Old TV series that stand up (pre-2000)

[Bennyonesix1]

What TV series stand the test of time? I need something to watch.

For my part I think Frasier, Monk, Rockford Files and Sanford and Son hood up.

What else?

The older the better.

[Alfred_E._Neuman]

Monk is one of my top 10 shows of all time. The series finally wrapped the whole thing up perfectly.
Star Trek: TNG is also near the top of my list. The first season was a bit of a wash, but the series got its legs after that and was solid all the way through. Voyager, DSN, and Enterprise were all good, as well.

[motherjuggs&speed]

The Rifleman. Wanted: Dead or Alive. Early (up to 1996 or so) Eastenders.

DSN and Enterprise were steaming turds.

[Bennyonesix1]

I'm talking re-watching or first time watching. Would those still hold up?

I liked Farscape and Babylon5 but only watched a few of each.

Sorry for AEN

[Bennyonesix1]

The Rifleman. Wanted: Dead or Alive. Early (up to 1996 or so) Eastenders.

DSN and Enterprise were steaming turds.

Cool. The Rifleman holds up? It's BandW right? Chuck Connors.

Eastenders? What? Hahahahahsh. Seriously?

[motherjuggs&speed]

I have Farscape as no worse than my third favorite show. You have to understand that while they shamelessly ripped off tropes and plots from every other sci-fi show, it isn't really a sci-fi show. The way The Godfather isn't a mob movie, it's about a family, Farscape is a character show and does it exceptionally well.

And some eps of The Rifleman and WDorA do stand up well. The way McQueen plays Josh is compelling, with the kind of burdens and doubts a man like that would have if he weren't a blockhead or psychopath. Some of the plots are simplistic but they are usually well done. Also, and I may get banned from the nearest gym for saying this, Little House on the Prairie. Look for the ones that Michael Landon wrote. There were some scripts he wrote for Bonanza that didn't get used so he reworked them. They are far from the shlocky sappy stuff, some are grim and inspiring at the same time.

[Bennyonesix1]

I'll add one more from way back in the late 60's

Callan. A UK spy show. Dark and kinda slow but good.

[motherjuggs&speed]

Eastenders is the best show ever. You have to watch 1985-1996, sometime after that it went downhill. If you don't see the quality of those earlier shows I can't help you.

[motherjuggs&speed]

I think The Rifleman holds up well due to the nuances. One one level Lucas shoots it out with the bad guys in almost every ep but he's often unsure what the right thing to do is. His struggles with this make it more than a shoot em up.

[Bennyonesix1]

Eastenders is the best show ever. You have to watch 1985-1996, sometime after that it went downhill. If you don't see the quality of those earlier shows I can't help you.

I really have no response to this.

I suppose I'll just salute you and your choice to live life Beyond Good and Evil.

[motherjuggs&speed]

If you are just dumb, that's okay. We'll make some cookies for you.

[Bennyonesix1]

Thanks man.

[Schlegel]

I enjoyed Stargate SG1. Like a lot of ensemble shows season 1 is not at all the best and had some real clunkers but by season 2 the cast and showrunners have found their footing. 10 years plus 2 sequel series, 2 tv movies and a web series, even. Also uses fan faves from farscape last few seasons.

[Bennyonesix1]

The blonde was sexy the first season.

The professor whatever guy was creepy.

[Turdacious]

Fuck me. I agree with Benny on Callan and Sanford and Son (at least the episodes with LaWanda Page).

Other greats:
Sandbaggers
Barney Miller
Seinfeld
Black Adder
Doctor Who
The Prisoner
All In The Family
The Dick Van Dyke Show (MTM in capri pants FTW)
The Jefferson (only the episodes with Zara Cully)

Near greats:
Danger Man
MASH

Rockford Files and Magnum PI are almost near great.

[seeahill]

The Prisoner. The opening/intro is worth a watch if you're not familiar with this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0rio3IPXXU

[Bennyonesix1]

Fuck me. I agree with Benny on Callan and Sanford and Son (at least the episodes with LaWanda Page).

Other greats:
Sandbaggers
Barney Miller
Seinfeld
Black Adder
Doctor Who
The Prisoner
All In The Family
The Dick Van Dyke Show (MTM in capri pants FTW)
The Jefferson (only the episodes with Zara Cully)

Near greats:
Danger Man
MASH

Rockford Files and Magnum PI are almost near great.

Sandbaggers and Black Adder really do hold up. Yes Minister is good too.

[Schlegel]

Blackadder is fantastic, I only wish the sound levels were mixed better on the dialogue. Many BBC shows of that era have the background music as loud as or louder than the actors, making it a bit of work to listen to.

[DrDonkeyLove...]

Twilight Zone
The Avengers
All Creatures Great and Small (loved it at the time but not sure how it holds up)

[aussie luke]

X Files ...before all the smoking man shit

[nafod]

Mister Ed. I kid you not.

Whoever wrote the dialog for the horse had a real sense of humor.