Never Too Young

"Never Too Young " is a great teen-age soap opera. Chet (Tony Dow) is a predecssor to Fonzie in that he drifts around as a mechanic. Alfie is the former rock and roll singer who doesn't want to be tied down. Tommy Rettig as Jo-Jo is the hilarious nerd type who keeps trying to find girls the right way. Throw in some spoled rich kids, brainy kids, serious medical students, and there you have it.

I was 13 when this premiered, but my 17 year old sister watched it all the time. I have to admit, I got sucked in and was more than a little disappointed when it ended and the next Monday, when Dark Shadows premiered in its place it seemed a tremendous loss. Yet, within the year, DS became a super-big hit. Go figure. At the time it seemed special, teen-aged angst-ridden drama. And Tony Dow plus Tommy Rettig to boot! One other thing to note: I remember them playing the hit "Groovy Kind of Love" at the end of the last episode. Can't remember if that was a regular thing or just for that episode. It was obvious that it was the last episode though. Also remember a lot of musical guests, but the one I remember best was Paul Revere and the Raiders because my sister was wild about them.

Never Too Young was a teenage soap opera with a lot of teen angst every week from its various cast members. It had trouble trying to find itself an audience and in its second season switched to some adult cast members like Patrice Wymore, John Lupton, and Merry Anders and some adult themed stories. I remember in the end it was a murder to be solved and one of the aforementioned adults did the deed.

The formula had to wait a score of years before Baywatch premiered. We did see a lot of scantily clad boys and girls every week always an audience pleaser. For the girls it was Cindy Carol and for the guys it was Michael Blodgett, talk about a golden couple.

It was the California beach scene, but in response to the British invasion British guy David Watson took over the hangout where all the kids congregated. He dispensed wisdom and advice to the young and that accent sure made it sound like he knew what he was talking about.

Never Too Young never found its audience, but those who did watch it have fond memories.

I was 13 when Never Too Young premiered. My girlfriend (what we girls used to call our pals back then) watched it faithfully. It was followed by Where the Action Is, also a Dick Clark production. Loved Paul Revere and the Raiders. To kcapehart, Never Too Young might have been inspired by a 1960 Dick Clark movie, Because They're Young.

I remember at age 14 thinking that Pat Connolly looked too mature and "old" from my perspective to be believable as a teen. She was probably only 20-something! Liked Cindy Carol, the former Carol Sydes, and thought she and John Lupton were very well cast as daughter and father. She was 20 when Never Too Young debuted but looked about 16. My friend immediately got hooked on Dark Shadows after NTY went off the air, so there must be something addictive about the continuing story line format.

I remember this TV series so well. The reason I remembered this series is because it was so real. The actors(today they include actresses under actors)were all so natural. Each character in some way held your attention. The show held your attention without all the hot and steamy sexual scenes they show today, this show was so interesting,and you were on edge wanting to know what was going to happen the next episode. I can remember rushing home from school with my friends to watch this show either at someone's house or by myself,even the guys were in to this show. It was real life but it wasn't really far out stuff,like you know if someone didn't like you or was jealous they was ready to kill you like in the shows today. Oh I know it can happen, but this show never focus on hard core soap as of today. It was exactly what some of us were going through as teenagers/young adults. I wish they would show the reruns or put the dvds out for sale. Hey does anyone know where I may get the dvds or video tapes? And the theme song was so cool. "You're Never to young to stop living...." or something like that. If you want good soap and not a lot of confusion this is or was the TV series to watch! Alison R. Sterling