This is possibly the hardest list to generate and will likely be the shortest. The problem is that TV programs are collaborative projects with some of the collaborators being network and studio executives and sponsors. Studio executives have one mission: to generate cash – usually short term cash. They have no real interest in art. They sell their products to sponsors – business people who typically watch nothing on TV except news and pornography. TV executives would be very happy if all viewers were sugar buying zombies. Hence, the most long running, income producing programs are also the least enlightened. It is very difficult for a creative, enlightened person to deal with executives and sponsors – but they are necessary to the process. Any illuminated, progressive show that squeaks onto the schedule will inevitable suffer from executive interference. You will notice that most shows on the list went only 1 or 2 seasons. Often this was intentional – creators proposing short run documentary programs that could escape network tampering. The shows that ran longer suffered in their later seasons from executive sabotage. Sometimes creators are clever enough to conceal the illuminated messages in children’s shows and cartoons. As long as there were no swear words or overt sexuality, the executives ignored the content. Sometimes a show can get more support on cable channels rather than major networks – though this usually means lower production values and short seasons. Very rarely, the show’s creator is so charismatic or formidable that the show can counter the executive interference. And very, very rarely a show finds a champion within the ranks of the executives or the sponsors and survives despite inevitable low ratings. You can decide for yourself what programs on the list and on television generally match the comments above.
Another major problem involved in generating this list is that most illuminated programs only ran once or twice and then were forgotten. It is necessary to remember what was seen many years ago and then check on the title, dates of broadcast and content descriptions to determine if memory matches reality.
Despite all these issues, this list is far from complete and more items will be added over time. Short comments on each program will also be added. Until then check with Wikipedia and other sources for more information.
If there is a show you think should be on this list – or if you are wondering why a particular show is included – mention it in the blog and we can discuss it.
NOTE: this is intended as an educational and entertainment site. All pictures are used solely to generate interest in the works mentioned and have NO commercial intention.
TV Shows and Short Subjects
30 Rock (2006 – )
3rd Rock From the Sun (1996-2001)
Adventures of Superman (1952-1958)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955-1965)
America 2 Night (1978)
Ancient Mysteries (1994 – 1998)
Angel (1999-2004)
Animaniacs (1993-1998)
Anne of Green Gables (1985)
Arrested Development (2003-2006)
Babylon Five (1993-1998)
Batman (1966-1968)
Batman: the Brave and the Bold (2008-2011)
Beany and Cecil (1962)
Being Erica (2009-2011)
Blackadder (1983-1989)
Bonanza (1959-1973)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Bugs Bunny (1940-1964)
Carl Sagan’s Cosmos: a Personal Voyage (1980)
Camelot (2011)
Connections (1978), Connections2 (1994), Connections3 (1997)
Cougar Town (2009 – )
Danger Man / Secret Agent (1960-1968)
Dead Like Me (2003-2004)
Dr. Who (1963-1989 and 2005 – )
Enigma (2005-2011)
Farscape (1999-2003)
Fernwood 2 Night (1977)
Firefly (2002)
Futurama (1999-2003 and 2008 – )
H.R. Pufnstuff (1969-1971)
Hercules: the Legendary Journeys (1994-1999)
Highway to Heaven (1984-1989)
History Bites (1998-2003)
I, Claudius (1976)
In Search of… (1976-1982)
Incredible Hulk, the (1977-1982)
It’s Garry Shandling’s Show (1986-1990)
Jane and the Dragon (2005)
Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth (1988)
Justice League (2001-2004)
Justice League Unlimited (2004-2006)
Kung Fu (1972-1975)
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976-1977)
Mission: Impossible (1966-1973)
Monk (2002-2009)
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969-1974)
Mr. Bean (1990-1995)
New Girl (2011 -)
Night Gallery (1970-1973)
Outer Limits (1963-1965)
Pee-wee’s Playhouse (1986-1990)
Penn & Teller’s Invisible Thread (1987)
Pinky and the Brain (1995-1998)
Police Squad! (1982)
Popeye the Sailor (1933-1957)
Prisoners of Gravity (1989-1994)
Puppets Who Kill (2002-2006)
Quantum Leap (1989-1993)
Raising Hope (2010 – )
Robot Chicken (2005 – )
Rocky and Bullwinkle (1959-1964)
Rome (2005-2007)
Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-in (1967-1973)
Samurai Jack (2001-2004)
Shelley Duvall’s Faerie Tale Theatre (1982-1984)
Shameless (2011 – )
Sherlock Holmes (1984-1994)
Sliders (1995-1999)
Spectacular Spider-Man (2008-2009)
Spider-Man (1967-1970)
Star Blazers (1979-1984)
Star Trek (1966-1969)
Stephen Hawking’s the Grand Design (2012)
Stingray (1964-1965)
Story Theatre (1971)
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Tales from the Darkside (1984-1988)
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955-1959)
The All-Night Show (1980)
The A-Team (1983-1987)
The Avengers (1961-1969)
The Benny Hill show (1951-1991)
The Champions (1968-1969)
The Day the Universe Changed (1985)
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (1981)
The Incredible Human Journey (2009)
The Larry Sanders Show (1992-1998)
The Man from UNCLE (1964-1968)
The Monkees (1966-1968)
The Muppet show (1976-1981)
The Night Stalker (1972-1974)
The Prisoner (1967-1968)
The Rockford Files (1974-1980)
The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (1963)
The Simple Life (2003-2007)
The Smothers Brothers (1967-1969)
The Three Stooges (1933-1957)
The Tomorrow People (1973-1979)
The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau (1968 – 1975)
Thriller (1960-1962)
Thunderbirds (1965-1966)
Timeslip (1970-1971)
Titans (1981-1982)
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Torchwood (2006 – )
Trailer Park Boys (2001-2008)
Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
Venture Bros. (2003 – )
Veronica Mars (2004-2007)
Witness to Yesterday (1974-1975, 1998)
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une femme avec une femme
You could definitely see your skills in the paintings you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.
Michael
Thank you.