TV Shows From the 1960s: History's Best Sellers

Revisiting 1960s presents a grand parade of tv history, marked by Space Age wonder and counter-culture flair and enduring fan favorites. Unrivaled hits including The Andy Griffith Show, Mister Ed, and The Dick Van Dyke Show took top honors in living rooms and storefronts alike. Master craftsmen from industry leaders like Sheldon Leonard and Walter R. Brooks led the vanguard, engineering high-caliber releases that spurred a pop-culture revolution across the nation. Dive into the full historical rankings below to see which standout creations won the day.

1. The Andy Griffith Show

   Released in 1960 by Sheldon Leonard, Aaron Ruben, CBS

   On October 3, 1960, as America stood on the cusp of a decade of profound social and political change, CBS introduced a television series that offered a comforting, idyllic vision of small-town life. 'The Andy Griffith Show' premiered, welcoming viewers to the fictional community of Mayberry, North Carolina. The debut episode, 'The New Housekeeper,' established the gentle, character-driven humor and warm-hearted tone that would define the series. At a time when Westerns dominated the airwaves, the arrival of Sheriff Andy Taylor and his quirky townsfolk provided a different kind of American frontier—one centered on community, family, and common sense, which would make it an enduring classic for generations to come.

2. Mister Ed

   Released in 1961 by Walter R. Brooks

   A horse is a horse, of course, of course... unless, of course, that horse is the famous Mister Ed! On January 5, 1961, an unassuming sitcom with a bizarre premise trotted onto American television screens for the first time. The show, *Mister Ed*, about a man and his talking palomino, began its journey into pop culture history not on a major network, but through first-run syndication. This debut marked the public launch of what would become one of the most beloved and enduring high-concept comedies of the 1960s, creating an icon out of an animal actor and a theme song recognized by millions.

3. The Dick Van Dyke Show

   Released in 1961 by Carl Reiner, CBS

   On October 3, 1961, American television audiences were introduced to a new level of comedic sophistication with the premiere of 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' on CBS. In an era dominated by wholesome, often simplistic family sitcoms, this new series broke ground by splitting its focus between the suburban home life of a young family and the bustling, creative environment of a television writer's room. The debut marked a significant moment in TV history, signaling a shift towards more intelligent, character-driven comedy that treated its audience as equals. It set a new standard for writing, performance, and thematic depth that would influence the genre for decades to come, moving the sitcom into a more modern and relatable space.

4. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

   Released in 1962 by NBC

   On October 1, 1962, a new era in American television began as 36-year-old Johnny Carson walked onto the stage at NBC's Studio 6B in New York City to host 'The Tonight Show' for the very first time. Taking over from the more volatile Jack Paar, Carson's debut was a highly anticipated event. The late-night landscape was still taking shape, and viewers were curious to see if the affable, quick-witted host from the daytime game show 'Who Do You Trust?' could command the coveted late-night slot. His opening line, 'I'm Johnny Carson,' was a simple introduction to a thirty-year reign that would redefine the talk show format and make him a beloved, nightly fixture in millions of American homes.

5. Doctor Who

   Released in 1963 by Sydney Newman, C. E. Webber, Donald Wilson, BBC

   On November 23, 1963, a cultural phenomenon was born, though its arrival was nearly lost to history. The BBC aired 'An Unearthly Child,' the first episode of a new educational science-fiction serial titled 'Doctor Who.' The premiere, however, was tragically overshadowed, broadcasting the day after the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Recognizing the muted public attention, the BBC made the crucial decision to re-air the first episode the following Saturday, just before the second installment. This second chance allowed the show to capture the public's imagination, introducing viewers to a mysterious old man, his granddaughter, her two schoolteachers, and a police box that was much bigger on the inside. This date marks the beginning of the longest-running science-fiction television series in history.

6. Jeopardy!

   Released in 1964 by Merv Griffin, NBC

   On March 30, 1964, a new kind of quiz show premiered on NBC, forever changing the landscape of television game shows. This was the debut of "Jeopardy!", a creation of entertainer and media mogul Merv Griffin. Hosted by the suave Art Fleming, the show arrived at a critical time for the genre. The quiz show scandals of the late 1950s had tarnished the public's trust in these programs, leading to a decline in their popularity. "Jeopardy!" offered a novel and transparent format: contestants were given the answers and had to provide the questions. This clever inversion emphasized intellect and knowledge over manufactured drama, presenting a straightforward and honest competition that immediately began to rebuild viewer confidence and establish a new standard for intellectual entertainment on daytime television.

7. Star Trek: The Original Series

   Released in 1966 by Gene Roddenberry, NBC

   On September 6, 1966, the final frontier opened not in the United States, but in Canada. Two days before its scheduled American debut on NBC, Gene Roddenberry's visionary science fiction series, "Star Trek," made its world premiere on Canada's CTV network. The episode aired was "The Man Trap," introducing audiences to Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and the groundbreaking concept of the Starship Enterprise. This Canadian broadcast marked the true beginning of a cultural phenomenon, offering the first glimpse into a hopeful, diverse future among the stars. While American audiences waited, Canada was the first nation to 'boldly go where no one has gone before,' launching a franchise that would captivate the world for generations.

8. The Prisoner

   Released in 1967 by Patrick McGoohan, George Markstein, ATV

   On September 5, 1967, audiences in Canada were the first in the world to be welcomed to The Village. The premiere of 'The Prisoner' on the CTV network was a highly unusual event for a British production, which typically debuted in its home country first. This Canadian premiere preceded the UK broadcast on ATV by over three weeks, setting the stage for the show's international journey and its eventual cult status. This strategic, if unconventional, rollout introduced the world to the surreal and allegorical tale of an unnamed agent's struggle for freedom, immediately signaling that this was not a typical television series. The date marks the first time anyone heard the iconic declaration, 'I am not a number! I am a free man!', beginning a legacy that would challenge and captivate viewers for decades to come.

9. The Carol Burnett Show

   Released in 1967 by Joe Hamilton, CBS

   On September 11, 1967, American television history was made with the premiere of 'The Carol Burnett Show' on CBS. In an era where variety shows were predominantly hosted by men like Ed Sullivan and Dean Martin, the debut of a major, hour-long comedy-variety program headlined by a woman was a significant cultural event. Carol Burnett, already a beloved Broadway and television star, seized an opportunity in her CBS contract to launch the show. This premiere marked the beginning of an 11-year run that would not only redefine the genre but also become a cherished weekly ritual for millions of families, cementing itself as a cornerstone of CBS's legendary Saturday night lineup.

10. Columbo

    Released in 1968 by Richard Levinson & William Link, NBC, ABC

    On February 20, 1968, television audiences were introduced to a new kind of detective. The broadcast of 'Prescription: Murder' on NBC was not the series premiere, but a standalone television movie that served as the pilot for what would become 'Columbo.' Starring Peter Falk as the deceptively brilliant Lieutenant Columbo, the film established the show's signature 'inverted detective story' format, where the audience witnesses the murder and knows the killer's identity from the outset. Its success was a proof-of-concept, demonstrating the immense appeal of watching the disheveled but genius detective slowly and methodically ensnare his arrogant and sophisticated prey, setting the stage for a television classic.

11. Monty Python's Flying Circus

    Released in 1969 by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, BBC

    On October 5, 1969, British television comedy was irrevocably altered with the premiere of 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' on BBC One. In a broadcast landscape dominated by traditional sitcoms and variety shows, the first episode, titled "Whither Canada?", was a chaotic and brilliant shock to the system. Viewers were introduced to a stream-of-consciousness style that abandoned conventional punchlines and narrative structures in favor of surreal scenarios, intellectual absurdity, and Terry Gilliam's distinctive animations. This debut marked the beginning of a comedic revolution, challenging norms and establishing a new, 'Pythonesque' language of humor that would influence generations of comedians and writers worldwide.

12. Sesame Street

    Released in 1969 by Joan Ganz Cooney, Lloyd Morrisett, NET, PBS, HBO

    On November 10, 1969, American television was forever changed with the premiere of 'Sesame Street' on National Educational Television (NET). In an era when children's programming was often dismissed as a commercial-filled 'vast wasteland,' 'Sesame Street' represented a revolutionary experiment. Conceived by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett, the show was born from a simple yet powerful question: could the captivating power of television be harnessed to educate children? Funded by philanthropic organizations, it was a bold initiative to use the medium for social good, specifically to help prepare preschool-aged children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, for school. Its debut marked the culmination of years of research into child development and media, launching a new paradigm for educational entertainment.