Why Do We Watch Old Sitcoms?

Why do we watch old television sitcoms? Because the memories make us feel good. We were kids, so what did we really know? The raw beauty of being a child in the 1960s was our innocence depending upon where and how we lived.

In truth, the 1960s were a turbulent time of change, the Vietnam War, three political assassinations, riots and protests, the Apollo 1 accident, and a lot of political upheaval. Two assassinations and the war prompted political turmoil, leaving us all wondering how different the world might have been had the Kennedy brothers lived.

The situation comedies of the 1960s were a nice escape – often fantasies – some truly awful – but no less an escape. They enabled us to escape the troubled times beyond our doors. Many of these sitcoms were short-lived really awful programs like “My Mother the Car,” “He & She,” “Good Morning World,” “It’s About Time,” “Rango,” “The Hathaways,” “McHale’s Navy,” “Occasional Wife,” and a host of other forgettable situation comedies we’d like to forget.

Some sitcoms got a lot of criticism – like “My Favorite Martian.” What I love most about this show is its witty banter and great on-screen chemistry among the actors, writers, and directors. It has been said the cast and crew had a wonderful time working together. There were no bad apples in this cast of characters.

Admittedly, “My Favorite Martian” struggled in the ratings because it was a really absurd idea, especially when we knew very little about Mars. What kept us tuned in was the sophisticated nature of this sitcom. Newspaper reporter Tim O’Hara (Bill Bixby) wound up in situations he could not explain to anyone, especially with a vanishing Uncle Martin and a spaceship parked in the garage. No one could have carried that role better than Bill Bixby who had a natural gift for comedy. Ray Walston, a terrific actor in his own right, allowed us to look at ourselves as Earthlings. I watch “Martian” to escape the times we are currently in.

“My Favorite Martian” was a sophisticated sitcom that aired for three seasons on two networks through 1966 when it had finally run its course. The third season, produced by MGM (the first two by Desilu) was a bit of a reach. It had lost its charm and its core audience.

There were the goofy sitcoms we still watch like “The Brady Bunch” and “Gilligan’s Island” produced by the late Sherwood Schwartz. Seven stranded castaways? Two lonely souls somehow formed a family? Who would have thought these sitcoms would have such notoriety 50-60 years later? The popularity transcends Boomers and GEN Xers. Younger generations behind us have embraced these classic sitcoms, which illustrates how timeless they were.

The resurgence of classic sitcoms and streaming channels indicates just how popular these programs are. As boomers retire and settle into quiet lives, these old shows keep us entertained. And honestly, today’s sitcoms don’t hold our attention the way the classics did. But that’s another subject for another day.