Connect with us


TV

Addams Family, The (ABC 1964-1966, John Astin, Carolyn Jones)

Published

on


”They’re creepy and they’re kooky,
Mysterious and spooky,
They’re altogether ooky,
The Addams Family…”

It’s tough not to snap your fingers when the first strains of The Addams Family theme song kick in. Gomez, Morticia, Fester, Wednesday, Pugsley… they were just some groovy little ghoulies with an infectious beat. And the show was good, too.

This ABC sitcom began its life in 1937 as a series of macabre, mostly wordless one-panel cartoons drawn by Charles Addams. These cartoons featured a ghoulish-looking family indulging in their strange idea of family fun (i.e. sitting down to a dinner of two-headed pig, baking cookies in the shapes of bats and snakes, etc.). They found a regular home in New Yorker magazine and became one of its most popular features.

The cartoons were translated into a television series in 1964 by the team of producer Dave Levy and writer Matt Perrin. The family, which did not have names in the cartoons, were given their own identities: Gomez was the patriarch of the clan, a lawyer who loved to fence. Morticia was his wife, a ghostly and deadpan femme who could drive her man into romantic frenzy by speaking a few words in French (”Tish! You spoke French!”). Rounding out their nuclear family unit were two creepy kids, Pugsley and Wednesday.

Advertisement

Other cast members included Grandma and Uncle Fester, who also lived in the Addams family home. Jackie Coogan portrayed Fester, a switch for actor who was previously known as a child star (he appeared in The Kid with Charlie Chaplin). Lurch was the hulking, monosyllabic family servant (”You rang?”). Another servant was Thing, a disembodied hand that scurried around the house to do odd jobs. And lest you think the kookiness was confined to the family’s Gothic home, the Addamses received frequent visits from Cousin Itt, a relative who was covered from head to toe with hair and spoke in an unintelligible language that only the Addamses could understand. Ophelia, Tish’s sister, was added in later episodes of the series.

The episodes usually revolved around the outside world’s attempts to make sense of the family’s offbeat customs and the family’s general ignorance of the fact that they were considered strange by others. Pugsley and Wednesday didn’t really mean any harm when they brought a pet tarantula as a boy’s birthday gift, nor did Gomez think it was a bad idea to run for mayor because taxes were too low. Each episode would end with both the Addams family and the ‘normal’ world learning something new about each other after plenty of fish-out-of-water laughs.

The Addams Family was moderately popular in its time but only ran for two seasons. This happened for two reasons: it had competition from The Munsters that split its audience in half, and the show was not held in high regard by network executives. However, The Addams Family gained a new lease on life in syndication, boosted by Saturday morning cartoon and feature film versions in later decades. Gomez and Morticia had one of the most loving relationships on TV in the 1960s.

A major reason the show remains so popular is that it allows those who feel ‘different’ to know there is no shame in being that way. The Addams Family was always painted as a caring family unit that expressed their feelings freely while the outside world was painted as uptight, intolerant, and hypocritical. Indeed, The Addams Family allows non-conformists everywhere to rejoice in the fact that they are different—ooky, even.

Advertisement

In 1973-74 Hanna Barbera/NBC broadcast a cartoon version of the show with Ted Cassidy and Jackie Coogan voicing their roles as per the series. In this cartoon series Pugsley was voiced by the then 8 year old Jodie Foster. And in 1992 Hanna-Barbera produced another cartoon version to tie-in with the pair of big budget films made by Paramount in the early nineties.

production details
USA / ABC – Filmways / 64×30 minute episodes / Broadcast 18 September 1964 – 2 September 1966 black and white

Creator: Charles Addams / Executive Producer: David Levy / Theme Music: Vic Mizzy / Producer: Nat Perrin

cast
JOHN ASTIN as Gomez Addams
CAROLYN JONES as Morticia Addams
TED CASSIDY as Lurch
JACKIE COOGAN as Uncle Fester
BLOSSOM ROCK as Grandmamma Addams
LISA LORING as Wednesday Addams
KEN WEATHERWAX as Pugsley Addams
FELIX SILLA as Cousin Itt
TONY MAGRO as Voice of Itt

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.

Next Level Chef Next Level Chef
News47 mins ago

Next Level Chef, March 28, 2024, FOX, “It’s All Greek to Me”

In the latest episode of the reality cooking show “Next Level Chef,” airing on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00...

The Kelly Clarkson Show The Kelly Clarkson Show
News5 hours ago

Ricky Martin, The Kelly Clarkson Show, March 28, 2024

On Thursday, March 28, 2024, get ready for an exciting episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show. The show kicks off...

Late Night With Seth Meyers Late Night With Seth Meyers
News5 hours ago

Liam Neeson, Sheryl Crow, Late Night With Seth Meyers, March 28, 2024

Fans of Late Night With Seth Meyers won’t want to miss the upcoming episode on Thursday, March 28th. Join Seth...

LIVE with Kelly and Mark LIVE with Kelly and Mark
News5 hours ago

Maura Tierney, Ego Nwodim, LIVE with Kelly and Mark, March 28, 2024

On Thursday, March 28, 2024, LIVE with Kelly and Mark will bring you an exciting lineup of guests. Tune in...

The Sherri Shepherd Show The Sherri Shepherd Show
News5 hours ago

Niecy Nash-Betts, Sherri, March 28, 2024

Thursday, March 28 2024, brings another hilarious episode of Sherri. Join Sherri Shepherd as she gives her unique take on...

The Talk The Talk
News5 hours ago

Taylor Tomlinson, Brett Gelman, The Talk, March 28, 2024, CBS

A brand new episode of The Talk is set to air on CBS on Thursday, March 28, 2024. During this...

Tamron Hall Tamron Hall
News5 hours ago

Koryn Hawthorne, Giancarlo Esposito, Tamron Hall, March 28, 2024, ABC

On Thursday March 28th at 10:00 AM., ABC presents an enthralling episode of Tamron Hall. This episode’s lineup includes some...

The Today Show The Today Show
News5 hours ago

Liam Neeson, The Today Show, March 28, 2024, NBC

On Thursday, March 28th, The Today Show returns with an engaging lineup of informative segments and interviews. In the morning...

Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics
News7 hours ago

Nissan Figaro & Ferrari 250 GT, Bangers & Cash, March 28, 2024, Yesterday

On Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM., Yesterday presents a brand new episode of Bangers & Cash. This reality...

Big Mood Big Mood
News7 hours ago

Big Mood Episode 2, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Down”

Continue the laughter and heartfelt moments with the second episode of Big Mood on Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 10:30...

Rob Beckett's Smart TV Rob Beckett's Smart TV
News7 hours ago

Natasia Demetriou, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Cush Jumbo, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, 28 March 2024, Sky Max,

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV is back with another entertaining episode on Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM on Sky...

Trucking Hell Trucking Hell
News7 hours ago

Trucking Hell, 28 March 2024, 5Action

On Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM., Trucking Hell returns with an action-packed episode that takes viewers into the...

A&E After Dark A&E After Dark
News7 hours ago

A&E After Dark, 28 March 2024, 5STAR,

Its another intense and gripping night at Tunbridge Wells A&E as A&E After Dark returns with a new episode on...

Big Mood Big Mood
News7 hours ago

Series Premiere, Big Mood, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Up”

Gear up for a hilarious and heartfelt comedy as Big Mood makes its debut on Channel 4 on Thursday, 28...

Great British Railway Journeys Great British Railway Journeys
News7 hours ago

Edinburgh to Queensferry, Great British Railway Journeys, March 28, BBC Two,

BBC Two is set to air a brand new episode of Great British Railway Journeys on Thursday, March 28, 2024...

BBC Two Logo BBC Two Logo
News7 hours ago

Bruce Lee: A Life in Ten Pictures, 28 March 2024, BBC Two

On Thursday, 28 March at 9:00 PM., Bruce Lee fans will have the opportunity to take a look at his...

Popular