# Need the name of a 1960s exercise TV show **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 29, 2006, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334 "2006-03-29T01:16:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/1 "2006-03-29T01:16:32Z")
My mother used to exercise with it and I told her I’d see if it can be found on DVD or tape. The show in question was along the lines of \*\*The Jack Lalane \*\* Show only with a female star. Her fitness routines usually used little to no apparatus except for a chair. The star typically wore a leotard sort of outfit. It was a daytime show but I don’t remember on which network. Her name might have been Joanie, but I won’t swear to that. Any older dopers remember this show? ---
**Author:** ![from\_a\_to\_z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5fc32e/32.png) [@from\_a\_to\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/from_a_to_z)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/2 "2006-03-29T01:56:33Z")
[Bonnie Prudden](http://www.nationalfitnessorganization.com/pages/6/index.htm)? Jack LaLanne is one my favorites, though I’d first ask Natalie Portman to tow my boat. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/3 "2006-03-29T02:35:46Z")
It might also be [Debbie Drake](http://www.pophistorynow.com/popculturefiles/askmrpophistory_q307.htm) . ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/4 "2006-03-29T04:50:10Z")
It could also have been a local production. I remember some from my area that were taped from the TV studios. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/5 "2006-03-29T07:04:23Z")
Assuming that it was a network show, and not a local or syndicated show, you should be able to find it in this reference book: **Author:** Shapiro, Mitchell E., 1953- **Title:** _Television network daytime and late-night programming, 1959-1989_ / by Mitchell E. Shapiro. **Publisher:** Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland, c1990. **Description:** xviii, 264 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/6 "2006-03-29T07:24:28Z")
And assuming it was a syndicated show, you should be able to find it here: **Author:** Erickson, Hal, 1950- **Title:** _Syndicated television: the first forty years, 1947-1987_ / by Hal Erickson. **Publisher:** Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland, 1989. **Description:** xii, 418 pages ; 24 cm. ---
**Author:** ![sunacres](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@sunacres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunacres)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/7 "2006-03-29T18:16:18Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > The show in question was along the lines of \*\*The Jack Lalane \*\* Show only with a female star. Her fitness routines usually used little to no apparatus except for a chair. The star typically wore a leotard sort of outfit. It was a daytime show but I don’t remember on which network. Her name might have been Joanie, but I won’t swear to that. There was a show for geezers that featured chairs called _Sit and Be Fit_. But it sounds like you may be thinking of Joanie Greggains, who still markets fitness videos. My wife and I took second place in an aerobics competition back in the 80s. Joanie Greggains was the MC. Our routine was a crowd pleaser and got the biggest audience response, but the judges couldn’t deal with our costumes, which included Converse All-Star high-tops dyed day-glo yellow. The event was sponsored by Reebok, Avia, etc. and Converse was just too out of it for them. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/8 "2006-03-29T18:44:03Z")
[Joanie Greggains](http://www.joaniegreggains.com/pages/695173/index.htm) went on television in the 1980s. The OP is looking for a 1960s television program. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/9 "2006-03-29T20:33:42Z")
Here in N.E. Ohio, we had Paige Palmer during the early-tv years, but I don’t know how long her show continued, or whether it showed in other locations. The OP doesn’t indicate any location, so it’s anybody’s guess. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/10 "2006-03-29T20:50:03Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > My mother used to exercise with it and I told her I’d see if it can be found on DVD or tape. > > The show in question was along the lines of \*\*The Jack Lalane \*\* Show only with a female star. Her fitness routines usually used little to no apparatus except for a chair. The star typically wore a leotard sort of outfit. It was a daytime show but I don’t remember on which network. Her name might have been Joanie, but I won’t swear to that. > > Any older dopers remember this show? Denise Austin? Saw her not too long ago, a bit older but still going strong. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/11 "2006-03-29T21:24:00Z")
Check this out: [http://www.jacklalanne.com/videos.html#ORDER](http://www.jacklalanne.com/videos.html#ORDER) - There’s a woman named Elaine with him in one tape. ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/12 "2006-03-30T01:59:16Z")
I remember seeing a show in the 60s with a female host. She had long very straight dark hair. I cannot recall her name, but I’m pretty sure it was on Boston WGBH Channel 2, the PBS station. It probably was syndicated nationwide. ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/13 "2006-03-30T02:00:55Z")
Maggie something. . . maybe? ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/14 "2006-03-30T02:04:13Z")
Maggie and the Beautiful Machine? Here: [http://www.maggiesback.com/maggie/html/about/company/resumes/name.html](http://www.maggiesback.com/maggie/html/about/company/resumes/name.html) ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2006, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/15 "2006-03-30T02:19:46Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > Check this out: [http://www.jacklalanne.com/videos.html#ORDER](http://www.jacklalanne.com/videos.html#ORDER) - There’s a woman named Elaine with him in one tape. Elaine LaLanne is still Jack’s wife, and she had a similar show, using just a chair a la Jack LaLanne. ---
**Author:** ![bilford](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@bilford](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bilford)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/16 "2011-11-13T19:13:40Z")
The name of the show was “Maggie and the Beautiful Machine”. It was hosted by Maggie Lettvin and you can catch clips on You Tube. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/17 "2011-11-13T19:23:40Z")
> [@spingears](#): > > Denise Austin? > > Saw her not too long ago, a bit older but still going strong. 🙂 Denise Austin first took up gymnastics at age 12, in 1969. I don’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/18 "2011-11-13T20:35:08Z")
Ah, brings back the memories of _20 Minute Workout_, which was about the sexiest show on television at the time. ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/19 "2011-11-14T01:51:39Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Ah, brings back the memories of _20 Minute Workout_, which was about the sexiest show on television at the time. Remember it well. Despite watching it regularly I never noticed a change in my fitness level though… ---
**Author:** ![pudytat72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@pudytat72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pudytat72)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334/20 "2011-11-14T03:29:53Z")
> [@VernWinterbottom](#): > > Maggie and the Beautiful Machine? > > Here: > > [http://www.maggiesback.com/maggie/html/about/company/resumes/name.html](http://www.maggiesback.com/maggie/html/about/company/resumes/name.html) Your link shows up in Japanese on my computer. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-the-name-of-a-1960s-exercise-tv-show/350334.md?page=2)