Origin of a Classic: The first pilot for Three's Company (1976)

 Producer Don Taffner had acquired the rights to adapt Thames' Man About The House into Three's Company, 50 years ago. However, the first pilot didn't have the familiar trio of roommates that we'd all remember. Oh, sure, John Ritter is here, playing an aspiring filmmaker named David, instead of Jack Tripper. Norman Fell (ex-Dan August, 87th Precinct) and Audra Lindley, as the Ropers, are here. But, who the other two roomies?

Samantha (Suzanne Zenor) wants to be an actress. Jenny (Valerie Curtin) works for the DMV. 

The plot remains the same. Samantha & Jenny find David in the bathtub after a party the night before......

If Valerie Curtin's name sounds familiar, well, she's the paternal cousin of Jane Curtin (Saturday Night Live). Larry Gelbart (M*A*S*H) developed & wrote the pilot, his only involvement with the series.

Something to think about.

Cinema Saturday: Gunn (1967)

 Peter Gunn creator Blake Edwards, hot off the "Pink Panther" movie, wanted to revive Gunn, starting with a feature film. Instead of releasing it through United Artists, which had the "Panther" series, Edwards went with Paramount, whose new management at the time felt casting changes needed to be made, six years after the series had ended.

For example, Lola Albright was not invited back to reprise as lounge singer Edie Hart, Gunn's girlfriend. The part was given to Laura Devon. Why? Paramount suits, for some reason, thought Albright had gotten too old for the part. As if. There is, though, that youth demographic to consider.

Herschel Bernardi wasn't doing much aside from Star-Kist commercials and other cartoons, but wasn't brought back to play Lt. Jacoby. Future icon Ed Asner took his place. Our supporting cast also includes Alan Oppenheimer, Albert Paulsen, George Murdock, Carol Wayne, J. Pat O'Malley, Regis Toomey (ex-Burke's Law), & Charles Dierkop.

Co-author William Peter Blatty would later gain fame for "The Exorcist".

In 2 weeks: We'll take a trip to Dogpatch for "Li'l Abner".

Musical Interlude: Survivors (1975)

 The Smothers Brothers returned to television in 1975, hoping to start anew. However, it didn't last too long, and, aside from their comedy-drama, Fitz & Bones, would not try again with a variety show until the 1988 writers' strike.

From the 1975 series comes this number that resonates even today, in the face of the intentional, ham-handed handling of government affairs by the current administration. John Stewart, formerly of the Kingston Trio, released "Survivors" that year, and is joined by the Smothers Brothers, Ringo Starr, Lily Tomlin (who was on the big screen that year in "Nashville"), Bob Einstein, Pat Paulsen, Steve Martin, & Don Novello, making a rare appearance without his Father Guido Sarducci persona.

Too bad it doesn't play on radio, 51 years later.

What Might've Been: The John Forsythe Show (1965)

 Three years after Bachelor Father had ended, and, I believe, was in syndication at that time, John Forsythe returned, this time in a self-titled sitcom for Universal & NBC that underwent a mid-season makeover that ultimately killed the show.

Air Force Major John Foster (Forsythe) inherits an all-girls school, which would've been all well & good, except that viewers weren't interested. The show aired opposite I've Got a Secret on CBS, and the 2nd half of Twelve O'Clock High on ABC. At the end of January of 1966, the series was retooled to use the school as a cover so that Foster and his wingman, Ed Robbins (Guy Marks, ex-The Joey Bishop Show) could go on spy missions for the government. The John Forsythe Show was cancelled two months later.

Forsythe was also joined by Ann B. Davis (ex-The Bob Cummings Show), Elsa Lanchester, and even had his own daughters appear in a few episodes shot during the summer before they went back to school. Pamelyn Ferdin was one of the students.

In this outing, post-format change, Ed steps into the ring to settle a dispute with a man involved in an accident (Peter Palmer, "Li'l Abner"). David Lewis (Batman) guests as well.

A year later, Marks would resurface as Tim Conway's sidekick on Rango, and it would take three years for Forsythe to land another series (To Rome With Love).

Family Fridays: The Real McCoys build a well (1958)

 From season 2 of The Real McCoys:

Amos (Walter Brennan) uses a divining rod to pinpoint a spot on his land to build "The New Well". Andy Clyde & Joe Flynn guest star.

Sports this 'n' that

 Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made some "legend" picks for this year's All-Star Game, taking place July 14 in Philadelphia. We reported that the Phillies' Bryce Harper was granted legend status, which is a little bit ridiculous when you think about it.

Now comes word that the AL "legend"-designate is Detroit pitcher Justin Verlander, who used the opportunity Wednesday to announce that he will retire after the season. Verlander has also pitched for Houston, the Mets, and San Francisco. He'll hang 'em up after the season so he & wife Kate can start a family.

Thanks for the memories.

The injury bug continues to plague the Mets.

Infielder-designated hitter Mark Vientos, mired in a season long malaise, was removed from today's matinee vs. Kansas City after getting hit by a pitch, which fractured his hand. The Mets won't say just yet how long Vientos will be out, other than "weeks".

And a lot of fair weather "fans" wanted him gone by the trade deadline. Sure, kick the guy when he's down.

Reddit is the only form of social media I use. Good thing, too.

Three days after the US was eliminated from the World Cup, a member of the Trump administration is trying to justify President Pampers persuading FIFA President Gianni Infantino to rescind the red card issued to a US player a week ago. Not that it did the US any good, but the annoying orange's meddling was the kiss of death.

Try telling that to this moron.

Proof that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree of stupid.

Andrew Giuliani heads up a "World Cup task force", and said it has to do with the amount of money the US spent to help host the tournament, which wraps in 10 days. Sorry, Goofiani, Jr., but Trump was wrong, and you know it.

Shouldn't you be getting a prescription for Ginkoba for your father, anyway, Andrew?

Musical Interlude: The Age of Aquarius (1969)

 The 5th Dimension's "Age of Aquarius" was released as a single in 1969, coupled with "Let The Sunshine In", off the "Hair" soundtrack. However, we have this clip, origin unknown, of the group performing "Aquarius", complemented with cheesy special effects.