imo, Rome is the best thing TV has done, ever. The second season was even better. What heights might a third season have reached?
I watched two eps on youtube of the 1956 British show, The Adventures of Sir Lancelot, one of a triptych of black and white family shows of that era, Robin Hood and William Tell's adventures being the others. Robin Hood stands out among the three shows because Hollywood blacklisted writers were writing most of the scripts, and they are often sharp, witty, and interesting, despite being aimed at children, and full of subtle socialist/progressive ideas (of course Robin Hood stories always are--it's the legend's nature). This one was more meh, but the one story did have an interesting twist in it regarding an abducted daughter of a noble. I love youtube for being able to bring me such stuff.
And in that spirit, of appreciating how youtube can function as an important repository of historical footage, I rewatched a local public television show from, I think, North Carolina in the late 60's that starred country composer John Loudermilk.