The 1960’s was the decade of television comedies. From cartoons to sitcoms to sci-fi fantasies, we’re listing the top five most iconic shows of the 60’s and where you can watch them today.
The Flinstones (1960) Whether you’re seventy or five-years old, you know who the Flinstones are. First appearing at the start of the decade, The Flinstones focused on a modern, stone-age family. Inspired by the 1954 television show, The Honeymooners, The Flinstones was the first ever animated prime-time series. It was also one of the first shows that proved that both children and adults could enjoy the same cartoons. The Flinstones is available to watch online on Amazon.
The Andy Griffith Show (1960) Following the life of widowed town sheriff, Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), The Andy Griffith Show was a hit from beginning to end. It received high ratings throughout its eight seasons, with the finale season rating at number one in 1967. With lovable characters such as clumsy deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts), precocious Opie (Ron Howard), and Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier), The show’s portrait of a simpler time still draws in viewers today. The Andy Griffith Show currently airs on TV on TVLAND, and is available to watch online on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961) (Hulu) During the show’s five-year run, it won fifteen Primetime Emmy Awards out of twenty-five nominations. Loved by critics and viewers alike, The Dick Van Dyke Show followed television comedy writer, Rob Petrie (Dick Van Dyke) as he balanced his career with his personal and home life. This show repeatedly turns up on greatest TV show lists, including coming in at number twenty on the TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time list in 2013. All seasons are available to watch online on Hulu.
Gilligan’s Island (1964) Even people who have never seen the show know that name “Gilligan”. The show, set on a desert island, brought together seven shipwrecked survivors who were forced to live and work together, despite their differences. First inspired by the iconic question, “If you were stranded on a desert island”, Gilligan’s Island was well-liked when it first aired. But it wasn’t until it started to air in syndication, which is when shows air on different networks, that it found its place in TV history. The show is available to watch online on Amazon.
Star Trek: The Original Series (1966) Today’s sci-fi genre would be nothing without Star Trek: The Original Series. Originally only called Star Trek, the series was set during the 23rd Century, following Captain Kirk (William Shatner), his Officer, Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and the rest of their crew as they traveled around the universe searching for uncharted worlds. This series started the Star Trek franchise, which has turned out five more television series and twelve feature films. After the startling success of the franchise, the first Star Trek’s name was changed to Star Trek: The Original Series to create less confusion. You can watch the original series online on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
