May 5, 1962 - Will “Gunsmoke” be without Chester Goode for the 1962-63 season? A clear answer could not be obtained this week from either Dennis Weaver (pictured with Amanda Blake), who portrays the comic character, James Arness, who stars as Marshal Matt Dillon, or CBS, which televises “Gunsmoke.” “As of now, I am not scheduled to be on the show next season,” said Mr. Weaver. “But I might do some episodes if I get something in return. I can’t say until I see what they have to offer.” “We are negotiating with Weaver,” said Hubbell Robinson, senior vice president of programs for CBS-TV. “His contract runs out at the end of this season. But if he is on ‘Gunsmoke’ next season, it will be less frequent than it has been in the past.” Mr. Weaver has appeared on “Gunsmoke” since its television debut in 1955.
