The 51 Most Iconic 1960s TV Shows Captured On Their Unforgettable ‘TV Guide’ Covers

Checkmate follows private detectives Don Corey (Anthony George) and Jed Sills (Doug McClure) of the San Francisco-based agency Checkmate, Inc., as they work to prevent crimes before they happen. With the help of criminologist Dr. Carl Hyatt (Sebastian Cabot), the team tackles complex cases that blend mystery and suspense.

My Three Sons stars Fred MacMurray as widowed father Steven Douglas, raising his three boys with the help of their grandfather "Bub" (William Frawley) and later Uncle Charley (William Demarest). Over its 12-season run, viewers watched the Douglas family grow and evolve, with storylines covering everything from adoptions to marriages and new grandchildren.

The Andy Griffith Show invited viewers to the charming town of Mayberry, where Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) keeps the peace with wisdom and kindness, often alongside his bumbling but lovable deputy, Barney Fife (Don Knotts). Centered around small-town life, the show balanced humor with heartfelt moments, highlighting Andy’s relationship with his young son, Opie (Ron Howard), and the quirky townsfolk. It offers a nostalgic escape to a simpler time.

Route 66 follows Tod Stiles (Martin Milner) and Buz Murdock (George Maharis) as they travel across America in a Chevrolet Corvette, searching for adventure and purpose. The show stood out for its on-location filming, showcasing diverse towns and landscapes while tackling social issues through the lives of the people they met.

Mister Ed brings laughs with its quirky premise of a talking horse who only speaks to his owner, Wilbur Post (Alan Young). As Wilbur navigated suburban life, Mister Ed’s mischievous antics often led to comedic chaos, especially when Wilbur tries to keep his horse’s secret from others.

Car 54, Where Are You? is focused on the comedic misadventures of New York City police officers Gunther Toody (Joe E. Ross) and Francis Muldoon (Fred Gwynne) as they patrolled the Bronx in their squad car. With Toody’s bumbling enthusiasm and Muldoon’s straight-laced demeanor, the mismatched duo found themselves in one hilarious situation after another.

Hazel stars Shirley Booth as the no-nonsense, lovable live-in maid Hazel Burke, who works for the Baxter family while offering plenty of unsolicited advice and meddling in their lives—with the best intentions, of course. Her warm but bossy demeanor often leads to comedic situations, especially with her employer, George Baxter (Don DeFore). Based on the popular comic strip of the same name.

The Dick Van Dyke Show, created by Carl Reiner, stars Dick Van Dyke as comedy writer Rob Petrie and Mary Tyler Moore as his wife, Laura, blending sharp workplace humor with charming domestic comedy. Set behind the scenes of The Alan Brady Show, Rob worked alongside fellow writers Buddy (Morey Amsterdam) and Sally (Rose Marie), balancing the chaos of TV production with family life at home.

The Beverly Hillbillies follows the rags-to-riches story of the Clampett family, who struck oil in the Ozarks and moved to Beverly Hills. Led by patriarch Jed Clampett (Buddy Ebsen), the family—including Granny (Irene Ryan), Elly May (Donna Douglas), and Jethro (Max Baer Jr.)—struggle to adapt to their new lavish lifestyle, leading to endless culture-clash comedy. Admittedly the struggle was made easier with all of that money.

The Lucy Show is led by Lucille Ball as Lucy Carmichael, a widowed mother navigating life with her two children and best friend Vivian Bagley (Vivian Vance). Initially focused on their domestic misadventures, the show later shifted to Lucy’s workplace hijinks alongside her grumpy boss, Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon), at a local bank.

At the center of McHale’s Navy is Ernest Borgnine as Lieutenant Commander Quinton McHale, leading a crew of misfit sailors aboard PT-73 during World War II. Set in the Pacific, the sitcom focused on McHale and his bumbling crew’s comedic antics as they outwitted their uptight superior, Captain Binghamton (Joe Flynn), while bending the rules of military life. With Tim Conway as the lovable but clumsy Ensign Parker, the show blended wartime adventure with slapstick comedy, becoming a hit and spawning two feature films.

The Fugitive stars David Janssen as Dr. Richard Kimble, a man wrongfully convicted of his wife’s murder who escapes custody after a train wreck. On the run, Kimble travels from town to town, searching for the real killer—a mysterious one-armed man—while evading relentless pursuit by Lieutenant Philip Gerard (Barry Morse). Its 1967 finale—where Kimble finally confronts the one-armed man—ranks as one of the most-watched episodes in TV history.

The Patty Duke Show features Patty Duke in dual roles as fun-loving American teen Patty Lane and her refined, worldly cousin Cathy Lane—described as “identical cousins.” Living together in Brooklyn Heights, the two navigated high school, family life, and cultural clashes, with Patty’s outgoing personality often contrasting Cathy’s sophistication.

Petticoat Junction centers around the Shady Rest Hotel, run by widow Kate Bradley (Bea Benaderet) and her three daughters—Billie Jo, Bobbie Jo, and Betty Jo—in the rural town of Hooterville. The hotel serves as a hub of small-town charm, with the Bradley family’s warm hospitality and humorous adventures drawing in quirky locals and city visitors alike. Part of CBS’s rural sitcom lineup, Petticoat Junction shared a universe with Green Acres and The Beverly Hillbillies, creating one of TV’s earliest shared worlds.

My Favorite Martian stars Ray Walston as a stranded Martian, Uncle Martin, who is taken in by newspaper reporter Tim O’Hara (Bill Bixby) after crash-landing on Earth. While Tim tries to keep Martin’s true identity a secret, Martin’s alien abilities—like invisibility, levitation, and retractable antennae—often lead to comedic mishaps. Blending sci-fi and sitcom humor, the show became a 1960s favorite and helped launch Bill Bixby’s successful television career.

Peyton Place is television’s first prime-time soap opera, set in a seemingly quiet New England town filled with scandal, secrets, and intrigue. The series follows the complex lives of its residents, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and family drama. Starring Mia Farrow, Ryan O’Neal, and Dorothy Malone, the show became a cultural phenomenon, airing multiple times a week and paving the way for future prime-time dramas.

Bewitched stars Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha, a kind-hearted witch who marries mortal ad executive Darrin Stephens (Dick York, later Dick Sargent). Determined to live a normal life, Samantha tries to suppress her magic, but her powers—and meddling family members like her mother Endora (Agnes Moorehead)—often lead to comedic chaos.

The Addams Family brings Charles Addams’ macabre New Yorker cartoons to life, following the delightfully spooky lives of Gomez (John Astin), Morticia (Carolyn Jones), and their eccentric family—Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Grandmama, Lurch, Thing, and Cousin Itt. Though creepy and kooky, the Addams clan was a loving family, often puzzled by the outside world’s reaction to their ghoulish lifestyle.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. combines Cold War espionage with ’60s style, following secret agents Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) as they work for the global peacekeeping agency U.N.C.L.E. (United Network Command for Law and Enforcement). Together, they battle the sinister organization THRUSH in a series filled with gadgets, action and spy intrigue. Created by Sam Rolfe with early input from James Bond creator Ian Fleming, the show became a defining part of the 1960s spy craze.

The Munsters offers a comedic twist on classic horror, following the everyday lives of a family of friendly monsters living at 1313 Mockingbird Lane. Led by Herman Munster (Fred Gwynne), a Frankenstein-like figure, and his vampire wife Lily (Yvonne De Carlo), the family includes Grandpa (Al Lewis), their werewolf son Eddie (Butch Patrick), and their "normal" niece Marilyn (Beverley Owen, later Pat Priest). Despite their spooky appearances, the Munsters saw themselves as an average American family, with much of the humor stemming from society’s reaction to them.

Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. a spin-ff from The Andy Griffith Show, follows the lovable, naive Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors) as he joins the Marines. Stationed at Camp Henderson, Gomer’s well-meaning but bumbling nature constantly frustrates his tough drill instructor, Sergeant Vince Carter (Frank Sutton), leading to comedic clashes.

Created by Irwin Allen, Lost in Space stars Guy Williams and follows the Robinson family’s mission to colonize another planet, which goes awry when sabotage leaves them stranded in space. Initially a serious sci-fi drama, the show soon embraced a campier tone, with quirky robots, alien encounters and over-the-top adventures. Despite the shift, it became a cult classic, inspiring a 1998 film and a recent Netflix reboot.

Green Acres chronicles what happens when New York lawyer Oliver Wendell Douglas (Eddie Albert) and his glamorous wife Lisa (Eva Gabor) trade city life for a rundown farm in Hooterville. While Oliver embraced the country lifestyle, Lisa, with her Hungarian accent and love for high fashion, never quite adjusts. The show’s quirky humor, eccentric neighbors (including Arnold the pig), and frequent fourth-wall breaks gave it a unique, surreal edge. Remaining popular in syndication, it also inspired the 1990 reunion film Return to Green Acres.

Based on the novel and film series, Gidget stars Sally Field as the fun-loving, surf-obsessed teenager navigating life at school, home, and the beach. Though ABC’s first color series, it lasted only one season but found success in syndication.

The Wild Wild West blends Western adventure with spy intrigue, following Secret Service agents James West (Robert Conrad) and master of disguise Artemus Gordon (Ross Martin) as they protect the U.S. during Ulysses S. Grant’s presidency.

Hogan’s Heroes turns the unlikely premise of a World War II POW camp comedy into a long-running hit. Bob Crane stars as Colonel Robert Hogan, who leads a secret underground operation from inside a German camp, using his network of Allied prisoners to sabotage the Nazis. Much of the show’s humor came from the bumbling camp officials, especially the clueless Colonel Klink (Werner Klemperer) and the lovable, dim-witted Sergeant Schultz (John Banner), known for his iconic line, “I know nothing!”

I Dream of Jeannie stars Larry Hagman as astronaut Tony Nelson, who discovers and frees a 2,000-year-old genie named Jeannie (Barbara Eden) after crash-landing on a deserted island. Smitten, Jeannie dedicates herself to making Tony’s life easier—often causing chaos with her mischievous magic. While Tony struggles to keep her powers a secret to protect his NASA career, Jeannie’s antics create endless comedic situations.

Get Smart features Don Adams as Maxwell Smart (Agent 86), a hilariously inept but surprisingly effective secret agent, partnered with the far more capable Agent 99 (Barbara Feldon). Working for CONTROL, they battled the evil KAOS in a parody of the 1960s spy craze sparked by James Bond.

Batman became a massive phenomenon upon its 1966 debut, with Adam West as the straight-laced Caped Crusader and Burt Ward as the enthusiastic Boy Wonder, Robin. Known for its high-camp style, vibrant colors, wild camera angles and over-the-top action, the show embraced pop-art aesthetics. Iconic villains like Cesar Romero’s Joker, Frank Gorshin’s Riddler, Burgess Meredith’s Penguin, and Julie Newmar’s Catwoman added to its charm.

Star Trek uses science fiction as a clever lens to explore moral, social and political issues, set aboard the starship Enterprise on its five-year mission to "explore strange new worlds." Led by Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley), the show introduced an iconic crew. It spawned an animated series, 13 films, and multiple spin-offs.

That Girl stars Marlo Thomas as Ann Marie, an aspiring actress who moves to Manhattan to chase her dreams while juggling temp jobs. One of TV’s first shows to focus on a single, independent woman, it highlighted Ann’s career ambitions over traditional roles. Her relationship with boyfriend Donald Hollinger (Ted Bessell) remained secondary, with the series ending without a wedding—making That Girl a trailblazer for future portrayals of self-reliant women on television.

The Monkees follows the zany adventures of a struggling rock band—played by Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork—as they chase fame and fortune while getting caught up in comedic hijinks. Inspired by the success of The Beatles, the show blends slapstick comedy, surreal gags, and catchy music, becoming a pop culture sensation.

Family Affair stars Brian Keith as Bill Davis, a wealthy New York bachelor whose life changes when he becomes the guardian of his orphaned nieces and nephew—6-year-old twins Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnny Whitaker) and their older sister Cissy (Kathy Garver). Helping Bill manage his new family is his loyal butler, Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot).

Mission: Impossible follows the daring missions of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF), a covert team of specialists tasked with taking down global threats through deception, strategy, and high-tech gadgetry. Led initially by Dan Briggs (Steven Hill) and later Jim Phelps (Peter Graves), the team includes master of disguise Rollin Hand (Martin Landau), model and femme fatale Cinnamon Carter (Barbara Bain), strongman Willy Armitage (Peter Lupus), and electronics expert Barney Collier (Greg Morris).

The Flying Nun features Sally Field as Sister Bertrille, a young nun at a convent who discovers that her lightweight frame and starched cornette allow her to fly. Using her newfound ability, Sister Bertrille often finds herself in humorous situations while trying to help others, much to the dismay of the convent’s Mother Superior (Madeleine Sherwood).

The Mothers-In-Law stars Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard as next-door neighbors and best friends who become in-laws when their children marry. Arden plays the sophisticated Eve Hubbard, while Ballard is the more boisterous Kaye Buell. Despite their differences, the two meddling mothers often team up—usually to the frustration of their long-suffering husbands (Herbert Rudley and Roger C. Carmel, later replaced by Richard Deacon). Created by I Love Lucy’s Desi Arnaz.

Ironside stars Raymond Burr as Robert T. Ironside, a tough, wheelchair-bound former San Francisco police chief who continues solving crimes as a special consultant after being paralyzed by a sniper's bullet.

Mannix features Mike Connors as Joe Mannix, a tough and resourceful private detective who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty—or take a punch—while solving cases. Initially working for a high-tech detective agency, Mannix soon goes solo, relying on his instincts more than gadgets.

Julia casts Diahann Carroll as Julia Baker, a widowed nurse raising her young son, Corey (Marc Copage), while working at a doctor's office. The groundbreaking series was one of the first to feature an African American woman in a non-stereotypical leading role.

Adam-12 follows LAPD officers Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) and rookie Jim Reed (Kent McCord) as they patrol the streets of Los Angeles in their squad car, Unit 1-Adam-12. Created by Dragnet’s Jack Webb.

Land of the Giants, created by Irwin Allen, follows the crew and passengers of the suborbital spacecraft Spindrift, which crash-lands on a mysterious planet where everything is twelve times larger than on Earth.

Here’s Lucy stars Lucille Ball as Lucy Carter, a widow working at Carter’s Unique Employment Agency, run by her grumpy brother-in-law Harry (Gale Gordon). The show also featured Ball’s real-life children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr., as her on-screen kids, Kim and Craig.

The Mod Squad follows three young undercover cops—Pete Cochran (Michael Cole), a rebellious rich kid; Linc Hayes (Clarence Williams III), a streetwise youth; and Julie Barnes (Peggy Lipton), a runaway—who were recruited by Captain Adam Greer (Tige Andrews) to infiltrate the counterculture scene and fight crime.

Here Come the Brides is a light-hearted Western drama set in 19th-century Seattle, where lumber mill owner Jason Bolt (Robert Brown) and his brothers, Jeremy (Bobby Sherman) and Joshua (David Soul), bring 100 women ready for marriage from Massachusetts to help settle the town and boost morale among the lonely loggers.

Hawaii Five-O is focused on the elite state police unit led by the stoic and determined Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord) as they tackle crime across the Hawaiian Islands.

Mayberry R.F.D. serves as the direct spin-off to The Andy Griffith Show, continuing the small-town charm of Mayberry after Sheriff Andy Taylor’s departure. The show focuses on farmer Sam Jones (Ken Berry) and his young son Mike (Buddy Foster) as they settle into life in Mayberry, with familiar faces like Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier) and Goober (George Lindsey) returning as regulars.

Room 222 is a groundbreaking dramedy set at the fictional Walt Whitman High School in Los Angeles, focusing on idealistic American history teacher Pete Dixon (Lloyd Haynes) as he guides his diverse group of students through both academic and personal challenges.

The Courtship of Eddie’s Father stars Bill Bixby as Tom Corbett, a widowed magazine editor, and Brandon Cruz as his young son, Eddie, who’s determined to find his dad a new wife.

You know, the show about a lovely lady with three very lovely girls, a man named Brady with three boys of his own ... all told, they're The Brady Bunch, one of the most enduring shows from the '60s ever created, spawning almost as many spinoffs as Star Trek.