jimbo97-1
I remember these "military comedies" and their single season on NBC, playing back-to-back, early Sunday evenings, just before "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color".While "Ensign O'Toole" starred Dean Jones and was about an Ensign Pulver-type character on a modern day Navy destroyer (the captain was played by the constantly grumpy Jack Albertson), "McKeever" was geared more to my pre-teen age group.I had a "McKeever and the Colonel" comic book, probably a one-shot, and I seem to remember the story was an off-shoot of one of the episodes. Other than that, I don't remember much specifically, but I can still hum the catchy theme-song/march. :-)
rich-69-179645
I was surprised to read Scott's review, because it echoes my feelings, and life, exactly. I remembered the show fondly, but vaguely, but it formed my first impression of the Military Schools that I saw advertised in Boys Life. I asked my parents if we could investigate them, and coupled with my impressions of Westfield from the TV show, I ultimately attended New York Military Academy. This led to ROTC (with a full scholarship) and 20 years in the US Army Reserve. The effects of this short lived show made a major change in my life. I have to admit that I turned into the personification of McKeever and his antics and learned a great many life lessons as a result.
peener-2
I was maybe four years old when this was shown in syndication. It was broadcast after a local daily cartoon show for a few months. The only thing I remember was the intro, which was done with stop-motion animation. It seemed odd to me as a tot, because it involved a gag in which two boys accidentally "kiss" by bumping heads.This show made no sense to me. Nothing made sense to me then. I was four! The animation stuck in my head, though.For years I thought this was called "Calvin and the Colonel", which caused much confusion. "Calvin" was a prime-time cartoon, with Amos'n'Andy voices. The characters were animals, though, not Negro gentlemen. Negroes are noble!
rpm53
I recall wishing it was me in one of the key roles . . . of course I was 9 at the time. And whenever it was McKeever time every kid in the neighborhood raced off to the TV to watch. It was a show that placed a lot of emphasis on the importance of kids. In the show the young cadets had responsibilities, unlike in real life the responsibilities of a young child didn't seem as noble. It was also the first time I recall being really impressed with the cleverness of a youth (as I was then) to prevail over an adult. Of course there were other shows where youths prevailed over adults but those shows lacked roles a child could identify with. I never lost my love of the show and have searched for episodes available for purchase. Maybe someday someone someplace may have some for sale.
