This Forgotten Western Remains the Best TV Series of All Time 71 Years Later

When considering the vast catalog of Western television programs, there is only one series that reigns not only as the leading champion of the televised genre, but sits on the throne as the "gold standard" that so many others aimed to emulate. If you've guessed Gunsmoke, then you'd be right on the money. The famed CBS Western ran for an impressive 20 years between 1955 and 1975 (a feat quite unheard of at the time), and remained popular throughout the bulk of its run. Thus, it's no wonder that even over 70 years since James Arness first graced the screen as Marshal Matt Dillon that this program continues to find an audience on streaming.