Episode 230 - THE UNWRITTEN COMMANDMENT

[Episode Guide]

Date: April 10, 1966

Summary: Ben tries to reconcile a rancher and his son, a boy who is a gifted singer.

Written by: Joe Pagano, William Blinn and Dan Ullman
Directed by:Gerd Oswald
Guest Stars: Andy Walker...Wayne Newton Miss Lily...Ann Jefferys Willard Walker...Malcolm Atterbury Mike...Jerry Newton Reverend Porter...Robert Cleaves Bartender...Cosmo Sardo Bill Clark...(uncredited stunt double)

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Slideshow courtesy of Shaggy1581

[Dagburnit]

Personally I didn't like this episode at all. And it wasn't just because of Wayne Newton who I don't like either. The theme of the story was a bit dumb. At least we know that Adam is still thought about even while he's in Europe.



Slideshow courtesy of Shaggy1581

[Janet the Wicked]

Tuned into MeTV this afternoon and was taken by surprise when I saw Wayne Newton appear. He made about a zillion appearances on television back in the day. A very popular showman. And in that time period, it seemed like anybody who recorded smash hits was suddenly cast in a western show or movie. For some it worked out, others it didn't. Roy Orbison comes to mind. He was an excellent singer, but no actor. In Wayne's case, and this is just my own opinion, I thought he had acting talent.
You know it's a shame they don't make people like him anymore, there are no variety shows of the type we grew up with. And believe or not, and I have no idea why, but the celebrity roasts - Dean Martin and Don Rickles - all those guys - are becoming popular once more. Seems like everybody at work has been tuning into YouTube to watch these old shows. And forget about Bonanza. One mention of the show and everybody knows what I'm talking about. I have several photos of Adam in my office. My supervisor calls it my Adam shrine. But it's amazing the number of people that come into my office and recognize Adam and talk about Bonanza.
Anyway, it was quite a treat to see Wayne Newton on Bonanza.
Honorable mention of Adam in France.

[daisy60]

I like both episodes with Wayne Newton. He later appears again in A Christmas Story, singing a duet with Ben. My favorite part is when Hoss tries to sing Danny Boy and Ben and Joe sneak back down the stairs behind him. Poor Hoss! Wayne sang several songs, which I didn't appreciate when this was first shown in 1966 [ I was a Beatles fan] but now I love hearing him sing.

[flabirder]

This is one of the few post season 6 episodes I watch. I love listening to Wayne Newton sing. I felt sorry for Andy about the way his father was treating him. I've heard of people, who when their spouse dies, get rid of everything that remind them of their spouse. Andy's father is one of those people. He's become very bitter. Work is the only thing that's important to him, his wife got in his way with her singing and head in the clouds, singing and laughter are sins and church is a waste of time. I love how the Cartwrights & Lilly tried to help Andy & finally succeeded. I thought Hoss trying to play Adam's guitar & sing was funny. I wonder if Adam would have laughed at him like Ben & Joe did. One thing that struck me about this episode is, when Andy was playing Adam's guitar & singing Danny Boy, Ben had this look on his face, almost as though he was picturing Adam standing there with the guitar instead of Andy.