While most that have achieved the number one spot on the Nielsen ratings have done so by being aired on weeknight primetime television, “Gunsmoke” did something even more impressive. The show aired on Saturday nights, which isn’t one of the best nights for TV, and it was still able to reach the top spot.
The only other show to do that in the history of TV is “All in the Family.” Both shows reached number one despite their weekend slot, and both were able to hold the number one rating for several years in a row. “Gunsmoke” was the top-rated show from 1958-1961.
Emmy Award Winning
You don’t make it for 20 years as one of the most popular shows on television without at least winning or being nominated for a few Emmys. And of course, "Gunsmoke" was no exception. The show and its cast and crew garnered 15 nominations over the years and won five, including Best Dramatic Series in 1958.
In 1959, Dennis Weaver won the Primetime Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Dramatic Series. And nearly a decade later, in 1968, Milburn Stone received the same honor.
The Radio Show
The show's origins began in the form of a radio show that aired from 1952-1961. During the original years, William Conrad played Matt Dillon.
Like many stars of his time, Conrad was a World War II veteran who turned to the entertainment industry after his time serving in the military. He appeared in several films and television shows, including 'Cannon' on CBS, in which he starred in 1976. Although Conrad passed away in 1994, he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame a few years after his passing, due in large part to his work as Marshal Matt Dillon.
The Show’s Evolution
You don’t get to stay on the air for two decades in a row by playing outdated scenarios on dead technology. Rather than roll over for the times, "Gunsmoke" continued to evolve, changing along with what audiences were looking for.
Starting from making the switch from radio to TV to changing the show’s introduction to appease the time’s politics, creators tried to keep up with the way of the world as much as possible.
Seeing Color
When color television became a reality, the show made the evolution along with it. It was originally a 30-minute long show when it was first on TV, but when it changed to color, it also added length and became an hour-long.
The show’s creator, Charles Marquis Warren, wanted to make sure that "Gunsmoke" stayed ahead of the times so as not to become irrelevant as things shifted. It seems like he did an amazing job.