Connect with us


TV

Mister Ed (Syndicated-CBS 1961-1966, Alan Young, Connie Young)

Published

on


Shows about animals are good. Shows about talking animals are even better. Mister Ed was a chatty Palomino, and his self-titled extravaganza redefined that rarest of genres, the vociferous equine sitcom.

Because they wanted to get a little closer to nature, architect Wilbur Post and wife Carol bought a farmhouse, and in the barn outside said house, Wilbur discovered Mister Ed. Of course, when any of us finds a talking horse in our midst, we’re inclined to spend some time with the fella—and that’s just what Wilbur wanted to do. He set his drafting table up in the barn, and once Mister Ed started flapping that jaw of his, the two friends would chat away the days. In addition to that already high absurdity factor, Ed only talked to Wilbur, and would grow coy whenever Carol was around, which of course put Wilbur right in the middle of madcap situations galore.

The Posts’ next-door neighbor was Roger Addison, a cheapskate who feared his wife Kay’s overspending as much as he did her bad cooking. Roger found solace in his prize-winning roses, poker, and poking fun at poor Mister Ed.

What made the series especially lovable were Ed’s human characteristics. It was easy to identify with his feelings of abandonment, for example, when Wilbur and Carol decided to vacation in Hawaii. But Ed always prevailed in the end. Not only did he tag along on the trip…he also hung ten on a surfboard! Anthropomorphic hilarity similarly ensued in the episode where Wilbur hired a psychiatrist to help Mister Ed with his fear of high places. Attributing a human phobia to a horse just made Ed all the more vulnerable and endearing. Voiced by erstwhile Western star Allan “Rocky” Lane, the sound of Ed’s chatter is one we won’t soon forget.

Advertisement

The original pilot was entitled The Wonderful World Of Wilbur Pope and was produced by George Burns, but the powers that be decided it needed a few changes and it was never broadcast. But in early 1961, Mister Ed debuted as a syndicated series. It was quickly acquired by CBS and added to the prime time line up. In total, 143 episodes aired.

Thanks to Ed, we all want pets with special talents, we all want to spend the work day in a barn, and we all want a friend or two who deign to talk only to us. But when we can’t get those things (and let’s face it, we normally can’t), we settle happily for Mister Ed reruns.

“A horse is a horse of course of course,
And no one can talk to a horse of course.
That is of course unless the horse
Is the famous Mister Ed!

…A horse is a horse of course of course,
And this one’ll talk ’til his voice is hoarse.
You never heard of a talking horse?
Well, listen to this…
I am Mister Ed!”

Advertisement

production details
USA / Syndication – CBS – Filmways / 144×25 minute episodes/ broadcast 1 October 1961 – 4 September 1966 black and white

Writers: Larry Rhine, Ben Starr, Lou Derman / Producers: Arthur Lubin, Al Simon

cast
Alan Young as Wilbur Post
Connie Hines as Carol Post
Larry Keating as Roger Addison (1961-63)
Edna Skinner as Kay Addison (1961-64)
Leon Ames as Gordon Kirkwood (1964-66)
Florence MacMichael as Winnie Kirkwood (1963-65)
Allan Lane as Mr. Ed (voice)

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

First Time Fixer First Time Fixer
News6 hours ago

First Time Fixer, April 19, 2024, Magnolia Network, “Reno Show Fans Face Their First Flip”

First Time Fixer returns with “Reno Show Fans Face Their First Flip” airing on Magnolia on Friday April 19. The...

House Hunters House Hunters
News6 hours ago

House Hunters, April 19, 2024, HGTV, “Sibling Search in Boise”

House Hunters takes viewers to Boise, Idaho, in the latest episode, “Sibling Search in Boise.” The episode introduces a single...

Entertainment Tonight Entertainment Tonight
News6 hours ago

Entertainment Tonight, April 19, 2024, CBS,

Entertainment Tonight returns with its latest episode, covering a diverse range of topics and exciting exclusives. In this installment, airing on...

Cesar Millan Better Human Better Dog Cesar Millan Better Human Better Dog
News6 hours ago

Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog, April 19, 2024, Nat Geo, “Perfect Match”

Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog returns with its second episode of the fourth season, titled “Perfect Match.” The renowned...

America's Backyard Gold America's Backyard Gold
News6 hours ago

America’s Backyard Gold, April 19, 2024, Discovery Channel, “Carolina Rare Gold”

America’s Backyard Gold returns with its sixth episode, “Carolina Rare Gold,” taking viewers on a journey to the Carolinas in...

Mysteries of the Abandoned: Hidden America Mysteries of the Abandoned: Hidden America
News6 hours ago

Mysteries of the Abandoned: Hidden America, April 19, 2024, Discovery, “The Forgotten Soldiers of Camp Naco”

The Discovery Channel’s Mysteries of the Abandoned: Hidden America returns with its third episode of the third season, titled “The...

Penn & Teller: Fool Us Penn & Teller: Fool Us
News6 hours ago

Penn & Teller: Fool Us, April 19, 2024, The CW, “Magic Is for the Birds”

The CW’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us returns with its nineteenth episode of the tenth season, titled “Magic Is for...

Shark Tank Shark Tank
News6 hours ago

Shark Tank, April 19, 2024, ABC, “1521”

Shark Tank, the long-running reality television series, returns with its 21st episode of the 15th season, titled “1521.” The episode,...

Great British Railway Journeys Great British Railway Journeys
News6 hours ago

Great Coastal Railway Journeys, 18 April 2024, BBC Two, “The Isle of Anglesey”

Great Coastal Railway Journeys returns with its ninth episode of the third series, airing on BBC Two at 6:30 pm...

Celebrity MasterChef Celebrity MasterChef
News6 hours ago

MasterChef, 18 April 2024, BBC One, “Series 20 Episode 8”

MasterChef returns with its eighth episode of the series, airing on BBC One at 8 pm on Thursday 18 April. Six...

The Apprentice Series 18 BBC One The Apprentice Series 18 BBC One
News6 hours ago

The Apprentice, 18 April 2024, BBC One, “The Final & You’re Hired!”

The Apprentice is back with its final episode of the series, airing on BBC One at 9 pm on Thursday...

ITVX's The Twelve - Sam Neill Talks ITVX's The Twelve - Sam Neill Talks
News15 hours ago

The Twelve Episode 5, 18 April 2024, ITV1

The Twelve returns with its fifth episode, continuing the gripping courtroom drama centred on a controversial murder trial. Airing on...

ITV ITV
News15 hours ago

Claim Your Cash? Britain’s Hidden Fortune – Tonight, 18 April 2024, ITV1

With the cost of living crisis squeezing millions of households, Tonight’s latest episode is Britain’s Hidden Fortune takes on a...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News16 hours ago

Inside the Hilton: Park Lane Episode 3, 21 April 2024, Channel 5

Inside the Hilton: Park Lane returns with a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic London Hilton on Park Lane, offering viewers...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News16 hours ago

The Tube: Keep London Moving! Season Finale, 21 April 2024, Channel 5

The Tube: Keep London Moving! returns with an insight into the challenges of managing London’s vast transport network during major...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News16 hours ago

When TV Goes Horribly Wrong 2, 20 April 2024, Channel 5

Channel 5 presents another installment of “When TV Goes Horribly Wrong,” offering viewers a collection of unforgettable and hilarious moments...

Popular