TV shows nowadays are basically mini movies. CGI characters, intense explosions and action sequences—what’s the point of going to the movie theater if all you have to do is sit at home and click a few buttons on your remote? Saves a lot more money that way. If you want to save the magic of the movies for when you’re actually in the theater with an extra large tub of buttery popcorn on your lap, why not try watching something new at home? Or, more accurately, something old. Personally, I love to kick back and get my daily dose of MeTV. Here area few shows you could try watching.
1. Hogan’s Heroes
You’ve likely heard of “M*A*S*H*” but how about “Hogan’s Heroes”? Same idea—war show—with a completely different twist. POWs who do everything to remain POWs to sabotage the enemy's plans because the lieutenant is an idiot. Sound strange? Watch a couple episodes and you’ll see just how entertaining Hogan and his friends’ antics can be.
2. The Odd Couple
Forget the current remake—go for the original 1970s show. Tony Randall and Jack Klugman are absolutely fantastic (sorry not sorry, Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon). A typical opposites attract-type story, except not at all. Felix and Oscar are nothing alike, annoy the living crap out of each other, and yet do whatever it takes to help one another when worse comes to worst.
3. Murder, She Wrote
TV has plenty of crime shows, but “Murder, She Wrote” blows them away. Jessica Fletcher doesn’t need a flouncy sidekick (though Amos works just fine whenever he’s around) or an attractive love interest—her brains outwit even the most devilish criminals and outthink the most clueless police detectives. Plus, Angela Lansbury. Need I say more?
4. The Andy Griffith Show
The producers may have used Andy Griffith’s name to promote the show, but “The Andy Griffith Show” has so much more than Mr. Griffith. The comedy between Andy Griffith and Don Knotts’ Barney can’t be beat (when Barney wasn’t super annoying), and Opie is just adorable. Give it a try!
5. Newhart
Another show named for its main actor’s popularity, “Newhart” was a show about a man and wife who move to Vermont to run an inn. Bob Newhart played Dick Loudon, who had to deal with crazy characters such as Kirk, a pathological liar and owner of the Minuteman Café; George, a handyman duller than any of his tools but kindhearted; and Stephanie, a maid more concerned about her own appearance rather than the inn’s upkeep. Not to mention a few hillbilly hobos you can’t miss.
6. Perry Mason
The original “Law and Order.” Perry gets a case, and he’ll solve it, no matter who the true culprit is (hint: the murderer is never his client). You’ll quickly learn to dislike Hamilton Burger, the prosecuting lawyer—but you’ll also pity the poor shmuck for trying to win a case against Perry.
7. The Brady Bunch
You don’t have to have ever watched “The Brady Bunch” to know about it. If you have seen it before, you know that Alice was the best character. The kids had their own drama, the parents rolled their eyes at the drama, and Alice provided the best sass of any ‘60s and ‘70s era show. Maid or not, she’s not taking any of your crap.
8. I Love Lucy
Be honest: You know at least one friend who owns something “I Love Lucy” related. This is the classic that keeps on giving—no matter the generation, viewers still find something to laugh about. Comedy doesn’t age. Who cares if the show is in black and white? You can easily imagine how red Lucy’s lips are when she makes those hilarious faces of hers.
9. Magnum P.I.
Like “Murder, She Wrote,” “Magnum P.I.” is one of the greatest detective shows of its time (even better, “Magnum P.I.” and “Murder, She Wrote” had a crossover). If this show were to be compared to anything, “Magnum P.I.” would be the ‘80s version of “Burn Notice”—only for their tropical locales. Otherwise, “Magnum P.I.” is its own entity. Sit back and enjoy Tom Selleck’s bushy mustache and ‘80s short-short board shorts.
10. Leave It to Beaver
A little bit older than the other shows on this list, “Leave It to Beaver” started in 1957, presenting a typical four-person family in those days. The Cleaver boys were basically less mischievous versions of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. Watch this to get a taste of life during your grandparents’ childhood.
11. The Twilight Zone
Oh, Rod Sterling. Unlike the narrator of a more recent horror series, “The Scariest Places on Earth,” whose voice rasps in a blood-chilling, spine-tingling tone, Rod Sterling speaks to you with such surety you feel you’re about to watch something ground-breaking. Each episode presents a new and mind-blowing storyline, impossible but totally plausible within the show. With this in mind, take a risk and cross over into—the Twilight Zone.
So, the next time you’re scrolling through the TV guide, complaining that of all your 800 to 1,000 channels, you can’t find anything to watch, flip on MeTV or search Netflix and Hulu for one of these “outdated” gems.
