New Series 1961

Clips of Teaberry Gum Ad (great), Dick Van Dyke Show, Televsion Remote ad, Mr. Ed and Mae West

The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966).

Carl Reiner leads Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Mory Amsterdam, Rose Marie and Richard Deacon into one of the classics of Television sticoms.

Mister Ed (1961-1966)

Willlllbbbburrrr

Car 54 Where Are You? (1961 -1963)

Fumbling policemen Joe E. Ross, Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis screw up the Bronx. Gwynne and Lewis become the stars of The Munsters in 1964.

Hazel (1961 -1966) Shirley Booth knocks them dead.

Ben Casey (1961- 1966).

Vince Edwards and Sam Jaffe Star.

The Mike Douglas Show (1961-1981).

The Defenders (1961 -1965) Courtroom drama starring E.G. Marshall in the defense of hopeless cases.

The Alvin Show
The Avengers
Bozo the Clown
The Dick Powell Show
Dr. Kildare
Gunslinger
It's Academic
Kraft Suspense Theatre
The New Breed
Number Please
Password
Ripcord
Westinghouse Playhouse
Whiplash (TV series)
Wide World of Sports

More on each new show of 1961 at Wikipedia

Series End 1961

This Is Your Life (1952-1961).

Peter Gunn (1958-1961).

You Bet Your Life - Groucho Marx (1950 -1961).

Television News 1961

Walt Disney changes the name of their Sunday evening show to The Wonderful World of Color and moves from ABC to NBC. Thisis the moment that color television came into its own with viewers now havinggood reason to spend the money for a olor set. A Zenith console, 23" sold for $575. It was not until 1966 that network television began broadcasting all color in primetime.

ABC's Wide World of Sports premieres.

NBC begins its long-running Saturday Night at the Movies premiers on NBC with Marilyn Monroe and How to Marry a Millionaire from 1953.

Newton Minow,  chairman of the FCC makes the infamous speech calling television The Vast Wasteland. Criticizing the violence and frivolity of TV garnered him such ridicule in the industry that the  sunken S. S. Minnow from Gilligan's Island was named for him. A statement from perhaps the most frivolous show of all time.

The Smothers Brothers appear on television for the first time on The Jack Parr Show.

The Emmy's of 1961 - 1962

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama - Franklin Schaffner, The Defenders - various episodes

Outstanding Continued Performance By an Actor in a Series (Lead) - E.G. Marshall, The Defenders

Outstanding Continued Performance By an Actress in a Series (Lead) - Shirley Booth, Hazel

Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role By an Actor - Don Knotts, The Andy Griffith Show

Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role By an Actress - Pamela Brown, Hallmark Hall of Fame: Victoria Regina

Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Humor - Bob Newhart Show (NBC)

Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series - Carol Burnett, Garry Moore Show

Most Watched 1961 - 1962

1. Wagon Train
2. Bonanza
3. Gunsmoke
4. Hazel
5. Perry Mason
6. The Red Skelton Show
7. The Andy Griffith Show
8. The Danny Thomas Show
9. Dr. Kildare
10. Candid Camera
11. My Three Sons
12. The Garry Moore Show
13. Rawhide
14. The Real McCoys
15. Lassie
16. Sing Along with Mitch
17. Dennis the Menace
18. Ben Casey
19. The Ed Sullivan Show
20. Car 54, Where Are You?

TV Guide Schedule 1961