One of the last holdouts of the 1950s during the counterculture of the 1960s?

[TMC]

By the time that The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet finally concluded its run in 1966, it had the same format that it had back in 1952, when it debuted. That being about a traditional American nuclear family who were still clean cut and were wearing suits. Basically, the Nelsons arguably embodied the Americans ideals of the time: conformity, the nuclear family, and a clean-cut image.

And yet, during its last season, the counterculture had already taken off. Among other things, the Beatles had released Rubber Soul with its distorted cover image and psychedelic font. Also, American involvement in the Vietnam War was ramping up, and hippies were walking around with long hair and smoking weed. 1966 was also the year that saw the beginning of the Sunset Strip riots, which "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield was inspired by.

In effect, young people were now actively fighting against the traditional American ideals that Ozzie and Harriet represented.

[biffbronson]

That James Hitchcock article you've linked to contains such bullcrap. Here is what he writes:

"Ozzie and Harriet Nelson are today ridiculed..."

Can he be a little specific in the slightest? Just who is ridiculing them or their TV personas? It's all in his mind. There was nothing wrong with the Nelsons. Specifically who disagrees with that, aside from himself? I'll wait for an answer.

[Dan Tullis]

Originally Posted by biffbronson

That James Hitchcock article you've linked to contains such bullcrap. Here is what he writes:

"Ozzie and Harriet Nelson are today ridiculed..."

Can he be a little specific in the slightest? Just who is ridiculing them or their TV personas? It's all in his mind. There was nothing wrong with the Nelsons. Specifically who disagrees with that, aside from himself? I'll wait for an answer.

I'm not familiar with the article you mention, but I must point out, the Nelsons were part of some subtle changes that lead to the 60's revolution. Number one, they let Rick sing "that evil music called rock and roll" on the show. It sounds like no big deal now, but they got a lot of letters from concerned parents when Rick starting singing rock and roll songs on the show. Number two, Ozzie and Harriet were the first tv couple to be shown sleeping in the same bed. Again, sounds like nothing now, but back then, married couples on tv had twin beds. I'm sure it helped that Ozzie and Harriet were married in real life. Sure, it was an old fashioned show compared to what replaced it - Batman. Too bad they didn't have Ozzie stick his head out a window during a bat climb, or have Rick sing on the show, as Lesley Gore, Chad and Jeremy, and Paul Revere and the Raiders did.

[DJM77]

Originally Posted by Dan Tullis

Ozzie and Harriet were the first tv couple to be shown sleeping in the same bed.

Mary Kay and Johnny did that before Ozzie and Harriet did.

[TMC]

I wrote in another forum about how arrival of The Dick Van Dyke Show in 1961 seem to make sitcoms like The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet "yesterday's news" and suddenly out of style.

[biffbronson]

Originally Posted by TMC

I wrote in another forum about how arrival of The Dick Van Dyke Show in 1961 seem to make sitcoms like The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet "yesterday's news" and suddenly out of style.

Have you watched some of the early-to-mid 1960s O & H episodes, which were concurrent with TDVDS? I disagree with your statement as related to that period in the show's history, since you're comparing with TDVDS:

"And it seemed or felt like everyone was really stiff and formal..."

There was a lot of humor in that period of O & H, mainly involving the Wally Plumstead character. Lots of episodes centered on Ricky's fraternity. Even David's office eps were realistic and modern. Importantly, David and Ricky's marriages brought a modern twist to the series. Laura Petrie wasn't the only character redefining the TV wife, now wearing pants at home. It's a misconception in my opinion that O & H failed to modernize; in fact, the young married couples were right up-to-date with the times. Nothing "stiff" that I've seen!

[stevea]

Both had the same crazy situations every week.

The 50s years of O&H appear very dated, while in the early to mid 60s they modernized the sets and the fashions.

One could even argue that O&H completed the modernization when it went to color, while DVD stayed in the old-fashioned B&W days.

Also one advantage single camera shows have over 3 camera is that they have the freedom to go on location, giving a broader variety of scripts. And O&H used that advantage many times.

[Dan Tullis]

Originally Posted by stevea

Both had the same crazy situations every week.

The 50s years of O&H appear very dated, while in the early to mid 60s they modernized the sets and the fashions.

One could even argue that O&H completed the modernization when it went to color, while DVD stayed in the old-fashioned B&W days.

Also one advantage single camera shows have over 3 camera is that they have the freedom to go on location, giving a broader variety of scripts. And O&H used that advantage many times.

Yes, there's some good eps about camping trips, fishing, hiking, flying down to Mexico.
I know what people are getting at here, though - they would like to have an episode where Ozzie confronts Harriet about her drinking and smoking; Rick getting his girlfriend pregnant; or Dave smoking pot with Wally. If you want controversy, watch "the anti-Ozzie" - Archie Bunker.