Who can forget days spent lounging on our grandparents' sofas while they watched one of their preferred 'old-school' TV shows? If they weren't tuned into The Price Is Right or Wheel of Fortune, they were probably watching I Love Lucy or Gilligan's Island. We may have complained at first...until we realized how kooky and fun these series were. Where else were we going to get slapstick comedy in black and white?
Since we hardly see rerun episodes of these timeless classics anymore, we're celebrating them by remembering why we loved them so much — and letting you know where you can stream them right now!
Here are all the old school TV shows we miss seeing on our screens!
Apple TV+
1. I Love Lucy
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Paramount+
We thought we'd gladly be housewives if it meant we got to be gorgeous and witty like Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball). Together with her on-screen husband Ricky Ricardo (eventual off-screen ex-husband Desi Arnez), she showed that housewives could find things to do besides maintaining a home.
She and her neighbor/best friend Ethel Mertz would often find themselves in hilarious situations that were reprimanded by their Ricky as well as Ethel's husband, Fred Mertz (William Frawley). Remember the
episode Lucy and Ethel tried working at a chocolate factory? We vowed never to think we had what it takes to be on anyone's assembly line after watching it.
Amazon Prime Video
2. The Brady Bunch
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+
The Brady Bunch took having a stepfamily and turned it on its head with the blended Brady family. Because of their love for each other, Mike and Carol happily took on each other's children as their own: Greg, Marcia, Jan, Peter, Bobby, and Cindy. There was also the housekeeper Alice and the the lovable dog, Tiger!
Each episode seemed to revolve around getting used to living together, sibling rivalry, and more adventures that often ended in valuable lessons. Despite their differences, the Bradys showed that families don't have to be perfect to have a lot of love.
Amazon Prime Video
3. The Andy Griffith Show
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, Paramount+
Andy Griffith was America's favorite sheriff and father because he seemed to know just what to say or do in different situations. Goofily assisted by deputy Barney Fife, he worked to balance solving petty crimes with raising his young son, Opie. Also, we can't forget the warmth and wit Aunt Bee brought to the show!
Apple TV+
4. Gilligan's Island
Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
Before Lost, many of us remember watching Gilligan's Island with our grandparents. Our favorite part of theme song is, "The ship set ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle with Gilligan, the Skipper too, the millionaire and his wife, the movie star, the professor and Mary Ann. Here on Gilligan's Isle!"
There were so many different personalities that we could always count on something silly to happen.
Roku
5. I Dream of Jeannie
Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
This is a hot take, but I Dream of Jeannie was a little cringe even back then. But, we still loved watching Jeannie make an incredible mark in Captain Tony Nelson's life. We're not saying we agreed with her sneaking into his bag or breaking off his initial engagement, but she sure knew how to cause a scene.
Maybe this is why we love watching reality TV drama 👀.
Amazon Prime Video
6. Leave It to Beaver
Stream: Amazon Prime Video
Leave It to Beaver felt appropriate for us to watch because it was all about young Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver's mischievous adventurous with his friends and the silly sibling rivalry that took place with his older brother Wallace aka Wally. It spoke to the accuracy of growing up as a kid who has an active imagination and too much time on their hands, no different than when some of us were kids.
Peacock
7. The Dick Van Dyke Show
Stream: Peacock, Amazon Prime Video
The Dick Van Dyke Show gave us an imagined look at the production of a TV show where Rob Petrie was the star. Somehow he'd try to split time between his career and personal life, often with funny results. Set in New York, it gave us a taste of having a budding creative career and family, not unlike what some of us having today.
Amazon Prime Video
8. Bewitched
Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
Aside from Lucy and Ricky, our favorite TV couple used to be Samantha and Darrin from Bewitched. Despite their love for each other, it's obvious they have hiccups to navigate in their marriage. Darrin wants Samantha fit into suburbia while her family could care less about her changing who she is. With a twitch of her nose, Samantha could deploy a spell in no time...even if Darrin didn't always approve.
Peacock
9. The Munsters
Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock
The Munsters is another classic TV show that seemed to poke fun at living life in the suburbs. Unlike The Addams Family, the Munsters did their best to assimilate into their neighborhood as much as possible. Despite the glaring fact their family's comprised of vampires, Frankenstein, and an unseen pet, it was a touching show that placed a huge value on a family's love for each other.
Apple TV+
9. The A-Team
Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
Did we really watch old school TV show reruns if they didn't include one episode of The A-Team? It's the prime reason we randomly say, "I pity the fool," in the voice of Mr. T. Aside from that, Faceman, Hannibal, and Murdock helped round out the team with their various expertise from being in the Special Forces. We saw them go on various 'missions' that usually involved fight scenes, explosives, and risky getaways.
It was a departure from some of the other shows we watched, but there was something exciting about seeing them find outlandish ways to escape narrow moments.
Hulu
11. M*A*S*H
Stream: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu
Some of us have family members who served in the different branches of the military so watching M*A*S*H helped us make sense of some things that may have happened BTS. Specifically focusing on the 'hospital' portion of the war, M*A*S*H. Though there were some funny moments, but the show also did a great job of showing how scary the war could be.
It was expertly produced in our opinion and continues to be one of the shows we miss watching.
Peacock
12. The Beverly Hillbillies
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Peacock
Last, but not least, The Beverly Hillbillies routinely takes up space in our brains. There was something funny yet endearing about seeing Jed, Elly May, Jethro, and Granny pack up their lives in the country to move to the glamorous California. The Clampetts may not have been posh like their neighbors, but they made sure there was never a dull moment when they were on TV.
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