the term "A Very Special Episode"was coined in the 1970's,dealing with serious subjects,there were very special episodes back in the 1960's,that were different:The ones done back then, were special,but were amusing,unlike the ones that they do today,and were lighthearted.They didn't deal with serious suibjects like the 1970's,1980's.1990's or today's comedies sometimes do.They were as I said,funny and amusing.Examples:"The Dick Van Dyke Show"did several very special (Ritchie's birth)but amusing episodes("What's My Middle Name,"Where did I Come From"),"Bewitched"did the funny one where Tabitha was born,and "The Addams Family"had the pretty funny one from season two where Morticia and Gomez goit married.In other words,the very special episodes in the 1960s did not beat you over the head with relevance.THAT'S why I like shows from the 1960's.Any more examples of lighthearted very special comedy episodes of 1960's series?

And the "Green Acres"episode where Lisa and Oliver renewed their wedding vows,was another "a very special episode"from the 1960's-the late 1960's,by the way.

Those truly were the Good Old Days.

I am overwhelmingly drawn to sitcoms from the second half of the 1960's. (The first half of that decade, I only really like the Dick Van Dyke, Andy Griffith and Joey Bishop shows). For whatever reason, 1964-69 contains the bulk of my faves. I think it is because they really got silly with their ideas in the late 60's and I am drawn to absurd humor. I love Gilligan's Island, F Troop, Hogan's Heroes, Get Smart, I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, Green Acres - for the very reason that they are completely separated from any pretense of reality, the humor is outlandish, and I prefer that to the topical comedies of the 1970's and most later shows. I guess I just don't want my comedy to be preaching at me or trying to make a political point.

Outside the late 60's, I do have a few shows that are my favorites, but that is because these handful of programs also approached the absurd or surreal in their situations and humor - The Odd Couple, Barney Miller, Newhart, Night Court, Frazier, Dharma and Greg, The Honeymooners -- these shows weren't afriad to create comepletly impossible or absurd situations.

I do understand and respect the historic and cultural importance of the Norman Lear programs in the 70's, and I do like occasionally catching a rerun of the Bob Newhart Show, Mary Tyle Moore, Happy Days, etc., but their humor is usually too.....I don't know, ordinary. even some shows from the 60's, like That Girl or My Favorite Martian don't do much for me because the humor is mostly dervied from rather tepid one-liners rather than really crazy situations.

So, in short, I agree with your post - the 60's comedies are the best (for me)

Sitcoms today seem to keep it lighter than they did in the 70's-90's. You really don't see serious issues tackled, well, seriously anymore. If they're going to have a gay couple, they're just going to do it instead of dramatize it. I like that. Save it for the dramas.

Sitcoms today seem to keep it lighter than they did in the 70's-90's. You really don't see serious issues tackled, well, seriously anymore. If they're going to have a gay couple, they're just going to do it instead of dramatize it. I like that. Save it for the dramas.


I agree, however, it seems that so many sitcoms today and recently are focussed on the sex lives of the characters. I'm no prude, and usually it is tastefully done, but I get bored with tv shows in which the search for a "relationship" is the main theme. That's just too much like the boring conversations I hear from my own colleagues at work!