What is the earliest example of a "serialized" TV show that you can think of? Not including traditional soap-operas, which have been serialized since the beginning. What is the earliest serialized drama or comedy show (or any other genre except soap operas) that you can think of?

Here I'm using the term "serialized" rather loosely to mean any sort of continuity, story arc, character arc, or change that happens in a series from episode to episode, or season to season. In other words, the "serialization" doesn't have to be fully fledged as it is common in TV today, but it must be noticeably there.

I Love Lucy put a lot of effort into continuity. They also had extended story arcs visiting Hollywood, Europe, etc.

Hmmm; good question. I guess...THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES

The Fugitive

"Soap", naturally!

All in the Family

The Fugitive

This would be my guess too.

By the way mandyrenee, I like your name/screen name. Very cool.

This would be my guess too.

By the way mandyrenee, I like your name/screen name. Very cool.

Thanks Heenan Fan! :)

It's my first and middle name.

I would guess that the first serialized TV show would have been a soap opera, but The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp ran from 1955-1961 and told one continuous story. It followed Earp from Ellsworth to Wichita to Dodge City to Tombstone, Arizona culminating with the Gunfight at the OK Corral in the final two episodes.

Do you consider Peyton Place or Dark Shadows as traditional soap operas?

I wouldn't consider Dark Shadows a soap opera. On this site it's classified as a "Classic Drama." It started in 1966.

I agree on The Beverly Hillbillies above, which debuted in 1962. They almost always had a-few-episodes story arcs.

Do you consider Peyton Place or Dark Shadows as traditional soap operas?

I say Dark Shadows is a traditional soap opera because it was broadcast every weekday in the afternoon. Peyton Place was a primetime soap, but it's different than most because it aired more than one new episode per week.