The Second Hundred Years (TV series)

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For the unrelated 1927 Laurel and Hardy film of this title, see The Second Hundred Years (film).

The Second Hundred Years was a 1967-68 sitcom starring Monte Markham which was aired on the ABC television network.

The Second Hundred Years was what was called a "high concept" show—one which was based on circumstances which were extremely unlikely to occur in real life. The concept here was that one Luke Carpenter had left for Alaska in 1900 as part of a gold rush, but soon after his arrival was buried in a glacial avalanche. His burial was evidently so complete and so rapid that he survived in a state of suspended animation for 67 years. He was then thawed out and soon brought to the home of his now-elderly son, Edwin (portrayed by Arthur O'Connell), in Woodland Oaks, California. The humor centered around how Luke was younger, both in appearance and attitude, than both his son, who was apparently around 70, but also his grandson Ken, who at 33 was the exact age at which Luke had disappeared and been preserved, and who was a near double for his grandfather (not surprising, as both characters were portrayed by Markham). Other than having to adjust to all of the technology of the modern era, Luke, who was an individualistic, light-hearted sort, was at some ways more at home in his new world than his staid offspring.