Before there was Netflix and on-demand streaming services, there was traditional cable and satellite television.
Yes, the format is still around, but it’s a rare occurrence nowadays for families to gather around the TV set to watch their favourite series in the same way that families did from the 1950s through to the 1990s.
With just one episode aired per week for most shows, it was a highly anticipated event. At the same time each night, in homes across the country, everyone would sit together around the screen and settle in.
In most cases, there were no such things as reruns or encores, so if you were across shows on different channels, you’d have to choose which one to prioritise.
If you missed one, then too bad, you’d have to ask someone to fill you in on what happened.
All of this made traditional TV all the more exciting. Hard to imagine it all in today’s world of binge-watching and streaming.
To take a trip down memory lane, we asked our Magic listeners which shows they remember being eager to sit down and watch with their families.
Here’s a list of some of their favourites from the good ol’ days of television.
‘Life with Dexter’ (1953–1964)
This one’s an Australian radio sitcom rather than a telly show, but it seemed fitting to include. The show is centred around suburban bloke Dexter Dutton, as he navigates through all kinds of humorous and challenging situations. “As a child, our whole family gathered around the radio to enjoy ‘Life With Dexter’. Now I always listen to Magic, and the music brings back lots of memorable moments,” one listener wrote to us.
‘Lassie’ (1954–74)
This show followed the life and adventures of a Rough Collie dog, Lassie, and her friends.
As Judith remembered, “Our family friends used to come over, fish and chips for tea, and we would sit down and watch Lassie. I now have my own Lassie dog.”
Other listeners recalled enjoying ‘Lassie’ alongside other shows that featured animals as the star, namely, ‘Flipper’ (1964–67) and ‘Gentle Ben’ (1967–69), about a dolphin and a brown bear, respectively.
‘Disneyland’ Disney anthology series (1954–1991)
Disney’s anthology series, which underwent many name changes, was recalled by multiple listeners, with many mentioning it as being the go-to show on Sunday nights.
“We would all be around the table, then after dishes and cleaning up, we would watch ‘Disneyland’ on Sunday night,” one listener told us.
‘Get Smart’ (1965–70)
We had a bunch of messages mentioning ‘Get Smart’ as a favourite. Considered by many as one of the best sitcoms of the 60s (up there with ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ and ‘The Andy Griffith Show’), the show followed the life of an intellectual but bumbling spy, Maxwell Smart.
‘Lost in Space’ (1965–68)
A charming show about a family whose spaceship veers off course, leaving them adrift in space. Like this one was a go-to for Thursday evenings, as one listener said,
“We’d always sit down on a Thursday night with fish and chips as a family to watch ‘Lost in Space’ with Dr Zachary Smith, and ‘The Little House on the Prairie’ was also another”
‘The High Chaparral’ (1967–71)
It's clear Magic listeners love Westerns, specifically ‘The High Chaparral’.
As recalled in a text from John, “I think this was usually after dinner. Around 7pm, but our whole family used to watch ‘The High Chaparral’”
Another also described it as being a family favourite amongst a handful of other shows and remembers the excitement of colour TV (which was introduced to NZ in 1973!).
“‘Bonanza’, ‘High Chaparral’, and ‘The Brady Bunch’. Our family would all love to sit and watch. It was such an exciting experience to watch in colour when we got our first colour TV, Phillips K9”.
‘Cilla’ (1968–76)
Hosted by British singer Cilla Black, ‘Cilla’ was another show on the Sunday night roster. As one listener described the evening’s agenda: “We used to watch Cilla Black’s show on a Sunday night, eating toastie pies cooked in the open fire. Great memories”.
‘Happen Inn’ (1970–73)
Here’s one created right here in New Zealand. ‘Happen Inn’, hosted by Peter Sinclair, was a weekly music show that showcased home-grown Kiwi talent.
“Good morning, no one's mentioned Pete Sinclair and ‘Happen Inn’," one passionate listener wrote in. "My go to in the 60's - the best NZ music."
‘The Generation Game’ (1971–2011)
You gotta love a classic game show, especially one hosted by Sir Bruce Forsyth. This one was brought up a couple of times as prime Saturday night entertainment.
“Essential viewing while eating dinner at our house was ‘The Generation Game’. Dinner had to be ready by 6.30 pm on a Saturday,” said Dave.
While Kathleen wrote, “Saturdays were Bruce Forsyth's ‘Generation Game’ and Sunday was ‘The Wonderful World of Disney’ - great memories of family watching both together”.
‘M*A*S*H’ (1972–1983)
One of the defining shows of the 1970s, this show was a favourite among Magic listeners.
The hit dramedy was set in a Korean War field hospital, mixing humour with drama as surgeons navigated the absurdities and tragedies of wartime.
Its finale became one of TV’s most-watched events.
‘Fraggle Rock’ (1983–87)
This comedy puppet series was colourful and wacky in the best way possible. Created by Jim Henson, the wonderful world of the Fraggles, which is still much-loved today, was once a favourite at Burnham Military Camp.
As one listener wrote, “In the early 80s, in the barracks at Burnham camp on Saturday, we used to watch ‘Fraggle Rock’ and then ‘Star Trek’”.
The list would be much too long if we were to include every favourite, but here are some other notable and recurring shows mentioned:
‘The Loretta Young Show’ / ‘Letter to Loretta’ (1953–1961)
‘My Three Sons’ (1960–72)
‘The Beverly Hillbillies’ (1962–1971)
‘Top of the Pops’ (UK, 1964–2006)
‘The Brady Bunch’ (1969–74)
‘The Waltons’ (1972–81)
‘Last of the Summer Wine’ (1973–2010)
‘Chico and the Man’ (1974–78)
‘Little House on the Prairie’ (1974–83)
‘The Muppet Show’ (1976–1981)
‘Dallas’ (1978–1991)
Now that we’ve jogged your memory, maybe it’s time to go and rewatch these old TV classics, although, rather ironically, you’d probably have to do so through a streaming service.
