[greene66]

True, “Beaver” was popular in local syndication for decades after its original run, building up a large fanbase of many younger, post-boomer viewers.

That used to be the nice thing about the old days of local-tv. Young viewers could grow up watching 1930s-era “Little Rascals,” 1940s-era “Abbott and Costello” films, 1950s-era “Leave it to Beaver,” 1960s-era “Star Trek,” and 1970s-era “Brady Bunch,” or whatever, all at the same time. Many decades of cultural americana to tap into, and somewhat tie the generations together, and imprint a certain historical perspective. Don’t really see that scenario anymore, due to the fragmentation of the media into a million directions and a million ghettoized cubbyholes, which distances and alienates everyone from a common American culture.

[jobim]

Nice observation. It now falls on we parents to provide that
smorgasboard of Americana culture. Buy up the old shows, get
them on youtube, introduce the great tunes of the American songbook,
and spend family time watching & listening. Our 14 year old
has grown up on music, movies, and TV just this way, and I can
say with certainty that all carry the same appeal, even to
the young, as it ever did.

[berdie]

What you say makes an excellent point.

We may not see that historical perspective any longer because the freedom enjoyed by previous generations, that bound us together, is gone.

Rest in piece, Lumpy. It was a great time to grow up in.

(I still watch and enjoy the repeat episodes.)

[KoRn]

"That used to be the nice thing about the old days of local-tv. Young viewers could grow up watching 1930s-era “Little Rascals,” 1940s-era “Abbott and Costello” films, 1950s-era “Leave it to Beaver,” 1960s-era “Star Trek,” and 1970s-era “Brady Bunch,” or whatever, all at the same time. Many decades of cultural americana to tap into, and somewhat tie the generations together, and imprint a certain historical perspective."

I grew up during the 80s, and watched all of those shows you mentioned for years. You could probably add the Andy Griffin show to that list. Even when they stopped showing on local TV, I continued watching them on "Nickelodeon"(Nick-At-Nite). The adults always thought it was entertaining how I liked watching shows they watched when they were my age growing up.

[LZ_Bayonet]

"Don’t really see that scenario anymore, due to the fragmentation of the media into a million directions and a million ghettoized cubbyholes, which distances and alienates everyone from a common American culture."

But those were also the days when ABC,CBS, and NBC had total power over news reporting (spin) and defining or creating American culture.