Entertainment Then and Now

Entertainment Then and Now

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, today’s technology, can do it all for us, leaving little if anything to the imagination.  The crime television series presently on prime time are so amazing that they can actually determine where the person was standing (with consideration to height and weight) when shot or stabbed.  Using laser beams they can determine from the entry of the projectile, where the bullet was fired from.  Based on a DNA sample left on a cup of coffee, glass of water, cigarette butt or even inadvertent spit on the sidewalk they can determine with a high degree of certainty the identity of the perpetrator.

I realize that the television shows over simplify the process but after all they have 60 minutes from start to finish and including solving the crime.  Just the same all of that forensic technology is real.  Today’s criminals are dumber than they were in the early years, because any dummy knows that getting away with a crime today is nil to none.  I remember the crime shows of the 50’s and 60’s while very entertaining, the plots were not very scientific.  The biggest advance back then that left an impression on me was when someone mentioned that; you can outrun a patrol car, but you can’t outrun a police radio.  WOW!!  What a scientific statement.  Today you can’t outrun your DNA.

My favorite crime shows that I grew up with were (in no particular order):  Highway Patrol, Dragnet, The Texas Rangers, 77 Sunset Strip, Hawaii Five O, Magnum PI, Mission Impossible, Route 66, Perry Mason, and M Squad.  There have been many other crime series on television, but for now it’s what I can come up with from the early years.  If you can add to my list I would appreciate all the help I can get.  I still remember that those early years television was definitely a family affair.  We all sat around the living room or family room after dinner and enjoyed the programs together.  Unlike today, when you can DVR, or TiVo the programs, and everyone can watch the program at a later more convenient time.

During even earlier years, I always looked forward to Saturday morning television programing.  Here are some of my favorites from Saturday mornings, and during the week (again in no particular order); My Friend Flicka, Fury, Sky King, Lassie, Roy Rogers, Howdy Doody, Mighty Mouse, Annie Oakley, Rin Tin Tin, Superman, Kit Carson, Buck Rogers in the 25^th Century, Gene Autry, Captain Kangaroo, and Gumby, the list can go on forever.  With regards to animated cartoons:  Felix the Cat, Gumby, Mighty Mouse, Tom Terrific, Mickey Mouse, Yogi Bear, all the Hanna Barbera Characters; Dastardly and Muttley, Flintstones, Hong Kong Phooey, Huckleberry Hound, the Jetsons, Quick Draw McGraw, Ruff and Ready, and Tom and Jerry, the list can go on forever.  Once again I ask you, if I didn’t include your favorite let me know the name of it.

Is it any wonder that I had such a great life; those are the programs that fueled my imagination, and still do.  Today, I continue to stay and think young because I am fortunate to have grandchildren, and they still enjoy hanging out with the coolest grandpa in the world (my world; I know there are other cool grandpas and grandmas out there).  If you want to continue to learn and enjoy the technology of today; make more time for the new (future leaders) generation.  While you are disbursing your time don’t forget your life’s partner (they can be very forgiving and sometimes don’t even ask for more time, but they appreciate all the time they can get).  The best is yet to come…