Imagine a time travel trip to visit backstage of a popular 60’s comedy. Watch the cast at the table reading of the weeks new script. See the stages built, blocking, and rehearsals. Visit with the cast and crew. Even eat lunch at the studio commissary.
Which show would you pick? first? second? third? (poll is multiple choice)
This week is the 60’s. Next Sunday I’ll do a similar one for the 70’s.
Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.
I forgot to check the box for multiple polls.
so, you only get one choice.
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
Let’s see… which one lets me spend the most amount of time in close proximity to Barbara Eden in harem clothes?
I choose Andy Griffith. I’ve read that it was a relaxed and fun set. Andy and the Darlings playing the guitar between takes. Just having a good time making a great show.
Yep! But then I’m probably not cool enough to be included in any their conversations or lunch invites.
Dick Van Dyke, the talents there… Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Morey Amsterdam, the great Carl Reiner…
Gilligan’s Island was almost my choice… just for all access… back stage with Dawn Wells…
First airing in late 1969, Monty Python’s Flying Circus makes the cut. It also make a great answer for a 70s poll. 
Yeah. I’d go for the episode with The Who or maybe one of the episodes with Pete Seeger.
Are we allowed to try to date the cast? 'Cause if so …
I’d have to at least try my luck with a 25year old Mary Tyler Moore. I mean, c’mon, a 25year old Mary Tyler Moore- I’d have to at least try!
Another vote for ‘other’, meaning the Dick van Dyke Show.
This, to infinity.
Actually, El_Kabong, you give me an idea. In the OP’s scenario we have the means to time travel anyway, so I say I try to date 25year old Mary Tyler Moore and use the time travel capabilities to Groundhog Day my attempts until I finally get it right.
All Access? Wahey! Petticoat Junction.
I too go with Dick van Dyke. After that, Soupy Sales and any show with Steve Allen. Followed by Tonight with Johnny Carson.
Other sitcoms would include Hogan’s Heroes, Gilligan’s Island, and F Troop.
That Girl should be on the list too. Marlo Thomas featured prominently in many of my fifth- and sixth-grade fantasies! :o
Gilligan’s Island - backstage with Ginger AND Mary Ann?
No contest…
Not Gilligan, Maynard. Maynard G. (the G stands for Walter) Krebs from the brilliant The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. The best writing of any sitcom before Dick van Dyke.
But if you had asked my teenage self in the 60s, I’d probably have said I wanted access to the water tank in Petticoat Junction.
They kept on changing “Kate’s” girls. Which blonde would you most prefer? 
I’m sure “Uncle” Joe would be more than happy to oblige! 
I voted “Green Acres” because not only was the cast so strong front to back, but there’s so much joy in their performances that you got the feeling just hanging around them would fun. Plus imagine the stories Eddie Albert, Eva Gabor, and Pat Buttram could tell. I was considering “Laugh-In” as a write-in but wasn’t that cast plagued with backstage tension?
“Gidget” would have been a good choice–except that I’d probably be kicked out in minutes for harassing Gidget, Larue, and pretty much every other female castmember…
Here’s the second set, who were in fact blonde, brunette, and redhead. Here’s the third set, same spectrum.
The question I want answered is: what the heck happens in that water tank? No, not that, you filthy-minded people. We see the girls pull their petticoats off the rim. Now what? Do they slip back down into the water to put them on? Is there a convenient and totally useless ledge around the inside of the tank to stand on? Why aren’t there any towels? How is is possible that their hair isn’t wet? Are they wearing heels in the scene of them walking back at the end? I want answers.
“The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” especially the first season with Tuesday Weld