Channeling Other Shows From ‘50s Is Next Logical Step

So look what’s generating the buzz on network TV these days:

* Prime-time game shows: “Twenty One” returned Sunday, while new versions of “The $64,000 Question” and “To Tell the Truth” are being readied.

* Wrestling.

* Live drama: George Clooney’s new version of “Fail-Safe,” airing in April.

* Fifteen-minute program: UPN is contemplating creating such shows.

Holy time warp! Besieged by other media, broadcast TV is retreating into its past, resurrecting long-dormant genres from the late 1940s and ‘50s.

But why stop with rehashed game shows? To keep their viewers from straying even further, network TV needs to dig even deeper into its roots. In fact, there are plenty of ideas and formats from the tube’s early days just waiting to be rediscovered by some enterprising network executive. Here are some suggestions, based on actual programs, guaranteed to boost a network’s Nielsens.

The romantic monologue: “The Continental” (CBS, 1952). For love-starved housewives, this was the answer: Twice a week after the local 11 p.m. news, smooth-talking Italian-born Renzo Cesena (pretending to be an Italian count and suave bachelor) would look mooningly into the camera and mutter sweet nothings for female viewers. The set consisted of a table for two, a bottle of Champagne and a rose. Contact Antonio Banderas’ agent immediately for the update.

The hybrid sports-variety show: “Campus Hoopla” (NBC, 1946). Set in a high school soda shop, this one came complete with cheerleaders and students who talked about sports, and sang and danced to jukebox music. There was also a sportscaster who narrated films of recent games. If someone is looking to take on “SportsCenter,” look no further than reviving this chestnut.

The sing-along show: “Sing Along With Mitch” (NBC, 1961-66). Though this aired after the ‘50s, it’s still a format begging for revival (the recent Amazon.com holiday commercial featuring a clean-cut chorale might be a harbinger). Host Mitch Miller would lead his “gang” in singing popular and old favorites while home viewers followed a bouncing ball above the lyrics. Forget about any other notion of convergence: This is the real interactive TV!

The truly odd-couple hosted show: “The Henny and Rocky Show” (ABC, 1955). Odd couples, indeed. King of the one-liners Henny Youngman and boxer Rocky Graziano were paired as hosts in a musical variety show that filled air time after ABC’s boxing matches. Audiences today would just flock to the “Shecky and Evander” show, no?

The auction show: “Auction-aire” (ABC, 1949-50). The audience bid on valuable merchandise using not cash, but labels from the program’s sponsor, the Libby company. In other words, a $250 home freezer could be had for 88 labels. This concept didn’t particularly resonate with one viewer, who reacted thusly: “I’ll give you 30,000 labels if you take this show off the air.” Nevertheless, this concept fits in perfectly with today’s EBay mania. Besides, what better way to get rid of all those canned vegetables folks have stored up for the supposed Y2K crisis?

The really different court show: “Traffic Court” (ABC, 1958-59). Sure, we have “Judge Judy” and her docketful of imitators, but there’s always room for one more court show, especially like this one. It reenacted actual traffic court trials and arraignments. Who knew there could be such drama in running a red light?

Music pantomime show: “The Dotty Mack Show” (Dumont, ABC 1953-56). Call it prehistoric karaoke: This Cincinnati TV personality would pantomime along to other performers’ hit records. A concept so Zen-like in its simplicity, and as cheap as heck to produce. Imagine the possibility of someone pantomiming to the latest by Rage Against the Machine or Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

The starring-the-former-vice-president show: “Meet the Veep” (NBC, 1953). A few months after he was replaced by Richard Nixon, Harry Truman’s second-in-command, Alben Barkley, chatted about whatever came into his head for 15 minutes. If Al Gore isn’t living in the White House next year, here’s the perfect opportunity to show off his alpha male side.

And if the networks insist on reviving even more game shows with “Millionaire” in their titles, here’s one to consider:

“Live Like a Millionaire” (CBS, 1951-53). Four sets of talented parents performed after being introduced by their children. The winning parents won the chance to live like a millionaire for a week. Actually, they were awarded a week’s worth of the interest on a million dollars (about $100 back in 1951).