Part western, part ???

[tdr]

As this forum deals with television, there is less likely to be a series really close to a pure western than a movie. Even those that were mostly serious western drama were sometimes comical, or contrived mysteries, or overly pastoral. But a TV series that was only about ranching, mining, bounty hunting, et al, would fail to keep an audience. So virtually all successful TV westerns had other qualities besides that of a 'pure' western.

Some of my candidates for various categories would be:

For part western, part comic book hero-- The Lone Ranger.

For part western, part identity crisis-- The Rebel.

For part western, part ambiguous romance-- Matt Dillon and Miss Kitty in Gunsmoke.

For part western, part revisionist history-- Wyatt Earp and Jim Bowie.

For part western, part spy spoof-- Wild, Wild West (a clever unting of 2 television fads).

For part western, primarily screwball comedy-- F Troop and Pistols & Petticoats.

For part western, part martial arts display-- (obviously) Kung Fu.

For part western, part social commentary-- Bonanza in the 60's, and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman in the 90's.

What are some other ideas or 'candidates' or categories?

[hawaii five-o]

Part western, part single-dad drama: "The Rifleman"

Part western, part single-mom drama: "The Big Valley"

Part western, part comedy: "Maverick"