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1961 TV Series and Shows

From gripping dramas and groundbreaking comedies to beloved sitcoms, the TV series of 1961 delivered unforgettable moments and iconic characters that have endured through the years. Join us as we take a nostalgic look back at the top TV series of 1961, celebrating the shows that defined the year and continue to be cherished by fans today.

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The Dick Van Dyke Show
Written by: Carl Reiner
Starring: Dick Van Dyke, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Larry Mathews
Country: United States of America
Outline: The misadventures of a TV writer both at work and at home.
source: imdb.com
Top Cat
Directed by: Alberto Mar
Country: United States of America
Outline: Top Cat is the leader of a group of alley cats, always trying to cheat someone.
source: imdb.com
Country: United States of America
Seasons: 2
source: movieplayer.it
Bozo's Circus
Starring: Bob Bell, Roy Brown, Frazier Thomas, Marshall Brodien
Country: United States of America
Outline: An iconic children's show on Chicago's WGN television station. Children would go home from school at noon to have lunch and watch the show! They had a terrific band and funny skits with ...
source: imdb.com
King of Diamonds
Starring: Broderick Crawford, Ray Hamilton
Country: United States of America
Outline: John King, the two-fisted, globe-trotting chief of security for the world's diamond industry, travels the world battling jewel thieves and gem smugglers. Assisted by his young protégé, ...
source: imdb.com
87th Precinct
Written by: Evan Hunter
Starring: Robert Lansing, Ron Harper, Gregory Walcott, Norman Fell
Country: United States of America
Outline: Manhattan's 87th precinct forms the backdrop for this grim and gritty police drama based on the long-running series of novels by Ed McBain. Storylines focus on neighborhood crime, and the ...
source: imdb.com
Cain's Hundred
Written by: Paul Monash
Starring: Peter Mark Richman
Country: United States of America
Outline: A former underworld lawyer goes to work for the Federal Government, determined to bring one hundred top criminals to justice.
source: imdb.com
The Asphalt Jungle
Starring: Jack Warden, Arch Johnson, William Smith
Country: United States of America
source: imdb.com
Gunslinger
Starring: Tony Young, Preston Foster, Midge Ware, Dee Pollock
Country: United States of America
Outline: Cord, a gunfighter, works undercover for the local Army garrison Commander, trying to help keep peace in the territory.
source: imdb.com
'Way Out
Starring: Roald Dahl
Country: United States of America
Outline: A new drama in the macabre genre was broadcast each week hosted by Roald Dahl.
source: imdb.com
The Ernie Kovacs Show
Starring: Bob Lauher, Jolene Brand, Maggi Brown, Joe Mikolas
Country: United States of America
source: imdb.com
The Defenders
Written by: Reginald Rose
Starring: E.G. Marshall, Robert Reed
Country: United States of America
Outline: A father and son lawyer duo take a variety of cases that often deal with the important issues of the day.
source: imdb.com
The New Steve Allen Show
Starring: Steve Allen, Johnny Jacobs
Country: United States of America
Outline: It was a show basically about laughing until you were in tears, or just falling down, doubling over with laughter...a show for the whole family, with some of the funniest comic people on ...
source: imdb.com
Kraft Mystery Theater
Starring: Lee Patterson, Conrad Phillips, Keir Dullea, Patricia Dainton
Country: United States of America
Outline: A successor to Kraft Television Theater with a change of focus away from straight drama. The high productions remained along with the ability to attract well known talent.
source: imdb.com
Ripcord
Written by: Harry Redmond Jr.
Starring: Larry Pennell, Ken Curtis, Shug Fisher
Country: United States of America
Outline: Operating their skydiving service company "Ripcord", Jim Buckley and Ted McKeever are able to get to places that others can't and get there much faster. This leads them on many exciting ...
source: imdb.com
Everglades
Starring: Ron Hayes
Country: United States of America
Outline: In this syndicated series, Lincoln Vail was a local law enforcement official patrolling the wilderness area in his airboat. He had frequent dealings with the local Seminoles and worked diligently to protect the wildlife.
source: imdb.com
The Porter Wagoner Show
Starring: Porter Wagoner, Speck Rhodes, Mack Magaha, Don Howser
Country: United States of America
Outline: Porter Wagoner's long-running musical variety show that launched the career of Dolly Parton.
source: imdb.com
The Americans
Starring: Darryl Hickman, Richard Davalos, John McIntire
Country: United States of America
Outline: Inspired by James Warner Bellah's "The Valiant Virginians", a 1953 book that had previously been serialized in "The Saturday Evening Post", this series focused on the impact war has on the ...
source: imdb.com
Follow the Sun
Starring: Barry Coe, Brett Halsey, Jay Lanin, Gigi Perreau
Country: United States of America
Outline: The show follows the adventures of two free-lance magazine writers based in Hawaii.
source: imdb.com
The Dick Powell Theatre
Written by: Richard Alan Simmons
Starring: Dick Powell
Country: United States of America
Outline: Powell served as host and, in early shows at least, occasional star in this dramatic anthology. It was his last television series and contained his last filmed acting (episode: 'The ...
source: imdb.com
Ben Casey
Country: United States of America
Outline: Gritty realistic hospital drama featuring manly Dr. Casey against the medical establishment, at first, under the watchful eye of Dr. Zorba, and later under the thumb of Chief of Surgery Dr. Freeland.
source: imdb.com
Alcoa Premiere
Country: United States of America
Outline: Hosted by famous dancer and actor Fred Astaire, this series presented a new drama with each week's episode. Unlike some of the earlier drama series, which tended either toward classics or ...
source: imdb.com
The Investigators
Country: United States of America
Outline: This riveting documentary series unravels the complex nature of justice -- both how it is denied and how it is achieved. Created by a team of award-winning producers, each show presents a ...
source: imdb.com
Dr. Kildare
Country: United States of America
Outline: The dramatic relationship between a young medical intern and his surgeon mentor.
source: imdb.com