It's About Time
Encyclopedia
It's About Time is an American
fantasy/science-fiction comedy TV series that aired on CBS
for one season of 26 episodes in 1966–1967. The series was created by Sherwood Schwartz
, and used sets
, props
and incidental music
from Schwartz's other television series in production at the time, Gilligan's Island
.
) and Hector (Jack Mullaney
), travel faster than the speed of light, resulting in being sent back in time to prehistoric
days. There, they have to adjust to living with a cave family led by Shad (Imogene Coca
) and Gronk (Joe E. Ross
). (In the pilot Coca's name was credited as Shag
; when CBS censors realized that term meant to have sex in the current youth culture, they changed her name to 'Shad'.) Their children were 18-year-old Mlor (Mary Grace) and 12-year-old Breer (Pat Cardi). The chief of the tribe, Boss (Cliff Norton
) and his right-hand man Clon (Mike Mazurki
) were always suspicious of the astronauts.
During the first few weeks on the air, ratings were impressive, but soon plunged. Show creator Sherwood Schwartz
came to the conclusion that three factors were the cause of the decline in audience interest:
. For example, one episode had Gronk and Shad learning to write their names and signing them for many salesmen who brought "presents", which had to be paid for.
Theme Song - Version One:
Opening:
It's about time, it's about space,
About two men in the strangest place.
It's about time, it's about flight -
Traveling faster than the speed of light.
This is the tale of the brave crew
As through the barrier of time they flew.
Past a fighting minuteman, past an armored knight,
Past a Roman warrior, to this ancient site.
It's about caves, cavemen too,
About a time when the earth was new.
Wait'll they see what is in sight!
Is it good luck or is it good night?
It's about two astronauts, it's about their fate,
It's about a woman and her prehistoric mate.
Closing:
It's about time, it's about space,
About two men in the strangest place.
They will be here right on this spot
No matter if they like it or not.
How will they live in this primitive state?
Will help ever come before it is too late?
Will they ever get away? Watch each week and see!
Will they be returning to the 20th Century?
It's about time for our goodbyes
To all these prehistoric gals and guys. IT'S ABOUT TIME!
Theme Song - Version Two:
Opening:
It's about time, it's about space,
About cave-people in the strangest place.
It's about time, it's about flight-
Traveling faster than the speed of light.
About cave-people and the brave crew
As through the barrier of time they flew.
Past a Roman senator, past an armored knight,
Past a fighting minuteman to this modern site.
It's about time for you and me
To meet these people from 1,000,000 BC.
It's about two astronauts and how they educate
A prehistoric woman and her prehistoric mate.
Closing:
It's about time, it's about space,
About cave-people in the strangest place.
They will be here with all of us,
Dodging a taxi, car or bus.
Where will they go? What will they do
In this strange place where everything is new?
Will they manage to survive? Watch each week and see.
Will they get accustomed to the 20th Century?
It's about time for our goodbyes
To all these prehistoric gals and guys. IT'S ABOUT TIME!
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
fantasy/science-fiction comedy TV series that aired on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
for one season of 26 episodes in 1966–1967. The series was created by Sherwood Schwartz
Sherwood Schwartz
Sherwood Charles Schwartz was an American television producer. He worked on radio shows in the 1940s, and created the television series Gilligan's Island on CBS and The Brady Bunch on ABC...
, and used sets
Set construction
Set construction is the process by which a set designer works in collaboration with the director of a production to create the set for a theatrical, film or television production...
, props
Theatrical property
A theatrical property, commonly referred to as a prop, is an object used on stage by actors to further the plot or story line of a theatrical production. Smaller props are referred to as "hand props". Larger props may also be set decoration, such as a chair or table. The difference between a set...
and incidental music
Incidental music
Incidental music is music in a play, television program, radio program, video game, film or some other form not primarily musical. The term is less frequently applied to film music, with such music being referred to instead as the "film score" or "soundtrack"....
from Schwartz's other television series in production at the time, Gilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island is an American television series created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz and originally produced by United Artists Television. The situation comedy series featured Bob Denver; Alan Hale, Jr.; Jim Backus; Natalie Schafer; Tina Louise; Russell Johnson; and Dawn Wells. It aired for...
.
Premise
Two astronauts, Mac (Frank AletterFrank Aletter
Frank Aletter was an American stage, film, and television actor.During the 1950s Aletter appeared on Broadway in Bells Are Ringing, Time Limit, and Wish You Were Here. He soon moved on to a prolific television career, appearing as a guest on numerous shows between 1956 and 1988.Aletter starred in...
) and Hector (Jack Mullaney
Jack Mullaney
Jack Mullaney was an American actor, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mullaney acted in several television series and films throughout his career....
), travel faster than the speed of light, resulting in being sent back in time to prehistoric
Prehistory
Prehistory is the span of time before recorded history. Prehistory can refer to the period of human existence before the availability of those written records with which recorded history begins. More broadly, it refers to all the time preceding human existence and the invention of writing...
days. There, they have to adjust to living with a cave family led by Shad (Imogene Coca
Imogene Coca
Imogene Fernandez de Coca was an American comic actress best known for her role opposite Sid Caesar on Your Show of Shows....
) and Gronk (Joe E. Ross
Joe E. Ross
Joe E. Ross was an American actor known for his trademark "Ooh! Ooh!" exclamation, which he used in many of his roles. He starred in such TV sitcoms as The Phil Silvers Show and Car 54, Where Are You?.-Career:...
). (In the pilot Coca's name was credited as Shag
Shag
Shag may refer to:*Collegiate shag, a swing dance that originated in the 1920s *Carolina shag, a swing dance that originated in South Carolina in the 1940s*St...
; when CBS censors realized that term meant to have sex in the current youth culture, they changed her name to 'Shad'.) Their children were 18-year-old Mlor (Mary Grace) and 12-year-old Breer (Pat Cardi). The chief of the tribe, Boss (Cliff Norton
Cliff Norton
Clifford Charles "Cliff" Norton was an American character actor and radio announcer who had appeared in various movies and television series over a career that spanned over 40 years. He was probably best known as the announcer for Dave Garroway's radio program...
) and his right-hand man Clon (Mike Mazurki
Mike Mazurki
Mike Mazurki was an Austrian-born American actor and professional wrestler who appeared in over 100 movies. His towering 6' 5" presence and intimidating face usually got him roles playing tough guys, thugs, strong men, and gangsters.Mazurki was born as Mikhail Mazurkevych in Tarnopol, Galicia,...
) were always suspicious of the astronauts.
During the first few weeks on the air, ratings were impressive, but soon plunged. Show creator Sherwood Schwartz
Sherwood Schwartz
Sherwood Charles Schwartz was an American television producer. He worked on radio shows in the 1940s, and created the television series Gilligan's Island on CBS and The Brady Bunch on ABC...
came to the conclusion that three factors were the cause of the decline in audience interest:
- Repetition of the astronauts being in danger from dinosaurs, clubs, spears, volcanoes and cavemen.
- An unattractive look to the show (i.e. caves, dirt streets, etc.)
- The cave dwellers speaking a primitive form of English that was difficult to listen to.
Back to the 1960s
For the aforementioned reasons, the series was retooled starting with the January 22, 1967 episode. Essentially reversing the premise which had been followed the first half of the season, the astronauts repair their space capsule and return to 1967, with Shad, Gronk, and their children in tow. The prehistoric family must begin adjusting to life in the 1960s, reacting to the unfamiliar surroundings, and setting up home in 20th-century New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. For example, one episode had Gronk and Shad learning to write their names and signing them for many salesmen who brought "presents", which had to be paid for.
Theme song
The show's theme song explained the premise of the show. When the show was re-tooled mid season, the lyrics and opening animation were also changed to explain the new premise.Theme Song - Version One:
Opening:
It's about time, it's about space,
About two men in the strangest place.
It's about time, it's about flight -
Traveling faster than the speed of light.
This is the tale of the brave crew
As through the barrier of time they flew.
Past a fighting minuteman, past an armored knight,
Past a Roman warrior, to this ancient site.
It's about caves, cavemen too,
About a time when the earth was new.
Wait'll they see what is in sight!
Is it good luck or is it good night?
It's about two astronauts, it's about their fate,
It's about a woman and her prehistoric mate.
Closing:
It's about time, it's about space,
About two men in the strangest place.
They will be here right on this spot
No matter if they like it or not.
How will they live in this primitive state?
Will help ever come before it is too late?
Will they ever get away? Watch each week and see!
Will they be returning to the 20th Century?
It's about time for our goodbyes
To all these prehistoric gals and guys. IT'S ABOUT TIME!
Theme Song - Version Two:
Opening:
It's about time, it's about space,
About cave-people in the strangest place.
It's about time, it's about flight-
Traveling faster than the speed of light.
About cave-people and the brave crew
As through the barrier of time they flew.
Past a Roman senator, past an armored knight,
Past a fighting minuteman to this modern site.
It's about time for you and me
To meet these people from 1,000,000 BC.
It's about two astronauts and how they educate
A prehistoric woman and her prehistoric mate.
Closing:
It's about time, it's about space,
About cave-people in the strangest place.
They will be here with all of us,
Dodging a taxi, car or bus.
Where will they go? What will they do
In this strange place where everything is new?
Will they manage to survive? Watch each week and see.
Will they get accustomed to the 20th Century?
It's about time for our goodbyes
To all these prehistoric gals and guys. IT'S ABOUT TIME!
Cultural references
- The punk rock band X incorporated some of the theme's lyrics into their song "I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts" for the album More Fun in the New WorldMore Fun in the New WorldMore Fun in the New World is the fourth album by the band X. It was reissued with four bonus tracks by Rhino Records in 2002.Something Wild used "The New World."-Side A:# "The New World" – 3:25# "We're Having Much More Fun" – 3:05...
, as a commentary on the direction of eighties music: "Glitter-disco-synthesizer night school/All this noble savage drum, drum, drum/Astronauts going back in time to hang out with the cave people/It's about time/It's about space/It's about some people in the strangest place."
- Electronic musician Venetian SnaresVenetian SnaresVenetian Snares is the main performing alias of Canadian electronic musician Aaron Funk .From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Funk is known for making electronic music often in odd numbered time signatures...
samples the show's theme song extensively in his song Einstein-Rosen BridgeEinstein-Rosen Bridge (EP)Einstein-Rosen Bridge is a 2003 12" release by Venetian Snares. It features "Einstein-Rosen Bridge", a track taken from The Chocolate Wheelchair Album, with two other wild, different versions....
.
Episode list
| Episode | Title | Original Airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "And Then I Wrote 'Happy Birthday to You' | September 11, 1966 |
| 2 | "The Copper Caper" | September 18, 1966 |
| 3 | "The Initiation" | September 25, 1966 |
| 4 | "Tailor Made Hero" | October 2, 1966 |
| 5 | "The Rainmakers" | October 9, 1966 |
| 6 | "Me Caveman—You Woman" | October 16, 1966 |
| 7 | "The Champ" | October 23, 1966 |
| 8 | "Mark Your Ballets" | October 30, 1966 |
| 9 | "Have I Got A Girl for You" | November 6, 1966 |
| 10 | "Cave Movies" | November 13, 1966 |
| 11 | "Androcles and Clon" | November 20, 1966 |
| 12 | "Love Me, Love My Gnook" | November 27, 1966 |
| 13 | "The Broken Idol" | December 4, 1966 |
| 14 | "The Sacrifice" | December 11, 1966 |
| 15 | "King Hec" | December 18, 1966 |
| 16 | "The Mother-in-law" | December 25, 1966 |
| 17 | "Which Doctor's Witch?" | January 1, 1967 |
| 18 | "To Catch a Thief" | January 8, 1967 |
| 19 | "20th Century Here We Come" | January 22, 1967 |
| 20 | "Shad Rack and Other Tortures" | January 29, 1967 |
| 21 | "The Cave Family Swingers" | February 5, 1967 |
| 22 | "To Sign or Not to Sign" | February 19, 1967 |
| 23 | "School Days, School Days" | February 26, 1967 |
| 24 | "Our Brothers' Keepers" | March 5, 1967 |
| 25 | "The Stone Age Diplomats" | March 12, 1967 |
| 26 | "The Stowaway" | April 2, 1967 |
See also
- Encino ManEncino ManEncino Man, released in Europe as California Man, is a 1992 comedy film directed by Les Mayfield and starring Brendan Fraser, Sean Astin and Pauly Shore. The plot revolves around two geeky teenagers from Encino, Los Angeles, California played by Astin and Shore, who discover a caveman in their...
, a 1992 film about an unfrozen caveman - IcemanIceman (film)Iceman is a 1984 science fiction film from Universal Studios. The screenplay was written by John Drimmer and Chip Proser, and was directed by Fred Schepisi. The cast included John Lone, Timothy Hutton, Lindsay Crouse and Danny Glover....
, a 1984 film about an unfrozen caveman - Unfrozen Caveman LawyerUnfrozen Caveman LawyerKeyrock, known as "The Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer," was a recurring character created by Jack Handey and played by Phil Hartman on Saturday Night Live from 1991 through 1996...
, recurring character on Saturday Night Live from 1991 through 1996
External links
- It's About Time at TV TomeTV TomeTV Tome was a U.S. based website devoted to informational guides for English-language television shows and the people involved in their production. It was run mainly by volunteer editors, with the assistance of user contributions...
- 'It's About Time' Opening on YouTube