Classic TV Shows: 17 Old TV Shows From the 50s and 60s We Still Love
I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, Bonanza, The Twilight Zone and more. A look back at the classic TV shows that defined early American television.
In the 1950s and 1960s, television became the center of American family life. Families gathered around a single set to watch shows that are still beloved today, thanks to reruns and classic TV networks. Here are 17 old TV shows that defined the era.
Sitcoms
- I Love Lucy (1951–1957): Lucille Ball's physical comedy, from the chocolate factory to the Vitameatavegamin commercial, remains unmatched.
- The Honeymooners (1955–1956): Jackie Gleason as bus driver Ralph Kramden. Only 39 "classic" episodes were made as a standalone series.
- Leave It to Beaver (1957–1963): the gold standard of the wholesome family sitcom.
- The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968): life in gentle, small-town Mayberry.
- The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966): sharp writing and a young Mary Tyler Moore.
- The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971): the Clampetts strike oil and move to Beverly Hills.
- Bewitched (1964–1972): Samantha's twitching nose made magic.
- Gilligan's Island (1964–1967): seven castaways and a three-hour tour.
- I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970): an astronaut and his genie.
- The Brady Bunch (1969–1974): a blended family of eight.
Westerns
- Gunsmoke (1955–1975): Marshal Matt Dillon kept the peace in Dodge City for 20 seasons.
- Bonanza (1959–1973): the Cartwright family on the Ponderosa ranch, and one of the first series broadcast in color.
Drama, mystery and sci-fi
- Perry Mason (1957–1966): Raymond Burr's defense attorney almost never lost.
- The Twilight Zone (1959–1964): Rod Serling's twist-ending anthology series.
- Lassie (1954–1973): the heroic collie who always saved the day.
- Star Trek (1966–1969): only three seasons, but it launched a franchise that's still going.
Variety
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967–1978): sketch comedy so funny the cast often broke character.
Where to watch classic TV
Many of these shows air on classic TV networks available over the air with an antenna, and many are sold on DVD or available on streaming services, which change their lineups often. Your local library may lend DVD box sets for free.
Think you remember them all? Take our classic TV trivia quiz or read about classic sitcoms of the '70s.
