even when the medium was just starting out it had some amazing series Ranger
out it had some amazing series Ranger
out it had some amazing series Ranger welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10 decade defining TV shows of the 1950’s
decade defining TV shows of the 1950’s
decade defining TV shows of the 1950’s now with to head to the curse to me I
now with to head to the curse to me I
now with to head to the curse to me I can think more clearly than with three
can think more clearly than with three
can think more clearly than with three for our series on the top decade
for our series on the top decade
for our series on the top decade defining shows per era we picked series
defining shows per era we picked series
defining shows per era we picked series that spoke to the period in which they
that spoke to the period in which they
that spoke to the period in which they were made and set the standard for
were made and set the standard for
were made and set the standard for television during that time no not me
television during that time no not me
television during that time no not me I’m not in your league these shows were
I’m not in your league these shows were
I’m not in your league these shows were chosen for how important they were in
chosen for how important they were in
chosen for how important they were in the 1950s regardless of when they
the 1950s regardless of when they
the 1950s regardless of when they started or finished you know how it is
started or finished you know how it is
started or finished you know how it is number 10 father knows best for me so am
number 10 father knows best for me so am
number 10 father knows best for me so am i I don’t know which is gonna go first
i I don’t know which is gonna go first
i I don’t know which is gonna go first the ceiling or my nerves those who
the ceiling or my nerves those who
the ceiling or my nerves those who really know best can’t get enough of
really know best can’t get enough of
really know best can’t get enough of this show I can use it the hilarious
this show I can use it the hilarious
this show I can use it the hilarious sitcom portrays middle-class Midwestern
sitcom portrays middle-class Midwestern
sitcom portrays middle-class Midwestern life by focusing on the Andersons who
life by focusing on the Andersons who
life by focusing on the Andersons who are rather a lovable family who is the
are rather a lovable family who is the
are rather a lovable family who is the ideal American clan where are the
ideal American clan where are the
ideal American clan where are the children
children
children Cathy’s next door Betty’s at a sorority
Cathy’s next door Betty’s at a sorority
Cathy’s next door Betty’s at a sorority meeting and buds upstairs uh quiet
meeting and buds upstairs uh quiet
meeting and buds upstairs uh quiet evening at home
evening at home
evening at home as children Betty and bud grew up and
as children Betty and bud grew up and
as children Betty and bud grew up and graduated from high school their parents
graduated from high school their parents
graduated from high school their parents tried to give them advice I think it’s
tried to give them advice I think it’s
tried to give them advice I think it’s time you would I had a little talk the
time you would I had a little talk the
time you would I had a little talk the show was so ingrained in u.s. pop
show was so ingrained in u.s. pop
show was so ingrained in u.s. pop culture that the Treasury Department
culture that the Treasury Department
culture that the Treasury Department commissioned a propaganda episode which
commissioned a propaganda episode which
commissioned a propaganda episode which never aired you sure there’s no other
never aired you sure there’s no other
never aired you sure there’s no other catch to this no that’s all as with many
catch to this no that’s all as with many
catch to this no that’s all as with many 50 shows it started out on radio but it
50 shows it started out on radio but it
50 shows it started out on radio but it made the transition well and leaned even
made the transition well and leaned even
made the transition well and leaned even more fans you’re gonna have a barrel of
more fans you’re gonna have a barrel of
more fans you’re gonna have a barrel of it but it’s not much good unless you
it but it’s not much good unless you
it but it’s not much good unless you work for it number nine lassie to young
work for it number nine lassie to young
work for it number nine lassie to young Jack Miller I leave the best thing I
Jack Miller I leave the best thing I
Jack Miller I leave the best thing I have got my dog Masek
she’s all yours
she’s all yours this drama ran for a whopping 19 seasons
this drama ran for a whopping 19 seasons
this drama ran for a whopping 19 seasons but its best years were the early ones
but its best years were the early ones
but its best years were the early ones when it was still in black and white
when it was still in black and white
when it was still in black and white my entire nation didn’t you say so in
my entire nation didn’t you say so in
my entire nation didn’t you say so in the first place the plots were often
the first place the plots were often
the first place the plots were often similar one of the boys would get in
similar one of the boys would get in
similar one of the boys would get in trouble and the titular Kali would save
trouble and the titular Kali would save
trouble and the titular Kali would save him
him
him Sachi listen to me go to the broccoli
Sachi listen to me go to the broccoli
Sachi listen to me go to the broccoli take this to the broccoli go to portly
take this to the broccoli go to portly
take this to the broccoli go to portly Pisces deport me go away mom the stories
Pisces deport me go away mom the stories
Pisces deport me go away mom the stories were fairly simple but they were
were fairly simple but they were
were fairly simple but they were entertaining and provided valuable moral
entertaining and provided valuable moral
entertaining and provided valuable moral lessons for their young viewers huh
lessons for their young viewers huh
lessons for their young viewers huh that’s why she barked it’s a band track
that’s why she barked it’s a band track
that’s why she barked it’s a band track winning two Emmy Awards in its early
winning two Emmy Awards in its early
winning two Emmy Awards in its early years and consistently winning its
years and consistently winning its
years and consistently winning its timeslot this series is a feel-good
timeslot this series is a feel-good
timeslot this series is a feel-good classic from the early days of
classic from the early days of
classic from the early days of television
there was a lot of incredible music in
there was a lot of incredible music in the 1950s and much of the public got
the 1950s and much of the public got
the 1950s and much of the public got their first exposure to artists through
their first exposure to artists through
their first exposure to artists through their appearances on this variety show
their appearances on this variety show
their appearances on this variety show as a junctures from Liverpool England
as a junctures from Liverpool England
as a junctures from Liverpool England and their conduct over here not only is
and their conduct over here not only is
and their conduct over here not only is fine professional singers but as a group
fine professional singers but as a group
fine professional singers but as a group of fine youngsters the series showcased
of fine youngsters the series showcased
of fine youngsters the series showcased performers ranging from Itzhak Perlman
performers ranging from Itzhak Perlman
performers ranging from Itzhak Perlman to Elvis Presley and it became
to Elvis Presley and it became
to Elvis Presley and it became appointment viewing for families across
appointment viewing for families across
appointment viewing for families across the u.s. no matter who was on Sullivan
the u.s. no matter who was on Sullivan
the u.s. no matter who was on Sullivan was a gracious and charismatic host and
was a gracious and charismatic host and
was a gracious and charismatic host and that’s how his show lasted a spectacular
that’s how his show lasted a spectacular
that’s how his show lasted a spectacular 24 seasons remaining relevant all the
24 seasons remaining relevant all the
24 seasons remaining relevant all the way through
long before jerry bruckheimer adapted it
long before jerry bruckheimer adapted it into a big-budget misfire of a film why
into a big-budget misfire of a film why
into a big-budget misfire of a film why you dead Blanchard farmers I’ll give you
you dead Blanchard farmers I’ll give you
you dead Blanchard farmers I’ll give you your money with the trouble this series
your money with the trouble this series
your money with the trouble this series was showing the thrilling Adventures of
was showing the thrilling Adventures of
was showing the thrilling Adventures of the titular masked man and his Native
the titular masked man and his Native
the titular masked man and his Native American sidekick Tonto we thank you
American sidekick Tonto we thank you
American sidekick Tonto we thank you right Kemosabe
right Kemosabe
right Kemosabe after getting its start in radio sound
after getting its start in radio sound
after getting its start in radio sound come from over there
come from over there
come from over there The Lone Ranger capitalized on the
The Lone Ranger capitalized on the
The Lone Ranger capitalized on the introduction of visuals to its
introduction of visuals to its
introduction of visuals to its storytelling when it became one of the
storytelling when it became one of the
storytelling when it became one of the first westerns on TV come on boys let’s
first westerns on TV come on boys let’s
first westerns on TV come on boys let’s make it legal and it sure got the jar
make it legal and it sure got the jar
make it legal and it sure got the jar off to an exciting start the
off to an exciting start the
off to an exciting start the protagonists strict morality code made
protagonists strict morality code made
protagonists strict morality code made him a role model to fifties children
him a role model to fifties children
him a role model to fifties children across the u.s. well shoot if I have to
across the u.s. well shoot if I have to
across the u.s. well shoot if I have to but I’ll shoot the wound not to kill
but I’ll shoot the wound not to kill
but I’ll shoot the wound not to kill number six Perry Mason did you hear the
number six Perry Mason did you hear the
number six Perry Mason did you hear the testimony just given by mr. Aldridge
testimony just given by mr. Aldridge
testimony just given by mr. Aldridge yeah I did this courtroom drama paved
yeah I did this courtroom drama paved
yeah I did this courtroom drama paved the way for legal shows like Law & Order
the way for legal shows like Law & Order
the way for legal shows like Law & Order but it had plenty of merit itself I
but it had plenty of merit itself I
but it had plenty of merit itself I won’t take long mr. Aldrich the formats
won’t take long mr. Aldrich the formats
won’t take long mr. Aldrich the formats for the episodes were fairly similar
for the episodes were fairly similar
for the episodes were fairly similar a future murder victim would show why he
a future murder victim would show why he
a future murder victim would show why he deserved to be killed
deserved to be killed
deserved to be killed Mason’s client would appear guilty of
Mason’s client would appear guilty of
Mason’s client would appear guilty of killing him and the lawyer would prove
killing him and the lawyer would prove
killing him and the lawyer would prove that someone else was the killer
that someone else was the killer
that someone else was the killer no no he’s faking it tried to kill but
no no he’s faking it tried to kill but
no no he’s faking it tried to kill but even though it used a formula the show
even though it used a formula the show
even though it used a formula the show was a must watch thanks to Raymond burrs
was a must watch thanks to Raymond burrs
was a must watch thanks to Raymond burrs performance as the fictional attorney I
performance as the fictional attorney I
performance as the fictional attorney I didn’t expect to find a murder didn’t
didn’t expect to find a murder didn’t
didn’t expect to find a murder didn’t you
you
you number five Leave It to Beaver Deaver is
number five Leave It to Beaver Deaver is
number five Leave It to Beaver Deaver is that your given night yes ma’am
that your given night yes ma’am
that your given night yes ma’am the cleavers the family featured in this
the cleavers the family featured in this
the cleavers the family featured in this sitcom are one of the most beloved
sitcom are one of the most beloved
sitcom are one of the most beloved clients in TV history and it’s easy to
clients in TV history and it’s easy to
clients in TV history and it’s easy to see why when you watch this show hey
see why when you watch this show hey
see why when you watch this show hey like a modern-day Tom Sawyer
like a modern-day Tom Sawyer
like a modern-day Tom Sawyer théo also known as the beaver would
théo also known as the beaver would
théo also known as the beaver would often get into hysterical spats of
often get into hysterical spats of
often get into hysterical spats of trouble would that be him up there but
trouble would that be him up there but
trouble would that be him up there but his parents Ward and June would always
his parents Ward and June would always
his parents Ward and June would always be there to give him advice now look
be there to give him advice now look
be there to give him advice now look babe whatever you did don’t drag me into
babe whatever you did don’t drag me into
babe whatever you did don’t drag me into it even his brother Wally don’t usually
it even his brother Wally don’t usually
it even his brother Wally don’t usually understand their lessons but the viewers
understand their lessons but the viewers
understand their lessons but the viewers can still enjoy the heartwarming moments
can still enjoy the heartwarming moments
can still enjoy the heartwarming moments if I tell you you’ll be mad at me
if I tell you you’ll be mad at me
if I tell you you’ll be mad at me that’s ridiculous now come on tell me I
that’s ridiculous now come on tell me I
that’s ridiculous now come on tell me I lost my money again number four
lost my money again number four
lost my money again number four gunsmoke’s
gunwoo there were lots of westerns
gunwoo there were lots of westerns during these years but none of them was
during these years but none of them was
during these years but none of them was quite like this show I mean right now is
quite like this show I mean right now is
quite like this show I mean right now is there no there’s not a thing gesture
there no there’s not a thing gesture
there no there’s not a thing gesture marshal Matt Dillon’s adventures through
marshal Matt Dillon’s adventures through
marshal Matt Dillon’s adventures through the streets of Dodge City Matt Dillon US
the streets of Dodge City Matt Dillon US
the streets of Dodge City Matt Dillon US Marshal
Marshal
Marshal we’re realistic and mature in a way that
we’re realistic and mature in a way that
we’re realistic and mature in a way that was unprecedented for TV at the time
was unprecedented for TV at the time
was unprecedented for TV at the time it’s part of my job to stop the killings
it’s part of my job to stop the killings
it’s part of my job to stop the killings and keep the peace the tone is
and keep the peace the tone is
and keep the peace the tone is established early in the pilot when Matt
established early in the pilot when Matt
established early in the pilot when Matt gets wounded by a gunslinger thankfully
gets wounded by a gunslinger thankfully
gets wounded by a gunslinger thankfully as often happened doc Adams was there to
as often happened doc Adams was there to
as often happened doc Adams was there to heal him none of your doctors is any
heal him none of your doctors is any
heal him none of your doctors is any good with enough adventure to keep
good with enough adventure to keep
good with enough adventure to keep anyone entertained Gunsmoke became the
anyone entertained Gunsmoke became the
anyone entertained Gunsmoke became the longest-running show of the 20th century
longest-running show of the 20th century
longest-running show of the 20th century and a number-one on 50s television what
and a number-one on 50s television what
and a number-one on 50s television what were you doing around here anyway during
were you doing around here anyway during
were you doing around here anyway during working hours
working hours
working hours number three Alfred Hitchcock Presents
number three Alfred Hitchcock Presents
number three Alfred Hitchcock Presents good evening
good evening
good evening I’m Alfred Hitchcock as much as we love
I’m Alfred Hitchcock as much as we love
I’m Alfred Hitchcock as much as we love this directors movies many of his finest
this directors movies many of his finest
this directors movies many of his finest moments came on this show well it takes
moments came on this show well it takes
moments came on this show well it takes a little while to get used to working in
a little while to get used to working in
a little while to get used to working in a trailer Hitchcock hosted executive
a trailer Hitchcock hosted executive
a trailer Hitchcock hosted executive produced and sometimes directed the
produced and sometimes directed the
produced and sometimes directed the mystery anthology series
mystery anthology series
mystery anthology series I shall not act in these stories but
I shall not act in these stories but
I shall not act in these stories but will only make appearances which
will only make appearances which
will only make appearances which featured tales of murder robbery and
featured tales of murder robbery and
featured tales of murder robbery and more what done it killed me thank you me
more what done it killed me thank you me
more what done it killed me thank you me and bringing these creepy tales to life
and bringing these creepy tales to life
and bringing these creepy tales to life were some of the best actors from the
were some of the best actors from the
were some of the best actors from the era why would you be without me this was
era why would you be without me this was
era why would you be without me this was some of the finest film noir ever to be
some of the finest film noir ever to be
some of the finest film noir ever to be presented on the small screen
and it allowed one talented filmmaker
and it allowed one talented filmmaker into America’s homes I was it better to
into America’s homes I was it better to
into America’s homes I was it better to have these programs to look at every
have these programs to look at every
have these programs to look at every night before she went to bed
night before she went to bed
night before she went to bed number two the honeymooners who suite
number two the honeymooners who suite
number two the honeymooners who suite him yeah wait um this sitcom ended after
him yeah wait um this sitcom ended after
him yeah wait um this sitcom ended after just 39 episodes but it sure made a
just 39 episodes but it sure made a
just 39 episodes but it sure made a strong impression during its short time
strong impression during its short time
strong impression during its short time on the air oh shut up you troublemaker
on the air oh shut up you troublemaker
on the air oh shut up you troublemaker even though Ralph Kramden often verbally
even though Ralph Kramden often verbally
even though Ralph Kramden often verbally abused his friend ed Norton he was happy
abused his friend ed Norton he was happy
abused his friend ed Norton he was happy to use him and is crazy but entertaining
to use him and is crazy but entertaining
to use him and is crazy but entertaining schemes I know what you’re going through
schemes I know what you’re going through
schemes I know what you’re going through you don’t have to tell me I know every
you don’t have to tell me I know every
you don’t have to tell me I know every meanwhile their wives Trixie and Alice
meanwhile their wives Trixie and Alice
meanwhile their wives Trixie and Alice had to deal with the boys nonsense and
had to deal with the boys nonsense and
had to deal with the boys nonsense and the women often responded with snarky
the women often responded with snarky
the women often responded with snarky attitudes that’s what nutty ideas in
attitudes that’s what nutty ideas in
attitudes that’s what nutty ideas in your head you are Ralph you think he’s a
your head you are Ralph you think he’s a
your head you are Ralph you think he’s a troublemaker
troublemaker
troublemaker well I have gotten news for you Ralph
well I have gotten news for you Ralph
well I have gotten news for you Ralph you and Norton and some of the men in
you and Norton and some of the men in
you and Norton and some of the men in this building can learn an awful lot of
this building can learn an awful lot of
this building can learn an awful lot of things from Carlos he happens to be a
things from Carlos he happens to be a
things from Carlos he happens to be a gentleman Ralph and that seems to be
gentleman Ralph and that seems to be
gentleman Ralph and that seems to be something that you have forgotten all
something that you have forgotten all
something that you have forgotten all about these four characters became some
about these four characters became some
about these four characters became some of the most beloved figures in TV
of the most beloved figures in TV
of the most beloved figures in TV history spawning imitators adaptations
history spawning imitators adaptations
history spawning imitators adaptations and remakes and going down as some of
and remakes and going down as some of
and remakes and going down as some of the greats
the greats
the greats you seem to have forgotten that I am a
you seem to have forgotten that I am a
you seem to have forgotten that I am a woman oh forget it you’re a woman how
woman oh forget it you’re a woman how
woman oh forget it you’re a woman how could I
could I
could I you’re always yapping before we unveil
you’re always yapping before we unveil
you’re always yapping before we unveil our pick for decade defining show of the
our pick for decade defining show of the
our pick for decade defining show of the 1950’s here are a few honorable mentions
1950’s here are a few honorable mentions
1950’s here are a few honorable mentions I’m coming over and capture you and
I’m coming over and capture you and
I’m coming over and capture you and there’s nothing you can do about no no
there’s nothing you can do about no no
there’s nothing you can do about no no hang on
over the way that you find the radio
over the way that you find the radio everybody
everybody
everybody humidity folks get in the house there’s
humidity folks get in the house there’s
humidity folks get in the house there’s a lion loose in the city very gamers
a lion loose in the city very gamers
a lion loose in the city very gamers good now any little boy can get dressed
good now any little boy can get dressed
good now any little boy can get dressed in five minutes flat via the difference
in five minutes flat via the difference
in five minutes flat via the difference is the girls wash so thirty five extra
is the girls wash so thirty five extra
is the girls wash so thirty five extra minutes just to wash how can he get so
minutes just to wash how can he get so
minutes just to wash how can he get so dirty just sleepin paladin it was a
dirty just sleepin paladin it was a
dirty just sleepin paladin it was a mistake I put my gun away
mistake I put my gun away
mistake I put my gun away I’d call that a lie I just got an idea I
I’d call that a lie I just got an idea I
I’d call that a lie I just got an idea I thought maybe I’d teach David a couple
thought maybe I’d teach David a couple
thought maybe I’d teach David a couple of tunes on the ukulele ooh maybe yes
of tunes on the ukulele ooh maybe yes
of tunes on the ukulele ooh maybe yes sir that’s my baby or somebody stole my
sir that’s my baby or somebody stole my
sir that’s my baby or somebody stole my gal I’m sure he’ll do all right dear
gal I’m sure he’ll do all right dear
gal I’m sure he’ll do all right dear number one I Love Lucy this was one of
number one I Love Lucy this was one of
number one I Love Lucy this was one of TV’s first multicam shows and its
TV’s first multicam shows and its
TV’s first multicam shows and its innovations don’t stop there what job
innovations don’t stop there what job
innovations don’t stop there what job did you have in mind uh what kind of
did you have in mind uh what kind of
did you have in mind uh what kind of jobs do you have open Oh what do you do
jobs do you have open Oh what do you do
jobs do you have open Oh what do you do what kind of jobs do you have open I
what kind of jobs do you have open I
what kind of jobs do you have open I Love Lucy was one of the first
Love Lucy was one of the first
Love Lucy was one of the first successful series with a female lead and
successful series with a female lead and
successful series with a female lead and it set the bar high for comedies with
it set the bar high for comedies with
it set the bar high for comedies with leads of both genders it’s so tasty to
the real life couple of Lucille Ball and
the real life couple of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz made for one of the funniest
Desi Arnaz made for one of the funniest
Desi Arnaz made for one of the funniest and most endearing TV husband-and-wife
and most endearing TV husband-and-wife
and most endearing TV husband-and-wife teams where’d you learn to do all this
teams where’d you learn to do all this
teams where’d you learn to do all this oh just a natural-born cook I guess and
oh just a natural-born cook I guess and
oh just a natural-born cook I guess and their adventures made for some hilarious
their adventures made for some hilarious
their adventures made for some hilarious physical comedy
tackling taboo issues as well as silly
tackling taboo issues as well as silly ones this series set the standard for
ones this series set the standard for
ones this series set the standard for all sitcoms that followed so why don’t
all sitcoms that followed so why don’t
all sitcoms that followed so why don’t you join the thousands of happy peppy
you join the thousands of happy peppy
you join the thousands of happy peppy people and get a great big do you agree
people and get a great big do you agree
people and get a great big do you agree with our list I’m afraid not
with our list I’m afraid not
with our list I’m afraid not what TV show do you think best to find
what TV show do you think best to find
what TV show do you think best to find the 1950s for more memorable top 10s
the 1950s for more memorable top 10s
the 1950s for more memorable top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe
published every day be sure to subscribe
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