Bonanza Boomers

First of all, I want to thank all of you for your warm welcomes--I know I will enjoy it here!
Here's a little nostalgic memory of mine which most of you might remember, although I don't hear it discussed much anymore--
Adam was always my favorite of the 4, and in the spring of 1964, my friends and me, 7th graders all, were Shocked and devastated to learn the news that Pernell Roberts was leaving the show the following year. What seems to have been forgotten is the "nature" of the press release in the Sunday newspapers--Adam cartwright would be MURDERED! The announcement didn't specify in which season six episode it would happen, leaving all of us fans hanging on every episode from week to week. Remember, this was still the flowering innocense of tv, and a major character getting killed off in a series was unheard of and unprecedented!
--So the previews for "next week's episode" gained vital importance in season six--which episode would it be? The previews didn't last 20 or 30 seconds, like they do now--they were about two MINUTES long, and NARRATED by a cast member. I knew we would all be heartbroken and depressed when it happened, and thus came the preview for "RIGHT IS THE FOURTH R"--with 4 guns behind rocks pointed at Adam's head, I was sure "this was the one!"--My friends agreed, and we planned to skip school and drown our sorrows in lemonade the following monday--So there it was--the moment came--and then?? and then??? Nothing!
And the press never did have anything further to say on the matter--Adam simply drifted out of focus and out of sight as season six drew to a close--And THAT, friends and neighbors, is my recollection of the most "traumatic" Bonanza moment in my life!!
Love ya all, Big John

Big John, and first of all, allow me to add my word of to Bonanza Boomers!

Yowzers, "traumatic" is an understatement...! (And I thought "Who Shot J.R.?" was a cliffhanger!)

I had only recently seen a snippet of an interview in which PR alluded to the possibility that Adam Cartwright would be killed off to coincide with his departure from the show. I think we're all glad and relieved that this idea - for whatever reason - went by the wayside! It doesn't matter what anyone says: WE know Adam is still right at home on the Ponderosa, riding the range with his Pa and brothers!

FOREVER.

I was only in elementary school and I never saw much of the promos apparently, because I was distraught when season 7 started and Adam was absent from the ride up to the camera. My mother explained that PR had left because he was tired of playing the part of a grown man who had to still defer to his father---I could understand that but I missed him soooooooo much. I remember seeing him on The Virginian and thinking initially that Adam had jumped shows but it was not to be---it was a different character but still handsome PR.
It's interesting how involved emotionally we can get with characters; I am still upset over Goren and Eames leaving L&O-CI and don't even ask about about when Logan (Chris Noth) was booted off L&O--I was a Logan Luster too!
Just a point of interest; I was in my first teaching job when John Lennon was shot. At lunch, one of the teachers (who I believe grew his own stash on his place out in the boonies!) said, had he known Lennon had been shot, he would have stayed home it, was so disturbing to him!

Big John very traumatic...Bonanza was definitely not that much of an event in my life. Glad you are here.

Big John, lots of people were devatasted by PR's departure from Bonanza. I love your line about "drown our sorrows in lemonade." Even today, it's hard for many to understand how someone could just walk away from it all. But thanks to reruns, Adam lives on in our hearts.

I'm glad I missed that announcement, Big John! I don't think I could have watched Season 6 thinking that Adam could be dead at any moment!

Thanks for sharing that with us; your plans for the day after he died were cute!

Pine

I know where you're comin' from, Big John.

If you look in "Bonanza in Print", you can relive this subject in Peg's FLASHBACKS.

https://bonanzaboomers.com/forums/viewt ... =54&t=7115
https://bonanzaboomers.com/forums/viewt ... =54&t=7170

Peg seems to be keeping up "up to date" on the past.

Then you can start guzzling that lemonade!

Hi, Big John! Welcome!

From what you said, maybe it's a good thing I found Bonanza through re-runs. It was bad enough seeing three ride up one time, and running to my Mom and asking what happened! I was so vexed!

Big John, I agree it was very disturbing to us Bonanza fans when Adam was no longer on the show. I remember sitting in english class writing what I considered a very eloquent letter to NBC (on notebook paper ) explaining all the reason every attempt should be made to entice PR back to the show.

I realize now, he did what he thought was best, but at the time I just wanted the Cartwrights together on my favorite show.


Barb

Isn't that fascinating! Your memory is remarkable, Big John! I enjoyed your story---thank you for sharing! And a big Boomers Welcome to you, too!