Golden Age of Television
21st November is celebrated as the World Television Day. Let's celebrate it by remembering the golden age of television.
The period that ran roughly between 1948 and 1959 is referred to by many historians and scholars of the medium as the “Golden Age” of television.
Which of these do you think was the most impactful in the television history?
Discuss the poll here
Vote in polls about other TV eras: the 70s here and the 90s here.
Note: US TV Titles with a Minimum of 1,000 votes and an IMDb rating of 7.0 or above (except first title). The shows that started in or after 1959 are not considered.
The period that ran roughly between 1948 and 1959 is referred to by many historians and scholars of the medium as the “Golden Age” of television.
Which of these do you think was the most impactful in the television history?
Discuss the poll here
Vote in polls about other TV eras: the 70s here and the 90s here.
Note: US TV Titles with a Minimum of 1,000 votes and an IMDb rating of 7.0 or above (except first title). The shows that started in or after 1959 are not considered.
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- StarsMilton BerleSid StoneJimmy NelsonThe Texaco Star Theatre was one of the most popular shows in the history of television. In the first year, Milton Berle was not the permanent emcee, but once he replaced the rotation, the show soared to ratings dominance (Number One in 1950-51), NBC dominated Tuesday night, and Berle became the first great star of the new medium, "Mr. Television". The basic format was modeled after a vaudeville variety hour, spotlighting Berle's jokes, sight gags, and costumes.When Berle left the air in 1956, TV was in 70 percent of the American homes, increased from 2 percent when it debuted, and Berle had acquired the nickname “Mr. Television."
- StarsEd SullivanThe Ray Bloch OrchestraRay BlochThe classic prime time variety show most famous for its vaudeville acts and rock music performances.
- CreatorGeorge W. TrendleGeorge W. GeorgeStarsJay SilverheelsClayton MooreJohn HartThe adventures of the masked hero and his Native American partner.
- StarsLucille BallDesi ArnazVivian VanceThe wife of a band leader constantly tries to become a star - in spite of her having no talent, and gets herself (along with her best friend) into the funniest predicaments.If Milton Berle’s The Texaco Star Theatre had been TV’s first big hit, I Love Lucy was the first bona fide blockbuster.
- StarsAlfred HitchcockHarry TylerLillian O'MalleyStories of terror, horror and suspense presented by Alfred Hitchcock.
- CreatorWilliam BlinnStarsWalt DisneyPaul FreesClarence NashA Disney-produced anthology covering many different genres.
- CreatorJackie GleasonStarsJackie GleasonArt CarneyAudrey MeadowsA bus driver and his sewer worker friend struggle to strike it rich while their wives look on with weary patience.
- StarsGeorge BurnsGracie AllenBea BenaderetNeighbor Blanche Morton frequently joined Gracie in escapades which annoy hubby Harry and provides George with an opportunity to offer a humorous soliloquy.
- CreatorCharles Marquis WarrenClyde WareStarsJames ArnessMilburn StoneAmanda BlakeMarshal Matt Dillon keeps the peace in rough-and-tumble Dodge City.It became, for the remainder of the century at least, the longest-running fictional series on American prime-time television.
- CreatorEd JamesStarsRobert YoungLauren ChapinJane WyattThe popular radio show comes to life in this hit sitcom about a wise family man, Jim Anderson, his common-sense wife Margaret and their children Betty, Bud and Kathy.
- CreatorJoe ConnellyBob MosherDick ConwayStarsJerry MathersHugh BeaumontBarbara BillingsleyThe misadventures of a suburban boy, family and friends.
- CreatorErle Stanley GardnerStarsRaymond BurrBarbara HaleWilliam HopperThe trials of a master criminal defense attorney handling the most difficult cases in support of the innocent.
- StarsGeorge ReevesNoel NeillJack LarsonThe Man of Steel fights crime with help from his friends at the "Daily Planet."
- StarsJohn DalyArlene FrancisBennett CerfFour panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while blindfolded, their identity - by asking only "yes" or "no" questions.
- StarsOzzie NelsonHarriet NelsonRicky NelsonOzzie and Harriet Nelson raise their two sons Ricky and David. As the sons age, they experience teenage dating problems, marriage and careers.
- CreatorBob ClaverStarsRobert KeeshanHugh BrannumJames E. WallDaily children's program hosted by Captain Kangaroo.
- StarsGuy WilliamsGene SheldonHenry CalvinDon Diego de la Vega opposes the corrupt tyrants of Spanish California as the masked swordsman, Zorro.
- StarsBud AbbottLou CostelloSid FieldsBud and Lou are unemployed actors living in Mr. Fields' boarding house. Lou's girlfriend Hillary lives across the hall. Any premise would lead to slapstick, puns, lots of gimmicks from their movies.
- StarsWally AlbrightSherwood BaileyBobbie 'Cotton' BeardTelevision syndication package of the classic 1929-1938 shorts from the "Our Gang Comedies" movie series.
- StarsClint WalkerClyde HowdyChuck HicksAfter the Civil War, nomadic adventurer Cheyenne Bodie roamed the West looking for fights, bad guys to beat up, and women. His job changed from episode to episode.
- CreatorHerb MeadowSam RolfeStarsRichard BooneKam TongHal NeedhamThe adventures of a gentlemanly gunfighter-for-hire.
- CreatorNat HikenStarsPhil SilversHarvey LembeckPaul FordMaster Sergeant Bilko, regularly helped by the soldiers at Fort Baxter's motor pool, spends little time performing his duties by constantly trying to obtain money through various get-rich-quick scams and promotions.
- StarsJack BennyEddie 'Rochester' AndersonDon WilsonThe comic misadventures of the "skinflint" comedian and his friends.
- CreatorRoy HugginsStarsJack KellyJames GarnerRoger MooreBret and Bart Maverick are well-dressed gamblers who migrate from town to town always looking for a good game.
- CreatorJack WebbStarsJack WebbHal GibneyBen AlexanderFollows Sergeant Joe Friday of the Los Angels Police Department (LAPD) and his various partners as they methodically investigate a different verity of crimes in Los Angeles, California.