Even before the COVID-19 lockdown, when streaming came into its own, Tubi had become my go-to platform for escapist entertainment. Sure, it has a few commercials here and there (just like the TV of my childhood), but as a free alternative to pricey programming platforms it can't be beat. Tubi provides a robust selection of television content in all genres, from comedy, horror, sci-fi and romance to reality and documentary fare -- plus an impressive library of obscure or forgotten television classics (see below) and an ever-growing selection of original movies.
The platform currently boasts some 50,000 movies and TV shows in its curated content, plus 200 local live news and sports channels. Via its partnership with over 400 entertainment companies (that now includes Warner Bros. Discovery), Tubi features content from every major Hollywood studio.
As an avid Tubi user, one of its major draws remains the element of surprise. It would take hours to scour its library for everything, so I turn to the "Recently Added" feature or specific genre drop-down menus to see what grabs me … and I never know what unexpected treats I might come across.
Such was the case recently when I discovered that Tubi had added all five seasons of the 1970s family dramedy Eight Is Enough. The show originally ran for five seasons on ABC (77-81) and followed the adventures of the likable Bradford brood, which included eight children of varying ages. Even though Enough dealt with some of the serious issues of its time and how they impacted everyday life, it suffered from an ill-advised laugh track. Otherwise, it was all good.
The Eight Is Enough pilot episode is especially interesting in that it stars Mark Hamill as eldest son David. Hamill had committed to the series after filming the pilot, but while awaiting news of an official pick-up, he did another little project called Star Wars. Just as ABC finally decided to green-light the series, Hamill was involved in a terrible car accident that landed him in the hospital where he underwent reconstructive facial surgery. With Hamill unable to continue on the show, the role of David went to actor Grant Goodeve. (As we all know, things worked out rather well for Hamill once he recovered.) Two other cast members in the pilot were also replaced at the directive of the network. Betty Buckley joined the cast in season two following the passing of Diana Hyland, who played wife and mom Joan Bradford.
Part of the fun for this viewer in revisiting a show like Enough is seeing who'll pop up as a guest star. Future big names to appear included Kin Shriner (General Hospital), Charlene Tilton (Dallas), Don Johnson (Miami Vice), Jennifer Darling (The Bionic Woman), Abe Vigoda (Fish), Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid) and Robin Williams (Mork & Mindy).
In addition to Eight Is Enough, the list of television classics now available on TUBI is exhaustive and includes Family Affair, Here's Lucy, That Girl, The Jeffersons, 227, Dark Shadows and many more. Here are a few more I found that might spike your interest. I'm making my way through all of them.
The Mothers-in-Law (1967-69)
Set in the swinging late-'60s (and produced by Desi Arnaz), this series stars Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard as outspoken in-laws and neighbors who love nothing more than meddling in the lives of their married kids. It's silly and fun, and definitely worth a look for the groovy clothes alone.
Too Close for Comfort(1980-87)
This sitcom is based on the British series Keep It in the Family and stars Ted Knight, the lovable buffoon Ted Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He plays Henry, a conservative cartoonist, who along with his freelance photographer wife Muriel (Nancy Dussault) and their two daughters Sara (Lydia Cornell) and Jackie (Deborah Van Valkenburgh) own a two-family house in San Francisco. Jim J. Bullock provides much of the series comedic energy as Monroe, a sexually ambiguous character originally intended as a one-off.
Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983-87)
Charlie's Angels wasn't Kate Jackson's only successful television gig. Before Angels, she had a role on the gothic daytime drama Dark Shadows, followed by a four-season stint as Jill Danko on The Rookies. Four years after retiring her halo in 1979, Jackson teamed with Bruce Boxleitner for this True Lies-like dramedy portraying a single suburban Washington, D.C., mom who finds herself working with a debonair spy.
Three's a Crowd (1984-85)
Three's Company has been relegated to permanent syndication rotation, but this John Ritter led spinoff (one of a few spawned by Company) doesn't show up as often. In it, Ritter reprises his role of Jack Tripper, and while he's not playing gay anymore, he's still living in sin, this time with his flight attendant girlfriend Vicky (Mary Cadorette). He's also still dealing with a landlord from hell in James Bradford (Robert Mandan) who owns the apartment above his restaurant where they reside. The show lasted only one season but nevertheless stands as a testament to the comedic genius of Ritter in his heyday.
Women of the House (1995)
Designing Women remains another rerun staple with its topical storylines and witty dialogue that stand the test of time. House chronicles the further comedic exploits of the much-loved Suzanne Sugarbaker (Delta Burke), who has left the design business and slipped into the White House, filling a seat in Congress following the death of her congressman husband. The show came from Designing Women's creative team of Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason and features a pre-Everybody Loves Raymond Patricia Heaton, plus Teri Garr and the wonderful Valerie Mahaffey.
Mrs. Columbo (1979-80)
On his own long-running show, the iconic Detective Columbo (Peter Falk) often referred to his wife, but viewers never saw her -- until a pre-Star Trek: Voyager Kate Mulgrew brought the character to life for two seasons in this spinoff. Working as a small-town reporter for the Weekly Advertiser, there was no shortage of nefarious activity to keep her occupied, and an impressive list of guest stars to keep things interesting. (Also, who knew Mr. and Mrs. C had a son?) The recent Peacock hit Poker Face is frequently compared to Columbo. By extension, that makes the little-known Mrs. Columbo even more intriguing.
The Doris Day Show (1968-73)
Watching all five seasons of this often-delightful sitcom starring Doris Day as Doris Martin, a widowed forty-something single mother raising two young sons, is a viewing experience unlike any other, because so many things change year by year, some without any explanation at all. In fact, by season four Doris' two adorable young sons and her wise and wonderful father (played by Denver Pyle) have simply disappeared from her life, never to be seen or heard from again! On the plus side, the '70s-era fashions and décor are fab.
Grady (1975-76)
Sanford and Son fans will get a kick out of this little-seen spinoff that follows Fred Sanford's friend Grady Wilson (Whitman Mayo) after he moves from Watts to a racially mixed middle-class Los Angeles neighborhood. All 10 episodes of the short-lived series are available.
Check It Out (1985-88)
This Canadian workplace sitcom ran for three seasons and starred Don Adams as Howard Bannister, a grocery store manager with a less-than-perfect array of employees. Think Get Smart meets Superstore, as Adams injects a lot of his trademark Maxwell Smart mannerisms into Bannister. He made this series just five years after reprising his iconic role for the movie, The Nude Bomb(aka The Return of Maxwell Smart).
Family(1976-80)