Parents' Guide to Gunsmoke

The longest-running primetime action series in U.S. history, Gunsmoke offers contemporary viewers an entertainingly nostalgic Hollywood version of the Wild West to represent the divide between the civilization and lawlessness of the American frontier. Like most Westerns, it features a trusted hero who operates under a strong moral code, and adversaries who reject his demands for "civilized" behavior. Gunsmoke also attempted to portray Native Americans respectfully at the time (although it may not seem obvious by today's standards), which set it apart from similar productions. Nonetheless, it often leans into two-dimensional, caricature-like representations of secondary female and Chinese characters, and in some cases relies on what today are regarded as racist Mexican stereotypes.

Granted, during its last ten seasons (1965-75), and in some of its movie spin-offs, Gunsmoke is slightly more inclusive, and features women running businesses and occasional Black characters, which aligns with some of the social changes taking place in the U.S. during that time. It's during this period that some popular characters, like Chester Goode and half-Comanche blacksmith Quint Asper (played by a young Burt Reynolds) depart, and new regulars like Festus Haggen (Ken Curtis) and Newly O'Brien (Buck Taylor) are welcomed. You might even recognize a few celebrities guests, like Bette Davis and a relatively unknown child actress named Jodie Foster. Ultimately, Gunsmoke is a product of its time, but its occasional attempts to step slightly outside of the industry expectations of the time make it interesting. If you enjoy classic Westerns, Gunsmoke is hard to beat.