This week we are traveling back to the early 1950s when things were as “mello as a chello full of Jello.” In other words, we are going back to early television.

First of all, if you are under 40, you won’t understand. I can remember my mother and father buying our first television set. It had to be in the early ’50s when we were living in the historic Hastings Street area at 960 Garfield Street.

I can remember my parents coming home with an Admiral 12-inch black and white television set. It was indeed a wonderful surprise for me and my brothers and sisters. We couldn’t see a clear picture until we learned to use the “rabbit ears” to make the picture clearer.

If I recall, there were only channels 4, 2, 7 and Canada’s channel 9. Television would sign off at 11:45 p.m. and close with the National Anthem. Then, TV would not sign on again until the next morning. Nonetheless, it was a wonderful experience. As a result, I want to explain this great experience in rhyme.

When my parents came home with the 12-inch black and white television set. It was such a wonderful surprise for my sisters and brothers. It is something that we will never forget. We could hardly see for all the snow, so we would spread the rabbit ears antenna as far as it would go. We would pull up our chairs as close to the TV as possible. We heard the news, “Good night, David, and good night, Chet.”

Depending on the channel that you tuned in to, you ended up watching Rob and Laura or Ward and June.

It felt so good and it felt so right. Life looked better in black and white. I want to go back to black and white. “I Love Lucy,” “The Real McCoys,” “Dennis the Menace,” the Cleaver boys. “Rawhide,” “Gunsmoke” and “Wagon Train.” “Superman,” Clark Kent, Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane.

“Father Knows Best,” “Patty Duke,” “Rin Tin Tin” and “Lassie” too. “Donna Reed” on Thursday night, it made life look good in black and white. Still everything would always turn out right. Simple people, simple lives and good guys always won the fight.

Now, nothing is the way it seems, “In Living Color” on the TV screen. Too many murders, too many fights, I just wish I could go back to black and white.

In God they trusted, alone in bed, they slept, a promise made was a promise kept. They never cussed or broke their vows. They’d never make the network now. But if I could, I’d rather be in 1953. It felt so good and it felt so right. Life looked better in black and white.

I’d trade all the channels on the satellite, if I could just turn back the clock tonight. To everybody who knew wrong from right. Because life was so much better when it was in black and white.

Can’t Keep a Job Department
• My first job was working in an orange juice factory but I got canned. I couldn’t concentrate.
• Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn’t hack it, so they gave me the axe.
• After that I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn’t suited for it, mainly because it was a sew-sew job.
• Next I tried working in a muffler factory, but that was too exhausting.
• Then I tried to be a chef, figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn’t have the thyme.
• I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it I couldn’t cut the mustard.
• My best job was a musician, but eventually I found I wasn’t noteworthy.
• I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I didn’t have any patience.
• Next was a job in a shoe factory. I tried but I just didn’t fit in. Maybe I need to polish up my act.
So everyone, this week’s column was not your normal “Memory Train,” but I still hope you enjoyed it. And thank you Velma Dortch!
Until next time, I’ll plant U now and dig U later. Peace and chicken grease!

Hugh Burrell can be reached at (313) 872-3437 or at hughburrell @aol.com.