Last episode of 'Bonanza' aired 40 years ago on Jan. 16
January 16, 2013 will mark the 40 anniversary of Bonanza’s last episode that aired on NBC television. That episode #430 titled “The Hunter” was written and directed by Michael Landon who played Joe Cartwright on the show.
Bonanza had once been the number one television show in America for three years in the mid-1960’s; but the show had fallen out of favor with the viewing public, and at the time of its last broadcast, wasn’t even in the top 30.
The demise of Bonanza can be traced to the demise of its cast. The show was still in the top 10 when Pernell Roberts (Adam) left Bonanza in 1965. The event that doomed Bonanza for good took place in May, 1972 with the sudden death of Dan Blocker who played Hoss Cartwright. With only Landon and Lorne Greene who played Ben Cartwright remaining on the show, Bonanza’s days were numbered. That number, 430 aired on January 16, 1973.
Bonanza reruns can be seen at 2:00 pm Monday-Friday on MeTV, KAME ch. 21.2
— Chic DiFrancia is a long-time Virginia City resident, freelance writer, historian and letterpress printer. In his youth he once was a typesetter at the Territorial Enterprise in Virginia City.