What Really Happened to the Class of '65?

What Really Happened To The Class Of '65 was broadcast here in Holland in the summer of 1978 I believe. Such a shame there was never a re-run, I still remember the episodes fondly. I vividly remember the episode about the Vietnam veteran who went on a swimming challenge, was that character played by a young Don Johnson? Is there anyone who has this stuff on videotapes? If so, please upload them somewhere so we can see them again! About the theme song: there is a download to be found on venicecentral.com where the band Venice sings this song, but I'm not sure if it's the original recording from the series. But hearing this song sure brought back memories.

This was an engaging anthology program which came on NBC on Thursdays the summer of 1977. Each week we followed the lives of different members of the high school Class of '65. I still remember some of the episodes: A girl becomes a semi-successful folk singer; two buddies try to open a restaurant in the desert where a highway will go through; and Richard Hatch (from "Battlestar Galactica") played a ne'er-do-well. I would love to find this on DVD, or at least on TVLand. It's lifespan was short but it gave me many fond memories along with other great 70's television like "Rockford Files."

There were some episodes of this series that featured the lovely actress Meredith Baxter Birney in one, John Rubinstein in another with Jessica Walter. However, the titles of these episodes escapes me. Anyway, it was a great series even though short-lived. I do believe that if this series had moved to another night, it might have survived a little bit longer. It seems like over the last several decades, NBC has let high quality programs just vanish, never to be seen or heard of again. Too bad the same NBC President responsible for salvaging "Hill Street Blues", "Cheers" and "St. Elsewhere" wasn't around to save this series. Perhaps a VHS or DVD would be nice, but since it was so short with very limited episodes, that's probably highly unlikely.

I fondly remember sitting enraptured in front of the TV while holding my first baby. I thoroughly enjoyed the concept of peeking into classmates lives ten years after graduation. I'd like to do that too! It was also a show that I didn't have to worry about covering my son's eyes or ears while watching. I really love that I can see some of today's (& yesterday's) mega stars and remember the first time I saw them on the "Class of 65". Annette O'Toole became one of my all time favorite actresses after seeing her on this show. The young Don Johnson as an injured returning Nam Vetran was heart touching and he was so hot back then too. I'll have to do some digging, but I seem to recall a young John Ritter and maybe John Denver making appearances too. Yes, I would also love a summer of "65" reruns, as apposed to the 100+ channels of reruns of crime dramas.

I remember this show so well. It was on Thursday nights after James at 15-16 which was another one I never missed. I can remember a few lines of the theme song...........we're all the class of 65, we're really glad to be alive. Every week the host who graduated from the school in 1965 and was now a teacher would have the yearbook in his hands. He would start off by showing their picture in the book and then go briefly into what they were doing now. Then the story would start. I always wondered why TV land or one of the other stations does not do a series of great but forgotten shows. The vaults are full of them. I loved anthology shows but sadly they seem to be a relic of the past.