I watched Gunsmoke re-runs as a kid in Oklahoma. My grandma watched it and so I did as well. Festus was funny, Miss Kitty was hot (even for a small boy
) and Matt Dylan was ompnipitant.
And, yes, Holywood is a sewer. Guys like James Arness now have to hide their views and opinions to keep from being ostracized.
Scott, though I wasn't hit as hard as you by this, your post is refreshing to me and honors James Arness appropriately.