Addams v Munster, Part One: Meet the Family

Are you a Morticia, or are you a Lily?

That's a question that has plagued TV views since a single autumn week in 1964 that featured two seismic TV debuts—"The Addams Family" and one week later, "The Munsters". In this two-part episode, we answer it for ourselves. We also zoom in on why audiences were ready for supernatural comfort, how the networks raced to premiere first, and what made these two “normal” families feel so different once the front door swung open. Think urbane eccentricity versus blue-collar sweetness, mat paintings versus the Universal backlot, and a pair of theme songs that still cue instant nostalgia.

In this episode, we spend real time with The Addams Family: John Astin and Carolyn Jones crafting a playful, startlingly sensual marriage; Ted Cassidy’s Lurch turning a single “You rang?” into an entire mood; and Jackie Coogan’s Uncle Fester. Across the hour, we trace how cultural context and craft shaped legacy. "The Munsters" won early ratings, but "The Addams Family" thrives in color and in reimaginings—from the 90s films to a Broadway musical to Netflix's "Wednesday"—because its tone flexes without breaking the core: a loving family that refuses to apologize for being different.

So, if you’ve ever argued Morticia vs Lily, snapped along to Vic Mizzy’s theme, or wondered how 1313 Mockingbird Lane stacks up to 0001 Cemetery Lane, you’ll feel right at home here. So join us as we take a nostalgic visit to two iconic addresses and visit our friends, The Addams and The Munsters.

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