“The Greek word for “return” is nostos. Algos means “suffering.” So nostalgia is the suffering caused by an unappeased yearning to return.”
― Milan Kundera, Ignorance
The Andy Griffith Show, Hogan’s Heroes, Match Game 75, Barney Miller…these are all 1960 and 1970 television shows enjoying a revival. Many viewers, generally in the Medicare and Social Security eligible categories, are eschewing current produced media fare for TV shows of their younger years.
Why? The reasons may vary but for many it’s a portal to a simpler time with less stress and drama. People need a break from Covid 19, Trump rants, smarmy Fox commentators and an endless stream of violence, disasters and deaths on their TVs and computer screens.
I too pine for simpler times and have compiled a short list of memories, places and people that take me back to a simpler time.
- Cherry Hill Mall food court with Nathans, Arthur Teachers and Bassetts Turkey
- Drive-In movies
- Emma Peel
- Local minor league hockey (Jersey Devils, Ramblers)
- Walter Cronkite, Peter Jennings and Chet Huntley
- Extensive coverage of college and high school sports by local papers
- Fish’s (Abe Vigoda) asides on Barney Miller
- Summer League Basketball at Wood and Memorial Parks (Cinnaminson NJ)
- “Missed by that much”
- Pat Paulsen running for President
- Gladys Ormphby and Tyrone on Laugh In
- Barbi Benton
- U.S. Pro Indoor Tournament at Spectrum
- Chief Jay Strongbow
- Lindsey Nelson and Ray Scott announcing college and professional football games
- Old Republican party (Everett Dirksen, Hugh Scott, Gerald Ford)
- Apologies
- Soupy Sales
- By Saam and Richie Ashburn broadcasting Phillies games
- Petula Clark
- Diving horse at Steel Pier
- Sparklers
- Tinsel
- Hill Street Blues
- John Larroquette’s (Dan Fielding) leers on Night Court
- Mike Wallace interviews on 60 Minutes
- Playboy interviews
- Sport magazine
- Archie Bunker
- Phyllis George
- The Grassroots
Reader, how many from this list do you remember and know?
Esot-eric 