New Series 1953

Loretta Young, Danny Thomas, Topper

Make Room For Daddy (1953–1964). Danny Thomas starred in this Desilu production using the same 3 camera method as I Love Lucy and the same theme, the family life of a night club entertainer. The name of the show changed in 1957 to The Danny Thomas Show. It also starred Jean Hagen as his wife, Sherry Jackson as daughter Terry and Rusty Hamer as son Rusty. Majorie Lord and Angela Cartwright replaced the wife and daughter in 1957. Make Room for Daddy.

Life of Riley (1953–1958) - Starring William Bendix in this working class family comedy. Production issues put a halt to the successful but short lived 1949-50 series which starred Jackie Gleason. The 1953 series starred Marjorie Reynolds, Tom D'Andrea, Gloria Blondell, Lugene Sanders and Wesley Morgan. The popular catch phrase of both the 1040's radio show and TV show was "What a revoltin' development this is!" The Life of Riley

Topper (1953-1955) - Starring Leo G. Carroll as the stuffy banker Cosmo Topper who has the ability to see a family of ghosts who lived in his house before him. Also starring Lee Patrick, Robert Sterling, Anne Jeffreys and the brandy carrying St. Bernard Neil. Topper TV series

Romper Room (1953–1994) - Franchise and syndication meant there were many local and regional programs, though Nancy Claster played the original Miss Nancy in the home studio version in Baltimore. The show began with a Mattel Jack in the box playing Pop goes the weasel, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and of course the Do Bee and the Don't Bee. Romper Room.

Most Watched 1953-1954

1. I Love Lucy     
2. Dragnet
3. Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts
4. You Bet Your Life
5. The Milton Berle Show
6. Arthur Godfrey and His Friends
7. Ford Theatre
8. The Jackie Gleason Show
9. Fireside Theatre
10. The Colgate Comedy Hour
11. This Is Your Life
12. The Red Buttons Show
13. The Life of Riley
14. Our Miss Brooks
15. Treasury Men in Action
16. The Jack Benny Show
17. The Toast of the Town
18. Gilette Cavalcade of Sports
19. Philco TV Playhouse
20. The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show

Series End 1953

Victory at Sea (1952–1953).
Amos & Andy (1951–1953).
The Ernie Kovacs Show (1952–1953).

Television News 1953

Winky-Dink and You was an innovative Saturday morning children's show in which kids would send away for the Winky Dink magic screen for 50 cents that would fit over the tv screen and with special crayons trace what ever the grown up Jack Barry would draw on the screen. Though popular it lasted only until 1957 over fear of children absorbing radiation too close to the screen. Winky Dink and You.

Julius LaRosa on Arthur Godfrey

Arthur Godfrey had his popular televised Talent Scout show and the Arthur Godfrey Show on both radio and television. He made a star of young heart throb singer Julius LaRosa. When LaRose failed to show up for a dancing lesson, Godfrey fired him on the air. It was down hill from then on for Godfrey who lost his down home persona and was the butt of two movies at the time, Elia Kazan' A Face in the Crowd (Lonesome Rhodes) and Jose Ferrer's The Great Man. Julius LaRosa fired by Arthur Godfrey

Swanson jumps on the television bandwagon with its marketing of the TV dinner. Perfect timing of frozen food and television created one of the most successful food items in American history. TV Diners.

The longest running daily morning show, NBC's Today with Dave Garroway was off to a slow start since it began in 1952. That all changed with the appearance of co host J. Fred Muggs a chimpanzee who celebrated his first birthday on the show. J. Fred Muggs.

You Are There with Walter Cronkite premiered on CBS. Live television with a mix of news stories and dramatized historical events. Ending with Cronkite's words, "What sort of day was it? A day like all days, filled with those events that alter and illuminate our times... and you were there." You are There

The Emmy's 1953 - 1954

Best Dramatic Program:  U.S. Steel Hour
Best Male Star of a Regular Series: Donald O'Connor, Colgate Comedy Hour
Best Female Star of a Regular Series: Eve Arden, Our Miss Brooks
Best Series Supporting Actor: Art Carney, Jackie Gleason Show
Best Series Supporting Actress:  Vivian Vance, I Love Lucy
Most Outstanding Personality: Edward R. Murrow
Best New Program: (tie)  Make Room for Daddy / U.S. Steel Hour
Best Situation Comedy: I Love Lucy
Best Variety Program: Omnibus
Best Mystery, Action or Adventure Program: Dragnet
Best Public Affairs Program: Victory at Sea
Best Program of News or Sports: See It Now
Best Children's Program: Kukla, Fran and Ollie
Best Audience Participation Quiz or Panel Program: (tie) This Is Your Life / What's My Line?

TV Guide Schedule 1953

TV Guide" publishes 1st issue