Summary
Some iconic TV shows are so important in the history of pop culture that anyone wishing to be well-versed in this regard needs to watch them,despite their flaws. Certain series that are considered to be some of thebest TV shows of all timehaven’t aged well,featuring outdated jokes and problematic storylines. However, their unprecedented popularity or influence on other shows and the way that people consume TV cannot be reversed.
Some of theseclassic TV shows went on for too long, resulting in repetitive and bland storylines as the writers contrived ways for the series to drag on. Others are nearly perfect but have one catastrophic storyline that ruins everything or are weighed down by one of themost hated TV show finales of all time.Yet these TV shows' place in the cultural zeitgeist is unshakable,demanding that people watch them for context. Many people are still able to enjoy them as audiences did when they first aired.
10 Recently Ended TV Shows That Are Unlikely To Ever Be Revived
It’s natural for viewers to want a TV show to continue beyond its ending, but these recently concluded series are unlikely to ever get a revival.
10Lost (2004-2010)
Lost’s Mystery Got Too Convoluted, But It Changed Fandom Culture
Lostis one of theshows that changed the way people watch TV, as its run coincided with the rise of online forums. The series played a huge role in the inception of modern fan culture, especially because of its mystery-driven story. This is one of the earliest cases of numerous viewers taking to the internet to discuss theories with fellow fans online, creating an online community that would later transfer to newer social media platforms.
Lostbecame a pop culture phenomenon due to the storylines that demanded people come back every week to find out what happens next, and how viewers engaged with the story. Even ifLostset up a lot of mysteries that were never completely resolved, creating a puzzle that was too complicated to have a satisfying solution, people clung to the promise of a final answer for years. While re-watchingLost, the focus should be on how viewers 15 to 20 years ago would have reacted to each cliffhanger.
Lost
Lost is a mystery drama series created for TV that follows a group of survivors of a plane crash and tells its story between the past, present, and future via flashbacks. When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashes and lands on a mysterious island in the pacific ocean, the castaways discover their new temporary home may have a mind of its own, as strange supernatural events keep them locked to the island. From an unknown black smoke creature to dangerous islanders, the passengers must work together to survive the island’s seemingly deadly intentions.
9Stranger Things (2016-2025)
Stranger Things Gave Rise To The Age Of Streaming With An Intriguing If Weird Story
Stranger Thingsis one of the flagship shows of the streaming era,which spearheaded Netflix’s original series department. While the streaming giant had produced other original series before, none had the widespread appeal ofStranger Thingsor garnered as many viewers. It also launched the careers of the youngStranger Thingscast, who have since led some otherGoonies-type adventures with a plucky band of young protagonists.
This constitutes one of the biggest cultural moments of the 21st century that no one could miss. Since the wild success of its early seasons,Stranger Thingshas dragged on for just a little too long.At any rate, the final season is coming soon and will hopefully be the epic finale the milestone series deserves before the debut of its spinoff. Additionally, the show has such a unique aesthetic that blends classic 80s pop culture with new horror concepts that it will be forever ingrained in people’s minds.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
8Grey’s Anatomy (2005-Present)
Grey’s Anatomy Is A Genre-Defining Drama, Even Though Everyone Breaks Up Eventually
Grey’s Anatomytransformed the landscape of soap opera-adjacent dramas and medical procedurals, with its couples quickly becoming some of the most talked-about fictional romances. The show’s approach to romance can be disheartening, since almost every couple except forMeredith and Derekbreak up eventually, as the story needs more drama to keep going.The current seasons have their highlights but are nowhere near as iconic as the days of Meredith and Cristina’s shenanigansand the interns gossiping about"Dr. McDreamy."
Meredith and her friends' casual attitude about relationships and passion for their careers is something everyone should see.
Still,it is worth it to watchGrey’s Anatomy(or at least the first 10 seasons) for contextconcerning some of these relationships and the series' best recurring jokes. Meredith and her friends' casual attitude about relationships and passion for their careers is something everyone should see.Grey’s Anatomyis a tear-jerking experience that reached the heights of its heyday for some very good reasons.
Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama series revolving around surgical interns, residents, and attendings at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The show features the professional and personal lives of these medical professionals, led initially by Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the series highlights the complexities of medical cases while delving into the interpersonal relationships among the hospital staff.
7SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-Present)
SpongeBob SquarePants' Mean Humor Is Still A Staple Of Many Childhoods
SpongeBob SquarePantsrecently celebrated its 25th anniversary at San Diego Comic-Con,with people as enthusiastic as ever to learn what the future holds for these iconic characters. Despite one ofSpongeBob SquarePants’controversiesbeing the debate over whether the show is suitable for children, many look back on the show fondly as something they watched growing up. Every episode starts with Painty the Pirate asking,“Are ya' ready, kids?“before launching into the theme song, implying something about the show’s premise is appealing to children.
SpongeBob SquarePants’biggest flaw is that the humor is often mean-spirited and violent,with some insults coming closer to reality than older, even more exaggerated cartoons. However, TV aficionados should watch a few episodes and decide for themselves which side of the debate they are on. It is such a staple thatPhineas and Ferbonce included a meta-joke aboutSpongeBob SquarePantsbeing“ridiculous,”challenging the show as its biggest rival in the world of 21st-century cartoons.
SpongeBob SquarePants
Spongebob Squarepants is an animated comedy created by Stephen Hillenburg and starring voices from Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, and Rodger Bumpass. The series revolves around a sea sponge that goes on many misadventures with his friends Patrick, Squidward, and Sandy Cheeks in the lands of Bikini Bottom and the surrounding sea.
6Friends (1994-2004)
There are a lot of jokes that haven’t aged well inFriends, mainly concerning gender stereotypes and some of the characters’ perceived or real sexualities. Most fans ofFriendsare willing to accept this as a byproduct of the decades in which the show was made, which doesn’t completely negate the presumptions the show enforces. Newer sitcoms inspired byFriendshopefully do better in this regard. Additionally, some people may consider theRoss and Rachelstoryline to not be the happy ending the characters needed.
On the other hand,pretty much all the characters inFriendscan be referenced by their first names alone and people will know the context,illustrating its unwavering status in pop culture.Friends’running gags are highly quotable, and its most iconic episodes are filled with hilarious and heartwarming moments.Friends’strength is in the storylines that cemented the friend group sitcom, with a group of (sometimes) single professionals in their 20s and 30s supporting each other through everything.
Friends
Friends is a television sitcom that debuted in 1994, revolving around six young New Yorkers navigating the complexities of adulthood. The series highlights their friendship as they support each other through personal and professional challenges, encapsulating the ups and downs of life in a comedic and relatable manner.
8 Controversial TV Show Couples That Almost Ruined Their Shows
Sometimes, an unexpected TV relationship can be an exciting development. However, certain couples are so bad they almost ruin their shows.
5Sex And The City (1998-2004)
Sex And The City Was Considered Empowering In Its Time But Less So Today
Sex and the Cityis an unofficial forerunner toGrey’s Anatomyin terms of its approach to its female characters and their love lives. Carrie Bradshaw became an icon for her showstopping fashion choices and her and her friends’ casual attitude about sex. However,fans choose to ignore things aboutSex and the Citythat are less indicative of the show being a valuable milestone. The exhausting yet foundational romance between Carrie and Big can be critiqued for any number of reasons.
More importantly,Sex and the City’s main characters are selfish and materialistic, its inclusion of marginalized demographics is problematic, and there is a lot of slut-shaming even though the show is supposed to be about sex.The best way to watchSex and the City, still one of the most iconic shows ever, is to focus on the times when the characters are independent and free-thinking womenand to take the times they are not as lessons in harmful behavior.
Sex and the City
Sex in the City follows Carrie Bradshaw, a New York writer who finds inspiration for her column from the genuine, emotional, and often humorous exploits of life in the city. Joined by best friends Miranda Hobbes, Charlotte York, and Samantha Jones, Sex and the City follows the ups and downs of the characters' romantic relationships, being single, sex, and friendship as 30-something women.
4Seinfeld (1989-1998)
Seinfelddemonstrates some of the typical problems of this era of TV: a cast lacking in diversity, outdated jokes, and mean humor.Seinfeldset the stage forFriendswith another New York-based friend group, speaking casually about sex and doing their best with their careers.The mean-spirited humor ofSeinfeldis less of a glaring issue because that is the whole point:the characters can go around doing whatever they want without consequences.
This is whySeinfeld’s controversial finale disrupts the reality the show had createdwhen the main characters all end up in jail. If people watchSeinfeldup until the finale and stop before then, it might be a stronger story that adheres to its implicit world-building rules. In any case,Seinfeldshowcases some great comedy icons who defined the sitcom genre while (and after) they were on this show.
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is a television sitcom that follows stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his three eccentric friends, George, Elaine, and Kramer, as they navigate everyday life in New York City during the 1990s. Premiering in 1989, the series humorously explores the mundane and often trivial aspects of social interactions.
3Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Buffy the Vampire Slayerand many of Joss Whedon’s most iconic projects were scrutinized following the major controversy surrounding the director. The show broke ground in positive ways, despite its flaws.Buffy is a headstrong female lead who was intentionally written to challenge the tropeof a blond who gets killed in horror movies. The show also includes what was then unheard-of LGBTQ+ representation with Willow and Tara’s relationship.
Featuring one of the most influential heroines who laid the groundwork for later female characters, Buffy the Vampire Slayer at its best is a great show.
Harsh realities aboutBuffy the Vampire Slayerinclude some less-friendly character dynamics. The biggest criticism of the show in retrospect is its romanticization of Buffy and Spike’s abusive relationship. When Buffy is on her own, she and the Scooby Gang are unstoppable. Featuring one of the most influential heroines who laid the groundwork for later female characters,Buffy the Vampire Slayerat its best is a great show.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
2The Simpsons (1989-Present)
The Simpsons Alternates Between Clever & Tasteless Comedy
The Simpsonsis renowned as one of the longest-running TV shows ever which set the bar for referential humor and satire. Its influence is seen in everything fromPhineas and Ferbto the MCU in terms of pop culture references being used for clever humor. However, it is clear thatthere are a few or many times whenThe Simpsonstook things too far.Episodes ofThe Simpsonsbannedin various countries demonstrate a lot of insensitive and sometimes offensive satire and jokes.
With so much content and an episodic format,it is easy to sampleThe Simpsonsby watching a random episode— most people probably have come across the show at least once this way.The Simpsonsfeatures a lot of intelligent comedy that made the show a success. However, some episodes are hard to redeem, and other problematic elements remain within the rest of the show.
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an animated series set in the fictional town of Springfield, following the daily lives of the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Premiering in 1989, the show is renowned for its satirical commentary on politics, media, and American culture, featuring numerous celebrity guest appearances.
8 Great Animated TV Shows Everyone Forgot About
There are so many forgotten, incredible animated shows out there for old viewers to rediscover and new audiences to uncover for the first time.
1Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)
Games Of Thrones' Controversial Finale Is Only One Season In Its Game-Changing 10-Year Run
Few things had the same impact asGame of Thrones, a staple of the golden age of TV which had everyone in the world enthralled for nearly a decade. It is almost single-handedly responsible for the proliferation of epic fantasy TV shows and played a huge role in the briefer trend of shows where “anyone could die.”For nearly ten years,Game of Thronesdeserved its fame,faithfully adapting George R. R. Martin’s saga of political machinations, campaigns supported by dragons, and the looming threat of death itself.
House of the Dragon illustrates that the source material running out was a major reason thatGame of Thronesfell apart. However,no matter what one thinks about the contested final season ofGame of Thrones, the rest of it is well worth itfor the story and the cultural moment it represents. Few TV shows are completely flawless, and properties likeGame of Thronesare still interesting because of how they changed storytelling.
Game Of Thrones
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
