The Witness

The Witness is an American television show broadcast on the CBS network in the United States within the 1960–61 television season, in which a fictional "Committee" of lawyers cross-examined actors portraying actual people from the recent past of the United States who had been considered criminal or suspicious. Production David Susskind was the Executive Producer; Murray Susskind (David's brother) and Nick Mayo were line producers—the production company was Talent Associates. The show was created and written by Irve Tunick, and filmed in the CBS studios in New York City. Scheduling The first show premiered on Thursday, September 29, 1960, in the 7:30–8:30 PM (EST) timeslot on the CBS television network — the last show was broadcast January 26, 1961. The show may have been moved to a later timeslot in November or December 1960. Seventeen episodes were produced and broadcast—the pilot episode was never aired; a planned eighteenth episode (on Huey Long) may also have never aired. Background The premise of the show was explained in the opening narration: "This show is not a trial, not a court of law, not a legislative inquiry, but a simulated hearing before a simulated committee representing the morality and the conscience of today, with the power to call before it the famous, the infamous, the evil and controversial figures of yesterday."