retro tv

With its new slate of original programming, there's just not enough room in the schedule for TV Land to air many classic TV shows anymore.

At least that's the word from executive vice president Jaci Cohen. Or to quote her directly, "There are still only 24 hours in a day." TV Land viewers have been posting complaints/suggestions on the network's Facebook page, many irritated that classic sitcoms are being pushed aside in favor of reality shows like 'High School Reunion' and 'She's Got the Look.' While it's true that TV Land is investing in some original, old fashioned comedies -- like 'Hot in Cleveland' and 'Retired at 35' -- it's been moving away from the classics for some time now.

But there's still hope! We live in a world of 9,000 cable channels, and here are five places where you can get your classic TV fix.

Several years back, long before TV Squad or most other TV-related web sites, there was a terrific magazine called Television Chronicles. It was basically the ultimate publication for the serious TV fan, and I was really hoping to write for it at some point. But after a few years it ceased publication, but now I'm happy to report that it's back in online form (God bless the internets)!

Publisher Bill Groves and editor Ed Robertson are back at the helm, and their first issue (August) has a lot of great stuff, including a long feature on the 70s adventure drama The Magician, with Bill Bixby (a favorite of mine when I was a kid) and the short-lived 80s series Sable (I had completely forgotten that Rene Russo costarred in that!). Plus they have other features, including an audio hello from Larry Cohen (The Invaders, Coronet Blue, Branded), and podcasts.

Welcome back, Television Chronicles.

[via Lee Goldberg]

A lot of people collect things: stamps, baseball cards, snow globes, coffee mugs, T-shirts. I collect old advertisements. Whether it's print, radio or video, I'm fascinated by the ads of yesteryear, especially the 1950s and 60s.

So imagine my delight when Keith sent me a link to this, 25 minutes of TV commercials from the 50s and 60s on Google Video! Some great ads here, from vintage ads for Colt 45 (that's a beer) to cigarettes. A few ads for an oddly creamy shampoo for women, and there's a Coke ad in there too, and I swear the women doesn't just "like" Coke, she's thoroughly addicted (there's even an address to write to her - I wonder if we wrote something it would get to her, assuming she's still with us?). And that Heinz pickle ad with the old lady has instantly become one of my favorite TV commercials of all-time.

Oh, and if you wait til the very end? The last ad features a young Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae) from The Facts of Life...naked in a shower! Woo-hoo!

Take a look at the retro advertising goodness after the jump.