8 Classic TV Shows That Began On The Radio. I Listened to #2 All The Time!

2. Perry Mason

Based on Erle Stanley Gardner’s novels, Perry Mason followed attorney Perry Mason, and featured a mixture of mystery and soap opera. The show ran from 1943 until 1955 on CBS Radio, when it was adapted into the TV series The Edge of Night. While John Larkin was the longest-tenured actor to play Mason, three other actors preceded him.

1. Superman

Now we’re all familiar with the Man of Steel in one way or another. Aside from the numerous blockbuster movies, TV shows, and collectibles, Superman began as a comic book character in 1938. Two years later, listeners got their first experience with Superman, when Bud Collyer played the hero in the radio serial sponsored by Kellogg’s Pep. The radio show originally aired from 1940 to 1951, with the TV series of the same name debuting in 1952 with George Reeves as Superman.

That concludes our list of great radio programs that eventually made their way onto the television. We’re sure we’ve neglected a few gems, so let us know what your favorite was in the comments below!