Changes

​'''''The John Forsythe Show''''' began as a [[situation comedy]] in the fall of 1965 on [[NBC]] television]], but at mid-season it morphed into a spy show. In the first phase of the series John Forsythe (1918-2010) appeared as [[United States Air Force]] veteran John Foster, who inherited the private Foster School for Girls in [[San Francisco]], [[California]], from his late aunt, Victoria. Forsythe's co-stars were Elsa Lanchester (1902-1986) as the principal, Miss Culver; Ann Bradford Davis (1926-2014) as the physical education teacher, Miss Wilson; and Guy Marks (1923-1987) as Ed Robbins, Forsythe's aide and a former [[sergeant]]. Actors who portrayed students included Pamelyn Ferdin as Pamela, Darlene Carr as Kathy, Page and Brooke Forsythe (Forsythe's actual daughters) as Marcia and Norma Jean, Peggy Lipton, as Joanna, Tracy Stratford as Susan, and Sara Ballantine as Janice.<ref name=tt>Alex McNeil, ''Total Television'', New York: Penguin Books, 1996, 4th ed., p. 436.</ref>​

​'''''The John Forsythe Show''''' began as a [[situation comedy]] in the fall of 1965 on [[NBC]] television]], but at mid-season it morphed into a spy show. In the first phase of the series John Forsythe (1918-2010) appeared as [[United States Air Force]] veteran John Foster, who inherited the private Foster School for Girls in [[San Francisco]], [[California]], from his late aunt, Victoria. Forsythe's co-stars were Elsa Lanchester (1902-1986) as the principal, Miss Culver; Ann Bradford Davis (1926-2014) as the physical education teacher, Miss Wilson; and Guy Marks (1923-1987) as Ed Robbins, Forsythe's aide and a former [[sergeant]]. Actors who portrayed students included Pamelyn Ferdin as Pamela, Darlene Carr as Kathy, Page and Brooke Forsythe (Forsythe's actual daughters) as Marcia and Norma Jean, Peggy Lipton, as Joanna, Tracy Stratford as Susan, and Sara Ballantine as Janice.<ref name=tt>Alex McNeil, ''Total Television'', New York: Penguin Books, 1996, 4th ed., p. 436.</ref>​

 

In February 1965, NBC advertising said the working title was ''The Mr. and The Misses,'' but that was dropped, and the more conventional title, ''The John Forsythe Show.''​

In February 1965, NBC advertising said the working title was ''The Mr. and The Misses,'' but that was dropped, and the more conventional title, ''The John Forsythe Show.''​

 

When the format changed to [[espionage]] (in the February 21, 1966 episode "Funny, You Don't Look Like a Spy"), it was explained to viewers that Major Foster had been recalled to active duty as a secret agent. All the other regulars except Forsythe and Marks were dropped from the cast. Peter Kortner was the [[producer]] of the series, which aired twenty-nine episodes (and eighteen selected repeats) from September 13, 1965, to August 29, 1966.<ref name=tt/> The series was produced by Forsythe's own company in conjunction with Universal Television Studios. Earl Bellamy was the [[director]].​

The format changed to [[espionage]] (in the February 21, 1966 episode "Funny, You Don't Look Like a Spy"), it was explained to viewers that Major Foster had been recalled to active duty as a secret agent. All the other regulars except Forsythe and Marks were dropped from the cast. Peter Kortner was the [[producer]] of the series, which aired twenty-nine episodes (and eighteen selected repeats) from September 13, 1965, to August 29, 1966.<ref name=tt/> The series was produced by Forsythe's own company in conjunction with Universal Television Studios. Earl Bellamy was the [[director]].​

 

Selected episodes include "Tis Better to Have Loved and Lost" with Kim Darby, "Duty and the Beast" with Harvey Korman and Sandra Smith, "Engagement, Italian Style" with [[stuntman]] Dick Shane, "Little Miss Egghead" with Angela Cartwright, "That Little Old Matchmaker" (also with Sandra Smith), "The Bainbridge Curse," and the series finale, "Get Me to the Execution on Time."​

Selected episodes include "Tis Better to Have Loved and Lost" with Kim Darby, "Duty and the Beast" with Harvey Korman and Sandra Smith, "Engagement, Italian Style" with stuntman Dick Shane, "Little Miss Egghead" with Angela Cartwright, "That Little Old Matchmaker" (also with Sandra Smith), "The Bainbridge Curse," and the series finale, "Get Me to the Execution on Time."​

 

''The John Forsythe Show'' aired on Mondays at 8 p.m. Eastern following the ''Hullabaloo'' music program and preceding ''Dr. Kildare'' starring Richard Chamberlain in the title role. Its competition was Garry Moore's quiz program, ''I've Got a Secret'' on [[CBS]], and the second half of the ABC military drama ''Twelve O'Clock High'' starring Robert Lansing, Paul Burke, and [[Robert K. Dornan]], later a [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[U.S. Representative]] from California.<ref>1965-1966 American network television schedule, in appendix of ''Total Television''</ref> The primary sponsor of the series, Colgate-Palmolive.

''The John Forsythe Show'' aired on Mondays at 8 p.m. Eastern following the ''Hullabaloo'' music program and preceding ''Dr. Kildare'' starring Richard Chamberlain in the title role. Its competition was Garry Moore's quiz program, ''I've Got a Secret'' on [[CBS]], and the second half of the ABC military drama ''Twelve O'Clock High'' starring Robert Lansing, Paul Burke, and [[Robert K. Dornan]], later a [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[U.S. Representative]] from California.<ref>1965-1966 American network television schedule, in appendix of ''Total Television''</ref> The primary sponsor of the series, Colgate-Palmolive.