If I could change some things about the original Addams Family TV series, I'd have filmed it in color and have given it a run of 7 seasons. It's a damned shame that some of the classic TV shows only lasted 2 or 3 seasons, and were under appreciated by TV execs at the time. Given today's media environment, there is not enough product for all the streaming channels, nor are there enough non-reality shows to make TV interesting anymore. RQS and I consider ourselves very lucky to grow up towards the end of the Golden Age of TV, as we were spoiled by 3 major networks still trying to define what popular TV would become.
For years, it was hard to watch many of the classic shows once they left the networks, and ended their runs in syndication. The technology needed for people to binge watch their favorite old shows did not exist, or it cost too much for the average middle class family to buy. However, things began to change once the average home had at least 1 VHS tape player (and later, a DVD player). Now, people could rent shows from their local Blockbuster outlet, and watch them at their convenience. Later on, the growth of the internet made it possible to stream shows from sources such as Netflix. Now, it is possible to binge watch any show, as long as it can be found on the internet.
Many shows are still not available on the internet. For example, I have yet to find any channel that makes Midnight Caller (with Gary Cole) available for streaming. However, I have found that someone uploaded over-the-air recordings of this show to a streaming service, product which has seemingly been abandoned by its owners. This is one of many shows still unavailable to the public, unless one is willing to visit the Paley Center in NYC to view programs in its library.
Given that I have a family member who worked in the TV industry, I have an interest in quality TV. I am saddened by all the so-called "reality" shows that seem to dominate the networks. Unlike classic TV shows, these shows are cheap to make and can generate acceptable advertising revenue. As for me, I have given up watching network TV, and have begun searching for classic shows (such as Perry Mason) on streaming channels to watch in my free time. At least, I have a boxed set of The Man Show to make me laugh when I need to do so....
