With everyone watching the latest TV shows at their leisure on HBO, Netflix, or any other platform it’s easy to forget that we all at one stage had the same unified viewing experience in the not-so-distant past.
Before on-demand services, there was cable, and before cable, there were only a few channels that people were able to watch. No time period best encapsulates the warm shared viewing experience than the 1960s, the decade when America fell in love with the small screen.
Let us go back to TV’s golden age through a brief list of 1960s tv shows that’ll take you down memory lane.
The Addams Family – 1964
Surprisingly this iconic series only ran for 2 seasons but it certainly left an impact. This unusual family was made up of Gomez and Morticia, their children Wednesday and Puggles along with Uncle Fester, Grandmama, Lurch, and The Thing, a dismembered hand with bags of personality.
A satire on the American ideals of what a family meant, you are no doubt reminded of this comedy sitcom more than any other, don’t believe me, just wait until Halloween comes around for the costumes!
The Flintstones – 1960
Yabadabadoo! Saying their name alone is enough to get you singing the famous theme song.
The Flintstones’, made by the influential Hanna-Barbera productions, was the longest-running animated series and without a doubt, the most successful until a certain family from Springfield came along.
A pre-historic show that contrasted the ancient past with a modern twist, (TV’s and movie theaters, etc.) was set mainly around the many antics of Fred and his best friend Barney Rubble. Sassy Wilma didn’t up with Fred’s nonsense yet loved him just the same and so did we! The comedy still holds up today as the countless reruns stand the test of time.
Bewitched – 1964
Bewitched was steller show a quirky concept.
Darwin, an advertising executive falls in love with a sweet blonde girl called Samantha. She turns out to be a witch, all of which she confesses to him on their honeymoon. She promises not to use any of the dark arts from that point on but can’t resist helping out her young family, and comedy ensues.
Whether it be her mother Elenor, disappointed in her uninspiring and normal son-in-law, or nosey neighbor Gladys trying to catch Samatha’s powers at work making up the rest of the classic bewitched cast, this show left viewers in stitches week after week.
Mission: Impossible – 1966
When we think of Mission: Impossible, it’s easy to think of the successful film franchise but their foundation was set on the fantastic original 1966 TV show.
The high stakes missions involving world leaders and rogue figures were always entertaining to watch.
Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the Impossible Mission Forces activity was them receiving their mission at the start of the show. Whether it be the iconic words ” Your mission, should you choose to accept it…”, the tape self-destructing, or the dynamic theme music, you knew when the show started that you would be in for one heck of a ride!
Was Your Favorite in Our List of 1960s TV Shows?
We’re sure you have enjoyed being taken back to yesteryear and reading up on our list of 1960s tv shows. Which one was your favorite?
But as it was brief there is no doubt that others have come to mind. If you can think of any more please leave a comment below to get involved in the discussion and check out our other retro content that will be sure to leave a smile on your face.
