Entertainment
8 Western Shows That Are 10/10 but Nobody Remembers Today
In our post-Yellowstone world, many of the best Western shows out there have been long-forgotten in favor of the Taylor Sheridan brand of the American West (or some other modern take on the locale). Although certain classics like Gunsmoke and Bonanza will never fully fall to the wayside, many of the other TV Westerns of the day weren’t so lucky. If you’re looking for a show that has been off the beaten path for a while, you’ve come to the right place.
For Western shows that have largely been left in the dust, here are the ventures into the Old West that you won’t want to miss out on. Between action/adventure shows, family comedies, and more traditional frontier fodder, these picks include a little something for everyone. So, without further ado, saddle up, because we’re taking a ride back in time.
‘The Young Riders’ (1989–1992)
Based on the historical Pony Express, The Young Riders was a fictional take on the famed mail carriers that first pushed Josh Brolin and Stephen Baldwin as “Wild Bill” James Hickok and “Buffalo Bill” Cody, respectively. Joining them were a handful of other riders, and together the group tackled all the injustices of the Old West prior to the American Civil War. It’s a great time that is made better by enjoyable characters who keep you invested until the very end.
Seemingly inspired by the success of Young Guns (though that was never proven), The Young Riders pulled in younger demographics as it aimed to make the Western cool again. For the most part, it remained consistent throughout its three-season run, ending quite satisfactory. The beauty, of course, is that this is one of the best Western programs out there that’s available to stream free of charge.
‘How the West Was Won’ (1976–1979)
After James Arness was forced off the air with the cancellation of Gunsmoke, he returned to the Old West as Zebulon Macahan in the television adaptation of How the West Was Won. The series followed the Macahan family as they escaped the horrors of the Civil War to travel west and begin a new life for themselves, only leading to more hardship and heartbreak along the way. And yet, despite all of those challenges, it’s a hard one to turn off.
After a made-for-TV movie to kick it off, How the West Was Won enjoyed three seasons of hour-and-a-half-long frontier dramas. Each installment was like a standalone film, with serialized hints of the Macahans’ exploits as they ventured further westward. Though not a game-changing Western that forever changed the genre, the series is quite enjoyable, and certainly worth the binge. Don’t believe us? Watch this William Shatner episode for proof!
‘Death Valley Days’ (1952–1970)
Despite running for 20 seasons across two decades, Death Valley Days is often overlooked when it comes to classic Western TV. It’s a shame too, because for an impressive 452 episodes, this anthology program uncovered many of the long-forgotten tales of the Old West, with each new installment recounting a new tale of American history. It was both educational and engaging, which is likely partly why it was on the air for so long. It’s just a shame that many have forgotten about it since.
Another classic anthology series that few remember, Death Valley Days was one of the greats. Boasting several hosts over the years, including Ronald Reagan (who even starred in several episodes), the show often challenged our perceptions of the wild frontier by revealing the true stories of those who settled it. Of course, it also gave Clint Eastwood his first on-screen television credit, so that’s a pretty big deal in itself.
‘The Magnificent Seven’ (1998–2000)
You may think you know the classic story of The Magnificent Seven, and if you’ve seen the original 1960 film (or its 2016 remake), then you probably do. But that’s only the beginning of the story, at least if this CBS series proves anything. A television remake of the original concept, The Magnificent Seven unites seven gunslingers to protect a small town from a band of outlaws — and instead of riding into the sunset, they stick around for a while to keep the peace.
The ensemble cast includes heavy hitters like Michael Biehn, Eric Close, Laurie Holden, and Ron Perlman, with each episode generally focusing on a new member of the title Seven. With two seasons and 22 episodes total, the network Western takes its time to really develop each member of the group. The results rival anything you might expect from a series trying to ride off the success of one of the genre’s greatest theatrical installments.
‘The Loner’ (1965–1966)
After his work on The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling decided to move away from science fiction in favor of a careful examination of the Old West. The result was The Loner, a Lloyd Bridges-centric series that followed ex-Union officer William Colton as he traveled throughout the open range, dealing with more mature and adult drama than was popular with most Western programs at the time (like The Lone Ranger). Although it only lasted 26 episodes, Serling knew how to make the genre shine.
Bridges played the wandering gunslinger with ease, emphasizing how one man can truly make a difference when faced with the injustices and brutality of the world. One of the genre’s most criminally underrated shows, The Loner is a remarkable piece of television that, sadly, just didn’t make the cut at the time. But revisiting the series now will prove a real treat, especially if you’re looking for something of such high caliber as The Twilight Zone (just don’t expect any time-traveling, supernatural shenanigans like Serlings’ previous Western entries).
‘Harts of the West’ (1993–1994)
A more comedic take on the American West, Harts of the West is the only Western-based series on this list set closer to present day, technically making it a neo-Western. When Beau Bridges‘ Dave Hart has a life-threatening heart attack and a midlife crisis, he moves his family out of the Chicagoland area to the middle-of-nowhere Nevada, buys a run-down ranch, and fulfills his life-long dream of living like a cowboy. Yeah, it sounds like a wild premise (and it is), but this one-season dramedy absolutely delivers.
Alongside local cowboy Jake (played by Bridges’ father and The Loner star Lloyd Bridges), the Hart family fixes up their homestead and gets involved with the eclectic group that populates the town of Sholo. No doubt, this short-lived CBS gem is both funnier and more heartfelt than you’d expect, perfect for fans of Little House on the Prairie. And, for those hardcore Western fans out there, you’ll appreciate that Dave and Allison (Harley Jane Kozak) named their three children after Zane Grey, Louis L’Amour, and John “Duke” Wayne himself.
‘Hec Ramsey’ (1972–1974)
After several years headlining the six-season Have Gun — Will Travel, longtime TV star Richard Boone returned to the Old West in his later years for Hec Ramsey. With episodes ranging from 90 minutes to two hours in length, the Oklahoma-based program followed the title investigator as he solved crimes in the early 20th century using budding scientific techniques and technologies. Think of it as a cross between Gunsmoke and CSI.
A solid two-season Western worth the binge, Hec Ramsey combined modern procedural investigative techniques with a traditional period setting. In many respects, Boone considered Hec to be a sort of continuation of his Paladin character from Have Gun, though there were no real connections between the shows. Still, it’s hard to say no to such a memorable Western star; just be warned, you’ll wish this 10-episode series ran a bit longer.
‘The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.’ (1993–1994)
Admittedly, The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. isn’t your traditional shoot-’em-up Western adventure. More of a “Weird Western,” the series follows Bruce Campbell as the titular hero who is seeking justice for his father’s murder, only to be thrown into a sci-fi-inspired adventure. No, there are no space aliens or robots, but time travel and rockets are certainly factors.
If you already love Bruce Campbell, then this is one adventure you can’t pass up on — even if it’s not his usual flavor of horror or action/adventure. With its steampunk-themed Western style, Brisco County, Jr. was unlike any other horse opera out there, always pushing the boundaries of what the period could pull off. And yet, it remains a cult favorite for the few who followed it thoroughly.
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