The 1960s were a time of peace, love, and hippies.  The first presidential debate was televised, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his iconic “I Have a Dream…” speech, The Beatles became popular, Walt Disney died, J.F.K was assassinated, Dr. King was assassinated, and the little music show we came to know as “Woodstock” came alive.   Television became not just for the rich.  By 1962, 90% of American households had a television and programming was quick to catch up.

Now, I was born in 1984 and am a firm child of the 1990s, so I had to do some research on this one.  I’m going to delve into the five television shows that kept rising to the surface whenever I’d ask about this era (mostly to my parents, grandparents, and Google).

Gunsmoke

This great American Western took place around the town of Dodge City, Kansas during the time of settlement in the American West.  The show started out in radio, but moved to the television forum in 1955 and lasted until 1975.  As of this year it is the third longest running drama on prime-time television, tied with Law & Order.

The Andy Griffith Show

In the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, Andy Griffith is the widowed sheriff who watches the town with his goofy deputy, Barney Fife (Don Knotts).  The family show ran for eight seasons (1960-1968) and between Mr.

Knotts and Frances Bavier, who played Aunt Bee, the show won six Emmy awards.

The Lucy Show

The Lucy Show was the follow-up to Lucille Ball’s I Love Lucy.  Ms. Ball starred as Lucy Carmichael, a widow with two children living in the home of her divorced friend Vivian Bagley (Vivian Vance) and her son.  Two Outstanding Lead Actress Emmy Awards were given to Ms. Ball for her portrayal for the years 1966-67 and 1967-1968.

Bonanza

This western lasted for 14 seasons, from 1959 to 1973.  The show followed the Cartwright family on their Ponderosa ranch on the shore of Lake Tahoe, Nevada.  The show is considered atypical of westerns as it centers around how the family cares for each other despite differences instead of focusing on guns, saloons, and sheriffs.

Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C

A spin off of The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. follows Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors) during his stint in the Marine Corps.  The show focused mainly on the relationship between Gomer and his Gunner Sergent Vince Carter.  Though the show stayed popular during its five season run (1964-1969), the show was cancelled because of the perception by CBS that rural themed shows did not appeal to their target demographic- high income, urban homes.

Television has evolved since the 1960s but I’d like to think the basic ideas that kept these shows popular are still lurking somewhere in our minds.  The Western programs of  good conquering evil still occur in our television programs, especially in the many versions of crime investigator shows.  However, I doubt any other comedy will be as wholesome as The Andy Griffith Show, and I feel that’s a shame.