Bonanza

Bonanza is an American television series that ran on NBC from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons, it is among the longest running Western television series (second behind Gunsmoke) and continues to air in syndication. Bonanza originally referred to the Comstock Lode which was "an exceptionally large and rich mineral deposit" of silver, and is derived from a Spanish word meaning "fair weather", and by extension, "prosperity... more

Bonanza is an American television series that ran on NBC from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons, it is among the longest running Western television series (second behind Gunsmoke) and continues to air in syndication. Bonanza originally referred to the Comstock Lode which was "an exceptionally large and rich mineral deposit" of silver, and is derived from a Spanish word meaning "fair weather", and by extension, "prosperity". Virginia City was founded directly over the lode which was mined for 19 years. The Ponderosa was an alternative title of the series, used for the broadcast of syndicated reruns while Bonanza was in first-run on NBC. Ponderosa is also the name of a series prequel airing on PAX-TV from 2001-02. The Bonanza pilot, "Rose for Lotta," was written by David Dortort, who also produced the series. Dortort's other creations include The Restless Gun, The High Chaparral, The Cowboys, and the Bonanza prequel, Ponderosa. For most of its 430 episode run,... less