Norman Macdonnell an anthology series they had done. Their boss at CBS, Harry Ackerman, and other network executives dismissed that title, preferring "Gunsmoke", a program heading that Ackerman himself was credited with conceiving. Once given permission to proceed with "Gunsmoke", Macdonnell began developing a detailed production schedule for the new series' 30-minute episodes and arranging auditions to cast its recurring characters. His and Meston’s "Jeff Spain" soon became United States Marshal Matt Dillon, and veteran voice actor William Conrad was chosen by Macdonnell, Meston, and two other CBS screeners to portray that lead character. Other seasoned actors soon filled the needed regular
Matt Dillon (Gunsmoke) as well as action heroes John Wayne and Rambo. In Toby Keith's 1993 number one hit, "Should've Been a Cowboy", the entire first verse concerns the relationship between Dillon and Miss Kitty. In the song Miss Kitty would have said yes to Matt "in a New York Minute," but Dillon's heart wasn't in it. "He stole a kiss as he rode away..." In some episodes of "Gilligan's Island", Gilligan would dream that he was "Matt Dillon" in Dodge City, and the CBS "Gunsmoke" set was used, including the jail and sheriff's office. "Gilligan's Island" was later abruptly canceled to make