Father Knows Best 1954
What is Father Knows Best?
Father Knows Best is an American sitcom that aired for six seasons and 203 episodes between 1954 and 1960. Created by Ed James, the television series originated from a radio program that began in 1949.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1954
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 203
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- First aired
- Oct 3, 1954
- Last aired
- May 23, 1960
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- CBS
- Genres
- Comedy, Family
- Updated
Where to watch
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 203 episodes and an average 30-minute runtime.
Trailer
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
Father Knows Best is an American sitcom that aired for six seasons and 203 episodes between 1954 and 1960. Created by Ed James, the television series originated from a radio program that began in 1949. The show centers on the life of Jim Anderson, a wise family man, and his common-sense wife, Margaret. Together, they navigate the everyday problems and day-to-day changes involving their three children: Betty, Bud, and Kathy. The series features a cast including Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, and Lauren Chapin. Produced by Rodney/Young, the program is recognized as a popular sitcom of the 1950s and 1960s. Throughout its run, the production earned six Emmy Awards and achieved status as a top 10 hit in Nielsen ratings. As a depiction of the Anderson family, the show remains a notable example of American television history, focusing on the parental and social relationships within a household as the family members experience various life changes.
Should you watch it?
“Jim Anderson navigates the daily challenges of family life alongside his wife and three children.”
- portrays everyday family dynamics
- features a familiar cast of characters
- some viewers may find the pacing dated
- the premise is rooted in traditional mid-century family structures
Watch it if you enjoy classic television sitcoms centered on domestic family life.
The series depicts traditional family interactions appropriate for general audiences.
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Episode guide
Spoiler-Safe Browsing Progress
Season 1 · 26 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 Bud Takes Up the Dance Mytharc Oct 3, 1954
- E2 Lesson in Citizenship Core Oct 10, 1954
- E3 The Motor Scooter Core Oct 17, 1954
- E4 Football Tickets Core Oct 24, 1954
- E5 Live My Own Life Core Oct 31, 1954
- E6 Grandpa Jim's Rejuvenation Core Nov 7, 1954
- E7 Bud's Encounter With the Law Core Nov 14, 1954
- E8 Thanksgiving Day Core Nov 21, 1954
- E9 Second Honeymoon Core Nov 28, 1954
- E10 Typical Father Core Dec 5, 1954
- E11 Margaret Goes Dancing Core Dec 12, 1954
- E12 The Christmas Story Filler Dec 19, 1954
- E13 Sparrow in the Window Core Dec 26, 1954
- E14 Boy's Week Core Jan 2, 1955
- E15 A Friend of Old George's Core Jan 9, 1955
- E16 Bud the Snob Core Jan 16, 1955
- E17 The Promised Playhouse Core Jan 23, 1955
- E18 Jim the Farmer Core Jan 30, 1955
- E19 Father of the Year Core Feb 6, 1955
- E20 The Mink Coat Core Feb 13, 1955
- E21 The Matchmaker Core Feb 20, 1955
- E22 Bud the Bridesmaid Core Feb 27, 1955
- E23 Proud Father Core Mar 6, 1955
- E24 Father Delivers the Papers Core Mar 13, 1955
- E25 No Partiality Mytharc Mar 20, 1955
- E26 Close Decision Mytharc Mar 27, 1955
Season 2 · 37 episodes
- E1 Art of Salesmanship Mytharc Aug 31, 1955
- E2 Father's Private Life Core Sep 7, 1955
- E3 Lessons in Civics Core Sep 14, 1955
- E4 First Disillusionment Core Sep 21, 1955
- E5 Woman in the House Core Sep 28, 1955
- E6 New Girl at School Core Oct 5, 1955
- E7 Kathy Makes Magic Core Oct 12, 1955
- E8 Advantage to Betty Core Oct 19, 1955
- E9 The Big Test Core Oct 26, 1955
- E10 Father Is a Dope Core Nov 2, 1955
- E11 Spirit of Youth Core Nov 9, 1955
- E12 Bud, the Ladykiller Core Nov 16, 1955
- E13 Margaret's Premonition Core Nov 30, 1955
- E14 Stage to Yuma Core Dec 7, 1955
- E15 Bad Influence Core Dec 14, 1955
- E16 Betty Hates Carter Core Dec 28, 1955
- E17 Jim, the Tyrant Core Jan 4, 1956
- E18 Betty's Brother Core Jan 11, 1956
- E19 Betty Earns a Formal Core Jan 18, 1956
- E20 The House Painter Core Jan 25, 1956
- E21 Bud, the Wallflower Core Feb 1, 1956
- E22 The Bus to Nowhere Core Feb 8, 1956
- E23 Kathy, the Indian Giver Core Feb 15, 1956
- E24 The Historical Andersons Core Feb 22, 1956
- E25 The Grass is Greener Core Feb 29, 1956
- E26 The Persistent Guest Core Mar 7, 1956
- E27 Family Reunion Core Mar 14, 1956
- E28 Family Dines Out Core Mar 28, 1956
- E29 Bud, the Boxer Core Apr 4, 1956
- E30 Betty, Girl Engineer Core Apr 11, 1956
- E31 The Martins and the Coys Core Apr 18, 1956
- E32 Dilemma for Margaret Core Apr 25, 1956
- E33 Hero Father Core May 2, 1956
- E34 Father, the Naturalist Core May 9, 1956
- E35 The Ten Dollar Question Core May 16, 1956
- E36 Adopted Daughter Mytharc May 23, 1956
- E37 Betty's Graduation Mytharc May 30, 1956
Season 3 · 37 episodes
- E1 No Apron Strings Mytharc Sep 12, 1956
- E2 Never in Twain Core Sep 19, 1956
- E3 Betty Goes to College Core Sep 26, 1956
- E4 Man About Town Core Oct 3, 1956
- E5 The Homing Pigeon Core Oct 10, 1956
- E6 Spaghetti for Margaret Core Oct 17, 1956
- E7 Betty's Birthday Core Oct 24, 1956
- E8 Bud, the Millionaire Core Oct 31, 1956
- E9 The Old Days Core Nov 7, 1956
- E10 Whistle Bait Core Nov 14, 1956
- E11 The Great Guy Core Nov 21, 1956
- E12 The Family Goes to New York Core Nov 28, 1956
- E13 Betty Goes Steady Core Dec 5, 1956
- E14 The Good Prospect Core Dec 12, 1956
- E15 The Angel's Sweater Core Dec 19, 1956
- E16 The Promising Young Man Core Dec 26, 1956
- E17 Margaret Hires a Gardener Core Jan 2, 1957
- E18 Swiss Family Anderson Core Jan 9, 1957
- E19 Brief Holiday Core Jan 16, 1957
- E20 The Lawn Party Core Jan 23, 1957
- E21 Short Wave Core Jan 30, 1957
- E22 Carnival Core Feb 6, 1957
- E23 Betty and the Jet Pilot Mytharc Feb 13, 1957
- E24 Trip to Hillsborough Core Feb 20, 1957
- E25 An Evening to Remember Core Feb 27, 1957
- E26 Bud Buys a Car Core Mar 13, 1957
- E27 Safety First Core Mar 20, 1957
- E28 Bud, the Hero Core Mar 27, 1957
- E29 Betty, the Track Star Core Apr 3, 1957
- E30 The Spelling Bee Core Apr 17, 1957
- E31 Bud, the Philanthropist Core Apr 24, 1957
- E32 Baby in the House Core May 1, 1957
- E33 Class Prophecy Mytharc May 8, 1957
- E34 The Art of Romance Core May 15, 1957
- E35 Margaret Disowns Her Family Core May 22, 1957
- E36 Grandpa Retires Mytharc May 29, 1957
- E37 Shoot for the Moon Mytharc Jun 5, 1957
Season 4 · 33 episodes
- E1 Follow the Leader Mytharc Sep 25, 1957
- E2 The Awkward Hero Core Oct 2, 1957
- E3 The Good Neighbor Core Oct 9, 1957
- E4 Bud, the Executive Core Oct 16, 1957
- E5 Sentenced to Happiness Core Oct 23, 1957
- E6 Mother Goes to School Core Oct 30, 1957
- E7 The Indispensable Man Core Nov 6, 1957
- E8 Kathy's Big Chance Core Nov 13, 1957
- E9 Margaret Learns to Drive Core Nov 20, 1957
- E10 The Way of a Dictator Core Dec 4, 1957
- E11 Mr. Beal Meets His Match Core Dec 11, 1957
- E12 Kathy Makes a Wish Core Dec 25, 1957
- E13 Man With a Plan Core Jan 1, 1958
- E14 Big Sister Core Jan 8, 1957
- E15 Calypso Kid Core Jan 15, 1958
- E16 Father's Biography Core Jan 22, 1958
- E17 The Rivals Core Jan 29, 1958
- E18 Bud, the Mind Reader Core Feb 5, 1958
- E19 Margaret's Other Family Core Feb 12, 1958
- E20 The Trial Core Feb 19, 1958
- E21 Revenge is Sweet Core Feb 26, 1958
- E22 Country Cousin Core Mar 5, 1958
- E23 Poor Old Dad Core Mar 12, 1958
- E24 Betty's Crusade Core Mar 19, 1958
- E25 Young Love Core Mar 26, 1958
- E26 Tell It to Mom Core Apr 2, 1958
- E27 A Friend in Need Core Apr 16, 1958
- E28 A Medal For Margaret Core Apr 23, 1958
- E29 The Weaker Sex Core Apr 30, 1958
- E30 Jim, the Answer Man Core May 14, 1958
- E31 Bud Quits School Core May 21, 1958
- E32 A Matter of Pride Mytharc Jun 4, 1958
- E33 Betty Finds a Cause Mytharc Jun 11, 1958
Season 5 · 38 episodes
- E1 Vine Covered Cottage Mytharc Sep 15, 1958
- E2 Be Kind to Bud Week Core Sep 22, 1958
- E3 Kathy's Romance Core Sep 29, 1958
- E4 Voice From the Past Core Oct 6, 1958
- E5 Frank's Family Tress Core Oct 13, 1958
- E6 Always Plan Ahead Core Oct 20, 1958
- E7 Second Wedding Core Oct 27, 1958
- E8 Bud, the Caretaker Core Nov 3, 1958
- E9 Betty, the Pioneer Woman Core Nov 10, 1958
- E10 Fair Exchange Core Nov 17, 1958
- E11 Bud, the Snob Core Nov 24, 1958
- E12 Margaret Wins a Car Core Dec 1, 1958
- E13 The Great Experiment Core Dec 8, 1958
- E14 The Christmas Story Filler Dec 15, 1958
- E15 The Basketball Coach Core Dec 22, 1958
- E16 Kathy, Girl Executive Core Dec 29, 1958
- E17 The Good Samaritan Core Jan 5, 1959
- E18 The Ideal Father Core Jan 12, 1959
- E19 Big Shot Bud Core Jan 19, 1959
- E20 Hard Luck Leo Core Jan 26, 1959
- E21 Bud, the Campus Romeo Core Feb 2, 1959
- E22 Crisis Over a Kiss Core Feb 9, 1959
- E23 Kathy Grows Up Core Feb 16, 1959
- E24 A Man of Merit Core Feb 23, 1959
- E25 Betty Makes a Choice Core Mar 2, 1959
- E26 It's a Small World Core Mar 9, 1959
- E27 Two Loves Has Bud Core Mar 16, 1959
- E28 An Extraordinary Woman Core Mar 23, 1959
- E29 The Art of Romance Core Mar 30, 1959
- E30 Formula for Happiness Core Apr 6, 1959
- E31 Bud and the Debutante Core Apr 13, 1959
- E32 The Promised Playhouse Core Apr 20, 1959
- E33 The Meanest Professor Core Apr 27, 1959
- E34 Live My Own Life Core May 4, 1959
- E35 Bud Has A Problem Core May 11, 1959
- E36 The Great Anderson Mystery Core May 18, 1959
- E37 Margaret Goes Dancing Flashback Mytharc May 25, 1959
- E38 The Gold Turnip Mytharc Jun 1, 1959
Frequently asked questions
What is the show about?
The series follows the everyday problems and life changes of the Anderson family.
Who created the show?
The series was created by Ed James.
How many seasons were produced?
The show ran for a total of six seasons.
When did the series air?
It originally aired from October 1954 to May 1960.
Who are the main family members?
The family consists of Jim, his wife Margaret, and their children Betty, Bud, and Kathy.