Welcome to TV Time Travel!
Let’s take it back to the 1960s, when TV was all about catchy theme songs, quirky characters, and shows the whole family gathered around to watch. Using real reviews, TV databases and rankings, we found 25 of the most popular and beloved TV shows from that decade.
Take a trip down memory lane with us. Which was your favorite? Which ones did we miss?
The Andy Griffith Show
8 seasons
The Andy Griffith Show is well-known across many generations. This sweet, small-town comedy took us to Mayberry, where Sheriff Andy kept things chill with the help of bumbling deputy Barney Fife.
Starring Andy Griffith and Don Knotts, it charmed audiences with its humor and heartwarming stories. Some say, it felt like "a cozy escape from real life."
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
Bewitched
8 seasons
Bewitched was a timeless classic that even our children and grandchildren watched well into the 90s. Samantha was the witch we all wished we knew! She tried to live a normal suburban life while secretly using magic.
Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York made this show sparkly, funny, and full of unexpected magical mishaps. It was loved for "mixing suburban life with a dash of fantasy."
ABC Television, Wikimedia Commons
Bonanza
14 seasons
Younger audiences likely wouldn't be too familiar with it today, but Bonanza is said to be one of the most important and influential series of all time. This Western family drama followed the Cartwrights on their Ponderosa Ranch.
Starring Lorne Greene and Michael Landon, it offered plenty of cowboy action and strong family values. People loved it for its "heartfelt stories" and moral lessons mixed with action-packed Wild West adventure.
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons
The Beverly Hillbillies
9 seasons
The Beverly Hillbillies was a massive hit that consistently ranked among the top 20 most-watched shows for eight of its nine seasons. It's a hilarious story about a poor family who strikes oil and moves to Beverly Hills.
Buddy Ebsen and Donna Douglas led the way as the clueless but lovable Clampetts. Fans loved watching them "navigate the fancy world".
Gilligan’s Island
3 seasons
If you don't know Gilligan's Island did you even watch TV? A group of castaways always seemed one step away from escaping the island—if not for Gilligan’s goof-ups!
Bob Denver played the lovable Gilligan. Fans enjoyed the silly plots, fun characters, and endless creative (and failed) rescue plans.
CBS, Gilligan's Island (1964-1967)
My Favorite Martian
3 seasons
Before Bewitched came My Favorite Martian—one of the first "fantasy" sitcoms featuring characters with extraordinary abilities. When a reporter finds out his roommate is a Martian, you know things are going to get weird!
Starring Ray Walston and Bill Bixby, the show was loved for its wacky alien gadgets and hilarious misunderstandings. Some even say it "gave 'out of this world' a whole new meaning".
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
5 seasons
Another popular TV of this era that consistently ranked among the top 10 was Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Gomer, the sweet country guy from Mayberry, heads into the Marines and brings chaos wherever he goes.
Jim Nabors starred as the lovable but clueless Gomer. Fans adored the "innocent charm" and endless mix-ups in a military setting.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
The Lucy Show
6 seasons
Lucy’s back causing trouble again! After I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball kept the laughs going as a widow getting into all kinds of mischief.
With Gale Gordon as her foil, the show delivered classic slapstick and zany schemes that fans just couldn’t get enough of.
Wikimedia Commons - 1964 CBS Television
Peyton Place
5 seasons
Peyton Place was a juicy soap opera that had everyone glued to their TVs for small-town secrets and scandals. It actually started as a novel first and then a television series. It became a "cultural phenomenon", known for its daring exploration of taboo subjects.
Starring Mia Farrow and Dorothy Malone, it hooked audiences with shocking twists and cliffhangers. It was basically the original guilty pleasure.
The Addams Family
2 seasons
Meet the spookiest, quirkiest family on TV! The Addams Family made its debut in 1964 and was so popular that there have been numerous adaptations made since.
John Astin and Carolyn Jones made Gomez and Morticia unforgettable. Fans loved their gothic charm, dark jokes, and surprisingly sweet family bonds. Reviews call it a "perfect mix of spooky and hilarious".
The Addams Family,MGM Television
Green Acres
6 seasons
When you think of Green Acres do you sing the theme song in your head like we do? City life meets farm chaos when a couple moves to the country and hilarity ensues.
Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor starred as the totally unprepared duo. Fans loved the "silly rural antics" and, as mentioned, the show’s fun theme song that will remain in our heads forever.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
Hogan’s Heroes
6 seasons
Hogan's Heroes was so popular it was nominated for several Emmy Awards, including three nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series. A WWII POW camp might not sound funny, but this show pulled it off!
Bob Crane played the clever Colonel Hogan, always scheming against clueless guards. Fans enjoyed the risky plots and "hilarious pranks" mixed with a touch of wartime adventure.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
The Munsters
2 seasons
The Munsters started out strong but took a dip in views during its second season. Even still, it remains a fan favorite. The show was about a family of classic monsters just trying to fit in with their suburban neighbors.
Fred Gwynne and Yvonne De Carlo brought humor and heart to their spooky roles. People loved the funny monster gags and "sweet family vibes" beneath all the fangs and bolts.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
I Dream of Jeannie
5 seasons
I Dream of Jeannie is another classic favorite that trickled down through the generations. An astronaut's life gets a lot more interesting when he finds a genie in a bottle.
Barbara Eden played the adorable Jeannie, and Larry Hagman was her flustered master. Fans loved the magical mix-ups and the flirty, fun chemistry between the two leads.
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons
Get Smart
5 seasons
Meet the world’s least competent secret agent! Don Adams starred as Maxwell Smart, a spy who fumbled his way through missions. Fans loved the silly gadgets, goofy villains, and hilarious one-liners that made it a total classic in spy comedy.
Talent Associates, Get Smart (1965–1970)
Daniel Boone
6 seasons
Follow the legendary frontiersman exploring the American wilderness. Daniel Boone's ratings climbed quickly and then simmered down throughout the seasons. However, it gained enough of a following to make it on this list.
Fess Parker brought Boone to life with courage and charm. Viewers loved the adventurous spirit, epic landscapes, and the all-American hero vibes that kept them coming back for more.
RKO Pictures, Wikimedia Commons
Lost in Space
3 seasons
Not to be confused with the Netflix series from 2018 of the same name, Lost in Space started strong but ended up cancelling due to a decline in viewers and high costs. Even still, it ranked as a top five favorite new show in its first season.
A family heads into space but ends up, yep, lost. Guy Williams and June Lockhart led this wild, campy sci-fi adventure. Fans were hooked on the goofy aliens, robot sidekick, and endless outer space mishaps that kept things exciting.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
Rawhide
8 seasons
Cowboys herding cattle across the Wild West? Yes, please. Clint Eastwood, before he was a big movie star, helped lead the charge in Rawhide. It was another show that consistently ranked among the top-rated shows of its time. Fans loved the dusty trails, tough decisions, and true grit in every episode.
The Red Skelton Hour
20 seasons
The Red Skelton Hour was a hilarious variety show full of goofy characters, silly sketches, and classic pantomimes that ran for an impressive 20 seasons. It charmed viewers with his timeless humor and playful energy. Fans tuned in for big laughs and feel-good fun every week.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
The Fugitive
4 seasons
The Fugitive was so loved, fans apparently cried when it ended. In fact, the series finale was one of the most-watched episodes in television history.
A doctor wrongly accused of killing someone is on the run, searching for the one-armed man who framed him. David Janssen played Dr. Kimble with serious intensity. Fans were obsessed with the edge-of-your-seat suspense and his quest for justice.
McHale’s Navy
4 seasons
A mischievous Navy crew always finds trouble under the laid-back leadership of Commander McHale. Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway starred, bringing big laughs and wild adventures. Fans loved the goofy sea shenanigans and loveable misfit crew.
ABC Television, Wikimedia Commons
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
4 seasons
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea was a a spin-off of the 1961 film that successfully garnered a huge following. A high-tech submarine dives deep into the ocean, facing sea monsters and wild disasters.
Richard Basehart and David Hedison led the underwater adventures. Viewers loved the thrilling sci-fi plots and "epic undersea battles".
ABC Television, Wikimedia Commons
Flipper
3 seasons
Flipper was an extremely popular show among children in the sixties and seventies. It stayed popular throughout all three seasons and extended into remakes later on.
A dolphin saves the day over and over in this sunny, ocean-side series. Brian Kelly played the dad, but Flipper was the real star. Families adored the heartwarming adventures, "cute dolphin tricks", and beach vibes that made you want to move to Florida.
The Lawrence Welk Show
27 seasons
The Lawrence Welk Show was a wholesome music variety show packed with bubbly tunes, polkas, and twirly dresses. It appealed to the older audiences, and had a successful 27 seasons.
Lawrence Welk was the friendly face leading it all. Families loved the cheerful music, dancing, and feel-good performances that made Saturday nights sparkle.
ABC Television, Wikimedia Commons
The Ed Sullivan Show
23 seasons
The Ed Sullivan Show was the show where America discovered the hottest acts first, from The Beatles to Elvis. Hosted by the ever-straight-faced Ed Sullivan, it was all about big surprises and iconic performances. Running for a whopping 23 seasons, everyone tuned in to see what magic (or mayhem) would happen next.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
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40 TV Shows That Raised The Millennial Generation
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