What is the earliest example of a "serialized" TV show that you can think of? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 05-21-2019, 08:55 PM

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.

PhoenixAcres · 05-21-2019, 09:02 PM

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

treky · 05-22-2019, 12:50 AM

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

mandyrenee · 05-22-2019, 03:20 PM

The Fugitive

Sal · 05-22-2019, 05:45 PM

"Soap", naturally!

Buffyboy323 · 07-18-2019, 06:05 PM

All in the Family

Heenan Fan · 07-18-2019, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandyrenee

The Fugitive

This would be my guess too.

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

mandyrenee · 07-18-2019, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heenan Fan

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.

TSMIV · 07-18-2019, 11:44 PM

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.

Crusinforabrusin2.5 · 07-19-2019, 07:00 PM

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

stevea · 07-19-2019, 08:36 PM

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.

TSMIV · 07-19-2019, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crusinforabrusin2.5

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.

05-21-2019, 08:55 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,621	What is the earliest example of a "serialized" TV show that you can think of? 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.

05-22-2019, 12:50 AM	#3
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	Hmmm; good question. I guess...THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

05-22-2019, 05:45 PM	#5
Sal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 20, 2001 Location: Oakville, Ont. Canada Posts: 6,174	"Soap", naturally!
	__________________ LIVE TV - Updated By Request - April 2026 ANTENNA TV ME TV ME TV TOONS Zerostream - LIVE TV Guide

05-21-2019, 09:02 PM	#2
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	I Love Lucy put a lot of effort into continuity. They also had extended story arcs visiting Hollywood, Europe, etc.

05-22-2019, 03:20 PM	#4
mandyrenee Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 02, 2019 Posts: 194	The Fugitive

07-18-2019, 06:05 PM	#6
Buffyboy323 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 24, 2005 Posts: 6,104	All in the Family

07-18-2019, 11:44 PM	#9
TSMIV Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 29, 2018 Location: Arkansas Posts: 696	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.

07-19-2019, 07:00 PM	#10
Crusinforabrusin2.5 Gone for now, but I'll be back Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 17, 2019 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 451	Do you consider Peyton Place or Dark Shadows as traditional soap operas?

07-19-2019, 08:36 PM	#11
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,533	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.