TV Neighbors

Not long after the end of World War II, television began to comeinto its own as an important household entertainment and informationalmedium. In the 1950s, New York expanded as the major broadcast hubfor a wide spectrum of programs: dramatic anthologies, soap operas, quizshows, sporting events, variety shows, newscasts, and "spectaculars" ofevery sort. And to maintain these extensive weekly schedules, more andmore actors, emcees, musicians, news journalists and sportscasters turnedto the far-reaching and influential new medium.Westport and Weston, Connecticut contributed a fair number of on-camerapioneers to the new medium, having already had the well-deservedreputation as home to artists and entertainers. A number of writers andproducers also chose Westport as the setting for their sitcoms. Thesevideo pioneers, Westport and Weston TV Neighbors, helped to establishthe fledgling medium.This book grew out of an exhibit, Westport and Weston TV Neighbors, atthe Westport, Connecticut, Historical Society. It inaugurated the Society's newBetty and Ralph Sheffer Exhibition Hall in 2003.