Becket, Mass. resident Peg Lynch, who passed away in 2015 at age 98, wrote and starred in “The Couple Next Door” beginning in 1957. The show’s predecessor began in 1944 as “Ethel & Albert” and aired at different times on both radio and television. Lynch’s co-stars were Alan Bunce who played her husband and Margaret Hamilton (better known as the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz”) who played Aunt Effie.
It has been said that Lynch created the first “show about nothing,” long before TV’s Seinfeld. Storylines focus on familiar themes such as finding the lost car keys, babysitting problems, paying bills and more. It is a hilarious situation comedy, yet without corny punch lines. It is also a serial in that complications such as having a baby, building a house and taking trips carry forward through many shows, yet without melodrama. Hear “The Couple Next Door,” Friday nights at 10 p.m., with an encore performance at 1 a.m., over 97.9 WHAV FM.
Tonight, Saturday, March 16
Gunsmoke: “Prairie Happy,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Sunday
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: “The Rhymer Collection Matter,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Monday
Suspense (classic): “The Long Shot,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Tuesday
Dimension X: “Martian Death March,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Wednesday
Great Gildersleeve: Leroy Moves Out to Marjorie’s House, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Thursday
Our Miss Brooks: Spring Cleaning, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Friday
Couple Next Door: Betsy Lends Money, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Saturday, March 23
Gunsmoke: “There Never Was A Horse,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Sunday
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: “Paradise Lost Matter,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.