Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1960)

VOL 16: No. 20 5 Companies should now be preparing scripts for Jtme & July production. Facing drastic shortage, some firms have executives writing scripts, are culling old telefilms as potential remakes, a practice already used by some to finish out this season. Strain is acute on 60-min. series, since they require longer preparation, particularly on scripts. But no panic was in evidence among networks in N.Y., we learned in a 3-network checkup. NBC-TV officials were optimistic, predicting "a very early start, probably right after Labor Day" for new film series, and said, "NBC has had no verbal or written indication from producers of late delivery." ABC-TV, which will control (in sense of having bought) about 90% of its mostly-film nighttime fall schedule, told us "we expect no delays." Sole note of caution came from CBS-TV. There, program vp Oscar Katz stated: "There's no evidence of trouble areas on new shows now, but if the writers' strike goes beyond July, we may have some delayed starts or at least small backlogs of episodes in new film shows." Publicity-promotion problems may arise, even if most new film shows do manage to make premiere deadlines. Normally shows have to be 3 to 4 episodes ahead just to get proper routine program listings in TV magazines, newspaper TV sections and on-air promotions. A backlog of 6 to 8 episodes is needed to do minimum publicity job with photos, particularly color portraits. Narrow backlog of episodes may mean that a new show at best will be a problem for network & independent press agents. If there are shooting delays, or a star becomes ill, there will be real headaches. MANY VIOLENT SHOWS LEAVING BUT — ; With all returns not yet in, about 35 film series will be axed, and among these, the "violence" category will show the largest number of casualties. This rate fulfills predictions made last fall — and is par for the course over the past several years. At least 20 of the doomed series are Westerns, private eyes or other violent themes. But it would be premature to conclude that the public is fed up with violence — there's another flock of toughies due for next fall. Moreover, the most violent of all — Desilu's "The Untouchables" — is also one of the nation's most popular shows. The most realistic conclusion would be that viewers are moved by other factors than brutality when they turn their backs on a show. Seven 60-min. series have been cancelled, but the one-hour series will be back in full force next season. One such show — with violence — which has been axed is "Bourbon Street Beat." It will be replaced by ABC-TV and WB by another 60-min. private eye series — "Surfside 6" — with a new cast and a shift of locale from New Orleans to Miami. The other 6: "The Lineup," "5 Fingers," "Sugarfoot," "Bronco," "The Alaskans" and "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse" (an anthology series which had many violent episodes). Other guillotined violents: "Richard Diamond, Private Detective," "Wichita Town," "M Squad," "Tales of the Plainsman," "Philip Marlowe," "Man With a Camera," "Johnny Staccato," "The Man From Blackhawk," "The Troubleshooters," "The Texan," "Colt .45," "Tightrope," "Mr. Lucky" and "Johnny Ringo." There may be others. Other axings: "Love and Marriage," "Fibber McGee and Molly," "The Gale Storm Show," "Men Into Space," "Alcoa-Goodyear Theater," "Fury," "Betty Hutton Show," "High Road with John Gunther," "Dennis O'Keefe Show." Ironically, despite the heavy turnover, Hollywood producers gave a collective sigh of relief. They had expected even more changes. FEDERAL AID TO ETV KILLED: Legislative proposals authorizing multi-million-dollar fed eral grants to states to help build educational TV stations came to the end of the Congressional road last week in 5-5 vote by House Rules Committee. All ETV-aid bills were effectively stopped — for this session, at least — by refusal of traffic-controlling Rules Committee to permit $39-million measure (HR10609) by Rep. Roberts (D-Ala.) to go to floor for vote. Among half-dozen such House bills, this one had been approved in March by House Commerce Committee (Vol. 16:13 p4) as substitute for Senate-passed $51-million measure (S-12) by Sen. Magnuson (D-Wash.). Republican Administration opposition to idea of such direct govt, help for local ETV systems was final blow to advocates' hopes for House floor action. Rep. Avery (R-Kan.), member of Commerce Communications Subcommittee, testified against Roberts bill at Rules hearings, reporting he had letter from Health, Education & Welfare Secy. Arthur S. Flemming objecting to it.