I’ve been watching television ever since I can remember. Yes, like that’s what’s wrong with me. As a child, I used to memorize to Los Angeles area TV Guide (after Mom went through it with her red Flair pen to check ‘appropriate shows’ we could watch if she & Dad were planning to be out for an evening), and then my sister would quiz me as to what show was on when, or maybe even a synopsis or two. I still watch a lot of television. It is a fascinating ‘true social experiment,’ and yes, if used properly can educate and inform, as well as entertain. Today’s list consists of my all-time favorite shows, many of which, are part of my daily construct of dialog. Those who ‘get’ what I’m saying are always in, and those who don’t – well, I just shake my head with a ‘well, that’s too bad.’ Most of the shows are from the bygone era. I know there are some great shows out there today, but I neither a) have the time (since I’m rewatching classics), or b) don’t have all the streaming resources with which to view them all. Several of these are more like ‘honorable mentions,’ but I will put them on the list regardless. The first lists are by decade and premier year order. The final list is the Top Ten shining stars.
1950 – 1979
1951 – I Love Lucy
1959 – The Twilight Zone
1962 – The Lucy Show
1964 – The Addams Family
1965 – The Wild Wild West
1965 – The Big Valley
1965 – Hogan’s Heroes
1966 – Mission Impossible
1966 – That Girl
1967 – The Mothers-in-Law
1968 – Hawaii Five-O
1968 – Here’s Lucy
1969 – Night Gallery
1975 – The Barbary Coast
1980 – 1999
1984 – Night Court
1990 – Wings
1993 – Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
1993 – The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
1993 – Frasier
1994 – Friends
1998 – Becker
2000 – current
2004 – Lost
2007 – Mad Men
2007 – The Big Bang Theory
2010 – Sherlock
2010 – Downton Abbey
2011 – Hell on Wheels
2014 – The Musketeers
The Top Ten
(based on rewatchability, quotable, associated memories)
10. The Big Valley (4 season)
09. That Girl (5 seasons)
08. The Twilight Zone (5 seasons)
07. Mission Impossible (7 seasons)
06. Hawaii Five-O (12 seasons)
05. Mad Men (7 seasons)
04. Friends (10 seasons)
03. Frasier (11 seasons)
02. The Wild Wild West (4 seasons)
01. I Love Lucy (6 seasons)
I doubt any shows from the first two time periods will ever change, but if something new comes along to add to the current listing - I'll let you know! Happy Viewing!
