These days, nearly every episode of every TV series ever made can be seen in reruns. In color or in B/W, it doesn’t matter (I’m glad colorizing is no longer the common fashion.) I’m amazed how actors and writers could manage to perform 32 episodes each season, sometimes for years at a time. Of course, there was a Summer hiatus during which failed program pilots were usually shown. How different it is currently when TV series do many fewer new episodes per season and rerun them within a few months.
For me the worst was movies in theaters – there and then gone. If you were lucky, a movie you loved would show up eventually on TV, heavily edited, and chock full of commercials. It still boggles my mind that you can now OWN your favorite movies in whatever format you choose.
Oh golly yes. It took me so long to see the final episode of “The Fugitive”. I had a choice of going to the Drive-In with friends or stay home and watch it, I was figuring on the re-runs. Boy did I kick myself over that. I eventually did see it but the excitement was not there as much.
And now we have throwback tv to catch those missing episodes… except for Monty Python. The BBC rerecorded over the videotape to save money on videotape.
My wife will occasionally watch the old westerns that she enjoyed as a little girl.
I’ve never been a big TV fan. I’m one of those nerds that watches documentaries: particularly science and history. If it weren’t for some sporting events and Jeopardy, there would be weeks on end where I might not turn on the TV.
The YMCA I go to has a senior center. METV is on a lot. I finally get to see the end of the Bonanza episodes I missed because I was sent to bed before the end.
Problem solved with the invention of the VCR. It was also responsible for an increase in family harmony, as it did away with the whining (and subsequent parent/child arguments) that began with, “Can I stay up late to watch . . . ?”
Does anyone (anywhere!) remember “Ranger Andy”? It was a locally-produced Saturday morning TV show, and once in a while it was spectacular! I want to know the whole “Singing the Song with the Limerick Line” song. All I remember (in addition to the title) is “Two atoms are fine, at the end of a line, when you want to go nuclear fishin’”. I think it was sung to the tune of “Waltz Me Around Again, Willie”.
Muzi54 over 1 year ago
Nah, summer reruns usually took care of that.
TStyle78 over 1 year ago
I remember those times. Catch it the first time or potentially wait a LONG time for the chance to watch it again.
PraiseofFolly over 1 year ago
These days, nearly every episode of every TV series ever made can be seen in reruns. In color or in B/W, it doesn’t matter (I’m glad colorizing is no longer the common fashion.) I’m amazed how actors and writers could manage to perform 32 episodes each season, sometimes for years at a time. Of course, there was a Summer hiatus during which failed program pilots were usually shown. How different it is currently when TV series do many fewer new episodes per season and rerun them within a few months.
Lucy Rudy over 1 year ago
Now that I am old, it is like watching them all for the first time. A lot of shows I never imagined would come back did. (All the 80s cop shows)
FreyjaRN Premium Member over 1 year ago
I remember those days. I was so happy when some shows went into syndication.
ꜝ over 1 year ago
the agony of having to choose between THREE CHANNELS was excruciating
jmworacle over 1 year ago
Plus in most cities, there were “only” three channels to choose from.
nosirrom over 1 year ago
We can thank Desi Arnaz for reruns.
seanfear over 1 year ago
ooohhh yes – luckily we can get our memories back nowadays (Utube is one)
kenshively over 1 year ago
Did somebody forget summer re-runs. You had one extra shot if you were lucky…
Melki Premium Member over 1 year ago
For me the worst was movies in theaters – there and then gone. If you were lucky, a movie you loved would show up eventually on TV, heavily edited, and chock full of commercials. It still boggles my mind that you can now OWN your favorite movies in whatever format you choose.
MTH Premium Member over 1 year ago
Oh golly yes. It took me so long to see the final episode of “The Fugitive”. I had a choice of going to the Drive-In with friends or stay home and watch it, I was figuring on the re-runs. Boy did I kick myself over that. I eventually did see it but the excitement was not there as much.
Aliveandwell over 1 year ago
You can now find these old shows you missed on MeTV. Yesterday my Hubby was watching Ozzie and Harriet. Now thats old.
angier3824 Premium Member over 1 year ago
I was the only girl in my 1950s-60s family so I never got to see Little House on the Prairie until I was in my forties.
CorkLock over 1 year ago
When I was growing up we worked 16 hours a day on the farm and tv’s were rare items for the rich. Poor working people do not have time for stress.
assrdood over 1 year ago
I still miss Dobie Gillis (and Maynard).
ladykat over 1 year ago
I live with stress on a daily basis (then again, don’t we all?)!
Daltongang Premium Member over 1 year ago
Aunty FIFY: " When I was growing up, If you missed a RADIO SHOW you missed it forever. Gone!"
kayak4ever over 1 year ago
And now we have throwback tv to catch those missing episodes… except for Monty Python. The BBC rerecorded over the videotape to save money on videotape.
perryed over 1 year ago
No. You had another shot at a summer rerun most of the time.
amaneaux over 1 year ago
Sometimes even reruns wouldn’t help. There were times when, for whatever reason, you just kept missing the same episode every time.
pca Premium Member over 1 year ago
I’m picking up on a lot of them from the 50s and 60s now. Perry Mason, original Superman, Batman, Matlock…
dflak over 1 year ago
My wife will occasionally watch the old westerns that she enjoyed as a little girl.
I’ve never been a big TV fan. I’m one of those nerds that watches documentaries: particularly science and history. If it weren’t for some sporting events and Jeopardy, there would be weeks on end where I might not turn on the TV.
NELS BALWIT Premium Member over 1 year ago
The YMCA I go to has a senior center. METV is on a lot. I finally get to see the end of the Bonanza episodes I missed because I was sent to bed before the end.
cuzinron47 over 1 year ago
I don’t recall it being all that stressful. I guess I was take it or leave it kind of person.
kathleenhicks62 over 1 year ago
Re runs of old shows all over the place-start hunting!
paullp Premium Member over 1 year ago
Problem solved with the invention of the VCR. It was also responsible for an increase in family harmony, as it did away with the whining (and subsequent parent/child arguments) that began with, “Can I stay up late to watch . . . ?”
Ernest_CT over 1 year ago
Does anyone (anywhere!) remember “Ranger Andy”? It was a locally-produced Saturday morning TV show, and once in a while it was spectacular! I want to know the whole “Singing the Song with the Limerick Line” song. All I remember (in addition to the title) is “Two atoms are fine, at the end of a line, when you want to go nuclear fishin’”. I think it was sung to the tune of “Waltz Me Around Again, Willie”.