The 1960s were a revolutionary time for television, and not just due to the advent of the color TV. After a decade of experimenting with sitcoms, science fiction, and cartoons, better quality came to the small screen with writing and production values. Unlike the Jello salads of the era, most of these shows held up so well that they formed the foundation for future television.
Returning to these old shows offers old-fashioned comfort, whether you’re old enough to remember them or were first introduced to them on Nick at Nite. There’s an everlasting quality to some of these shows that are still highly regarded, gracing plenty of rerun TV channels. So, if you’re seeking a throwback to the 1960s, these TV shows will take you back.
1962-1971
9
274
Status
Ended
The Clampett family went from rural to city life when they happened upon some oil.The Beverly Hillbilliesposed a fish-out-of-water scenario for the backwater clan trying to get used to the life of millionaires, aided by their banker, Mr. Drysdale. Despite their attempts to integrate, the family’s quirks remain firm, where all the money in the world can’t hold back a hankering for possum stew.
As a comedy focusing on the culture clash of class division, there’s plenty of hilarity in how the Clampett family confidently turns the wealthy lifestyle upside down. There was an enduring charm to the confident Jed, naively chipper Jethro, and cantankerous Granny. The transition of the Clampetts led to endless absurdity, even making a solid transition into color as the show continued throughout the 1960s.
Tubi
The Beverly Hillbilliesfinds the humor in a redneck family becoming rich and moving to the city, struggling to adapt to the rich life.
1960-1966
6
166
Cartoons were plucked from Saturday mornings and into primetime withThe Flintstones. The animated sitcom featured the comedy of Fred Flintstone, his wife Wilma, their daughter Pebbles, and their pet dinosaur, Dino. The Flintstones' best pals, Barney and Betty Rubble, and their son Bam-Bam, live next door, as they share an idyllic life in the prehistoric suburbs of Bedrock. They get into typical sitcom antics, but with the added absurdity of prehistoric technology, ranging from foot-propelled cars to animal-powered lawnmowers.
The Flintstonespaved the way for cartoons likeThe Simpsonsthat could appeal to adults, adopting a premise similar toThe Honeymoonerswhile still finding fun cartoon avenues. Although eventually jumping to the Saturday morning crowd in the following years (and having a cereal deal with Fruity Pebbles), the prehistoric family was a hit in primetime, running for six seasons. There was instant iconography with Fred’s catchphrase cheer, “Yabba Dabba Doo!” and Barney’s infectious laugh, making the show more notable beyond being the first cartoon sitcom. If it weren’t forThe Flintstones,we likely wouldn’t have more adult animated comedy.
The Flintstonesplaced the typical family sitcom into an animated form set in prehistory.
1965-1971
170
Oliver Douglas craves the farm life, while his wife Lisa can’t get enough of city life. While Oliver’s dream comes true when he buys a farm, he doesn’t count on the odd hardship of caring for a property with crops and animals. With Lisa’s socialite lifestyle hindered by this scenery change, plenty of culture clash comedy can be farmed from this premise.
Acting as a kind of reverseBeverly Hillbillies,Green Acresboasted an earworm of an opening song and iconic performances. Eddie Albert’s portrayal of Oliver is ridiculously played up for being in over his head, and the Hungarian accent of Eva Gabor perfectly fits the lavish lusting of Lisa. Also, you may’t forget the farm charm of their pet pig, Arnold, which makes the show amusing for its cultural conflicts and animal antics.
Green Acresfinds a couple going from city life to farm life with unexpected hilarity.
1965-1966
2
32
With live-action and cartoons covered for television, Gerry Anderson brought the world of marionettes to the small screen withThunderbirds. Far from the simple stagings ofHowdy DoodyorPunch & Judy, the series followed a special rescue team and their efforts to avert disaster with their high-tech machinery. Their heroic actions led to some exciting and dangerous adventures, where the puppet characters became compelling enough almost to ignore the strings.
Developed with a mixture of effects dubbed Supermarionation,Thunderbirdswas engrossing for its practical staging and sci-fi drama. The show took itself seriously enough that kids and adults could become enthralled with developed heroes and explosive situations. The puppetry’s uniquely-corny nature was so odd and memorable that it inspiredSouth Parkcreators Trey Parker and Matt Stone to satirize it with their epicTeam America: World Police. So if you were curious where the inspiration for that comedy came from, look no further than the classic adventures of this international rescue team.
Thunderbirdsuses puppetry to stage exciting adventures with a rescue team and their high-tech vehicles that can save people worldwide.
1960-1968
8
249
Small-town serendipity is constantly flowing in the Southern antics ofThe Andy Griffith Show. Griffith plays Andy Taylor, the widowed sheriff of the quaint community of Mayberry, North Carolina. He teaches his son, Opie (Ron Howard), valuable lessons about growing up while attending to the bumbling antics of his deputy/cousin, Barney Fife (Don Knotts).
The Andy Griffith Showwas equal parts wholesome and hilarious for a sitcom as American as apple pie. Griffith’s performance was commanding yet kind, able to guide Opie while smirking at Barney’s mishaps. Aided by the matriarchal wisdom of Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier), there was always something relatable and fun going on in Mayberry with its Americana sense of humor.
Pluto TV
The Andy Griffith Showfollows the small-town charm of a North Carolina sheriff, his plucky son, and his absent-minded deputy.
1964-1972
254
Darrin Stephens is an advertising executive who didn’t count on his wife, Samantha, being a witch. With a twitch of her nose, Samantha can wield all manner of magic powers and spells, making Darrin’s life chaotic and unpredictable. Their romance is made all the more complicated by the presence of Samantha’s mother, Endora, constantly trying to break off this coupling of a human and a witch.
Armed with a Hanna-Barbera cartoon opening and silly fantasy effects,Bewitchedwas an immediate hit with its magical twist on typical suburban sitcoms. From the stumbling nature of Darrin to the naive magical mishaps of Samantha, the series was ahead of its time in terms of how it tinkered with gender stereotypes, paving the way for more women-led sitcoms to follow where the wives had more power. It’s also just a lot of fun watching Samantha clash with her antagonistic mother, where a battle of magic is more compelling than a typical argument over marriage.
Roku Channel (Web Version)
Bewitchedfollows the fantasy and comedy of what happens when a suburban man marries a magical witch.
1964-1966
64
Shirking the clean and sensible tropes of sitcoms,The Addams Familyembraced the weirdness of a highly unconventional family. Described as creepy and kooky, the Addams household comprises such ridiculous family members as the romantic mindset of the mustachioed Gomez, the explosive nature of the bald Fester, and the deep-voiced dry wit of the towering Lurch. They live in a haunted house that is sure to make regular folks scream and weirder folks at home.
For being spun off by the one-panel cartoons of Charles Addams gracingThe New Yorker, the weirdly dark comedy of a family living in a haunted house made for one of the most subversive sitcoms of the 1960s. The Addams were a kind and inviting family, but their home, which looked straight out of a horror movie, often horrified the guests. The embracing of the absurd in presenting the Addams as bizarre yet sweet was strong enough for the show later to take on the forms of cartoons and live-action movies.
The Addams Familyportrays the oddness of a family that lives in a spooky house filled with freaky quirks and surprises.
1961-1966
5
158
Dick Van Dyke wasn’t like most sitcom husbands, and Mary Tyler Moore certainly wasn’t like most TV wives. OnThe Dick Van Dyke Show, they were portrayed as comedy writer Rob and former dancer Laura, getting into all sorts of absurd hijinks at home and work. Along with their son, Ritchie, there’s never a dull moment in this family where slapstick and banter are always present.
The comedy dynamic Dyke and Moore makes them one of the strongest sitcom couples ever. Both of them had a natural ease to their performance that they could easily get physical, with Dyke’s memorable entrance of tripping over the furniture. It’s clear to see through this show why Van Dyke was limber enough for a movie likeMary Poppins,and Moore was commanding enough to helm her own TV show,The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
The Dick Van Dyke Showfeatures the comedic antics of Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore as an eccentric couple involved in entertainment.
1966-1969
3
79
Far from the cheap and simplistic thrills of sci-fi in the theaters,Star Trektook the genre boldly where it’s never been before. The adventures of the Starship Enterprise were intriguing and exciting, with Captain Kirk (William Shatner) leading his crew through unexplored territory and new civilizations. Their travels featured encountering honor-bound Klingons, time-traveling entities, and furry replicating Tribbles.
Star Trekwas way ahead of its time in terms of both its profound allegories and overtly diverse casting. The trails blazed by talents like George Takei and Nichelle Nichols are aided by the stellar writing of such episodes asBalance of TerrorandThe City on the Edge of Forever. While plenty ofStar Trekshows and movies have followed in the decades since the show’s cancellation, the original series remains iconic and one of the best sci-fi shows of the 20th century.
Paramount Plus
Star Trekfeatured the exciting adventures of the Starship Enterprise as it explored the galaxy for new civilizations and unexpected discoveries.
1959-1964
156
The Twilight Zoneis the ultimate anthology show, setting the bar incredibly high for this TV subgenre that would go on to spawn shows likeThe OUter Limitsand, more recently,Black Mirror. Hosted by Rod Serling, each episode features a strange story with a potent and poignant fable. The stories were mind-bending scenarios of melting planets, gremlins on plane wings, and a devious boy who can control the lives of adults.
Even though the episodes revolved around a weird premise, their thematic core was topical for the era. They addressed the fear of nukes, the ugliness of discrimination, the rise of fascism, and the moral decay of trust. While the show has been revived many times over the decades to reflect the era, these classic episodes have a timeless quality where they always feel relevant, making this a ‘60s show that has aged like the finest wine.
The Twilight Zoneis an anthology series featuring the strangest and most topical tales.
Not all 1960s television holds up, but it’s surprising how many shows have stood the test of time. Looking past the budget animation, limited effects, and lack of color reveals some trailblazing shows that laid a foundation for more exciting shows. It’s worth returning to the black-and-white primordial ooze of entertainment to understand why these programs are considered the best examples of 20th-century television.
