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
Gunsmoke programs, i.e. produced outside the U.S., have been broadcast in the U.S. and contend for the position as the longest-running series. , "Gunsmoke" was rated fourth globally, after "Doctor Who" (1963–89, 2005–present), "Taggart" (1983–2010), and "The Bill" (1984–2010). James Arness and Milburn Stone portrayed their "Gunsmoke" characters for 20 consecutive years, a feat later matched by Kelsey Grammer as the character Frasier Crane, but over two half-hour sitcoms ("Cheers" and "Frasier"). George Walsh, the announcer for "Gunsmoke", began in 1952 on radio's "Gunsmoke" and continued until television's "Gunsmoke" was canceled in 1975. The first seven seasons were jointly sponsored by