How many hours per week do you spend watching television? The average American child or adolescent spends 22-28 hours per week watching TV, which is more than any other activity other than sleeping. Did you know that there are more television sets in the world than there are telephones? Yes, even the television professionals find that one hard to believe. Our senses are attacked by the attraction of the visual message. These visual images are finely tuned to our way of thinking, whether we are hard working or lazy. TV delivers effortless entertainment and hot news. Throughout the 1950's television played an important role in molding the overall cultural development of the country-from the cars they drove, to the foods they ate, and finally to the united family life they endured.

The addition of televisions to the home did not come overnight. In fact, it was not until 1956 that ¾ of all Americans owned a television set. (1950's Media, p.1) It began in the late 1920's when a jittery portrait of popular cartoon star, Felix the Cat, flickered onto a 2-inch, square screen as the first TV program. Technology in society was rapidly advancing, and TV was no exception. By the end of 19

Leave it to Beaver was a comedy that debuted on October 4, 1957. The character's situations were believable and real. It was about family life and the laughs that very often started in the belly crept up to the heart. Most of all, throughout the shows, there was a strong current of respect toward one another. The shows tended to be sentimental, but rarely made one cry. In coping with life in the course of each episode, someone was always learning a valuable lesson or giving some reassuring wisdom. The family stood as united, ready to share any burden. One TV analyst states, "Leave it to Beaver is a show that viewers will appreciate as long as there are kids, and kids who grow up to be parents because it's a show that appreciates kids." (Marling, p.130) Most important of all, the show was very funny and, after a hard day at work, very appealing. Leave it to Beaver was produced with a high degree of care, quality, and love in the writing, directing, and performance that!

In an era when Hollywood more often than not used Indians as stereotypical savages and moving targets, "The Lone Ranger" makes a surprising plea for mutual respect and tolerance. (Internet Movie Database, Lone Ranger, p.1)

Applebaum, Irwyn. The World According to Beaver. New York: MCA Publishing. 1984.

Lucy Ricardo, played by Lucille Ball, is the person everybody remembers when the show comes to mind. One of Lucy's ambitions was to be a show business performer. She tried, but eventually realized the truth, that she had absolutely no talent. Lucy often planned far-fetched plots with her best friend, Ethel. These plots always got them in trouble. Ricky, Lucy's bad-tempered husband, could be quite vicious at times. He worked at his nightclub, "The Tropicana Club." Ricky, played by Desi Arnaz, was constantly yelling and complaining to Lucy and sometimes not even in English. Every once in a while, Ricky launched into one of his Spanish tongue-lashings. Though he screamed at his wife, he was a loving husband and father. In nearly every episode, Ricky's big break never seemed to come.

Beaver's older brother, Wally Cleaver, was a humble, good-looking, athletic youth with a good head on his shoulders, strong muscles on his arms, good hands, and a shy personality. Tony Dow, who played Wally, was what every mother wanted her oldest child to be, an example for younger siblings. He was a very concerned brother to Beaver. Even when he carelessly led Beaver into murky waters, he always brought them both back to safety. Also, he was Beaver's first real friend and the one he relied on when his other buddies betrayed him. Wally could also be considered a ladies man, as he was been interested in 17 different girls in the course of the series. (Smeby, p.1)

"Organizations - AAP". (November 16, 1999).

Maverick was quickly getting popular, as indicated by the television audiences. During the first six weeks on the air, Maverick averaged 28% of American viewers at 7:30 PM time slot on Sundays. (Maverick TV Western, p.1) This was commendable considering it was up against the popular shows, The Jack Benny Program, The Steve Allen Show, and The Ed Sullivan Show. Regardless of which Maverick brother was performing in an episode, the audience continued to grow during the 1957-58 season. Over its final 16 episodes, it averaged a 38.5% of the Sunday night viewing audience. Maverick's audience increased by nearly 30% during its second and most successful season. (Maverick TV Western, p.1) The series won a 45 share of the total television audience and finished the season as the sixth most-watched program on television. (Maverick TV Western, p.1)

Many factors throughout the United States have influenced cultural behavior. Cultures can be influenced by religious convictions, geographical surroundings, parental involvement in child rearing, and political persuasion, to name a few. However, nothing

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