The Life Of Riley 1953
“'What a revoltin' development this is!"”
What is The Life Of Riley?
The Life of Riley is a television comedy series that premiered in 1953. The program centers on the life of a man named Riley who is employed at an aircraft plant located in California.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1953
- Status
- Returning Series
- Episodes
- 219
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- First aired
- Jan 2, 1953
- Last aired
- May 23, 1958
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- NBC
- Genres
- Comedy
- Updated
Where to watch
With ads
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 219 episodes and an average 30-minute runtime.
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
The Life of Riley is a television comedy series that premiered in 1953. The program centers on the life of a man named Riley who is employed at an aircraft plant located in California. While his professional life takes place at this facility, the narrative primarily focuses on his domestic experiences. Viewers typically observe Riley at home, where he frequently disrupts his family life. These disruptions are often caused by his ill-timed interventions into minor problems and his use of malapropisms. The series is remembered for the catchphrase, What a revoltin development this is. Martin Milner held a recurring role on the program, appearing in the series from 1953 until 1958. The show remains a notable example of television comedy from the mid-twentieth century, documenting the daily trials and humorous mishaps of its central character within his household setting. The production captures the domestic dynamics of the era through the perspective of Riley and his interactions with those around him.
Should you watch it?
“Follow Chester Riley as he cheerfully disrupts domestic life in California.”
- classic television comedy
- humorous domestic situations
- limited plot detail provided in sources
Watch it if you enjoy classic television comedies about domestic life.
The tone is comedic and lighthearted.
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Episode guide
Spoiler-Safe Browsing Progress
Season 1 · 26 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 Babs' School Election Mytharc Jan 2, 1953
- E2 Riley's Gift from the Boss Core Jan 9, 1953
- E3 Riley's New Suit Core Jan 16, 1953
- E4 The Cake Contest Core Jan 23, 1953
- E5 Riley's Kiss in the Dark Core Jan 30, 1953
- E6 Riley Proves His Manhood Core Feb 6, 1953
- E7 Riley's Sister Cissy Core Feb 13, 1953
- E8 Riley and the Bean Contest Core Feb 20, 1953
- E9 Riley the Scoutmaster Core Feb 27, 1953
- E10 Riley Invades the Fight Game Core Mar 6, 1953
- E11 Riley's Lost Weekend Core Mar 13, 1953
- E12 Junior Wins the Soapbox Derby Core Mar 20, 1953
- E13 Riley's Family Reunion Core Mar 27, 1953
- E14 Riley's Business Venture Core Apr 3, 1953
- E15 Riley Camps Out Core Apr 10, 1953
- E16 Riley Steps Out Core Apr 17, 1953
- E17 Riley's Operation Core Apr 24, 1953
- E18 Riley the Executive Type Core May 1, 1953
- E19 Riley Engages an Escort Core May 8, 1953
- E20 Riley Cultivates Babs Core May 15, 1953
- E21 Riley's Uncle Baxter Core May 22, 1953
- E22 Riley Outwits Cupid Core May 29, 1953
- E23 Riley Gets Engaged Core Jun 5, 1953
- E24 Riley Punishes Junior Core Jun 12, 1953
- E25 Riley Meets a Rival Mytharc Jun 19, 1953
- E26 Riley the Typical Worker Mytharc Jun 26, 1953
Season 2 · 39 episodes
Open the complete Season 2 guide & lore primer →- E1 Riley's Stomach Ache Mytharc Sep 18, 1953
- E2 Riley, the Animal Lover Core Sep 25, 1953
- E3 Riley Faces Fatherhood Core Oct 2, 1953
- E4 Peg's Birthday Present Core Oct 9, 1953
- E5 Riley's Surprise Package Core Oct 16, 1953
- E6 Riley's Old Flame Core Oct 23, 1953
- E7 Riley Hears Bells Core Oct 30, 1953
- E8 Riley's Surprise Party Core Nov 6, 1953
- E9 Junior's Vacation Core Nov 13, 1953
- E10 Riley's Burning Ambition Core Nov 20, 1953
- E11 Riley's Haunted House Core Nov 27, 1953
- E12 Riley's Separation Core Dec 4, 1953
- E13 Riley the Worrier Core Dec 18, 1953
- E14 Riley's Second Honeymoon Core Dec 25, 1953
- E15 Riley Teaches Junior Boxing Core Jan 1, 1954
- E16 Riley Balances the Budget Core Jan 8, 1954
- E17 Riley's Love Letters Core Jan 15, 1954
- E18 Junior's Double Date Core Jan 22, 1954
- E19 Riley's Uranium Mine Core Jan 29, 1954
- E20 Riley Brightens the Corner Core Feb 5, 1954
- E21 Babs' Used Car Core Feb 12, 1954
- E22 Riley and the Boss' Niece Core Feb 19, 1954
- E23 Riley and the Cop Core Feb 26, 1954
- E24 The Circus Comes to Town Core Mar 5, 1954
- E25 Riley in a Rut Core Mar 12, 1954
- E26 Riley, Surprise Witness Core Mar 19, 1954
- E27 Riley and the Beaux Arts Ball Core Mar 26, 1954
- E28 Riley Holds the Bag Core Apr 2, 1954
- E29 Riley Takes Up Art Core Apr 9, 1954
- E30 Riley's Good Deed Core Apr 16, 1954
- E31 Riley, the Heir Core Apr 23, 1954
- E32 Riley Takes Out Insurance Core Apr 30, 1954
- E33 Riley Faces Mother's Day Core May 7, 1954
- E34 Riley, the Newsboy Core May 14, 1954
- E35 Riley and the Foreman's Gift Core May 21, 1954
- E36 Riley Takes a Roomer Core May 28, 1954
- E37 Riley's Anniversary Core Jun 4, 1954
- E38 Riley Meets the Press Mytharc Jun 11, 1954
- E39 Riley in Brooklyn Mytharc Jun 18, 1954
Season 3 · 41 episodes
Open the complete Season 3 guide & lore primer →- E1 Junior's Secret Mytharc Sep 17, 1954
- E2 Riley in the Wild Blue Yonder Core Sep 24, 1954
- E3 Riley and the Suggestion Contest Core Oct 1, 1954
- E4 Destination Brooklyn Core Oct 8, 1954
- E5 The Dog Watch Core Oct 15, 1954
- E6 Babs and Junior Try Home Economics Core Oct 22, 1954
- E7 The Duck Hunting Trip Core Oct 29, 1954
- E8 Junior, the Chief Magistrate Core Nov 5, 1954
- E9 Riley Buys a Statue Core Nov 12, 1954
- E10 Riley Versus Numerology Core Nov 19, 1954
- E11 Riley, the Friendly Neighbor Core Nov 26, 1954
- E12 Riley's Wild Oats Core Dec 3, 1954
- E13 Puppy Love Core Dec 10, 1954
- E14 The Car Pool Core Dec 17, 1954
- E15 Job Opening Core Dec 24, 1954
- E16 Brotherly Love Core Dec 31, 1954
- E17 Unwelcome Guests Core Jan 7, 1955
- E18 Come Back, Little Junior Core Jan 14, 1955
- E19 Riley Buys a Wrestler Core Jan 21, 1955
- E20 Light-fingered Babs Core Jan 28, 1955
- E21 Family Activities Planned Core Feb 4, 1955
- E22 The Auction Core Feb 11, 1955
- E23 A Bride for Otto Core Feb 18, 1955
- E24 Sister Cissy Returns Core Feb 25, 1955
- E25 Night Shift Core Mar 4, 1955
- E26 Chicken Ranch Core Mar 11, 1955
- E27 Up to the Jury Core Mar 18, 1955
- E28 The Gymnasium Core Mar 25, 1955
- E29 Singing Cowboy Core Apr 1, 1955
- E30 Look Peg, I'm Dancing Core Apr 8, 1955
- E31 Meet the Neighbor Core Apr 15, 1955
- E32 Babs Gets Engaged Core Apr 22, 1955
- E33 Babs Graduation from College Core Apr 29, 1955
- E34 Brotherhood of the B.P.L.A. Core May 6, 1955
- E35 The Blockade Core May 13, 1955
- E36 The Diet Core May 20, 1955
- E37 Out to Pasture Core May 27, 1955
- E38 Top Secret Core Jun 3, 1955
- E39 Riley Unites the Family Core Jun 10, 1955
- E40 School Board Critic Mytharc Jun 17, 1955
- E41 The Stupid Cupid Mytharc Jun 24, 1955
Season 4 · 39 episodes
Open the complete Season 4 guide & lore primer →- E1 Letter of Introduction Mytharc Sep 16, 1955
- E2 The Big Sacrifice Core Sep 23, 1955
- E3 The Marines Have Landed Core Sep 30, 1955
- E4 Love Comes to Waldo Binney Core Oct 7, 1955
- E5 Darling, Am I Growing Old Core Oct 14, 1955
- E6 Do It Yourself Core Oct 21, 1955
- E7 Wedding Plans for Babs Core Oct 28, 1955
- E8 Dudley the Burglar Core Nov 4, 1955
- E9 Pay the Penalty Core Nov 11, 1955
- E10 Ghost Town Core Nov 18, 1955
- E11 The Famous Chester A. Riley, Junior Core Nov 25, 1955
- E12 Riley, the Tycoon Core Dec 2, 1955
- E13 Repeat Performance Core Dec 9, 1955
- E14 Middle-Age Blues Core Dec 16, 1955
- E15 Waldo's Mother Core Dec 23, 1955
- E16 A Shower for Babs Core Dec 30, 1955
- E17 Head of the Family Core Jan 6, 1956
- E18 Riley and the Widow Core Jan 13, 1956
- E19 Babs's Wedding Core Jan 20, 1956
- E20 Riley's Raffle Core Jan 27, 1956
- E21 Junior Quits School Core Feb 3, 1956
- E22 The Tree That Grew in Brooklyn Core Feb 10, 1956
- E23 Babs' New Job Core Feb 17, 1956
- E24 The Train Trip Core Feb 24, 1956
- E25 The Contestant Core Mar 2, 1956
- E26 The Song Writer Core Mar 9, 1956
- E27 His Brother-In-Law's Keeper Core Mar 16, 1956
- E28 Partnership Core Mar 23, 1956
- E29 Riley's Allergy Core Mar 30, 1956
- E30 Stage Door Riley Core Apr 6, 1956
- E31 Riley's Club for Service Wives Core Apr 13, 1956
- E32 Waterfront Core Apr 20, 1956
- E33 Expectantly Yours Core Apr 27, 1956
- E34 Junior Gets a Car Core May 4, 1956
- E35 From Rags to Riches Core May 11, 1956
- E36 House for Sale Core May 18, 1956
- E37 Babs Moves Out Core May 25, 1956
- E38 Riley Trades His House Mytharc Jun 1, 1956
- E39 When Women Were Women Mytharc Jun 8, 1956
Season 5 · 39 episodes
Open the complete Season 5 guide & lore primer →- E1 A Wire for Gillis Mytharc Sep 14, 1956
- E2 The First Quarrel Core Sep 21, 1956
- E3 Buttering Up a Millionaire Core Sep 28, 1956
- E4 The New Job Core Oct 5, 1956
- E5 Destination Del Mar Vista Core Oct 12, 1956
- E6 Uncle Bixby Takes Over Core Oct 19, 1956
- E7 Friends Are Where You Find Them Core Oct 26, 1956
- E8 Juvenile Delinquent Core Nov 2, 1956
- E9 Riley's Lonely Night Core Nov 9, 1956
- E10 A Man's Pride Core Nov 16, 1956
- E11 Riley Hires a Nurse Core Nov 23, 1956
- E12 Blessed Event Core Nov 30, 1956
- E13 Benefit for Egbert Filler Dec 7, 1956
- E14 Honeybee's Mother Core Dec 14, 1956
- E15 World's Greatest Grandson Core Dec 21, 1956
- E16 Double, Double Date Core Dec 28, 1956
- E17 Riley Wins a Trip Core Jan 4, 1957
- E18 Aloha Riley, Goodbye Core Jan 11, 1957
- E19 Change in Command Core Jan 18, 1957
- E20 Strolling Through the Park Core Jan 25, 1957
- E21 Deep in the Heart of... Core Feb 1, 1957
- E22 Candid Camera Core Feb 8, 1957
- E23 Foreign Intrigue Core Feb 15, 1957
- E24 All-American Brain Core Feb 22, 1957
- E25 Getting Riley's Goat Core Mar 1, 1957
- E26 A Young Man's Fancy Core Mar 8, 1957
- E27 Babs's Dream House Core Mar 15, 1957
- E28 A Watch for Gillis Core Mar 22, 1957
- E29 Junior's Future Core Mar 29, 1957
- E30 A Day at the Beach Core Apr 5, 1957
- E31 A House Divided Core Apr 12, 1957
- E32 Return to Blue View Core Apr 19, 1957
- E33 The High Cost of Riley Core Apr 26, 1957
- E34 Babs Comes Home Core May 3, 1957
- E35 Father-In-Law Versus Father-In-Law Core May 10, 1957
- E36 The Stray Dog Core May 17, 1957
- E37 Vacation Plans Core May 24, 1957
- E38 Homeless Otto Mytharc May 31, 1957
- E39 Summer Job for Junior Mytharc Jun 7, 1957
Season 6 · 35 episodes
Open the complete Season 6 guide & lore primer →- E1 Gossip Mytharc Sep 13, 1957
- E2 Riley's Ups and Downs Core Sep 20, 1957
- E3 The New Den Core Sep 27, 1957
- E4 Gillis' Childhood Friend Core Oct 4, 1957
- E5 Down for the Count Core Oct 11, 1957
- E6 The Gruesome Twosome Core Oct 18, 1957
- E7 Happy Birthday, Little Chester Core Oct 25, 1957
- E8 Babs and the Latin Core Nov 1, 1957
- E9 Anchors Aweigh Core Nov 8, 1957
- E10 Framed Core Nov 15, 1957
- E11 Nobody Down Here Likes Me Core Nov 22, 1957
- E12 Baby Chester's First Words Core Nov 29, 1957
- E13 A Trip for Peg Core Dec 6, 1957
- E14 Going Steady Core Dec 13, 1957
- E15 A Guest from England Core Dec 20, 1957
- E16 Little Awful Annie Core Jan 3, 1958
- E17 Music Hath Charms Core Jan 10, 1958
- E18 Movie Struck Core Jan 24, 1958
- E19 Bowling Beauties Core Jan 31, 1958
- E20 The Letter Core Feb 7, 1958
- E21 Ten O'Clock Scholar Core Feb 14, 1958
- E22 The Oily Birds Core Feb 21, 1958
- E23 Mrs. Aircraft Industries Core Feb 28, 1958
- E24 After You're Gone Core Mar 7, 1958
- E25 A Test for Gillis Core Mar 14, 1958
- E26 Riley's Burst Bubble Core Mar 21, 1958
- E27 Teenage Troubles Core Mar 28, 1958
- E28 The Otis Yonder Story Core Apr 4, 1958
- E29 The Barracks Bag Core Apr 11, 1958
- E30 The Price of Fame Core Apr 18, 1958
- E31 Annie's Radio Romance Core Apr 25, 1958
- E32 Dudley Comes to Town Core May 2, 1958
- E33 Live Modern Core May 9, 1958
- E34 Help for Honeybee Mytharc May 16, 1958
- E35 Here Comes Constance Mytharc May 23, 1958
Frequently asked questions
When did the show air?
The series began in 1953.
Where does Riley work?
Riley worked in an aircraft plant in California.
Where do viewers usually see Riley?
Viewers usually saw him at home.
What causes the disruptions in the show?
Riley disrupts life with his malapropisms and ill timed intervention into minor problems.
What genre is the show?
The show is a comedy.
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