Originally by Ranker TVList RulesVote up the top '50s sitcom shows.
In the 1950s, television was still in its infancy. People in the television business were still learning how to best create entertainment that went straight into people’s homes. It was important to create worthwhile, quality TV shows, to further the popularity of the medium. One of the biggest genres in televised programming of the 1950s were sitcoms: short, funny programs, featuring the top comedians of the decade.
While there weren’t as many sitcoms airing in the 50s as there are today, due to fewer competing networks, many became instant classics and created entertainment superstars. "I Love Lucy" was one such sitcom that stood above the rest. It made Lucille Ball the biggest star of the day and still airs on television, in reruns, to this day, with a legion of mega-fans behind it. Other shows like "The Honeymooners," "Father Knows Best," and "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" were so popular that new episodes became household events.
What are the best 50s sitcoms? This list of the best sitcoms that aired during 1950-1959 has been voted on and ranked by the community. Did the sitcoms you think are best make the list? Are they still as fresh today as they were 60 years ago? Cast your votes below and see how the 1950s sitcoms you love to watch rank.
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703168I Love Lucy
Lucille Ball, Desi ArnazPremiered: 1951
I Love Lucy is an American television sitcom starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance,... more
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553154Leave It to Beaver
Jerry Mathers, Hugh BeaumontPremiered: 1957
Leave It to Beaver is an American television situation comedy about an inquisitive and often... more3
502176The Honeymooners
Jackie Gleason, Art CarneyPremiered: 1955
The Honeymooners is an American sitcom, based on a recurring 1951–55 sketch of the same name.... more4
402155Father Knows Best
Robert Young, Jane WyattPremiered: 1954
Father Knows Best is an American radio and television comedy series which portrayed a middle... more5
340136The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
George Burns, Gracie AllenPremiered: 1950
Burns and Allen was an American comedy duo consisting of George Burns and his wife, Gracie... more6
24590The Jack Benny Program
Mel Blanc, Jack BennyPremiered: 1950
The Jack Benny Program, starring Jack Benny, is a radio-TV comedy series that ran for more... more7
323159The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
Ozzie Nelson, Harriet HilliardPremiered: 1952
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet is an American sitcom, airing on ABC from October 3, 1952,... more8
342147The Donna Reed Show
Donna Reed, Paul PetersenPremiered: 1958
The Donna Reed Show is an American situation comedy starring Donna Reed as the middle-class... more9
263131The Abbott and Costello Show
Bud Abbott, Lou CostelloPremiered: 1952
The Abbott and Costello Show is an American television sitcom starring the popular comedy team... more10
292178Dennis the Menace
Mary Wickes, Charles LanePremiered: 1959
Dennis the Menace is an American sitcom based on the Hank Ketcham comic strip of the same name... more11
239138The Danny Thomas Show
Annette Funicello, Danny ThomasPremiered: 1953
The Danny Thomas Show is an American sitcom which ran from 1953 to 1957 on ABC and from 1957... more12
226135The Phil Silvers Show
Dick Van Dyke, Alan AldaPremiered: 1955
The Phil Silvers Show, originally titled You'll Never Get Rich, was a sitcom which ran on CBS... more13
246168The Real McCoys
Walter Brennan, Richard CrennaPremiered: 1957
The Real McCoys is an American situation comedy co-produced by Danny Thomas's "Marterto... more14
226128Amos 'n' Andy
Jester Hairston, Amanda RandolphPremiered: 1951
Amos 'n' Andy is an American radio and television sitcom set in Harlem, Manhattan's historic... more15
233150The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Dwayne Hickman, Bob DenverPremiered: 1959
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis is an American sitcom that aired on CBS from September 29, 1959... more16
201133Our Miss Brooks
Eve Arden, Gene BarryPremiered: 1952
Our Miss Brooks is an American situation comedy starring Eve Arden as a sardonic high school... more17
159133The Life of Riley
Zsa Zsa Gábor, Jackie GleasonPremiered: 1949
The Life of Riley, with William Bendix in the title role, is a popular American radio... more18
140125My Little Margie
Hillary Brooke, Gale StormPremiered: 1952
My Little Margie is an American situation comedy starring Gale Storm and Charles Farrell that... more19
152135The Bob Cummings Show
Robert Cummings, Ann B. DavisPremiered: 1955
The Bob Cummings Show is an American sitcom starring Robert "Bob" Cummings, which was produced... more20
399Mister Ed
Allan Lane, Alan YoungPremiered: 1961
Mister Ed is an American television situation comedy produced by Filmways that first aired in... more21
134132Bachelor Father
John Forsythe, Ian CarmichaelPremiered: 1957
Bachelor Father is an American sitcom starring John Forsythe, Noreen Corcoran and Sammee Tong.... more22
129137Blondie
Bruce Lee, Jim BackusPremiered: 1968
Blondie is an American sitcom that aired on CBS during the 1968-1969 television season. The... more23
137139I Married Joan
Jim Backus, Hal SmithPremiered: 1952
I Married Joan is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from 1952 to 1955. It starred veteran... more24
2333The Gale Storm Show
ZaSu Pitts, Gale StormPremiered: 1956
The Gale Storm Show is an American sitcom starring Gale Storm. The series premiered on... more25
86127Private Secretary
Ann Sothern, Jesse WhitePremiered: 1953
Private Secretary is an American sitcom that aired from February 1, 1953 to September 10, 1957... more
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