"I would like to see something gentle -- no F-words or naked bodies or shootings need be revived. Something along family lines, such as The Waltons or ER. I am tired of all this porno TV."
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Of course, "porno" is in the eye of the beholder, but that was the response from one reader in Heber Springs when asked via The TV Column and social media, "If you could wave your magic remote control and have your favorite classic series come back, what would it be?"
Her kinder, gentler wishes reflect many who responded -- those who wax nostalgic for a TV age when "pushing the envelope" meant saying, "Gall dang it, Barney," and "edgy" meant showing a -- married -- couple planning to get frisky by going behind closed doors (fade to black).
There were 291 responses from readers to the wish list question. I was surprised at some of the answers, but not with the No. 1 pick. After all, the Browncoats (fans of the late, lamented Firefly) are nothing if not passionate.
Joss Whedon's space Western was ripped untimely from the schedule by Fox after a paltry 14 episodes -- a move that network honchos have since admitted was stupid.
An impressive 42 of the 291 responders included Firefly on their list. Typical comment: "Clever dialogue, witty wordplay, strong female characters and humor, darkness and drama."
What other shows received multiple responses? The Andy Griffith Show was a crowd favorite for its "gentle humor." Similar shows getting votes were Gilligan's Island, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Wonder Years, Home Improvement, Golden Girls and Family Ties.
Gunsmoke was the top retro Western pick, but also getting votes were Bonanza, The Big Valley, The Rifleman, Have Gun, Will Travel and (for more discriminating Western tastes) Deadwood.
Gilmore Girls was the top choice among those who also picked Freaks and Geeks, Northern Exposure, My So-Called Life, Monk, Sports Night and Pushing Daises.
The West Wing topped ensemble dramas. "I'd rather sit through another election cycle with them than the crew we've got in real life," one reader wrote.
Similar dramas getting multiple votes were thirtysomething, St. Elsewhere, Picket Fences, Homicide: Life on the Street, The Wire, Hill Street Blues and "anything Star Trek, probably The Next Generation."
Andy Griffith fans also picked Matlock as a good one to bring back. Related programs getting votes were Perry Mason, Remington Steele and Murder, She Wrote.
Surprisingly, several also wished Lost would come back, but "only so they could get the ending right this time."
Shockingly, not one single reader wanted to see a reboot of Felicity, but among many series scoring single votes were these, proof that every show is somebody's favorite:
MAS*H; Flight of the Conchords; The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour; Friday Night Lights; Silk Stalkings; Magnum P.I.; Wise Guy; Moonlighting; Mister Ed; Captain Kangaroo; Playhouse 90 (kids, ask your grandparents); Justice League Unlimited; and, believe it or not, Manimal.
Style on 11/22/2015