Production Budget: $300,000 per episode*
Welcome Back, Kotter, which centered around a group of diverse high school students in Brooklyn, featured Italian-American comedian Gabe Kaplan as the title character and helped introduce the world to John Travolta.
In the late 1970s, the hit TV show Welcome Back, Kotter faced censorship and was temporarily banned from airing in Boston due to concerns over racial and cultural issues of the time, specifically the “busing issue” in Boston. Despite the controversy, the show aired for four seasons and became a cultural touchstone for many viewers.
Show: The Ed Sullivan Show
Original Network: CBS
Est. Production Budget: $8 million per year*
The legendary variety show we know and love as The Ed Sullivan Show was not always known by that name. In fact, it was originally called Toast of the Town, a title which accurately reflects the show’s focus on highlighting the biggest names in entertainment at the time.
It wasn’t until 1955 that the show was rebranded with the name of its host, and the rest, as they say, is history. Toast of the Town may not have had the same ring to it, but the show’s success proves that the content is what really counts.
Show: The Flinstones
Original Network: ABC
Est. Production Budget: $65,000 per episode*
Shortly after it hit the air, The Flintstones were almost made extinct because of a feud between creator William Hanna and Jackie Gleason, whose show The Honeymooners shared similarities with the cartoon. Gleason believed Hanna and his partner Joseph Barbera stole the concept from his show.
Among other things, Gleason had to weigh whether he wanted “to be known as the guy who yanked Fred Flintstone off the air?” Ultimately, he did not want to be that guy. The Flintstones franchise became an empire, with movies, toys, and chewable vitamins for kids made after its brand.
Show: The $64,000 Question
Original Network: CBS
Est. Production Budget: Unknown
Dr. Joyce Brothers became the first woman to win a television game show in 1955, paving the way for future female contestants. She appeared on The $64,000 Question twice, winning the grand prize the second time.
Her victories shattered gender stereotypes of the time and highlighted the intelligence and capability of women. Dr. Brothers became a popular television personality and media figure, with her influence still felt in popular culture today. The actual $64,000 question everyone should have been asking is why anyone doubted the good doctor’s intellect, to begin with.
Show: Hogan’s Heroes
Original Network: CBS
Est. Production Budget: $150,000 per episode*
Believe it or not, the original script for Hogan’s Heroes had the show set in an American jail instead of a German prisoner-of-war camp. But producer Edward H. Feldman had the idea to switch it up to avoid criticism and controversy.
Instead of a comedy about the American prison system, the show ended up being a comedic take on WW2 POW’s attempts to outsmart their bumbling Nazi captors. The show ran for six seasons and became a cult classic with several memorable characters, including the show’s anti-heroes, Colonel Klink and Sergeant Schultz.
Show: All In The Family
Original Network: CBS
Est. Production Budget: Unknown
The controversial sitcom, All in the Family, broke new ground when it first aired in 1971. The first episode even came with a warning for viewers about its content “The program you are about to see is All In The Family. It seeks to throw a humorous spotlight on our frailties, prejudices, and concerns.”
The show tackled issues like racism, sexism, and homophobia head-on, which made it a target for critics who found it offensive. However, its realistic portrayal of American life made it one of the most successful shows of the decade. The show ran for nine seasons and had a significant impact on popular culture.
Show: Get Smart
Original Network: NBC
Est. Production Budget: $200,000 per episode*
Did you know that the classic spy comedy, Get Smart, was the main inspiration for the beloved animated series, Inspector Gadget? Created in the 1960s by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, Get Smart follows bumbling agent Maxwell Smart as he takes on missions for the secret agency, CONTROL.
Inspector Gadget, which debuted in 1983, also features a clueless protagonist with various high-tech gadgets and a secret agency. In fact, the show’s creators have even admitted to being heavily influenced by Get Smart’s humor and gadgetry. Talking about the gadgetry, much of it is available in replica form on Amazon or at your local toy store.
Show: Bewitched
Original Network: ABC
Est. Production Budget: $150,000 per episode*
Though their characters on Bewitched were often at odds, actors Dick York and Agnes Moorhead had a close friendship off-screen. York, who played Samantha’s husband Darrin, and Moorhead, who portrayed his mother-in-law Endora, bonded over their shared love of acting and their mutual struggles with chronic pain.
According to some of those close to them, they would often speak on the phone for hours, offering each other comfort and support. Despite their close relationship off-screen, York and Moorhead managed to remain convincing frenemies once the camera once action was called.
