Howdy Doody was broadcast on the NBC television network from December 27, 1947, until September 24, 1960. It was a pioneer of children’s programming and set the pattern for
many similar shows.

October 1, 1962 – May 22, 1992 on NBC

Ed McMahon (left) served as Carson’s sidekick and the
show’s announcer.

The original sitcom television series The Life of Riley aired on NBC
TV from October 4, 1949 to August 22, 1958. Jackie Gleason was
cast in the title role and William Bendix assumed the lead in 1953.

Jackie Gleason and Rosemary DeCamp
in the original 1949 television series.

William Bendix as Chester A. Riley
on The Life of Riley radio show.

(1953) William Bendix (1906 – 1964)

The TV sitcom Happy Days aired first-run on the
ABC network from January 15, 1974, to July 19, 1984, with a total of 255 half-hour episodes spanning
11 seasons. Created by Garry Marshall, it was one
of the most successful series of the 1970s.

Howdy Doody is a children’s television show broadcast on
the NBC television network from December 27, 1947, until
September 24, 1960.

Buffalo Bob Smith, Howdy Doody and Clarabell the clown,
originally played by Bob Keeshan, who went on to create
the children’s TV character Captain Kangaroo. 

1950s