Anyone remember those TV Westerns that dominated the screens in both the USA and UK during the 50s and 60s? They were evicted wholesale after Fred Silverman of CBS instigated his “rural purge” in 1970.
Why did CBS and the other networks close them down? Who knows, because ratings were certainly not low. The Western on page or screen always had an appeal both inside and outside the USA.
Nothing quite exemplifies this like the American West, which for many people meant freedom, a second chance, a way to start over and make their way in the world.
People traveled west for a variety of reasons, but if you were to distill all those reasons down to the essence, you’re left with “I want to better my lot in life.” The idea that the lives of children and grandchildren should be better than the lives of their parents and grandparents still exists to this day.
Themes of redemption, second chances, and bettering yourself are fairly universal. They’re easy to relate to. We all experience the desire for forgiveness. We all have regrets and want to start over, even if it’s just in a small way.
Maybe the 1960s urban media elite were not too keen on that rather individualistic ethic….
The TV westerns might be long gone from the networks (although still around on specialist channels) but I guarantee that the opening themes will stir up some memories amongst the more mature…
Started in 1955 Wyatt Earp
Also in 1955 Cheyenne
1957 Maverick
1957 Wagon Train (notice a very famous guest star in this clip?)
1959 Rawhide
1959 Laramie
1959 Bonanza
….and, in 1962, The Virginian
