Getting into older TV shows

[LeftHandedGuitarist]

I've had an urge to investigate older television shows, and would like some advice.

I was born in the early '80s and grew up with 1990s TV shows (Star Trek, The X-Files, ER, Friends, etc.). I have a certain nostalgia for them, but have come completely accustomed to the more modern "prestige" TV we get now.

The era of television before the late '80s is kind of unknown to me. I have seen the original 1960s Star Trek but found I did struggle with how dated it is. So I think the 1970s and 1980s (and '90s show I missed) may be a sweet spot to investigate.

Some of the things that might interest me:

Miami Vice
Hill Street Blues
NYPD Blue
Battlestar Galactica (original)
Cheers
Tales from the Darkside

(Side note: yes, these are all American TV shows, and I'm British. I've never totally clicked with UK television though, outside of some comedies at least.)

I was wondering if anyone has thoughts on how these shows hold up these days? And what's the best approach to finding them - are old DVDs the only choice for most?

[Walter Kafka]

Originally Posted by LeftHandedGuitarist

I've had an urge to investigate older television shows, and would like some advice.

I was born in the early '80s and grew up with 1990s TV shows (Star Trek, The X-Files, ER, Friends, etc.). I have a certain nostalgia for them, but have come completely accustomed to the more modern "prestige" TV we get now.

The era of television before the late '80s is kind of unknown to me. I have seen the original 1960s Star Trek but found I did struggle with how dated it is. So I think the 1970s and 1980s (and '90s show I missed) may be a sweet spot to investigate.

Some of the things that might interest me:

Miami Vice
Hill Street Blues
NYPD Blue
Battlestar Galactica (original)
Cheers
Tales from the Darkside

(Side note: yes, these are all American TV shows, and I'm British. I've never totally clicked with UK television though, outside of some comedies at least.)

I was wondering if anyone has thoughts on how these shows hold up these days? And what's the best approach to finding them - are old DVDs the only choice for most?

I love Miami Vice. It's "MTV Cops," if you remember MTV music videos from the 1980s. Unlike some other shows, it's made it to home video with the music intact. And there's tons and tons of music. Great on-location production values. Initially, it was a great mix of comedy and drama. For me, the show lost something when it got more serious in the 3rd season. It's available on cheap Mill Creek or more expensive German blu-ray.

THE iconic scene from the pilot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aMCzRj3Syg

Another favorite from an early episode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_dbZyuG0RU

[Moviefan2k4]

If you want a really good '80s sitcom, I'd go with Family Ties. Its about the contrast between two Liberal counter-culture parents, raising conservative kids in the Reagan era. The cast was great all-around, and served as the launching pad for Michael J. Fox, in his early career.

[Cruel Angel]

Miami Vice, Tales from the Darkside, and Cheers are definite hold ups for me.

Miami Vice just exemplifies 80s culture at the time
Darkside is a great anthology series. Not everyone is a winner, but that's just the nature of the anthology format.
Cheers was the major comedy at that time, although I preferred Night Court myself.

The one on your list that I would question is the original BSG, just going off of how it was rough for you with the original Star Trek. If you are used to modern production values (especially if you watched the reimagined BSG series) that one might be a struggle for you as well.

[Doc Samson]

Miami Vice is one of my favourite shows, so I would also suggest that!

Magnum P.I. is awesome as well.

[merlinjones]

Columbo
Twin Peaks
Hawaii Five-0
Vega$
The Twilight Zone

[filmbuffTX]

Originally Posted by Walter Kafka

I love Miami Vice. It's "MTV Cops," if you remember MTV music videos from the 1980s. Unlike some other shows, it's made it to home video with the music intact. And there's tons and tons of music. Great on-location production values. Initially, it was a great mix of comedy and drama. For me, the show lost something when it got more serious in the 3rd season. It's available on cheap Mill Creek or more expensive German blu-ray.

THE iconic scene from the pilot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aMCzRj3Syg

Another favorite from an early episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_dbZyuG0RU

First time seeing those Miami Vice clips, wow! That makes me want to watch the show. It was before time, but I remember the syndicated reruns in the 90s as a kid. The show didn’t interest me then.

[Zombo]

Battlestar Galactica is certainly a good one to go with.

I grew up watching :

Happy Days
M.A.S.H
Different Strokes
WKRP in Cincinnati
Three's Company
Sanford and Son
All in the Family
Dukes of Hazzard
Mork & Mindy
Silver Spoons
C.H.I.P.s
Misfits of Science
Buck Rogers
Mr. Merlin
What's Happening?
Good Times
Too Close for Comfort
Three's Company
Barney Miller
Taxi
Welcome Back Kotter
Cheers
Bosom Buddies

I'll throw in The Tick ( with Patrick Warburton ) from the 90s. I watch these constantly.

[CouncilSpectre]

Hill Street Blues is the greatest cop show of all time. It’s one of the greatest shows of all time period. Great characters, great storylines and one of the most iconic theme tunes you’ll ever get.

I rewatched it 3/4 years ago, still thought it held up really well.

[HotRats]

Crime Story. 60's setting with 80's Michael Mann style

Sledge Hammer. Violent cop with extreme gun fetish. Comedy

[LeftHandedGuitarist]

Originally Posted by merlinjones

Twin Peaks

Seen this, loved it. Well... most of it.

Originally Posted by Cruel Angel

The one on your list that I would question is the original BSG, just going off of how it was rough for you with the original Star Trek. If you are used to modern production values (especially if you watched the reimagined BSG series) that one might be a struggle for you as well.

Yeah, the more I look into original BSG the more I think maybe it won't really be my thing.

[Rixx]

Originally Posted by LeftHandedGuitarist

I've had an urge to investigate older television shows, and would like some advice.

I was born in the early '80s and grew up with 1990s TV shows (Star Trek, The X-Files, ER, Friends, etc.). I have a certain nostalgia for them, but have come completely accustomed to the more modern "prestige" TV we get now.

The era of television before the late '80s is kind of unknown to me. I have seen the original 1960s Star Trek but found I did struggle with how dated it is. So I think the 1970s and 1980s (and '90s show I missed) may be a sweet spot to investigate.

Some of the things that might interest me:

Miami Vice
Hill Street Blues
NYPD Blue
Battlestar Galactica (original)
Cheers
Tales from the Darkside

(Side note: yes, these are all American TV shows, and I'm British. I've never totally clicked with UK television though, outside of some comedies at least.)

I was wondering if anyone has thoughts on how these shows hold up these days? And what's the best approach to finding them - are old DVDs the only choice for most?

I've recently finished watching NYPD Blue as I didn't see all of the episodes as they origianlly aired and completely missed the first season. It's on Disney+ plus in HD otherwise it's a case of finding the old DVDs. I still enjoyed watching it.

Cheers is an excellent comedy, it's just been released in the US on Bluray but £100 for a blind buy is a bit to much. It's also an Paramount+, if you don't have that they do have a 1 week free trial so watch a few episodes and see if you enjoy.

[John1701D]

70s and 80s favorites

Quantum Leap
The A-Team
Knight Rider
Three's Company
The Incredible Hulk

[Cplhicks]

I'd second Cheers, I watched it years ago and again recently. Still holds up generally. First season is a little slower but picks up after.

Battlestar Galactica has its ups and downs but is overall worth it. A few bad eps but overall pretty good.

Buck Rogers is another good one if you like sci fi.


I see some other good suggestions from the other posters as well.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by HotRats

Sledge Hammer. Violent cop with extreme gun fetish. Comedy

I second this. A couple of years ago I rewatched my DVDs (never saw it when it was airing) and it's still really entertaining. The Sledge/Dori character pairing was genius.

OTOH, I recently bought the Miami Vice BD set and have a hard time trying to get through it, even though I was a fan back in the day.

As far as British shows from the 70s are concerned, give The Professionals a try. Still a great show IMO with lots of action.

Generally I think most shows from that era don't hold up well compared to today's "prestige TV", neither in terms of writing nor production. I still like Star Trek or Columbo, but that has a lot to do with nostalgia from growing up with reruns etc.

[Jay H.]

Re-watching Cheers right now - the Kirstey Alley years. There are a few things here and there that don't hold up (the finale of Season 7 is appalling) but most of the jokes and situations aren't dated. That's why the show still works for me; a good portion of it is timeless.

[LT.Schaffer]

Cheers
The Rockford Files
Magnum P.I
Columbo
Murder She Wrote
The A-Team
Knight Rider
Airwolf
Poirot
Sherlock Holmes[Jeremy Brett]
Macgyver
Black Sheep Squadron
The Incredible Hulk

[Batmon77]

70's Norman Lear sit-coms.....You cant go wrong.

70's Cop show - S.W.A.T., Starsky & Hutch


So bad its Good......

Spider-Man - an adult Peter Parker working as a photo-journalist at the Daily Bugle
SHAZAM/Isis Hour - Kid friendly message heavy teach the children programming
Lucan - Werewolf boy rehabbed by scientists
The Man from Atlantis - self-explanatory
ARK II - Post-Apocalyptic Futuristic RV that roams the remaining civilization
Logan's Run - TV series based on the books and film
The Waltons - Heartfelt hillbilly family drama
James At 15/16 - Teenage HS growing pains, new kid in a new setting, issue heavy

Drama 70's
The White Shadow - former NBA player coaches in the hood and deal w/ REAL issues.


Forgotten 80's -
The Renegades - street gang that works w/ the police...
Nighthawk - Nightrider w/ a motorcycle
Square Pegs - Connecticut HS dramedy during the New Wave era
Frank's Place - Serious Sit-Com

60's
The R.A.T. Patrol - Desert Military drama

[edmonddantes]

for a more complex, nuanced show, watch Wiseguy, it feels really modern in its complexity, though visually obviously outdated

Secret army, though British and from the late 70s, its a really good show, less formulaic than most of its era, about the belgian resistance during WWII

Same goes for survivors, but again its British and from the 70s

and finally masada and kojak

[Tommy K]

Nash Bridges from the 90s is a favorite of mine. There was a tv movie that aired in 2021 on USA network, with the hopes of a full season later on. The tv movie flopped, it was mainly too much comedy and not enough drama in the storyline. It would’ve been nice to see a comeback but sometimes you don’t always catch lightning in a bottle twice.