Broadside (TV series)

Broadside was an American situation comedy television series that aired on NBC from September 20, 1964, to September 5, 1965. It was a spin-off of the popular military comedy McHale's Navy.

The series centered around a group of WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) stationed at a U.S. Navy base in the Philippines during World War II. The premise involved the antics and challenges faced by the unconventional women and their exasperated commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Homer Nelson (played by Edward Andrews).

The core cast consisted of:

• Lieutenant Commander Homer Nelson: The constantly frustrated commanding officer.
• "Salty" Pepperdine (played by Joan Staley): A blonde bombshell and mechanic who often got the WAVES into trouble.
• Roberta Love (played by Sheila James Kuehl, credited as Sheila James): A bespectacled and intelligent WAVE.
• Molly McGuire (played by Lois Roberts): A tough and resourceful WAVE.
• Selma Plout (played by Patti Chandler): Another member of the WAVES crew.

Broadside was criticized for its broad humor and stereotypical portrayal of women in the military. Despite being a spin-off of a successful show, it failed to capture the same audience and was canceled after one season. The series attempted to capitalize on the success of similar military-themed comedies popular at the time, but its reception was generally negative. It has rarely been seen in syndication since its original broadcast.