Some 1960s TV classics never had high ratings

Shows that are beloved today were not as popular back then

The decade of the 1960s produced some of the most diverse, and creative, programs in television history, many of which are still popular today. With expanded cable, satellite, and streaming feeds, Sixties television is all over the place.

As consumers scramble to find relaxation and quality entertainment amid the troubles of the world, 1960s television has become a safe haven, and outlets that focus on classic television are among the favorites on the dial. MeTV, which offers a fun selection of old-time television, routinely finishes ahead of established stations like Lifetime, A&E, and AMC in the ratings.

INSP, which is top-heavy on classic westerns, saw its ratings rise a staggering 1,171 percent between 2010 and 2021.

Some of the most beloved classic shows, however, were not major hits when they first aired in the 1960s. It’s a surprisingly long list, and here are just a few of the notables.

The Big Valley (1965-69). This critically acclaimed ABC western with Barbara Stanwyck, and Lee Majors, and Linda Evans featured sophisticated storylines, a visually appealing set, and loads of big-name guest stars. Today, it airs on an array of networks, but the show never finished in the top-30 in the Nielsens in any of its four original seasons. The Big Valley was a mediocre 57th in its debut season, followed by a 45th-place finish in 1966-67.

That Girl (1966-71). Marlo Thomas played chronically unemployed, high-strung actress Ann Marie in this star-vehicle ABC sitcom that finished 57th in its first season and never made the top 30 in any of its five seasons. That Girl was 48th in both 1966-67 and 1969-70.

The Jetsons (1962-63). ABC and Hanna-Barbera rode the success of The Flintstones with another prime-time animated series, this one set centuries into the future. The Jetsons gave fans a catchy intro theme (“Meet George Jetson/His Boy Elroy …”), and later became a steady success on Saturday mornings for decades. But the show was cancelled after one season and just 24 episodes due to low ratings on prime-time.

I Dream of Jeannie (1965-70). Few sitcoms are as fun to watch as I Dream of Jeannie, as Barbara Eden’s charming genie is among the most beloved characters in television history. The series airs almost constantly on some outlet, and has legions of devoted fans. But during its five-year run on NBC a half-century ago, it only cracked the top-30 twice (#27 in 1965-66, #26 in 1968-69).

Leave It To Beaver (1957-63). This show became symbolic of the era with Beaver and Wally getting into wholesome mischief while coming of age, as father Ward offered sage advice and mother June vacuumed in pearls. It’s still a wildly popular selection in reruns, six decades after leaving the air. It never finished in the top 30 in any of its six seasons (1957-58 on CBS, the last five on ABC).

The Munsters (1964-66). Slapstick to the extreme and armed with great opening theme music, The Munsters was a creative, laugh-a minute program that has spawned numerous remakes, animated sequels, and movies. Fans in the 1960s loved it, at least for a while. The show finished 18th in its debut season on CBS before plummeting to 61st, leading to its cancellation after just two seasons.

The Addams Family (1964-66). Fans still snap their fingers to the familiar The Addams Family theme, as the show has been remade into a big-screen movie and a Broadway hit, while the music is a favorite on ballpark organs. The show was 23rd in its first year on ABC, then was 62nd and the victim of an early cancellation.

Hondo (1967). Few tales in television history are as curious as the comeback of Hondo, a gritty western with Ralph Taeger and Noah Beery (The Rockford Files) which lasted for just 17 episodes on ABC in the fall of 1967 before a quick cancellation. It finished 77th of 91 shows in the Nielsens that season.

In 1989, Hondo began airing as part of a Saturday morning block on cable outlet TNT, and the results were shocking. Two years later, it was the fifth-highest rated program on the network. By 1995, an estimated 500,000 viewers were getting up early on Saturdays to watch Hondo. The show has been a regular on the Get TV network weekend lineup for several years.

Tom Emery is a freelance writer and historical researcher from Carlinville, Ill. He may be reached at (217) 710-8392 or ilcivilwar@yahoo.com.