Over the two decades that the show was on the air, it only ever held two time slots. While shows often jump around, and/or are shifted around, “Gunsmoke” as a television show, more or less remained in the same place for fans to enjoy.
When it was first released, it aired on Saturday evenings from 7:30-8:00 pm, a schedule which it held throughout the first six seasons. Then, in 1967, it was moved to Monday nights, where it remained for the rest of the show’s running.
Gary Busey
The future film star played a role that was particularly special to fans. It wasn’t a huge role, but it was just two episodes prior to the final one that would air. In the third-to-last taping, he plays Harvey Daley, a character who dies after he decided to ride a wild horse.
Daley’s death was the final one in the series, and many say he was the last person killed on the show.
Record Breaking
"Gunsmoke" is by far one of the longest-running shows in television history. In fact, if you Google “longest running TV shows,” you’ll find that it pops up at the top of almost every list. It actually held the record for having the most episodes of any show – until it was beat out.
"The Simpsons" is still creating new episodes today, while the western favorite stopped at 635 episodes. But, "Gunsmoke" is still in second place on the “longest running shows” lists.
The Stunt Double
Although James Arness did a large number of his own stunts throughout the years, once his arthritis really took hold, it became harder for him to do so. A stunt double, Ben “Big Ben” Bates, was hired in 1972 to do the more dangerous stunts.
Bates landed the gig as Arness’ stunt double for his impressive horseback riding abilities, first and foremost. Everyone was so thrilled with his work that he was invited back to perform the stunts in all of the follow-up films, as well. In the 1982 sci-fi hit, 'Swamp Thing', Bates plays the evil creature that fights Swamp Thing.
Amanda Blake Loved Animals
Miss Kitty was aptly named, considering how much the actress who played her loved and supported animals. She extended her time and money to try and help animals, and, if you ever saw her in a fur coat, you can bet that it was fake.
Blake often donated and worked to support animal rights and welfare organizations, many of them in Arizona, where she lived before her death.