Truly a 'variety show' if there ever was one - you never knew what you were going to get. Then there's dramatic moments with Little Joe being stricken with fear of heights in 'Between Heaven and Earth' leading to nightmares and him lashing out at the family. What I love about BONANZA is that you could go from a really dark and disturbing episode like the classic 'The Crucible' (with a deranged Lee Marvin!!) to some of the most hilarious episodes you could ever hope to experience in a TV western, like 'Old Sheba' (with the elephant on the Ponderosa) or 'Ponderosa Birdman' (where Hoss is goaded by Joe into taking flight - seriously!!). Big fan of BIG VALLEY too but BONANZA is my preferred choice - nothing against the Barkley boys but they just aren't a match for the Cartwright boys (in particular Hoss and Little Joe - man, did those 2 get involved in some hilarious adventures!!! ). Love the show! When I think of my favorite show of the 60s it usually boils down to a tie between BONANZA, ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE. Maybe they didn't write for it like that but I'll take it in a heartbeat over GUNN. Luther's nephew Dobie wrote:Ivan the Terrible wrote:įunny you mentioned BONANZA.
