Ep 1. Television Comes of Age (1960 - 1969) (Pilot)

The Sixties is a documentary series that explores one of America's most transformative decades, focusing on the events, people, and cultural shifts that shaped the country during that time. In the pilot episode, titled "Television Comes of Age," the show takes an in-depth look at the role of television during the 1960s, and the ways in which it was both a reflection of and a catalyst for the social and political changes of the era.

The episode begins with a brief overview of the state of television in the 1950s, when it was still a relatively new and untested medium. We see clips of popular shows from that time, such as I Love Lucy and The Ed Sullivan Show, which paved the way for more ambitious programming in the 1960s. We also see how television news was in its infancy, with Walter Cronkite still several years away from taking the helm at CBS Evening News.

As the 1960s begin, the episode dives into the ways in which television began to change, both in terms of its content and its impact on society. We see how shows like The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits started to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable on television, grappling with issues such as nuclear war and the fear of communism.

The rise of the civil rights movement in the early 1960s also had a significant impact on television, with networks beginning to cover the protests and marches that were happening across the country. This was not without controversy, however, as many white Americans saw the coverage as biased and one-sided. In one memorable clip, we see an angry white viewer confront a news reporter, yelling at him that "you're not telling both sides of the story!"

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963 was a pivotal moment for television, as the medium became a critical source of information and comfort for millions of Americans. We see how news networks scrambled to cover the breaking story, with Walter Cronkite famously breaking down on-air as he announced the president's death.

The episode goes on to explore other key moments of the 1960s, from the Vietnam War to the moon landing to the rise of counterculture and rock music. We see how television played a role in each of these events, whether it was the iconic image of a Buddhist monk setting himself on fire in protest of the Vietnam War, or the Beatles performing on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.

Throughout the episode, we hear from a range of experts, including journalists, historians, and cultural critics, who help to contextualize the impact of television during the 1960s. We also see numerous clips from television shows and news broadcasts of the time, giving viewers a visceral sense of what it was like to watch these events unfold as they happened.

In the end, the episode paints a vivid portrait of a decade that was defined in many ways by television, and the ways in which the medium both reflected and helped to shape the society around it. Whether you lived through the 1960s or are just learning about them for the first time, "Television Comes of Age" is a fascinating and informative look at this transformative period in American history.