Talk:Gunsmoke
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[edit] Meston
I think the article would benefit from clarification of Meston's involvement and role. He is widely referred to as the creator of Gunsmoke - but he doesn't seem to have been writing for it until some time after the first radio episode was broadcast (the audition scripts were written by Mort Fine and David Friedkin, the first episode by Walter Newman). When and how did Meston come into the picture? Was he initially a story editor? When and why did he begin writing? He seems to have been by far the most prolific writer for the radio show. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.126.4.90 (talk) 04:26, 18 March 2008 (UTC)
[edit] Question
alcoholic doctor? Where does that come from? RickK 20:20, 31 Aug 2003 (UTC)
The Long Branch Saloon was a gathering place for all citizens of Dodge and Doc gathered there about as much as anybody else, but he was never portrayed as an alcoholic. That dubious distinction went to "Louie", who was the town drunk. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.31.96.13 (talk • contribs) 08:02, 22 April 2005
- Try some research before trying to answer questions. You are confusing the TV version with the radio version. In the radio version, Doc was frequently depicted with a bottle or a drink, with slurred speech and a "sleepy" disposition. It's true that McNair later appeared this way on camera after a series of strokes left him partially paralysed, but on Gunsmoke he was acting. It's subtle but it's there, and before you cry that it's open to interpretation, cast and crew members made it clear in interviews that Doc was meant to be a bit of a boozer. It's similar to the subtle coloring of Miss Kitty: no one ever said on air that she was a prostitute, but that was the intent. 12.22.250.4 20:02, 26 April 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Cancellation threat
Gunsmoke didn't receive its cancellation threats in 1970, but rather 1967. It was then moved to Monday night in the early evening and ran for eight more years. Mike H 21:08, May 29, 2005 (UTC)
[edit] live or filmed?
Was the show performed live in its first season? I've seen one of the 1956 episodes and there seem to be some dialog errors, stepped on lines, etc.
[edit] Alcohol
Why was alcohol such a predominant part of the series? Every other minute there are whisky bottles, talk about drink, beer-guzzling, etc.. Were the writers Irish? 64.12.116.204 19:17, 20 October 2005 (UTC)Joachim von Ribbentrop
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- Wow, what a terrific ethnic slur.
- Miss Kitty ran a saloon. You can't have a show not have alcohol with a saloon as one of its focal points. Mike H (Talking is hot) 03:30, 23 October 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Matt's declining appearance in later years
In about half of the episodes that I see on TV Land, it seems that Matt is out of town for most of the episode. He will either be seen riding out of town in the teaser or first act (or a character will mention that he is out of town), then will not be seen again until the last act or the epilogue. Did James Arness have a deal with the producers that allowed him to make a certain number of "cameo" appearances per season in later years? I've wondered for some time but have never seen this addressed. MccullarsJ 17:50, 28 July 2006 (UTC)
- To the best of my knowledge, there were two issues going on. One was that to have Arness front and centre for every hour-long episode was exhausting for Arness. (It'd still be exhausting today, but moreso back then -- that was an era when filming 30-36 episodes a year was standard, as opposed to today's 22.) Also, the writers wanted to explore the other Dodge City characters, and create more of an ensemble show. So reducing the # of Arness' full-length appearances made everyone happy.
[edit] Gunsmoke as a "happy Ending" series?
- Could it be that one reason for this show longivity was that it was not only entertaining at time but also tales with happy ending? For example in epsiode "The Whispering Tree" [[John Saxon {actor}]] guest starred as a ex-convict trying to find hidden money from the robbery that sent him to prision. Complicating the fact is that his ex-gang and a obbessed railroad detective {Edward Asner} are also after the stolen loot. In the end there is a "Happy ending"-the farmer goes off with his family for a new life; the ex-gang either kills each other or are killed by Marshal Dillon; Redmond the Detective finds what remains of stolen loot. {Even as a "good guy" Asner plays like "LoU Grant" !!} {"Observer"}
- Only barely following that, but it appears that you are engaging in supposition based only on your personal observation (original research). This is not a fan forum, it's a discussion area for improving the article. If you feel your position is valid, do some reasearch and find citable sources to back up your argument. This is not the place to open a debate about "what could be". 12.22.250.4 17:45, 7 September 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Longevity
I just added in some information about Arness playing the same character in a Primetime scripted TV show for a long period of time. The Brits have two actors who have played the same characters for 27 years and 30 years....and the last one is till acting in the show. In terms of primetime scripted TV, there are also a number of TV shows that have eclipsed Gunsmoke's 20 year record now, including Dr who which has been running for 43 years and The Bill, Taggart and Casualty which have been running for more than 23 years.
- Sign your posts, please. Just to be accurate, Doctor Who has not been running continuously for 43 years, or even for 43 years total. The sixteen year gap between the cancellation of the original series and the debut of the new one makes a huge difference. That said, I don't understand where someone got the idea that it has been running 36 years as stated in the article. 1963 to 1989 is 26 years (25 if you want to exclude the 1986-7 hiatus), plus three for the 2005-2007 series (as of this date). That makes 29 if you're being generous, not 36 or 43. The presence of DW on TV longevity lists is due to it being the longest-running sci-fi genre show, not the longest running show period, so let's not inflate the numbers please. If the only qualification is that it be a scripted drama (nowhere in the Longevity section does it say prime time scripted drama), where is the mention of the long-running daytime dramas, some of which have run continuously for over 30 years? 12.22.250.4 18:07, 7 September 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Big Broadcast link
I added a link under the Listen To section to the Big Broadcast, a radio program on WAMU 88.5 FM (US radio) website that runs Gunsmoke episodes on Sunday nights at 8pm. Jddphd 00:24, 11 June 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:Gunsmoke52.jpg
Image:Gunsmoke52.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.
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BetacommandBot 01:01, 7 November 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Roger Ewing's Stint on Gunsmoke
This is a great site. Gunsmoke is my all time favorite TV show.
Roger Ewing's stint on the show was from 1965 to 1967, not 1966 to 1968. This seems to be confirmed in the DVD sets that I have of Gunsmoke.
RB3Deering (talk) 16:19, 27 April 2008 (UTC) RB3Deering
