Changes Afoot on 1965-66 Television Shows

June 24, 1965 - Next season, subtle changes will alter at least six continuing situation comedies and dramas on the three television networks. As Ozzie Nelson once said, referring to the 20-year reign of “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” “We have survived because we have been able to adjust.”

Among the heroes and heroines who will change is NBC’s Dr. Kildare, who will have a running love interest (hot-and-cold) with Nurse Zoe Lawton (Lee Kurty, right), described as his “close friend and sometime confidante.”

“She’d make a fine wife for Kildare in the future,” explained Douglas Benton, the show’s producer, “but this does not preclude his getting involved with any of the guest stars.”

ABC’s “Ben Casey,” another favorite man in white, will have a new chief of neurosurgery, Franchot Tone. 

Amos Burke of “Burke’s Law” has resigned from the police force (but will still keep his Rolls-Royce) and will be known as “Amos Burke, Secret Agent.”

“We’d done every type of murder imaginable,” said producer Aaron Spelling. “It got to the point where we were reaching for plots. The spy trend which was started by James Bond was a logical move for us.”

On CBS, “Hazel” will continue her domestic chores, but at a new house. Her employer is abroad, and Hazel will be doing the dishes for his brother, which means new characters in new surroundings. 

Slattery of “Slattery’s People” will get a first name, Jim, and an assistant and a girlfriend.

Fred MacMurray’s oldest son on “My Three Sons” will push off into the world, but there will still be three sons when MacMurray adopts a neighbor boy.

The thoughts of many network executives were summed up by Michael Dann, vice president of programs for CBS, who said: “The challenge of keeping old shows alive is often more difficult than setting new ones.”

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