I keep hearing that we’re currently in the “Golden Age of Television.” Was there ever a time when humans did not consider their present tv programs/shows to *not* be a “Golden Age?”

by wyattandthewhale

I’ve heard and read in multiple places that we’re living in the “Golden Age of Television,” so I decided to look up what that meant and if it has been used before. From multiple sources, it seems like it could include parts of every decade back to the 1940s.

https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/05/the-golden-age-of-television-is-officially-over.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/10/business/media/fenced-in-by-televisions-excess-of-excellence.html

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/the-new-golden-age-of-television/

http://www.businessinsider.com/difficult-men-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-sopranos-breaking-bad-the-wire-and-mad-men-2013-8

Was there ever a time when people didn’t consider their current television to be a Golden Age?

Additionally, how can people pinpoint with such confidence when “eras” are over? Is there one true Golden Age? Do different Golden Ages have more in common with each other or more things different from each other? What are the characteristics of each/all of them?

richleebruce

In the 60s we called television a great wasteland. We thought of the 50s as the golden age.

I have identified 1967 as the lowest point of the great TV wasteland. "The Monkees" won for best comedy, "Mission Impossible" won best drama, and "The Andy Williams Show" won best variety show.

I liked them all. "Mission Impossible" movies are still in the top 10 box office ranking, I still listen to songs from "The Monkees," and I would rather listen to Andy Williams sing "Moon River" and probably many other hits from the era than anyone else.

But when this is your best, you are not doing well.