Puppets have a special place in television history. Many of the first shows broadcast starred ventriloquist dummies, hand puppets, and marionettes. Although animation has replaced many puppet shows, the Muppets and others carry on the tradition.

1. Charlie McCarthy

Charlie McCarthy will forever be remembered as the best-known dummy on radio. As a teenager in the late 1910s, ventriloquist Edgar Bergen purchased the wooden dummy, and they became partners until Bergen's death in 1978. Following a successful appearance on singer Rudy Vallee's radio program in 1936, Edgar and Charlie were given their own show, which remained on the air until 1956. No one listening could see that Charlie was dressed in a top hat, cape, and monocle, nor could they see that Bergen's lips often moved when Charlie spoke. Fans didn't seem to mind, even when the pair appeared on television and in movies. Their success was a result of the hilarious and somewhat risqué (for the time) conversations that Charlie had with stars like actress Mae West and comedian W. C. Fields. In 1938, Bergen won an honorary Oscar for his creation of Charlie. The award was a wooden statuette.

For years, puppets have entertained audiences on TV and the radio.

2. Kukla, Fran, and Ollie

Kukla, Fran, and Ollie was a children's show that first hit the airwaves in 1947. Kukla, the leader of the group, resembled a clown but wasn't one; Ollie was Oliver J. Dragon, a feisty dragon with one tooth; and Fran was not a puppet but a big sister figure who kept the two in line. Rounding out the cast were other puppets, including Madame Ooglepuss, a former opera diva; Beulah Witch; and Fletcher Rabbit. Although the show was originally created for children, it quickly became more popular with adults for the character development and humor.

Our list of puppets that made it big on television continues on the next page.

Top 5 Most Intriguing Lists While you can browse through hundreds of fascinating lists at Extraordinary Lists, here are 5 lists that we feel are certain to amaze and entertain: 11 Longest Running Daytime Soap Operas 11 Movies by Nora Ephron 12 Hollywood Celebrities Who Have Made Ads in Japan 11 Bands Named After Places 11 Items Sold by Ron Popeil