Happy 65th Anniversary Father Knows Best! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

gidgetgrape · 10-03-2014, 01:00 AM

Father Knows Best debuted on October 3, 1954. This first episode was called "Bud Takes Up The Dance" and aired on CBS.

Father Knows Best starred Robert Young as James Anderson, Sr, Jane Wyatt as Margaret Anderson, Elinor Donahue as Betty "Princess" Anderson, Billy Gray as James "Bud" Anderson, Jr and Lauren Chapin as Kathy "Kitten" Anderson. Sadly, Robert Young and Jane Wyatt are no longer with us.

Please take a moment to remember Father Knows Best on its 60th Anniversary. But, more importantly remember the special people that came together to make a wonderful show that is still loved and appreciated today.

Marvo301 · 10-03-2014, 02:23 PM

Happy 60th Anniversary to one of the best family sitcoms ever!

AB · 10-03-2014, 03:43 PM

Happy 60th!

Cincy Guy · 10-07-2014, 09:03 AM

Happy 60th.

Father Knows Best made it to all three networks in prime time. Perhaps most amazing is that in the 1960-61 & 1961-62 seasons on CBS and in 1962-63 on ABC, the programs were re-runs. I don't know of any other series in TV history that continued on in primetime for three seasons showing re-runs of previous programs. I feel this goes to show the following that this series had among viewers.

Also from 1962 to 1967, re-runs from the series were aired in the early afternoon on ABC.

gidgetgrape · 10-20-2015, 12:54 AM

Well, "Father Knows Best" survived another year! If you have Antenna TV, you can watch the show Weekdays 8am ET / 5am PT. It's also available for streaming on Hulu ($), Amazon Video (first episode free), Google Play ($) and ShoutFactoryTV (free). Or, you could just watch the DVDs!

Happy 61st Birthday FKB! Gone, but never forgotten....

mets82 · 10-20-2015, 03:33 PM

You know my mom turned me onto FKB when it aired on Antenna a few years back. Very good show and I think Margaret Anderson is one of the best tv mom's ever and Jim Anderson is one of the best tv dad's ever.

Count Duckula · 10-07-2016, 04:35 PM

I'm 4 days late, but Happy 62nd Birthday, FKB! It's still one of the best shows!

When I first heard the title, I thought perhaps the father might be strict, and/or that the writing would indicate that he indeed always knew better than his wife and kids. But thankfully, the show makes it clear that we all make mistakes (Jim was no exception) and we can learn from them. The plots are often still poignant in today's world. It's a very thoughtful show, and a very funny show, and I highly suggest it to anyone who hasn't seen it!

PhoenixAcres · 10-07-2016, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Count Duckula

I'm 4 days late, but Happy 62nd Birthday, FKB! It's still one of the best shows!

When I first heard the title, I thought perhaps the father might be strict, and/or that the writing would indicate that he indeed always knew better than his wife and kids. But thankfully, the show makes it clear that we all make mistakes (Jim was no exception) and we can learn from them. The plots are often still poignant in today's world. It's a very thoughtful show, and a very funny show, and I highly suggest it to anyone who hasn't seen it!

Wonderful point! This is exactly how I feel about the show too; it's a true gem of a show that teaches as well as entertains, and is easily one of my top-favorite series of all time. 62 years later, and it's just as funny and relevant as ever.

gidgetgrape · 10-08-2016, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Count Duckula

I'm 4 days late, but Happy 62nd Birthday, FKB! It's still one of the best shows!

When I first heard the title, I thought perhaps the father might be strict, and/or that the writing would indicate that he indeed always knew better than his wife and kids. But thankfully, the show makes it clear that we all make mistakes (Jim was no exception) and we can learn from them. The plots are often still poignant in today's world. It's a very thoughtful show, and a very funny show, and I highly suggest it to anyone who hasn't seen it!

I love this show! Even more now than when I was a kid and watched the reruns on the old Family Channel. Thanks for the anniversary reminder!

ToeKnee · 12-20-2016, 08:41 PM

Father Knows Best is such as great show and will last for many more generations to enjoy. Happy 60th.

PhoenixAcres · 10-03-2018, 01:00 AM

TODAY MARKS 64 YEARS OF FATHER KNOWS BEST

The most thoughtful and intelligent sitcom ever made.

Every time I watch this show I'm reminded of its depth and just how much care went into crafting these stories and characters. Just as much a drama as a comedy, they explored aspects of humanity that still resonate today in striking fashion. With a dose of self-awareness, they brilliantly subverted simultaneously the "father is a dope" trope and the "father knows best" trope, created the perfect middle ground between cynicism and sentimentality, and gave us a genuine, realistic family dynamic from which so much could be learned and enjoyed.

Happy Anniversary

stevea · 10-03-2018, 06:25 PM

Interesting old thread. The OP mentioned the first episode aired by CBS in 1954, "Bud Takes Up The Dance." In syndication TV shows used to be shown in production (number) order, but this practice was revised to original air order (changed by TV Land).

Although the production numbers on FKB appear not be be documented anywhere, the first episode shown in syndication was "Sparrow in the Window", which was shown by CBS as #13, after Christmas.

Happy 64th!

PhoenixAcres · 10-05-2019, 10:39 PM

65 years

Happy Anniversary

OH Nuts! · 10-06-2019, 12:01 AM

I love FKB and often watch it on Antenna. Happy 65th FKB!

stevea · 10-06-2019, 08:52 PM

Happy 65th! I changed the thread name--time flies!

10-03-2014, 01:00 AM	#1
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,503	Happy 65th Anniversary Father Knows Best! Father Knows Best debuted on October 3, 1954. This first episode was called "Bud Takes Up The Dance" and aired on CBS. Father Knows Best starred Robert Young as James Anderson, Sr, Jane Wyatt as Margaret Anderson, Elinor Donahue as Betty "Princess" Anderson, Billy Gray as James "Bud" Anderson, Jr and Lauren Chapin as Kathy "Kitten" Anderson. Sadly, Robert Young and Jane Wyatt are no longer with us. Please take a moment to remember Father Knows Best on its 60th Anniversary. But, more importantly remember the special people that came together to make a wonderful show that is still loved and appreciated today. Attached Images
	Last edited by stevea; 10-06-2019 at 08:50 PM.

10-03-2014, 02:23 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Happy 60th Anniversary to one of the best family sitcoms ever!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

10-20-2015, 03:33 PM	#6
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	You know my mom turned me onto FKB when it aired on Antenna a few years back. Very good show and I think Margaret Anderson is one of the best tv mom's ever and Jim Anderson is one of the best tv dad's ever.
	__________________ http://www.superbowlgreatness.blogspot.com/ Please check out my blog. I vent on all things. TV, sports etc. you name it. Its also a work in progress. Check out and see what you think.

10-03-2014, 03:43 PM	#3
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	Happy 60th!

10-07-2014, 09:03 AM	#4
Cincy Guy Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 230	Happy 60th. Father Knows Best made it to all three networks in prime time. Perhaps most amazing is that in the 1960-61 & 1961-62 seasons on CBS and in 1962-63 on ABC, the programs were re-runs. I don't know of any other series in TV history that continued on in primetime for three seasons showing re-runs of previous programs. I feel this goes to show the following that this series had among viewers. Also from 1962 to 1967, re-runs from the series were aired in the early afternoon on ABC.

10-20-2015, 12:54 AM	#5
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,503	Well, "Father Knows Best" survived another year! If you have Antenna TV, you can watch the show Weekdays 8am ET / 5am PT. It's also available for streaming on Hulu ($), Amazon Video (first episode free), Google Play ($) and ShoutFactoryTV (free). Or, you could just watch the DVDs! Happy 61st Birthday FKB! Gone, but never forgotten....

10-07-2016, 04:35 PM	#7
Count Duckula Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 21, 2016 Posts: 21	I'm 4 days late, but Happy 62nd Birthday, FKB! It's still one of the best shows! When I first heard the title, I thought perhaps the father might be strict, and/or that the writing would indicate that he indeed always knew better than his wife and kids. But thankfully, the show makes it clear that we all make mistakes (Jim was no exception) and we can learn from them. The plots are often still poignant in today's world. It's a very thoughtful show, and a very funny show, and I highly suggest it to anyone who hasn't seen it!

12-20-2016, 08:41 PM	#10
ToeKnee Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 20, 2016 Location: In a Black & White TV Town Posts: 40	Father Knows Best is such as great show and will last for many more generations to enjoy. Happy 60th.

10-03-2018, 01:00 AM	#11
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	TODAY MARKS 64 YEARS OF FATHER KNOWS BEST The most thoughtful and intelligent sitcom ever made. Every time I watch this show I'm reminded of its depth and just how much care went into crafting these stories and characters. Just as much a drama as a comedy, they explored aspects of humanity that still resonate today in striking fashion. With a dose of self-awareness, they brilliantly subverted simultaneously the "father is a dope" trope and the "father knows best" trope, created the perfect middle ground between cynicism and sentimentality, and gave us a genuine, realistic family dynamic from which so much could be learned and enjoyed. Happy Anniversary

10-03-2018, 06:25 PM	#12
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,481	Interesting old thread. The OP mentioned the first episode aired by CBS in 1954, "Bud Takes Up The Dance." In syndication TV shows used to be shown in production (number) order, but this practice was revised to original air order (changed by TV Land). Although the production numbers on FKB appear not be be documented anywhere, the first episode shown in syndication was "Sparrow in the Window", which was shown by CBS as #13, after Christmas. Happy 64th!

10-05-2019, 10:39 PM	#13
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	65 years Happy Anniversary

10-06-2019, 12:01 AM	#14
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	I love FKB and often watch it on Antenna. Happy 65th FKB!

10-06-2019, 08:52 PM	#15
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,481	Happy 65th! I changed the thread name--time flies!