Mary Tyler Moore, Where Are You?

Highway to Heaven with Michael Landon Little Men (based on Louisa may alcott) tv series, lasted 2 yrs. Jo runs a school for kids

These two shows had some of the most clean-cut protagonists on T. V. ever. Producer Jack Webb, the man behind (and in) Dragnet, made sure of that. And there were color episodes of Dragnet, too. And while you're at it, there's always Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and Little House on the Prairie.

and family affair was good too

What about the Waltons? DVDs are available for each season. It was one of my favorite TV series of the past. It’s being repeated on a local station and I try to catch it each week-day when I can.

The Cosby Show.

You're asking for suggestions? Don't rent any of them. Who says you have to rent any. The old shows seem so sweet from our view in 2010, but by no means should any of them be "role models" for our children. They're only good in comparison with today. That's not much of a standard to use. Even nice, sweet, TV life is not what we want our kids to aspire to. Once in a while entertainment, maybe... role models, no way.

Hi Lori, we met yesterday and you asked me to email you with the memory link of Alaska to go over our stories. It would be fun to connect here over tea or coffee...

What about Mr. Ed, for all the horse lovers?

I am old enough to have watched the original MTM shows. While they may seem squeaky clean today, they were ground-breaking in those days. A single girl, moving out of her parent's home? Living alone? Dating men without her parents meeting them? It's all perspective.

Check out The Lone Ranger

You're right, even Mary succumbed to the times. A later show alluded to 'an overnight.' So you have to dig further back. I've been TV-less ever since the digital switch. Recently I started watching old shows via Hulu.com. Donna Reed, Leave it to Beaver, The Nelson Family . . . but you know what? Now, in 2010, those shows almost seem too tame. Donna Reed is frozen in time but for (nearly) anyone who has been educated, been exposed to fashions and media since the sixties, these shows really are dated. I guess even the best of us have been jaded a little.

Little House on the Prairie

I Love Lucy (I still laugh every time I see it), Dick Van Dyke(cleverly written) , Alfred Hitchcock, Twilight Zone (old only), Ellery Queen (if you can find it), Nanny & the Professor & Because of Winn Dixie & The Rookie (movies) We occasionally check out DVDs from the library & they often have more family friendly stuff than video stores. I forget the name, but there is a production company that makes videos for families that entertain as well as have a message. I miss not having a TV sometimes, but only if I could watch my old faves from childhood

I want to watch TV. Why should I not have access to that venue. As it stands, there is PBS and the weather channel (with reservations there also!) Sports have become awful! Here's my suggestion. If you are a person of faith in the Almighty, if you know someone with talent in presentation, who also has faith, get behind them, encourage them, support them, talk them up. If they show promise and you know persons of like mind who have influence, promote this person of talent. Somewhere along the line, a breakthrough WILL come. Stop accepting the produce of these corporations that dominate the media. Stop defending them just because you've been entranced by their political posturing. If "everyone" watching this statement of Lori's wrote their mind to their media companies, I guarantee you, they would hear! Now, I ask you, which appears to have more power of persuasion, politics or media?

I would definitely recommend "The Waltons"

Having spent about 25 years in Africa and raising my children there I often found it hard to get good videos from the video rental stores. We also didn't have a TV until the children were 10 and 7 years old respectively. We did however rent a TV from time to time and I often would rely on things brought from the States. For young children I would suggest the "Veggie Tales" series which still makes new DVD's today. I agree with the Focus on the Family's "McGee and Me" series too as although a bit outdated they still help kids deal with real life issues. We also watched alot of old Disney movies and still enjoy them. Some of those movies were still shown in the theaters in Kenya in the 80' s and later at the drive-ins when our kids were young.. As for shows for older kids I think nothing beats "Little House on the Prairie", "The Waltons" and also "HIghway to Heaven". All of these shows are challenging to one's thought and behavior and deal with hard topics at times. My kids still laugh when I request a season of one of these series for a gift. Still I didn't really see many of these shows as we returned in 2002 to take up permanent residence here in the US. Finally one of my favorites has become "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" as I'm a nurse and can identify with her going on her own to a new and unknown frontier. Trying out any of the above mentioned series will provide good viewing and help a child think about his/her choices in life. I can still remember our Kelly watching one of the "Veggie Tales" videos called "Madame Blueberry". I'm convinced that it helped her with a few things she was struggling with then and would face in the future. Try them all out as you won't be disappointed....

I still have fond memories of Leave it to Beaver shows, which although black and white were compelling and moral. I found the McGee and Me videos for my children at a store in Lancaster County and, although issued by Focus in the Family we found them compelling and dealing with common moral dilemmas, with good values portrayed.

Oh, come on Maria :). Lighten up on the Simpsons. Did you not see the clip of the Simpsons visit Israel on Jewlarious? Mashugana, hillarious! The Simpsons may be slightly edgy, but for the most part, it's a warm hearted and very funny show. It happens to be my favorite TV show for that reason. I have all the seasons and movie of it released on DVD thus far. However, you might want to stay away from Family Guy, and all it's spin offs. Not that they're not funny, but they are just dirty a lot of the time with way more cursing than the Simpsons.

When I see what our children and their children are being exposed to, not just on television, but in just about every aspect of their innocent little lives I look around and wonder, where is Lot?

There are some lessons that may be taken the right way and some that can be taken the wrong way for different audiences. I am originally form the UK and remember a range of decent shows from days gone by. Depending on age Childrens TV such as puppet shows Trumpton for very younger viewers, Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, Blue Peter was a British TV Magazine programme and still goes on. From America I remember some episodes of the Phil Silvers Show/Sgt Bilko, Car 54 were are you? and as you mentioned Dick Van Dyke there were plenty one could mention. Again it purely depends on the individual and what the parent considers appropriate or not. As a child growing up in 1970s Manchester UK life was more pleasant as a whole and one played out with friends or found something else to do other than TV entertainment. Then again, in today's climate, what does one consider bitul zman or not? Uri

I know this is not pertaining to the subject here but Mazal tov to you Lorie, our HERO finalist.

Growing up I remeber my father got rid of the tv set in the early 60's, because he thought most shows would be a bad influence for my brothers. On the day of man's landing on the moon, he went out at the last minute bought a tv literally at door closing, so I won't be the only kid that didn' see that gigantic step of humankind. So, the tv stayed, and I discovered PBS. As a child in late 60's and adolescent in the 70's, I was all about Jacques Cousteau, Carl Sagan, Live from the Met, Masterpiece Theater, Evening at Pop's, Wildlife, Between the LIons,philosophy and foreign relations panels, travel, and similar programs. Most of them still run. I never felt deprived, and today am so enriched, and so grateful. Oh, I also watched "pure kids stuff" like Disney cartoons, Tom and Jerry, the Flinstone, the Jetsons, the Pink Panther, Yogi Bear, etc.. I still do, when I can.The Sympsons were an absolute no-no as would be the vast majority of todays cartoons. Tv can be a fantastic educational tool if parents don't relinquish their responsibily to guide their children, and also lead with their example. The most important role models a child can have are her (or his) own parents.

My warmest congratulations for your victory and becoming our Jewish Hero ( Heroine). No matter who will win you are the first, with two minions... that are in front of you. Keep up going. If people vote for you and put you on top, that means world have a chance to become a better place. WE SHALL OVERCOME!!! Thanks for your job and for everybody who made it happened

One of the best family shows is "The Waltons". They are a good Christian family, but their values are so like ours - love, God, respect, caring. I urge you to watch it and see for yourself! Thanks, Lori, for your wonderful articles... I never miss them! :-)

Its black and white, but its the best! "12 angry men". We were going to read it for school, but it is full of curse words so I wont sugest reading it. So we choose the movie. Someone said it had 1 bad word (i didnt even catch it) and besides that it was super clean and suspencefull. I dont know if they made a newer version but the b&w one for sure was amazing!

I tried to stop watching movies sometimes. And guess what- it may seem hard but you realize that you are staring at a screen of moving pictures! No, I didnt stop at the drop of a hat, I told myself that I will try not to watch more then 2 shows per week. And now I have so much free time to relax! Its amazing! I read, learn science, practise photography, take a walk and enjoy G-D's beautiful world, stop to smell the flowers, and at the end of the day you feel more accomplished. Beleive me, I didnt think I could do it. No I am not completely tv-free, but for the most part I am. Try it! You'll see how great it is!

it was pretty entertaining and if i remember correctly, moral. (the only reason i'm not saying it was moral with absolute certainty is because i wasn't watching it with orthodox jewish children in mind, though i do remember the show stressed family values, family togetherness, and that the sons married young and had normal early marriage adjustments and raised their children well). i used to watch reruns of this 1960s show it in my teens and early twenties not too long ago. if you find that it's appropriate, i hope you and your family enjoy!

Perry Mason is a great show!!

The new movie secretariat is a rare one - it is clean but adult. the story probably would not interest children, and adults of baby boomer age probably remember somethiing of the events. it is good, clean, mature fun, and uplifting. technically, the cinemetography is beautiful, the performances rich and and real and the dialogue is crisp (and clean!) thumbs up!

There is an old CBC Show called "Road to Avonlea" based on Lucy Maude Montgomery's "Anne" novels. There is also the "Emily of New Moon" series LMM's Novel of the same name) which is also great! I also think I remember hearing about a "little Women" series for television, but never have seen it. I always loved the books and the shows!

Okay, your kids are not into black and white shows. Then how about the colored episodes of "the Andy Griffith Show"? ...Oh who am I kidding, nobody likes those. Lol. But if your kids ever did get into black and white, Rabbi Noah Weinberg Zt"l mentioned watching Charlie Chaplin movies. I grew up loving his movie "Gold Rush", where he eats his own shoe. That scene always made me hungry. But I'm not so sure his shoe was kosher.

I did not raise my children with tv, however I did grow up with one, back when the world had a sense of decency. I loved the Dick van Dyke show, Donna Reed and Father Knows Best most. Also I Love Lucy, and really almost everything was quite kosher then, but those three had what I would call good role models, and I always wanted my marriage to be like those (as contrasted with the poor marriage my parents had), Those shows really did inspire me to want a happy marriage like those three. But today, it is pure danger to expose children to television.

How about documentaries? There are many interesting and uplifting and inspiring ones that could provide clean and healthy entertainment and education for people of all ages.

Well Lori, The Mary Tyler Moore show was a good one. Lassie, Leave it to Beaver, The Waltons could be watched and some of the characters could be used as role models. They seem pure fantasy now as I watch some clips from YouTube. Of course it was fantasy, they were actors playing roles written for them. Not sure about the values you are looking for. If a show could combine wholesome and feisty and educated, and hardworking.... that might be good. Can't imagine any today that I would consider watching myself. Television and the newscasts are pretty much rot. If I had kids at home, I wouldn't have a TV. There is a nice DVD from a long running series that I watch. There is a murder in every episode, but the husband and wife and daughter have a relationship that is very good, and each has individual lives that are interesting. I would consider any of the three main characters as role models for my kids. It's an English Mystery called " 'Midsomer Murders'" from BBC. Not the typical American fare. Season one Pilot Episode is exciting. Available on Amazon. It is not vanilla pudding, but................ The scenery is beautiful, the outcome is always right, the family seems to work well together, and somehow it makes me want to be a better person after I watch it. The way to make American Television better is to Turn It Off. That's the only way programmers and networks will get the message.

I loved watching shows like Little House on the Prairie, because it really had quite beautiful values. I had many friends who did not have T.V.s in their homes, and when they did have a chance to see T.V. at a friend' home, they seemed plastered to the screen like a zombie. That seemed frightening to me even more so. We need to allow our children to be exposed to certain things, so they don't feel like they are totally shut off from the secular world. If we simply edit what they can watch, I don't see the big deal. Yes, there is plenty of trash on the T.V. and radio even I will blush watching, but there is a lot of educational stuff out there as well. We need to be our childrens' parents and not their best friends, when it comes to this topic. If we monitor watch they watch, and explain to them why they can't see certain shows, they will apprerciate and respect us the more.

Great point; I have repeated this many times to family, friends, guests, and students. However . . . 1. In the '50's, Ginn Publishers of "See Dick and Jane" fame was publishing community specific volumes. For Catholic schools they would use Peter and Mary and have them saying hello to the Priest. For Protestant schools they would use their favorite names and have them greeting the minister. They approached the administration of a Chassidic group. They offered to change the names to Yaakov and Breindel and have them "giving Shalom" to the Rebbe. They were flatly refused. The leaders said there is NOTHING that can be done to a mother and a father, their two children, and pet dog going to a park to play ball on Sunday to make them Jewish! 2. Rabbi Shimon Schwabb once commented the problem with TV - again in the '50's or early 60's - was not the content, message, role models, but rather in the waste of time. The point you raise is a great one indeed, but while the 1950's may have something to offer the 2010's, the Jews of the '50's apparently didn't believe they had anything to offer them “IN THEIR GENERATION.” In other works, perhaps we have changed so much the now the '50's looks good by today's standards. But we learn in Parshas Noach that we must judge ourselves on the basis of the ideal situation and not the decadent society around us – not “IN OUR GENERATION.” As Jews we have to live WITH the world not IN in.

I suggest we not go looking for role models on TV.

Ok, some "contemporary" shows you might like to watch: Joan of Arcadia (yes, allegorical to a Catholic saint but not a Christian focused show) The Cosby Show Just a couple off the top of my head. I hae some others but you might find them too risque. Ok, opinion: Today's shows are not that realistic. But neither were yesterday's. The benefits of yesterdays shows were that women had other things on their mind besides a relationship. People seemed to care more about each other, and appreciate life. The benefits of today's shows are that they present a less perfect, but more realistic portrayal of people (in terms of emotions and motivations, not bodies). Women and girls have stronger roles. People of color can watch tv shows without feeling like they're in a blizzard. Most importantly, issues like being gay, depression, child abuse, addiction racism, etc... are covered. That is extremely important for children today. Many children, if not most, will go through some of these situations, althought maybe not as severely as the TV characters. Older shows just pretended these things didn't happen. Discussing these issues may seem ugly or dangerous, but not discussing them doesn't change things. So you could be looking at someone tziutly dressed and underneath everything is pretty rotten. Being frum also doesn't save anyone from this, today's scandals should prove this in spades. In conclusion, I'm blessed to live in an era where today's programs are on television. However, I do sympathize with the desire to have programming that is less image - obsessed, and sometimes seems pointlessly inappropriate. I remember sitting down at a cafe/restaurant for breakfast in Jerusalem one day, and I looked up to the big tv in the place, and this music video was this nude woman dancing with her "areas" covered by light-beams. The next video was two 10 yr old boys dancing with girls in bikinis. I couldn't help but wonder, had I stepped into the twilight zone?

Check out PBS. I've seen lots of inspiring,touching, uplifting programs on PBS. This morning, a rerun of an Independent Lens film about twin sisters from Cuba who reunited after 40 years apart. The love they share, combined with the pain at the forced separation, touched me so much and illustrate a humane way of living.

Lori dear, read carefully: I recently heard a well-known Rebbetzin answer a similar question. This woman wanted to know if it is ok to watch old DVD reruns of "I Love Lucy". The Rebbetzin answered: No, it is not ok. If Hashem is not in the "picture", she told this woman she should not be watching such movies. We're talking about your children's precious Neshamas, Lori. Think it through.

i recommend encouraging smart jews to create appropriate entertainment for jews and other people who are sick of the inappropriate "entertainment" that is out there. christians do this, with special channels, screenwriting classes and seminars and screenings, why can't jews? all those kids in the private schools being told to be doctors and lawyers and speech therapists when a lot of them are so creative. why aren't the using their talents where they are necessary?

little house on the prairie. great!

Get Smart, Brady Bunch, The Waltons, Hogan's Heroes.

I recommend Dae Jang Geum DVD series which played on TV a few years ago,originally run in Korea and then in Hawaii and is a moral tale and historical drama based on a true story, and has English sub titles.