Essay:Greatest Conservative TV Shows

The greatest conservative television shows

Title	Original run	Network	TV rating	Description
The Brady Bunch	1969-1974	ABC	TV rating G	Wholesome sitcom, although highly unlikely, suburban Los Angeles blended family-a widow (Florence Henderson) with three daughters and a widower (Robert Reed) with three sons.
Family Ties	1982-1989	NBC	TV rating PG	Dramaedy series about how hardworking conservative children, eg. Michael J. Fox, outsmart their liberal, ex-hippie, underachieving parents.
Broken Arrow	1956-1958	ABC	TV NR/PG	A compassionate Indian agent, Tom Jeffords, played by John Lupton, forges a friendship with the Apache Indian Cochise, portrayed by Michael Ansara; set in Arizona
Sugarfoot	1957-1961	ABC	NR/PG	Will Hutchins plays young "do-gooder" Tom "Sugarfoot" Brewster, a novice lawyer who roams the Old West "on the side of law and order," according to the theme song of the Warner Brothers series; Sugarfoot eschews guns until pushed to the brink and even refuses alcohol and instead orders "sarsparialla with a dash of cherry" when he enters a saloon.
Death Valley Days	1952-1973	Syndicated	NR/PG	Historically-based dramatic western presentations hosted at different times by Stanley Andrews, Ronald Reagan, Robert Taylor, and Dale Robertson. It ran at times under other titles, such as Trails West, with Ray Milland.
Faye Emerson's Wonderful Town	1951-1952	CBS		Once a daughter-in-law of Franklin D. Roosevelt and a wife of Skitch Henderson, Faye Emerson presents the most memorable songs associated with various cities, mostly in the United States; in its day, this was one of the most expensive programs to present to the public.
Lawman	1958-1962	ABC		John Russell as Marshal Dan Troop; Peter Brown as deputy Johnny McKay, and Peggie Castle as Lily; this Warner Brothers series sought to maintain highest script quality so as not to be "just another western."
Black Saddle	1959-1960	ABC		Peter Breck plays Clay Culhane, a gunfighter-turned-lawyer who seeks to help those in need of legal representation; co-starring Russell Johnson as Marshal Gib Scott
Laramie	1959-1963	NBC	NR	John Smith and Robert Fuller portray ranch partners Slim Sherman and Jess Harper; many episodes focus on their close friendship, which also extended off the set; Hoagy Carmichael appeared the first season as their housekeeper; Spring Byington filled that role in the last two seasons.
State Trooper	1956-1959	Syndicated	NR	Rod Cameron adventure/drama anthology series, forgotten to most today, based on case files of the Nevada state troopers; law and justice always prevail. Many episodes have surprise endings and unusual titles.
Our Man Higgins	1962-1963	ABC	G	Stanley Holloway plays an English butler for an American family in a situation comedy with a dose of "culture clash". Frank Maxwell and Audrey Totter played the parents, and Ricky Kelman was the son, Tommy MacRoberts.
The Office	2005-	NBC	TV PG	Mockery of liberal ideology and political correctness in an office setting, without a liberal laugh track. The main character repeatedly encounters contradictions and absurdities as he tries to conform to liberal expectations. The show was most popular when its humor was conservative, and has declined in quality and popularity as its conservative humor has been diluted. Steve Carell played the main character for six years and was denied an Emmy Award by liberals every time despite being by far the funniest actor on television.
The Apprentice	2004-	NBC	NR	Liberals stopped watching when they realized that Donald Trump might be conservative.
The Six Million Dollar Man	1974-1978	ABC	PG	Capitalism at its finest - technological advances improving life; starring Lee Majors
The Cosby Show	1984-1992	NBC	TV G	Promoting good family values.
Bonanza	1959-1973	NBC	NR/G	Western promoting good neighborliness and the pursuit of just causes, with Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, Pernell Roberts, and Michael Landon
The Rifleman	1958-1963	ABC	NR/G	Western with emphasis on fair play and giving people a second chance; starring Chuck Connors, Johnny Crawford, and Paul Fix. The Rifleman
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet	1952-1966	ABC		Long running comedy show epitomizing 1950s stable families and family values
American Idol	2002-	Fox	TV PG	Allows the best of the public to come to the fore musically
Dog the Bounty Hunter	2004-2012	A & E	PG	A public prayer to Jesus launches each new bounty mission; good guys enforcing law and order.
24	2001-2010	Fox	TV 14	Jack Bauer protects America at all costs against all terrorists, whether Muslim, European, Chinese, African, and even the US government.
Top Gear	2002-	BBC	TV PG	A British TV show about all types of cars. It is a fun show which celebrates individual freedom, capitalism, and private-sector innovation. It is also often politically incorrect and pokes fun at the belief in global warming.
Justified	2010-	FX Network	TV MA	Deputy US Marshal Raylan Givens, a 19th-century-style tough cowboy lawman, enforces his own brand of justice when dealing with criminals of all kinds in the hill country of eastern Kentucky. His boss, the Chief Deputy US Marshal Art Mullen, is played by Nick Searcy, a noted conservative actor. The most recent season has frequent reflections on Christianity and being loved and saved by God.
The Waltons	1972-1981	CBS	G	A family with strong Christian values overcomes hardship in rural America during the Depression and U.S. involvement in World War II and extends charity to strangers while also honoring military service; starring Richard Thomas, Ralph Waite, Michael Learned, Will Geer, and Ellen Corby
The Lawrence Welk Show	1955-1982	ABC; Syndicated	G	A family oriented variety show that appealed to Midwestern values
Chuck	2007-	NBC	PG	Emphasizes family values, honor, and a respect for our nation's servicemen.
JAG	1995-1996; 1997-2005	NBC; CBS	PG/PG13	Also emphasizes pro-military honor and respect. Title means Judge Advocate General, which deals with people charged with crimes committed while in the U.S. military.
Little House on the Prairie	1974-1983	NBC	TV G	A show that celebrates family values and the courage of the 1870s-1880s pioneers, starring Michael Landon and based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's books.
Highway To Heaven	1984-1989	NBC	TV PG	Michael Landon comes back to Earth as an angel to help many people, aided by Victor French, both from NBC's previous Little House on the Prairie"
Touched by an Angel	1994-2003	CBS	TV PG	A popular drama about an angel in human form who visited troubled people in crisis. It was highly ranked for four seasons and ran for nine seasons. Principal star: Della Reese
Life is Worth Living	1952-1957	Dumont TV; ABC	TV G	Emmy Award winning show dealing with moral issues hosted by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen; from 10 to 30 million people watched the show weekly.
7th Heaven	1996-2007	Warner Brothers	TV PG	The family of a Christian minister deals with moral and controversial themes, approached from a socially and politically conservative Protestant viewpoint. It has the distinction of having been the longest-running family drama in U.S. television history; starring Stephen Collins.[1]
Life Goes On	1989-1993	ABC	G/PG	Follows the experiences of a young man with Down Syndrome and recognizes the dignity of people with developmental disabilities and the joy and love they give to their families and others.
Dragnet	1967-1970	NBC	TV rating PG	Starring Jack Webb as Sgt. Joe Friday and his partner solving actual cases from the files of the Los Angeles Police Department. Great use of law enforcement jargon by the officers while educating the public on the Rule of Law. Showed fine examples of moral conduct, honor of self/others and sacrifice for the good of the public.
Adam-12	1968-1975	NBC	TV rating PG	Spinoff of Webb-produced "Dragnet", also based on actual cases and more than one per episode, this time focusing on LAPD street patrol officers Peter Malloy and James (Jim) Reed. Same good examples as "Dragnet". Was remade into a limited (L.A. and N.Y.C.) syndication show in 1989-1991 with unknown main players, new characters and situations. None of the original series' three main players (Martin Milner, Kent McCord, William Boyett) ever fell victim to Hollywood Values, (ex. they stayed married to their same wives, with nine children between them. Milner had 4, McCord had 3 and Boyett (who died in 2004 at 77) had 2 and became a grandfather twice over). One episode, "Baby" in 1969, was said to be based on Kent McCord's own real life wife's birth of one of their own children that year.
Emergency!	1972-1977, with TV specials, "The Final Rescues", periodically from fall 1977-1979.	NBC	TV rating PG	Webb's second spin-off from "Dragnet" is a medical drama about the Los Angeles County Fire Department, its paramedics and the activities of Rampart General Hospital.
Quincy, M.E.	1976-1983	NBC	TV rating PG	Follows the now late Jack Klugman as Los Angeles County's Medical Examiner on suspicious cases (eg. deaths) and medical mistakes that were previously thought to have been solved but later found to have had more about them than what was originally thought, but that these facts were often hidden by bureaucracy.
CHiPS	1977-1983	NBC	TV rating PG	Rick Rosner (California Highway Patrol member)-produced light motorcycle dramedy mix on mostly Los Angeles' freeways, beaches and streets, operating through L.A.'s CHP Central station.
Hardcastle & McCormick	1983-1986	ABC	TV rating NY (PG ?)	Los Angeles County Superior Court's Milton C. Hardcastle (Brian Keith) goes after about 200 cases who walked away on technicalities with help of a former race car driver turned criminal, Mark McCormick (Daniel Hugh Kelly).
The Commish	1991-1996	ABC	TV rating NR (PG ?)	Former New York City PD detective Tony Scali (Michael Chicklis) moves upstate to a small town PD and uses creativity instead of much violence to fight crime in the fictious city of Eastbridge, N.Y. He has the same amount of genuine concern (love) for his family as he does for his city and its police force.
Parking Wars	2008-	A & E	PG	Demonstrates the offensiveness of overbearing government bureaucracy while maintaining a respect for law officers.
Pawn Stars	2009-	History Channel/A & E	TV PG	Shows how two parties can **mutually and fairly benefit** from a negotiated free-market transaction, independent of any government "assistance".
The Bob Newhart Show	1972-1978	CBS	TV G	A mockery of how insane people may become in a secular world.
Hawaii-Five-O	1968-1980	CBS	PG	Even in what might be expected to be a lazy, hazy paradise, the law is still the law, with Jack Lord and James MacArthur.
Daniel Boone	1964-1971	NBC	G
Adam	1983	NBC	TV NR	TV made film on the abduction and murder of John Walsh's son Adam in 1981 and his crusade for missing and exploited children. Followed by a sequel, Adam: His Song Continues (1986).
America's Most Wanted	1988-2011	Fox TV	TV NR/PG13	John Walsh hosts news documentary of well known suspects and fugitives, their crimes and captures. Was the real life father of above mentioned Adam Walsh and subject of above mentioned TV films named for him.
MacGyver	1985-1992	ABC	TV PG	The main character played by Richard Dean Anderson uses Yankee ingenuity to solve various problems and escape the clutches of his enemies; the series eschews violence until absolutely necessary.
The Equalizer	1985-1989	CBS	TV PG-13	Spy drama follows Robert McCall (Edward Woodward) through New York City as he helps people in extreme situations against all odds of their success in overcoming these problems.
Walker, Texas Ranger	1993-2001	CBS	TV rating PG/PG13	Starring Chuck Norris and Noble Willingham as modern day Texas Rangers
NCIS	2003-	CBS	TV 14	Show about U.S. Navy investigators, voted America's favorite program in 2011; starring Mark Harmon and David McCallum
Mission: Impossible	1966-1973; 1988-1990	CBS, ABC	TV G/PG	Emphasizes teamwork, friendship, professionalism, and American ingenuity and exceptionalism, which can overcome any obstacle, with Peter Graves, Martin Landau, and Barbara Bain
Storage Wars		A & E		Emphasizes capitalist and free market values. Plus on another level, it illustrates the importance of personal responsibility; the lockers that are being auctioned off belonged to people who decided not to pay their bills.
The Prisoner	1967-1968	ITV	TV PG	Classic British TV show about a secret agent who is sent to a strange "village" in order to determine the reasons for his resignation. The Prisoner is a metaphor for the Individual against the Collective. The series ran for only seventeen episodes.
Yes, Minister!'Yes, Prime Minister!		BBC		Classic British sit-com about the political machinations of being a cabinet member in the British government, and then eventually as Prime Minister. A recurring theme is that of the struggle of politicians to make the desired changes despite the resistence of the bureaucracy.
Storm Chasers		The Weather Channel		Demonstrates core conservative values such as courage and a thirst for practical, scientific knowledge
The Pretender	1996-2000	NBC		Pro-life and with a message of charity and self-sacrifice as personal responsibility
The Dick Van Dyke Show	1961-1966	CBS		Pro-marriage and pro-family, this series launched the career of Mary Tyler Moore.
The Donna Reed Show	1958-1966	ABC		Situation comedy of an upper middle-class family in Hillsdale (state not given), with Donna Reed in the role of Donna Stone, wife of a pediatrician, played by Carl Betz.
Wagon Train	1957-1965	NBC/ABC		Western with conservatives Ward Bond and John McIntire playing trailmasters Seth Adams and Chris Hale, respectively; the struggle of pioneers seeking a fresh start in the American West. Robert Horton and Robert Fuller also starred in the series.
Wanted: Dead or Alive	1958-1961	CBS		Steve McQueen as a kind-hearted bounty hunter, Josh Randall, dedicated to the enforcement of the law; numerous episodes have spiritual themes; a spinoff of Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Who Do You Think You Are?		NBC		NBC in USA (in other countries also) with famous people showing how to research relationships and histories of our ancestors. We owe them so much, whether horse thieves or royalty, they gave us our lives, and in some cases fought in the American Revolution.
Coming Home		ABC		Shows American war veterans coming home to their families
Dog the Bounty Hunter		A&E		Born Again Christian, Duane "Dog" Chapman, promotes the American values as he hunts down criminals. After capturing wanted fugitives, Dog tells them that they need to give their life over to Christ.
Legends of the Hidden Temple	1993-1995	Nickelodeon	TV Y	Game show that uses a conservative elimination format (ensuring only the most meritorious players survive to play the final round) and is unyielding in difficulty. Also, it refuses to succumb to liberal beliefs in archeology that keep historical sites and artifacts off limits, instead promoting the conservative Indiana Jones persona
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?	1999-2002	ABC	TV G	Game show, uses a conservative elimination format (ensuring only the most meritorious players survive to play the final round) and is unyielding in difficulty. The format for qualifying to be on the hot seat entirely depends on knowledge, not having the stereotypical game show contestant persona. The show unashamedly rewards people who know the most. Host Regis Philbin.
Karol: A Man Who Became Pope	2005	Hallmark Channel	TV NR (PG for some violence and adult discussions)	Biopic of younger Karol Wojtyla, from World War II Resistance to his election as Pope John Paul II. Followed by a Canadian sequel, Karol: The Pope The Man (2006), which itself chronicled the events from his papal inauguration in 1978 to his death in 2005.
Have No Fear: The Life of Pope John Paul II	December 1, 2005	ABC	TV PG	Thomas Kretchmann played the late pontiff, from his non-violent resistance to Nazism and Communism to his elevations as priest, archbishop, cardinal and his life as the titular pontiff. Includes his confrontation of El Salvador's archbishop Oscar Romero about Romero's leftist liberation theology, just before Romero's tragic assassination.
Pope John Paul II	December 4 & 7, 2005	CBS	TV PG	In this biopic miniseries, conservative actor Jon Voight portrayed Pope John Paul II, who was influential in Part 1's non-violent resistance to World War II's Nazism and the subsequent Cold War's Communists, eventually defeating Communism in Part 2's end of Scene 16 (circa 1989). Part 1 covers his years as priest, professor, bishop and cardinal. Part 2 covers his 26-1/2 year pontificate from his election up to his death. Cary Elwes played younger Wojtyla in Part 1 from ages 19 to just before his pontifical election at 58, while Voight took over at the start of Part 2 in the title role.
The Glenn Beck Show		Fox News		Public affairs program
Hannity (formerly Hannity and Colmes)	2009-	Fox News		Sean Hannity's television public affairs program
House of Cards	2013	Netflix original series		Shows Democrats as they really are: corrupt frauds and atheists

Debatable whether conservative

Title	Original run	Network	TV rating	Description
The Twilight Zone	1959-1964 (original run)	CBS		A recurring theme is that the selfish and the self-centered eventually lose what they sought to gain; hosted by Rod Serling. Examples of conservative episodes include: "The Prime Mover" (episode #57, 3/24/61)
The Beverly Hillbillies	1962-1971	CBS		Although silly, the show is powerful in illustrating how material possessions are not what define a person. Buddy Ebsen stars as Jed Clampbett.
King of the Hill	1997-2010	Fox	TV PG	Despite cartoonish nature, shows the struggle of a hardworking, traditional American family against "alternative" modern cultural movements.
Law & Order	1990-2010	NBC	TV PG13	Police & court drama similar to Perry Mason in which the first halves of each episodes were the crimes, investigations and arrests of suspects and the second halves were the trials and aftermaths thereofs.
Antiques Roadshow		PBS		Shows the real value (financial and historical) of handcrafts and traditional, old-fashioned things and memorabilia
The Larry Sanders Show				A dark comedy based around the background of a Hollywood talk show, showing a great deal of liberal and celebrity hypocrisy and mocking them for their behavior.
Breaking Bad		American Movie Classic		A previously law-abiding chemistry teacher gets involved in the drug trade and destroys himself and his family. Each immoral decision leads him further along the path of destruction. The evildoers all suffer for their actions.
The O'Reilly Factor		Fox News		Bill O'Reilly is like "Archie Bunker": cranky, critical, and wants government to push people around and lock 'em up. O'Reilly rarely espouses true conservative values, and was extremely vicious towards pro-life Cardinal Bernard Law. O'Reilly alienates millions of young people.
Cops	1989-	Fox	TV rating PG	The good guys protecting the public from criminals, yet arguably promotes police state and big government. Filmed on location in many exotic and mundane locales with actual law enforcement agencies, both here in the U.S. and abroad.
Smallville	2001-2011	CW	TV rating PG & 14	Some conservative themes are present in the show and some liberal themes are present. Biblical undertones are present such as main character appearing as a Christ-like figure.

See also

• Essay:Greatest Conservative Movies
• Essay:Greatest Conservative Songs