As I was born in 1961, I’m part of the first legitimate “TV Generation.” So what are those shows that shaped my childhood and even today fill me with fondness as I traipse down memory lane?
Here are the Top Five:
1. Leave It To Beaver. Few things make me more nostalgic than hearing the words, “Starring Barbara Billingsley . . . Hugh Beaumont . . . Tony Dow . . . AND JERRY MATHERS AS THE BEAVER.” When my own children were much younger, I tried to get them to watch this with me, but the slow pacing and stationary camera angles were too much to overcome. They don’t know what they missed . . .
2. Batman. I didn’t merely want to watch Batman; I wanted to be Batman. Has there ever been a better opening sequence and theme song?
3. Mutual Of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. As close as we got back in the day to Nat Geo Wild, this was the perfect Sunday night show.
4. Alias Smith & Jones. A TV take-off of Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid. I’m the only person I know who liked this series . . . and I loved it.
4.
5. Gilligan’s Island. The longest three hour tour of all time.
There are 3 comments
Talbot, the important thing to catch here is “Memory Lane” in your title. I’d be interested in knowing what your Top Five TV shows of all time are too. As for memory lane, I enjoyed your list with both Batman and Gilligan’s Island in common. The thing about our era growing up was the 3-5 channels of tv with no Cable, no satellite, no DVR, etc. Some of these shows were on five days a week right after school or right before dinner so they are huge parts of our life. It’s hard to think of today’s programs and choices with even remotely the same kind of enthusiam. You wonder if people will be nostalgic about The Big Bang Theory or The Office in twenty years or thirty years?
If there was a clear front runner on any list I would put together it would be Star Trek! As professionally made and well written as all the sequels and prequels since, there’s nothing like Kirk fighting a giant lizard man or Spock’s ears! Live Long and Prosper! Oh and another list would be your nostalgic Christmas memory lane tv shows!?! Rudolph? Charlie Brown? Peace! Alex
I agree with:
Leave it to Beaver
Batman
Gilligan’s Island
I would add:
The Andy Griffith Show
The Beverly Hillbillies
It’s funny to watch the Beverly Hillbillies as an adult and catch all the subtle adult humor I didn’t understand as a kid.
I agree with most of your list, however, you left out the best TV show of all, The Partridge Family!
I would also add:
That Girl
Bewitched
Petticoat Junction
I Dream of Jeannie
Gunsmoke
I love to watch these old shows when they come on. It brings back such fond memories.