Classic Television Series I'd Recommend
by IndigoFlame | created - 12 Oct 2014 | updated - 12 Oct 2014 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. 227 (1985–1990)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
This series took place in an apartment building numbered 227. The cast would frequently be sitting outside on a large set of stone stairs, involved in some discussion that would unfold into the weekly plotline.
Stars: Helen Martin, Marla Gibbs, Hal Williams, Alaina Reed-Hall
Votes: 3,988
2. Adam-12 (1968–1975)
TV-PG | 30 min | Crime, Drama
Two regular police officers patrol Los Angeles.
Stars: Martin Milner, Kent McCord, Shaaron Claridge, William Boyett
Votes: 4,986
3. The Addams Family (1964–1966)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Horror
The misadventures of a blissfully macabre but extremely loving family.
Stars: John Astin, Carolyn Jones, Jackie Coogan, Ted Cassidy
Votes: 21,794
4. Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955–1962)
TV-14 | 25 min | Drama, Mystery
Series of unrelated short stories covering elements of crime, horror, drama, and comedy about people of different backgrounds committing murders, suicides, thefts, and other sorts of crime caused by certain motivations, perceived or not.
Stars: Alfred Hitchcock, Harry Tyler, John Williams, Patricia Hitchcock
Votes: 19,328
5. All in the Family (1971–1979)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
A working class man constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.
Stars: Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner, Sally Struthers
Votes: 18,658
6. The Andy Williams Show (1962–1969)
60 min | Music
Having hosted summer programs for three seasons before this, Andy Williams' program finally became a regular, year-round show. In addition to Andy, the program also featured numbers by a ... See full summary »
Stars: Andy Williams, The Osmonds, Jay Osmond, Alan Osmond
Votes: 274
7. Barney Miller (1975–1982)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
The Captain of the NYPD 12th Precinct and his staff handle the various local troubles and characters that come into the squad room.
Stars: Hal Linden, Abe Vigoda, Max Gail, Steve Landesberg
Votes: 7,375
8. Batman (1966–1968)
TV-G | 25 min | Action, Crime, Fantasy
The Caped Crusader and his young ward battle evildoers in Gotham City.
Stars: Adam West, Burt Ward, Alan Napier, Neil Hamilton
Votes: 26,142
9. The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971)
TV-G | 25 min | Comedy, Family
A nouveau-riche hillbilly family moves to Beverly Hills and shakes up the privileged society with their hayseed ways.
Stars: Buddy Ebsen, Donna Douglas, Irene Ryan, Max Baer Jr.
Votes: 11,020
10. Bewitched (1964–1972)
TV-G | 25 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
A witch married to an ordinary man cannot resist using her magic powers to solve the problems her family faces.
Stars: Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, Dick Sargent, Agnes Moorehead
Votes: 24,376
11. Bonanza (1959–1973)
TV-PG | 49 min | Western
The Wild West adventures of Ben Cartwright and his sons as they run and defend their Nevada ranch while helping the surrounding community.
Stars: Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, Pernell Roberts
Votes: 10,995
12. The Brady Bunch (1969–1974)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The misadventures of a large family united when a widower and a widow marry.
Stars: Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, Ann B. Davis, Maureen McCormick
Votes: 15,702
13. Columbo (1971–2003)
TV-PG | 100 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Los Angeles homicide detective Lieutenant Columbo uses his humble ways and ingenuous demeanor to winkle out even the most well-concealed of crimes.
Stars: Peter Falk, Mike Lally, John Finnegan, Bruce Kirby
Votes: 41,979
14. Daniel Boone (1964–1970)
TV-PG | 60 min | Adventure, Western
Frontier hero Daniel Boone conducts surveys and expeditions around Boonesborough, running into both friendly and hostile Indians, before, during, and even after the Revolutionary War.
Stars: Fess Parker, Patricia Blair, Darby Hinton, Dal McKennon
Votes: 2,412
15. The Danny Thomas Hour (1967–1968)
60 min | Musical, Comedy, Drama
Thomas starred in the musical-variety and comedy episodes (many drawn from his earlier Make Room for Daddy (1953)) and hosted the more dramatic offerings.
Stars: Danny Thomas, Hans Conried, Van Johnson, Joe Besser
Votes: 111
16. The Rat Patrol (1966–1968)
30 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The World War II North African missions of an Allied commando patrol squad of the Long Range Desert Group.
Stars: Christopher George, Gary Raymond, Eric Braeden, Lawrence P. Casey
Votes: 2,003
17. The Doris Day Show (1968–1973)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy
After spending most of her life in big cities, widow Doris Martin decides to move back to the family ranch.
Stars: Doris Day, Philip Brown, Todd Starke, Denver Pyle
Votes: 877
18. F Troop (1965–1967)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Western
The misadventures of the staff and neighbors of a remote U.S. Army outpost in the Wild West.
Stars: Forrest Tucker, Larry Storch, Ken Berry, Melody Patterson
Votes: 3,327
19. Family Affair (1966–1971)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Bill's comfortable lifestyle must change when he receives a group of unexpected long-term guests.
Stars: Brian Keith, Kathy Garver, Anissa Jones, Johnny Whitaker
Votes: 3,266
20. Flipper (1964–1967)
Not Rated | 30 min | Adventure, Family
Ranger Porter Ricks is responsible for the animal and human life in Coral Key Park, Florida. Stories center on his 15-year-old son Sandy and 10-year-old Bud and, especially, on their pet dolphin Flipper.
Stars: Brian Kelly, Luke Halpin, Tommy Norden, Flipper
Votes: 2,917
21. Gentle Ben (1967–1969)
30 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
The adventures in the Florida Everglades of game warden Tom Wedloe, his wife Ellen, their son Mark, and Mark's tame bear Ben.
Stars: Dennis Weaver, Clint Howard, Beth Brickell, Bruno the Bear
Votes: 702
22. Get Smart (1965–1970)
TV-G | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Maxwell Smart, a highly intellectual but bumbling spy working for the CONTROL agency, battles the evil forces of rival spy agency KAOS with the help of his competent partner Agent 99.
Stars: Don Adams, Barbara Feldon, Edward Platt, Robert Karvelas
Votes: 13,787
23. Gidget (1965–1966)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy
Gidget is a bright, winsome fifteen-and-a-half year old California teenager.
Stars: Sally Field, Don Porter, Lynette Winter, Pete Duel
Votes: 1,794
24. Gilligan's Island (1964–1992)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Four men and three women are stranded on an uncharted island following a torrential storm.
Stars: Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer
Votes: 16,870
25. Gomer Pyle: USMC (1964–1969)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, War
The misadventures of a bumbling U.S. Marine named Gomer Pyle.
Stars: Jim Nabors, Frank Sutton, Ronnie Schell, Roy Stuart
Votes: 4,166
26. Green Acres (1965–1971)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
A New York City attorney and his wife attempt to live as genteel farmers in the bizarre community of Hooterville.
Stars: Eddie Albert, Eva Gabor, Tom Lester, Pat Buttram
Votes: 7,636
27. H.R. Pufnstuf (1969–1970)
TV-Y | 30 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
The adventures of a boy trapped in a fantastic land with a dragon friend and a witch enemy.
Stars: Jack Wild, Billie Hayes, Lennie Weinrib, Joan Gerber
Votes: 1,948
28. Hart to Hart (1979–1984)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The globe-trotting adventures of amateur detectives Jonathan and Jennifer Hart.
Stars: Robert Wagner, Stefanie Powers, Lionel Stander, Lee Wilkof
Votes: 8,791
29. Hawaii Five-O (1968–1980)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The investigations of Hawaii Five-0, an elite branch of the Hawaii State Police answerable only to the governor and headed by stalwart Steve McGarrett.
Stars: Jack Lord, James MacArthur, Kam Fong, Herman Wedemeyer
Votes: 8,181
30. Hazel (1961–1966)
30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of the Baxter family and their live-in maid, Hazel Burke.
Stars: Shirley Booth, Bobby Buntrock, Don DeFore, Whitney Blake
Votes: 2,122
31. Hee Haw (1969–1997)
60 min | Comedy, Music
Televised comedy/variety show with a country bent.
Stars: Roy Clark, Gunilla Hutton, Buck Owens, Grandpa Jones
Votes: 1,788
32. Here Come the Brides (1968–1970)
TV-G | 60 min | Adventure, Western
The adventures of a logging work team and the marriageable single women sent to them in post-American Civil War Seattle in the Washington Territory.
Stars: Robert Brown, Bobby Sherman, David Soul, Bridget Hanley
Votes: 1,044
33. The High Chaparral (1967–1971)
PG | 60 min | Western
The Cannon family runs the High Chaparral Ranch in the Arizona Territory in 1870s.
Stars: Leif Erickson, Cameron Mitchell, Henry Darrow, Linda Cristal
Votes: 2,405
34. Highway to Heaven (1984–1989)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Fantasy
A probationary angel, sent back to Earth, teams with an ex-cop to help people.
Stars: Michael Landon, Victor French, James Troesh, Margie Impert
Votes: 6,520
35. Hill Street Blues (1981–1987)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The lives and work of the staff of an inner city police precinct.
Stars: Daniel J. Travanti, Michael Warren, Bruce Weitz, James Sikking
Votes: 10,562
36. Hogan's Heroes (1965–1971)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy, War
The inmates of a German World War II prisoner of war camp conduct an espionage and sabotage campaign right under the noses of their warders.
Stars: Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner, Robert Clary
Votes: 12,330
37. I Love Lucy (1951–1957)
TV-Y | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The wife of a band leader constantly tries to become a star - in spite of her having no talent, and gets herself (along with her best friend) into the funniest predicaments.
Stars: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, William Frawley
Votes: 28,913
38. It Takes a Thief (1968–1970)
TV-PG | 51 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The adventures of suave cat burglar Alexander Mundy, who plies his trade for the U.S. Government.
Stars: Robert Wagner, Fred Astaire, Malachi Throne, Murray Pollack
Votes: 2,195
39. Judd for the Defense (1967–1969)
60 min | Drama
High-priced Houston lawyer Clinton Judd and his assistant Ben Caldwell take cases throughout the U.S. The program dealt with then-taboo subjects.
Stars: Carl Betz, Stephen Young, Walter Brooke, John Dehner
Votes: 262
40. Julia (1968–1971)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy
Julia Baker is a young African-American woman working as a nurse. She is also a widow (her husband died in Vietnam) trying to raise a young son alone.
Stars: Diahann Carroll, Lloyd Nolan, Marc Copage, Michael Link
Votes: 687
41. Little House on the Prairie (1974–1983)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family, Romance
The life and adventures of the Ingalls family in the nineteenth century American Midwest.
Stars: Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Rachel Lindsay Greenbush
Votes: 26,879
42. Lost in Space (1965–1968)
TV-G | 60 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
A space colony family struggles to survive when a spy/accidental stowaway throws their ship hopelessly off course.
Stars: Guy Williams, June Lockhart, Mark Goddard, Marta Kristen
Votes: 8,862
43. Love, American Style (1969–1974)
60 min | Comedy, Romance
An anthology comedy series featuring a line up of different celebrity guest stars appearing in anywhere from one, two, three, and four short stories or vignettes within an hour about versions of love and romance.
Stars: Stuart Margolin, Barbara Minkus, William Callaway, Mary Grover
Votes: 2,502
44. Lucas Tanner (1974–1975)
60 min | Drama, Sport
Lucas Tanner changes careers after a grievous personal tragedy, taking up teaching in suburban St. Louis. He approaches it in an idealistic fashion, rebeling against the rules that keep him from connecting to the students.
Stars: David Hartman, Robbie Rist, Trish Soodik, Rosemary Murphy
Votes: 153
45. Mama's Family (1983–1990)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Mama's Family originated with Thelma "Mama" Harper, and her younger sister Fran living together in Mama's house.
Stars: Vicki Lawrence, Beverly Archer, Ken Berry, Dorothy Lyman
Votes: 6,724
46. Mannix (1967–1975)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Private detective Joe Mannix uses force to solve crimes.
Stars: Mike Connors, Gail Fisher, Ward Wood, Ron Nyman
Votes: 4,284
47. Mayberry R.F.D. (1968–1971)
30 min | Comedy, Family
The further misadventures of the citizens of Mayberry.
Stars: Ken Berry, George Lindsey, Jack Dodson, Paul Hartman
Votes: 837
48. The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Widower Sheriff Andy Taylor, and his son Opie, live with Andy's Aunt Bee in Mayberry, North Carolina. With virtually no crimes to solve, most of Andy's time is spent philosophizing and calming down his cousin Deputy Barney Fife.
Stars: Andy Griffith, Ron Howard, Don Knotts, Frances Bavier
Votes: 16,980
49. McHale's Navy (1962–1966)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, War
The misadventures of a misfit PT boat crew during World War II.
Stars: Ernest Borgnine, Joe Flynn, Tim Conway, Carl Ballantine
Votes: 3,274
50. Mission: Impossible (1966–1973)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
An elite covert operations unit carries out highly sensitive missions subject to official denial in the event of failure, death or capture.
Stars: Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, Greg Morris, Peter Lupus
Votes: 11,491
51. The Munsters (1964–1966)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
A family of friendly monsters have misadventures, never quite understanding why people react to them so strangely.
Stars: Fred Gwynne, Al Lewis, Yvonne De Carlo, Butch Patrick
Votes: 16,890
52. My Three Sons (1960–1972)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Widower Steve Douglas raises three sons with the help of his father-in-law, and is later aided by the boys' great-uncle. An adopted son, a stepdaughter, wives, and another generation of sons join the loving family in later seasons.
Stars: Fred MacMurray, Stanley Livingston, Don Grady, Barry Livingston
Votes: 4,487
53. My World and Welcome to It (1969–1970)
30 min | Comedy
John Monroe observes and comments on life, to the bemusement of his sensible wife Ellen and intelligent, questioning daughter Lydia.
Stars: William Windom, Joan Hotchkis, Lisa Gerritsen, Harold J. Stone
Votes: 477
54. Petticoat Junction (1963–1970)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of the family staff of The Shady Rest Hotel and their neighbors of Hooterville.
Stars: Edgar Buchanan, Linda Henning, Bea Benaderet, Frank Cady
Votes: 3,649
55. Rhoda (1974–1978)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
In this spin-off of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," Rhoda Morgenstern leaves best pal Mary Richards and her other friends in Minneapolis, Minn., to try her luck in Manhattan.
Stars: Valerie Harper, Julie Kavner, Lorenzo Music, David Groh
Votes: 2,917
56. Room 222 (1969–1974)
30 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
Teacher Pete Dixon tries to teach the students at Walt Whitman High to be tolerant. He's assisted by girlfriend and school counselor, Liz and student teacher (later teacher) Alice. The students love him.
Stars: Lloyd Haynes, Denise Nicholas, Michael Constantine, Karen Valentine
Votes: 1,220
57. St. Elsewhere (1982–1988)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Drama
The lives and work of the staff of St. Eligius Hospital, an old and disrespected Boston teaching hospital.
Stars: Ed Begley Jr., Howie Mandel, David Morse, Christina Pickles
Votes: 5,209
58. The Carol Burnett Show (1967–1978)
TV-G | 60 min | Comedy, Family
Television show featuring skits by Carol Burnett and her comedy troupe.
Stars: Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, The Ernie Flatt Dancers, Harvey Korman
Votes: 7,300
59. The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The misadventures of a TV writer both at work and at home.
Stars: Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam
Votes: 11,883
60. The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The lives and trials of a young single woman and her friends, both at work and at home.
Stars: Mary Tyler Moore, Edward Asner, Gavin MacLeod, Valerie Harper
Votes: 10,172
61. The Fugitive (1963–1967)
TV-PG | 51 min | Adventure, Crime, Drama
A doctor, wrongly convicted for a murder he didn't commit, escapes custody and must stay ahead of the police to find the real killer.
Stars: David Janssen, William Conrad, Barry Morse, Paul Birch
Votes: 4,689
62. The Ghost & Mrs. Muir (1968–1970)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Fantasy
Derived from the 1947 movie with the same name, a house is haunted by a deceased sea captain who wreaks havoc with the new tenants who were not advised of his existence.
Stars: Hope Lange, Edward Mulhare, Reta Shaw, Harlen Carraher
Votes: 1,606
63. The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
A nouveau riche, African-American family who move into a luxury apartment building develop close, if occasionally fractious, relationships with other tenants.
Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 10,610
64. The Lucy Show (1962–1968)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The wacky misadventures of a forever-scheming woman, her reluctant best friend, and her cantankerous boss.
Stars: Lucille Ball, Gale Gordon, Vivian Vance, Jimmy Garrett
Votes: 3,148
65. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964–1968)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The two top Agents of the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement (U.N.C.L.E.) fight the enemies of peace, particularly the forces of T.H.R.U.S.H.
Stars: Robert Vaughn, David McCallum, Leo G. Carroll, John Herman Shaner
Votes: 6,262
66. Mod Squad (1968–1973)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A trio of reformed juvenile delinquents work as undercover cops.
Stars: Michael Cole, Clarence Williams III, Peggy Lipton, Tige Andrews
Votes: 2,353
67. The Red Skelton Hour (1951–1971)
TV-G | 60 min | Comedy
A comedy-themed variety show, hosted by the popular comedian Red Skelton. It run with no interruption from 1951 to 1971. From 1956 to 1962, the show's head writer was Sherwood Schwartz, who... See full summary »
Stars: Red Skelton, David Rose and His Orchestra, Art Gilmore, Tom Hansen Dancers
Votes: 1,391
68. The Rifleman (1958–1963)
TV-PG | 30 min | Family, Western
The adventures of a Wild West rancher, wielding a customized rapid-fire Winchester rifle, and his son.
Stars: Chuck Connors, Johnny Crawford, Paul Fix, Joe Benson
Votes: 5,009
69. The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967–1993)
60 min | Comedy
The Smothers Brothers host a comedy variety show that became notorious for its topical satirical humor.
Stars: Tom Smothers, Dick Smothers, Pat Paulsen, Peter Cullen
Votes: 1,639
70. The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (1971–1974)
TV-G | 60 min | Comedy, Music
A variety show with comedy skits and musical numbers, performed by a regular cast and special guests.
Stars: Sonny Bono, Cher, Ted Zeigler, Freeman King
Votes: 812
71. The Time Tunnel (1966–1967)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Two scientists with a secret time travel project find themselves trapped in the time stream and appearing in notable periods of history.
Stars: James Darren, Robert Colbert, Whit Bissell, John Zaremba
Votes: 4,232
72. The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)
TV-PG | 51 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Ordinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.
Stars: Rod Serling, Robert McCord, Jay Overholts, James Turley
Votes: 93,135
73. The Virginian (1962–1971)
TV-PG | 75 min | Western
Personable Western series based in Wyoming from the 1890s onward.
Stars: Doug McClure, James Drury, Lee J. Cobb, Sara Lane
Votes: 3,160
74. The Waltons (1972–1981)
TV-G | 60 min | Drama, Family, Romance
The life and trials of a 1930s and 1940s Virginia mountain family through financial depression and World War II.
Stars: Jon Walmsley, Mary Beth McDonough, Eric Scott, Kami Cotler
Votes: 9,054
75. The White Shadow (1978–1981)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Sport
A white former NBA professional retires from the pro game and gets a job as a basketball coach in a predominantly Black inner-city high school.
Stars: Ken Howard, Kevin Hooks, Byron Stewart, Timothy Van Patten
Votes: 1,506
76. Wagon Train (1957–1965)
TV-PG | 75 min | Western
Stories of the journeys of a wagon train as it leaves post-Civil War Missouri on its way to California through the plains, deserts, and Rocky Mountains.
Stars: Frank McGrath, Terry Wilson, Robert Horton, John McIntire
Votes: 3,751
77. The Wild Wild West (1965–1969)
TV-PG | 50 min | Action, Adventure, Western
Two Secret Service agents, equipped with a wide array of gizmos, work for the government in the Old West.
Stars: Robert Conrad, Ross Martin, Dick Cangey, Whitey Hughes
Votes: 6,495
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