Was TV better &quot;back in the day&quot;?

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Jan 19

@DesirousDreamer The women in the women's prison I worked in watched it. I honestly belive they thought the Kardashians were "classy." Do "middle class" people watch that show?

3 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Jan 19

Would stuff like Keeping Up with the Kardashians have been possible in, say, 1965?

2 people like this

Felicia Kane

@DesirousDreamer (34783)

• Peoria, Arizona

6 Jan 19

@TheHorse probably, it is like a soap opera just reality. People love drama and scandles no matter what time period it is. It probably would have be toned down a ton, but still people love drama.

3 people like this

Alfredo Rossi

@amadeo (111948)

• United States

6 Jan 19

I enjoy TV back in the day.The writing was excellent.I do not have any favorite on today.But NCIS comes to mind.Not much.

6 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Jan 19

What is NCIS?

2 people like this

@andriaperry (116860)

• Anniston, Alabama

7 Jan 19

@TheHorse HAHAHAH! its just another awesome show

1 person likes this

@andriaperry (116860)

• Anniston, Alabama

7 Jan 19

I love NCIS and criminal minds.

3 people like this

much2say

@much2say (53907)

• Los Angeles, California

7 Jan 19

TV from my childhood: The black and whites like The Little Rascals, Three Stooges, The Munsters, Addams Family, I Love Lucy. Music variety like The Donny and Marie Show, Carol Burnette Show, The Mickey Mouskateers. Sitcoms like Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, Jeffersons, Three's Company, Good Times. Others: Little House on the Prairie series, Bewitched, Partridge Family, Charlie's Angels, Brady Bunch, Love Boat, Six Million Dollar Man, CHiPs, Miami Vice . . . oh my gosh I just realized I watched too much tv as a kid

. But funny I don't really watch all that much tv these days . . . cartoons move too fast and don't seem to have a lesson to teach . . . sitcoms aren't funny . . . there's no more variety type shows . . . new SNL isn't hilarious as the stuff they used to come up with. I am trying to pinpoint why exactly I don't like current shows - can't put it in words.

4 people like this

much2say

@much2say (53907)

• Los Angeles, California

7 Jan 19

@andriaperry

And I'm sure we could name more!

2 people like this

much2say

@much2say (53907)

• Los Angeles, California

7 Jan 19

@TheHorse I was thinking this morning. Maybe it's all about what we relate to. "Our" generation can relate to the themes and dialogues of "our" tv generation. The stuff on TV these days are "contemporary" . . . not that we can't relate to it at all . . . it's just that we can't get into it - not "our" kinda groove.

1 person likes this

@andriaperry (116860)

• Anniston, Alabama

7 Jan 19

Damn! you names everything I watched as a kid!

3 people like this

Marlina

@marlina (154166)

• Canada

7 Jan 19

I remember liking the "3 Is Company" show a lot.

5 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

Oh, I'd forgotten about that show.

2 people like this

John Roberts

@JohnRoberts (109857)

• Los Angeles, California

6 Jan 19

Superior back then and not just the sitcoms. There is more depth and characterization in a Gunsmoke episode than what is called drama these day.

6 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Jan 19

I forget whether it was an actor stroke or a writer strike that put things in something of a tailspin for awhile.

3 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

@andriaperry Heh. Them were the days.

3 people like this

@andriaperry (116860)

• Anniston, Alabama

7 Jan 19

I still watch Gunsmoke.

4 people like this

CarolDM

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Jan 19

Definitely it was better back in the good ole days. Beverly Hillbillies, Dark Shadows, Saturday morning cartoons... Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry.

4 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Jan 19

Heh. Don't forget Gilligan's Island!

2 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Jan 19

@CarolDM I loved Mr. Peabody and his boy Sherman.

1 person likes this

CarolDM

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Jan 19

@TheHorse Yes I did forget that one. Watched it every day.

1 person likes this

Go Crossbones

@crossbones27 (48395)

• Mojave, California

6 Jan 19

I think the acting is a lot better than it used to be but writing of shows is not very good lately. To many typical stories that just go in circles. To many remakes and superhero crap to make a quick million.

3 people like this

Go Crossbones

@crossbones27 (48395)

• Mojave, California

6 Jan 19

@TheHorse My shows I like right now is the expanse was on syfy but show cost to much for the ratings they were getting so Amazon took it over and counterpart on Starz I like. This season is starting off a little slow, but first season was really good. Shameless is really cool too on showtime. I think you would like that one. Other than that not to impressed with anything out there right now.

2 people like this

Go Crossbones

@crossbones27 (48395)

• Mojave, California

7 Jan 19

@TheHorse Amen I kneeled, Just to keep it fun and punk rock.

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Jan 19

Yes, I was never into superheroes.

2 people like this

Judy Story

@jstory07 (134252)

• Roseburg, Oregon

6 Jan 19

I like the shows now they have a lot of action in them. My favorite are all the NCIS and criminal minds.

3 people like this

Judy Story

@jstory07 (134252)

• Roseburg, Oregon

7 Jan 19

@TheHorse My family did not have a TV until 1970.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jan 19

@jstory07 Do you feel you missed anything? You may have missed Outer Limits and Lost in Space. Poor thing.

RasmaSandra

@RasmaSandra (73201)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

7 Jan 19

I enjoyed a great many of the old shows like the ones you mentioned and some more modern ones like The OC and Beverly Hills 90210 because I loved to follow the storylines. I do not watch TV. I watch favorite series online, my DVDs or videos. The one cartoon that always pepped me up was Scooby Doo and I have the series on video.

3 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

Heh. I thought Scooby Doo was too...silly...back in childhood days. But now it's kind of a "classic."

1 person likes this

pgn

@pgntwo (22412)

• Derry, Northern Ireland

7 Jan 19

People hanker for a golden age. I fear, to the detriment of the platinum one before them, sometimes.

3 people like this

pgn

@pgntwo (22412)

• Derry, Northern Ireland

7 Jan 19

@TheHorse Not a great fan of Woody's films, I must admit. But probably safe to say someone observed likewise before I did... ;)

2 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jan 19

@pgntwo I love that dude, even if his dating habits are to be questioned. I forget if the semi-recent movie I'm thinking of took place in France or Italy.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

Woody Allen makes that point in one of his (fairly) recent movies.

2 people like this

Loretta

@noni1959 (9876)

• United States

7 Jan 19

I loved all those shows you mentioned. Carol Burnett was a favorite of mine. I still watch her skits on Youtube. I liked Breaking Bad, House, Dexter, Desperate Housewives, and there were a few good others.

3 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

Oh, I've seen a few episodes of Dexter. They were fun.

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

@JohnRoberts Yeppers.

John Roberts

@JohnRoberts (109857)

• Los Angeles, California

7 Jan 19

Good you mentioned Dexter.

2 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (325321)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jan 19

Maybe it was as we rarely watch anything nowadays. I can't stand the reality shows. I can't think of anything less real.

3 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

Nor can I. And the acting is generally terrible.

2 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (325321)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 19

@TheHorse And from what I've read in gossip magazines in waiting rooms, the powers-that-be encourage back-biting and spitefulness within the participants.

2 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (325321)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jan 19

@TheHorse From what I read I took it that they are told/ordered to be nasty towards/about the other contestants.

2 people like this

April

@thislittlepennyearns (58103)

• Defuniak Springs, Florida

6 Jan 19

I don't think the writing was any better or worse then. I think it does seem better becausr they were pioneers in their field. Lucille Ball is a great example.

3 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Jan 19

True. I find reality TV to be garbage. But Breaking Bad is brilliant. Dark comedy at its best. And I've heard that there are other good recent shows out there, like Orange is the New Black. But I haven't watched them.

April

@thislittlepennyearns (58103)

• Defuniak Springs, Florida

6 Jan 19

@TheHorse you would probably like orange is the new black. I read the book and liked it.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Jan 19

@thislittlepennyearns We may put it on our list.

Laurel (L_B)

@Happy2BeMe (99399)

• Canada

6 Jan 19

I am not a fan of reality shows and there are just so many of them on now. I enjoyed the older TV shows much better then the ones that are on today especially the sitcoms. Even the cartoons today are nothing like the ones we watched when we were kids.

3 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Jan 19

What were your favorites?

2 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Jan 19

@Happy2BeMe Ah, Sylvester and Tweedy!

2 people like this

Laurel (L_B)

@Happy2BeMe (99399)

• Canada

6 Jan 19

@TheHorse for cartoons when I was a kid it was the Road Runner, Spiderman and Slyvester and Tweedy. TV shows was the Waltons, All In The Family, Beverly Hillbillies and Gilligans Island. But there were also so many others.

2 people like this

~Jodi~

@jeanena (2198)

• Bucklin, Kansas

7 Jan 19

I pretty much liked all the shows that you mentioned , I am not real big on Reality TV . I lean more towards SciFi shows. I also really like the cop shows , CSI , NCIS and that type. I talk almost everyday with one of the producers of the Stargate and Dark Matter TV shows . There are some really great actors out there , but there will always be some that just aren't . I really like this topic. Thank you.

2 people like this

~Jodi~

@jeanena (2198)

• Bucklin, Kansas

7 Jan 19

@TheHorse I have found out so much more since I have been talking to these guys. There is a lot of hard work . Do you watch SciFi shows? I know these guys worked so long together than most of them feel like family .

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

@jeanena I read some SciFi, but I don't generally watch SciFi shows. Does StarTrek count?

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

Has your producer friend given you some insights into what happens behind the scenes?

1 person likes this

Four Walls

@FourWalls (61937)

• United States

7 Jan 19

Well.......... We tend to think that way, but the truth is that there were as many bad shows back then (My Mother the Car anyone???) as now. I think the main difference between then and now is that television viewing didn't dominate our lives then the way it does now. Another issue is the passage of time. We've had 60 years to love Lucy, 50 for Andy, Opie, and Barney, and 40 for the gang from the 4077th. With the passage of time has also come a change in "morality" (or whatever you want to call it), and to me, things were much funnier when it had to be implied instead of explained in such detail that a 3-year-old knows what they mean.

2 people like this

Four Walls

@FourWalls (61937)

• United States

8 Jan 19

@TheHorse -- oh, let me tell you what you missed: .

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jan 19

@FourWalls Am I correct in assuming you just did?

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

Good points. Um, I never saw My Mother the Car.

1 person likes this

Anna

@LadyDuck (457249)

• Switzerland

7 Jan 19

I know that I enjoyed the old shows more. Even the series that lasted many years become boring at the end. Too many characters, wedding, divorces, complicated family situations, let life be more funny!

2 people like this

Anna

@LadyDuck (457249)

• Switzerland

8 Jan 19

@TheHorse I get annoyed by "serials", I usually prefer movies.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

9 Jan 19

@LadyDuck Movies that do not tun into "franchises"?

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jan 19

I admit that I like many kinds of humor, including dark humor. I find Breaking Bad to be hilarious. But I also liked Monty Python, Bugs cartoons, All in the Family, etc.

1 person likes this

Eva James

@wolfgirl569 (94747)

• Marion, Ohio

6 Jan 19

I like some of the older shows too. The cartoons were way better back then,

2 people like this

Eva James

@wolfgirl569 (94747)

• Marion, Ohio

7 Jan 19

@TheHorse I have seen Sponge Bob while the grandson and his mom stayed with us last year. Some of them were cute.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Jan 19

I kind of like Sponge Bob. And Pikachu. But they're "odd" in a way.

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

@wolfgirl569 I think the characters in Sponge Bob are funny. But it's not for the 4- to 7-year-old set.

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (57714)

• Centralia, Washington

6 Jan 19

This is probably going to be funny to you but truth: hubby and I have been enjoying 50's suspense dramas on You Tube lately. Those half hour dramas had great writers. Alfred Hitchcock really could give a person the creeps.

3 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

6 Jan 19

Hitchcock is one of my favorites. Pre-blood-and-gore. People who seemed real. Suspense. When Raymond Burr looks up at...is it James Stewart?...in Rear Window, I felt TERROR!

1 person likes this

Wise Ghost

@WiseGhots (14607)

•

7 Jan 19

TV is not my thing nowadays.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

I lived for years without one. It's never been high on my list either.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (205209)

• Walnut Creek, California

7 Jan 19

@WiseGhots I watched some football yesterday. But today...there it sits, lonely and dusty, in the corner. Ms Horse and I used to watch the stock market channel in the mornings, but now I can't even remember what it's called.

1 person likes this

Wise Ghost

@WiseGhots (14607)

•

7 Jan 19

@TheHorse I used to watch a lot of TV, but today, I don't miss it.

2 people like this