This is a decidedly offbeat subject for me, but I’ve been in an offbeat mood all day.  I feel kind of sniffly and wobbly.  I suppose I have a case of Wobbly Sniffles. 

I don’t watch much television anymore.  In fact, I think it has been years and years since I last sat down intent on watching the tube.  My life is pretty exciting and I don’t feel the urge to watch someones else’s unfold according to a “reality” script.  Maybe TV has taken a turn for the worse these days.  Maybe I’m too busy.  Maybe it doesn’t matter.

On occasion I find my self watching a football game, golf tournament, or the “news.”  This is usually the result on walking into a room where a television is already on.  One sad thing: I haven’t seen most of my favorite shows in a while as most are now ancient history.  I don’t mean to show my age, but most of the following names are pretty old.  maybe you remember some of them.

1.  Sanford and Son, NBC, 1972 – 1977.

(Esther, you ugly!  Google Images.)

Sanford and Son is by far the greatest show in TV history.  It was just too funny.  If you don’t find Redd Foxx almost unbearably hilarious, there is something wrong with you.  For the younger crowd, this was a show about the misadventures of a nutty Watts junk-man and his down-to-earth son.  The supporting cast was amazing.  My favorite episode?  Every one in all seven seasons.  Okay, it may have been the episode where Fred’s newphew-in-law “stole” his money.  “YT!”  Or, it could be the lottery contest with no winner episode.  “The police!”  It was all of them.

2.  All in the Family, CBS, 1971 – 1979.

(Funniest TV moment ever!  Google Images.)

Another show so “outrageous” it probably couldn’t be a pilot concept these days, All in the Family followed the hijinks of bigoted cab-driver Archie Bunker and his wacky family.  Archie was politically incorrect and proud of it!  He also got just about everything wrong, but his true good nature usually kept him straight in the end.  Favorite episode?  The Sammy Davis, Jr. kiss episode – possibly the single funniest moment in television history.

3.  This Old House, PBS, 1979 – Present.

(Norm, Master Carpenter.  Self-described most popular Jewish carpenter since Jesus.  Google Images.)

Hey!  A PBS show.  I always loved watching the cast and crew renovate some old derelict of a house into a thing of impressive beauty.  Something about the productiveness and the incredible craftsmanship speaks to me.  This is the grand-daddy of all home improvement shows.  I will still watch new episodes if I get a chance.  They have some spin-offs too.

4. The Dukes of Hazzard, CBS, 1979 – 1985. 

(Maybe I watched for Daisy.  Daisy…  Google Images.)

Yeeeeeeee – Haaaaaaaw!  What child didn’t love this show?  For a boy down South it was mandatory viewing.  Bubba Watson liked it so much, he bought the original General Lee (1st one from the pilot).  I wonder how many Chargers they destroyed jumping all those ponds.  The “outlaw” Duke boys were the heroes while the law, Sheriff Roscoe and Boss Hogg, were they (lovable) bad guys.  That doesn’t happen too often on film.  Show like this don’t happen much either.

5.  Sesame Street, PBS, 1969 – Present.

(The old 123 gang.  Google Images.)

Another PBS show and a kid’s show.  Friends, I’m talking about Sesame Street before the arrival of Elmo, the Destroyer.  The old show that you and I watched in the 70’s and early 80’s.  The old show featured grown-ups that acted like it and instilled values in the kids and muppets.  Favorite episode?  The Christmas special with Bert and Ernie and Mr. Hooper (Gift of the Magi).  Elmo and his thugs ruined the whole thing.  I used to watch it with my daughter.  Thank God she’s outgrown it!  Hooper must be rolling in his grave.

6.  The Jeffersons, CBS, 1975 – 1985.

(I’ve had it up to here…  Google Images.)

The Jeffersons was a spin-off from All in the Family.  George and Louise (“Weezy”) Jefferson hit the big time thanks to George’s dry-cleaning business and move to Manhattan.  They used to be Archie’s neighbors.  The show lasted so long because it was genuinely funny, like Sanford and Family.  The character interaction was superb; the play between George and maid Florence was priceless.  Throw in the zany neighbors and you had a perfect show.

7.  Little House on the Prairie, NBC, 1974 – 1982.

(Classic TV.  Google Images.)

Little House was the ultimate family show and Michael Landon’s finest work.  Landon played Charles Ingalls.  The show followed his adventures with his family in rural Minnesota during the 1870s and 1880s.  It highlighted the best qualities in human nature, every story came with a lesson.  The show also is one of the few to feature an active and positive Christian congregation.  It had dignified humor, humble “manly” characters, strong women, and precocious children.  It was America.

8.  Married With Children, Fox, 1987 – 1997.

(Al “Born Loser” Bundy.  Google Images.)

This show was as irreverent as Little House was pious.  It centered on the life of women’s shoe salesman and former high school football standout, Al Bundy, and his dysfunctional family.  Like Sanford and Family it was funnier than heck and as politically incorrect as conceivable.  Unlike most sit-coms, Married usually ended on a funny sour note with no lesson learned.  It was just pure entertainment.  Favorite episode?  Pete’s potato.

9.  Hee-Haw, CBS and syndication, 1969 – 1992.

(Pick’n n Grin’n.  Google Images.)

Hew Haw was a country-themed variety show which caught on with a national audience.  Set in fictional Cornfield County, it featured popular recording artists, comedy skits, and original hilarity not seen since.  Favorite episode?  All the “Where Oh Where” skits, especially with celebrities.  Just good, clean fun.

10.  ?

Did I mention I don’t watch a lot of TV?