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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 1960 - 1961
(1) Gunsmoke — CBS
(2) Wagon Train — NBC
(3) Have Gun, Will Travel — CBS
(4) The Andy Griffith Show — CBS
(5) The Real McCoys — ABC
(6) Rawhide — CBS
(7) Candid Camera — CBS
(8) The Untouchables — ABC
(9) The Price Is Right — NBC
(10) Jack Benny Program — CBS
(11) Dennis the Menace — CBS
(12) Danny Thomas Show — CBS
(13) My Three Sons — ABC
(14) 77 Sunset Strip — ABC
(15) The Ed Sullivan Show — CBS
(16) Perry Mason — CBS
(17) Bonanza — NBC
(18) The Flintstones — ABC
(19) The Red Skelton Show — CBS
(20) Alfred Hitchcock — NBC
TV Guide Schedule 1961

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