Sitcoms
"Situation comedy, also called sitcom, radio or television comedy series that involves a continuing cast of characters in a succession of episodes. Often the characters are markedly different types thrown together by circumstance and occupying a shared environment such as an apartment building or workplace. Sitcoms are typically half an hour in length; they are either taped in front of a studio audience or employ canned applause, and they are marked by verbal sparring and rapidly resolved conflicts." (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/667010/situation-comedy)
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Sitcoms were targeted mainly towards children and stay at home women during the daytime and were majorly popularized by these demographics.
Reality TV
"Before there were shows like "Ice Road Truckers" and "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila," there was "This is Your Life." It originally broadcast on the radio in the late 1940s and made the switch to television in the early 1950s. "This is Your Life" was reality TV because it presented the story of a real person's life -- and relied on the participation of real people, who were shot in front of a live audience or filmed on location." (Metz, 2013)
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Many say that reality television came about in the 1950s as a result of the growing influence of the Hollywood and/or celebrity growth in the nation. People wanted to see what went on in the lives of the people they saw on their television screens at home.
Westerns
"Western Film is a genre that revolves around stories primarily set in the late 19th century in the American Old West. Most Westerns are set between the American Civil War (1865) and the early 1900s. Common themes within Western Film include: the conquest of the wild west, the cultural separation of the East and the West, the West’s resistance to modern change, the conflict between Cowboys and Indians, outlaws, and treasure/gold hunting. American Western Film usually revolves around a stoic hero and emphasizes the importance of honor and sacrifice." (The Script Lab, 2013)
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Growth of westerns in the 1950s gave rise to major actors, such as previously mentioned John Wayne. They can easily be equated to today's genre of action movies. People watched them for excitement and an engaging story line.
Images credit to (in order of appearance): (Classical TV Program), (Getty Images), (Universal Pictures)