Rediscovering and Appreciating Old Sitcoms

Tonight, I just have a brief observation.

Since getting Hulu, we have watched a lot of old sitcoms. “Cheers,” “Fraiser,” and “Seinfeld” are a few that we have acquainted ourselves with. Until streaming them over the past couple months, I had never given any of them a chance. Years and years ago I couldn’t switch the station fast enough if I landed on one of them while channel surfing.

Back in the 2000s, I wouldn’t give “Cheers” the time of day if I passed by a rerun.

However, as we get older we start doing weird things that would appall our former teenage selves. We enjoy going to bed early, we eat broccoli, and we even watch shows that “are about nothing.” It’s crazy.

I started watching these programs in mid-November. Hulu would group all the Thanksgiving-themed episodes of the sitcoms it owns together so viewers could truly get in the spirit of the holiday. I took the bait and got my Thanksgiving fix by watching classic sitcoms. I did the same with the Christmas episodes and then I went beyond the holiday specials and started watching random episodes in random seasons.

There used to be a time when “a show about nothing” just didn’t appeal to me.

I used to think shows like “Cheers” and “Seinfeld” were boring, crusty, and out of touch. But once I actually sat down and watched them from the perspective of an adult, one thing became apparent—they are works of art! Funny, well-written, and easy going, these shows make for fulfilling viewing.

But what really struck me the most is how they are relatable. In the case of “Cheers,” many of the episodes were filmed nearly 40 years ago. But you know what? The characters experienced the same predicaments and funny situations that many of us face today. The same can be said for “Frasier” and “Seinfeld.” Technology changes but relationships, jobs, and family still remain. To see these sitcoms opine on many of the issues that are so prevalent today has made me really develop an appreciation for these classics.

Frasier used to bore me.

If you are like me and steered clear of sitcoms from the 80s and 90s, you might want to go back and give them a second chance. You will see that your parents weren’t so crazy after all. Don’t Blink.

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