Oct. 4: ‘Leave It to Beaver’ debuted on this day in 1957; 33 years later, its opposite premiered

"Leave It to Beaver" helped define American 1950s suburbia, or at least an idealized/homogenized version of it (depending on your viewpoint). It premiered 56 years ago, on October 4, 1957, and aired for six seasons. It was simple and gentle, and it occupies a special place in the American mythos.

And then, 33 years later, a show that could fairly be called its polar opposite debuted: "Beverly Hills 90210." Brenda and Brandon may have had a foot in the Cleavers' Mayfield (by way of Minnesota, from which the twins hailed), but they were soon enough corrupted by their rich, hedonistic peers.

Which one do you think is a more accurate reflection of America?