• Early Tv Shows 1940s 1950s Show

9 thoughts on “ 1950s TV Shows. Looking for the name of a game show from the early to mid 1950’s where the contestants had to answer a question after running and ringing a bell. I think it had something to do with music however it was not name that tune. 1920s • 1930s • 1940s • 1950s • 1960s • 1970s • 1980s • 1990s Music. Top 10 1950s TV Shows. Looking for the name of a game show from the early to mid 1950’s where the contestants had to answer a question after running and ringing.

Hooray for pointless lists! This is an incomplete list of 1940s/1950s US TV shows whose title follow the following structure: 'The (given-name) (surname) Show'. Some of these series also went under other titles: for example, 'The Milton Berle Show' was originally 'Texaco Star Theater'. It also includes a few 'local' series like 'The Dude Martin Show'.
There are also some not listed on IMDb, such as 'The Martha Wright Show','The Sonny Kendis Show', etc. Please note this.
If you know any additional shows to add, please let me know!

• Instant Watch Options
• Genres
• Movies or TV
• IMDb Rating
• In Theaters
• Release Year
• Keywords

1.The Alan Dale Show(1948–1951)

30 minMusic

Highlighting the talents of one of the premier singers of the day, this musical and variety show provided viewers with a new musical treat each episode. Set inside a record shop supposedly .. See full summary »

Stars:Alan Dale, Janie Ford

2.The Al Jarvis Show(1949– )

Family

Stars:Al Jarvis, Anita Coleman, Frank Sinatra

(local series)

3.The Milton Berle Show(1948–1956)

60 minComedy, Family

The 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 .. See full summary »

Stars:Milton Berle, Sid Stone, Jimmy Nelson, Hal Sawyer

Votes:91

AKA 'The Milton Berle Show'.

4.The Morey Amsterdam Show(1948–1950)

30 minComedy, Family, Music

The show had two venues. In December 1948 to March 1949, Morey Amsterdam was the emcee at a small fictional nightclub in New York City's Times Square. Charlie the Doorman (later Newton the .. See full summary »

Stars:Morey Amsterdam, Art Carney, Johnny Guarnieri, Don Russell

Votes:23

5.Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall(1948–1967)

60 minMusic

Perry Como was an American Singer, who got his start on NBC Radio. In 1948, Because of his popularity, The cameras were simply brought into the radio studio to televise the radio broadcast .. See full summary »

Stars:Perry Como, Mitchell Ayres Orchestra, The Ray Charles Singers, Mitchell Ayres

Votes:67

AKA 'The Perry Como Show'.

6.The Ted Steele Show(1948–1957)

30 minMusic

A variety show.

Stars:Ted Steele, Mardi Bryant, Nola Day, Helen Wood

7.The Ed Sullivan Show(1948–1971)

TV-G60 minComedy, Music

The classic prime time variety show most famous for its vaudeville acts and rock music performances.

Stars:Ed Sullivan, Johnny Wayne, Frank Shuster, Roberta Peters

Votes:1,022

AKA 'The Ed Sullivan Show'.

8.Through Wendy's Window(1948–1950)

15 minFamily

Beginning as a short cartoon-sketch program, it evolved into a longer interview series.

Stars:Wendy Barrie, Dave Davis, Morey Amsterdam, Rusty Arden

AKA 'The Wendy Barrie Show'.

9.The Al Morgan Show(1949–1951)

30 minFamily, Music

Pianist-songwriter Al Morgan offered a half-hour of music.

Stars:Al Morgan, Billy Chandler, Lenny Collyer

AKA 'The Al Morgan Show'.

10.The Cliff Edwards Show(1949– )

15 minMusic

Star:Cliff Edwards

11.The Dude Martin Show(1949–1951)

60 minMusic

Was a Country music show.

Stars:Steve Martin, Sue Thompson

(local series)

12.The Fred Waring Show(1949–1953)

60 minMusic

Standard musical show featuring Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians. During the 1949-50 season, there was a dance contest titled Video Ballroom.

Stars:Fred Waring, Joanne Wheatley, Jane Wilson, Daisy Bernier

Votes:8

13.The Paul Arnold Show(1949–1950)

Music

Star:Paul Arnold

14.Vincent Lopez(1949– )

15 min

A music program aired in a 15-minute time-slot.

Star:Vincent Lopez

AKA 'The Vincent Lopez Show'.

15.The Alan Young Show(1950–1953)

30 minComedy

Early Tv Shows 1940s 1950s Show

A dynamic combination of comedy vignettes and visually attractive musical numbers, hosted by Alan Young.

Stars:Alan Young, Tom Mahoney, Polly Bergen, Joseph Kearns

Votes:14

16.The Buster Keaton Show(1950– )

30 minComedy

Live show with Buster recreating and updating his classic routines.

Stars:Buster Keaton, Ray Erlenborn, Harold Goodwin, Peter Leeds

Votes:31

This series aired in Los Angeles.

17.The Frank Sinatra Show(1950–1952)

60 minMusic

The Frank Sinatra Show (also known as Bulova Watch Time) was an American musical variety series hosted by Frank Sinatra from 1950 to 1952.

Stars:Frank Sinatra, June Hutton, Ben Blue, The Whippoorwills

Votes:23

18.The Gabby Hayes Show(1950–1954)

15 minFamily, Western

Stars:Wright King, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Andrew Duggan, Truman Smith

Votes:18

19.The Garry Moore Show(1950–1958)

30 minComedy

Stars:Garry Moore, Durward Kirby, Ken Carson, Denise Lor

Votes:8

20.The Gene Autry Show(1950–1955)

30 minWestern

The already legendary singing cowboy rode with his comic pal Pat from town to town bringing justice, song and his horse Champion to the old Southwest.

Stars:Gene Autry, Champion, Pat Buttram, Bob Woodward

Votes:163

21.The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show(1950–1958)

30 minComedy

Neighbor Blanche Morton frequently joined Gracie in escapades which annoy hubby Harry and provides George with an opportunity to offer a humorous soliloquy.

Stars:George Burns, Gracie Allen, Bea Benaderet, Harry von Zell Conventional sequential design process.

Votes:1,063

22.The Hank McCune Show(1950–1953)

30 minComedy

Stars:Hank McCune, Arthur Q. Bryan, Maury Dexter, Hanley Stafford

Votes:7

23.The Hazel Scott Show(1950– )

15 minMusic

A music series with pianist Hazel Scott.

Stars:Hazel Scott, Gloria Lucas

First US network series hosted by Black woman.

24.The Horace Heidt Show(1950–1951)

30 minMusic

Stars:Horace Heidt, Nino Tempo

25.The Joan Edwards Show(1950– )

15 minMusic

Star:Joan Edwards

26.The Paul Winchell Show(1950–1956)

30 minComedy, Family

The Paul Winchell Show, or The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show, or The Spiedel Show, was a variety program which aired on NBC prime time from 1950 to 1954, starring ventriloquist Paul Winchell and his dummy, Jerry Mahoney. (1950)

Stars:Paul Winchell, Diane Sinclair, Jimmy Blaine, Sue Bennett

Votes:37

Note: Jerry Mahoney was a dummy.

27.The Robert Q. Lewis Show(1950–1951)

60 min

Daytime show featuring singers and dancers. Psp free download apk.

Stars:Robert Q. Lewis, Barbara Britton, Jane Dulo, Dale Evans

28.The Steve Allen Show(1951–1957)

60 minComedy

Stars:Steve Allen, Peggy Lee, Eydie Gormé, Bern Bennett

Votes:25

29.Susan Raye(1950– )

15 minFamily, Music

Susan Raye was a singer and pianist who entertained the audience with music.

Star:Susan Raye

AKA 'The Susan Raye Show'.

30.The Vaughn Monroe Show(1950–1951)

30 minMusic

Musical variety show with guest starts joining Vaughn Monroe who did most of the singing.

Stars:Vaughn Monroe, Shaye Cogan, Olga Suarez, Ziggie Talent

31.The Bill Gwinn Show(1951–1952)

30 minGame-Show

A game show in which married couples act out an event from their lives which occurred due to a popular song.

Star:Bill Gwinn

32.The Dinah Shore Show(1951–1960)

15 minComedy, Music

Dinah hosted this 15 minute live musical and variety show, two nights a week. It led to her own hour long show in 1956.

Stars:Dinah Shore, Art Baker, The Skylarks, Ticker Freeman

Votes:41

33.The Dude Martin Show(1951–1955)

60 minMusic

The Dude Martin Show was a Los Angeles local Country-Western music entertainment show. Televised live, weekly in the Los Angeles area on KTTV Ch. 11. One of the sponsors was Sears Roebuck .. See full summary »

Stars:Gogi Grant, Patty Taylor, Red Coffey, Cynthia Strother

(local series)

34.The Frances Langford-Don Ameche Show(1951–1952)

60 minComedy, Music

Variety show. They probably did skits as 'The Bickersons'

Stars:Don Ameche, Frances Langford, Neil Hamilton, Jack Lemmon

Votes:8

35.The Freddy Martin Show(1951– )

30 minMusic

This was a Musical and Comedy variety show hosted by Band Leader Freddy Martin.

Stars:Freddy Martin, Murray Arnold, Merv Griffin, Sue Bennett

36.The Jerry Colonna Show(1951– )

30 minComedy

Stars:Jerry Colonna, Cookie Fairchild Band, Frances McCann, Barbara Ruick

37.The Lawrence Welk Show(1951–1955)

60 minMusic

Stars:Lawrence Welk, Myron Floren, Lawrence Welk and His Orchestra, Alice Lon

Votes:26

(local series, later became a network series under different title)

38.The Red Skelton Hour(1951–2016)

TV-G60 minComedy

Long-running weekly show that spotlighted legendary comedian and beloved television clown, Red Skelton. Each show featured comedy skits, gags, and vignettes starring Skelton and guest performers.

Stars:Red Skelton, David Rose and His Orchestra, Art Gilmore, Tom Hansen Dancers

Votes:913

AKA 'The Red Skelton Show'.

39.The Paul Dixon Show(1951– )

60 minComedy, Music, Talk-Show

Local talk and variety show that ABC picked up for only one season. It was picked up again a couple of years later by DuMont. Continued locally for another 23 years. Some of the regulars .. See full summary »

Stars:Bonnie Lou, Colleen Murray, Tom Atkins, Bob Braun

40.The Roy Rogers Show(1951–1957)

30 minWestern

The Double R Ranch featured 'The King of the Cowboys' Roy, his 'Smartest Horse in the Movies' Trigger, 'Queen of the West' Dale, her horse Buttermilk, their dog Bullet, and even Pat's jeep, Nellybelle.

Stars:Dale Evans, Roy Rogers, Trigger, Pat Brady

Votes:540

41.The Drew Pearson Show(1952– )

30 minNews, Talk-Show

A current-events show featuring newspaper political columnist and investigative reporter Drew Pearson, who would inform viewers of the latest events and/or scandals on the political front.

Star:Drew Pearson

42.The Ernie Kovacs Show(1952–1956)

60 minComedy, Family

Stars:Ernie Kovacs, Pat White, Edie Adams, The Bob Hamilton Trio

Votes:93

43.The Herman Hickman Show(1952–1953)

15 minSport

Stars:Herman Hickman, Rex Marshall

44.The Jackie Gleason Show(1952–1959)

TV-G60 minComedy

Live variety show with Jackie Gleason.

Stars:Jack Lescoulie, The June Taylor Dancers, Jackie Gleason, Ray Bloch

Votes:299

45.The Dennis Day Show(1952–1954)

30 minMusic, Comedy

Known as The Dennis Day Show, this half-hour comedy-variety show features the talent of tenor and comic Dennis Day and friends.

Stars:Dennis Day, Cliff Arquette, Hal March, Ida Moore

Votes:12

AKA 'The Dennis Day Show'.

46.The Red Buttons Show(1952–1955)

30 minComedy

When this show was on CBS it ran in a variety format. When it went to NBC it became a sitcom. Red Buttons was very popular. Red won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Stars:Red Buttons, Beverly Dennis, Dorothy Jolliffe, Allan Walker

Votes:48

47.The Tim McCoy Show(1952– )

30 minFamily, Western

The Tim McCoy TV show was an afternoon hour on KTLA channel 5 in Los Angeles at 5 pm, LIVE. Used to set in front of the tv everyday watching. He hosted the show showing old Westerns. He .. See full summary »

Star:Tim McCoy

(local series)

48.The Walter Winchell Show(1952–1955)

15 minNews, Talk-Show

Simulcast of Walter Winchell's radio show.

Stars:Arlene Dahl, Betty Grable, Walter Winchell

49.The Bob Crosby Show(1953–1957)

30 minMusic

Daily daytime show featuring music by Bob Crosby's band and different singers.

Stars:Bob Crosby, The Modernaires, Paula Kelly, Joan O'Brien

Votes:9

50.The Danny Thomas Show(1953–1965)

30 minComedy, Family

Danny Williams, a successful nightclub singer, encounters a variety of difficult or amusing situations in trying to balance his career with his family: his outspoken wife Kathy, teenage .. See full summary »

Stars:Danny Thomas, Rusty Hamer, Marjorie Lord, Angela Cartwright

Votes:751

AKA 'The Danny Thomas Show'.

51.The Dotty Mack Show(1953– )

Music

Dotty Mack, Bob Braun, and Colin Male lip-sync hit songs of the day in sketches.

Stars:Bob Braun, Dotty Mack, Colin Male, Bob Braun

52.The Igor Cassini Show(1953– )

30 minFamily

A Sunday-evening celebrity-interview series.

Stars:Igor Cassini, Francesca Braggiotti, Gwen Calfritz, Gloria Vanderbilt

53.The Loretta Young Show(1953–1961)

30 minDrama

A drama anthology series hosted by actress Loretta Young. In addition to hosting the series, she played the lead in various episodes.

Stars:Loretta Young, John Milton Kennedy, Robert Foulk, John Newland

Votes:181

AKA 'The Loretta Young Show'.

54.The Betty White Show(1954– )

30 minFamily, Music, Talk-Show

Daytime show with Betty White talking to guests, singing with the orchestra, etc.

Stars:Betty White, Frank De Vol, Arthur Duncan, Bill Hamilton

Votes:20

55.The Donald O'Connor Show(1954–1955)

30 minComedy, Music

Sid and Donald are two young songwriters trying to market their wares. The situations created around this premise primarily enabled them to perform.

Stars:Donald O'Connor, Sidney Miller, Joyce Cunning, Mitzi Gaynor

Votes:18

56.The George Gobel Show(1954–1960)

30 minComedy

For Gobel's half-hour series, he used a successful comedy format of a monologue segment, followed by a story set up segment, then a musical interlude with the show's girl singer, then the main skit with the guest performers.

Stars:George Gobel, Peggy King, John Scott Trotter, Jeff Donnell

Votes:47

57.The Ilona Massey Show(1954–1955)

30 minFamily, Music

Weekly Musical Variety Show with Ilona Massey singing in a nightclub atmosphere backed by the musical group, Irving Fields Trio.

Stars:Ilona Massey, Irving Fields, Jimmy Fields Trio

58.The Imogene Coca Show(1954–1955)

30 minComedy

Stars:David Burns, Imogene Coca, Billy De Wolfe, Ruth Donnelly

59.The Jo Stafford Show(1954–1955)

15 minMusic

Stars:Jo Stafford, The Starlighters, Paul Weston, Red Ingle

60.The Martha Raye Show(1954–1956)

60 minComedy

The Martha Raye Show is an hour-long comedy/variety show which aired live on NBC. It actually began in 1951,under the umbrella title All-Star Revue. Raye began as a monthly replacement for .. See full summary »

Stars:Martha Raye, Rocky Graziano, Paul Lynde, Cesar Romero

Votes:10

61.The Mickey Rooney Show(1954–1955)

30 minComedy

The misadventures of an eager but somewhat bumbling young actor who gets a job as a page at a television studio in Hollywood while trying to break into show business.

Stars:Mickey Rooney, Regis Toomey, Claire Carleton, John Hubbard

Votes:38

'The Mickey Rooney Show' aka 'Hey Mulligan'.

62.The Robert Q. Lewis Show(1954–1956)

30 minComedy, Family, Music

Daytime show featuring singers and dancers.

Stars:Merv Griffin, Robert Q. Lewis, Don Liberto, Jaye P. Morgan

63.The Spike Jones Show(1954)

30 minComedy, Music

Stars:Spike Jones, Helen Grayco, Earl Bennett, Freddy Morgan

Votes:22

64.The Tony Martin Show(1954– )

15 minMusic

This was a music program (not a talk show as described in some sources), featuring the talented Tony Martin performing songs. He also had guest singers, and the whole thing aired in a 15-minute time-slot.

Stars:Tony Martin, Margaret Whiting, Anna Luther

Votes:5

65.The Vaughn Monroe Show(1954– )

15 minMusic

Summer replacement show for 'The Dinah Shore Show.' The show featured Vaughn Monroe singing songs in his distinctive style.

Stars:Vaughn Monroe, Richard Hayman, Richard Maltby

66.The Patti Page Show(1955– )

15 minMusic

A syndicated music series aired in a 15-minute time-slot. Later, the episodes were edited into half-hour (26 minute) installments.

Stars:Perry Como, Jack Rael and His Orchestra, Bob Lamond, Patti Page

67.The Bob Cummings Show(1955–1959)

Not Rated30 minComedy

The romantic misadventures of Bob Collins, a suave, sophisticated bachelor and photographer operating in Hollywood, California. The show is centered around his womanizing ways with his models, and his sister's attempts to make him settle down.

Stars:Robert Cummings, Ann B. Davis, Rosemary DeCamp, Dwayne Hickman

Votes:303

68.The Johnny Carson Show(1953–1956)

30 minComedy, Music

Comedy routines, featuring Johnny Carson and guests, and singing were the theme of this program.

Stars:Johnny Carson, Cynthia Strother, Kay Strother, James Arness

Votes:99

69.The Phil Silvers Show(1955–1959)

30 minComedy, Family

Sergeant Ernie Bilko is the ultimate con man. He runs the motor pool at a small Kansas U.S. Army Camp. Colonel Hall, nominally in charge of the base, tries to keep Bilko's plans in check. .. See full summary »

Stars:Phil Silvers, Harvey Lembeck, Paul Ford, Allan Melvin

Votes:1,224

70.The Gabby Hayes Show(1956– )

30 minWestern

Gabby introduces edited versions of vintage PRC Western features.

Star:George 'Gabby' Hayes

Votes:25

71.The Rosemary Clooney Show(1956– )

30 minMusic

Singer Rosemary Clooney and vocal group The Hi-Los were the regulars in this presentation of popular music.

Stars:Rosemary Clooney, The Hi-Los, Nelson Riddle, Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra

Votes:8

72.The Gale Storm Show: Oh! Susanna(1956–1960)

30 minComedy

An American sitcom series starring Gale Storm. The series is about a Susanna Pomery, a cruise director for an ocean liner travelling the world.

Stars:Gale Storm, Zasu Pitts, Roy Roberts, James Fairfax

Votes:151

AKA 'The Gale Storm Show'.

73.The Ina Ray Hutton Show(1956– )

30 minMusic

Stars:Kay Brown, Judy Canova, Ina Ray Hutton, Mickey Anderson

74.The Jaye P. Morgan Show(1956– )

15 minMusical, Comedy

Stars:Jaye P. Morgan, Bob Morgan, Charlie Morgan, Dick Morgan

75.The Jonathan Winters Show(1956–1957)

15 min

Stars:Jonathan Winters, Eddie Safranski, Dorothy Collins, Jill Corey

Votes:14

76.The Joseph Cotten Show: On Trial(1955–1959)

30 minCrime

Stars:Joseph Cotten, Robert Middleton, Everett Sloane, Frank Gerstle

Votes:66

AKA 'The Joseph Cotten Show'.

77.The Patrice Munsel Show(1956–1957)

30 minMusic

Metropolitan Opera soprano Patrice Munsel demonstrated her versatility as a singer in this live variety show. Show tunes, popular songs, and operatic excerpts were all part of her .. See full summary »

Stars:Patrice Munsel, Buddy Hackett, John Raitt, Howard Morris

78.The Ray Anthony Show(1956–1957)

Stars:Ray Anthony, Sue Allen, Leroy Anthony, Med Flory

79.The Steve Allen Plymouth Show(1956–1960)

60 minComedy

Stars:Steve Allen, Gene Rayburn, Skitch Henderson, Louis Nye

Votes:189

80.The Walter Winchell Show(1956– )

30 minComedy, Music

Live weekly variety show. The show originated in New York City for the first nine weeks and then moved to Hollywood. Although many top performers were featured, the show never caught on and.. See full summary »

Stars:Walter Winchell, Lisa Kirk, Martha Raye, Sammy Davis Jr.

Votes:6

81.The Buddy Deane Show(1957–1964)

60 minMusic

The show was a teen dance and music show and ran from 1957 to until 1964 on WJZ-TV until the show was canceled.

Stars:Channing Wilroy, Buddy Deane

(local series only)

82.The Eddie Fisher Show(1957–1959)

60 minComedy, Music

Stars:Eddie Fisher, George Gobel, Buddy Bregman, Elaine Dunn

Votes:6

83.The Eve Arden Show(1957–1958)

30 minComedy

A widowed mother tries to support herself and her twin daughters.

Stars:Eve Arden, Allyn Joslyn, Gail Stone, Karen Green

Votes:29

84.The Frank Sinatra Show(1957–1960)

30 minDrama, Music

Stars:Frank Sinatra, Jesse White, Nelson Riddle, Bing Crosby

Votes:55

85.The Gisele MacKenzie Show(1957–1958)

30 minComedy, Music

Stars:Gisele MacKenzie, Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra, The Curfew Kids, Iris Adrian

Votes:9

86.The Guy Mitchell Show(1957–1958)

30 minMusic

Musical variety show featuring Guy Mitchell and guests singing and in comedy skits.

Stars:Guy Mitchell, Van Alexander, Ted Cappy Dancers, Dolores Hawkins

87.The Polly Bergen Show(1957–1958)

30 minMusic

The Polly Bergen Show was a half-hour 18-episode comedy/variety show, starring then 27-year-old Polly Bergen, which aired on NBC in the 1957-1958 television season.

Stars:Polly Bergen, Bill Bergen, Kay Kendall, Julius LaRosa

Votes:12

88.The Spike Jones Show(1957)

30 minComedy, Music

Stars:Billy Barty, Spike Jones, Helen Grayco, Jad Paul

Votes:15

89.The Ann Sothern Show(1958–1961)

30 minComedy

Katy O'Connor is the assistant manager of the Bartley House Hotel in New York City working for Jason Macauley. She expected to get her bosses job when he was transferred to Calcutta, India .. See full summary »

Stars:Ann Sothern, Ann Tyrrell, Don Porter, Jack Mullaney

Votes:117

90.The Bob Crosby Show(1958– )

60 minComedy, Music

Stars:Gretchen Wyler, Bob Crosby, Georgia Gibbs, Carl Hoff

91.The Betty White Show(1958– )

30 minComedy, Music

Stars:Jimmy Boyd, Betty White, John Dehner, The Frank DeVol Orchestra

Votes:16

92.The Donna Reed Show(1958–1966)

30 minComedy, Family

The Stones consist of loving homemaker Donna, her pediatrician husband Alex, and their children Mary and Jeff. Many situations arise like when they found a baby on their doorstep or take in.. See full summary »

Stars:Donna Reed, Paul Petersen, Carl Betz, Shelley Fabares

Votes:1,164

93.The Garry Moore Show(1958–1967)

60 minComedy, Family

Variety show hosted by Garry Moore with famous guests.

Stars:Garry Moore, Durward Kirby, Irwin Kostal, Marion Lorne

Votes:86

94.The George Burns Show(1958–1959)

30 minComedy

This The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950) spin-off found George Burns relocated to his downtown office working as a producer and trying to deal with an assortment of entertainers and oddball theatrical acts, as well as his previously established friends.

Stars:George Burns, Bea Benaderet, Harry von Zell, Larry Keating

Votes:47

95.The Milton Berle Show(1958–1962)

30 minMusic, Comedy

The second incarnation of 'Mr. Television' Milton Berle's variety TV series.

Stars:Milton Berle, Billy May, Ed Herlihy, Jimmy Durante

Votes:30

96.The Patti Page Oldsmobile Show(1958–1959)

30 minMusic

The Patti Page Oldsmobile Show was a variety TV series including musical acts hosted by Patti Page. The series ran for one season from 1958-1959.

Stars:Patti Page, Teresa Brewer, Shari Lewis, The Ames Brothers

Votes:7

Sometimes referred to as 'The Patti Page Show'.

97.The Spade Cooley Show(1957– )

15 minFamily, Music

Music and variety show with Spade Cooley and guests.

Stars:Spade Cooley, Gloria Tennes, Anita Aros, Jo Ann Castle

(local series)

98.The Oscar Levant Show(1958–1960)

Family, Music, Talk-Show

The talented Oscar Levant played the piano, and made interesting comments about varied subjects.

Stars:Oscar Levant, June Gale, Fred Astaire, Eddie Givertz

99.The Betty Hutton Show(1959– )

30 minComedy

A talkative manicurist inherits a legacy and the custody of three children from a rich Wall Street broker customer.

Stars:Betty Hutton, Dennis Olivieri, Peter Miles, Gigi Perreau

Votes:32

100.The Dennis O'Keefe Show(1959–1960)

30 minComedy

Hal Towne is a Los Angeles widower with a bright ten-year-old son to raise (aided by a stern housekeeper). He writes a syndicated column, 'All Around Towne,' which brings him into contact .. See full summary »

Stars:Dennis O'Keefe, Hope Emerson, Rickey Kelman, Eloise Hardt

Votes:20

1940s - the BBC at War and beyond

The BBC at war saw fundamental changes in programme making practice, live reporting from battle scenes, and was a fundamental source of propaganda news to the free world.

Post war a TV news service was launched, the first post-war Olympic Games was televised, and Children’s Television began. BBC engineers invented the first means of recording live TV, and extended the corporations international presence.

January 1942

Desert Island Discs 29 January 1942

You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip.

Desert Island Discs was devised by Roy Plomley, who presented the first edition on 29 January 1942.

It was recorded two days earlier with comedian Vic Oliver, in the bomb-damaged Maida Vale Studios. The success of the programme has always owed much to its simple format, which allows for sometimes revealing interviews. However, early programmes were scripted, to comply with wartime censorship.

October 1946

Woman's Hour - The first dedicated radio programme for women

You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip.

Norman Collins was the creator of Woman’s Hour, and spoke about the origin of the programme in 1967

From early on Woman's Hour was not afraid to tackle difficult issues facing women.

Even after the first few editions, politics and women’s citizenship featured prominently. By 1947 BBC managers were panicking at the prospect of the menopause being discussed. Topics such as 'keeping house', and child care featured less after the 1960s.

October 1946

For the children

You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip.

A ground breaking children’s television service was inaugurated after the war, and one of its earliest successes was Muffin The Mule.

Muffin was a loveable puppet whose antics were accompanied on the piano by Annette Mills. The duo’s routine was to last for 9 years, and was the first children’s programme to appear from the BBC’s new television studios at Lime Grove.

January 1948

News comes to the Television Service

You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip.

The Newsreel opening titles. The music is Girls In Grey by Charles Williams

As interest in television grew, the demand for a dedicated news service increased.

Normally voiced by famous commentator John Snagge, BBC Newsreel painted a picture of the day’s events as a filmed sequence of short reports.

July 1948

London 1948 - The first televised Olympic Games

You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip.

How the London 1948 Olympic Games looked on-screen

Approximately 100,000 UK households had a television in 1948, yet 68.5 hours of live Olympic coverage was broadcast by the BBC.

Most viewers watched on screens measuring about 25 by 20 centimetres. In its day, this was the most technically advanced outside broadcast undertaken by the BBC.

July 1949

A first for the weather

You need to have JavaScript enabled to view this clip.

TV weather forecast test, recorded 27 August, 1956

Launched just before World War II then abandoned, regular TV weather forecasts were revived in July 1949.

They consisted of charts, with a disembodied voice reading the weather bulletin. The big change to the modern format came in January 1954, when a Met officer interpreted the map in vision. George Cowling was the BBC’s first ‘weatherman’.

Where next?