METV Gems To Binge Watch

If you grew up in the era of black and white television programs you might want to check out METV at night. This network is currently promoting what they call “The summer of me- METV. They are showing classic sitcoms specifically between May and August. There are three golden oldies on their regular prime time lineup that currently are on back to back Monday through Friday. Enjoy a blast from the past of the television days of gas guzzler vehicles, rotary phones, twin beds for married couples and plenty of action and suspense. These were the decades when network sensors watched closely and would quickly say you can’t do that on television. Take a trip down memory lane or watch these programs for the first time. They will keep you engaged and give you a break from the trials of the real world.

The first program is Perry Mason which airs week nights from 11:30 to 12:30 pm. Mason was a fictional criminal defense attorney who is the main character. He is featured in more than 80 novels and short stories of detective fiction that were written by Erle Stanley Gardner. There was also a movie which inspired the popular television series. The character is most famous, however, because of the CBS television series Perry Mason which ran from 1957–1966. Raymond Burr was cast as the well respected lawyer and I can’t think of but one episode where he ever lost a case. I really enjoy trying to figure out the clues and find out who may have committed the crime.

If you love the suspense of old school courtroom drama, in black and white this is the series to binge watch. The scenes are exciting and draw you in as if it is all real. There most always are multiple suspects, many twists and turns and it’s usually difficult to determine who done it. These episodes are from the 1950’s and 1960’s. You will probably find you recognize some of the popular stars from today, when they were much younger. If you are a night owl tune in to Perry Mason, Monday through Friday and binge on retro TV.

Following Perry Mason st 12:30 AM is Rod Sterling’s original show The Twilight Zone. It was only a few years back when I realized that his name was Serling and not Sterling. If you are a baby boomer,(born between 1948-1964) you may probably have seen every 30 minute episode over the decades. Even so, like yours truly you continue to enjoy the suspense. Some episodes were more exciting than others and the action is light compared with today. There is something, however, that draws viewers in to this brand of science fiction. Rod Serling wrote more than 80 of the 150 episodes that ran from 1959-1964 on CBS.

At 1:00 AM and again at 1:30 you will get an invitation from the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock to enter his bizarre world. Alfred Hitchcock Presents ran from 1955 until 1962 in half hour segments on CBS and NBC. Many of the episodes were downright spooky considering the era in which they aired. If you love being on the edge of your seat you will enjoy binge watching this program. The suspense is far better than the blood and gore of today’s offerings because it leaves so much to the imagination.

In 1962 the program was changed to The Alfred Hitchcock Hour and began airing for 60 minutes. Hitchcock was on the edge and more prone to horror than Serling and some of his shows are still pretty frightening today. Many episodes are simply suspenseful but they most always end with some type of twist endings. If you think you are seeing double, or even triple and forget which of these programs you are watching, there is a very good explanation.

CBS obviously loved the actors they had under contract and you will see the same people in episodes Perry Mason, The Twilight Zone, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. and Binge watching these programs on METV will give you 2 1/2 hours of thrills and chills. The theme songs to each are memorable and many of the episodes of each is considered as classic TV. If you need something to watch late at night I suggest you join the summer of me, before METV changes it's lineup in the fall. These retro programs when compared with some of today's television, stand out as the gems they are, so take the plunge and indulge. I guarantee you will not regret one moment of watching these classic shows.