Things just aren’t what they used to be. With 6-year-olds texting on their smartphones and people communicating online, sometimes you just yearn for a simpler time. A time when toddlers didn’t know how to use technology better than you and when paying at the pump didn’t mean handing over your firstborn. If you’re in the mood for reminiscing, classic TV shows can be just the ticket.
That way, you can kick back and relive the glory days in black and white or remember when good TV meant wholesome family fun. And, since we’re in the 21st century, you can ask your preschooler to show you how to watch them on these awesome websites.
Hulu.com
The website known for its lightning-fast streaming speeds and the latest episodes of all of your favorite shows also has a huge bank of classics on tap, too. With shows like “Bewitched,” “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Rockford Files,” you’ll have literally hundreds of hours of classics to work your way through. While Hulu does have commercial breaks, they’re limited and typically very short, so nothing gets between you and your classic TV.
TVLand.com
TVLand is a complete network dedicated to old classics and new series, so there’s no wonder that the TVLand website is packed with clips and full episodes of your old favorites. Whether you’re in the mood from some Ricky and Lucy banter with “I Love Lucy,” or you’re more of an “I Dream of Jeannie” fan, the site offers some of the older classics as well as ’80s and ’90s-era sitcoms that you might miss, like “Roseanne” and “Murder, She Wrote.” Hey, the word “classic” means different things to different people.
Emol.org
Some TV shows are so “classic” that they’re now considered to be part of the public domain. That way, they’re free to be viewed online by anyone, and emol.com offers a huge library of these shows for your reminiscing pleasure. While all of the TV shows are of the black and white variety, you’ll still love catching up with characters like Andy Griffith, Jackie Gleason and the Three Stooges all for free. Added bonus? Since the shows are part of the public domain, you don’t need to engage in any shady tactics to watch the shows that you love.
NBC.com
Some major networks, such as NBC, have made some of their classic shows available for free online. The NBC Classics website has all of your favorite shows in their bell-bottomed, bad hair and overacted glory. Check out newer classics, like “Miami Vice,” “The A-Team” and even “Battlestar Galactica.” Rekindle your love for the moustache by catching up on old “Magnum P.I.” episodes, or geek out with “Quantum Leap” all from the NBC website. You can also check out all of their newer shows available for free streaming online.
TV4U.com
Another site that revolves around shows available in the public domain, the real plus for TV4U.com is the organization. You can easily see all of the hundreds of shows offered base on genre, which can seriously help narrow things down. Whether you want an old-timey Western or you’re more into old-school comedy, there’s plenty to choose from and at absolutely no cost. You also can forget about commercials, although the site does have some banner ads displayed.
The perfect marriage of old and new happens when you watch episodes of “The Honeymooners” on your phone, laptop or tablet computer. While you might be turning back the clock, you’re also stepping forward in time to use technology for nostalgia’s sake. Your kids will be so proud!
Dwayne Thomas is a tech enthusiast and staff writer for cabletv.com. He welcomes your feedback on Twitter @DwayneThomas15.