They went where no show had gone before. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Most Influential TV Shows from the Classic/Golden Era, up through the 1960s.
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00:00Kobe, there'll be sun again. There'll be daylight.
00:07Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 most influential
00:12TV shows from the classic golden era, up through the 1960s.
00:16I don't think this is such a hot show, Fred. I think I'll get another station.
00:20As our first offering this evening, we stop that and I'll go back and sit down.
00:25Number 10, Star Trek, the original series. Back in the 60s, studio head Lucille Ball
00:31was the force behind getting this groundbreaking sci-fi series on air.
00:35They used to say if man could fly, he'd have wings. But he did fly. He discovered he had to.
00:42Fans couldn't get enough of its futuristic vision and daring exploration of uncharted themes.
00:48Plus, it broke down barriers with its diverse cast, like Nichelle Nichols as Lieutenant Uhura
00:53and George Takei as Mr. Sulu.
01:00It even featured one of TV's first ever interracial kisses.
01:04The series didn't just entertain, it had a real impact on our world.
01:08Alexander, where I come from, size, shape or color makes no difference.
01:15Nichols actually helped NASA recruit women and folks from varying ethnic backgrounds to be astronauts.
01:21Additionally, the U.S. COVID vaccine initiative was named Operation Warp Seed
01:26because the FDA's vaccine bigwig was a Trekkie.
01:30Number 9, The Ed Sullivan Show. This variety show had it all,
01:34showcasing a diverse range of talents from songwriters to circus performers.
01:39It became a ritual for American families to gather around the TV, awaiting the next broadcast.
01:44With over 20 years on the air, it's one of the longest-running TV shows ever.
01:49And boy, did it make stars.
02:01A spot on the Sullivan stage could catapult someone to stardom in no time.
02:05The lineup of legendary acts was a who's who of music history,
02:09including The Beatles, The Supremes, Elvis Presley, and even The Muppets.
02:20It paved the way for the variety format that many late-night hosts still follow today.
02:25Ed Sullivan had his finger on the pulse of American audiences,
02:29bringing acts that truly reflected the times.
02:49Number 8, Howdy Doody.
02:51Sure, its puppets might give you the creeps by today's standards,
02:55but back in its day, Howdy Doody was a massive hit.
03:07It was one of the first shows to jump on the merchandise bandwagon,
03:10capitalizing on the fame of its freckle-faced star puppet.
03:14Even today, we see trendy kids merch featuring beloved characters,
03:18thanks to the influence of this show.
03:20But what set it apart was The Peanut Gallery,
03:23a group of kids acting as a live studio audience.
03:36In addition, the callbacks and interaction with the children at home made it truly special,
03:41encouraging young viewers to participate.
03:43It paved the way for other iconic shows like Mr. Rogers, Neighborhood, and Sesame Street.
03:59Number 7, Dragnet.
04:01This crime drama following detectives delving into the gritty underworld of Los Angeles
04:06was notable for its almost documentary-like approach.
04:14Dragnet tapped into the social anxieties of the time,
04:18reflecting post-World War II concerns, Cold War tensions, and organized crime.
04:23It gave audiences a glimpse into the challenges faced by law enforcement,
04:27shaping their attitudes towards these brave professionals.
04:30It solidified the procedural crime drama format
04:33and popularized the use of dramatic musical score and narration.
04:44These elements added an unvarnished authenticity
04:48that would be echoed in later crime series.
04:51Shows like Law & Order and CSI
04:53borrowed heavily from the conventions that Dragnet established.
05:03Number 6, Gunsmoke.
05:05This legendary western set during the settlement of Kansas in the late 1800s
05:09became a true landmark in television history.
05:23At its center was Marshal Matt Dillon,
05:25the valiant protector against lawlessness in the city.
05:28Gunsmoke originated and popularized the famous phrase,
05:31Get out of Dodge, becoming part of our cultural lexicon.
05:40Get out of this house and stay out.
05:42Unlike other violent westerns of the time,
05:44this show focused more on the hardships of frontier living
05:47and explored the complexities of the human condition.
05:50It fearlessly tackled social issues,
05:52captivating American audiences with its relevant themes in a historical setting.
05:57But it was a harmless deception.
05:59It's not harmless if people believe those lies.
06:02It set the standard for realistic portrayals of Old West stories,
06:06leaving the way for subsequent shows like Bonanza and The Virginian
06:09to carry on its legacy.
06:11Number 5, The Lone Ranger.
06:13After a brutal ambush of Texas Rangers left him as the sole survivor,
06:17our main character is saved by a Native American named Tonto.
06:30Together they embark on a journey across the frontier to fight for justice.
06:34The masked hero's persona struck a chord with the youth of the time,
06:37as did its blend of Old West settings,
06:40with the excitement of comic book heroics,
06:43a cool synthesis of historic and modern elements.
06:46But what truly made it influential was the inclusion of Tonto,
06:50the Lone Ranger's companion,
06:52played by an actual indigenous person named Jay Silverheels.
06:55This representation was a notable step towards racial diversity in entertainment.
07:02I'm glad you've come, Tonto.
07:04Nelson's planning a hold-up tomorrow and I'm the leader.
07:06Lone Ranger lead a hold-up? That's not possible.
07:08While the portrayal may be criticised,
07:10Silverheels' casting marked significant progress towards racial equity in the industry.
07:16Hey, where are you going?
07:17Plenty of big jobs ahead. West's full of Buck Fargo's.
07:19We go look for more.
07:20Yes, Glenn. Our work isn't done until all the Buck Fargo's are behind bars.
07:24Adios.
07:27Number 4, The Honeymooners.
07:29Do you remember what you said to me before we got married?
07:31Ralph, I'd be happy to live in a tent with you.
07:34I'm still willing. I think it'd be an improvement.
07:39This beloved sitcom brought to life the hilarious dilemmas of two couples
07:43residing in a run-down apartment building in Brooklyn.
07:46Despite its short run of only 39 episodes,
07:49the show fearlessly delved into a non-idyllic portrayal of marriage.
07:53The comedic chemistry among the actors and the sharp writing
07:57allowed working-class families to relate to the characters.
08:00Trixie, upstairs?
08:02Did you call her on the phone to talk to her upstairs?
08:05What's the matter? Yelling out the window is too good for you now?
08:08Or was it raining out?
08:09It also set a precedent for future sitcoms like The Simpsons and Married With Children,
08:14which delved into the lives and comedic situations of everyday families.
08:18This show remains a timeless classic that paved the way for relatable family sitcoms
08:23and left an indelible mark on television history.
08:26And boy, what a pleasure it is to think that you got some place to go to
08:31and the place that you're going to has somebody in it that you really love.
08:37Number three, The Twilight Zone.
08:39You walk into this room at your own risk because it leads to the future.
08:44Not a future that will be, but one that might be.
08:47Created, hosted, and produced by Rod Serling,
08:50this anthology series fearlessly delved into the various social themes
08:54through imaginative and thought-provoking stories.
08:57Fans found themselves drawn to the show's ability to explore controversial topics
09:01under the guise of science fiction.
09:03Do you know what the blackness is?
09:06It's the hate he felt, the hate you felt, the hate all of us feel, and it's too much.
09:13The impact of The Twilight Zone extends beyond its initial run,
09:16inspiring numerous shows like Black Mirror, Tales from the Crypt,
09:20and Are You Afraid of the Dark?
09:22which borrowed from its iconic format.
09:24The show's title itself has become synonymous with describing surreal experiences.
09:29Serling's distinct cigarette-laden style added a layer of intellectualism
09:34that has been emulated in countless television shows that followed.
09:38Any state, any entity, any ideology that fails to recognize the worth,
09:42the dignity, the rights of man, that state is obsolete.
09:46A case to be filed under M for Mankind in The Twilight Zone.
09:50Number two, Arthur Godfrey's Talon Scouts.
09:53Hi!
09:56Gee, it's nice to see you all again.
09:59Hosted by the warm and personable Arthur Godfrey,
10:02the show created an intimate and cozy atmosphere,
10:05inviting viewers to feel like part of the experience.
10:08It served as a platform for aspiring performers,
10:10launching the careers of notable acts such as Patsy Cline,
10:14Tony Bennett, and Lenny Bruce.
10:16What made it popular was its pioneering use of audience participation,
10:20with viewers voting on the winner of each episode.
10:23Okay, looks to me like you gave it to the Bluegrass Chance.
10:33This interactive element added an exciting and engaging dimension to the show.
10:38Arthur Godfrey set the standard for future talent competition shows like American Idol
10:43and America's Got Talent, leaving a lasting influence on the television landscape.
10:57Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
11:01Pulitzer Prize Playhouse.
11:03Before Masterpiece Theatre, this American staple adapted notable plays and literature.
11:08Didn't I forbid you to have anything to do with him?
11:10Bill Clark, a shipping clerk with calluses on his hands.
11:14Well, I don't see that you've done any better.
11:16Leave It to Beaver, the iconic series about a troublesome suburban kid.
11:21Children and adults look at the world through different eyes.
11:24When you're young, a policeman stands ten feet tall.
11:32And if you see it in print, it's supposed to be true.
11:35The Andy Griffith Show.
11:37A widower sheriff and his son ruminate about life in a small town.
11:41Uh-oh.
11:42What's the matter, Pa?
11:43Gertrude sprung another leaf. I thought I'd caught her up good enough, but I declare,
11:47it seems like as fast as I fix one seam, two more open up.
11:51Pa, can't we please fish a little longer?
11:54Well, we can if you've got a mind to swim back.
11:56The Mickey Mouse Club.
11:57The show's interactive format created a sense of community among its fans.
12:02We're the Mouseketeers. We wanna say hello and give three cheers.
12:06For all of you who see us every day. You're okay.
12:11The Dick Van Dyke Show.
12:12This show about a comedy writer has certainly stood the test of time.
12:16Yeah, yeah. Hey, hey, Rob, tell us about the fight with Laura.
12:19Maybe we can use some of the lines.
12:20Well, that's about all there was to it. It wasn't much of a fight.
12:23We just agreed that she wouldn't open my mail anymore.
12:25That's the trouble with real life. No punchlines.
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12:44Number one, I Love Lucy.
12:46This groundbreaking sitcom with its ensemble cast and electric onscreen chemistry
12:51captured the hearts of viewers and became the most watched show in the United States.
12:56Its timeless humor and relatable storylines made it a fan favorite.
13:00Really? Why didn't you tell me?
13:02Well, you didn't give me a chance.
13:04And you can?
13:05It's me! I'm your father!
13:09The show's innovative use of multiple cameras in front of a live studio audience
13:14set new standards in TV production.
13:16Its enduring legacy and impact on the comedy genre cannot be overstated.
13:21Well, what job did you have in mind?
13:24What kind of jobs do you have open?
13:26Well, what do you do?
13:28What kind of jobs do you have open?
13:30Moreover, the show challenged traditional gender roles by presenting Lucy
13:34as a strong, independent woman who often took the lead in comedic situations.
13:38Additionally, the show's success in syndication
13:41opened doors for other shows to be rebroadcast,
13:44establishing a lucrative market for TV reruns.
13:47So everybody get a bottle of this stuff.
13:55Do you still revisit any of these shows?
13:57Let us know in the comments below.
13:59You're gonna go to work tomorrow, you know.
14:02Alright, I'll be there in a minute.
14:04Do you agree with our picks?
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