I’m not quite sure what you’re going for, so let’s review a bunch of interrelated factors, and you can tell me which of them fits:
*The development of videotape and increasing use of film replacing live drama
*The move of most production to Los Angeles and change in mindset
*The growth of ratings-oriented “magazine style” sponsorship and decline of single-sponsor “prestige” programming
*The quiz show scandals and subsequent move by the networks to have more direct control of programming
*The deal between Warner Brothers and ABC which led to formulaic genre shows over anthology or repertory-based programs
Are any of those what you had in mind?
Part of the last point is what I had in mind: the increased involvement of motion picture companies in the making of television programs.
Sternvogel: The first two listed are the two big ones. The real third program is a lot more peculiar (for a prime-time television program) than the one you guessed.
Which regular has a sibling who made guest appearances on the show?
Three football players had guest shots on the show. Deacon Jones played himself; which two did not play themselves?
Mary Tyler Moore:
What is the name of Mary’s home town?
What was the name of the game show Ted auditioned to host?
All in the Family:
Joe Tucker told a story about Archie dropping a case of machine parts. What name did he call Archie after the incident?
What was the name of the neighborhood mortician?
Name 2 actors from “military” sitcoms who had recurring roles on the show.
Hill Street Blues:
Who had a “Fatal Attraction” crush on Stan Jablonski?
Which future Oscar nominee played the love interest of one of the detectives?
What did Mick Belker’s father do for a living?
I don’t recall exactly what happened to the DuMont archives, but I recall that Edie worked very hard to earn the money to buy out what survived of her husband’s (Ernie Kovacs) shows to preserve his legacy.
Next group:
Game Shows:
Which Oscar winner’s father was a game show host, and what show did he host?
Name two game show hosts who were brothers.
What 1960’s game show host was the premier wrestling announcer in the 1950’s?
Who was the original host of I’ve Got a Secret ?
A famous game show announcer was also the “voice-over” for a 1970’s sitcom. Name the announcer and the sitcom.
Alan Melvin had a recurring role as Barney Hefner; and I seem to remember him in uniform with Gomer Pyle (or McHale’s Navy, or Sgt. Bilko, one of those).
Jennifer Tilly had an early role as the widow of a mobster (who died in one of their holding cells in the basement, presenting a challenge to get him back out) who flirted pretty openly with Henry. Was she nominated for Bound?
Rod Roddy (famous from The Price is Right), did the voice-overs at the end of each episode of Soap.
If the answer’s Jim (Timothy’s father) Hutton, you’d be wrong: The host of Everything’s Relative was a Twin Cities TV personality of the same name, not the actor. (Citation available on request.)
I was out of town for a week, so I’m going to post unanswered questions one last time for anyone who still wants to play:
Question 15 has been half answered (Allan Melvin from Sgt. Bilko is one of the actors). If no one answers or posts any new questions by Wednesday 4/9, I’ll post the answers.
“There’s a holdup in the Bronx
Brooklyn’s broken out in fights
There’s a traffic jam in Harlem
That’s backed up to Jackson Heights
There’s a scout troop short a child
Khrushchev’s due at Idlewild
Car 54 where are you?”
Inspector Bill Henderson
You had to run down a lane, jump up, and ring a bell.