In a time before the internet, television was the preferred at-your-fingertips escape for many people. These old TV shows from the 60s are still entertaining to watch today and not just because they remind us of simpler times. Though these oldies may be lost on younger generations, these classics — or forgotten gems — are always worth a watch.
Hogan’s Heroes
Hogan’s Heroes was a sitcom set in an old Nazi POW camp. The show ran from 1965 to 1971 and starred Bob Crane as Colonel Robert Hogan, Werner Klemperer as Colonel Wilhelm Klink, John Banner as Sergeant Hans Schultz, and Larry Hovis as Corporal Louis LeBeau.
The Monkees
The Monkees was an early example of the show-within-a-show concept, following the exploits of four young men who starred in their own TV series and made music for the first time on television. Fans of oldies will love this sweet and wholesome comedy from 1966-1968 which captured how it feels to be young and carefree.
It also captured the madness around the so-called British Invasion of the mid-1960s.
This old TV show from the 60s was another that parents watching with their kids may have loved just as much as they did The Beatles or Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s whirlwind romance.
The Addams Family
This one is a bit spooky, but not too scary for kids to enjoy. It ran from 1964-1966 and starred John Astin as Gomez Addams, Ted Cassidy as Lurch, Carolyn Jones as Morticia Addams, Lisa Loring as Wednesday Addams, Ken Weatherwax as Pugsley Addams, and Jackie Coogan as Uncle Fester.
Gidget
This classic bubble gum 60s show follows a young California girl and her surfing adventures. It ran on ABC in 1965-1966, starring Sally Field as Gidget/Karen Cooper, James Darren as Moondoggie, Helen Funai as Aunt Clara (and also played Mrs. Krasny), Frances Lee McCain as Donna Toma, and Cliff Robertson as Mr. Krasny.
This was the show that really made a star of Sally Field, who won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. The show was based on the real-life adventures of Kathy Kohner as Gidget – she wrote about her life in the bestseller “Gidget: The Little Girl with Big Ideas.”
The Munsters
The Munsters was CBS’ answer to ABC’s The Addams Family, featuring a family of monsters. It also ran from 1964-1966, starring Fred Gwynne as Herman Munster and Yvonne DeCarlo as his wife Lily.
The stories revolved around many of the same themes as scene on the Addams’ Family, too: unusual people trying to function in a judgmental world, old-fashioned values, and hilarious situations.
The Mickey Mouse Club
This old show that aired from 1955 to 1994 (at least intermittently) and featured many popular Disney Channel stars as kids.
The show was hosted by Jimmie Dodd, a singer who had toured with the likes of Guy Lombardo and Tommy Dorsey in his career. The old-fashioned feel of the series is part of its charm, from the old set to performers like Annette Funicello (who also starred in the old movie Mouseketeers) and Bobby Rydell.
Though the Club was mostly shown in syndication during the 1960s, it was still a classic of the decades.
The Twilight Zone
This old-time favorite featured Rod Serling as the host, who would introduce strange stories of a different nature each week. These included thrillers, sci-fi tales, ghost stories and more–though it’s not all horror! Some episodes even have a comedic bent to them.
Petticoat Junction
A show about a small town in the old west, Petticoat Junction was sort of ‘The Waltons of Comedy,’ combining zany situations with old-time mores. Petticoat Junction was set at the Shady Rest Hotel and featured stories centered on their residents and the folks who rolled through town on the old railroad.
The Patty Duke Show
This old-time favorite featured a teenage girl, who plays the role of her own twin sister in order to get away from an overbearing aunt and uncle. With three episodes focused on different parts of Patty’s life, this 1960s sitcom was full of each week with laughs and memorable quotes!
(Like Old TV Shows from the 60s? Then you might like our article on V Shows from the 90s, click here.)
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