even when the medium was just starting
out it had some amazing series Ranger
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
counting down our picks for the top 10
decade defining TV shows of the 1950’s
now with to head to the curse to me I
can think more clearly than with three
for our series on the top decade
defining shows per era we picked series
that spoke to the period in which they
were made and set the standard for
television during that time no not me
I’m not in your league these shows were
chosen for how important they were in
the 1950s regardless of when they
started or finished you know how it is
number 10 father knows best for me so am
i I don’t know which is gonna go first
the ceiling or my nerves those who
really know best can’t get enough of
this show I can use it the hilarious
sitcom portrays middle-class Midwestern
life by focusing on the Andersons who
are rather a lovable family who is the
ideal American clan where are the
children
Cathy’s next door Betty’s at a sorority
meeting and buds upstairs uh quiet
evening at home
as children Betty and bud grew up and
graduated from high school their parents
tried to give them advice I think it’s
time you would I had a little talk the
show was so ingrained in u.s. pop
culture that the Treasury Department
commissioned a propaganda episode which
never aired you sure there’s no other
catch to this no that’s all as with many
50 shows it started out on radio but it
made the transition well and leaned even
more fans you’re gonna have a barrel of
it but it’s not much good unless you
work for it number nine lassie to young
Jack Miller I leave the best thing I
have got my dog Masek
she’s all yours
this drama ran for a whopping 19 seasons
but its best years were the early ones
when it was still in black and white
my entire nation didn’t you say so in
the first place the plots were often
similar one of the boys would get in
trouble and the titular Kali would save
him
Sachi listen to me go to the broccoli
take this to the broccoli go to portly
Pisces deport me go away mom the stories
were fairly simple but they were
entertaining and provided valuable moral
lessons for their young viewers huh
that’s why she barked it’s a band track
winning two Emmy Awards in its early
years and consistently winning its
timeslot this series is a feel-good
classic from the early days of
television
Oh number 8 the Ed Sullivan Show
there was a lot of incredible music in
the 1950s and much of the public got
their first exposure to artists through
their appearances on this variety show
as a junctures from Liverpool England
and their conduct over here not only is
fine professional singers but as a group
of fine youngsters the series showcased
performers ranging from Itzhak Perlman
to Elvis Presley and it became
appointment viewing for families across
the u.s. no matter who was on Sullivan
was a gracious and charismatic host and
that’s how his show lasted a spectacular
24 seasons remaining relevant all the
way through
number seven The Lone Ranger Ranger
long before jerry bruckheimer adapted it
into a big-budget misfire of a film why
you dead Blanchard farmers I’ll give you
your money with the trouble this series
was showing the thrilling Adventures of
the titular masked man and his Native
American sidekick Tonto we thank you
right Kemosabe
after getting its start in radio sound
come from over there
The Lone Ranger capitalized on the
introduction of visuals to its
storytelling when it became one of the
first westerns on TV come on boys let’s
make it legal and it sure got the jar
off to an exciting start the
protagonists strict morality code made
him a role model to fifties children
across the u.s. well shoot if I have to
but I’ll shoot the wound not to kill
number six Perry Mason did you hear the
testimony just given by mr. Aldridge
yeah I did this courtroom drama paved
the way for legal shows like Law & Order
but it had plenty of merit itself I
won’t take long mr. Aldrich the formats
for the episodes were fairly similar
a future murder victim would show why he
deserved to be killed
Mason’s client would appear guilty of
killing him and the lawyer would prove
that someone else was the killer
no no he’s faking it tried to kill but
even though it used a formula the show
was a must watch thanks to Raymond burrs
performance as the fictional attorney I
didn’t expect to find a murder didn’t
you
number five Leave It to Beaver Deaver is
that your given night yes ma’am
the cleavers the family featured in this
sitcom are one of the most beloved
clients in TV history and it’s easy to
see why when you watch this show hey
like a modern-day Tom Sawyer
théo also known as the beaver would
often get into hysterical spats of
trouble would that be him up there but
his parents Ward and June would always
be there to give him advice now look
babe whatever you did don’t drag me into
it even his brother Wally don’t usually
understand their lessons but the viewers
can still enjoy the heartwarming moments
if I tell you you’ll be mad at me
that’s ridiculous now come on tell me I
lost my money again number four
gunsmoke’s
gunwoo there were lots of westerns
during these years but none of them was
quite like this show I mean right now is
there no there’s not a thing gesture
marshal Matt Dillon’s adventures through
the streets of Dodge City Matt Dillon US
Marshal
we’re realistic and mature in a way that
was unprecedented for TV at the time
it’s part of my job to stop the killings
and keep the peace the tone is
established early in the pilot when Matt
gets wounded by a gunslinger thankfully
as often happened doc Adams was there to
heal him none of your doctors is any
good with enough adventure to keep
anyone entertained Gunsmoke became the
longest-running show of the 20th century
and a number-one on 50s television what
were you doing around here anyway during
working hours
number three Alfred Hitchcock Presents
good evening
I’m Alfred Hitchcock as much as we love
this directors movies many of his finest
moments came on this show well it takes
a little while to get used to working in
a trailer Hitchcock hosted executive
produced and sometimes directed the
mystery anthology series
I shall not act in these stories but
will only make appearances which
featured tales of murder robbery and
more what done it killed me thank you me
and bringing these creepy tales to life
were some of the best actors from the
era why would you be without me this was
some of the finest film noir ever to be
presented on the small screen
and it allowed one talented filmmaker
into America’s homes I was it better to
have these programs to look at every
night before she went to bed
number two the honeymooners who suite
him yeah wait um this sitcom ended after
just 39 episodes but it sure made a
strong impression during its short time
on the air oh shut up you troublemaker
even though Ralph Kramden often verbally
abused his friend ed Norton he was happy
to use him and is crazy but entertaining
schemes I know what you’re going through
you don’t have to tell me I know every
meanwhile their wives Trixie and Alice
had to deal with the boys nonsense and
the women often responded with snarky
attitudes that’s what nutty ideas in
your head you are Ralph you think he’s a
troublemaker
well I have gotten news for you Ralph
you and Norton and some of the men in
this building can learn an awful lot of
things from Carlos he happens to be a
gentleman Ralph and that seems to be
something that you have forgotten all
about these four characters became some
of the most beloved figures in TV
history spawning imitators adaptations
and remakes and going down as some of
the greats
you seem to have forgotten that I am a
woman oh forget it you’re a woman how
could I
you’re always yapping before we unveil
our pick for decade defining show of the
1950’s here are a few honorable mentions
I’m coming over and capture you and
there’s nothing you can do about no no
hang on
over the way that you find the radio
everybody
humidity folks get in the house there’s
a lion loose in the city very gamers
good now any little boy can get dressed
in five minutes flat via the difference
is the girls wash so thirty five extra
minutes just to wash how can he get so
dirty just sleepin paladin it was a
mistake I put my gun away
I’d call that a lie I just got an idea I
thought maybe I’d teach David a couple
of tunes on the ukulele ooh maybe yes
sir that’s my baby or somebody stole my
gal I’m sure he’ll do all right dear
number one I Love Lucy this was one of
TV’s first multicam shows and its
innovations don’t stop there what job
did you have in mind uh what kind of
jobs do you have open Oh what do you do
what kind of jobs do you have open I
Love Lucy was one of the first
successful series with a female lead and
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
Desi Arnaz made for one of the funniest
and most endearing TV husband-and-wife
teams where’d you learn to do all this
oh just a natural-born cook I guess and
their adventures made for some hilarious
physical comedy
tackling taboo issues as well as silly
ones this series set the standard for
all sitcoms that followed so why don’t
you join the thousands of happy peppy
people and get a great big do you agree
with our list I’m afraid not
what TV show do you think best to find
the 1950s for more memorable top 10s
published every day be sure to subscribe
to watchmojo.com or you can share it
with others
out it had some amazing series Ranger
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
counting down our picks for the top 10
decade defining TV shows of the 1950’s
now with to head to the curse to me I
can think more clearly than with three
for our series on the top decade
defining shows per era we picked series
that spoke to the period in which they
were made and set the standard for
television during that time no not me
I’m not in your league these shows were
chosen for how important they were in
the 1950s regardless of when they
started or finished you know how it is
number 10 father knows best for me so am
i I don’t know which is gonna go first
the ceiling or my nerves those who
really know best can’t get enough of
this show I can use it the hilarious
sitcom portrays middle-class Midwestern
life by focusing on the Andersons who
are rather a lovable family who is the
ideal American clan where are the
children
Cathy’s next door Betty’s at a sorority
meeting and buds upstairs uh quiet
evening at home
as children Betty and bud grew up and
graduated from high school their parents
tried to give them advice I think it’s
time you would I had a little talk the
show was so ingrained in u.s. pop
culture that the Treasury Department
commissioned a propaganda episode which
never aired you sure there’s no other
catch to this no that’s all as with many
50 shows it started out on radio but it
made the transition well and leaned even
more fans you’re gonna have a barrel of
it but it’s not much good unless you
work for it number nine lassie to young
Jack Miller I leave the best thing I
have got my dog Masek
she’s all yours
this drama ran for a whopping 19 seasons
but its best years were the early ones
when it was still in black and white
my entire nation didn’t you say so in
the first place the plots were often
similar one of the boys would get in
trouble and the titular Kali would save
him
Sachi listen to me go to the broccoli
take this to the broccoli go to portly
Pisces deport me go away mom the stories
were fairly simple but they were
entertaining and provided valuable moral
lessons for their young viewers huh
that’s why she barked it’s a band track
winning two Emmy Awards in its early
years and consistently winning its
timeslot this series is a feel-good
classic from the early days of
television
Oh number 8 the Ed Sullivan Show
there was a lot of incredible music in
the 1950s and much of the public got
their first exposure to artists through
their appearances on this variety show
as a junctures from Liverpool England
and their conduct over here not only is
fine professional singers but as a group
of fine youngsters the series showcased
performers ranging from Itzhak Perlman
to Elvis Presley and it became
appointment viewing for families across
the u.s. no matter who was on Sullivan
was a gracious and charismatic host and
that’s how his show lasted a spectacular
24 seasons remaining relevant all the
way through
number seven The Lone Ranger Ranger
long before jerry bruckheimer adapted it
into a big-budget misfire of a film why
you dead Blanchard farmers I’ll give you
your money with the trouble this series
was showing the thrilling Adventures of
the titular masked man and his Native
American sidekick Tonto we thank you
right Kemosabe
after getting its start in radio sound
come from over there
The Lone Ranger capitalized on the
introduction of visuals to its
storytelling when it became one of the
first westerns on TV come on boys let’s
make it legal and it sure got the jar
off to an exciting start the
protagonists strict morality code made
him a role model to fifties children
across the u.s. well shoot if I have to
but I’ll shoot the wound not to kill
number six Perry Mason did you hear the
testimony just given by mr. Aldridge
yeah I did this courtroom drama paved
the way for legal shows like Law & Order
but it had plenty of merit itself I
won’t take long mr. Aldrich the formats
for the episodes were fairly similar
a future murder victim would show why he
deserved to be killed
Mason’s client would appear guilty of
killing him and the lawyer would prove
that someone else was the killer
no no he’s faking it tried to kill but
even though it used a formula the show
was a must watch thanks to Raymond burrs
performance as the fictional attorney I
didn’t expect to find a murder didn’t
you
number five Leave It to Beaver Deaver is
that your given night yes ma’am
the cleavers the family featured in this
sitcom are one of the most beloved
clients in TV history and it’s easy to
see why when you watch this show hey
like a modern-day Tom Sawyer
théo also known as the beaver would
often get into hysterical spats of
trouble would that be him up there but
his parents Ward and June would always
be there to give him advice now look
babe whatever you did don’t drag me into
it even his brother Wally don’t usually
understand their lessons but the viewers
can still enjoy the heartwarming moments
if I tell you you’ll be mad at me
that’s ridiculous now come on tell me I
lost my money again number four
gunsmoke’s
gunwoo there were lots of westerns
during these years but none of them was
quite like this show I mean right now is
there no there’s not a thing gesture
marshal Matt Dillon’s adventures through
the streets of Dodge City Matt Dillon US
Marshal
we’re realistic and mature in a way that
was unprecedented for TV at the time
it’s part of my job to stop the killings
and keep the peace the tone is
established early in the pilot when Matt
gets wounded by a gunslinger thankfully
as often happened doc Adams was there to
heal him none of your doctors is any
good with enough adventure to keep
anyone entertained Gunsmoke became the
longest-running show of the 20th century
and a number-one on 50s television what
were you doing around here anyway during
working hours
number three Alfred Hitchcock Presents
good evening
I’m Alfred Hitchcock as much as we love
this directors movies many of his finest
moments came on this show well it takes
a little while to get used to working in
a trailer Hitchcock hosted executive
produced and sometimes directed the
mystery anthology series
I shall not act in these stories but
will only make appearances which
featured tales of murder robbery and
more what done it killed me thank you me
and bringing these creepy tales to life
were some of the best actors from the
era why would you be without me this was
some of the finest film noir ever to be
presented on the small screen
and it allowed one talented filmmaker
into America’s homes I was it better to
have these programs to look at every
night before she went to bed
number two the honeymooners who suite
him yeah wait um this sitcom ended after
just 39 episodes but it sure made a
strong impression during its short time
on the air oh shut up you troublemaker
even though Ralph Kramden often verbally
abused his friend ed Norton he was happy
to use him and is crazy but entertaining
schemes I know what you’re going through
you don’t have to tell me I know every
meanwhile their wives Trixie and Alice
had to deal with the boys nonsense and
the women often responded with snarky
attitudes that’s what nutty ideas in
your head you are Ralph you think he’s a
troublemaker
well I have gotten news for you Ralph
you and Norton and some of the men in
this building can learn an awful lot of
things from Carlos he happens to be a
gentleman Ralph and that seems to be
something that you have forgotten all
about these four characters became some
of the most beloved figures in TV
history spawning imitators adaptations
and remakes and going down as some of
the greats
you seem to have forgotten that I am a
woman oh forget it you’re a woman how
could I
you’re always yapping before we unveil
our pick for decade defining show of the
1950’s here are a few honorable mentions
I’m coming over and capture you and
there’s nothing you can do about no no
hang on
over the way that you find the radio
everybody
humidity folks get in the house there’s
a lion loose in the city very gamers
good now any little boy can get dressed
in five minutes flat via the difference
is the girls wash so thirty five extra
minutes just to wash how can he get so
dirty just sleepin paladin it was a
mistake I put my gun away
I’d call that a lie I just got an idea I
thought maybe I’d teach David a couple
of tunes on the ukulele ooh maybe yes
sir that’s my baby or somebody stole my
gal I’m sure he’ll do all right dear
number one I Love Lucy this was one of
TV’s first multicam shows and its
innovations don’t stop there what job
did you have in mind uh what kind of
jobs do you have open Oh what do you do
what kind of jobs do you have open I
Love Lucy was one of the first
successful series with a female lead and
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
Desi Arnaz made for one of the funniest
and most endearing TV husband-and-wife
teams where’d you learn to do all this
oh just a natural-born cook I guess and
their adventures made for some hilarious
physical comedy
tackling taboo issues as well as silly
ones this series set the standard for
all sitcoms that followed so why don’t
you join the thousands of happy peppy
people and get a great big do you agree
with our list I’m afraid not
what TV show do you think best to find
the 1950s for more memorable top 10s
published every day be sure to subscribe
to watchmojo.com or you can share it
with others
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