This was the ''secret weapon'' that made Gunsmoke so good

"They ask me when I'm going to quit and all I can keep on saying is that I'm in this saddle until it wears out."

CBS Television Distribution

To have one of the most successful shows over the last few decades is no easy feat. However, once you're on top, everyone wants to know what your secret is, and how easily they can replicate it.

Such was the life for Gunsmoke, a show that managed to linger in the favorites of fans everywhere.

John Meston, who helped develop the program for television, was aware that the series was often imitated. However, in an interview, he argued that the "secret sauce" to Gunsmoke wasn't in the writing or the sets - it was in the people.

"Everybody has tried to copy Gunsmoke," said John Meston during an interview with Florida Today. "But what they don't realize is that the honesty of these people - Jim Arness, Dennis Weaver, Amanda Blake, Milburn Stone - is the key. That is Gunsmoke's secret weapon."

Working on a set like Gunsmoke was heaven for both cast and crew alike, and it was a series that everyone involved was equally devoted to.

In an interview with The Duluth News Tribune, James Arness was pressed about how he felt on the precipice of the show's eleventh season in 1965.

"About the same as the tenth season, the ninth, the eighth," said Arness. "They ask me when I'm going to quit and all I can keep on saying is that I'm in this saddle until it wears out - or until I wear out the public."

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5 Comments

Suzies1952 1 hour ago
I watched gun smoke every week with my family, I still watch it today, absolutely love this show!, so glad it was on for so many years
Runeshaper 2 hours ago
Honest people definitely make a difference in general. I'm glad the show was around for such a long time.
Suzies1952 2 hours ago
Happy thanksgiving to everyone that loves ME TV as much as I do ! Gobble gobble! 🦃🦃🦃 to what ever food 🍔🌭🌮🍕🍟🍗🥓🍤🍩🥑🍎🥔🥒🥕🥨🌽🍄‍🟫🫚🫐🫒you will be enjoying and friends and family have a great day may it be peaceful and safe! My son and daughter-in-law are bringing all the food to my house I made homemade cherry cranberry sauce, if you’ve never had it, try it, easy and my favorite love it on turkey sandwiches! Hungry already! Happy day!
Runeshaper Suzies1952 2 hours ago
Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to you too! I'm sure the homemade cherry cranberry sauce will be enjoyed!
Tresix Runeshaper 1 hour ago
With the mention of “cranberry sauce”, now I can’t stop thinking about that episode of “The Munsters” where Herman was trying to lose weight and ended up breaking into a family’s house while they’re eating. He begins pounding on the table, yelling “Will you pass the cranberry sauce?! I want the cranberry sauce!”
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