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The best TV comedies of the 1960s

Ann and Don when they met over a search for a rolltop desk or Ann when she floored the accelerator of Don's stuck car and covered him with mud. It was good stuff.

12) Julia - This groundbreaking TV comedy starred Diahann Carroll as Julia Baker, a single mother trying to raise her son. The opening scene where Julia chats with her potential new boss, Dr. Morton Chegley where she points out to him that she's black demonstrates how far we've come, but in 1968 when this show debuted, that was how it was. Lloyd Nolan was fantastic as Chegley, and little Marc Copage endeared himself to the world as Julia's son, Corey. I never missed an episode of Julia. It was top drawer comedy that was controversial for its time. The real story, though, is that it was funny, too.



11) Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - For five seasons, Jim Nabors brought to life this lovable and often bumbling Marine private. We'd first loved Gomer as a gas station attendant on The Andy Griffith Show, but Griffith thought Nabors was so great that he put him in his own series. To this day, I believe Nabors is underrated as a performer. He kept us in stitches with Gomer, and when Gomer got a girlfriend in the sweet Lou-Ann Poovie, we felt the tenderness of his heart. Frank Sutton was the perfect man to play Sergeant Vince Carter. His 'I can't hear you' and 'Move it, move it, move it' are almost as legendary as Gomer's 'Shazam' and 'Gollllly'.

10) The Danny Thomas Show - This show morphed in and out of being Make Room for Daddy; they are one in the same. It was one of the first TV series to really go through a lot of transition. Initially, Thomas played Danny Williams, a nightclub entertainer. His wife was played by Jean Hagen, but she ended up leaving the show, so Thomas decided to kill off his wife. Williams did some dating and then married the character played by Marjorie Lord. Since she had a young daughter, this re-invented the cast in a big way. This show also was one of the first to change networks in the course of its run. Plus, it served as the pilot for The Andy Griffith Show by having Danny driving through Mayberry and getting a ticket, which he refused to pay. It was such a success that Andy Taylor found his way to quick success. One more worthy note. Five years after The Danny Thomas Show ended, it came back as Make Room for Granddaddy. It only lasted a season, but that was another TV first.

9) Hazel - Shirley Booth brought the fun of meddling maid and housekeeper, Hazel, into our


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The best TV comedies of the 1960s

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The best TV comedies of the 1960s

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