The Honeymooners was an influential situation comedy television show shot before a live audience which debuted as a half-hour series on October 1, 1955. Although initially a ratings success—it was the #2 show in the United States its first season—it faced stiff competition from the popular Perry Como Show in an era when many North American homes had no television, and with the prevalent broadcast technology, those that did were lucky to receive any stations beyond the three major networks. The show eventually dropped to #19, and production ended after 39 episodes (now referred to as the "Classic 39"). The final episode of The Honeymooners aired on September 22, 1956.

The majority of The Honeymooners focused on its four principal characters on fixed sets within a NYC apartment building, although various secondary characters made multiple appearances and occasional exterior shots were incorporated during editing, virtually all action and dialog was "on stage" inside the normal backdrop.

Played by Jackie Gleason; a bus driver for the fictional Gotham Bus Company. He is never seen driving a bus (except in publicity photos), but is shown multiple times at the bus depot. Ralph is frustrated by his lack of success, and often develops get-rich-quick schemes. Ralph is very short tempered, frequently resorting to insults and hollow threats. Well hidden beneath the many layers of bluster however, is a soft-hearted man who loves his wife and is devoted to his best pal. Ralph Kramden was the inspiration for the animated character Fred Flintstone.