odd show,modern and old fashioned?

I totally agree, "modern and old fashioned". I was really little when it was on, so I don't know how it was regarded at the time. But the few episodes I've seen (the ones with Vera Miles as guest star) are exactly as you say.

In "Barbara Who", Vera played a woman with....AMNESIA! A plot device so common, I used to think everyone got it at least once. Also, as an amnesiac, the hospital trained her to be a nurse's aide. She was dressed and groomed to the nth degree and came out looking like.... a movie star! Not only could she afford expensive clothes, hair and make-up on a nurse's aide's salary, she could afford an apartment by herself in San Francisco! I seriously doubt that, even in the 60's.

On the other hand, the episode contained some snappy dialogue, humor, and social observation (and they did mention hippies!). Also, the romance between the two was understandable and very realistic, as well as being quite compelling. Some very good acting from both, as well as intriguing insights regarding their predicament.

In short, I loved it, with all its contradictory modernity and old fashioned-ness. The early 70's seemed to straddle a time when tv was torn between the glossy, idealized productions of the old Hollywood and early tv., vs. an edgy, gritty, more realistic style of storytelling. Obviously, gritty won out. But as you say, wallowing in nostalgia has it's pleasures!

If you are interested, check some of Ms. Miles work in tv shows pre and post 1970 to see just how much things had changed in as little as even 18 mos. Good case in point, try one called "Molly and Lawless John". Talk about time/mind warp compared to that amnesia episode of Ironside. Enjoy!

I think this is why you see reruns of PERRY MASON all the time and very rarely see reruns of IRONSIDE. PERRY MASON made no particular effort to be "of the moment", and as a result, the episodes are timeless. IRONSIDE made an effort to be cutting edge, both with the story lines and with the clothing and so on. The problem is, as the world changes, the formerly "cutting edge" shows start looking very dated.

The Mod Squad was considered cutting edge, not Ironside. Ironside was directed toward's Burr's fans from his Perry Mason days. As far as hippies go, all cop shows from the late 60's were showcasing them....Dragnet, Adam-12, Mod Squad, Ironside, etc. The 70's got very gritty & shot less on sets & more on location. The Rookies, Police Story, Starsky & Hutch, Streets of San Francisco, SWAT. They started showing so much violence that they pulled SWAT (despite the ratings) & asked the other shows to tone things down.