Hee Haw

PREMIERED June 15, 1969

THE SCOOP Back in the days when there were rabbit ears in practically every living room — and thus no niche cable channels delivering programming tailored to specific audiences — country fans had limited options when it came to getting a prime-time music fix. CBS threw 'em a bone by debuting Hee Haw in the summer of 1969, and the show's mix of hokey comedy skits (often performed, appropriately, in a cornfield!), gingham-clad babes, and a who's-who-in-Nashville lineup of musical acts proved a ratings winner. Though it lasted only two years on CBS, Hee Haw, hosted by musicians Buck Owens (left) and Roy Clark, went on to thrive with new episodes in syndication for two more decades. —Michael Slezak