As a child growing up,I can recall seeing every episode at least a dozen number of times and can fondly recognize all the characters on the show. "Bonanza" was that show. For the 14 years that it ran on NBC,it has become television's second longest running western series,and the only TV show that was presented in "living color" throughout its run. The show was the equilavent of My Three Sons,with the exception that it was in the rolling hills of Nevada during the turn of the 1800's. Only during its run that Lorne Greene and Michael Landon were the original two cast members that stayed on the series in which Landon produced and directed several of the episodes. Only two other members left the show at the peak of their fame when it was in the top ten for the duration of the show(which was #1 in the Nielsen ratings during much of the 1960's). Pernell Roberts,who played big brother Adam left in 1965(final appearance on April 4,1965),and Dan Blocker who played the mighty Hoss Cartwright died unexpectedly near the end of the show's 13th season leaving actors Lorne Greene and Michael Landon to remained hroughout the show's 14th and final season for the 1972-1973 season. By the start of the 1967-1968 season ranch hand Candy played by David Canary was hired and became part of the family. Three years later Canary left the series and later returned in the final season. Other members including Dusty Rhoades(Lou Frizzel) and later Jamie Hunter(Mitch Vogel) were added to the cast.
Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 12,1959 and it was the first ever prime time series to be filmed and produced in color. A total of 431 episodes were produced with the first two seasons were on Saturday nights frtom September 12,1959 until June 3,1961. Seasons 3 thru 13 were on Sunday nights from September 24,1961 until April 2,1972. Between seasons 6 thru 8 the show had a solid lock in the ratings from 1964-1967 and remained in the top ten of the Nielsens from Seasons 9 thru 12 from 1967 until 1971. The 14th and final season saw the show moved to Tuesday nights from September 12,1972 until the final episode of the series on January 16,1973. Seasons 1 thru 12 were filmed at Paramount Studios. Seasons 13 thru 14 were filmed at Burbank Studios of Warner Brothers Pictures.
Orginally written on January 19,2001 but was revised on September 12,2019 in commemorate of the show's 60th anniversary
Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 12,1959 and it was the first ever prime time series to be filmed and produced in color. A total of 431 episodes were produced with the first two seasons were on Saturday nights frtom September 12,1959 until June 3,1961. Seasons 3 thru 13 were on Sunday nights from September 24,1961 until April 2,1972. Between seasons 6 thru 8 the show had a solid lock in the ratings from 1964-1967 and remained in the top ten of the Nielsens from Seasons 9 thru 12 from 1967 until 1971. The 14th and final season saw the show moved to Tuesday nights from September 12,1972 until the final episode of the series on January 16,1973. Seasons 1 thru 12 were filmed at Paramount Studios. Seasons 13 thru 14 were filmed at Burbank Studios of Warner Brothers Pictures.
Orginally written on January 19,2001 but was revised on September 12,2019 in commemorate of the show's 60th anniversary