We love watching television Westerns and wanted to offer our top 10 selections. We learned that in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, the Western craze began to fade to make room for other genres. Some point out that a reason for this is that Westerns are often seen as a nostalgic look at a bygone era, and it can be difficult for modern audiences to relate to the characters and stories. They are also very expensive to produce and often require large casts, expensive sets, and elaborate costumes. This can make them a risky proposition for studios, especially in an era where audiences are increasingly demanding high-quality television. However, with the immense popularity of Yellowstone, there is still a tremendous interest in Western programming. Here is our list, beginning with the earlies to the most current series.
1. The Lone Ranger (1949-1957) The Lone Ranger is an American Western media franchise centered on a masked vigilante who fights for justice in the Old West. The character originated in a radio series that aired from 1933 to 1954, and has since been adapted into numerous films, television series, comic books, and other media. It starred Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger and Jay Silverheels as Tonto (although today the word Tonto would not be used to name a character due to the pejorative implications).
The series is set in the American Old West and follows the adventures of the Lone Ranger and Tonto as they fight for justice. The Lone Ranger is a masked man who rides a white horse named Silver. He is accompanied by Tonto, a Native American who is known for his wisecracks and his skill with tracking.
The Lone Ranger character has also been featured in numerous films and television series, including the 1956 film The Lone Ranger, the 1981 television series The Legend of the Lone Ranger, and the 2013 film The Lone Ranger.
2. Gunsmoke (1955-1975) This show is the longest-running primetime, live-action series with the highest number of scripted episodes for any U.S. prime-time television series of the 20th century.
The series is set in Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, and stars James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon, a U.S. marshal who is tasked with keeping the peace in the town. The show also features Dennis Weaver as Chester Goode, Dillon's deputy, and Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty, the owner of the Long Branch Saloon.
Gunsmoke was praised for its realistic portrayal of the Old West, its strong characters, and its well-written scripts. It was also a commercial success, becoming one of the most popular television shows of its era.
The show's popularity can be attributed to a number of factors. First, it was well-made and well-acted. The scripts were tight and the characters were well-developed. Second, the show was set in a time and place that was familiar to many viewers. The Old West was a time of great adventure and excitement, and Gunsmoke captured that sense of excitement. Third, the show was family-friendly. It was not violent or graphic, and it could be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Gunsmoke is considered to be one of the greatest Western television series ever made. It is a classic show that has stood the test of time. If you are a fan of Westerns or television history, then Gunsmoke is definitely worth checking out.
3. The Rifleman (1958-1963) Chuck Connors starred as Lucas McCain, a widowed Civil War veteran and sharpshooter raising his son Mark McCain (Johnny Crawford) on their ranch in the New Mexico territory. It was one of the first primetime series on US television to show a single parent raising a child.
The Rifleman was a popular show, and it was one of the most-watched television programs of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The show was praised for its strong characters, its family-friendly storylines, and its beautiful cinematography. The Rifleman was also notable for its use of Native American actors, which was rare for a Western show at the time.
The show's popularity can be attributed to a number of factors. First, the relationship between Lucas and Mark McCain was a heartwarming and relatable one. They were a close-knit family who always supported each other, and they always did the right thing. Second, the show was set in a time and place that was familiar to many viewers. The Wild West was a time of great adventure and excitement, and The Rifleman captured that sense of excitement. Third, the show was family-friendly. It was not violent or graphic, and it could be enjoyed by people of all ages.
4. Rawhide (1959-1965) This series shows the challenges faced by the drovers of a cattle drive. Most episodes are introduced with a monologue by Gil Favor (Eric Fleming), trail boss. In a typical Rawhide story, the drovers come upon people on the trail and involve themselves in other people's affairs, usually encountering various corrupt individuals. Many times, one or more of the crew ventures into a nearby town and encounter some trouble from crooked townspeople or lawless politicians from whom they need to be rescued. Rowdy Yates (Clint Eastwood) was young and at times impetuous in the earliest episodes, and Favor had to keep a tight rein on him.
This show may be best remembered for the young Clint Eastwood, who went onto an illustrious film career which included The Outlaw Josey Wales and Unforgiven, also in the Western genre.
Rawhide was a popular show, and it was one of the most-watched television programs of the early 1960s. The show was praised for its realistic portrayal of the Old West, its strong characters, and its well-written scripts. Rawhide was also notable for its use of Native American actors, which was rare for a Western show at the time.
5. Bonanza (1959-1973) This family drama centered on the Cartwrights, a wealthy ranching family in the 1860s who live in the Ponderosa Ranch near Virginia City, Nevada. It is the second-longest-running Western series on U.S. network television (behind Gunsmoke), lasting 14 seasons. The Cartwright family is made up of patriarch Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene), and his three sons: Adam (Pernell Roberts), Hoss (Dan Blocker), and Little Joe (Michael Landon, who later starred in Little House on the Prairie). The show follows the family as they deal with the challenges of ranching, as well as the conflicts that arise from the changing times.
Bonanza was a popular show, and it was one of the most-watched television programs of the 1960s. The show was praised for its strong characters, its family-friendly storylines, and its beautiful cinematography. Bonanza was also notable for its use of Native American actors, which was rare for a Western show at the time.
The show's popularity can be attributed to a number of factors. First, the Cartwright family was a likable and relatable bunch.
They were a close-knit family who always supported each other, and they always did the right thing. Second, the show was set in a time and place that was familiar to many viewers. The Wild West was a time of great adventure and excitement, and Bonanza captured that sense of excitement. Third, the show was family-friendly. It was not violent or graphic, and it could be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Bonanza is considered to be one of the greatest Western television series ever made. It is a classic show that has stood the test of time. If you are a fan of Westerns or television history, then Bonanza is definitely worth watching.
6. Maverick (1957-1962) This was a lighthearted series which starred James Garner as Bret Maverick, a gambler and con artist who travels the Old West with his brother Bart Maverick (Jack Kelly).
The series was created by Roy Huggins and produced by Warner Brothers Television. It was one of the first Westerns to be filmed in color, and it was also one of the first to use a six-camera setup, which allowed for more realistic action sequences. Maverick was a popular show, and it was one of the most-watched television programs of the late 1950s. The show was praised for its humor, its light-hearted take on the Western genre, and its performances by Garner and Kelly. Maverick was also notable for its use of guest stars, which included many popular actors of the time, such as Clint Eastwood, Henry Fonda, and James Coburn.
The show's popularity can be attributed to a number of factors. First, the show was set in a time and place that was familiar to many viewers. The Old West was a time of great adventure and excitement, and Maverick captured that sense of excitement. Second, the show had strong characters who were relatable to viewers. Bret Maverick was a charming and likable rogue, while Bart Maverick was a more serious and responsible brother. Third, the show had humor that appealed to viewers of all ages.
7. The Wild Wild West (1965-1969) This show starred Robert Conrad as James West, a Secret Service agent, and Ross Martin as Artemus Gordon, a gadgeteer and master of disguise.
The series was created by Michael Garrison and produced by CBS Television. It was one of the first Westerns to be filmed in color, and it was also one of the first to use a six-camera setup, which allowed for more realistic action sequences.
The Wild Wild West was a popular show, and it was one of the most-watched television programs of the late 1960s. The show was praised for its suspenseful plots, its stylish visuals, and its humor. The Wild Wild West was also notable for its use of science fiction elements, such as robots and laser guns.
The show's popularity can be attributed to a number of factors. First, the show was set in a time and place that was familiar to many viewers. The Old West was a time of great adventure and excitement, and The Wild Wild West captured that sense of excitement. Second, the show had strong characters who were relatable to viewers. West was a handsome and charming hero, while Gordon was a wisecracking and resourceful sidekick. Third, the show had suspenseful plots that kept viewers guessing until the very end.
8. Big Valley (1965-1969) The series is set on the fictional Barkley Ranch in Stockton, California, from 1884 to 1888. The one-hour episodes follow the lives of the Barkley family, one of the wealthiest and largest ranch-owning families in Stockton, led by matriarch Victoria Barkley (Barbara Stanwyck), her sons Jarrod (Richard Long) and Nick (Peter Breck), daughter Audra (Linda Evans), and their half-brother Heath (Lee Majors).
The Big Valley was a groundbreaking show for its time. It was one of the first Westerns to feature a strong female lead, and it also featured a diverse cast of characters. The show was praised for its storytelling, acting, and production values. It has been cited as an influence on many other Westerns, including Deadwood and Longmire.
9. Deadwood (2004-2006) This American Western drama television series was created by David Milch that aired on HBO from 2004 to 2006. Milch’s television credits also include Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, and NYPD Blue. He was a thoroughbred racehorse owner and was co-owner of the 1992 Breeders' Cup Juvenile with the colt Gilded Time. Milch owned outright Val Royal who captured the 2001 Breeders' Cup Mile.
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The series is set in the 1870s in Deadwood, South Dakota, a lawless town that is quickly growing into a city. The show follows the lives of the people who live in Deadwood, including lawmen, prostitutes, businessmen, and outlaws.
The series is known for its complex characters, its realistic portrayal of the Old West, and its sharp dialogue. It has been praised by critics and viewers alike, and it has won numerous awards, including four Primetime Emmy Awards.
10. Yellowstone (2018- Present ) The series stars Kevin Costner as John Dutton, the patriarch of the Dutton family, who controls the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. The series follows the conflicts along the shared borders of the Yellowstone Ranch, a large cattle ranch, the Broken Rock Indian reservation, Yellowstone National Park and land developers.
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The main setting of the show, the Yellowstone Ranch, is actually the Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, Montana. The ranch is a working cattle ranch and was homesteaded in 1880. It is located in the Bitterroot Valley, which is a beautiful and rugged part of Montana.
Yellowstone is a modern Western that explores themes of family, loyalty, and the American dream. It is a violent and suspenseful show, but it is also a visually stunning and emotionally resonant one. If you are a fan of Westerns or family dramas, then Yellowstone is definitely worth watching.
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