If you've seen The Color Honeymooners reruns on Goodlife, then you've probably seen Jackie Gleason smoking on camera at the end of each episode. I think it's a terrible disgrace to the home audience since there may be some youngsters watching and may be thinking about starting smoking because of Gleason. I also feel it's very unhealthy. Nowadays, you hardly see anyone puffing away on prime time TV, with the exception of the premiere episode of Whoopi.

That's they way things were back then.

It doesn't make much sense to judge a 1950s show by the standards of the 21st century. I'm sure that none of us would like to be judged by standards of the 22nd century that no one has any conception of now.

Originally posted by BrandonS
It doesn't make much sense to judge a 1950s show by the standards of the 21st century. I'm sure that none of us would like to be judged by standards of the 22nd century that no one has any conception of now.

Very True.

Besides, there were times he came out with a cup of coffee. Do you really think it was always Java in that cup? LOL

Cigarette advertising was big business at that time. A lot of shows were sponsored by tobacco companies. Among them: I've Got A Secret & The Flintstones (Winston) Twilight Zone (Pall Mall) & more. If you watch I've got a secret on GSN, You'll see Gary Moore smoking in almost every episode & if you really want something to complain about, you should see Fred & Barney puffing away on some Winstons, It's a far cry from Fruity Pebbles. Speaking of Twilight Zone, Over 60 actors & actresses that appeared on the show have died from cancer & that list is not complete.

Fortunately, when Pebbles was born and the Rubbles adopted Bamm Bamm, the Flintstones changed sponsors because it became a more family oriented shows.

As for what was in Jackie Gleason's coffee cup, it's a mystery that probably will never be solved.

No mystery. It was certainly booze. He insinuated that it was ("Um boy that's good coffee!",etc.), and it was well known that he used it liberally.

Smoking was very common back then. Practically everyone smoked.

The color episodes were done in the 60's not 50's.

The host of the Twilight Zone died from cancer too didn't he?

I remember smoking commercials on t.v! Not only that but they used to sell bubble gum in the shape of cigarettes! You'd blow on the and a puff of smoke would come out of them and then you'd chew the bubble gum!

Rod Serling, died on 6-28-75 from complications following open heart surgery.

Check out Alfred Hitchcock...He always had a smoke...It wont really set a bad example for your children, not if you have raised them in an anti smoking home...I love to see that kind of things in the old shows....

Yes Times have changed. I in way think it best to keep the smoking in the old shows. It shows the new viewers thats the way things were. You can alway say . Jackie died young for he did smoke far too much. Heard he drank too much too.
When I look at old shows I wonder how did the other actors put up with the retakes and second hand smoke.