Turn-On.(1969).

[John Green]

This show had a few problems, as highlighted by Mark Evanier::

"In 1969, a new comedy series debuted on ABC called Turn-On. Produced by George Schlatter, who was also the producer of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, Turn-On promised to take comedy, as Laugh-In had, to new places…and for one episode, it did."
"....this is what would have aired the second week if the show hadn't been cancelled during its first week — by some accounts, cancelled on the East Coast while it still airing on the West Coast…". www.newsfromme.com/

Links ro the shows on Mark's site, including " Mr. Schlatter himself telling you his version of what happened. There are other versions but here's his".

[RWels]

It's a rather concise write-up. Surely there's more to say, for those who never heard of this before?

And of course, some weeks ago the two existing episodes turned up online.

[John Green]

I have to admit I haven't yet listened to George Schlatter's statement, his view of what happened.

Unusual to hear about doubt of US TX dates/info, though it's a large country, with many broadcasters.

[RWels]

Well, you can still edit the OP with a few extra details for those who never heard of it before.

In a way it's fascinating that it's finally available. For decades it was considered the worst TV program of all time, but sometimes a reputation like that makes you curious... and we had no way to check it.

[John Green]

I hadn't realised it was that well-known.

Here's the promo: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbKocJNx4cY

[RWels]

Oct 11, 2023 18:49:52 GMT John Green said:

I hadn't realised it was that well-known.

Here's the promo: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbKocJNx4cY

It is, and at the same time, it isn't.

It isn't, because unless you're interested in these kind of dead-ends, you probably never heard of it.

But in a way, it IS well-known, because it was discussed and mentioned quite a lot for 15 minutes that no-one was able to see.

At least, that's my personal take on the whole thing.

[stephenconnett]

Interesting thing about something like this is how it reflects how to tv responded to the changes in the late sixties culture, something like it wouldn't have been possible even 3 or 4 years before, proving how deep that late sixties zany hippy culture had infiltrated the mainstream tv