where do you think the story line would have gone? I would think Rick would have been out of college and there would have been more emphasis on the younger couples.

I think that could have been done. Although David/June and Rick/Kris were already a part of many of the episodes. Interestingly, for the 1960-61 season, this series was re-titled, "The Adventures of The Nelson Family" to apparently bring the two sons more into it. Of course, David and Rick had long been included in the various episodes.

Actually, with the series last season in 1965-66, you wonder if the ABC-TV Network was sure what to do with it. By January, 1966 it was moved (from Wednesdays) to Saturdays. Beginning in April, 1966 until it's final show in September, the episodes were re-runs. I also seem to recall that during that season, it would be announced that the show was "brought to you by ABC-TV" as if there was no real sponsor.

I think that could have been done. Although David/June and Rick/Kris were already a part of many of the episodes. Interestingly, for the 1960-61 season, this series was re-titled, "The Adventures of The Nelson Family" to apparently bring the two sons more into it. Of course, David and Rick had long been included in the various episodes.

Actually, with the series last season in 1965-66, you wonder if the ABC-TV Network was sure what to do with it. By January, 1966 it was moved (from Wednesdays) to Saturdays. Beginning in April, 1966 until it's final show in September, the episodes were re-runs. I also seem to recall that during that season, it would be announced that the show was "brought to you by ABC-TV" as if there was no real sponsor.

As far the sponsor went, I read that even when the show was cancelled there were sponsors lined up if it would have continued. Also, it said that in the final season, the show had consistently steady ratings. It just could have been that ABC wanted a new image and cancelled O&H, Patty Duke and Donna Reed all at the same time.

I didn't realize, O&H, Donna Reed and Patty Duke were all cancelled in the same season.

It kinda sounds like what CBS would do a few seasons later when they cancelled, Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, and Mayberry RFD, going for a totally new image for the network with shows like All in the Family, Mary Tyler Moore, M*A*S*H etc..

I don't think the kids would have made an appearance on the show. There was an interview with Dave, I believe that I read here, from that time where he said he and Rick and their wives, had decided they didn't want their kids in the show. Of course they were just babies then too.

If the show had continued, I think I could see Kris wanting to have the kids on the show.

I swear Tracy is in the mix with a group of children in a last season episode Rick's Assistant.

Somewhere I saw that, Ricks kids Tracy, Matthew and Gunnar did appear on an episode of Ozzie's Girls. They were neighbor children and their mom was played by Connie Harper (Miss Edwards)

But ya never know, maybe if Rick and Kris weren't already pregnant when they got married, they would have/ could have written Tracy into the show.

I bet Ozzie would have loved it if he could have written it into the show with Kris having twins in '67.

I bet Ozzie would have loved it if he could have written it into the show with Kris having twins in '67.

Oh you know it! And Rick would've resisted, but Kris probably would've been in favor and (as usual) probably would've gotten her own way. Although frankly it's kind of hard for me to imagine the show having gone on much longer than it did.

As far the sponsor went, I read that even when the show was cancelled there were sponsors lined up if it would have continued. Also, it said that in the final season, the show had consistently steady ratings. It just could have been that ABC wanted a new image and cancelled O&H, Patty Duke and Donna Reed all at the same time.

ABC wanted Patty for a fourth season, but it would have required the series going to color, a much more expensive process to do the Patty/Cathy scenes and United Artists decided it wasn't worth it and THEY pulled the plug, not ABC.

ABC wanted Patty for a fourth season, but it would have required the series going to color, a much more expensive process to do the Patty/Cathy scenes and United Artists decided it wasn't worth it and THEY pulled the plug, not ABC.

I didn't know that, thank you for posting it. You learn so much on this board.