1 / 11
1. Kolchak: The Night Stalker
Carl Kolchak, always in that rumpled suit, chasing monsters you weren't quite supposed to believe. It wasn't straight horror, more a police procedural with a supernatural twist. That Chicago setting, too, felt very real, grounding the unbelievable. And he always had to write his story, even if nobody bought it. A proper oddball, but compelling television.
2 / 11
2. Thriller
Ah, Boris Karloff. Black and white, of course. This was anthology at its best, a real mood setter. None of your cheap jump scares, just dread building slow and steady. Felt like a stage play sometimes, but for the living room, with that unsettling atmosphere. It really knew how to get under your skin, a proper spooky treat.
3 / 11
3. The Invaders
David Vincent, always running, always trying to warn people about those aliens trying to take over. You could feel the paranoia, the constant threat. And those glowing pinky fingers? Distinctive. It was a good chase, week after week, with no easy answers, truly an experiment in long-form continuity for its day. A proper serialized yarn.
4 / 11
4. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin. Very suave, very mod, with that distinct opening. It had that playful spy vibe, before things got too serious. Plenty of gadgets and globe-trotting, always a new caper. And the theme music, you knew what you were getting into. Pure escapism, really, a proper adventure.
5 / 11
5. Mission: Impossible
Your mission, should you choose to accept it... The self-destructing tape, the elaborate plans, the masks. This show was a masterclass in tension, in problem-solving. You really bought into their whole team dynamic, everyone had a part. And that Lalo Schifrin score? Unforgettable. A true classic of its kind, and boy, did it hold you.
6 / 11
6. Ironside
Raymond Burr, after Perry Mason. He was in that wheelchair, yes, but still ran the show. A sharp mind, solving crimes from his base. It brought a different kind of hero to the screen, emphasizing brains over brawn. And he had a good, loyal team around him. Solid police procedural work, very dependable viewing.
7 / 11
7. Banacek
George Peppard, very smooth. He'd solve those impossible thefts, always with a clever twist and a Polish proverb. It was clever, a real puzzle for the viewer to try and figure out alongside him. And he always seemed to be enjoying himself, which made it fun to watch. Part of that "Mystery Movie" wheel, a true standout.
8 / 11
8. The Mod Squad
Three young people, "turned on, tuned in" to fight crime. They were the counter-culture cops, trying to bridge a gap. It felt very now, very contemporary for its time, addressing social issues. A bit gritty, a bit dramatic, but with a good heart. And those outfits! Very much of its era, a snapshot of the times.
9 / 11
9. The Avengers
The early black-and-white stuff, with Dr. Keel and later Cathy Gale. Very British, very stylish, even then. It wasn't quite the Steed and Peel everyone remembers yet, but it had that clever, slightly off-kilter espionage feel. A real precursor, showing hints of the wit and charm that would make it iconic. Very smart television.
10 / 11
10. Mannix
Mike Connors, always getting into scrapes. He was a tough private eye, but with a good head on his shoulders, working for himself. That opening sequence, with the split screens, was very distinctive, very modern. A lot of car chases and fistfights, but he always got his man. Solid detective work, dependable action each week.
11 / 11
11. Quincy, M.E.
Jack Klugman, playing a medical examiner who wasn't just about bodies. He was about justice, about the living victims, too. It was a proper procedural, but with a conscience, exploring social issues through forensics. And he always seemed to be arguing with someone to get to the truth. It felt very grounded, very real for a broadcast drama.
