The Beverly Hillbillies

During its first two seasons, it was the number-one program in the US; during its second season, it earned some of the highest ratings ever recorded for a half-hour sitcom.

The season-two episode "The Giant Jackrabbit" also became the most-watched telecast up to the time of its airing and remains the most-watched half-hour episode of a sitcom, as well.

The series enjoyed excellent ratings throughout its run, although it had fallen out of the top 20 most-watched shows during its final season.

Paley and Frank Stanton also disliked the show but did not interfere with the decisions of network head James T.

Aubrey, whose preference for "hick-coms" such as The Beverly Hillbillies made CBS the dominant Big Three television network.

Regardless of the poor reviews, the show shot to the top of the Nielsen ratings shortly after its premiere and stayed there for several seasons.