Hunter's failure to win the role of Tony in the film adaptation of "West Side Story" (1961) prompted him to agree to star in a weekly television sitcom. "The Tab Hunter Show" had moderate ratings (due to being scheduled opposite "The Ed Sullivan Show") and lasted for only one season (1960–61) of 32 episodes. It was a hit in the United Kingdom, where it ranked as one of the most watched situation comedies of the year. Hunter's costars in the series included Richard Erdman, Jerome Cowan, and Reta Shaw.