Professor Mould was a huge fan of 80s sitcom. I thought his jokes were quotes from the shows he used to watch (again and again) until I found out about British humor. (Long story.) If I wanted to see a black-and-white film, then I would switch to Turner Classic Movies (TCM). I must be subscribed to cable to catch a rerun of a defunct TV show. I was fortunate that my parents were couch potatoes.
As far as quality was concerned, I wouldn't say that the current TV shows were inferior. I didn't see any difference between "Dynasty" and "Empire". And I was glad that "American Idol" was over. (Another long story.) I spent more time outdoors during the summer, but the last one was different. I was glued to the TV. My father thought if something happened, while my mother kept an eye on my binge-eating. (I must have soda and chips.) It happened that I brought the subject matter to the professor before spring break. (We were too occupied, so we didn't get the chance to meet again.) He was interested in the shows I've seen. If I were a big-time TV producer, I wouldn't think long and hard about the old television programs that I would bring back. Here they are:
Quantum Leap. A scientist had the ability to time travel, which he would use to right every wrong. I liked the premise right away. This was the kind of show that the whole family could watch and talk afterwards. And I don't think it would be embarrassing to have a Kleenex in front of the couch. I thought the world was innocent back then until I discovered "China Beach". On the educational side, this drama would reveal the American folk culture. I would be reminded about it, which would make me smile for a moment. I was truly lucky, and I really meant it.
Golden Girls. I had reservations at first, but my mother was a huge fan of the show. It made me wonder how I would deal with four senior ladies. I might have had a hard time controlling myself after Rose told me about Ingrid, her best friend. And she turned out to be an echo. (Go figure.) How about Blanche? Would I be embarrassed if she were my mother? Perhaps. As for Sophia, she might have turned out to be the coolest grandmother. (I loved someone who tried to live the moment. But it might be due to youth.) Dorothy, Sophia's daughter, is the sensible one in the group. It wasn't hard to imagine the dynamics, of how awkward or outrageous it would turn out.
Murphy Brown. I believed William Makepeace Thackeray wrote about her, but Diane English would disagree. She could be a man in a woman's body, which wouldn't surprise anyone. But she was a recovering alcoholic. She had a new secretary every day or two. And she wanted to have the last laugh. This was the same lady who quipped that the Bee Gees were Australia's greatest contribution to the world. You must be a fan of this veteran TV journalist to laugh out loud.
How about you? If you have an old TV show (that you liked a lot), then don't keep it to yourself.
