It's About Time - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

mr_enquirer · 01-11-2002, 12:03 AM

Anyone remember a show called "It's About Time", which ran during the 1966-67 season? It was created by Sherwood "Gilligan's Island" Schwartz. It was a totally wacky show about 2 astronauts who somehow travelled back in time and landed in the prehistoric era, where they befriended a kooky caveman clan. It featured a great cast, including Frank Aletter, Jack Mullaney, Joe E. Brown, Imogene Coca, Cliff Norton and "Iron Mike" Mazurki.

I found it to be hilariously funny, but unfortunately my view of the show was not as widespread. I can't understand why such a hilarious show got cancelled after only one season.

In fact, it's never been in reruns as far as I know.

Jimbo · 01-20-2002, 02:46 PM

I remember this show! It premiered sometime in the early 60s. As you've stated, the show was produced by Sherwood Schwartz, who also produced "Gilligan's Island". In fact, the theme song sounds like it might have been performed by the same group that did the "Gilligan's Island" theme (The Wellingtons). It only ran for one season. The orignal premise of the show was about two astronauts who travelled back to prehistoric times, and got stranded there. Each week, they tried to find various ways to get back home (Gee, it does sound like Gilligan's Island", doesn't it?).

With the show doing poorly in the ratings, they switched things around about midway through the season - the astronauts figured out how to travel back to the present day, but unknown to them, the cave family (Joe E. Ross, Imogene Coca, and their family) were stowaways on their space ship, and came back with them. The focus of the show for the remainder of its run switched to the cave family, and their attempts to adapt to 20th century America.

Since there was only one season's worth of shows produced, there were not enough episodes available for syndication.

17Mar59 · 01-20-2002, 10:59 PM

I believe the original theme went:
"It's about time,it's about space,
It's about astronauts in the strangest place,
It's about a cave-man and his pre-historic mate...

then when they return to the 2oth century it became:

"It's about time,it's about space,
It's about cave-men in the strangest place,
It's about two astronauts and how they learn
to graduate..."

And of course if you were in Elementary School at the time
and unfortunate to be at the other end of a practical joke:

"It's about time,it's about space,
It's about time to slap your face!"

OW!!!!

mr_enquirer · 01-20-2002, 10:59 PM

You summarized it quite well....And pardon my mistake, but it was Joe E. Ross, not Joe E. Brown who headed the cave clan.

Certainly wish I could find out if any of those episodes is available for purchase, altho I realize it's highly doubtful.

Jimbo · 01-21-2002, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mr_enquirer
You summarized it quite well....And pardon my mistake, but it was Joe E. Ross, not Joe E. Brown who headed the cave clan.

I did not notice the reference to Joe E. Brown in your first post, but if you think about it, he would have been a good choice for that role as well!

If you go to the individual sitcom links on the left side of the screen, and find the entry for "It's About Time", you can listen to both versions of the opening and closing themes. You'll see what I mean about the similarity to the "Gilligan's Island" theme.

Can anybody out there confirm or refute that it's "The Wellingtons" performing both themes?

01-11-2002, 12:03 AM	#1
mr_enquirer Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 09, 2002 Posts: 11	It's About Time Anyone remember a show called "It's About Time", which ran during the 1966-67 season? It was created by Sherwood "Gilligan's Island" Schwartz. It was a totally wacky show about 2 astronauts who somehow travelled back in time and landed in the prehistoric era, where they befriended a kooky caveman clan. It featured a great cast, including Frank Aletter, Jack Mullaney, Joe E. Brown, Imogene Coca, Cliff Norton and "Iron Mike" Mazurki. I found it to be hilariously funny, but unfortunately my view of the show was not as widespread. I can't understand why such a hilarious show got cancelled after only one season. In fact, it's never been in reruns as far as I know.

01-20-2002, 02:46 PM	#2
Jimbo Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 29, 2001 Location: United States of America-One Nation UNDER GOD! Posts: 471	I remember this show! It premiered sometime in the early 60s. As you've stated, the show was produced by Sherwood Schwartz, who also produced "Gilligan's Island". In fact, the theme song sounds like it might have been performed by the same group that did the "Gilligan's Island" theme (The Wellingtons). It only ran for one season. The orignal premise of the show was about two astronauts who travelled back to prehistoric times, and got stranded there. Each week, they tried to find various ways to get back home (Gee, it does sound like Gilligan's Island", doesn't it?). With the show doing poorly in the ratings, they switched things around about midway through the season - the astronauts figured out how to travel back to the present day, but unknown to them, the cave family (Joe E. Ross, Imogene Coca, and their family) were stowaways on their space ship, and came back with them. The focus of the show for the remainder of its run switched to the cave family, and their attempts to adapt to 20th century America. Since there was only one season's worth of shows produced, there were not enough episodes available for syndication.
	Last edited by Jimbo; 01-20-2002 at 02:50 PM.

01-20-2002, 10:59 PM	#3
17Mar59 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 03, 2002 Location: washington state Posts: 475	I believe the original theme went: "It's about time,it's about space, It's about astronauts in the strangest place, It's about a cave-man and his pre-historic mate... then when they return to the 2oth century it became: "It's about time,it's about space, It's about cave-men in the strangest place, It's about two astronauts and how they learn to graduate..." And of course if you were in Elementary School at the time and unfortunate to be at the other end of a practical joke: "It's about time,it's about space, It's about time to slap your face!" OW!!!!