Barb Oates

Barb Oates

Barb has spent the last 30 years as a TV entertainment reporter and editor in chief of Channel Guide Magazine and OnDISH Magazine, in addition to serving as editorial director for ReMIND Magazine and TV Guide Magazine Puzzler. She's an active member of the TV Critics Association, and was the 2010 award recipient of Women In Cable Telecommunications Inspiration Award (Greater Chicago Chapter). As a child of the ’70s, her go-to toys were Mrs. Beasley and the Sunshine Family. She enjoyed pretending with her grade school classmates that they were the girls’ version of the Bay City Rollers, but the British rockers stood little ground against her love affair with Andy Gibb and Donny & Marie. As for TV and movies, don’t even get her started on Little House in the Prairie and The Outsiders. And for other things pop culture, she's still trying to figure out the Rubik’s Cube, and hoping the Captain’s Steak Joynt and that fabulous cheese fondue will see their return.

Articles byBarb Oates

Dick Van Dyke, David Van Deusen

How a ‘Dick Van Dyke Show’ Superfan Became Friends With Dick Van Dyke & Carl Reiner

 Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert Warms Fans’ Hearts at Modern Prairie Event

 FAMILY AFFAIR, from left, Anissa Jones, Kathy Garver, Sebastian Cabot, Johnny Whitaker, on-set, 1966-71 (1967 photo).

‘Family Affair’s Kathy Garver Shares Her Favorite Episode on its 60th Anniversary

 Ad and book

Linda Kaplan Thaler Looks Back at the Aflac Duck, Toys ‘R’ Us Jingle & ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ Ads

 THE BIONIC WOMAN, Lindsay Wagner, 1976-78

Lindsay Wagner Was Fired by Universal — Then ‘The Bionic Woman’ Made Her a Star

 AnissaJones and Kathy Garver in Family Affair graphic

Kathy Garver Remembers ‘Family Affair’s Anissa Jones 50 Years After Her Tragic Death

 Peter Noone from Wisconsin State Fair, AI enhanced

Whatever Happened to Herman’s Hermits’ Peter Noone? He’s Still Rocking at 78

 She Stole My Son's Heart
Preview

Marisol Nichols Asked ‘Is This a True Story?’ After Reading ‘She Stole My Son’s Heart’ Script

 LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, on set, (1983), 1974-83.
Exclusive

‘Little House on the Prairie’ Reunion Draws Devoted Fans & Stars to Walnut Grove

 Jack Whitehall for 'Nation's Dumbest'
Preview

‘Nation’s Dumbest’ Host Jack Whitehall Reveals Ice-T’s Reminder for Celebrity Contestants

 Presidential 1776 Award

Presidential 1776 Award: What It Is and Who Won This National Civics Contest

 Elke Sommer Coppertone Ad

7 Things You Didn’t Know About Coppertone Sunscreen & Its Famous Ad Campaign

 Squatters, Flash Shelton

Need to Get Rid of a Squatter? How to Contact Flash Shelton

 American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois

Why These 20-Foot Giants Are Among Route 66’s Most Beloved Attractions

 Antoni Porowski stands next to the Seine in Paris, France
Preview

Antoni Porowski Says ‘Best of the World’ Is His ‘Bucket List Dream’

 Lorenzo Lamas

How Lorenzo Lamas Stole His Role in ‘Grease’ From a U.S. President’s Son

 Marilyn Monroe Fun Facts Graphic

Celebrating Marilyn Monroe at 100: 26 Fun Facts From A-Z

 Kathy Garver with her latest book in 2026

‘Family Affair’s Kathy Garver Reveals Love Stories of Classic TV’s Biggest Stars

 Collector's Call episode with Bob Boden, game show collector, yodely guy from Price Is Right

Whatever Happened to the Original Yodeley Guy & Plinko on ‘The Price Is Right’?

 Robin Hood Movie Collage with Kevin Costner, Cary Elwes and Errol Flynn

7 Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know About Actors Who Played Robin Hood

 Rescued by Faith the Connie and Larry Van Oosten story on Lifetime starring Nancy Travis

Nancy Travis Remarks on Chilling Parallels Between Van Oosten Kidnapping & Nancy Guthrie

 The Ten Commandments with Charleston Heston

‘The Ten Commandments’ to Air on New Network

 BARNEY MILLER, Hal Linden, 1975-82
Exclusive

Hal Linden Turns 95! TV Icon Reflects on Success and Legacy of ‘Barney Miller’

 THE FAITHFUL: Pictured: Minnie Driver.
Exclusive

‘The Faithful’ Team Introduces Stories of Pivotal Women in Biblical History (VIDEO)

Patrick Labyorteaux Opens Up About Rejected ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Spinoff

 I Am Mary Jo Buttafuoco:
Preview

Mary Jo Buttafuoco Reveals How She Feels About Her Shooter Now Ahead of Lifetime Movie

‘Back to Future’ Cast Sets Record Straight on Eric Stoltz Firing

 Julie Newmar, Hollywood Show 2026

Julie Newmar, 92, Makes Rare Appearance at Hollywood Show (PHOTOS)

 HUNTER, Fred Dryer, Stepfanie Kramer, (1984), 1984-91.

‘Hunter’ Cast Reunites at Hollywood Show: After 30 Years, Fred Dryer & Stepfanie Kramer Still Have That Spark

 'The Dick Van Dyke Show'

Where to Send Dick Van Dyke a 100th Birthday Card

 Mae Whitman — 'Twelve Dates 'Til Christmas'
Preview

Mae Whitman Previews ‘Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas’: ‘There Are Some Doozies’

 June Lockhart, Bill Mummy, Everett Collection, Lost in Space

June Lockhart Dies at 100: ‘Lost in Space’ Costar Bill Mumy Reflects on the TV Icon

 Ravi Patel
Exclusive

’Special Forces’: Ravi Patel on Why the Show Was the ‘Best Experience’ of His Life & More

 Lucille Ball in 'I Love Lucy'

The CW’s ‘TV We Love’: The Surprising Classic Shows That Didn’t Make the Cut

 Robert Hegyes, Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs, Gabe Kaplan, John Travolta, and Ron Palillo in 'Welcome Back, Kotter'

‘Welcome Back, Kotter’ Star Gabe Kaplan on the Show’s 50th Anniversary & Where He Is Now

 I DREAM OF JEANNIE, Barbara Eden, 1965-1970

‘I Dream of Jeannie’ Star Barbara Eden on Breaking Larry Hagman’s Tooth And That Belly Button Scandal

 THE BRADY BUNCH VARIETY HOUR - Airdate during November 1976- May 1977. Custom Graphic

Whatever Happened to Geri Reischl, the ‘Brady Bunch Variety Hour’s Fake Jan Brady?

 Jessy Schram as Dr. Hannah Asher, Steven Weber as Dr. Dean Archer — 'Chicago Med' Season 10 Finale "...Don't You Cry"
Preview

‘Chicago Med’ Boss Teases Asher & Archer’s ‘Complicated’ Journey in Season 11 After Baby Cliffhanger

 Chrissy Metz in Faith in the Flames: The Nichole Jolly Story
Preview

‘Faith in the Flames: The Nichole Jolly Story’ Star Chrissy Metz on Tackling Real-Life Survival Story

 Ellen Corby, Grandma, The Waltons

Was This the Saddest ‘Waltons’ Episode? Michael Learned Reveals That Filming It “Was Emotional” (Exclusive)

 Shazad Latif as Captain Nemo in 'Nautilus'

‘Nautilus’: Shazad Latif Teases ‘Full Revenge Mode’ Captain Nemo in New Take on Jules Verne Adventure

 Hal Linden, Hollywood Show, Barney Miller

Hal Linden Breaks Down the Secret Formula That Made ‘Barney Miller’ a Hit

 THE WALTONS, Kami Cotler, David W.Harper, Eric Scott, Michael Learned, Ralph Waite, Mary Beth McDonough, etc, 1972-82.

‘The Waltons’ Cast Reunion: Why Were Those Family Dinners the Worst to Film?

 Hal Linden from Hollywood Show Barney Miller collage

‘Barney Miller’ Reunion: What Is the One Question Hal Linden Won’t Answer? 

 SCARECROW AND MRS. KING, Bruce Boxleitner, Kate Jackson, 1983 - 1987.

Whatever Happened to the Cast of ‘Scarecrow and Mrs. King’?

 Christopher Knight, Barry Williams, Maureen McCormick, Florence Henderson, Robert Reed, Susan Olsen, Mike Lookinland, and Geri Reischl in The Brady Bunch Hour

7 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know About ‘The Brady Bunch Variety Hour’

 Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Molly Ringwald, and Anthony Michael Hall in 'The Breakfast Club'

Molly Ringwald Gets Emotional, Judd Nelson Reveals Who Was Legal at ‘Breakfast Club’ 40th Reunion

 Dick Van Dick Show star Larry Mathews and Dick Van Dyke with inset of current Larry Mathews image

Child Star Larry Mathews Shares Behind-The-Scenes Stories From ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’

You’ll Never Believe Why ‘Leave It to Beaver’ Star Jeri Weil Left the Series

 'the Floor'

‘The Floor’ Contestants Couldn’t Name These Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, Can You?

 The cast of the Brady Bunch Variety Hour

‘Brady Bunch Variety Hour’ Was Voted 4th Worst Show in TV History … And Star Susan Olsen Is Proud

 Barbara Eden, Larry Hagman in I Dream of Jeannie

‘I Dream of Jeannie’s’ Barbara Eden on the Time She Scared Larry Hagman to Death (Exclusive)

 Lisa Lisa from Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Lifetime original movie

Lisa Lisa on Her Life, Cult Jam & Her New Lifetime Movie

 Molly Parker in DOC
Preview

‘Doc’ Star Molly Parker Reveals ‘Completely Unbelievable’ True Story Behind Fox’s New Drama

 Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow in The Old Man
Preview

‘The Old Man’: Jeff Bridges & John Lithgow Preview Season 2’s Final Mission

 Alexandra Paul, David Hasselhoff, Gena Lee Nolin, Nicole Eggert, and Jeremy Jackson in 'Baywatch'

‘Baywatch’ Stars Had Only Two Swimsuits? Nicole Eggert Gives Us the Real Behind the Scenes

 Teri Hatcher in The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story
Preview

‘The Killer Inside’: Teri Hatcher on Humanizing ‘The Ruth Finley Story’ for Lifetime

 Billy Joel

Why Did Billy Joel Concert Get Cut Short During ‘Piano Man’?

 Kristen Kish, Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons host Top Chef
Preview

Why ‘Top Chef’ Season 21 Is ‘a Homecoming’ for New Host Kristen Kish

 Jeff Probst in 'Survivor '
Preview

‘Survivor’ 45: Jeff Probst Reveals Changes Made for Supersized Episodes

 Tom Oar of 'Mountain Men'
Preview

‘Mountain Men’ Boss Confirms Tom Oar’s Return in ‘Daunting’ Season 12

 Bear Grylls and Bradley Cooper in 'Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge'
Q&A

Bear Grylls on ‘Running Wild’ With Bradley Cooper, Benedict Cumberbatch & More Celebs

 C. Thomas Howell

C. Thomas Howell Takes Us ‘Backstage’ With Charlie Sheen, Cast of ‘E.T.’ & More

 Jerry Mathers on-set of Leave It To Beaver in late 1950s

Jerry Mathers Reflects on His Infamous ‘Leave It to Beaver’ Audition

 Vincent Walsh and Jennifer Grey in 'Gwen Shamblin Starving Salvation'
Preview

Jennifer Grey Talks Embodying Gwen Shamblin: ‘She Was Absolutely Without Empathy’

 Pedro Pascal - 'The Last of Us'
Preview

‘The Last of Us’ Creator Previews Joel & Ellie’s Connection in the TV Series