20 Great Years of Radio, Part 18: 1955

1. X Minus One (NBC): Basically a revival of Dimension X with many recycled scripts, this was a huge shot in the arm for radio drama in the later 50's. All of the great episodes this year had been heard before on Dimension X but there were new stories coming!
2. Suspense (CBS): Antony Ellis took over this series as it produced some good scripts such as Ray Bradbury's Kaleidoscope, Zero Hour and The Whole Town's Sleeping.
3. The Jack Benny Program (CBS): This was the final year for Jack Benny on the radio (although the Best of Benny rebroadcast many earlier episodes). He carried on via television but it was a testament to his loyalty to radio that he remained on the air long after many other comedy shows had ended.
4. The Whistler (CBS): This was the final year for The Whistler. Although most of its episodes were stories which had been told before, it went to the end very consistent and strong, a quality radio crime program.
5. Lux Radio Theater (NBC): This was the final year for Lux, which had a great adaptation of The War of the Worlds in this year.
6. Our Miss Brooks (CBS): Another good year for this sitcom.
7. You Bet Your Life (NBC): This quiz show hosted by Groucho Marx brought some new content to radio. The real reason to listen wasn't the game show, of course, but Groucho's funny one-liners as he interviewed contestants.
8. Gunsmoke (CBS): Another great year for radio's best western series.
9. Dragnet (NBC): And this was the end of Dragnet, which would carry on in its television version.
10. Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (CBS): This detective program was at this time a serial program with Bob Bailey as the hero. This was its best incarnation.