In late 1968, TV producer George Schlatter, riding high on his hit Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, pitched a new conceptual television show packed full of short clips, rapid movements, and controversial topics.
The show was picked up by ABC for a run of 13 episodes, with additional episodes purchased after advertisers saw the first episode, for a total of 17 shows.
Three episodes were shot in their entirety before the initial airing. The half-hour first episode premiered on February 5th, 1969 at 8:30 PM on the east coast, where it took the place of the primetime soap opera Peyton Place.
Tim Conway was recruited as the first celebrity guest and the writers included Albert Brooks. The show seemed poised for success.
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