Bonanza vs the big valley who would you take

I never saw THE BIG VALLEY so I'd have to go with BONANZA (my all-time
favorite TV western).

I like them both but The Big Valley was my all time favorite western.

A toss-up for me. I thought they were both great. I guess a slight edge to Bonanza, only because I was introduced to it first, and in some respects, the Cartwrights resembled my own family in that we were all boys, no sisters, our youngest brother's name is Joe and even though we got into some scrapes with each other, we stuck together, and all of us have very different personalities, just like the characters portrayed on Bonanza.

A toss-up for me. I thought they were both great. I guess a slight edge to Bonanza, only because I was introduced to it first, and in some respects, the Cartwrights resembled my own family in that we were all boys, no sisters, our youngest brother's name is Joe and even though we got into some scrapes with each other, we stuck together, and all of us have very different personalities, just like the characters portrayed on Bonanza.
One of the first memories I have is of me and my family watching Bonanza. :lol:

Bonanza. I think the characters were more colorful and interesting, especially Hoss and Little Joe.

However, I haven't seen the Big Valley in quite a few years, so I would have to rewatch some episodes of that to remember it better. I would still like Bonanza better, though.

I also like them both but the Big Valley was more taut and consistent. Bonanza often tried to reach too much and came up short. Perhaps because it was just on far far longer. I take the Big Valley, the characters just seemed more life like.

well, since I haven't seen "THE BIG VALLEY" in years (since the old network "THE FAMILY CHANNEL" used to show the reruns) from what, I remember of it, I'd say "BONANZA".

Bonanza

Although I'm a fan of both Richard Long and Lee Majors, I have never seen an entire episode of The Big Valley so the edge here would have to go to Bonanza. I should be grateful though to Peter Breck, I bought a 45 RPM record of his at a junk store for a quarter and some generous soul on eBay gave me $65 for it. :lol:

I just started watching Bonanza at the first of the year and now it's one of my favorite westerns on TV. It's been years since i've seen The Big Valley, so long that i hardly remember much about it. So i'm gonna go with Bonanza.

To several posters above: Not to be a nag but..... if you have never seen the Big Valley or do not even remember it you really shouldn't be checking into this topic.

In other news; I have never had a Pepsi in my life but I prefer Coke.

Hi everyone,

I just saw the Season 1 set of The Big Valley at a Wal-Mart store priced at only $14.96. You might want to check your local store (they can vary), if interested -- these would make nice gifts!

^ That sounds like a very good deal.

I liked both shows & it's really hard to choose. I'd go with Bonanza since I had huge crush on Little Joe when I was a kid. Heath (Lee Majors) was pretty cool too.

I'd have to go with "The Big Valley". Great actors (well, except for Lee Majors...), more interesting storylines, and the prominence of the female characters (Victoria and Audra) gave it plotlines that Bonanza couldn't have. The differences between the three sons (well, four if you count the suddenly- invisible-after-season-one Eugene) opened up more stories as well, with Jarrod being the brains, Nick the brawn and Heath the smolder. One thing the shows had in common: stereotypes (Hop Sing vs. Silas)

As much as I loved Big Valley, shouldn't this thread be between the two ratings giants, Bonanza vs. Gunsmoke?

I don't have a problem with Hop Sing being called a stereotype due to his comedic behavior on Bonanza (I won't touch the speech -- even though I've had a college professor who sounded just like him, so...).

But how is Silas a stereotype? He's competent and relied upon, and not played up for comedy at all. In the era of The Big Valley, I'm sure you're aware that the wealthy had African-Americans in their employ -- so what's wrong with the Silas character as a respectable, authentic representation?

To me, Silas is much better and more realistic than the featured African-Americans on Daniel Boone -- Gideon and Gabe -- neither of which is remotely authentic for the era. There's nothing wrong with having a character being in the service of others (ask Mr. French of Family Affair!) -- especially for a period series.

Bonanza, by far was the best of the two shows IMO.

I've watched both, but have to say The Big Valley is by far the best for me. Peter Breck as Nick Barkley :heart:

The Big Valley is the better show. You peeps who have never or seldom seen the show, your votes dont count. ;)

I have been watching The Big Valley and Bonanza on Me-TV. The Big Valley had more interesting stories, plus they had Linda Evans. She was so beautiful and still is.

The characters from Bonanza seemed more down to Earth and not snobby like the Big Valley.

I like both, but if I could only see one again, I would pick Bonanza.


On the other hand, any Bonanza episode is better than any Big Valley "Audra" episode (how could one young girl attract such a series of delusional murderers?), and I'm pretty sure that Barbara Stanwyck's contract must have required four episodes per year where she got dirty, sweaty, tearful, yet defiant.


One thing that makes me laugh about Audra is that the Barkleys are always giving her dresses away. If a young woman enters the story, sure enough she'll need something to wear and she's Audra's size.They even had an episode where Audra was given a dress as a present and it was handed over to the other young woman in the room.

Definitely The Big Valley. Great cast, with great actors (well, at least Stanwyck, Long and Breck). Loved the opening theme as well. BTW, what ever happened to the fourth Barkley son, Eugene, who was in the first season but then seemed to disappear?

Definitely The Big Valley. Great cast, with great actors (well, at least Stanwyck, Long and Breck). Loved the opening theme as well. BTW, what ever happened to the fourth Barkley son, Eugene, who was in the first season but then seemed to disappear?

On the show, they said that Eugene returned to college and then they never mentioned him again. In real life, the actor, Charles Briles, got drafted by the army and was written out of the show. He trained in California and never went to Vietnam. By the time he was released from service the show was over!

I like both shows a lot and have watched both a lot since the 1970s. However, TBV seems a lot more mellow-dramatic to me than Bonanza. Bonanza was more of a man's show. TBV was trying to appeal to women as much as men.