The TV King

Father Knows Best was the classic wholesome family situation comedy. It was set in the typical Midwestern community of Springfield, where Jim Anderson was an agent for the General Insurance Company. Every evening he would come home from work, take off his sport jacket, put on his comfortable sweater, and deal with the everyday problems of a growing family. In contrast to most other family comedies of the period, in which one of the other parents was a blundering idiot, both Jim and his wife Margaret were portrayed as thoughtful, responsible adults. When a family crisis arose, Jim would clam the waters with a warm smile and some sensible advice. When Father Knows Best went on television in 1954, the three children were aged 14 [Bud], and 9 [Kathy]. As the seasons passed two of them graduated from High School, first Betty [1956] and then Bud [1959]. Neither left home, howevery, both electing to go to Springfield's own State College. The Andersons were truly an idealized family

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Watch The Christmas Story In an attempt to remind his family of the real meaning of Christmas, Jim decides the Andersons will cut down their own Christmas tree this year.
Watch Sparrow In The Window When Kathy discovers an injured sparrow on the windowsill, the family takes the little bird in to nurse it back to health.
Watch The Motor Scooter Jim and Margaret disagree on whether Jim should buy Bud a motor scooter.
Watch The Matchmaker Margaret wages a campaign to get her cousin’s boyfriend to propose. Though Louise is hesitant to “trap” Tom, Margaret is sure she knows what to do and takes over.
Watch Margaret Goes Dancing Margaret is sure she could never get Jim to agree to take dancing classes with her.
Watch Bud The Bridesmaid Cousin Louise is getting married in the Anderson home. Margaret is going all-out on the wedding, and Jim is not happy about the bills. When a case of wedding jitters keeps Louise out of the rehearsal, Bud has to stand in for the bride.
Watch Close Decision Bud is slacking off—he’s not doing his chores and he’s put off memorizing a poem to recite in church. Margaret insists he skip his softball game and catch up on his work.
Watch Jim The Farmer Feeling stressed out from all the pressure at work, Jim decides to give up his job, move to the country and become a farmer.
Watch Thanksgiving Day When Kathy writes a prize-winning Thanksgiving poem, Jim envisions his “Kitten” as the next Emily Brontë.
Watch Father Delivers The Papers The customers on Bud’s paper route have been complaining about him to his boss. When Mr. Collins tells Jim about it, Jim assures him that Bud will fulfill his duties if he gives him another chance.
Watch Second Honeymoon Jim and Margaret could use some time away from the house, so they plan a weekend getaway.
Watch Football Tickets Jim and Margaret go to the big football game every year. This year, Margaret finds she cannot go and Betty is promised the ticket—until Jim offers it to someone else.
Watch Typical Father Betty is falling hard for a new guy, and it upsets her father.
Watch Bud The Snob Bud is getting a reputation as a snob; his difficulty in talking with girls is being misinterpreted as standoffishness.
Watch Live My Own Life Bud feels beleaguered by his parents and siblings, and believes he is ready to take responsibility for his own life.
Watch The Promised Playhouse Jim demands that his family start living up to the promises they’ve made to people.
Watch Lesson In Citizenship Jim sets out to teach his layabout kids a proper life ethic.
Watch Proud Father After he runs into a friend who brags about his overachieving children, Jim wants to help inspire his own brood to acts of greatness.
Watch Bud's Encounter With The Law Kathy’s on a tear, throwing everything she can get her hands on into her new “spaceship,” a/k/a the family washing machine.
Watch A Friend Of Old George's The family has a lovely dinner and special event planned for Kathy’s birthday. She’s been looking forward to it, but an uninvited visitor upsets the best-laid plans.
Watch Boy's Week After Kathy breaks another window, Jim is committed to teaching his kids about personal responsibility.
Watch No Partiality Kathy demands equal rights with Betty and Bud. Jim agrees and says that whatever Betty gets to do, Kathy gets to do too.
Watch Bud Takes Up The Dance Bud uses an old book to teach himself to dance in time for his very first date and his very first dance.
Watch The Mink Coat Money is tight and Jim lectures the family on fiscal responsibility. The very next day he is presented with an extraordinary opportunity to buy Margaret a mink coat for less than half the regular price, and he grabs it.
Watch Father Of The Year The Springfield newspaper is sponsoring a Father of the Year contest. The Anderson children set out to write the winning essay, but can't find the words to describe the "best father in the world."
Watch Grandpa Jim's Rejuvenation Jim wants to play badminton, but his kids see him as too old for such things.

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