When we recently shared some thoughts about what Oregon’s official TV series might be, we suggested such shows as “Portlandia,” “Grimm” and a few Portland-set programs that weren’t filmed in the Rose City, such as “So Help Me Todd” and “Stumptown.”
Our initial post prompted feedback from readers, some of whom agreed with our initial choices. Then there were others, who mentioned candidates we overlooked. While some were scripted series, others ranged far afield, into documentaries, and, in one case, a long-running children’s show.
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Here are some examples of programs that readers said should be in the running if anybody ever names an official Oregon TV series.
Portland Wrestling: A reader with a long memory suggested the show featuring Pacific Northwest Wrestling matches should get the official Portland TV show honor. For those who don’t recall, the Portland Wrestling show began in the early days of TV, going on the air live in 1953, as The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. The show originally aired on KPTV, then moved to KOIN, and returned to KPTV in 1967 for Saturday night broadcasts.
According to The Oregonian/OregonLive, “The venue for the show’s early years was the 1891-vintage Portland Armory,” a space that has since been renovated and is now the home of Portland Center Stage. A notable sponsor of Portland Wrestling broadcasts was Tom Peterson, the late owner of furniture and appliance stores who became a cult figure because of his colorful TV commercials (”Wake up! Wake up!”) and advertisements.
The original Portland Wrestling show was canceled in 1991, but the reader who nominates it for Oregon’s official TV series clearly hasn’t forgotten the antics, writing: “Frank Bonnema announcing, Sandy Barr refereeing, Lonnie Mayne, Roddy Piper and Billy Jack wrestling and the Tom Peterson commercials.”
“Gravity Falls” (2012-2016): On a less macho note, some readers sang the praises of “Gravity Falls,” an animated series that originally aired on the Disney Channel, about a pair of twins, Dipper and Mabel Pines, who come to visit their great uncle, or “Grunkle,” in the town of Gravity Falls, Oregon. But it turned out the town had supernatural creatures (which sounds like “Grimm” — are supernatural creatures an official Oregon TV show plot point?) and other mysterious goings-on.
“I like the article, but you missed two powerhouses of cult Oregon television,” one reader wrote. “No ‘Gravity Falls’ or ‘Eureka’?” The shows may not be as mainstream as others we mentioned, the reader wrote, “But when put up against some of the others on your list, I feel they battle that Portland-centric feeling a bit. And actually are better than most on the list.
“‘Eureka’ was epic sci-fi in a small town dress, even if most of it was filmed in B.C., it feels right on the small screen. And ‘Gravity Falls’ may be one of the best not-just-for-kids cartoon out of Disney since ‘Steamboat Willie.’ ‘Gravity Falls’ also does a better job of making fun in not a terrible way the stereotypes of rural Oregon. Both have the bonus of not really ever being exactly pinpoint-able on a map.”
“Eureka,” which the reader mentions, was another another unusual Oregon town, with a population of scientists. As The Oregonian/OregonLive wrote, an electromagnetic shield kept the town hidden. “Eureka” was, indeed, filmed in Vancouver. B.C., and ran on the Syfy channel from 2006 to 2012.
Another reader shared appreciation for “Gravity Falls” not taking place in Portland. “It more accurately depicts Oregon,” the reader wrote. “Portland is not a good way to represent Oregon. … Only Portlanders like Portland.”
“Naomi” (2022): A reader wrote, “I can’t believe you left out ‘Naomi!’ Yes, it started slow, but was absolutely wonderful by the end of its first (and only) season. When Naomi found out that her boring goody two-shoes ‘parents’ were actually aliens, like her, who had kidnapped her as a baby and maybe killed her true parents, I couldn’t wait for the next season, but alas, it was not to be. At least you should mention the series as one of the Portland (and ‘Port Oswego’) series.”
Unfortunately, as the reader notes, “Naomi” only lasted one season. But it definitely has Oregon ties. The series, which originally aired on The CW, was inspired by a DC comics character created by Portland-based comics writers, Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker. The series began by introducing viewers to Naomi McDuffie (Kaci Walfall), a 16-year-old who lives with her parents in a Pacific Northwest town called Port Oswego. The series took place in Oregon, though it was filmed in the Atlanta area. As the series went on, Naomi — a scholar with a special interest in Superman — learned secrets about her past, and about her own superhero abilities.
“Backstrom” (2015): One reader wondered why we had “no love for ‘Backstrom,’” another single-season show that originally aired on Fox. “Backstrom” starred Rainn Wilson (”The Office”), as a cranky police detective with self-destructive habits who is head of the “Special Crimes Unit,” in Portland. Despite its Rose City setting, the series was also filmed in Vancouver, B.C., a popular location for TV shows and movies because of favorable economic incentive programs. The cast included Dennis Haysbert, Kristoffer Polaha, Genevieve Angelson and Page Kennedy.
Ramblin’ Rod Anders hosting his KPTV children’s show in 1988. LC- Oregonian
“The Ramblin’ Rod Show” (1964-1997): On Facebook, a reader nominated this long-running children’s show, hosted by the late Rod Anders (whose real name was Rodney Anderson). The KPTV program featured cartoons, guests, contests and a focus on the kids who attended.
“Oregon Field Guide” (1990-present): Several readers brought attention to OPB’s award-winning, locally produced show focused on the natural world, and how Oregonians interact with it. As one reader wrote, Oregon’s official TV show should either be “Oregon Field Guide” or “The Simpsons,” the animated blockbuster inspired by Portland-raised Matt Groening’s creations. “The Simpsons,” the reader wrote, should be considered “since a huge amount of the references of that show are all related to Portland and Oregon. And ‘The Simpsons’ IS the longest running sitcom in the history of TV.”
Other readers joined in nominating some of our original choices. That list was: “Portlandia”; “Grimm”; “Leverage”; “The Librarians”; “Shrill”; “Stumptown”; “So Help Me Todd”; “The Rehearsal”; “Under Suspicion”; and “From Oregon With Love.”
— Kristi Turnquist
503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist
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