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About This Quiz
Whether you grew up in the '50s and '60s or not, you more than likely have seen most of these iconic TV shows from that time — and not surprisingly, a couple of them may rank among your all-time favorites. But do you think you can recall the names of these shows from a screenshot? Some may be easier for you, while others ... well, let's just say the '50s and '60s were notorious for challenging viewers with competing themes. Consider the most popular genre of the time: westerns. There were literally hundreds of different programs with a western theme during these two decades. Would you be able to tell the difference between "Gunsmoke," "Bonanza," or "Have Gun, Will Travel"? Or can you identify Oliver Douglas or Jed Clampett? Just a hint, one is on "Green Acres" and the other is on "The Beverly Hillbillies."
Both "I Love Lucy" and "The Honeymooners" took on the harsh yet loving realities of 1950s home life. You've likely seen them both, but could you identify one from the other with a screenshot?
From wholesome to mysterious, the '50s and '60s produced some of the most dramatic and iconic television shows of all time. They transcend generations and have shaped the world as well as yourself. Let's take a little time away from "Nick at Night" and see if you are as good at couch potato-ing as you think you are.
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What's the name of this one-season sitcom from the 1950s?
Rawhide
The Honeymooners
"The Honeymooners" (created by and starring Jackie Gleason) ran for only one season -— 39 episodes. That was enough, however, for it to secure a place as one of the most iconic TV series of the '50s and '60s. It is widely believed that Hanna-Barbera’s "The Flintstones" was based on "The Honeymooners'" characters and theme.
Dr. Kildare
The Fugitive
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Which TV show that debuted in 1954 is shown here?
Lassie
Although the character, Lassie, is female, the acting dog was played by Pal, a male dog. While he appeared in seven Lassie films and did the pilots for the TV series, he retired soon after. His descendants continue to be cast in the role.
The Abbott and Costello Show
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
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This 1960s sitcom about the adventures of the Clampett family is called:
The Beverly Hillbillies
Upon its initial release, many critics gave "The Beverly Hillbillies" negative reviews. Television viewers, however, loved the show — as evidenced by its No. 1 placement in the Nielsen rankings for its first two seasons. The show remained in the top 20 for eight of its nine seasons, but did not make the top 30 in season number nine.
Bachelor Father
Leave It to Beaver
The Flintstones
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What is this sitcom that ran for six seasons in the 1950s?
Car 54, Where Are You?
I Love Lucy
When Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were expecting their second child, the pregnancy was written into their show, "I Love Lucy." Since the TV station would not allow the word “pregnancy” to be said on air, “expecting” was used. Desi Arnaz’s character, Ricky Ricardo, would hilariously pronounce this as “spectin'."
Peter Gunn
Hogan's Heroes
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Jack Webb starred in this police drama that debuted in 1951:
Dragnet
"Dragnet" featured unmistakable theme music and matter-of-fact narration from Sergeant Joe Friday (portrayed by Jack Webb). The show was created by Webb from its beginnings as a radio series. Webb starred in the radio episodes, as well as both the 1951-1959 and 1967-1970 TV series.
Adventures of Superman
The Lone Ranger
Batman
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Which western TV show from the '50s and '60s is shown here?
Zorro
Bewitched
Green Acres
Wagon Train
"Wagon Train" ran from September 1957 to May 1965 with Ward Bond taking on the starring role of wagon master. Ward had earlier played opposite John Wayne in the 1930 western "The Big Trail."
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What is this series that ran from 1952 to 1958?
Get Smart
Adventures of Superman
George Reeves played Superman in this 1952-1958 television series. His surname is, coincidentally, very similar to that of Christopher Reeve, who later played the film role to overwhelming success.
Maverick
The Untouchables
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What is this long-running western series that first aired in 1959?
The Defenders
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Bonanza
In "Bonanza," Lorne Greene played Ben Cartwright, who is thrice widowed and has one son from each marriage. The show revealed that his wives were each of a different ancestry: Adam’s mother was English, Eric’s (Hoss) mother was Swedish, and Joseph’s (Little Joe) mother was French Creole.
Flash Gordon
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Raymond Burr starred in which legal drama that ran from 1957 to 1966?
Gilligan's Island
Cheyenne
Gunsmoke
Perry Mason
Both Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale were Emmy Award winners for their portrayal of Perry Mason and his ever-present secretary, Della Street. Burr and Hale both appeared in their roles for over 30 years, including the TV series and numerous Perry Mason TV movies.
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What is this science fiction anthology series that first aired in 1959?
The Dick Van Dyke Show
The Twilight Zone
"The Twilight Zone" was created by Rod Serling, who wrote over 90 of the 156 episodes in the series and was its narrator. Serling won numerous awards (including at least six Emmys) for his writing on several projects, including "The Twilight Zone."
The Abbott and Costello Show
Wagon Train
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This western from the '50s and '60s starred a young Clint Eastwood:
Hogan's Heroes
Father Knows Best
Rawhide
"Rawhide" co-starred Eric Fleming and Clint Eastwood. While several episodes focused on Eastwood’s character, Rowdy Yates, Eric Fleming, who portrayed trail boss Gil Favor, almost always received top billing. In the eighth season (which ran for only 13 episodes), Fleming left the show and Eastwood took over as trail boss.
Flash Gordon
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Which 1950s western drama does this photo show?
I Love Lucy
The Lone Ranger
During the shows five-season run, Jay Silverheels acted as Tonto, the Lone Ranger's American Indian companion. "The Lone Ranger" was, however, portrayed by two actors — Clayton Moore in seasons 1, 2, 4 and 5, and John Hart in season 3.
The Jetsons
Dr. Kildare
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Which TV show from the '50s or '60s starred Craig Stevens as a private eye?
Peter Gunn
The "Peter Gunn" title theme was composed by Henry Mancini (who also composed the widely known "Pink Panther" title theme). Mancini also composed several jazz-themed pieces which can be heard throughout the "Peter Gunn" TV series.
The Honeymooners
The Patty Duke Show
Hazel
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What's the name of this iconic mystery show?
Have Gun, Will Travel
Car 54, Where Are You?
The Fugitive
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
The "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" TV series was later renamed "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" and extended from its original running time of 25 minutes to 50 minutes. This was an indication of the show’s popularity, which saw it running for a total of 10 years (1955-1965) and 360 episodes.
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Which western from the '50s or '60s starring Richard Boone is shown here?
Mission: Impossible
The Andy Griffith Show
Have Gun, Will Travel
"Have Gun, Will Travel" starred Richard Boone as Paladin, a gun-for-hire based out of San Francisco. Although he was a high-priced gunslinger, he much preferred solving his clients’ “problems” without violence — when he could. "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry wrote 24 of the show’s 225 episodes.
Petticoat Junction
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What is this show about poker players traveling through the American West called?
Petticoat Junction
Get Smart
Maverick
James Garner, Jack Kelly, Roger Moore and Robert Colbert all took turns as lead actor of the "Maverick" TV series. There were some episodes that featured two of the leads, but never more. Garner led off the series as the sole lead, but was joined in the first season by Kelly. Upon Garner’s departure, Moore was added, and later Colbert.
Dragnet
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What's the name of this sitcom that portrayed the Cleaver family?
The Patty Duke Show
The Jack Benny Program
The Twilight Zone
Leave It to Beaver
Theodore “The Beaver” Cleaver was played by Jerry Mathers in every one of the show’s 234 episodes. Mathers got the part when he was 8 years old, but his career began when he was just 2. He had appeared in campaign ads, commercials and movies before becoming a part of the "Leave It to Beaver" cast.
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Can you name this action-adventure western series from the 1950s?
The Flintstones
The Andy Griffith Show
Zorro
Johnston McCulley created the Zorro character in 1919 (making Zorro just short of his 100th birthday as of this writing). In the 1957-1959 TV series, Guy Williams portrays Zorro/Don Diego de la Vega. Williams went on to play the role of the father of the Robinson family in the popular series, "Lost in Space."
Amos 'n' Andy
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What is this show that starred a famous comedy duo?
Batman
The Abbot and Costello Show
One of the duo’s most memorable sketches is Who’s on First? It featured Bud Abbott trying to describe his baseball team to Lou Costello, but only ending up confusing and infuriating him because of the team members’ names. They include Who on first base; What on second base; I Don't Know on third base; and l Don't Give a Darn as shortstop.
Gunsmoke
The Jetsons
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What 1950s sci-fi series that ran for one season is shown in this photo?
Flash Gordon
Comic strip hero Flash Gordon is featured in a wide range of movies, novels, and TV and radio series. The "Flash Gordon" TV series, which ran from 1954 to 1955, was filmed in West Berlin, Germany, and in Marseille, France. Although it lasted for only one season of 39 episodes, it was still very popular with viewers.
Perry Mason
The Honeymooners
Hazel
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What is this 1960s cartoon set in prehistoric times?
The Beverly Hillbillies
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
The Flintstones
Fred is voiced by Alan Reed (who bears a physical resemblance to the character). Although it is Reed’s voice we hear throughout the entire six seasons of the show, the pilot featured the voice of Daws Butler as Fred. Daws also supplied the voice of Barney Rubble in a few of the show’s season two episodes.
Mission: Impossible
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Which 1950s sitcom is pictured?
The Donna Reed Show
Amos 'n' Andy
Father Knows Best
"Father Knows Best" originally aired as a radio series from 1949 to 1954 for a total of 197 episodes. It was a common practice for a successful series on the radio to be turned into a television series. There were 203 episodes of the "Father Knows Best" TV series, which ran from 1954 to 1960.
The Beverly Hillbillies
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Which TV show that debuted in 1955 is shown in this photo?
Cheyenne
Like several other TV shows at the time, "Cheyenne" focused on the main character, Cheyenne Bodie, but had a long list of guest stars who were either famous at the time or went on to be. These include Dan Blocker and Peter Breck who later played Eric "Hoss" Cartwright in "Bonanza" and Nick Barkley in "The Big Valley," respectively.
Father Knows Best
The Dick Van Dyke Show
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
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The name of this cartoon set in the future is:
The Jack Benny Program
The Jetsons
The Jetsons are often described as a futuristic version of the Flintstones. Although the two families live millennia apart, there is a 1987 made-for-TV movie in which they meet. In it, both families time travel and get a taste of what it is like to live in the other’s era.
Get Smart
Family Affair
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What is this 1960s show that starred Shirley Booth?
Wagon Train
Peter Gunn
The Twilight Zone
Hazel
By the time Shirley Booth played the part of the titular character in "Hazel," she already had three Tony Awards (one for Best Supporting Actress and two for Best Actress), one Academy Award and one Golden Globe Award, both in the Best Actress category. She would go on to win two Primetime Emmy Awards for her role as Hazel.
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What is this early '60s sitcom set in New York?
Car 54, Where Are You?
For the show’s two seasons (60 episodes), Joe E. Ross and Fred Gwynne played Officers Gunther Toody and Francis Muldoon, respectively. Fred Gwynne went on to gain widespread fame for his role as Herman Munster in "The Munsters."
Adventures of Superman
The Donna Reed Show
Bonanza
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Which 1960s sitcom created by Car Reiner is pictured here?
The Fugitive
The Dick Van Dyke Show
"The Dick Van Dyke" show was nominated for 25 Primetime Emmy Awards and won a very impressive 15 of them. Out of this, the series creator, Carl Reiner, won five; Van Dyke won three; and Mary Tyler Moore won two. Their co-star, Rose Marie, was nominated three times but never won.
Car 54, Where Are You?
I Love Lucy
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Which '60s sitcom took place at the Shady Rest Hotel near Hooterville?
Hogan's Heroes
Petticoat Junction
Edgar Buchanan, who played Uncle Joe Carson, is the only cast member to have appeared in each of the 222 episodes of "Petticoat Junction." Linda Kaye Henning (as Betty Jo Bradley) appeared in 220.
Have Gun, Will Travel
Hazel
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NBC
Richard Chamberlain starred in which medical drama?
Dr. Kildare
Young Richard Chamberlain was virtually unknown as an actor when he began as the titular character in the "Dr. Kildare" TV series. He quickly rocketed to fame, however, and won several awards, as proof of his popularity. Chamberlain won the Golden Globe Award for his role in this series and would go on to win the award two more times for his work in "Shogun" and "The Thorn Birds."
Dragnet
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
The Lone Ranger
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What is the name of this classic castaway comedy?
Rawhide
Family Affair
The Jetsons
Gilligan's Island
Of the three women stranded on the island (along with five men), Tina Louise played Ginger Grant, the movie star, and Dawn Wells was Mary Ann Summers, a farm girl from Kansas. The question of which of the two was more popular among fans has been the subject of much discussion, and was even featured as part of a 1993 Budweiser commercial.
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What's is this not-your-usual family sitcom?
The Munsters
While "The Munsters" TV series ranked poorly during its two seasons, it became very popular after it was released in syndication. There have been several films made based on the series. The first was released in theaters, and the others (one animated) were made-for-TV movies.
Cheyenne
Perry Mason
Lassie
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Can you name this long-running western set in Dodge City?
Gunsmoke
William Conrad was the original Marshal Matt Dillon on the radio series "Gunsmoke" (1952-1961). When the series moved to television, he was not selected as the actor to portray Dillon — James Arness would play that role for 20 years! Conrad went on to star in what was perhaps his most famous role — the titular character of the TV series "Cannon."
Bonanza
Lassie
The Munsters
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Jim Nabors starred in the title role in which TV series?
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
The "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." TV series is one of two spin-offs of "The Andy Griffith Show." The other was "Mayberry, R.F.D." In its five-year run, from 1964 to 1969, the show placed at numbers 3, 2, 10, 3 and 2 in the Nielsen Ratings. A novel bearing the same name as the series was released in 1966.
Zorro
The Abbott and Costello Show
The Jack Benny Program
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This magical series first aired in 1964:
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Bewitched
The cast of "Bewitched" saw several changes during the show’s eight seasons. Aside from Dick York, then Dick Sargent, playing the part of Darrin Stephens, there were five different children acting as Tabitha Stephens. Also, the characters of Gladys Kravitz, Louise Tate and Frank Stephens each had two actors portraying them during the show’s run.
The Defenders
The Flintstones
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Which TV show was set in the small town of Mayberry?
The Andy Griffith Show
Don Knotts won a total of five Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Deputy Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show." Though neither Griffith nor the show itself won any awards, the Nielsen Ratings never ranked the series lower than 7th for its entire eight-season run of 249 episodes.
Green Acres
Wagon Train
Flash Gordon
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What's the name of the show featuring this dynamic duo?
Amos 'n' Andy
The Twilight Zone
Zorro
Batman
The 1966-1968 "Batman" TV series was shown twice weekly for two of its three seasons. The first evening’s episode ended with a cliffhanger that was resolved in the following evening’s episode. The show is noted for the creation of the Batgirl character, which was also incorporated into the comic book series.
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What is this '60s sitcom set in a German POW camp?
Hogan's Heroes
In 1970, near the end of the show’s run, its star Bob Crane (who played Colonel Hogan) married fellow cast member Sigrid Valdis (who acted as Fräulein Hilda). Their wedding took place on the show’s set. The two remained married until Crane’s murder in 1978.
The Dick Van Dyke Show
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Father Knows Best
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Which secret agent comedy show is shown in this picture?
Get Smart
"Get Smart" stars Don Adams as Maxwell Smart (Agent 86) and Barbara Feldon as Agent 99. In the penultimate of its five seasons, the pair marry and have twins. In real life, however, Feldon married the show’s producer, Burt Nodella.
Peter Gunn
Bachelor Father
The Lone Ranger
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This spy action series debuted in 1964 and ran through 1968:
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
"The Man from U.N.C.L.E." became quite popular during its four-season run, and generated a spin-off titled, "The Girl from U.N.C.L.E." That series starred Stephanie Powers, and featured Leo G. Carroll acting as Mr. Waverly concurrently in both series.
Bonanza
I Love Lucy
Petticoat Junction
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What's the name of the sitcom in this photo?
The Munsters
Green Acres
Both Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor (Oliver Wendell Douglas and Lisa Douglas) appeared in all 170 episodes of "Green Acres’" six-season run. The show began in 1965 and was a spinoff of "Petticoat Junction," which started two years earlier. There were several instances in which characters from "Green Acres" appeared on "Petticoat Junction."
Adventures of Superman
Dr. Kildare
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What is this 1960s sitcom about a bachelor-turned-dad?
The Donna Reed Show
Dragnet
Family Affair
Sebastian Cabot played Giles French, valet to Brian Keith’s character, bachelor Bill Davis. While Cabot became very popular and was easily recognizable due to his role in the five-season long "Family Affair," it is his voice with which some audiences are more familiar. Cabot is the narrator in several of the "Winnie the Pooh" films.
Bewitched
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This sitcom starring John Forsythe premiered in 1957:
Lassie
Petticoat Junction
Bewitched
Bachelor Father
"Bachelor Father" ran for 157 episodes over five seasons, from September 1957 to September 1962. The show aired on CBS (1957-1959), NBC (1959-1961) and ABC (1961-1962, when it was finally canceled).
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What is this 1960s TV series that later became a major movie franchise?
The Patty Duke Show
The Andy Griffith Show
The Honeymooners
Mission: Impossible
"Mission: Impossible" was created by Bruce Geller who was also, at one point, the show’s producer. The 1966-1973 TV series spawned a 1988-1990 revival starring Peter Graves, who also starred in the original series. The "Mission: Impossible" feature film franchise, with Tom Cruise in the lead, currently includes six movies from 1996 to 2018.
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What is the name of this TV series that began as a radio show?
The Jack Benny Program
"The Jack Benny Program" began as a radio comedy series, then successfully transitioned to television. The program ran on both radio and television for several years out of its total 30-year lifespan.
Perry Mason
Maverick
Have Gun, Will Travel
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What is this 1950s buddy sitcom called?
Gilligan's Island
Gunsmoke
Amos 'n' Andy
The original "Amos 'n' Andy" radio series was created and voiced by white actors, Freeman Gosden (Amos) and Charles Correll (Andy). When the show was produced for television, black actors were cast: Alvin Childress (Amos) and Spencer Williams (Andy).
Rawhide
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What is this crime drama set in 1930s Chicago?
The Untouchables
From autobiographical novel to TV series to blockbuster film, the story of "The Untouchables" depicts how a team of special agents worked to bring down gangster Al Capone’s empire. The TV series, however, only features Capone in its two-hour pilot, as well as in a two-part episode.
Gilligan's Island
Green Acres
The Defenders
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What is the name of this sitcom that aired from 1958 to 1966?
The Donna Reed Show
Several of the show’s stars had notable success in other projects. Donna Reed had a stint as Miss Ellie Ewing on the hit TV soap opera "Dallas," and Shelley Fabares, who played Donna’s daughter, Mary Stone, recorded the number-one hit song "Johnny Angel." Bob Crane, who portrayed Dr. Dave Kelsey, a friend of the Stone family, became the main star in "Hogan’s Heroes."
Family Affair
The Munsters
The Untouchables
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What is this drama whose story includes a one-armed man?
The Beverly Hillbillies
Mission: Impossible
The Fugitive
During its run, "The Fugitive" peaked at number 5 in the Nielsen Ratings. The premise for the series was not new, as there were other shows and real-life cases similar to it (someone wrongly accused and on the run from the law while seeking the actual perpetrator). The series was the basis for the hugely successful 1993 movie and its 1998 sequel.
The Untouchables
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What is this 1960s courtroom drama series?
The Defenders
"The Defenders" won 13 Emmy Awards from a total of 20 nominations. E.G. Marshall won two awards for his work as one of the show’s lead actors. Robert Reed, the show’s other lead, did not receive any nominations. He, however, went on to continued fame after "The Defenders" ended by starring as Mike Brady in the hit sitcom "The Brady Bunch."
Leave It to Beaver
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
The Munsters
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The name of this 1963-1966 sitcom is:
Maverick
Bachelor Father
The Patty Duke Show
Patty Duke was only 16 years old when "The Patty Duke Show" was first released. Despite her age, she was already an Academy Award winner, having received the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Helen Keller in the 1962 film "The Miracle Worker."
Leave It to Beaver
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