Best Shows of 1956
Television in 1956 marked a pivotal moment in broadcasting history, as networks expanded their programming and viewers experienced an unprecedented golden age of small-screen entertainment. The best shows of 1956 brought groundbreaking storytelling techniques, memorable characters, and innovative production values that would influence television for decades to come. From sweeping adventure series set in exotic locales to intimate daytime dramas that captivated millions, this year delivered a remarkable variety of programming that showcased television's growing maturity as an artistic medium. Action-packed westerns rode alongside tales of historical heroism, while variety shows brought music and comedy into living rooms across America. These critically acclaimed series featured award-winning performances from television's brightest stars and introduced audiences to narratives that balanced entertainment with compelling drama. Whether you're a vintage television enthusiast seeking to revisit classics from the medium's formative years or a curious viewer discovering these pioneering programs for the first time, this curated selection highlights the unforgettable shows that made 1956 a landmark year in television history and established the foundation for modern serialized storytelling.
Timeless, sharp-witted, and fundamentally human, this sitcom about a Brooklyn bus driver and his loyal wife defined working-class comedy for television. Jackie Gleason's Ralph Kramden is all bluster and big dreams, constantly cooking up schemes to escape his modest circumstances while Audrey Meadows' Alice provides the grounded, sardonic counterpoint to his delusions of grandeur. Art Carney's Ed Norton, Ralph's best friend and upstairs neighbor, brings a childlike sweetness to his sewer worker character, creating one of television's great comedy partnerships. Creator Jackie Gleason understood that the key to the show's success wasn't just the jokes but the genuine affection beneath the insults and arguments. These characters love each other despite their flaws and frustrated circumstances. The "one of these days" threats and "to the moon" exclamations became iconic, but what endures is the show's big heart and impeccable comic timing.
In the early 1950s New York City, a redheaded comedian and her Cuban bandleader husband navigate married life with more chaos than grace. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz created television history with this groundbreaking sitcom that established many conventions still used today. Ball's physical comedy remains unmatched—her expressions, timing, and willingness to look ridiculous in pursuit of a laugh set the standard for generations of performers. Whether Lucy's scheming to break into Ricky's show business world or the Ricardos are sparring with their landlords and best friends, Fred and Ethel Mertz (William Frawley and Vivian Vance), the humor feels both timeless and specific to its era. The show's influence on television comedy cannot be overstated, and its best episodes still generate genuine laughter seventy years later.
This groundbreaking anthology series presents a different suspenseful story each week, ranging from psychological thrillers to darkly comic morality tales, all introduced by the Master of Suspense himself. Created and hosted by Alfred Hitchcock, the show became a template for anthology television, demonstrating that standalone episodes could build a loyal audience through consistent quality and tone rather than ongoing storylines. Hitchcock's wry introductions and epilogues add personality and wit, often providing ironic commentary on the twisted tales that unfold. The series attracted top-tier directors and writers who crafted memorable half-hour mysteries featuring ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. With its sharp scripts, clever plot twists, and Hitchcock's unmistakable touch, the show remains remarkably entertaining decades later, proving that well-constructed suspense never goes out of style.
Set in the post-Civil War Wyoming Territory during the 1860s and 70s, this early television Western follows frontier scout Cheyenne Bodie as he wanders through various adventures across the untamed West. Created by Roy Huggins and starring Clint Walker in the title role, the series was groundbreaking for its time as one of the first hour-long Western dramas on television. Walker's imposing physical presence and laconic style made Cheyenne a quintessential lone-wolf hero, though the episodic format and limited character development reflect the era's television conventions. While historically significant for what it represented in TV's early days, modern viewers will find the storytelling formulaic and the treatment of Native Americans and other groups reflective of 1950s attitudes rather than historical accuracy. The production values were impressive for the period, and Walker's charisma remains evident. For classic TV enthusiasts or Western completists, it's worth sampling, but it's more of historical curiosity than essential viewing today.
This military sitcom remains one of television's sharpest comedies, showcasing Phil Silvers in a career-defining performance as the scheming Master Sergeant Ernest Bilko. Created by Nat Hiken, the series follows Bilko's endless moneymaking schemes at a Kansas army base, where he runs the motor pool like his personal fiefdom while staying one step ahead of his exasperated commanding officer, Colonel Hall (Paul Ford). Silvers' rapid-fire delivery and impeccable comic timing elevate every episode, supported by a talented ensemble cast that includes Harvey Lembeck and Allan Melvin as Bilko's loyal accomplices. The writing is remarkably clever, with plots that layer complications upon complications before resolving in satisfying fashion. What could have been a one-joke premise instead became a masterclass in character-driven comedy that influenced countless shows to follow, earning multiple Emmy Awards and demonstrating that intelligent humor never goes out of style.
From 1954 onward, American television audiences welcomed this anthology series into their living rooms, establishing a weekly tradition that would span decades and help define family entertainment. Originally hosted by Walt Disney himself, the show served as a showcase for the studio's theatrical films, nature documentaries, behind-the-scenes features, and original programming organized into themed segments like Frontierland, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland. The series brilliantly functioned as both entertainment and marketing, introducing viewers to upcoming theatrical releases while building anticipation for Disneyland attractions. What makes it noteworthy beyond its commercial purposes is the quality and variety of content—from the Davy Crockett episodes that sparked a national phenomenon to educational nature films that were genuinely informative. The format evolved across various iterations and networks, but maintained its core mission of delivering wholesome, engaging content suitable for all ages. It remains a significant piece of television history that shaped American popular culture.
From the BBC studios of 1950s Britain emerged this radio-turned-television sitcom that established many templates for British comedy to come. Tony Hancock stars as a fictionalized version of himself living at 23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam—a pompous everyman with delusions of grandeur constantly brought down to earth by circumstance and his long-suffering associates. Written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, the scripts are masterclasses in character-driven humor, finding comedy in Hancock's inflated self-regard colliding with mundane reality. Sid James features prominently as Hancock's dodgy friend, their chemistry providing much of the show's energy. While the television episodes exist in varying states of preservation, what survives showcases the birth of the British sitcom as we know it, with Hancock's impeccable timing and the writers' sharp dialogue creating comedy that feels remarkably modern for its era.
This Western drama set in Dodge City, Kansas, during the 1870s remains one of television's longest-running and most influential series. James Arness anchors the show as Marshal Matt Dillon, bringing quiet authority and moral complexity to a character who could have been a simple good-guy archetype. Creator Charles Marquis Warren and the writing team crafted stories that explored frontier justice, community building, and the costs of violence with surprising sophistication. The supporting cast, including Milburn Stone as Doc Adams and Amanda Blake as Kitty Russell, created one of TV's first truly ensemble dramas. What sets the series apart is its willingness to embrace moral ambiguity and let episodes end without tidy resolutions. The show's influence on both television and film Westerns cannot be overstated, and its best episodes hold up remarkably well.
Heartfelt and earnest, this anthology series has delivered quality family-friendly programming for over seven decades, making it one of television's most enduring treasures. Each standalone presentation offers thoughtfully crafted stories ranging from literary adaptations to original dramas, consistently featuring top-tier talent both in front of and behind the camera. The series has showcased everyone from Julie Andrews to Christopher Plummer in productions that prioritize emotional resonance and strong storytelling over spectacle. What makes Hallmark Hall of Fame special is its commitment to uplifting narratives that don't shy away from real human struggles while maintaining an ultimately hopeful perspective. In an era of cynical television, these productions feel refreshingly sincere without being saccharine. For viewers seeking well-acted, meaningful stories the whole family can watch together, this venerable series continues delivering exactly that.
Every Sunday night, America gathered around their television sets to see what variety entertainment host Ed Sullivan had lined up for them, and for over two decades, this stage became the most important launching pad in showbusiness. The Ed Sullivan Show brought everything from Elvis Presley's controversial hip swivels to The Beatles' American debut, from Topo Gigio the Italian mouse puppet to performances by opera singers and circus acts. Sullivan himself was famously stiff and awkward on camera, but his genuine enthusiasm and impeccable eye for talent made him irreplaceable. The show's democratic approach to entertainment—mixing high culture with popular acts—helped shape American tastes and break down cultural barriers during a transformative era. It remains essential viewing for understanding mid-century American culture and the birth of television as a cultural force.
Chester A. Riley, a good-hearted but bumbling aircraft worker, stumbles through life's challenges with his patient wife Peg and their children by his side in this classic sitcom that defined family comedy for the 1950s. William Bendix stars as the lovable everyman whose signature catchphrase became part of American vernacular, bringing genuine warmth to Riley's blue-collar struggles. Created by Irving Brecher, the series excels at mining humor from everyday domestic situations—household repairs gone wrong, misunderstandings with the boss, teenage dating woes—without ever feeling mean-spirited. The show's gentle humor and fundamentally optimistic worldview provide a comforting window into post-war American family life. While the pacing feels leisurely by modern standards, there's an undeniable charm to Riley's weekly predicaments and the show's fundamental decency that makes it more than just a period curiosity.
With documentary-style realism and restrained drama, this pioneering medical series brought unprecedented authenticity to 1950s television by filming in actual hospitals and featuring real medical professionals as advisors. Created by James Moser and starring Richard Boone as Dr. Konrad Styner, the show approached healthcare with seriousness and respect during an era when most TV drama leaned toward melodrama. Each episode tackled genuine medical situations with attention to procedure and ethics, educating audiences while entertaining them—a balance that influenced decades of medical shows to come. The production's commitment to accuracy extended to using real medical terminology and depicting actual treatments, giving viewers an honest window into a profession most only encountered during illness. Though the pacing feels measured by contemporary standards, the show's integrity and Boone's grounded performance create something genuinely engaging that transcends its era.
From 1950 through 1967, CBS became home to one of television's most elegant and enduring game shows, where celebrity panelists attempted to guess contestants' unusual occupations through yes-or-no questions. Hosted by John Charles Daly with regular panelists including Dorothy Kilgallen, Arlene Francis, and Bennett Cerf, the series epitomized mid-century sophistication with its black-tie dress code and witty repartee. The format was deceptively simple but allowed for genuine humor and showcased the panelists' cleverness as they pieced together clues about everything from professional pickle packers to exotic animal trainers. The "mystery guest" segment, featuring blindfolded panelists trying to identify a celebrity, added star power while maintaining the show's playful spirit. What's My Line? stands as a time capsule of an era when primetime game shows could be both intelligent and genuinely entertaining, proving that good-natured fun never goes out of style.
Ralph Edwards hosts this pioneering reality series that became a cultural phenomenon in 1950s television. Each episode brings an unsuspecting guest into the studio, where their life story unfolds through surprise appearances by friends, family, and notable figures from their past. The format was simple but effective: honoring ordinary people and celebrities alike by celebrating their achievements and relationships. While the show's earnest sentimentality can feel dated by today's standards, it remains a fascinating time capsule of mid-century American values and entertainment. The spontaneous reactions and genuine emotion captured on camera were groundbreaking for their time, though modern viewers may find the pacing slow and the format somewhat repetitive. It's worth sampling for its historical significance in shaping reality television.
The tension between artistic ambition and commercial viability drives this pioneering anthology series, which brought live theatrical productions into American living rooms for over eleven years. Sponsored by Kraft Foods and created during television's golden age, the program showcased original teleplays and adapted stage works performed entirely live, creating an urgency that recorded television couldn't match. The rotating cast included emerging talents like Grace Kelly, Lee Remick, and James Dean alongside established theater actors, all navigating the unique challenges of performing for cameras in real-time. What distinguished *Kraft Television Theatre* from its anthology contemporaries was its willingness to tackle substantive dramatic material rather than purely escapist fare, though the need to please sponsors occasionally constrained creative choices. The technical limitations—visible boom mics, shaky cameras, occasional forgotten lines—became part of the charm, reminding viewers they were witnessing unrepeatable performances. While production values naturally feel dated, the series represents an important moment when television aspired to be a legitimate artistic medium rather than simply an entertainment delivery system.
In this classic family sitcom, Danny Thomas stars as Danny Williams, a nightclub entertainer juggling his show business career with raising three children alongside his wife Margaret, played by Marjorie Lord (in later seasons). Created by Mel Shavelson, the series pioneered the showbiz-family format that would influence countless sitcoms, following Danny's attempts to balance late-night performances with morning parenting duties and the general chaos of household life. The show features the gentle, wholesome humor typical of 1950s television, with storylines focused on misunderstandings, moral lessons, and family bonding. Thomas's natural charisma carries much of the series, and the chemistry among cast members creates genuine warmth. However, viewed through contemporary eyes, the gender dynamics and idealized family situations feel dated, and the comedic pacing seems slower than modern audiences might expect. Guest appearances from figures like Hans Conried add entertainment value, and the series holds historical significance for popularizing the family sitcom format, though its appeal today is primarily nostalgic or for those studying television's evolution.
This classic Western brings a dignified, mythic quality to frontier justice, following the legendary lawman's transformation from wandering gambler to Dodge City marshal. Hugh O'Brian stars as Wyatt Earp in a performance that defined the character for television audiences, presenting him as a principled figure who reluctantly embraces his role as a civilizing force in the untamed West. Created by Frederick Hazlitt Brennan, the series ran for six seasons and established many Western television conventions. While historically loose, the show captures the archetypal appeal of Earp's story—a man trying to leave violence behind who repeatedly must use his gun to protect others. The measured pacing and O'Brian's understated performance create an almost elegiac tone, treating the Old West as a vanishing world already becoming legend. It may feel dated by modern standards, but there's an earnestness to its portrayal of honor and duty that still resonates.
Laurence Hugo starred as Mike Karr, the principled attorney at the heart of this long-running daytime drama that kept audiences engaged for three decades. Created by Irving Vendig, the series followed Karr and his colleagues as they navigated criminal cases in the fictional town of Monticello, blending courtroom drama with the personal entanglements that made soap operas so compelling. Unlike many daytime serials that focused primarily on romance and family intrigue, this show distinguished itself with its crime-focused storylines and mystery elements. The program maintained a solid following throughout its run, with the legal cases providing genuine suspense alongside the more traditional soap opera elements. While it may not have reached the cultural impact of some primetime dramas, it offered reliable entertainment and showcased the versatility of the daytime format during television's golden age.
Between tradition and innovation, between theatrical roots and television's emerging possibilities, Robert Montgomery Presents navigated the tension of bringing quality dramatic entertainment to American living rooms in the medium's early years. Actor-producer Robert Montgomery hosted and occasionally starred in this anthology series that presented different stories each week, ranging from original teleplays to adaptations of established works. The central challenge was maintaining high production standards in television's infancy, and Montgomery's Hollywood experience proved invaluable in attracting notable talent both in front of and behind the camera. Each episode stood alone, allowing for variety in tone and subject matter while showcasing different performers in the anthology format that dominated early television drama. The series represented an important bridge between theatrical entertainment traditions and television's developing identity as its own medium. It's a historically significant piece of television's golden age worth exploring for context.
Gertrude Berg created, wrote, and starred in this pioneering sitcom that brought her popular radio characters to early television, centering on a Jewish family living in the Bronx. As Molly Goldberg, Berg portrayed the warm matriarch navigating daily life with humor and wisdom, addressing her neighbors from the window in the show's signature opening. The series represents an important artifact of television's formative years, demonstrating how radio comedies transitioned to the visual medium while maintaining their character-driven humor. The production values reflect early television's limitations and stage-bound approach, with simple sets and straightforward camera work. For modern viewers, the pacing and comedy style will feel dated, though Berg's performance and the show's cultural specificity retain historical interest. It offers a window into how Jewish-American life was represented in mainstream 1940s media, for better and worse. As entertainment, it's primarily of interest to television historians and those studying the medium's evolution, though Berg's talent and the show's influence on domestic sitcoms that followed shouldn't be dismissed.
Ozzie Nelson stars as himself alongside his real-life family in this pioneering sitcom that brought the Nelsons' fictionalized domestic life into American homes for over a decade. Created by Ozzie Nelson himself, the series followed the family's everyday adventures with a gentle humor that defined early television comedy. Harriet Nelson, along with sons David and Ricky, rounded out the cast in a show that blurred the lines between reality and fiction in ways that fascinated 1950s audiences. The series captured a specific moment in American culture—perhaps more idealized than real—but did so with genuine charm and warmth. While some episodes feel dated by modern standards, the show's historical significance and the family's natural chemistry remain evident. It's a fascinating time capsule that also launched Ricky Nelson's music career, with his performances becoming a highlight of later seasons.