Why are modern shows so different from decades ago?

[dirtnoise1]

I like how OP is asking why modern TV shows have complicated plots and don't have intros, and some people here simply cannot pass up on the opportunity a 'past vs present' topic presents to get on their soapboxes even when it has zero relevance to the question OP is asking.

Anyways, the reason shows now are different than they were back then is because the way people watch TV has changed dramatically. There's no reason for a show to have to be episodic when basically everyone can easily start from Episode 1. There's no reason for a show to have to try and broadly appeal to the whole family when each member of the family has their own screen they can instantly find their own niche on. Etc.

Personally, I vastly prefer modern TV to old TV. That's not to say there aren't any good old TV shows, it's just that on the whole 'old TV' feels really restrained, rigid, and artificial - because it was. Modern TV is exactly how you'd imagine long form visual media to be when it's more unrestrained.