The Hippest Show on TV
by SweetHotAngel | created - 29 Dec 2010 | updated - 29 Dec 2010 | PublicFor each year. These shows were the hippest in the prime time line-up of the networks. Some were hits and some weren't. Some were controversial. Some weren't. But these were the shows that it was hip to watch. I'm listing the top for each season, so the shows might have been hip in other seasons, just not the hippest because some other show was hipper.
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1. Actor's Studio (1948–1950)
30 min | Drama
Produced by the ABC as its television network was just getting off the ground, this program was one of the first dramatic series television to attract top-name actors and actresses. ... See full summary »
Stars: Marc Connelly, George Keane, Don Hanmer, Nancy Franklin
Votes: 54
ABC 1948/1949
2. Actor's Studio (1948–1950)
30 min | Drama
Produced by the ABC as its television network was just getting off the ground, this program was one of the first dramatic series television to attract top-name actors and actresses. ... See full summary »
Stars: Marc Connelly, George Keane, Don Hanmer, Nancy Franklin
Votes: 54
NBC 1949/1950
3. The Jack Benny Program (1950–1965)
Not Rated | 30 min | Comedy
The comic misadventures of the "skinflint" comedian and his friends.
Stars: Jack Benny, Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, Don Wilson, Dennis Day
Votes: 1,235
CBS 1950/1951
4. The Jack Benny Program (1950–1965)
Not Rated | 30 min | Comedy
The comic misadventures of the "skinflint" comedian and his friends.
Stars: Jack Benny, Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, Don Wilson, Dennis Day
Votes: 1,235
CBS 1951/1952
5. The Ernie Kovacs Show (1952–1956)
60 min | Comedy, Family
Stars: Ernie Kovacs, Edie Adams, Pat White, Elliot Lawrence
Votes: 93
CBS 1952/1953
6. See It Now (1951–1958)
30 min | Documentary, News
This show was an irregularly scheduled hour long program that gave more complete coverage of issues. The show consisted of 'Edward R. Murrow (I)' sitting in the New York studio talking ... See full summary »
Stars: Edward R. Murrow, Howard K. Smith, Harry S. Truman, Richard Hottelet
Votes: 73
CBS 1953/1954
7. The George Gobel Show (1954–1960)
30 min | Comedy
For Gobel's half-hour series, he used a successful comedy format of a monologue segment, followed by a story set up segment, then a musical interlude with the show's girl singer, then the main skit with the guest performers.
Stars: George Gobel, Jeff Donnell, John Scott Trotter, Peggy King
Votes: 53
NBC 1954/1955
8. The Ernie Kovacs Show (1952–1956)
60 min | Comedy, Family
Stars: Ernie Kovacs, Edie Adams, Pat White, Elliot Lawrence
Votes: 93
NBC 1955/1956
9. Twenty-One (1956–1958)
TV-G | 30 min | Game-Show
Two contestants were placed in separate isolation booths. Each player in turn would be given a category and asked how many points, from 1 to 11, he wanted to risk. Points increased with the... See full summary »
Stars: Jack Barry, Charles Van Doren, Herb Stempel, Bill McCord
Votes: 35
NBC 1956/1957
10. Maverick (1957–1962)
TV-G | 60 min | Comedy, Western
Bret and Bart Maverick are well-dressed gamblers who migrate from town to town always looking for a good game.
Stars: Jack Kelly, James Garner, Roger Moore, Lane Chandler
Votes: 2,613
ABC 1957/1958
11. Maverick (1957–1962)
TV-G | 60 min | Comedy, Western
Bret and Bart Maverick are well-dressed gamblers who migrate from town to town always looking for a good game.
Stars: Jack Kelly, James Garner, Roger Moore, Lane Chandler
Votes: 2,613
ABC 1958/1959
12. The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)
TV-PG | 51 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Ordinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.
Stars: Rod Serling, Robert McCord, Jay Overholts, Vaughn Taylor
Votes: 71,764
CBS 1959/1960
13. The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)
TV-PG | 51 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Ordinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.
Stars: Rod Serling, Robert McCord, Jay Overholts, Vaughn Taylor
Votes: 71,764
CBS 1960/1961
14. The Ernie Kovacs Show (1952–1956)
60 min | Comedy, Family
Stars: Ernie Kovacs, Edie Adams, Pat White, Elliot Lawrence
Votes: 93
ABC 1961/1962
15. The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The misadventures of a TV writer both at work and at home.
Stars: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam
Votes: 8,834
CBS 1962/1963
16. The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The misadventures of a TV writer both at work and at home.
Stars: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam
Votes: 8,834
CBS 1963/1964
17. The Addams Family (1964–1966)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Horror
The misadventures of a blissfully macabre but extremely loving family.
Stars: John Astin, Carolyn Jones, Jackie Coogan, Ted Cassidy
Votes: 14,603
ABC 1964/1965
18. The Dean Martin Show (1965–1974)
TV-PG | Comedy, Music
Dean Martin hosts, with several celebrities as guests. There are musical acts and comedy sketches that break down comedy, racial, and sexual barriers all at the same time.
Stars: Dean Martin, The Dingaling Sisters, Ken Lane, Lou Jacobi
Votes: 1,148
NBC 1965/1966
19. The Monkees (1966–1968)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Music
The misadventures of a struggling rock band.
Stars: Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith
Votes: 3,683
NBC 1966/1967
20. The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967–1993)
60 min | Comedy
The Smothers Brothers host a comedy variety show that became notorious for its topical satirical humor.
Stars: Tom Smothers, Dick Smothers, Pat Paulsen, Peter Cullen
Votes: 1,214
CBS 1967/1968
21. The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967–1993)
60 min | Comedy
The Smothers Brothers host a comedy variety show that became notorious for its topical satirical humor.
Stars: Tom Smothers, Dick Smothers, Pat Paulsen, Peter Cullen
Votes: 1,214
CBS 1968/1969
22. Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967–1973)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Music
The original rapid fire sketch comedy show.
Stars: Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, Ruth Buzzi, Gary Owens
Votes: 2,586
NBC 1969/1970
23. Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967–1973)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Music
The original rapid fire sketch comedy show.
Stars: Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, Ruth Buzzi, Gary Owens
Votes: 2,586
NBC 1970/1971
24. All in the Family (1971–1979)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
A working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.
Stars: Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner, Sally Struthers
Votes: 14,050
CBS 1971/1972
25. The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (1971–1974)
TV-G | 60 min | Comedy, Music
A variety show with comedy skits and musical numbers, performed by a regular cast and special guests.
Stars: Sonny Bono, Cher, Ted Zeigler, Freeman King
Votes: 673
CBS 1972/1973
26. The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (1971–1974)
TV-G | 60 min | Comedy, Music
A variety show with comedy skits and musical numbers, performed by a regular cast and special guests.
Stars: Sonny Bono, Cher, Ted Zeigler, Freeman King
Votes: 673
CBS 1973/1974
27. Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974–1975)
TV-PG | 51 min | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Carl Kolchak is a reporter for a Chicago newspaper. Through more accident than design he ends up investigating homicides, many of which involve supernatural forces. Ultimately, rather than reporting on the crimes, he solves them.
Stars: Darren McGavin, Simon Oakland, Jack Grinnage, Ruth McDevitt
Votes: 4,276
ABC 1974/1975
28. M*A*S*H (1972–1983)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy, Drama, War
The staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.
Stars: Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr
Votes: 50,403
CBS 1975/1976
29. M*A*S*H (1972–1983)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy, Drama, War
The staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.
Stars: Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr
Votes: 50,403
CBS 1976/1977
30. The Richard Pryor Show (1977– )
60 min | Comedy
An American comedy series hosted by comedian Richard Pryor
Stars: Richard Pryor, Jimmy Martinez, Edie McClurg, Robin Williams
Votes: 359
NBC 1977/1978
31. Taxi (1978–1983)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The staff of a New York City taxicab company go about their job while they dream of greater things.
Stars: Judd Hirsch, Jeff Conaway, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner
Votes: 11,655
ABC 1978/1979
32. M*A*S*H (1972–1983)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy, Drama, War
The staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.
Stars: Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr
Votes: 50,403
CBS 1979/1980
33. M*A*S*H (1972–1983)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy, Drama, War
The staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.
Stars: Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr
Votes: 50,403
CBS 1980/1981
34. M*A*S*H (1972–1983)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy, Drama, War
The staff of an Army hospital in the Korean War find that laughter is the best way to deal with their situation.
Stars: Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr
Votes: 50,403
CBS 1981/1982
35. Cagney & Lacey (1981–1988)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Two female police detectives cooperate with each other both in their professions and in their personal lives.
Stars: Tyne Daly, Sharon Gless, Al Waxman, Martin Kove
Votes: 3,414
CBS 1982/1983
36. Cagney & Lacey (1981–1988)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Two female police detectives cooperate with each other both in their professions and in their personal lives.
Stars: Tyne Daly, Sharon Gless, Al Waxman, Martin Kove
Votes: 3,414
CBS 1983/1984
37. Miami Vice (1984–1989)
TV-14 | 48 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Resplendent with authentic 1980's music, fashion and vibe, "Miami Vice" follows two -undercover detectives and their extended team through the mean streets of Miami, Florida (USA).
Stars: Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas, Saundra Santiago, Olivia Brown
Votes: 23,412
NBC 1984/1985
38. Miami Vice (1984–1989)
TV-14 | 48 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Resplendent with authentic 1980's music, fashion and vibe, "Miami Vice" follows two -undercover detectives and their extended team through the mean streets of Miami, Florida (USA).
Stars: Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas, Saundra Santiago, Olivia Brown
Votes: 23,412
NBC 1985/1986
39. Miami Vice (1984–1989)
TV-14 | 48 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Resplendent with authentic 1980's music, fashion and vibe, "Miami Vice" follows two -undercover detectives and their extended team through the mean streets of Miami, Florida (USA).
Stars: Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas, Saundra Santiago, Olivia Brown
Votes: 23,412
NBC 1986/1987
40. Miami Vice (1984–1989)
TV-14 | 48 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Resplendent with authentic 1980's music, fashion and vibe, "Miami Vice" follows two -undercover detectives and their extended team through the mean streets of Miami, Florida (USA).
Stars: Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas, Saundra Santiago, Olivia Brown
Votes: 23,412
NBC 1987/1988
41. Miami Vice (1984–1989)
TV-14 | 48 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Resplendent with authentic 1980's music, fashion and vibe, "Miami Vice" follows two -undercover detectives and their extended team through the mean streets of Miami, Florida (USA).
Stars: Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas, Saundra Santiago, Olivia Brown
Votes: 23,412
NBC 1988/1989
42. Twin Peaks (1990–1991)
TV-MA | 47 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
An idiosyncratic FBI agent investigates the murder of a young woman in the even more idiosyncratic town of Twin Peaks.
Stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook
Votes: 176,343
ABC 1989/1990
43. Twin Peaks (1990–1991)
TV-MA | 47 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
An idiosyncratic FBI agent investigates the murder of a young woman in the even more idiosyncratic town of Twin Peaks.
Stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook
Votes: 176,343
ABC 1990/1991
44. Seinfeld (1989–1998)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy
The continuing misadventures of neurotic New York City stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his equally neurotic New York City friends.
Stars: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander
Votes: 256,765
NBC 1991/1992
45. Seinfeld (1989–1998)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy
The continuing misadventures of neurotic New York City stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his equally neurotic New York City friends.
Stars: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander
Votes: 256,765
NBC 1992/1993
46. Seinfeld (1989–1998)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy