I am truly a child of the television age. I don't remember life without television. So many childhood memories of the family gathered in the living room, watching shows, movies, specials, etc. I loved watching awards shows with my mother (and now, with my daughter). I loved game shows, like "Name That Tune" and "Don Adams Screen Test". I would get up early on weekends to watch all of the wonderful Saturday Morning Cartoons. I even enjoyed the final moments of the test patterns in the morning, with its easy-listening instrumental jazz playing.
Movies are wonderful, but it's an all-in-one thing. It starts, it plays, it ends. Sometimes, there is a sequel. Nowadays there are franchises. However, TV shows are continuous. You get together with the main characters to see what happens next, for a resolution to occur...unless you see the dreaded words, "...to be continued..."
I couldn't even begin to list all of my favorite shows. There have probably been hundreds, from long-lasting ones (like "Sesame Street" or "Happy Days") to one-season wonders (like "APB" or "No Ordinary Family"). Here, I just want to mention 10 shows that mean a lot to me...literally the first ones that popped into my mind. I love them all, in no particular order...except the first one IS my #1.
Quantum Leap (1989-1993)
This is easily my all-time favorite TV show. It truly has something for everyone. With only 2 main characters bouncing through time, you never know what you're going to get. One week it could be a murder mystery; then the next week, a musical comedy; then, horror; then, a rom-com. There is history, geography, science, and always drama. Scott Bakula as Sam and Dean Stockwell as Al play off of each other beautifully. The finale broke my heart more ways than I care to mention.
Favorite episode: What Price Gloria? S2-4
The Monkees (1966-1968)
I don't remember a world without the Monkees in it. They're even mentioned in my baby book! Mike, Micky, Davy and Peter entertain me in so many ways...with their music, their comedy, their camaraderie, and their colorful world. Peter Tork was probably my first crush. The fact that I love watching it now just as much as I did as a child speaks volumes. Side note: it was my thrill and pleasure to take my younger daughter to see Micky Dolenz...LIVE!...for her 15th birthday.
Favorite episode: "The Devil and Peter Tork" S2-20
Starsky & Hutch (1975-1979)
As a child, I was never one for "cop shows". Sometimes someone would watch something like "The Rookies" or "Emergency", and I'd usually go do something else. However, when this show was first advertised, I wanted to see it. I made a deal with my mom that I could watch the show in their room if I was really quiet. I never missed an episode. The funny thing is, when my husband & I were dating & getting to know each other, this was the first TV show we found we had in common! Side note: I have 2 David Soul albums.
Favorite episode: "Starsky's Lady" S2-19
Eight Is Enough (1977-1981)
Here was a show that I could almost completely relate to. Yes, "The Brady Bunch" had a lot of kids, like my family, but it was a blended family. Here was a family with 8 biological siblings! The kids also tended to interact like the kids from a large family. I won't get into the whole "stepmother" thing - I've never had a stepmother - but I thought that their choice to do that instead of recasting or canceling was a good call. This show always made me feel at home.
Favorite episode: "Yes, Nicholas, There Is a Santa Claus" S2-13 & 14
Family Ties (1982-1989)
This was one of my younger brother's favorite TV shows. He was a HUGE Michael J. Fox fan. I always think of my brother when I watch it. I'm currently re-watching the entire series with my girls. I had forgotten how absolutely genius this show is! The way they can hit an extremely dramatic moment, then add just the right touch of frivolity to lighten it up is incredible...and then there's the physical comedy! The chemistry between all of the main characters is so tight; even in the first episode, one would think that they had all worked together before. The affection they all have for each other is obvious (and was confirmed in a recent reunion special I watched). Side note: the living room lamp now lives in Tina Yother's (Jennifer) living room!
Favorite episode: "A, My Name is Alex" S5-23 & 24
Miami Vice (1984-1989)
The first thing I ever knew about this show was hearing an ad for it in my parents' bedroom one night when I came home. I was curious. My husband & I were dating when it first came on & we'd watch it together; we watched it together almost every episode after, right up to the end. We related to some of the characters, and it was just an exciting show to watch. We stuck to it, even when it got a little weird...like the episode that had something to do with aliens, peanut butter, and James Brown.
Favorite episode: "Junk Love" S2-7
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
I don't know why we started watching this show. My husband & I were certainly not in its key demographic. Two similar shows came out at roughly the same time: this, and "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch". We watched them both, but stuck with this one. It became a "date night" show: everyone who knew us knew not to call us when it was on. This was a show that was a whole lot better than it had a right to be. Oh, and no: our younger daughter is NOT named after the main character!
Favorite episode: "Once More, With Feeling" S6-7
This Is Us (2016-present)
This show was THE "water cooler" show when it first came out. I knew so many people who watched it & loved it. Even my boss, who isn't really a big pop-culture person, told me that I should see it. I really don't know why I didn't. I always meant to. Finally, one summer, I decided to give it a shot...and was hooked on the very first episode. I'd tell my girls about certain points of each episode. I guess they got sick of hearing about it, because they asked if they could watch it. Now we watch it together. We are totally invested with the Pearsons and their lives.
Favorite episode (so far): "After the Fire" S4-17
The Good Doctor (2017-present)
This one is a bit of a switch. My husband and/or I have introduced our daughters, to some level, to every show above. This one, our older daughter got into it, and finally talked me into watching! We now watch it together every week. I view doctor shows like I do police shows: I'm generally not into them. This one is so different. The show isn't so much about an autistic surgeon, but about a surgeon who just HAPPENS to be on the Autism spectrum. Dr. Murphy is simultaneously lovable and exasperating. The supporting characters are all flawed, but you take them to heart. Well...maybe not Dr. Reznick... Side note: I confess that I turn my head during the surgery scenes. Every time.
Favorite episode (so far): "Claire" S3-3
Villa Alegre (1973-1981)
This is the strangest one on this list. I'll be honest, I remember very little about this show, although I can still hum the theme song. The only time I ever watched it was when I was home from school, sick. I would search it out and watch it. I couldn't understand most of it, as it was mostly in Spanish, but something about the show grabbed me. It gave me something to look forward to when I wasn't feeling well. Just seeing this picture gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling...and puts the theme song firmly in my head. ♫ La lalala la-la-la lalala La la-la-la-la...Villa Alegre! ♫
