Bonanza season 8

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Contents

Bonanza
Season 8
Bonanza main cast 1959.JPG
Cast of Bonanza in 1959
Starring
No. of episodes34
Release
Original network NBC
Original releaseSeptember 11, 1966 (1966-09-11) –
May 14, 1967 (1967-05-14)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 7
Next →
Season 9
List of episodes

The eighth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 11, 1966, with the final episode airing May 14, 1967. [1] The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season eight starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 34 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. [2] Season eight was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It was the third straight season the show held the #1 position in the Nielsen ratings. [3]

Synopsis

Bonanza is set around the Ponderosa Ranch near Virginia City, Nevada and chronicles the weekly adventures of the Cartwright family, consisting of Ben Cartwright and his three sons (each by a different wife), Adam, Eric ("Hoss"), and Joseph ("Little Joe"). A regular character is their ranch cook, Hop Sing.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Recurring

Guest cast

Production

Filming

On location filming for season eight took place at the following:

Episodes

Bonanza, season 8 episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
2361"Something Hurt, Something Wild" Lewis Allen Jerry Alderman and William DriskillSeptember 11, 1966 (1966-09-11)
Laurie Ferguson (Lynn Loring) accuses Joe of assaulting her, setting off a feud between her family and the Cartwrights.
2372"Horse of a Different Hue"William WitneyWilliam R. CoxSeptember 18, 1966 (1966-09-18)
Ben has no idea that the outcome of a horse race he arranged has been fixed by an old friend of his, Colonel Robert Fairchild (Charles Ruggles).
2383"A Time to Step Down" Paul Henreid Frank Chase September 25, 1966 (1966-09-25)
Aging wrangler Dan Tolliver (Ed Begley) turns against the Cartwrights after his longtime friend Ben suggests that he should retire.
2394"The Pursued"William WitneyStory by : Thomas Thompson and Marc Michaels
Teleplay by : Thomas Thompson		October 2, 1966 (1966-10-02)
2405October 9, 1966 (1966-10-09)
The Cartwrights try to help a Mormon rancher (Eric Fleming) overcome persecution against his beliefs. Eric Fleming, Dina Merrill, Lois Nettleton and Vincent Beck guest star.
2416"To Bloom for Thee"Sutton RoleyJune RandolphOctober 16, 1966 (1966-10-16)
Hoss proposes marriage to Carol Attley (Geraldine Brooks), a woman with a hidden past which includes having killed her abusive first husband and fleeing from the associated murder charge.
2427"Credit for a Kill" William F. Claxton Frederick Louis FoxOctober 23, 1966 (1966-10-23)
Joe lets his friend Morgan Tanner (Dean Harens) take credit for killing a horse thief, but when the outlaw's brothers come after him to get their revenge he has to make a difficult decision to save his friend's life.
2438"Four Sisters from Boston"Alan Crosland Jr.John M. ChesterOctober 30, 1966 (1966-10-30)
Ben tries to stop a con artist from stealing an inheritance from four Boston sisters that are trying to prevent the auctioning of a property left to them by their uncle. Vera Miles guest stars.
2449"Old Charlie"William F. ClaxtonBob and Wanda DuncanNovember 6, 1966 (1966-11-06)
Teller of tales Old Charlie Conners (John McIntire) brags about killing an outlaw, so the dead man's brothers seek their revenge.
24510"Ballad of the Ponderosa"William F. ClaxtonStory by : Hendrik Vollaerts
Teleplay by : Rik Vollaerts and Michael Landon 		November 13, 1966 (1966-11-13)
A balladeer blames Ben for his father's hanging. Randy Boone, Ann Doran, Roger Davis and John Archer guest star.
24611"The Oath"Gerd OswaldMartha WilkersonNovember 20, 1966 (1966-11-20)
Before his execution for murder, convicted man Big Charlie Monahan (Douglas Kennedy) has his son take an oath to kill the Cartwrights for revenge.
24712"A Real Nice, Friendly Little Town"Herman HoffmanHerman HoffmanNovember 27, 1966 (1966-11-27)
Hoss confronts a woman and her gun-toting sons after Joe is hit by a ricocheting bullet, but the mother seems to be more interested in protecting her kids than seeing justice done. Louise Latham, Mark Slade and Vaughn Taylor guest star.
24813"The Bridegroom"William F. ClaxtonWalter BlackDecember 4, 1966 (1966-12-04)
Joe romances Maggie Dowling (Joanne Linville) so widower Jared Wilson (Ron Hayes) will be jealous enough to ask for her hand in marriage.
24914"Tommy"William WitneyStory by : Mary Terri Taylor and Thomas Thompson
Teleplay by : Mort Thaw and Mary Terri Taylor		December 18, 1966 (1966-12-18)
The Cartwrights protect deaf-mute Tommy Miller (Teddy Quinn) and his mother from his stepfather, a vicious outlaw determined to take back his wife.
25015"A Christmas Story" Gerd Oswald Thomas ThompsonDecember 25, 1966 (1966-12-25)
Singer Andy Walker (Wayne Newton) returns to Virginia City for Christmas with his scheming uncle, who plans to make a profit on the orphans' benefit.
25116"Ponderosa Explosion"William F. Claxton Alex Sharp January 1, 1967 (1967-01-01)
Joe and Hoss literally get more than they bargained for when a pair of con men lead them to invest in a pair of rabbits that subsequently multiply. Dub Taylor, Chubby Johnson, Chick Chandler and Phil Chambers guest star.
25217"Justice" Lewis Allen Richard WendleyJanuary 8, 1967 (1967-01-08)
Joe seeks revenge on the bank clerk who killed his fiancée. Beau Bridges, Lurene Tuttle and Shirley Bonne guest star.
25318"A Bride for Buford"William F. Claxton Robert V. Barron January 15, 1967 (1967-01-15)
Hoss is certain that a saloon girl is only interested in a miner for his wealth. Lola Albright, Jack Elam, Paul Brinegar and Richard Devon guest star.
25419"Black Friday"William F. ClaxtonHerbert Kastle and John HawkinsJanuary 22, 1967 (1967-01-22)
Joe tries to save his friend Steven Friday (John Saxon) from dying in a gunfight to avenge one of his victims and planned for Friday the 13th.
25520"The Unseen Wound"Gerd OswaldFrank ChaseJanuary 29, 1967 (1967-01-29)
Ben tries to help his friend Sheriff Paul Rowan (Leslie Nielsen) after his wife Katherine (Nancy Malone) shows concerns about his health: the Sheriff has been driven to the breaking point by years of violence.
25621"Journey to Terror"Lewis AllenJoel MurcottFebruary 5, 1967 (1967-02-05)
After being suspected of being a member of Wade Hollister's (John Ericson) gang, outlaws imprison Little Joe, Tom (Jason Evers) and Ellie Blackwell (Elizabeth Rogers) at the Blackwell farm.
25722"Amigo"William F. ClaxtonStory by : Jack Turley
Teleplay by : John Hawkins and Jack Turley		February 12, 1967 (1967-02-12)
Ben helps a wounded comanchero who is being pursued by a lynch mob, a band of terrorists and an angry Little Joe who has just lost a friend. Henry Darrow and Gregory Walcott guest star.
25823"A Woman in the House"Gerd OswaldJoel MurcottFebruary 19, 1967 (1967-02-19)
Ben protects a girl from her alcoholic husband, but she's unable to tell gratitude from love. Diane Baker and Paul Richards guest star.
25924"Judgement at Red Creek"William F. ClaxtonRobert SabaroffFebruary 26, 1967 (1967-02-26)
Joe comes to suspect that a pair of murder suspects is lying because the leader of a posse does not intend to bring them alive. John Ireland, Martin West and Harry Carey Jr. guest star.
26025"Joe Cartwright, Detective"William F. ClaxtonStory by : Oliver Crawford
Teleplay by : Michael Landon		March 5, 1967 (1967-03-05)
Joe gets hooked on detective novels and tries to use Scotland Yard techniques to prevent a bank robbery. Mort Mills, Ken Lynch and Ed Prentiss guest star.
26126"Dark Enough to See the Stars"Donald R. DavesKelly ColvinMarch 12, 1967 (1967-03-12)
A young ranch hand who is running from the law falls in love with a girl. Richard Evans and Richard Eastham guest star.
26227"The Deed and the Dilemma"William F. ClaxtonWilliam F. LeicesterMarch 26, 1967 (1967-03-26)
Ben tries to help the family of immigrant winemaker Giorgio Rossi (first introduced in episode 29 of season 7), but a racist neighbor complicates things. Jack Kruschen (as giorgio) and Brioni Farrell guest star.
26328"The Prince"William F. ClaxtonStory by : Melvin Levy
Teleplay by : John Hawkins		April 2, 1967 (1967-04-02)
The Cartwrights welcome Count Alexis (Warren Stevens) and Countess Elena (Claire Griswold), who are being targeted by thieves.
26429"A Man Without Land"Donald R. DavesSteve McNeilApril 9, 1967 (1967-04-09)
To get Matt Jeffers (Royal Dano)'s land, a foreman murders his son and frames Little Joe.
26530"Napoleon's Children" Christian Nyby Judith and Robert Guy BarrowsApril 16, 1967 (1967-04-16)
Ted Arseneaux (Robert Biheller) believes that he is Napoleon and leads an army of young men in terrorizing Virginia City.
26631"The Wormwood Cup"William F. ClaxtonStory by : Joy Dexter
Teleplay by : Joy Dexter and Michael Landon		April 23, 1967 (1967-04-23)
A woman blames Joe for killing her brother and offers a thousand dollars to the man who will kill him in a fair fight. Little Joe tries to convince her that she's wrong, but it might be too late. Frank Overton, Judi Meredith and Clay Tanner guest star.
26732"Clarissa"Lewis AllenChester KrumholzApril 30, 1967 (1967-04-30)
The Cartwrights' Eastern cousin Clarissa Cartwright (Nina Foch) brings trouble when she visits to the Ponderosa.
26833"Maestro Hoss"William F. ClaxtonU.S. AndersonMay 7, 1967 (1967-05-07)
Phony fortune-teller Madame Marova (Zsa Zsa Gabor) causes earaches when she convinces Hoss he's a master violinist.
26934"The Greedy Ones"Donald R. DavesJames AmesburyMay 14, 1967 (1967-05-14)
Greedy gold hunters threaten to destroy the Ponderosa after a prospector claims to have found a sample there. Robert Middleton, George Chandler and William Bakewell guest star.

Release

Season eight aired on Sundays from 9:00 pm–10:00 pm on NBC. [10]

Reception

The show held the #1 position in the Nielsen ratings for three straight seasons, with season eight being the final season to do so. [3]

Awards and nominations

AwardYear [a] CategoryNominee(s) / WorkResultRef(s)
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards 1967 Individual Achievements in Cinematography—CinematographyHaskell Boggs and William F. WhitleyNominated [11]
  1. ↑ Indicates the year of ceremony.

Related Research Articles

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Bonanza is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 12, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 432 episodes, Bonanza is NBC's longest-running Western, the second-longest-running Western series on U.S. network television, and one of the longest-running, live-action American series. The show continues to air in syndication. The show is set in the 1860s and centers on the wealthy Cartwright family, who live in the vicinity of Virginia City, Nevada, bordering Lake Tahoe. The series initially starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon and later featured Guy Williams, David Canary, Mitch Vogel and Tim Matheson. The show is known for presenting pressing moral dilemmas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorne Greene</span> Canadian actor (1915–1987)

Lorne Hyman Greene was a Canadian actor, musician, singer and radio personality. His notable television roles include Ben Cartwright on the Western Bonanza and Commander Adama in the original science-fiction television series Battlestar Galactica and Galactica 1980. He also worked on the Canadian television nature documentary series Lorne Greene's New Wilderness and in television commercials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Landon</span> American actor and filmmaker (1936–1991)

Michael Landon was an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for his roles as Little Joe Cartwright in Bonanza (1959–1973), Charles Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie (1974–1983), and Jonathan Smith in Highway to Heaven (1984–1989). Landon appeared on the cover of TV Guide 22 times, second only to Lucille Ball.

The Ponderosa Ranch was a theme park based on the television western Bonanza, which housed the land, timber and livestock-rich Cartwright family. The amusement park operated in Incline Village, Nevada, near Lake Tahoe, from 1968 until 2004. Portions of the last five seasons of the TV series and three television films were also filmed at that location.

The Ponderosa is a television series developed by Bonanza creator David Dortort for PAX TV that ran for the 2001–2002 television season.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 12, 1959, with the final episode airing April 30, 1960. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort, and season one starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 32 episodes of the series's total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. It aired on Saturdays from 7:30 pm–8:30 pm on NBC and placed at number 45 in the Nielsen ratings.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 10, 1960, with the final episode airing June 3, 1961. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort, and season two starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 34 episodes of the series's total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. It aired on Saturdays from 7:30 pm–8:30 pm on NBC and placed at number 17 in the Nielsen ratings.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 24, 1961, with the final episode airing May 20, 1962. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort, and season three starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 34 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. At the start of the third season, the show was moved to Sundays at 9:00 p.m. In that time slot, the ratings soared and the series become second only to Wagon Train as the most popular program on American prime time television.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 23, 1962, with the final episode airing May 26, 1963. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort, and season four starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 34 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season four was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It ranked #4 in the Nielsen ratings, the highest rated Western for the 1962–1963 season.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 22, 1963, with the final episode airing May 24, 1964. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort, and season five starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 34 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season five was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It ranked #2 in the Nielsen ratings, the highest rated Western for the 1963-1964 season.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 6 Season of television series

The sixth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 20, 1964, with the final episode airing May 23, 1965. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort, and season six starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 34 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season six was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It moved up to capture the #1 spot in the Nielsen ratings for the 1964-1965 season, a position it would hold for three straight seasons.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 7 Season of television series

The seventh season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 12, 1965, with the final episode airing May 15, 1966. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season seven starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. It was the first season without Pernell Roberts. The season consisted of 33 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season seven was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It ranked #1 in the Nielsen ratings for the 1965-1966 season, the second of three straight seasons in the top spot.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 9 Season of television series

The ninth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 17, 1967, with the final episode airing July 28, 1968. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season nine starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 34 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in colour. Season nine was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. After three straight seasons at number one, it slipped to #6 in the Nielsen ratings.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 10 Season of television series

The tenth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 15, 1968, with the final episode airing May 11, 1969. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season ten starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 30 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season ten was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It was #2 in the Nielsen ratings, the highest rated Western for the season.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 11 Season of television series

The eleventh season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 14, 1969, with the final episode airing April 19, 1970. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season eleven starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 28 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season eleven was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It was #3 in the Nielsen ratings, behind #2 Gunsmoke.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 12 Season of television series

The twelfth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 13, 1970, with the final episode airing April 11, 1971. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season twelve starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 28 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season twelve was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It finished the season at #9 in the Nielsen ratings, behind #5 Gunsmoke.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 13 Season of television series

The thirteenth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 19, 1971, with the final episode airing April 2, 1972. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season thirteen starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 26 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season thirteen was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It fell to #20 in the Nielsen ratings.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 14 Season of television series

The fourteenth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 12, 1972, with the final episode airing January 16, 1973. This was the final season for the series. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season fourteen starred Lorne Greene and Michael Landon, the first season following the death of Dan Blocker. The season consisted of 16 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season fourteen moved to a new timeslot of Tuesdays from 8:00 pm–9:00 pm on NBC. The final season fell out of the top 30 in the Nielsen ratings.

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Shapiro 1997, pp. 107, 111.
  2. ↑ Shapiro 1997, pp. 5, 65–157.
  3. 1 2
    • "TV Ratings: 1964–1965". ClassicTVGuide.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
    • "TV Ratings: 1965–1966". ClassicTVGuide.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
    • "TV Ratings: 1966–1967". ClassicTVGuide.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  4. ↑ Leiby & Leiby 2015, p. 113.
  5. ↑ Leiby & Leiby 2015, p. 114.
  6. 1 2 Leiby & Leiby 2015, p. 115.
  7. ↑ Leiby & Leiby 2015, p. 122.
  8. ↑ Leiby & Leiby 2015, p. 125.
  9. ↑ Leiby & Leiby 2015, p. 117.
  10. ↑ Brooks & Marsh 2007, p. 164.
  11. ↑ "Television Academy Emmy Awards & Nominations—Bonanza". emmys.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.

Bibliography

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