The Doris Day Show (1968)
The beloved CBS sitcom starring Doris Day — five seasons of charm, reinvention, and one of television's most remarkable behind-the-scenes stories.
The Doris Day Show - Series Information
- Original Title: The Doris Day Show
- First Air Year: 1968
- Last Air Year: 1973
- Created by: James Fritzell
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Western
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (45 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 128
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: CBS
- Production Companies: Arwin Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Doris Day Show - Plot
The Doris Day Show is an American sitcom that was originally broadcast on the CBS network from September 1968 until March 1973, remaining on the air for five seasons and 128 episodes. In addition to showcasing Doris Day, the show is remembered for its many abrupt format changes over the course of its five-year run. It is also remembered for Day's statement, in her autobiography Doris Day: Her Own Story, that her husband Martin Melcher had signed her to do the TV series without her knowledge, a fact she only discovered when Melcher died of heart disease on April 20, 1968. The TV show premiered on Tuesday, September 24, 1968.
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The Doris Day Show - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- James Fritzell
Main Cast
- Doris Day
- Paul Smith
- Todd Starke
- Denver Pyle
- Philip Brown
- Rose Marie
- McLean Stevenson
- John Dehner
- Jackie Joseph
- Naomi Stevens
Writers
- Laurence Marks
- Myles Wilder
- Harry Winkler
- Gordon Mitchell
- Lloyd Turner
The Doris Day Show - FAQs
Did Doris Day know she was doing the show?
Remarkably, no. Doris Day revealed in her autobiography that her husband and manager Martin Melcher had signed her to the series without her knowledge. She only discovered this after Melcher died of heart disease on April 20, 1968 — just months before the show premiered that September.
Why did The Doris Day Show change formats so often?
The show reinvented itself almost every season to keep audiences engaged and adapt to shifting network priorities. Doris Martin went from a widowed ranch mother to a San Francisco magazine worker across five seasons, making the series unusual for its era — and memorable for its bold willingness to start fresh each year.
Where can you stream The Doris Day Show?
You can stream The Doris Day Show on Amazon Prime Video and Peacock Premium. Episodes are also available to buy on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Free viewing options with ads include The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Tubi TV, and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads. Hoopla offers it free as well.
Who were the main cast members of The Doris Day Show?
Doris Day led the ensemble as Doris Martin, joined by Denver Pyle as her father Buck Webb, Rose Marie as coworker Myrna Gibbons, McLean Stevenson as boss Michael Nicholson, and John Dehner as Cy Bennett. The rotating supporting cast reflected each season's fresh setting and storyline direction.
How was The Doris Day Show received by critics and audiences?
The show performed solidly in the ratings throughout its five-season run on CBS, benefiting enormously from Doris Day's immense popularity. Critics were mixed on its frequent format shifts, but audiences embraced its warmth and Day's natural comedic charm, keeping it on air from 1968 to 1973.
Is The Doris Day Show based on a true story?
The fictional storylines are not drawn from real events, but the show's backstory is genuinely dramatic. Doris Day was signed to the series without her consent by her late husband Martin Melcher, making her participation in it a real-life story of resilience — she delivered five seasons of television she never agreed to make.
What is The Doris Day Show about?
The series follows Doris Martin, a widowed mother navigating life across various settings — from a family ranch in rural California to the bustling offices of a San Francisco magazine. Each season brought a fresh premise, but the heart of the show remained Doris Day's irresistible warmth and comedic timing.
What shows are similar to The Doris Day Show?
Fans of The Doris Day Show tend to enjoy other classic sitcoms with strong female leads, such as The Lucy Show, One Day at a Time, Alice, and Green Acres. For a more contemporary feel, Reba and The New Adventures of Old Christine offer a similar blend of warmth, humor, and resilient leading women.
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