Nowadays there is so much choice when it comes to television shows that it can be overwhelming trying to decide what to watch. You may even find yourself wishing for a time when things were simpler. The solution is to give in to nostalgia and watch classic TV Westerns online.
The Fifties was the great era of the TV Western. There were many shows to choose from and the heroes of the day were Zorro, the Lone Ranger and the singing cowboy Roy Rogers. One of the most popular shows at the time, and still considered a leader in the genre, was 'Gunsmoke'.
Some shows starred some big names in Hollywood, such as James Garner in 'Maverick'. Many news stars were born too. Two great action heroes of the Seventies made their name in Fifties television Westerns. One was Clint Eastwood, who was in the cast of 'Rawhide'. The other was 007 himself, Roger Moore, who was had a lead role in the short-lived 'The Alaskans'.
The trend for great Western television series continued in the Sixties. The longest-running series in the genre was 'Bonanza', which started in the late Fifties, ran throughout the Sixties and into the early Seventies. 'The High Chaparral' was another hit and 'The Big Valley' boasted a cast that included Barbara Stanwyck, Linda Evans and Lee Majors of 'The Six Million Dollar Man' fame.
During the Seventies, most of the old shows were cancelled. The traditional Western's gun-slinging, macho values didn't fit in with the new era's more gentle spirit. There were still some popular shows, including the miniseries 'How the West Was Won'. However, the Western now tended to have a hero with a softer side, such as the gentle giant Grizzly Adams, or they would have a modern setting or a stronger focus on family.
Female characters started featuring more strongly too. While 'Little House on the Prairie' was supposed to be a vehicle for Michael Landon after his time on 'Bonanza', its real star was Melissa Gilbert, who played young Laura Ingalls. Jane Seymour took things a step further in the Nineties when she played a female doctor in 'Dr Quinn: Medicine Woman'.
By the new millennium, a new type of Western, one with an interesting twist, was born. Josh Whedon's 'Firefly' was a so-called space Western. It featured the characteristics of traditional Westerns, with new lands to be tamed, outlaws on the run from the authorities and of course horses but it was set in outer space and the heroes traveled by spaceship. 'Firefly' only lasted one season but gained an exceptionally loyal fan base and is now considered a cult classic.
Most TV Westerns are available for streaming online. There are many sites that offer these shows for viewing and some even focus exclusively on the genre. For a wonderful night in, find your favorite show, cook a pot of cowboy beans, sit back and relive the past.
The Fifties was the great era of the TV Western. There were many shows to choose from and the heroes of the day were Zorro, the Lone Ranger and the singing cowboy Roy Rogers. One of the most popular shows at the time, and still considered a leader in the genre, was 'Gunsmoke'.
Some shows starred some big names in Hollywood, such as James Garner in 'Maverick'. Many news stars were born too. Two great action heroes of the Seventies made their name in Fifties television Westerns. One was Clint Eastwood, who was in the cast of 'Rawhide'. The other was 007 himself, Roger Moore, who was had a lead role in the short-lived 'The Alaskans'.
The trend for great Western television series continued in the Sixties. The longest-running series in the genre was 'Bonanza', which started in the late Fifties, ran throughout the Sixties and into the early Seventies. 'The High Chaparral' was another hit and 'The Big Valley' boasted a cast that included Barbara Stanwyck, Linda Evans and Lee Majors of 'The Six Million Dollar Man' fame.
During the Seventies, most of the old shows were cancelled. The traditional Western's gun-slinging, macho values didn't fit in with the new era's more gentle spirit. There were still some popular shows, including the miniseries 'How the West Was Won'. However, the Western now tended to have a hero with a softer side, such as the gentle giant Grizzly Adams, or they would have a modern setting or a stronger focus on family.
Female characters started featuring more strongly too. While 'Little House on the Prairie' was supposed to be a vehicle for Michael Landon after his time on 'Bonanza', its real star was Melissa Gilbert, who played young Laura Ingalls. Jane Seymour took things a step further in the Nineties when she played a female doctor in 'Dr Quinn: Medicine Woman'.
By the new millennium, a new type of Western, one with an interesting twist, was born. Josh Whedon's 'Firefly' was a so-called space Western. It featured the characteristics of traditional Westerns, with new lands to be tamed, outlaws on the run from the authorities and of course horses but it was set in outer space and the heroes traveled by spaceship. 'Firefly' only lasted one season but gained an exceptionally loyal fan base and is now considered a cult classic.
Most TV Westerns are available for streaming online. There are many sites that offer these shows for viewing and some even focus exclusively on the genre. For a wonderful night in, find your favorite show, cook a pot of cowboy beans, sit back and relive the past.
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This article collected, selected and written by: Author Van Hoc
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