Fans all over the world still love the classic TV show "My Three Sons." Two of the show's castmembers, Stanley and Barry livingston, are participating in a huge autograph show this weekend.
I never heard any hollywood horror stories about either of these gentlemen going from teens to adults. They must have had good parents who guided them along the way.
Ernie first appeared on the show in season 4, episode 7 or 8, as Chip's friend. Basically Ernie replaced Chip's previous friend, Sudzy, who was extremely annoying. At that time, Ernie's last name was Thompson. He appeared in many episodes in season 4 & 5. When Mike & Sally got married the first episode of season 6 and left the show, Ernie's foster parents were moving to Asia and could not take Ernie with them. So, Ernie ended up being adopted by the Douglas family by the end of the third episode of season 6 and became Ernie Douglas. The first three episodes of season 6 featured some great guest stars including Vera Miles, Virginia Gregg and John Galludet, all with roles that made it possible for Ernie to become a Douglas. Seasons 6 & 7 were somewhat centered around Ernie's adjustment to his new family, and had some of the best storylines of all the 12 seasons. The family moved to Los Angeles for seasons 8-12.
My dad was born less then a week after Barry Livingston who portrayed Ernie Thompson the friend of Chip douglas then later becoming his adopted brother Ernie Douglas my mom was born 3.25 years later in 1957. While I was born in 1984. And I was introduced to the show by my parents. I'm glad they did. I love the show. I prefer the show before William Frawley left. I loved him in i love lucy and in my three sons. Though I seen him in a couple of Abbott and costello movies before i first seen my three sons. I dont think any of the cast thought that new generations of fans would like the show.
It always confused me, the original my three sons were Mike, Robbie and Chip. How did Ernie become a son? I'm remembering he lived perhaps across the street from the Douglas family. When Mike left did they adopt Ernie?
Yes. Mike and Sally got married in the first CBS episode (and also the first in color), and Steve subsequently adopted Ernie in what was a 3-part story to open that season. Ernie's foster parents were moving to the Orient which would have put him back in the foster care system.
Aaron Sica, I barely remember Mike and Sally getting married. I don't at all remember Steve adopting Ernie in that 3-part story to open that season. I didn't even know that about Ernie. I now know I missed quite a few back then. Thank you so much for clearing that up in my mind.
Ernie in the framework of the show was adopted - which I always found ironic given that Barry and Stanley are real-life brothers. As a kid, I'd watch knowing all this - and also found it ironic that they didn't look like brothers. I grew up in L.A. - so it was just another lesson in "Holly-Weird"...
Yes, Ernie was Chip younger friend, and Barry's real life brother. On the show, Ernie's parents died in car accident, and he was adopted. Stanley was brought in when Tim Constantine's Mike left.
Chip & Ernie are now as old or older than Freddie Mac, William Frawley and that other guy were when they were on MTS. I've enjoyed the episodes run on ME-TV. Right now they're almost ready to hit Season 6. However, my favorites are the first 3 seasons, and then up to Season 5. Once Mike left, and Bub was run off, the series wasn't the same. But, it had staying power and lasted for another 6 seasons after that. Be nice if they would put the series on DVD so fans can remember it and have a chance to watch the episodes they wish.
I recently discovered the black and white years of the show. I just love William Frawley! He's wonderful as Bub, and, as much as I like Uncle Charley, after finding and watching Bub, I love him more. It was so sad for me to watch his departure from the show. I also wish they'd release all years of this show. What I also find interesting is that the family, in the beginning years, is fairly real--sloppy, loud, jumping over stair rails--totally different from the Douglas family I knew--perfect, clean, respectful, orderly. It seems as the 60's moved along and the 70's began, the show got more phony perfect, sort of an antidote to what was going on in society. Still fun to watch.
@@leex772 They were typical boys and there was a lot of fighting, yelling in the house . Hysterically funny! I especially loved the character of Chip. So funny and adorable. He played Chip so well. Still cute to this day. The Black and White epis with Bub were TOPS IMO.
@@m.e.d.7997 Agreed! I didn't know Stanley Livingston was such a cute, real kid. The Chip I knew always seemed a bit wooden to me. The Black and White early years have just cycled back again and I am so happy!
@@leex772 I read somewhere on here someone thought Chip seemed to lose his personality in the later episodes. Hated to see that. As a young boy on the series he really was the one I always noticed. His scenes were the best and IMO he added immensely to the show in the early years with Bub. I also liked Bub better once I saw him in the show. Chip had a wonderful way about him in the early years. You felt it. IMO something came through the screen with him in a way I have not seen with any other child actor.
I was sad that the show ended right after Chip eloped with his girlfriend, Polly. I was curious to see how that storyline would go. They were both just kids and it seemed like they eloped mainly because her father was so strict.
I think it’s stupid the show was called My Three Sons focusing on a widower raising 3 sons with a live in housekeeper which is also male. Then adopts Ernie and the show title doesn’t change. I loved the addition of Ernie and mostly seeing the 2 brothers play brothers together. Then Steve gets remarried to a woman with a young daughter. I miss the all male household, Katie was fine because Robbie was growing older and relationships were expected. But them adding a daughter was stupid, I’m surprised the show lasted for 3 full seasons after that, the Brady bunch only lasted 6 more episodes. Was their reasoning for adding another kid because the boys were getting older and the views were dropping? That’s typical for child stars, they get older and their popularity declines, but adding more children doesn’t usually save a tv show. I love Dawn Lyn but not the character Dodie. Season 10 will start soon on MeTV and I’m not looking forward to it, ready to go back to season 1 with William Frawley.
Ernie joined the cast in season 4 and the show ran for 12 seasons. So clearly the show didn't jump the shark when he arrived. As a side note the Happy Days episode where Fonzie jumped a shark while water skiing was in season 5 and the show ran for 11 seasons.
@@sw2938 LOL I'm sure most shows in that era would have loved to have had that problem, staying out of the top ten but lasting 12 seasons, with 7 of those seasons in the top twenty (8 out of 11 seasons for Happy Days). And all but the final season for each show was in the top 30. And that's out of all network programs not just sitcoms. In fact My Three Sons seasons 9, 10 and 11 were each in the top twenty, easily beating out seasons 3 and 4. Compared to other popular 1960's sitcoms like Get Smart, which ran five seasons with only one season in the top 20. In fact three seasons weren't even in the top 30. I Dream of Jeannie, five seasons with none of them in the top twenty, and three seasons not in the top 30. Green Acres six seasons, first four seasons in the top twenty, final two seasons not in the top 30. Hogan's Heroes, six seasons, first season top ten, second season top 20, remaining seasons not in the top 30. Munsters and Addams Family two seasons, Gilligan's Island three seasons. Of course there were a few top ten sitcoms like Andy Griffith, Beverly Hillbillies, Gomer Pyle, and Dick van Dyke. But overall My Three Sons had a remarkable run. Here are its Nielsen rankings per season: Season 1 - 13 Season 2 - 11 Season 3 - 28 Season 4 - 27 Season 5 - 13 Season 6 - 15 Season 7 - 29 Season 8 - 24 Season 9 - 14 Season 10 - 15 Season 11 - 19 Season 12 < 30
![1970 2-7 My Three Sons S10E16 You Can't Go Home [with Fred MacMurray, William Demarest, Don Grady]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/toYeHcXcCyE/mqdefault.jpg)
I never heard any hollywood horror stories about either of these gentlemen going from teens to adults. They must have had good parents who guided them along the way.
One of the best shows on TV I watch it all the time I love it
Same is now my favorite before The Brady Bunch.
Ernie first appeared on the show in season 4, episode 7 or 8, as Chip's friend. Basically Ernie replaced Chip's previous friend, Sudzy, who was extremely annoying. At that time, Ernie's last name was Thompson. He appeared in many episodes in season 4 & 5. When Mike & Sally got married the first episode of season 6 and left the show, Ernie's foster parents were moving to Asia and could not take Ernie with them. So, Ernie ended up being adopted by the Douglas family by the end of the third episode of season 6 and became Ernie Douglas. The first three episodes of season 6 featured some great guest stars including Vera Miles, Virginia Gregg and John Galludet, all with roles that made it possible for Ernie to become a Douglas. Seasons 6 & 7 were somewhat centered around Ernie's adjustment to his new family, and had some of the best storylines of all the 12 seasons. The family moved to Los Angeles for seasons 8-12.
My Three Sons came before the Fonz on Happy Days- of course, Robbie and Katie in the early 1970's, then later in the decade, Richie and Lori Beth!!!
"UH-welcome back!"
My dad was born less then a week after Barry Livingston who portrayed Ernie Thompson the friend of Chip douglas then later becoming his adopted brother Ernie Douglas my mom was born 3.25 years later in 1957. While I was born in 1984. And I was introduced to the show by my parents. I'm glad they did. I love the show. I prefer the show before William Frawley left. I loved him in i love lucy and in my three sons. Though I seen him in a couple of Abbott and costello movies before i first seen my three sons. I dont think any of the cast thought that new generations of fans would like the show.
Why is there a 12 year old interviewing them???
It always confused me, the original my three sons were Mike, Robbie and Chip. How did Ernie become a son? I'm remembering he lived perhaps across the street from the Douglas family. When Mike left did they adopt Ernie?
Yes. Mike and Sally got married in the first CBS episode (and also the first in color), and Steve subsequently adopted Ernie in what was a 3-part story to open that season. Ernie's foster parents were moving to the Orient which would have put him back in the foster care system.
Aaron Sica, I barely remember Mike and Sally getting married. I don't at all remember Steve adopting Ernie in that 3-part story to open that season. I didn't even know that about Ernie. I now know I missed quite a few back then. Thank you so much for clearing that up in my mind.
Aaron Sica, since I posted this I went back and looked these episodes up. They were a joy to watch. Thank you. :)
Ernie in the framework of the show was adopted - which I always found ironic given that Barry and Stanley are real-life brothers. As a kid, I'd watch knowing all this - and also found it ironic that they didn't look like brothers. I grew up in L.A. - so it was just another lesson in "Holly-Weird"...
Yes, Ernie was Chip younger friend, and Barry's real life brother. On the show, Ernie's parents died in car accident, and he was adopted. Stanley was brought in when Tim Constantine's Mike left.
Chip & Ernie are now as old or older than Freddie Mac, William Frawley and that other guy were when they were on MTS. I've enjoyed the episodes run on ME-TV. Right now they're almost ready to hit Season 6. However, my favorites are the first 3 seasons, and then up to Season 5. Once Mike left, and Bub was run off, the series wasn't the same. But, it had staying power and lasted for another 6 seasons after that. Be nice if they would put the series on DVD so fans can remember it and have a chance to watch the episodes they wish.
I recently discovered the black and white years of the show. I just love William Frawley! He's wonderful as Bub, and, as much as I like Uncle Charley, after finding and watching Bub, I love him more. It was so sad for me to watch his departure from the show. I also wish they'd release all years of this show. What I also find interesting is that the family, in the beginning years, is fairly real--sloppy, loud, jumping over stair rails--totally different from the Douglas family I knew--perfect, clean, respectful, orderly. It seems as the 60's moved along and the 70's began, the show got more phony perfect, sort of an antidote to what was going on in society. Still fun to watch.
@@leex772 They were typical boys and there was a lot of fighting, yelling in the house . Hysterically funny! I especially loved the character of Chip. So funny and adorable. He played Chip so well. Still cute to this day. The Black and White epis with Bub were TOPS IMO.
@@m.e.d.7997 Agreed! I didn't know Stanley Livingston was such a cute, real kid. The Chip I knew always seemed a bit wooden to me. The Black and White early years have just cycled back again and I am so happy!
@@leex772 I read somewhere on here someone thought Chip seemed to lose his personality in the later episodes. Hated to see that. As a young boy on the series he really was the one I always noticed. His scenes were the best and IMO he added immensely to the show in the early years with Bub. I also liked Bub better once I saw him in the show. Chip had a wonderful way about him in the early years. You felt it. IMO something came through the screen with him in a way I have not seen with any other child actor.
I was sad that the show ended right after Chip eloped with his girlfriend, Polly. I was curious to see how that storyline would go. They were both just kids and it seemed like they eloped mainly because her father was so strict.
There are more episodes, Chip and Polly live in Married Student Housing and stay in school.
Ernie was like Shemp...The show jumped the shark when he arrived. Dodie was cousin Oliver, but only worse...
I thought Ernie was a nice addition to the show, but Dodie was absolutely horrible. She looked and acted like Frankenstein's daughter.
I think it’s stupid the show was called My Three Sons focusing on a widower raising 3 sons with a live in housekeeper which is also male. Then adopts Ernie and the show title doesn’t change. I loved the addition of Ernie and mostly seeing the 2 brothers play brothers together. Then Steve gets remarried to a woman with a young daughter. I miss the all male household, Katie was fine because Robbie was growing older and relationships were expected. But them adding a daughter was stupid, I’m surprised the show lasted for 3 full seasons after that, the Brady bunch only lasted 6 more episodes. Was their reasoning for adding another kid because the boys were getting older and the views were dropping? That’s typical for child stars, they get older and their popularity declines, but adding more children doesn’t usually save a tv show. I love Dawn Lyn but not the character Dodie. Season 10 will start soon on MeTV and I’m not looking forward to it, ready to go back to season 1 with William Frawley.
Ernie joined the cast in season 4 and the show ran for 12 seasons. So clearly the show didn't jump the shark when he arrived.
As a side note the Happy Days episode where Fonzie jumped a shark while water skiing was in season 5 and the show ran for 11 seasons.
@@StevePemberton2 both shows continued a long, slow decline
@@sw2938 LOL I'm sure most shows in that era would have loved to have had that problem, staying out of the top ten but lasting 12 seasons, with 7 of those seasons in the top twenty (8 out of 11 seasons for Happy Days). And all but the final season for each show was in the top 30. And that's out of all network programs not just sitcoms. In fact My Three Sons seasons 9, 10 and 11 were each in the top twenty, easily beating out seasons 3 and 4.
Compared to other popular 1960's sitcoms like Get Smart, which ran five seasons with only one season in the top 20. In fact three seasons weren't even in the top 30.
I Dream of Jeannie, five seasons with none of them in the top twenty, and three seasons not in the top 30.
Green Acres six seasons, first four seasons in the top twenty, final two seasons not in the top 30.
Hogan's Heroes, six seasons, first season top ten, second season top 20, remaining seasons not in the top 30.
Munsters and Addams Family two seasons, Gilligan's Island three seasons.
Of course there were a few top ten sitcoms like Andy Griffith, Beverly Hillbillies, Gomer Pyle, and Dick van Dyke. But overall My Three Sons had a remarkable run. Here are its Nielsen rankings per season:
Season 1 - 13
Season 2 - 11
Season 3 - 28
Season 4 - 27
Season 5 - 13
Season 6 - 15
Season 7 - 29
Season 8 - 24
Season 9 - 14
Season 10 - 15
Season 11 - 19
Season 12 < 30
Barry has lost all of the hair on the top of his head, and Stan has enough for both of them!
I thought she was Tina Cole.
Tina much more refined than this simple little host