Tag: 1980s television

Serpentorslair Staff · January 10, 2026

“COME ON DOWN!” The Untold Love Story and Off-Camera Life of Price Is Right Voice Legend Johnny Olson

January 10, 2026January 10, 2026 Serpentorslair Staff1970s television, 1980s television, Barker’s Beauties, Bob Barker era, CBS game shows, classic TV nostalgia, Come on down, DuMont Television Network, game show announcer, Johnny Olsen, Johnny Olson, Ladies Be Seated, Match Game announcer, old school game shows, Penny Olson, Price Is Right history, television voice legends, The Price Is Right announcer, To Tell the Truth announcer, What’s My Line announcer0 comment

If you grew up with The Price Is Right, you don’t just remember the games—you remember the voice. Before a single bid was shouted, before Barker’s skinny mic even rose, Johnny Olson could electrify a studio with four words that still live rent-free in America’s brain: “Come on down!” But here’s the part most of us never stopped to wonder about: Who was Johnny when the lights went out? What did he do before he became the golden-throated gatekeeper of Showcase Showdowns—and did that famous TV charm ever spill into…

Serpentorslair Staff · February 5, 2025

Hill Street Blues: The Groundbreaking Police Drama That Changed Television

February 5, 2025February 5, 2025 Serpentorslair Staff1980s television, best TV dramas of all time, classic crime series, classic TV shows, crime TV shows, ensemble storytelling, groundbreaking police dramas, handheld camera cinematography, Hill Street Blues, Hill Street Blues impact, Hill Street Blues legacy, Hill Street Blues TV show, Michael Kozoll, NBC police drama, NYPD Blue influence, police procedural evolution, realistic police dramas, serialized storytelling, Steven Bochco, The Wire inspiration0 comment

Story by Mitchell Smith Hello everybody, today I’m taking a look at Hill Street Blues: A Revolutionary Police Drama “Hill Street Blues” is widely regarded as one of the most influential television dramas in history. Airing on NBC from 1981 to 1987, the series transformed the police procedural genre, introducing a more realistic and character-driven approach to storytelling. Created by Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll, the show blended gritty realism, ensemble storytelling, and innovative cinematography, paving the way for modern TV dramas like NYPD Blue, The Wire, and CSI. Before…

Serpentorslair Staff · January 31, 2025

On This Day in 1988: The Wonder Years Premieres and Redefines Coming-of-Age TV

January 31, 2025January 31, 2025 Serpentorslair Staff1960s nostalgia, 1980s television, ABC TV shows, classic sitcoms, coming-of-age TV shows, Danica McKellar, Daniel Stern, Fred Savage, Joe Cocker theme song, Kevin Arnold, nostalgic TV, The Wonder Years, The Wonder Years premiere, TV history, Winnie Cooper0 comment

On January 31, 1988, television audiences were introduced to a show that would leave a lasting impact on pop culture—The Wonder Years. Premiering on ABC, this heartwarming and nostalgic series transported viewers back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, capturing the trials, triumphs, and heartbreaks of adolescence through the eyes of Kevin Arnold, played by Fred Savage. A Unique and Nostalgic Storytelling Approach What set The Wonder Years apart was its narrative structure. Each episode was framed by the adult voiceover of Daniel Stern, reflecting on Kevin’s youth with…

Serpentorslair Staff · May 19, 2024

Rediscovering a Classic: The Adventures of “BJ and the Bear”

May 19, 2024 Serpentorslair Staff1970s TV shows, 1980s television, 70s and 80s TV, action-adventure comedy, American trucking culture, BJ and the Bear, BJ McKay, childhood TV memories, classic TV reviews, Classic TV Series, dispatching stories., Greg Evigan, iconic TV trucks, Kenworth K-100 Aerodyne, Optimus Prime inspiration, retro TV classics, trucker TV shows, trucking nostalgia, TV shows with animals, vintage TV gems0 comment

Story by Mitchell Smith Well hello everybody. Today I’m taking a look at one of my favorite shows from when I was a wee lad. “BJ and the Bear”, is a series, which aired from 1979 to 1981, blended elements of action, adventure, and comedy, creating a beloved yet often overlooked gem of its time. “BJ and the Bear” followed the adventures of B.J. McKay, a charming and rugged truck driver, and his best friend, Bear, a lovable chimpanzee. Greg Evigan portrayed B.J., whose full name was Billie Joe McKay.…