James Arness had ample reasons to be proud of “Gunsmoke.” The classic western series holds a prominent place in American television history with its impressive twenty-season run and was once the primetime show with the highest episode count. However, when fans inquired if Arness—who portrayed the leading gunslinger, Marshal Matt Dillon—was bothered by the ensemble cast sometimes taking the spotlight away from him, he revealed it was never an issue for him.

“We frequently get letters saying, ‘Why can’t we see more of Matt?’ or ‘We want more Kitty.’ That’s when the folks at CBS get a bit anxious and suggest we appear more. But I think that’s the best sort of fan mail. When letters say ‘There’s too much of Matt’—that’s when you start worrying,” Arness shared in an interview with The Gazette (quoted by MeTV). It’s an amusing reflection considering Arness was the only actor to appear in every single “Gunsmoke” episode.

The timeless showbiz saying of leaving them wanting more certainly suited “Gunsmoke,” which, despite its lengthy original run, was revived through a series of TV movies in the 1980s and 1990s. As for the audience of those movies and episodes, Arness admitted he wasn’t particularly aware of the viewership data.

Back in its 1960s prime, “Gunsmoke” experienced concern from network executives regarding fluctuations in ratings, as understanding who was watching helped align commercials with programming. However, James Arness was not one to become complacent, regardless of the show’s success. “You can’t be certain until you receive the final word,” he told The Gazette. “Sure, the ratings have been good, but that’s not the full picture anymore. They emphasize the audience’s nature—called demographics. What are our demographics? I haven’t the faintest clue.”

Whatever the show’s demographics were, “Gunsmoke” attracted millions of viewers eager to watch Matt capture the villains and Miss Kitty (Amanda Blake) serve drinks at her saloon. Despite the show’s contentious conclusion, “Gunsmoke” and its cherished cast remain a cultural staple—no matter which character is capturing the audience’s interest.