The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / The Time TV Guide Pulled An April Fool Joke

**Posted by RadioActive** April 1, 2025 7:04 am

I knew I had this somewhere but only found it again recently after all these years. And it’s one of my favourite things TV Guide ever did. In the April 1, 1969 edition, they published a two-page satire of their own listings, featuring existing and ridiculous shows, along with descriptions and stars.

It’s more than a bit dated – some of the programs talked about aren’t all that well remembered. But there are a few gems here, including a reference to Wayne & Shuster on the Ed Sullivan Show, a name change for Eva Gabor on Green Acres and my personal favourite, a reference to an obscure ABC cop show called NYPD. In the credits section, the character of “Larry Nypd” is played by Herbert Blmf!

Happy April Fool’s Day!

**Posted by mace** April 1, 2025 8:37 am

Back in 1983, someone published a complete parody of TV Guide with fake listings and ads. It was called "not quite TV GUIDE"

**Posted by RadioActive** April 1, 2025 9:03 am

mace wrote:
Back in 1983, someone published a complete parody of TV Guide with fake listings and ads. It was called "not quite TV GUIDE"

And I suppose it won't surprise you that I have a copy of it. It's wildly uneven, but still fun.

Here's the cover and two sample pages.

**Posted by mace** April 1, 2025 9:56 am

RadioActive wrote:
mace wrote:
Back in 1983, someone published a complete parody of TV Guide with fake listings and ads. It was called "not quite TV GUIDE"
And I suppose it won't surprise you that I have a copy of it. It's wildly uneven, but still fun.

Here's the cover and two sample pages.

I am not at all surprised you have this. Your collection of the official TV Guide is quite impressive. Just out of curiosity, what is your oldest Fall Preview Issue?

**Posted by RadioActive** April 1, 2025 11:32 am

I believe it's 1955.

**Posted by Evuguy** April 1, 2025 9:24 pm

Re 1969: Would of loved to of seen that Lawrence Welk tribute to Frank Zappa. TV was much better back then!

**Posted by mace** April 2, 2025 8:04 am

RadioActive wrote:
I believe it's 1955.

I would love to see their review of Gunsmoke, Alfred Hitchcock, Wyatt Earp and The Honeymooners all of which made their debut in the fall of 1955.

**Posted by mace** April 2, 2025 8:17 am

That TV Guide parody listed some interesting programs including the National High Speed Surgery Championship [Live From The Houston Medical Centre], The Little Sperm Who Could [An Animated Special About New Cures for Male Infertility] You could also get your children professionally cleaned by "Seers" $22 each or three for $32.

**Posted by RadioActive** April 2, 2025 8:37 am

mace wrote:
RadioActive wrote:
I believe it's 1955.
I would love to see their review of Gunsmoke, Alfred Hitchcock, Wyatt Earp and The Honeymooners all of which made their debut in the fall of 1955.

The Fall Preview in those early days wasn't anything like the great ones you remember. It was more like a breezy list of what was coming, without any real reviews or details. The whole thing was just a few pages. It wasn't until later in its history that the format I loved came into being.

**Posted by mace** April 2, 2025 9:39 am

RadioActive wrote:
mace wrote:
RadioActive wrote:
I believe it's 1955.
I would love to see their review of Gunsmoke, Alfred Hitchcock, Wyatt Earp and The Honeymooners all of which made their debut in the fall of 1955.
The Fall Preview in those early days wasn't anything like the great ones you remember. It was more like a breezy list of what was coming, without any real reviews or details. The whole thing was just a few pages. It wasn't until later in its history that the format I loved came into being.

That is a bit disappointing. I would have loved to have seen the reviews of those legendary series. However, the magazine was barely two years old and it would take time to tweek and adjust things. Any idea when the black and white channel "bullets" were introduced?

**Posted by RadioActive** April 2, 2025 11:07 am

Not sure but I think it was in the late 50s.

**Posted by BowmanvilleBob** April 14, 2025 9:06 am

Sorry to drag this thread back to the top, but I couldn't resist after seeing this National Lampoon TV Guide parody of Saturday morning cartoon listings: