1955 in television

Events

• March 5 - Elvis Presley appears on television for the first time, on the program Louisiana Hayride
• April 1 - The DuMont Television network drastically cuts back its programming
• September 22 - Commercial television starts in the UK (London area) - Associated-Rediffusion on weekdays, Associated Television Network Limited (ATV) at weekends.
• September 28 - The First World Series game broadcast in color
• December 10 - The first Saturday morning cartoon show debuts on American television, The Mighty Mouse Playhouse[?].
• Harpo Marx makes a memorable appearance on I Love Lucy.

Popular Television Shows

• The "Quiz Show" craze begins with the premiere of The $64,000 Question. The show spawns many copycats, including Twenty-One[?], which would later be the focus of a scandal that would lead to congressional hearings.

• Gunsmoke debuts (1955-1975)
• The Honeymooners premieres, starring Jackie Gleason, Art Carney and Audrey Meadows[?] (1955-1956)
• Lawrence Welk Show debuts (1955-1982)
• The Mickey Mouse Club[?] debuts, featuring "Mouseketeer" Annette Funicello[?]. (1955-1959)
• My Little Margie[?] (1952-1955), starring Gale Storm
• The Ed Sullivan Show (1948-1971)
• Captain Kangaroo debuts (1955-1984)
• The Tonight Show (1954-present)

Births

• January 12 - Kirstie Alley[?], actress

Deaths