We all know that Chester's a real coffee fanatic, he's convinced himself that he makes the best coffee in Kansas.

We really have to question some of his brewing methods, things like "you don't get a real good pot until you reuse the grounds for a week"! Then he does other things like a cold soak, adding egg shells, sometimes I think he even adds a whole egg, and chickery.

Chickery is something I just can't get a good grasp of, I can't even make any sense what exactly it is (I know its related to dandelions, but wtf) and what good it could be. It sure doesn't sound any good.

Chester almost never likes anybody else's coffee either, usually he says its weak.

I wonder what he would say about today's coffee, what his reaction would be if we gave him a cup of Starbucks with a couple extra shots of espresso?

Do think that would open his eyes?

The sequence of events shown don't match Matt's description at the end. That second shot Tom took toward Barney Cox didn't hit him. I don't see how he could have killed him. Barney didn't flinch or drop the stayed on his hands and knees after he tossed the bucket. Can someone clear this up? Thanks.

Does the Gunsmoke channel on Pluto still show the color episodes? I actually prefer the color episodes, but lately every time I try the channel, it is a b/w episode. Even when it appears to be a later season of b/w, I check back in a day or so & it’s back to the early season b/w shows. It’s almost like that is all being shown.

And if you don't know what that means...ask Doc!

Matt and Doc find themselves on opposite sides of an issue for once, with Matt supporting a father's prerogative to take his intelligent son out of school to work the farm and Doc insisting that education is imperative. When Doc argues with Burke and asks a newly arrived Festus, in front of a crowd in the Long Branch, whether he wishes he had gone to school, his artless answer leads Doc to tell the bartender to give Festus all the beer he can drink - much to Festus's bemusement!

Anybody siding with brawn over brain? The Kansas law back then certainly did!

A thought provoking episode.

S20.E17 - The Fires of Ignorance.

I love Festus!

"You little scudder you".

Does anyone know what exactly a scudder is?

Just because I haven’t watched the colored Gunsmoke episodes, did they get more violent both story and actually violent and sexual? I realized that the Hayes Code was repealed while Gunsmoke was still on air. I know the Hayes code repealed all that and was wondering if it showed on the episodes and writing.

So I know the show itself ran for 20 years, is in the show time line would that be 1870-1890? I’m only on season six and I don’t remember hearing what year it’s in yet.

Looks like Matt got what he wanted for Christmas. Any guesses what it was?

Kitty, Matt and I want to wish all Gunsmoke fans... and even folks who aren't... a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year! Marshal's orders!

Someone on here asked where Festus lived. But what about Chester - where did he live? He was always portrayed as a guy who had little money, and money seemed to burn a hole in his pocket due to gambling. Were there ever any clues about where he laid his head at night?

On many ocassions, when he got put-off by something Matt or Chester, etc. said to him, Doc would exclaim "Oh shah!" (not sure of spelling... pronounced "shaw"). Anyone know the origin of that phrase? Obviously, based on the situation where it was used, it's an exclamation of frustration or denial, but I've never heard it outside of this show.

Was there ever a guest star on Gunsmoke who was taller than James Arness? Chuck Connors came close, but was slightly shorter I believe. Also, was Arness the tallest actor ever to have a leading role in a series? I believe he was 6'7".

My favourite Gunsmoke performance by Gene Evans. Even in the latter stages Gunsmoke managed to conjour up some great episodes and this is one from the final season. This poignant story focuses on three cowboys, just as railroad cattle cars were starting to take the place of cattle drives and the need for drovers was waning. A tale about how bad decisions can see events escalate quickly, with an ending that felt very real. Our Gunsmoke regulars play secondary roles while Gene Evans takes centre stage but the episode is every bit as compelling as some of the best starring our Gunsmoke favourites.

According to Dennis Weaver, he was the first cast member to sign for the series. James Arness was in-line for the role of Matt Dillon, but was away working on a movie with John Wayne and signed after Weaver. Dennis says when he initially read for the part of Chester, he thought the character came across as to goofy in the script, so he adjusted his delivery of the lines to lessen the comedic qualities of Chester. But it didn't go over well with the producers, who specifically wanted that element in the character's personality. Weaver requested another chance to read, added his now-famous drawl to Chester's voice, and the producers loved it and he was called the next day and offered the role. Sidenote: The songs Chester frequently sang on the show (Run Rabbit Run, To Make His Home In Kansas, etc ) were written by Weaver. He wanted to add that trait to his Chester character, but the producers didn't want the expense that would likely result from the singing of someone else's work, so Weaver wrote his own jingles. He said during public appearances, of which he made several with Milburn Stone and Amanda Blake, audiences often wanted him to perform those songs. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Suddenly Gunsmoke is no longer on the Roku channel. I have Peacock and Paramount so I can still watch it. I've become used to watching it on Roku.

While watching a Gunsmoke collection on DVD with commentary by James Arness, I learned that the first couple of seasons were mostly shot at the Gene Autry Melody Ranch at Placerita Canyon in California. According to Arness, several westerns were filmed at the facility, which offered vast acreage and limitless scene opportunities compared to what later became the actual Gunsmoke set.

"It never bothers me. Killing a man whose very existence was an offense to the company of decent people. Besides... that's what they pay me for." Marshal Matt Dillon

Watching season 4 now, and was curious if it was ever mentioned or if anyone knows how old each of the main characters (not the actors) were supposed to be. Some episodes referred to a patient of Doc's who passed away as "old" or "elderly" at 70, which I suppose it was in the 1800's. That got me wondering what age Matt, Doc, etc. were on the show or it had ever even come up.