The American family gathers around the television set, their shadows falling somewhere between the metal rabbit ears. It’s seven pm and the gang’s all here. Little Johnny has his homework done, dad is smoking a pipe, and mom is just pulling an apple pie out of the oven.

Nauseous yet?

All of these individual items are so iconic to the American landscape it hurts. But the thing that brings them all together is their metaphorical and literal center: the television. The television has enjoyed a special place in the hearts of Americans for as long as we can remember. It’s predecessor, the wireless radio, had a similar role, bringing the American family to gather around it in the evenings in hope of an escape from the day-to-day tedium. However, technology progresses, and with it society, replacing outdated appliances and trends. Looking forward seems to be the motto of the 21st century, especially considering the unparalleled rate of technological growth present. This makes a recent trend seem a little out place though. For the past six years, we have seen a consistent growth in “Nostalgia Markets.”

Central to this growth is T.V. There has been a return to the family as the focus of sitcoms as of late, with shows like “Modern Family” and “Parenthood.” And of course there is always TVland, the channel that seems to be perpetually stuck in black and white. Intuitively, this trend doesn’t make sense. Products, TV shows included, evolved for a reason. Namely, in response to the needs and wants of the viewer. So why this return to antiquity?

A survey conducted by Euromonitor International  asked participants to agree or disagree with the following statements:

“I feel under constant pressure to get things done.”

“Life used to be simpler and better.”

“I find I am looking for ways to simplify my life.”

The majority of participants agreed with the statements above. It seems as if television is increasingly becoming a gateway into a time long-forgotten, and apparently long-missed.

So if you ever find yourself in some need of some spiritual comfort food, pick up your remote (which hopefully you ordered from Remotehound!), put up your feet, and “Leave it to Beaver.”