DENNIS THE MENACE and LEAVE IT TO BEAVER are just cutesy shows whose leading characters end themselves up into trouble (or cause trouble). And we have moralizing fathers and straightforward housewives.

GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - Always routine-ish, and the premise is too depressing.

I LOVE LUCY - Great classic, but only episodes at Hollywood, countryside, and elsewhere outside notable apartments are predictable in repeated viewings.

Are there shows that age "well" but has poor appeal to mainstream audiences?

DENNIS THE MENACE and LEAVE IT TO BEAVER are just cutesy shows whose leading characters end themselves up into trouble (or cause trouble). And we have moralizing fathers and straightforward housewives.

GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - Always routine-ish, and the premise is too depressing.

I LOVE LUCY - Great classic, but only episodes at Hollywood, countryside, and elsewhere outside notable apartments are predictable in repeated viewings.

Are there shows that age "well" but has poor appeal to mainstream audiences?


I disagree 100%. All of these great shows (except for Dennis, which I just recently started watching and enjoying online) have as much of a lasting appeal to me today, maybe even more so, than when I first saw them. The only part that seems dated to me is that most of the episodes are in black and white and that doesn't bother me one bit! You can also include Andy Griffith and Dick Van Dyke as an example of real timeless classics, but I'll bet you don't like them either!

I disagree 100%. All of these great shows (except for Dennis, which I just recently started watching and enjoying online) have as much of a lasting appeal to me today, maybe even more so, than when I first saw them. The only part that seems dated to me is that most of the episodes are in black and white and that doesn't bother me one bit! You can also include Andy Griffith and Dick Van Dyke as an example of real timeless classics, but I'll bet you don't like them either!
I tried Dick Van Dyke show, but the only episodes I enjoyed are Rob's city council campaign. The rest is... just eh, like assumptions of an affair between Rob and some pretty lady that doesn't exist. Andy Griffith has good Barney episodes, but townsfolk would like the whole show's run better than a big city person, like me.

How about The Honeymooners?

I watched the I Love Lucy Christmas special last Friday and I laughed the whole way through so it still has appeal, not to mention it's still groundbreaking for having an interracial marriage on-screen, something you really don't see today.

I Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver and Gilligan's Island have thrived in syndication ever since they've left the air so they must have some appeal. I find all the classic shows appealing to me. Modern shows, not as much.

I Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver and Gilligan's Island have thrived in syndication ever since they've left the air so they must have some appeal. I find all the classic shows appealing to me. Modern shows, not as much.
I Love Lucy and Leave It to Beaver are available in the morning; Gilligan's Island at 8pm. No other channels carry them except in big cities, I think.

Probably Route 66. I'm a fan of the show but it tends to be slow-paced and drama heavy.

A lot of the shows that have been mentioned thus far, were produced in black & white, which I would suspect would be unappealing to young viewers right from the jump.

I watched the I Love Lucy Christmas special last Friday and I laughed the whole way through so it still has appeal, not to mention it's still groundbreaking for having an interracial marriage on-screen, something you really don't see today.
:clap :clap I agree

I watched the I Love Lucy Christmas special last Friday and I laughed the whole way through so it still has appeal, not to mention it's still groundbreaking for having an interracial marriage on-screen, something you really don't see today.
I watched it again this year and will rewatch it again on Christmas Eve. And, if they air it again next year...I'll watch then, too!

"ILL" is timeless!

Probably Route 66. I'm a fan of the show but it tends to be slow-paced and drama heavy.
It is kind of slow paced,and some episodes are a lot better than others. Usually I don't care if a show is filmed black and white,sometimes I even prefer it.However Route 66 is one show where it would have been nice if they filmed it in color,considering it was filmed on location during the early 1960's and all around the country.And of course that beautiful car would have looked even better in color.Still a good show though.

DENNIS THE MENACE and LEAVE IT TO BEAVER are just cutesy shows whose leading characters end themselves up into trouble (or cause trouble). And we have moralizing fathers and straightforward housewives.

GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - Always routine-ish, and the premise is too depressing.

I LOVE LUCY - Great classic, but only episodes at Hollywood, countryside, and elsewhere outside notable apartments are predictable in repeated viewings.

Are there shows that age "well" but has poor appeal to mainstream audiences?

Well many viewers will totally disagree with you, including myself.
Gilligans Island and I love Lucy are 2 of the most recognized and beloved sitcoms from their eras. And they've held up really well in syndication. Surveys have been done on these shows and it usually comes out the same. Also if you mention the name Gilligan, most people know who you're talking about.

These shows have been kept alive because people still like them. My niece who is 14 years old, loves Gilligans Island and I Love Lucy.