Addams Family (TV Series)

The Addams Family (1964–1966)

“So creepy, it’s comforting.”

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Lets start by showing y’all the theme song shall we?

🎥 Theme Song

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🕸️ Non-Spoiler Overview

The Addams Family only ran for two seasons, all in black and white, but those two seasons left a cultural footprint bigger than shows that went on for a decade. Even if you’ve never sat down to watch an episode, you know the snaps, the mansion, and Gomez kissing Morticia’s arm.

I’ll admit, I don’t usually enjoy black-and-white shows or movies — they can feel slow or dated — but this one hooked me. It’s genuinely funny, surprisingly warm, and weirdly timeless. Sure, some of the humor is outdated (and yeah, a few jokes may come off as offensive depending on your tolerance), but the charm outweighs the dust. The real hook? The Addamses flip “normal” on its head: what most people find odd, they treat as everyday life, and what most people think is normal, they find horrifying.

Perfect for October marathons, but honestly fun anytime, this is a spooky sitcom that works because it’s as much about family love as it is about ghoulish gags.

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🧛 Character Rundown

Gomez Addams (John Astin): The hyperactive, fencing-obsessed, cigar-smoking dad who’s hopelessly in love with Morticia. His chaotic energy is contagious.

Morticia Addams (Carolyn Jones): The calm, elegant, gothic queen. Half the comedy comes from her delivering grim one-liners with absolute grace.

Wednesday Addams (Lisa Loring): The deadpan daughter who loves her headless dolls. Proto-goth icon.

Pugsley Addams (Ken Weatherwax): Chubby, cheerful son who thinks playing with dynamite is totally normal.

Uncle Fester (Jackie Coogan): Bald, bug-eyed, explosive (literally). He’s chaos personified.

Grandmama (Blossom Rock): Witchy matriarch who brews potions and occasionally meddles in schemes.

Lurch (Ted Cassidy): The towering butler with his famous “You rang?” line. He steals scenes with silence.

Thing (a hand in a box, usually played by Ted Cassidy too): Just a hand. Just… a hand. And somehow, he’s still full of personality.

Why The Addams Family (1964) Is a Timeless Classic

What makes the original Addams Family show timeless is how seamlessly it blends macabre with warmth, creating comedy that still works today. The jokes aren’t just gags — they spring naturally from who the characters are. Morticia’s elegance makes her deadpan lines twice as funny, Gomez’s wild enthusiasm turns morbid scenarios into slapstick, and Lurch’s slow groans become punchlines all by themselves.

Take, for example, the first episode, where a school official nervously suggests Wednesday should learn to read. Gomez quips, “What is there for a six-year-old to read?” When told “Well, someday she’ll be 26,” Gomez shoots back: “See you then.” That kind of witty absurdity never feels dated — it’s sharp, silly, and clever all at once.

Another standout is how the Addamses constantly flip the script on “normal.” When a nervous guest flees their home, they scratch their heads and wonder what’s wrong with him. To them, they’re the perfectly reasonable ones — and that inversion of perspective is what makes the humor so evergreen. Watching Fester gleefully suggest violent solutions like it’s child’s play, or Morticia and Gomez treating a torture device like home décor, doesn’t just earn laughs, it highlights how comedy can come from characters who are fully committed to their bizarre worldview.

Even sixty years later, you can turn on any episode and still laugh out loud. It’s not just nostalgia — it’s because the comedy is rooted in character, timing, and that deliciously twisted but oddly wholesome Addams charm. That’s why the original series doesn’t feel like a relic of the ‘60s. It feels alive, witty, and genuinely funny today.

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⏳ Pacing / Episode Flow

Like most sitcoms of its time, it’s episodic — every episode is a standalone gag, usually about the Addamses clashing with some poor “normal” outsider. No long arcs, no cliffhangers. That’s both a strength and a weakness: you can jump in anywhere, but binge-watching straight through might feel a little repetitive. Still, the short runtimes (about 25 minutes each) keep it breezy.

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✅ Pros

Timelessly funny despite the age.

The chemistry between John Astin and Carolyn Jones (Gomez and Morticia) is unmatched — maybe the best sitcom couple ever.

Rewatchable comfort TV: silly, spooky, but warm.

The mansion set design oozes atmosphere.

The theme song alone deserves a 10/10.

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❌ Cons

Some jokes are dated or may not land in 2025.

Because it’s episodic, certain gags get recycled (fish-out-of-water setup, “normies freak out” ending).

Only two seasons — it leaves you wanting more.

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🪦 Final Thoughts

This show is proof that creepy doesn’t have to mean cruel. The Addams Family is spooky, yes, but they’re also one of the most loving families ever put on TV. That contrast is why it works.

If you’ve never given it a chance because it’s black and white, trust me: it’s worth it. It’s funny, it’s odd, and it’s oddly comforting. A perfect watch for October (or any gloomy day).

Rating: 9.6/10

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🚨 Spoiler Warning

Nothing to spoil here — the episodes are self-contained sitcom hijinks. Just expect a lot of people fainting when Uncle Fester lights up a lightbulb in his mouth.