Make Room for Daddy: Season 1

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Make Room for Daddy
Season Details & Credits
ABC | Season Premiere Date: September 29, 1953
Starring: Mary Wickes, Jesse White (I), Danny Thomas
Summary: Make Room for Daddy followed the misadventures in the lives of the Williams family. Danny Williams, a nightclub entertainer, (a character almost identical to that of Danny Thomas himself) tries to strike a balance between family life and the entertainment business.

In the beginning the family consisted of his wife, Margaret (played byMake Room for Daddy followed the misadventures in the lives of the Williams family. Danny Williams, a nightclub entertainer, (a character almost identical to that of Danny Thomas himself) tries to strike a balance between family life and the entertainment business.

In the beginning the family consisted of his wife, Margaret (played by Jean Hagen,) his 11-year-old daughter, Terry (played by Sherry Jackson) and his 6-year-old son, Rusty (played by Rusty Hamer.) In 1956, however, Jean Hagen quit the show and Danny Thomas decided to continue on without her. Her character was written out as having herself died and Danny was now a widower.

The next season (1956-1957) featured Danny dating various other women with plenty of input from the kids. Finally he proposed to Kathy O'Hara, a young nurse.
The 5th season opened with Danny and Kathy returning from their honeymoon. Also joining the cast was Linda (played by Angela Cartwright,) Kathy's 5-year-old daughter by a previous marriage.

In 1958, Sherry Jackson left the show and the character of Terry was temporarily written out of the show as being away at school. Terry returned, however, in 1959, this time played by actress Penny Parker. Terry spent the next season being courted by nightclub entertainer Pat Hannigan (played by Pat Harrington Jr.,) whom she eventually married. Her character then left the show for good in 1960.

There were also many other regulars, including Danny's Uncle Tonoose (played by Hans Conried,) Danny's agents at various times (played by Horace McMahon, Jesse White & Sheldon Leonard) and many more. Annette Funicello also spent a season as a regular when she was cast as Gina Minelli, an Italian foreign exchange student.

The title "Make Room for Daddy" was only used during the first four seasons, then it was changed to "The Danny Thomas Show". When it entered syndication, however, all the episodes ran under the "Make Room for Daddy" title. In 1970, the Williamses returned for "Make Room for Granddaddy" which ran one brief season.

In 1957, the show switched networks from ABC to CBS. After the switch, the show finally got the ratings it deserved. Also of note, this show spawned a classic hit series; the episode 'Danny Meets Andy Griffith' was the pilot for "The Andy Griffith Show". Also, such guests as Bill Dana and Joey Bishop got their own shows after appearences on "The Danny Thomas Show." Bill Dana reprised his role from "The Steve Allen Show", and NBC gave him his own show "The Bill Dana Show" in 1963 and it lasted until 1965. Joey Bishop got "The Joey Bishop Show", which aired on NBC, then CBS. It lasted from 1961 to 1965.

ABC Broadcast History

September 29, 1953 - June 26, 1956...Tuesday 9:00-9:30PM
October 1, 1956 - February 4, 1957...Monday 8:00-8:30PM
February 14, 1957 - July 1, 1957...Thursday 9:00-9:30PM

CBS Broadcast History

October 7, 1957 - September 14, 1964....Monday 9:00-9:30PM
Nielsen Ratings:
(Top 25 or Better)

(The 1st 4 Seasons {1953-1957} are failed to raise ratings.)
#2 1957-1958 Season
#5 1958-1959 Season
#4 1959-1960 Season
#12 1960-1961 Season
#8 1961-1962 Season
#7 1962-1963 Season (Tied with "Ben Casey")
#9 1963-1964 Season… Expand
Genre(s): Comedy

Season 1 Episodes

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