The Waltons

"Goodnight, John-Boy."

The Waltons is a television series created and narrated by Earl Hamner, Jr. (a frequent writer for The Twilight Zone). Focusing on a large farm family during the Depression and later World War II, the series originated in the 1971 TV movie The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (adapting Hamner's 1970 novel, but with the character names changed). The series ran from 1972 to 1981, with TV movie sequels continuing through 1997.

The series' trademark, established in the original TV movie, was having the various family members say goodnight to each other in voice-over (e.g. "Goodnight, John-Boy.") while the camera showed the farmhouse lights going out in each window.

References

• In Episode 1197 of Sesame Street, after Big Bird wishes everyone good night, he jokingly follows it with a "Good night, John-Boy!"

• The first script draft for Follow That Bird calls for the Dodos to say goodnights to each other in The Waltons style, complete with window lights.

• Grover says goodnight to his campers (including John-Boy) and to various elements of nature over the end-credits to Sing Along Earth Songs.

Connections

• Edgar Bergen played Grandpa Walton in The Homecoming (1971)
• James Gammon played Zack Rosswell (8 episodes, 1973-1975)
• Philip Baker Hall played Major Gordon in "The Furlough" (1980)
• Stan Lathan directed "The Silver Wings" (1979) and "The Prodigals" (1980).
• Cleavon Little played Hawthorne Dooley in The Homecoming (1971) and James Trevis Clark in "The Fighter" (1975)
• John Ritter played Rev. Matthew Fordwick (1972-1976)
• Matt Robinson wrote the teleplay and co-wrote the story for "The Abdication" (1975)
• Madge Sinclair played Minnie Doze in "The Visitor" (1974)
• William Schallert played Stanley Perkins (4 episodes, 1980-1981)
• Richard Thomas played John-Boy Walton