This is the Life (TV series)
Encyclopedia
This Is the Life is an American
Christian television dramatic series. This anthology series aired in syndication
from the 1950s through 1980s. The series was originally produced by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
, and distributed by the International Lutheran Laymen's League.
, morality
, bigotry
and racism
, infidelity
, juvenile delinquency
, war (including the Vietnam War
) and drug abuse
. Some stories were light comedy, although most were serious.
in September 1952
, and aired on both DuMont and ABC
until the fall of 1953. The show entered syndication shortly after its network run ended.
The shows stories revolved around the Fishers, a typical family from Middleburg in an unnamed Midwestern state. The family included a pharmacist father and a mother (referred to only as Mr. and Mrs. Fisher); their children Emily (18), Pete (16) and Freddie (10); and Grandpa Fisher (presumably Mr. Fisher's widower father) who lived with them. A recurring character was Pastor Martin, who presided over the Lutheran Church where the Fishers were members. Each episode presented a difficult life issue for one or more of the Fishers (or sometimes, the people they encountered); the issue's resolution was found through their Christian faith. Pastor Martin would facilitate this resolving process when the family (or other central character for that particular episode) was unable to do so among themselves. Christian faith as the basis of a strong, functional family was the theme tying the episodes together.
This Is the Life premiered on the DuMont Television Network
in September 1952
, and aired on both DuMont and ABC
until the fall of 1953. The show entered syndication shortly after its network run ended, and came to an end in the spring of 1956 and evolved into the spinoff series titled This Is The Life.
The characters were not necessarily Lutheran, devout Christians or even Christians at all. They would ultimately be able to face their difficulties, however, by either turning or returning to Christianity, here in the form of Pastor Martin. Generally, the episode was introduced by Pastor Martin, telling the story of a past event to illustrate a point of doctrine. Generally, he thereafter did not appear in the episode until the crisis came to a head, usually as a consultant turned to by each episode's original characters when they had exhausted their own and other "secular" resources.
When Nelson Leigh
, who had played that role from The Fisher Family days retired, other Lutheran ministers replaced him and the minister's role as "host" of the program was dropped.
The show continued into the late 1980s, though generally broadcast in its last years mostly on local or cable Christian networks, and videotaped rather than filmed. The move away from a single, central character, even if only briefly seen, may have contributed to the series' loss of audience.
The series appears to be "lost" now, or at least suppressed by the current rights' holder(s): Beyond runs on some public access
stations which continue to run tapes of the series received in the past, no known re-syndications of any of its seasons or episodes in the past two decades is known, and it has never been available on home video.
, which was produced by the Roman Catholic-affiliated Paulist Productions
, premiering in syndication in 1960 and running for nearly 25 years.
Among less-successful anthologies were:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Christian television dramatic series. This anthology series aired in syndication
Television syndication
In broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows by multiple radio stations and television stations, without going through a broadcast network, though the process of syndication may conjure up structures like those of a network itself, by its very...
from the 1950s through 1980s. The series was originally produced by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod is a traditional, confessional Lutheran denomination in the United States. With 2.3 million members, it is both the eighth largest Protestant denomination and the second-largest Lutheran body in the U.S. after the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Synod...
, and distributed by the International Lutheran Laymen's League.
Format
This Is the Life used two formats for its nearly 40-year run. However, the main core of the series remained the same: presenting everyday and contemporary problems, and resolving them using a Christian solution. Even during the 1950s, topics often were controversial: censorshipCensorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
, morality
Morality
Morality is the differentiation among intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are good and bad . A moral code is a system of morality and a moral is any one practice or teaching within a moral code...
, bigotry
Bigotry
A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs...
and racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
, infidelity
Infidelity
In many intimate relationships in many cultures there is usually an express or implied expectation of exclusivity, especially in sexual matters. Infidelity most commonly refers to a breach of the expectation of sexual exclusivity.Infidelity can occur in relation to physical intimacy and/or...
, juvenile delinquency
Juvenile delinquency
Juvenile delinquency is participation in illegal behavior by minors who fall under a statutory age limit. Most legal systems prescribe specific procedures for dealing with juveniles, such as juvenile detention centers. There are a multitude of different theories on the causes of crime, most if not...
, war (including the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
) and drug abuse
Drug abuse
Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, refers to a maladaptive pattern of use of a substance that is not considered dependent. The term "drug abuse" does not exclude dependency, but is otherwise used in a similar manner in nonmedical contexts...
. Some stories were light comedy, although most were serious.
1952-1956: "The Fisher Family"
The series began under the title The Fisher Family, and premiered on the DuMont Television NetworkDuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
in September 1952
1952 in television
The year 1952 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1952.-Events:*January 14 – NBC's Today show debuts, with host Dave Garroway, newsreader Jim Fleming and announcer Jack Lescoulie....
, and aired on both DuMont and ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
until the fall of 1953. The show entered syndication shortly after its network run ended.
The shows stories revolved around the Fishers, a typical family from Middleburg in an unnamed Midwestern state. The family included a pharmacist father and a mother (referred to only as Mr. and Mrs. Fisher); their children Emily (18), Pete (16) and Freddie (10); and Grandpa Fisher (presumably Mr. Fisher's widower father) who lived with them. A recurring character was Pastor Martin, who presided over the Lutheran Church where the Fishers were members. Each episode presented a difficult life issue for one or more of the Fishers (or sometimes, the people they encountered); the issue's resolution was found through their Christian faith. Pastor Martin would facilitate this resolving process when the family (or other central character for that particular episode) was unable to do so among themselves. Christian faith as the basis of a strong, functional family was the theme tying the episodes together.
This Is the Life premiered on the DuMont Television Network
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
in September 1952
1952 in television
The year 1952 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1952.-Events:*January 14 – NBC's Today show debuts, with host Dave Garroway, newsreader Jim Fleming and announcer Jack Lescoulie....
, and aired on both DuMont and ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
until the fall of 1953. The show entered syndication shortly after its network run ended, and came to an end in the spring of 1956 and evolved into the spinoff series titled This Is The Life.
1956-late 1980s: This Is The Life
Replacing The Fisher Family in the fall of 1956, This Is The Life spun off from the former by means of Pastor Martin, who now became the only regular character throughout the show's run. The Fishers no longer appeared, but rather a variety of parishioners and other residents of or visitors to Middleburg. The series thus became, in terms of principal characters, an anthology; Christian practise and faith as the means of resolving each episodes principal(s) remained the underlying theme of the series, but by expanding the focus to different characters, a range of problems apart from just those facing a single, nuclear Christian family could be explored, e.g.:- A businessman must help his drug-addicted sister but only after he faces his own drug habit.
- A young girl runs away after learning her family is moving to another town (because her father accepted a job transfer).
- A college student struggles with grief after losing his girlfriend in a car accident.
The characters were not necessarily Lutheran, devout Christians or even Christians at all. They would ultimately be able to face their difficulties, however, by either turning or returning to Christianity, here in the form of Pastor Martin. Generally, the episode was introduced by Pastor Martin, telling the story of a past event to illustrate a point of doctrine. Generally, he thereafter did not appear in the episode until the crisis came to a head, usually as a consultant turned to by each episode's original characters when they had exhausted their own and other "secular" resources.
When Nelson Leigh
Nelson Leigh
Nelson Leigh was a prolific motion picture actor of the 1940s and 1950s.-Career:...
, who had played that role from The Fisher Family days retired, other Lutheran ministers replaced him and the minister's role as "host" of the program was dropped.
The show continued into the late 1980s, though generally broadcast in its last years mostly on local or cable Christian networks, and videotaped rather than filmed. The move away from a single, central character, even if only briefly seen, may have contributed to the series' loss of audience.
The series appears to be "lost" now, or at least suppressed by the current rights' holder(s): Beyond runs on some public access
Public Access
Public Access is a 1993 American drama film directed by Bryan Singer in his feature film debut. Singer also wrote the screenplay with Christopher McQuarrie and Michael Feit Dougan. The film was shot in 18 days for US$250,000. It was screened at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival, where it was...
stations which continue to run tapes of the series received in the past, no known re-syndications of any of its seasons or episodes in the past two decades is known, and it has never been available on home video.
Legacy
The success of This Is the Life resulted in several other Christian denominations producing their own religious anthology series. The most successful of these entries was InsightInsight (TV series)
Insight was an Emmy-winning syndicated television series produced by Paulist Productions that aired 250 episodes from 1960 to 1983. The series presented half-hour dramas illuminating the contemporary search for meaning, freedom, and love...
, which was produced by the Roman Catholic-affiliated Paulist Productions
Paulist Productions
Paulist Productions and its sister company Paulist Pictures are production companies for religious television and film projects, respectively. Paulist Productions was founded in 1960 by the Paulist priest Father Ellwood "Bud" Kieser to produce the religious television program Insight...
, premiering in syndication in 1960 and running for nearly 25 years.
Among less-successful anthologies were:
- This Is the Answer (1958-1961), underwritten by the Southern Baptist ConventionSouthern Baptist ConventionThe Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
. - The Pastor (1955), the MethodistMethodismMethodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
's entry into the market.