Finding a TV series that is good from start to finish is a surprising rarity. Even heralded shows likeGame of Throneswere met with a lot of disappointment by many fans with the show’s final season. So, when a TV series manages to walk off into the sunset with nothing but praise for every episode, it is quite a feat worth celebrating. Casting our lense back in time, we wanted to look at some of the classic TV series that managed to impress audiences from start to finish.
These 10 TV series from the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s don’t have a single bad episode.
10’Leave it to Beaver' (1957 – 1963)
Centered around the misadventures of a spirited youth named Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver, his older brother, and their family and friends, the show captivated 1950s suburbia in an utterly endearing way. Each episode would offer a moral lesson, as Beaver would make a mistake and have to be given a lesson in how to make things right. Several decades later, the show remains one of themost beloved coming-of-age TV series.
Apple Pies, BBQs, and Growing up in Suburbia
Leave it to Beaver’slighthearted tone would offer up consistent life lessons while also aiming to entertain its audience.At the same time, the show would tackle poignant issues kids have to face, including a friend moving away and learning to shave for the first time. Although it is somewhat outdated by today’s standards, the show’s consistent delivery of valuable life lessons and charm ensured there was never a bad episode.
9’The Avengers' (1961 – 1969)
Initially focused on a singular case around Dr. David Keel, who was attempting to avenge his fiancée with the help of spy John Steed.The Avengerswould soon switch its focus to the suave Steed, thwarting bizarre crimes carried out by criminal masterminds with the help of various women spies. Episodes would present a case, often with a sci-fi twist, that would see Steed and the other agents racing to save Britain or the world from sinister plots.
Very Groovy Espionage Series
Even with the shift in focus from its initial premise,The Avengersconsistently delivered stylish espionage, intelligent dialogue, witty humor, and charisma in abundance through Steed and his fellow agents. Running throughout the 60s, the British series also embodied the era, bringing fashion and music along with a sense of fun that is irreplicable in the modern TV landscape.
8’Julia' (1968 – 1971)
The groundbreaking sitcomJuliastarred Diahann Carroll as Julia Baker, a widowed African-American woman raising her young son alone after the death of her husband while serving in Vietnam. Balancing her home life with her job as a nurse in LA, the show celebrated the highs and lows across 86 episodes and 3 seasons.
Groundbreaking TV That Delivered Heartfelt Memories for Its Fans
Tackling the changes in family dynamics brought on by cultural shifts and events of the era,Julia would present a more refined version of the sitcom, ditching the laugh track and focusing itself around issues many Americans were facing. With a middle-class focus, the show’s groundbreaking representation was celebrated but not focused on, with the subject of race rarely explored as much as poignant struggles being felt by all. Despite the gravity of the show’s framing, it also kept an upbeat tone, anchoring much of its success on Diahann Carroll’s iconic performance.
7’Little House on the Prairie' (1974 – 1983)
Little House on the Prairie would follow the Ingalls family, as they left their home in Wisconsin to settle as pioneers on the Kansas prairie. Here they face a series of challenges, starting with their arrival and having to build a new home, to struggling through illness and personal hardships. Yet, together as a unit, the family overcomes any challenges that come their way.
Embracing Family Values To Overcome Challenges Faced on America’s Frontier
We are givingLittle House on the Prairiea little leeway here, as the departure of Michael Landon led to the show’s final season, brandedLittle House: A New Beginning,to be a rather disastrous ending. Yet, given the re-naming of the show, the claim here remains asthe show remains a timeless exploration of challenges faced by families during the 1800s in America. The show built a cottage industry (pun intended) around an endearing exploration of family life and positive moral values; still a favored comfort watch for many decades after its release.
6’Columbo' (1971 – 1978)
Columbofollowed the titular Lieutenant Columbo, a seemingly aloof homicide detective whose calmness hid a brilliant mind for tackling the most complex cases. Using keen observational skills and a disarming approach to questioning, Columbo would solve dozens of cases over the course of 69 episodes (running between 70 and 98 minutes each).
One of the Best Written Crime TV Series of All Time
Peter Falk’s performance ofColumbois utterly iconic, and one that is still revered to this day for his cool and calm approach to high-stakes situations; every case Columbo tackled would revolve around his command of the character. The show also introduced a unique format of piecing together how Columbo solved the case as opposed to following him as he solves it. This approach was heralded for its intelligent writing and taking a unique approach to the saturated crime TV format. With just 69 episodes, every one is gold, with none dipping in quality.
5’MacGyver' (1985 – 1992)
MacGyverfollows the titular secret agent Angus MacGyver, a brilliant and principled agent working for the organization known as the Department of External Services (Phoenix Foundation in Los Angeles in later seasons). MacGyver, opposed to violence, would often find inventive ways to deal with his cases, and was always able to get himself out of a fix with his technical know-how.
Stepping Away at the Height of Success
Let’s face it,MacGyver was never a masterpiece of TV, but rather, across its entire run, it delivered silly fun thanks to the bizarre machinations of its titular protagonist that could get him out of any scenario. The show, arguably, never lost steam, and its cancellation was a product of the cast and crew deciding that to push the series any further would see diminishing returns. The show has certainly remained influential in its own right, bringing the term “to MacGyver” into the cultural lexicon, and being paid homage in various other shows; there was never a dull episode across 139 episodes worth of content.
4’The Wonder Years' (1988 – 1993)
Following the social and family life of Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage),The Wonder Yearswould see the youth face multiple challenges common to growing up in America during the ’80s and ’90s. From relationship issues to family trauma, the story was told retrospectively by a narrator reflecting on his youth; a plot device that would become much more commonly used in the following years.
Reflections on Growing Up in America
WhileThe Wonder Yearsexperienced a decline in viewership that eventually led to its cancellation, this was often due more to audience fatigue with the show’s heavier tone than to a genuine drop in quality. In retrospect,The Wonder Yearsis heralded as a landmark television series for its thoughtful exploration of the challenges of youth, anchored by a wonderful performance from Fred Savage. For many who grew up with the show, its plot lines and the emotions it stirred have carried into adulthood.
3’St. Elsewhere' (1982 – 1988)
St. Elsewherelooked at the lives of those working at St. Eligius Hospital, an aging and underfunded training hospital. With a large cast to make the environment of the hospital feel alive, the series tackled tough medical cases, ethical dilemmas, hospital politics, and the everyday struggles of staff and patients. Not considered medically focused, the show would use the various incidents to highlight the emotional effect of such cases on those involved and the pressures of working at a hospital lacking funding.
Setting the Groundwork for the Greatest Medical Dramas of all Time
An early prototype for what would become one of the most beloved formats in the television landscape,St. Elsewherethrived under strong storytelling that would have viewers invested in the outcome of every staff and patient coming into the hospital. On top of the drama, there was also an undeniable dark wit throughout the show, with characters like Dr. Mark Craig (played by William Daniels) setting an archetype that would becomethe entire basis for hit shows likeHouse M.D.Across 137 episodes, 6 seasons,St. Elsewhere, always delivered.
2’The Incredible Hulk' (1977 – 1982)
Based on the popular Marvel character,The Incredible Hulkfollowed Dr. David Banner, a brilliant scientist who, after a laboratory accident involving gamma radiation, would transform into the monstrous Hulk when stressed or angered. Losing his intellect in the transformation, Banner begins to explore for a cure for his situation, while balancing the monster within that ends up needing to be called upon to help save others.
An Early Standout in Superhero-Themed Television
While Marvel would not really hit its stride in the TV and movie space till decades later, The Incredible Hulk remains as one of the earliest and most iconic television series for the comic company.The show would brilliantly focus on the duality of Bruce Banner and his alter ego, giving the hero an endearing, tragic aspect to his heroism. While there are some episodes considered weaker by the fandom, with the budget lacking in the latter seasons and also seeing a dip in quality, the series is still revered in its entirety for crafting one of the most emotional and dramatic portrayals of super-heroism to date.
1’Get Smart' (1965 – 1970)
Co-createdby the legendary Mel Brooks,Get Smartfollowed the intelligent yet bumbling agent known as Maxwell Smart, or Agent 86, as he tackles a series of global threats with the help of agent #99 (played by Barbara Feldon). Together, the two fight against the organization known as KAOS, using a series of unique gadgets to help them.
Mel Brooks' Greatest Contribution to TV
Running for five seasons with 138 episodes,Get Smartwould stay silly and witty from episode one to its finale. The series would succeed under the phenomenal pairing of Don Adams and Barbara Feldon, but it was the writing by creators Mel Brooks and Buck Henry that makes the series still regarded as one of the best comedy TV series of the ’60s. Fun from start to finish, the slapstick, pun-heavy, and highly quotable comedy still stands up to this day.
