RETRO REWIND

Cheers, M*A*S*H, and everything there's to know about the golden age of TV!

Published on March 3, 2024

Credit: Jonas Leupe

In the fast-paced world of television, some shows still manage to transcend their time, retaining their charm and relevance decades after their original airings. Whether it's the captivating storytelling, memorable characters, or universal themes, these old-time gems continue to captivate modern audiences.

Here are 10 classic TV shows that stand the test of time, offering stories that remain as fresh today as they were during their heyday.

1

The Twilight Zone

Credit: ALEXANDRE LALLEMAND

Rod Serling's groundbreaking anthology series, The Twilight Zone, remains a masterclass in storytelling. A genius mix of horror, pulp fiction, and comedy, each episode plunges viewers into a world of mystery, often ending with unexpected and thought-provoking twists. And the good news is that, despite premiering in the late 50s, there have been a steady stream of revivals and spin-offs, almost to this day.

2

I Love Lucy

Credit: Bureau of Industrial Service

Lucille Ball's comedic genius shines in I Love Lucy, a seminal sitcom that set the standard for the whole genre. Spanning six seasons, the show was the most-watched show in the United States for several years, and with good reason! The show's blend of physical comedy and witty dialogue still elicits genuine laughter and resonates with modern audiences. If you are a fan of the genre, this is a must-watch.

3

Bonanza

Credit: Sarah Lachise

Named after a term used by miners when referring to a large deposit of silver ore, Bonanza is a Western set in the 1860s. The show follows the adventures of the wealthy Cartwright family as they navigate life on the Ponderosa Ranch in Nevada, near Lake Tahoe. With a unique blend of action, drama, and moral lessons, the show remains a classic example of the genre.

4

MASH

Credit: CBS Television

An acronym for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, MASH explores the realities of war with a very well-balanced blend of comedy and drama. Set in the early 1950s, during the Korean War, the show has an ensemble of larger-than-life characters that try to survive and keep their humanity in the chaos of war. A timeless gem, the show's sharp writing and memorable characters make it relevant to this day.

5

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Credit: CBS Television

A trailblazer for women in television, The Mary Tyler Moore Show broke new ground with its portrayal of a single, independent career woman. In the 1970s, this was a rarity in American television, and it soon became one of the most beloved shows of the decade. Praised to this day for its complex and relatable characters and storylines, the series remains a cultural touchstone for its wit, charm, and serious themes.

6

Cheers

Credit: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

Set in an eponymous bar in Boston, Cheers is a quintessential sitcom that revolves around the lives of its colorful regulars. Although it was almost canceled during its first season, Cheers ascended to become one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed series in television history, running from 1982 to 1993, and spanning a total of 275 episodes across eleven seasons. The show's clever writing and amazing cast make it a mandatory watch for anyone seeking laughter and camaraderie.

7

The Honeymooners

Credit: CBS Television

A classic sitcom that captures the humor and dynamics of working-class life in the 1950s, The Honeymooners follows the lives of New York City bus driver Ralph Kramden, his wife, and friends. Jackie Gleason's larger-than-life performance as Kramden and the show's timeless humor ensure that even modern audiences can relate.

8

The Dick Van Dyke Show

Credit: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0

Starring comedy legend Dick Van Dyke, this sitcom follows the misadventures of a comedy writer for a fictional TV show and his family. The series delves into the everyday lives of its characters, presenting a myriad of comedic scenarios that the main cast often find themselves entangled in. Both sharp and endearing, The Dick Van Dyke Show left an enduring legacy in the world of comedy TV shows, and its influence in modern shows is evident to this day.

9

Star Trek

Credit: Wonderlane

A visionary science fiction show created by Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek continues to inspire audiences with its exploration of space, humanity, and the unknown. Certainly one of the most rewatchable TV shows that there have ever been, and despite beginning in the 1960s, the franchise hasn’t lost an inch of cultural relevance. Whether you want to revisit the original series, and its modern successors or immerse yourself for the first time in the awe-inspiring world of the series, you are in for a treat.

10

Bewitched

Credit: ABC Television

Bewitched follows the life of Samantha Stephens, a witch married to a mortal man, as she tries to navigate the challenges of suburban life while keeping her magical abilities a secret. With the stellar performance of Elizabeth Montgomery, the show's blend of fantasy, humor, and social commentary remains enchanting to this day.

WORDS FROM THE WILD

8 Odd And Fascinating Terms For Animal Gatherings

Published on March 3, 2024

Credit: Matthew Cabret

Perhaps you noticed that the English language allows itself a poetic license when it comes to collective nouns of animals. You have probably heard of a "murder" of crows, or a "parliament" of owls, but there are hundreds of mind-bogglingly similar cases.

Most stem from Late Middle Ages hunting traditions. Initially developing as specialist vocabulary, they soon became fashionable to use in court circles, eventually reaching unsuspected heights of weirdness that can hardly be interpreted as anything else than satire. So, take most of these with a grain of salt!

1

A committee of raccoons

Credit: Pete Nuij

Raccoons are inherently amusing animals, and envisioning them engaging in deliberations about local taxes only adds an extra layer of whimsy to their already comical nature. Formerly thought to be solitary animals, we know that males often gather in small groups to better fend off potential invaders and ally against foreign males during mating season (females share a common area but not the same living quarters). So, their quirky collective noun is kind of appropriate.

2

A business of ferrets

Credit: Steve Tsang

Ferrets are an industrious bunch. Anyone who has ever watched a group of ferrets running about their business (sic) wouldn’t wonder at all where this noun comes from. These charming mammals were domesticated long ago and selectively bred to hunt rabbits, so they are used to teamwork and following orders.

Another tidbit of ferret trivia: a male ferret is called a hob, and a female a jill.

3

A congregation of alligators

Credit: Kyaw Tun

This one is a bit misleading, at least if you are expecting alligators to be pious and merciful. There is an ounce of truth in the term, however, since alligators effectively tend to "congregate" wherever there is abundant food or during specific seasons.

In any case, it seems not everyone agreed this was an appropriate term for such fearsome creatures, and this is probably why a popular alternative to describe a group of alligators is menace.

4

An unkindness of ravens

Credit: Cristina Glebova

Ravens are some of the smartest creatures on the planet, so it feels quite prejudiced to think of them as necessarily unkind. According to some sources, the term might stem from the age-old impression that these birds often mistreated their young, casting them into the world before they were ready to fend for themselves.

While this belief lacks basis in reality, crows (the more compact-sized cousins of ravens) are also treated with the same suspicion, as their peculiar collective noun - a murder of crows - is even more worrying.

5

A blessing of narwhals

Credit: Dr. Kristin Laidre, Polar Science Center

Forget the somber connotations of the previous one, and let’s step into a realm of pure wholesomeness. Narwhals are an extraordinarily rare sight–for humans, at least. So, bumping into a whole group of them is surely a blessing. Unlike other types of whales, these true unicorns of the sea are famously elusive, and even marine biologists struggle to catch a glimpse of them.

6

A memory of elephants

Credit: Sergi Ferrete

Besides being quite lyrical, a memory of elephants is a fitting term for a group of elephants in the wild. An elephant’s memory is key to its survival, and older members of a group retain complex information about their surroundings, including distinguishing between friendly and hostile humans. So think twice before making an elephant angry, because they are certainly capable of holding a grudge.

7

A coalition of cheetahs

Credit: Ahmed Galal

This one has political–or military–connotations, but for good reason! While most felines tend to live solitary lives, on occasion only accompanied by members of the opposite sex, male cheetahs actually form enduring alliances with other closely related males in order to protect a shared territory. These bonds are so strong, that the coalitions may last for their entire lifetimes.

8

A labor of moles

Credit: ahmad kanbar

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, since it is remarkably easy to picture moles as hardworking workers of the underground, mining deep below the Earth in search of gold or glory. In fact, many ancient poets thought so, and even Virgil praised their diligence and industriousness.

Ask a farmer, though, and they might have a rather different opinion.

Looking for an extra scoop of literary fun?

Learn more with our Word of the day

resolute

/ˈrɛzəˌlut/