The Real McCoys (1957)
A pioneering American rural sitcom that charmed audiences for six seasons with the warmth, humor, and heart of the McCoy family.
The Real McCoys - Series Information
- Original Title: The Real McCoys
- First Air Year: 1957
- Last Air Year: 1963
- Created by: Irving Pincus
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Number of Seasons: 6
- Number of Episodes: 224
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: October 3, 1957 (United States - TV-14), October 3, 1957 (Canada - 14+)
- Networks: CBS
- Production Companies: Marterto Productions, Brennan-Westgate
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Real McCoys - Plot
The Real McCoys is an American situation comedy co-produced by Danny Thomas' "Marterto Productions", in association with Walter Brennan and Irving Pincus' "Westgate" company. The series aired for five seasons on the ABC-TV network from 1957 through 1962 and then for its final year on CBS from 1962 to 1963. The series, set in the San Fernando Valley of California, was filmed in Hollywood at Desilu studios.
The Real McCoys - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of the McCoy family's classic comedy charm.
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The Real McCoys - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Irving Pincus
Main Cast
- Richard Crenna
- Walter Brennan
- Lydia Reed
- Tony Martinez
- Kathleen Nolan
- Andy Clyde
- Madge Blake
- Olin Howland
- Willard Waterman
- Percy Helton
Writers
- John L. Greene
- Seaman Jacobs
- Ed James
- Harvey Bullock
- Everett Greenbaum
Executive Producers
- Irving Pincus
The Real McCoys - FAQs
Where can you stream The Real McCoys today?
The Real McCoys is available on several platforms. You can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Peacock Premium, and Pure Flix. Free ad-supported viewing is available on Tubi TV, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Plex, and Fandango at Home Free, making it easy to enjoy without a paid subscription.
Who played Amos McCoy in the series?
Walter Brennan brought the lovable, cantankerous Amos McCoy to life — and it became one of television's most iconic performances. Brennan, already a three-time Academy Award winner, used the role to showcase his gift for warm, comedic character work, earning him widespread recognition as a TV legend.
How many seasons and episodes does The Real McCoys have?
The Real McCoys ran for 6 seasons and 224 episodes in total. Each of the first four seasons and the sixth contained 39 episodes, while Season 5 had 29 episodes. The series aired from 1957 to 1963, making it one of the longer-running rural sitcoms of its era.
Why did The Real McCoys switch from ABC to CBS?
After five successful seasons on ABC from 1957 to 1962, The Real McCoys moved to CBS for its sixth and final season in 1962–1963. The network switch was part of a broader programming realignment, though the show retained its core cast and rural comedy format throughout the transition.
What is The Real McCoys about?
The show follows the McCoy family — transplanted West Virginians who settle on a farm in California's San Fernando Valley. Patriarch Amos McCoy, played by Walter Brennan, navigates modern farming life alongside his grandson Luke and the rest of the clan, blending fish-out-of-water humor with genuine family warmth.
Was The Real McCoys a pioneer of rural TV comedy?
Absolutely. The Real McCoys is widely credited with pioneering the rural sitcom genre on American television. Its success directly inspired a wave of similar shows throughout the late 1950s and 1960s, including The Andy Griffith Show, Beverly Hillbillies, and Green Acres, reshaping prime-time comedy for a generation.
When did The Real McCoys first air on television?
The Real McCoys premiered on October 3, 1957, in the United States. It debuted on the ABC network and quickly found a loyal audience, running through 1963 across both ABC and CBS. The premiere date also marked the beginning of the rural sitcom wave that would define American TV comedy for years.
What shows are similar to The Real McCoys?
Fans of The Real McCoys often enjoy I Love Lucy, The Likely Lads, The Good Life, and The Vicar of Dibley for their character-driven humor and family dynamics. For more contemporary picks, Shifting Gears, The Upshaws, and Clarkson's Farm offer a similar blend of warmth, comedy, and everyday rural or family life.
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