The Donna Reed Show was a situation comedy which aired on ABC from 1958 to 1966. It starred Donna Reed as Donna Stone, a housewife to pediatrician Alex Stone, played by Carl Betz. The couple had two children together, Mary and Jeff. Another series regular (from 1963-1965) was future Hogan's Heroes star Bob Crane. For many years its main sponsor was the Campbell Soup Company with Johnson & Johnson as the main alternate sponsor. A situation comedy, usually referred to as a sitcom, is a genre of comedy programs which originated in radio. ... The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... Main title caption from Dallas. ... Carl Betz Date of birth (location) 9 March 1921 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Height: 6 foot Spouse: Gloria Martin Stone Date of death (details) 18 January 1978 Los Angeles, California, USA. (lung cancer) Mini biography from Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide Carl held a fascination for the theater from the age... Hogans Heroes was an American television situation comedy that ran from 1965 to 1971 on the CBS network. ... Bob Crane as Col. ... Campbell Soup Company NYSE: CPB (also known as Campbells) is undeniably the most well-known producer of canned soups and related products in the United States (and possibly the world). ... Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is a global American pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. ...

This was an ordinary situation comedy in that parenting problems and the love lives and activities of the children took priority, although it was unique in that Donna took a hand at solving the kids' various problems single-handedly when Alex had to see to patients. It was also unique in that Donna frequently worked as a nurse, at a time when most TV mothers were housewives.

Former "Mouseketeer" Paul Petersen portrayed the son Jeff. The character of Mary, played by Shelley Fabares, became very popular thanks to a single she recorded called "Johnny Angel". It sold over a million copies, and Fabares left the show in 1963 to pursue other acting and singing opportunities. In the series, Mary Stone left to attend college away from home, while Petersen's real-life sister Patty Petersen joined the cast as Trisha. (Petersen had his own recording career, his biggest hit being the single "My Dad", for Colpix Records) The Mickey Mouse Club was a long-running American variety television series that began in the 1950s, produced and televised by Walt Disney Productions and featuring a regular but ever-changing cast of teenage performers. ... William Paul Petersen (born September 23, 1945 in Glendale, California) is an American movie actor, singer, novelist, and activist for child stars. ... Shelley Fabares (born January 19, 1944) is an American actress and singer. ... 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ... A father is the male parent of a child. ... Colpix Records was the first recording company for Columbia Pictures/Screen Gems. ...

Donna Reed is also alluded to in the Gilmore Girls episode That Damn Donna Reed, in season 1 Gilmore Girls is an hour-long American television drama/comedy that has aired since 2000. ...

External links

• The Donna Reed Show at the Internet Movie Database

• 1961 Donna Reed Show commercial with Donna promoting a Campbell's competition http://www.roadode.com//eat_1.shtml