Classic TV shows you can binge right now

OK, so maybe this doesn’t feel like the best time for stories about an uncanny world that is often an eerie twist on our own. Then again, people are streaming movies like “Contagion” and “Outbreak” left and right. Maybe this iconic sci-fi/horror anthology series from Rod Serling is perfect for these times. You can find “The Twilight Zone” on Hulu or Netflix.

“Columbo” gives you a lot of bang for your buck, as most episodes are movie length. Peter Falk was perfect for the role of Lieutenant Columbo, a homicide detective who always gets the killer, no matter how smart they think they are. Some of the later episodes are a little iffy, but the first few seasons are pretty much impeccable. Plus, you can watch the show for free, with ads, on IMDb TV or Peacock.

Missing your local bar? Then spend some time in the place where everybody knows your name. “Cheers” is one of the best ensemble sitcoms ever. The characters barely ever leave the bar, but the show is so packed with jokes you don’t even care. Check out Sam, Diane and the gang on Hulu or Netflix.

Are you a sci-fi fan? Have you not checked out the original series of “Star Trek” yet? Well maybe now is the time to give it a shot. The special effects are maybe a little silly, but any sci-fi completist needs to spend some time with Kirk, Spock and the crew. “Star Trek” is available through Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and CBS.

Need something to watch with your family? Or just to keep your kids occupied? Then it’s time to bust out the original Scooby-Doo cartoon. There have been better iterations in recent years (check out “Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated” and “Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!”), but you can’t go wrong with the classic. Feast on Scooby Snacks with Boomerang.

Back in the ‘70s, people went nuts for this British miniseries based on a book by Robert Graves. It tells the tale of Ancient Rome, though the details are exaggerated to make it more like a prime-time soap opera. By the way, if you decide to give “I, Claudius” a shot, you can also follow along by listening to the comedic podcast “I, Podius” by John Hodgman and Elliott Kalan. The miniseries is on Hoopla and Acorn.

“Batman ‘66” was before its time. It was parodying superheroes before they had saturated the pop culture landscape. The show is truly – and intentionally – hilarious. Adam West was pure genius as the Caped Crusader, and the rogues gallery was filled with fantastic performances. You can watch all three seasons with ads on The Roku Channel.

“Miami Vice” is as brightly colored as “Batman,” but it’s a bit more serious. Not that there isn’t fun to have watching “Miami Vice.” It’s a ripping, rollicking action series about two cops looking to clean up the streets of Miami. Throw on your best white blazer and watch “Miami Vice” with Starz, NBC, or DirecTV. Also, two seasons are on demand from USA.

Classic shows about private eyes and detectives are a dime a dozen, but for our money “The Rockford Files” is the best of the bunch. James Garner is perfect as Jim Rockford, a private eye who is far from a suave superman. Rockford takes as many punches as he dishes out, and money is always tight. If you like private eyes even the slightest, you need to check out “The Rockford Files” on IMDb TV.

If we ever needed somebody who can take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile, it’s right now. “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” is an all-time sitcom with an incredible ensemble. There’s a reason there were three spinoffs of this show. Mary, Rhoda, and the whole gang down at the news station are a joy to spend time with. All seven seasons of the show are on Hulu.

“I Love Lucy” wasn’t the first successful sitcom, but in many ways it changed TV. If you care about the history of TV comedy at all, or just like to watch slapstick comedy, Lucille Ball and Co. are the ones to spend time with. While there are nine seasons of the show, there are six seasons on Hulu and CBS.

We’re getting a little British here. Monty Python is still synonymous with British comedy to this day. Their sketch show altered the landscape of comedy. It doesn’t all hold up — comedy rarely does — but some of it is still brilliant. The Flying Circus can be found on Netflix.

A lot of TV workplaces, especially in sitcoms, seem like fun places to work. Not so much on “Taxi.” For a comedy, and a funny one at that, the world of the Sunshine Taxi Company feels a little grim. However, watching this show still gives you time to spend with actors like Andy Kaufman, Christopher Lloyd and Danny Devito. You can find all five seasons on Hulu and four of them on CBS.

In the mood for a cheesy prime-time soap? Want to watch a bunch of backstabbing, torrid affairs and probably some over-the-top fights? “Dallas” is perfect for that, even if you know who shot J.R. There are 14 seasons of “Dallas” on IMDb TV. That could get you through the quarantine by itself.

They’re creepy and kooky and often funny. “The Addams Family” sitcom follows a similar formula basically every week. Some “normal” person wanders into the Addams house and ends up scared away by their weirdness. Try and find episodes that center on the dynamic duo of Gomez and Morticia, played by John Astin and Carolyn Jones. They are clearly the best characters on the show. Spend some quality time with somebody else’s family on Amazon Prime or on Vudu.

There is something relaxing about an old-school formulaic sitcom. “I Dream Of Jeannie” delivers that with gusto. It’s brightly colored and you sort of know what is going to happen, but it’s fun to watch. And the problems are resolved within each episode. It’s a lot of fun, so turn your mind off and watch “I Dream of Jeannie” on The Roku Channel, Crackle or Vudu, all for free with ads.

The “Wonder Woman” movie has been delayed, so here is a way to get your fix of Diana Prince. The ‘70s TV show version is a lot sillier, naturally, but all the hallmarks of Wonder Woman are there. Lynda Carter dons the satin tights to fight for our rights, and it’s quite enjoyable if you aren’t expecting anything too serious. “Wonder Woman” is on DC Universe.

“The Bob Newhart Show” is considered a classic, but it’s also maybe the most underrated sitcom of its era. Bob Hartley’s adventures as a psychologist, at home and at work, are as good as any old-school sitcom you are going to find. If you like classic sitcoms but haven’t checked out this one yet, it’s definitely time to amend that. Lucky for you, all six seasons are on Hulu.

Do you like police procedurals? Well many people call “Hill Street Blues” the procedural that birthed the modern take on the genre. We don’t get shows like “Law & Order” and “NYPD Blue” without “Hill Street Blues.” In need of a new cop show? Then hit up Hulu, but stay safe out there.

There’s only one season of “Kolchak,” so you can get through the whole run in a weekend or two. It’s a pretty clever premise, as Kolchak is a news reporter who finds himself tackling some sort of supernatural occurrence every episode. Darren McGavin is fantastic in the title role. “Kolchak” stalks the night on the NBC and USA apps.

Here’s another show you can watch with your kids or for a little bit of your own nostalgia viewing. You know Pee-wee Herman. You know what he does. The show is bonkers and off the wall but can entertain the whole family. Spend some time in the playhouse with Netflix, Sling, or Hoopla.

Westerns aren't really a thing in TV anymore, but they used to be the biggest thing in television. "Bonanza," with its iconic theme song, is a classic Western. The show ran for 14 seasons and a whopping 431 episodes following the exploits of the Cartwright family. The entire show isn't available anywhere, but you can watch seven seasons on DirecTV and two seasons on Roku and Hoopla.

We wanted to get another sketch show in there for you. If “Monty Python” is a little too odd – or British — for you, then maybe “The Carol Burnett Show” is more your speed. Sketch shows are hit-or-miss by their nature, but there are some memorable bits from the show’s run to be sure. All 11 seasons are now on Amazon Prime, Tubi, and Shout TV.

The “Match Game” of the ‘70s is perhaps the pinnacle of game shows. It’s fun to play along with, but it’s also fun to watch. There are lots of funny people hanging out, filling in blanks and just giving everybody a good time. You can check it out on Amazon Prime for streaming purposes. (It also airs on Buzzr constantly and has a YouTube channel as well.)

Betty White was on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” She also was a frequent panelist on “Match Game.” Well we’re going back to the White well, but, of course, she’s only one-fourth of this iconic sitcom ensemble. It may be a show about four senior citizens living together in Florida, but people young and old still love it. Maybe you’ll love it too on Hulu, but you can also watch on DirecTV or Sling.