32 Old Network TV Shows That No One Talks About Enough

Certain television series, such as “Friends” and “The Brady Bunch,” continue to spark conversation in various circles. On the other hand, some exceptional shows from the past, like those mentioned here, have largely faded into obscurity due to the passage of time. Shows such as “The Mod Squad,” “Wings,” and others deserve more attention and recognition, which is why we’ve compiled this list. Here you’ll find TV shows that are not often discussed anymore but remain worth revisiting.

The Mod Squad

In the late ’90s, an attempt was made to create a film series based on the iconic ’60s show, The Mod Squad. Unfortunately, the movie didn’t fare well at the box office, and in the years since, the show has largely been overlooked. It’s unfortunate on two fronts, as the show was pioneering with its racially diverse and gender-balanced team of crime fighters, and it was simply a fantastic, trendy series to watch.

St. Elsewhere

NBC’s St. Elsewhere didn’t garner massive viewership, but it boasted a dedicated fanbase and an impressive cast lineup. The series spanned six seasons and played a significant role in the careers of Howie Mandel, Ed Begley Jr., and notably, Denzel Washington. Its relatively low ratings may be why it’s often mentioned in trivia about Washington’s early career.

Sliders

One significant challenge “Sliders” encountered during its five seasons in the late ’90s was the frequent changes in its cast. The series experienced a great deal of instability throughout its duration, which became particularly noticeable when its leading actor, Jerry O’Connell, departed after the fourth season. Unfortunately, this turn of events weakened the show significantly and might be one reason why it isn’t discussed as often today in sci-fi circles.

Mutual Of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom

In the initial phase of television broadcasting, networks didn’t shy away from daring concepts as long as they secured corporate funding. To illustrate this point, consider Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom – a series that might seem overly tame and charming to modern audiences. The show’s host was Marlin Perkins, the director of St. Louis Zoo. Despite being both educational and entertaining, it managed to run for an astounding 18 seasons from the ’60s to the ’80s. Apart from nostalgic reminiscences among Baby Boomers and Gen Xers, the show is generally overlooked today.

Ironside

Raymond Burr’s iconic character will forever be Perry Mason, a role that continues to be cherished (and was recently reimagined). However, the series he followed after Perry Mason, Ironside, where he portrayed a wheelchair-bound detective, is not as frequently discussed or recalled these days.

Falcon Crest

Jane Wyman gained fame in two significant ways. Initially, she was a prominent figure in Hollywood during the 1940s and 50s. Additionally, she shared a marriage with Ronald Reagan. However, it’s peculiar that her outstanding performance as one of the most memorable villains on the ’80s TV series Falcon Crest often goes unacknowledged.

Soap

Although Soap played a significant role in launching the careers of Robert Guillaume and Billy Crystal, this series seldom gets acknowledged when discussing iconic sitcoms from the 70’s. Interestingly enough, it’s the spinoff featuring Guillaume, Benson, that tends to be more fondly remembered.

The Parent ‘Hood

During the mid-’90s, the initial phase of the WB network was quite chaotic due to the challenges involved in launching a new television network. The executives were scouring far and wide for potential talent and content, and comedian Robert Townsend, who had made some moderately successful films, secured his first show with the network in 1995. One of the inaugural shows on the network was The Parent ‘Hood, which aired for five seasons and gained modest popularity.

Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color

Walt Disney’s “Wonderful World of Color” was quite revolutionary, primarily because it was the first color TV show that many Baby Boomers recall watching. Although the show has gone through several name changes and adaptations over time, the 1960s version is rarely brought up in discussions about shows from that era.

Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman

In the ’90s, it was still quite revolutionary to have a TV series with a female doctor as the main character, which might be hard to imagine now. The show “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” featuring Jane Seymour, who’s best known for playing a Bond Girl, portraying a female doctor in the 19th century, was even more groundbreaking. Remarkably, this series turned out to be quite successful, though it may not be as well-remembered today.

Riptide

Television producer Stephen J. Cannell played a significant role in creating some of the most popular TV shows during the ’70s and ’80s, such as “The A-Team,” “21 Jump Street,” and “The Rockford Files.” These series are still fondly remembered, but not all of his productions receive as much recognition, like “Riptide.” This series, which aired for three seasons on NBC, followed the adventures of a group of private detectives who had an array of exciting tools at their disposal to solve crimes, including boats and helicopters.

Wings

During the 1980s and 1990s, NBC dominated the sitcom scene with numerous timeless classics that continue to be discussed and watched, such as Cheers, Friends, Seinfeld, Frasier, The Cosby Show, among others. While Wings, a popular NBC show of the era, often goes unmentioned alongside these greats, it deserves recognition for its talented cast and engaging setting on Nantucket. Despite being just as entertaining as its contemporaries, it seems to have slipped from our collective memory for some reason.

Barnaby Jones

Although “The Beverly Hillbillies” is what actor Buddy Ebsen is primarily associated with, it should be noted that he achieved another success following “The Hillbillies,” with the detective show “Barnaby Jones.” In the 1970s, this series, featuring Ebsen as the lead character, was one of the most watched shows. However, its popularity pales in comparison to his earlier work on “The Beverly Hillbillies.

227

In the late ’80s, I found myself captivated by the groundbreaking TV series “227.” Over five seasons, this show, with its predominantly African-American cast, was a ratings powerhouse. However, compared to other NBC sitcoms like “The Cosby Show” and “A Different World,” it seems to be less celebrated in conversations about iconic television shows.

Just Shoot Me!

Right up until the ’90s wound down, NBC continued producing classic sitcoms, with Just Shoot Me! being one such example, albeit less frequently recalled than it deserves, given its comedic brilliance. The series boasted an exceptional cast, including David Spade, Laura San Giacomo, Wendy Malik, Brian Posehn, and George Segal. However, due to the passage of time, this show has largely become a forgotten gem.

Airwolf

The 1980s were brimming with innovative concepts for television shows, but none were as cool for kids during that time as “Airwolf”, a series where the main character was actually a helicopter (with Jan-Michael Vincent playing a significant role too). Despite only airing for three seasons on CBS and an additional one on USA, it left a lasting impression on many. At least, the theme song is something most people who grew up remember vividly. It still stands as an iconic tune and perhaps the most memorable aspect of the show.

Spenser: For Hire

The renowned author Robert Parker is known for introducing one of today’s most beloved private investigators in literature, named Spenser. In 1985, this character made his small-screen debut on ABC, with Robert Urich portraying the lead Boston detective. The series ran successfully for three seasons, and though the books continue to be adapted, it has already left its mark.

Gimme A Break!

The 1980s was a prosperous decade for sitcoms, particularly on NBC. Some of these series, such as “Cheers,” “Family Ties,” and “Golden Girls,” continue to be popular and talked about today. However, it seems that one production which stood out during this time, “Gimme A Break!” starring the talented Nell Carter, often gets overlooked. Despite having six highly successful seasons, the show hasn’t garnered the same level of appreciation as some of its contemporaries, even with the wave of Gen X nostalgia.

In The House

Back in the mid-90s, I was captivated by LL Cool J’s “In the House.” Initially, it graced our screens on NBC, but its journey wasn’t straightforward. After two seasons, it shifted to UPN for another two, and then wrapped up with a season in first-run syndication. Perhaps because it never quite found a permanent place, it’s now largely overlooked in today’s popular culture.

Third Watch

As a film enthusiast, I find myself constantly amazed by the longevity of certain procedural series on syndication and streaming platforms, such as “Law & Order.” On the other hand, shows like “Third Watch,” which were exceptional in their time, tend to fade into obscurity soon after they wrap up. It’s a real shame because not only was the show captivating, but it also featured some truly remarkable actors who graced its cast.

The Jackie Gleason Show

Jackie Gleason remains a significant figure in television, with his influence felt long after his passing in 1987. His sitcom, “The Honeymooners,” continues to be hailed as one of the greatest TV comedies ever made. Additionally, his film roles such as “The Hustler” and “Smokey And The Bandit” are legendary. However, compared to his contemporaries like Johnny Carson or Dick Cavett, his variety show, “The Jackie Gleason Show,” doesn’t receive as much attention.

Dharma And Greg

Chuck Lorre, a TV producer, has been responsible for some unforgettable shows spanning several decades, including “Two and A Half Men,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and “Mom.” Interestingly, his early show, “Dharma & Greg,” which is equally funny, often gets overlooked despite being just as amusing.

Emergency!

1970s’ series “Emergency!” can be traced as the origin for most modern gritty police and firefighter procedurals, even preceding popular shows like “Hill Street Blues.” However, its influence seems to have waned over time, despite being a regular feature on 1980s syndicated TV following its initial airing in the ’70s.

NYPD Blue

Among all the series on this roster, I find myself questioning the inclusion of “NYPD Blue.” Despite not being as obscure as other entries, it’s surprising how seldom it’s mentioned given its legendary status and trailblazing impact. This groundbreaking show paved the way for police dramas like “The Wire” and “The Shield,” yet it rarely gets the recognition it deserves.

Head Of The Class

As a passionate film enthusiast, I must say that after making a significant impact on the legendary series “WKRP in Cincinnati,” Howard Hesseman took the helm of another sitcom, “Head of the Class.” While this show almost reached the same level of success, it unfortunately didn’t leave as lasting an impression, for reasons I can’t quite put my finger on.

The Twilight Zone (1980s Reboot)

It’s not surprising that the 1980s reboot of “The Twilight Zone” doesn’t hold a candle to the original series. Yet, even though many of the episodes were remakes from the original, it was still incredibly terrifying for viewers back then.

NewsRadio

One show that stands out as being highly entertaining yet not often discussed in relation to its comedic value from the 1990s is NewsRadio. Phil Hartman shines as the lead, but the entire ensemble – including Joe Rogan, Dave Foley, Khandi Alexander, Andy Dick, and Stephen Root – was truly exceptional.

Baretta

In the year 2023, renowned actor Robert Blake, who had been active since the 1930s, passed away. Despite a career spanning decades, he is perhaps best remembered for a high-profile murder trial in 2005, which may contribute to why his popular TV show, Baretta, seldom gets mentioned nowadays.

Benson

Although Benson is currently discussed more frequently compared to the series it originated from, Soap, it appears that not many people recall the sitcom led by Robert Guillaume these days as well.

Dream On

For many years, HBO has been consistently delivering some of television’s finest series, not just limited to “Game of Thrones”. However, one of their early successes, “Dream On”, often gets overlooked in discussions about other iconic shows from the cable network.

Knot’s Landing

Despite Dallas continuing to spark conversations due to its gripping cliffhangers, its spinoff, Knot’s Landing, which was equally successful and ran for 14 seasons during prime time, often gets overlooked. This series played a significant role in shaping the 1980s, yet it hasn’t managed to maintain the enduring popularity of its older sibling.

Fish

What truly stood out in the show Fish, if we’re being truthful, was its incredible theme tune. Although it had its funny moments, the series didn’t quite match the humor of the original show it was based on, Barney Miller. The latter also boasted a fantastic theme song. As for Abe Vigoda, he remains an iconic figure, while Fish itself isn’t particularly memorable.

2025-02-23 19:39