5 of the Greatest TV Shows with Meaning

In the history of television there were a lot of great shows. Almost all of them brought us laughs, excitement and enjoyment. Only a handful, however, carried a moral to the story or a lesson to be learned on a consistent basis. This, of course, is important for young people.

There are some shows that stand out from the crowd and really excel on this level. I have considered the vast majority of programs since TV's inception and have come up with the following five:

5 of the Greatest TV Shows with Meaning #1: The Lone Ranger

Having originated on radio, The Lone Ranger was a man who stood for everything that was fair, just and good. He was kind, strong, a great role model and a real hero that children could admire and look up to. He also had a great camaraderie with his Indian friend, Tonto, who was like a brother. Together, this pair "led the fight for law and order in the Old West."

All of the episodes exemplified the moral code upheld by the masked man, as follows:

"I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one...That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world...That God put the firewood there but that every man must gather and light it himself... In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right.. That a man should make the most of what equipment he has...That 'this government, of the people, by the people and for the people'
shall live always...That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number. That sooner or later ... somewhere ... somehow ... we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken...That all things change but truth, and that truth alone, lives on forever...In my Creator, my country, my fellow man."

Even when confronting his enemies, he didn't seek to kill them and had a concern for all.

5 of the Greatest TV Shows with Meaning #2: Leave it to Beaver

Leave it to Beaver reflected the values of the late 50's to early 60's and it was very realistic.

I found that the show was very similar to my own life. I had a happy childhood with decent parents and friends who were like the various characters. There were guys like Eddie Haskell who were pranksters and had the same sort of personality. I grew up in one small town on the map, so circumstances must have been the same in many places.

I am aware that a lot of people have contempt for series such as this today, and they believe that great shows are ones that reflect divorce, broken homes, and men behaving badly. Nevertheless, Leave it to Beaver will always have a lasting charm and a lot of fans.

5 of the Greatest TV Shows with Meaning #3: Bonanza

A friend of mine feels that the moral lessons on Bonanza were more interesting than those on Leave it to Beaver because "they carried guns and had brawls." Ha, I suppose that's one way of looking at it!

Ben Cartwright was really a great patriarch and father figure. The grown sons had different characteristics and personalities.

Little Joe, the youngest, was a lady's man and ready to fight at the drop of a hat. Hoss was a heavy set guy and many thought he was more interested in food, although few would want to mess with him. Adam was level headed, calm and businesslike. All four men stood for strong principles and the show carried a lot of suspense, intrigue and excitement.

5 of the Greatest TV Shows with Meaning #4: Little House on the Prairie

Shows like Little House are rare and have a lot of class. It was a one-hour drama that aired from 1974 to 1983 and consistently gained high ratings. I became more and more aware of the value of this series through reruns that often appear. I understand that the show has acquired a new generation of fans and I feel that's great.

Little House followed the lives of the simple, down-to-earth Ingalls family, who had settled into a small home near Walnut Grove in the late 1800s. A great amount of moral character and family devotion was always displayed, and no show of the time surpassed this. I can't recall an episode that didn't have a strong moral to the story, or compelling lesson to be learned.

A lady recently related that it reminded her of her family and the tight bonds they shared, just as Leave it to Beaver reminded my of mine. I wish there were more inspiring shows like Little House. We couldn't go wrong by letting this go on for generations.

5 of the Greatest TV Shows with Meaning #5: Touched by an Angel

Touched By An Angel was an hour-long show that ran from 1994 to 2003 - it's hard to believe! It followed the deeds of several angels sent to Earth as "caseworkers," bringing God's message of love, hope, and faith to the troubled people of the world. The program filled a desperate need on television as a contrast to the sex, violence and mediocre comedy of recent times. It always left viewers feeling happy and optimistic.

In the series premiere, "The Southbound Bus," Monica befriends a young boy who tells her the story of his sister and mother being killed in an auto accident. When Monica is hired as the boy's nanny, she learns the truth that his mother is still alive and works to reunite the family.

All of the episodes were moving and realistic. They dealt with actual issues that people experienced and approriate paths to follow emerged most of the time. I believe the show touched us all in a special way.

Most of these programs are recurring often on reruns and excellent, entertaining compilations are available on DVD's. Adults will enjoy them tremendously and I strongly believe they are extremely valuable for children. So much is available, that kids needn't be exposed to much of the unsuitable material for youngsters that appears on television today.