Article: TV Trailblazer

I loved this article! It made me remember my childhood and watching reruns of "Bonanza." Everyone had their favorite Cartwright, and my favorite was Little Joe.
Of course Michael Landon was cute, but I think he was my favorite because he had a gorgeous horse. As a little girl, I was obsessed with horses, and his was the best, in my opinion.

But my favorite Western was "Cheyenne." Clint Walker - he was gorgeous,with or without a horse!

As a youngster, I believed that Adam Cartwright was as cool as you can get. I wore black shirts with the sleeves rolled up, when my mom would let me. The problem with the show as the limited story line. One of the Cartwrights would fall in love. A death knell for the beautiful young woman. The Sheriff Roy Coffee would give Ben the bad news "I hate to do this Ben, but I am gonna have to bring (Hoss, Joe, Adam, Candy)
in. Did he ever arrest anyone but Cartwrights? My favorite westerns (in addition to Bonanza) were "Have Gun will Travel" "The Rebel" "Wanted Dead or Alive" but I watched them all. I really like the old black and white episodes of Gunsmoke. The ones that opened with James Arness walking through the cemetery. I enjoyed Ken Curtis and Burt Reynolds roles.

I agree some of those old westerns listed were very good, but it appears the best one, most real, and having the best guest stars and was my favorite, Laramie, starring Johns Smith and Robert Fuller. Mr. Fuller has received many awards in connection with his role in Laramie and other westerns he had starred or guest starred. It's a shame you don't have that great series on the list, then I would vote!

Johnny Yuma was hot, hot, hot. My family went to the worlds fair and then to Whistler and Lake Louise and all I could do was pout because I was missing The Rebel.

You are correct. Laramie was a good one. I always wanted to ride in the back of the wagon and fly the kite. "Hondo" and "Cimarron Strip" also stand out.

Thinking about the old westerns has been fun. I wish the American Forum would do a story on some the actors. How many of the old western movies and TV series list L.Q. Jones in the credits? He was a regular face in the westerns, even though few of my friends remember his name. I always mention his name whenever we start a discussion of favorite actors.

Okay, I tried to vote but got a "web error" for my trouble; maybe I am too late? Regardless, I think the list is way too short!

In addition to the fine programs mentioned in other posts ("Cheyenne," "Have Gun Will Travel," "Rebel," "Wanted: Dead or Alive," "Laramie," "Johnny Yuma," and "Cimmaron Strip") other "holes" stand out:

Where is "Branded"?
Where is "Trackdown"?
Where is "Bat Masterson"?
Where is "The Roy Rogers Show"?
Where is "The Lone Ranger"?
Where is "Rawhide"?
Where is "Hopalong Cassidy"?
Where is "The Big Valley"?
Where is "High Chaparral"?
Where is "Alias Smith and Jones"?

...or, for that matter, "F-Troop," "Annie Oakley," "Wild Bill Hickok," "Sargent Preston (of the Mounties)," "Wyatt Earp," "Sky King," "The Texan," and "Western Marshall"?

I really think you might want to take a "do over" on the poll, add a few more options, and maybe include an "Other" category because I *know* I've forgotten some too