Emily's and Karen's Television of the 50s Page
Introduction: The 1950s was a fascinating decade. Explore this site and you will learn a brief history of this
time.
Rewind the Fifties The 50's (new)

Television on the 1950s: This site will give you a look at the different television shows in the 1950s.

TV in the 50's

The Nuclear Family: The nuclear family of the 1950s consisted of a father (the bread-winner), a mother (the dutiful housewife), 2.5 children (who never cause trouble), and a dog. In these sites you can explore traditional family values in the 1950s and how they relate to the television shows of that time.
TV Families of the 50's
1/9/97, Father Knows Best
TRADITIONAL FAMILY VALUES
Leave It To Beaver Family Characters
The Nuclear Family, by Michael Pratt
The role of men: These sites explore the characteristics of Ward Cleaver as the father/husband figure in Leave it to Beaver.
So who's Ward Cleaver?
Ward Cleaver
The role of women: These sites explore the characteristics of women as the mother/wife figure in various sitcoms.
June Evelyn Cleaver:
Audrey Meadows - Alice
Not June Cleaver:
The role of children: These sites explore the characteristics of children in Leave it to Beaver.
Wally Cleaver
Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver
The Suburbs: Unlike episodes such as Leave it to Beaver and Father Knows Best, I Love Lucy began in the city and moved to the suburbs. These I Love Lucy episodes show characteristics of what it is like to live in the suburbs in 1950s television.
Mel Loves "I Love Lucy": Lucy Wants to Move to the Country
Mel Loves "I Love Lucy": Lucy Gets Chummy with the Neighbors
Mel Loves "I Love Lucy": Lucy Raises Tulips
Mel Loves "I Love Lucy": Building a Bar-B-Q
Mel Loves "I Love Lucy": Ricardos Dedicate a Statue, The
Commercials: Interestingly, in the 1950s, commercials revolved around the television shows which they sponsored. For example, on I Love Lucy, smoking was often written into the script, as Phillip Morris was the show's sponsor. In these sites you will find links to other commercials of the 1950s, as well as two I Love Lucy episodes in which Lucy stars in two of her own commercials.
Advertising Age - History of TV Advertising
Mel Loves "I Love Lucy" Vitameatavegamin
Mel Loves "I Love Lucy": Million Dollar Idea


Addendum: Spike's MORE 50's Television Hits

The role of children: This site, in addition to the others, explores the characteristics of children in 1950s sitcoms.

http://www.rtvf.nwu.edu...hibeau/dobie_loves.html
Music: Some of the most memorable songs of all time came from the television shows you grew up with. Explore these sites to experience some of your favorites.
Chuck Pharis Web Page : Dobie Gillis
The Ed Sullivan Show
American "Classic TV Series" -- Theme Music List
The Outer Limits: In the conformist 1950s, people looked for outlets in entertainment through such shows as The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Explore these sites to see some of the terror-filled shows inspired by the new nuclear age.
Saturday Matinee - History of Television - Alfred Hitchcock Presents