Picture this all too common situation: you don’t have Netflix, you don’t want to shell out a couple of bucks an episode at iTunes or Amazon VOD, and you’re already caught up on the newest episodes of Community, The Office, and Modern Family. 
You suddenly find yourself with a lot of free time and nothing to watch. What now?
If you’re anything like me, you want to start a new series from the beginning, and you want to do it for free. There are a lot of great perks to watching television online: you can watch your favorite shows whenever you want and you don’t have to pay for cable. But when it comes to starting a new series that you’ve already missed the first season of, the realm of Internet TV can become a daunting place. Sure, the newest episodes of many popular series are posted online, but are the older ones?
The answer is yes! Well, sometimes. These 60 gems all have their entire first seasons (or more) online for free. So sit back, choose your poison, and you’ll be sure to never have free time again.
More Modern Offerings
Blue Mountain State – Three incoming college freshmen, Alex, Sammy, and Craig, start their college football careers. Can they juggle sports, school, and women?
The Crow: Stairway to Heaven – If you’re a fan of the movies, then look no further. Give yourself a little extra time with the tortured Eric Draven.
Dead Like Me – What would you do if you died and were told you had to remain among the living to become a Grim Reaper? See how George handles the news in this Showtime original.
Desperate Housewives – Take a trip down Wisteria Lane and get a peek into the darker side of suburban living.
Eli Stone – Eli Stone is a smooth-talking lawyer more interested in making money than saving lives. That is, until he starts having visions that compel him to choose cases for moral, not monetary reasons.
FlashForward – When the entire world loses consciousness for two minutes and seventeen seconds, everyone glimpses a scene in his or her future. Can society go on without being able to understand why or how the blackout occurred?
The Hard Times of RJ Berger – When unpopular high school student RJ accidentally exposes himself to some of his classmates, he becomes a household name. Will RJ ever be able to have a normal life again?
Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman – This 90’s entry into the Superman hall of fame boasts romance, action, and, of course, Dean Cain.
Louie – Louis C.K. stars as a divorced father trying to raise his daughters in New York. For offbeat comedy lovers.
Masters of Horror – This spooky anthology series features a different horror director each episode. Why pick your favorite when you can just watch them all?
Outer Limits – The 1995 reboot of the Outer Limits franchise promises all the science fiction of the original and more.
Reaper – When Sam finds out that his parents sold his soul before he was born to save his Dad’s health, he must start working for the Devil to repay his debt. Turns out being a reaper might be the only thing Sam’s actually good at.
Sliders – Ever wonder what it would be like to be able to travel between different dimensions with your professor and an R&B singer? No? Well, here’s your chance anyway.
South Park – That’s right, South Park fans! Now you can go back & relive your favorite moments from the first season! Actually, all the seasons. South Park Studios posts every single episode online.
Strangers with Candy – Get to know Jerri Blank, 46-year-old high school dropout, as she struggles to go back to school after a stint in prison.
Swamp Thing – Watch Dick Durock reprise his role as DC Comic’s Swamp Thing on the small screen. Will he ever be able regain his humanity?
Testees – Two roommates give themselves over to science to help pay the rent. As expected, each experiment is worse than the one before. Male pregnancy, chastity belts, and murderous vacuums? Count us in.
The Tick – This one-season wonder starring Patrick Warburton is a live-action remake of the comic of the same name. Don’t even try to resist.
Ugly Betty – Homely Betty Suarez takes on the New York City publishing and fashion worlds when she lands a job as an assistant at Mode Magazine.
Veronica Mars – Kristen Bell stars as Veronica, a full-time high school student and a part-time Private Investigator.
Pre-90’s Classics
The Addams Family – See what it’s like when every night is Halloween with the spookiest family around.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents – The famous filmmaker himself hosts this classic mystery anthology series from the 50s.
Battlestar Galactica Classic – Fans of the newer Battlestar Galactica series will love revisiting this original from 1978.
Bewitched – Ever wished you could wiggle your nose and perform magic? Well Samantha can! But even magic can’t help Samantha blend into the normal society that her husband, Darrin, loves so much.
Charles in Charge – Young college student Charles takes a job babysitting for the Pembroke family in exchange for a free place to live.
The Dick Van Dyke Show – Starring Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore, this sitcom centers on comedy writer, Rob Petrie. It’s a behind the scenes look at what working on a 60s television show was really like.
Flipper – Original – Bud and Sandy live in Florida’s Key West area and befriend a loveable dolphin named Flipper.
The Incredible Hulk – When Doctor David Banner accidentally exposes himself to high levels of gamma rays, he transforms into a green giant. When he’s blamed for a fire he didn’t cause, Banner must struggle to hide his Hulk side while he’s on the run from the law.
Knight Rider Classic – David Hasselhoff stars as Michael Knight in this series from the early 80s. Join Michael and his talking car as they fight crime for the Foundation for Law and Government.
Lost in Space – “Danger, Will Robinson!” Relive every adventure of the Robinson family in this 1960s futuristic take on The Swiss Family Robinson.
Married…with Children – Enjoy some time with America’s favorite dysfunctional family.
The Outer Limits – Original – This anthology show promises all the sci-fi you could want. Time travel? Check. Space exploration? Check. Sci-fi fans won’t be disappointed.
V: The Series – If you’re a fan of the new V series from ABC, you’ll definitely want to check out this 80s version. Reptilians have invaded Earth and the humans must find a way to resist if they want to survive.
The Real Deal
16 and Pregnant – This reality series from MTV follows teenage girls who struggle with their unplanned pregnancies and all the decisions that come with becoming a mother.
Billy the Exterminator – Follow Billy Bretherton and his family as they fight all kinds of pests in the swamps and bayous of Louisiana.
Confessions of a Teen Idol – These former teen stars have lost sight of their goals and professional aspirations. Now, Scott Baio wants to help them reinvent their careers. Can they do it?
The First 48 – See what the first 48 hours of a murder investigation are really like with A&E’s long-running series.
The Hills – Start at the very beginning with LC, Whitney, Audrina, Heidi, and Spencer as LC moves away from home to start a fashion career in Los Angeles.
House Crashers – DIY’s Josh Temple visits lucky homeowners and agrees to remodel a room for them.
Jersey Shore – Snooki fans rejoice! The first season of this MTV hit is still available online for free.
The OCD Project – Dr. David Tolin resorts to extreme measures to cure six patients with severe cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder. These patients struggle to win back the lives they had before OCD took over.
Paranormal Cops – Ever wondered who you would call if you had a ghost in your house? These real-life Ghostbusters, of course!
Paris Hilton’s My New BFF – 16 contestants compete to become Paris Hilton’s new best friend. Why? We’re not sure either.
Punk’d – The first season boasts punks on Justin Timberlake, Jessica Alba, Seth Green, Britney Spears, and more.
Sober House – This follow-up to VH1’s other popular series, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, follows the celebs as they continue to deal with their substance abuse problems. Will they be able to progress forward after Celebrity Rehab, or will they fall back into their old habits?
Teen Mom – Four young women struggle to raise their babies at a very young age. Each has a different living situation, but they all face the same issues.
World’s Strictest Parents – Thought your parents were bad? Check out some of the World’s Strictest as out-of-control teens are sent to live with a strict host family for a week in an attempt to set them right.
British Treasures
Coupling – This comedic series focuses on a group of friends as they all fall in love, fall out of love, and struggle to find Mr. (or Mrs.) Right.
Little Britain – Britain’s best sketch comedy, brought right to your computer screen.
Peep Show – David Mitchell and Robert Webb star in this quirky comedy. And if you’re in the mood for some different camera work, consider this: the entire series is shot from the characters’ points of view.
Spaced – Before Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, or even Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, there was Spaced. Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, and Edgar Wright bring the laughs in this British series.
For Younger Crowds
Batman Beyond – You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy this futuristic take on Batman. An elderly Bruce Wayne teaches a young teenager, Terry McGillis, how to take on the responsibilities of being a superhero.
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures – Can’t get enough of these two loveable slackers? Why not check out this animated series from the 90s?
Eerie, Indiana – Teens Marshall and Simon bond over solving the weird mysteries that exist in great numbers in their hometown of Eerie, Indiana.
Greek – Rusty Cartwright struggles to adapt to college life while trying to shed his nerd reputation. Meanwhile, his sister Casey learns that being popular isn’t as easy as it seems.
Huge – Teens at a weight loss camp learn that the small meal portions and exercise routines might actually end up being the easiest part of this sleep away camp experience.
Kyle XY – Kyle seems like a normal kid from the outside, except that he can’t remember where he came from, doesn’t have a belly button, and begins to display signs of superpowers.
Make It or Break It – Competition is fierce at Rocky Mountain Gymnastic Training Center. They might still be young, but these girls are in it for the long haul.
Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego – Don’t confuse this one with the popular Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, but don’t discredit it either. This animated series is just as fun.
X-Men Evolution – See what Cyclops, Jean Grey, Rogue, and your other favorite mutants would have been like in high school in this Emmy award winning animated series.
