Top 20 Most Important TV Shows in History
At nearly 70 years old, television has come a long way! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the the most influential and groundbreaking television programs throughout history.
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00:00 "Are you in the mafia?" "Am I in the what?"
00:05 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most influential and
00:09 groundbreaking television programs throughout history. "I don't get these birds, they're
00:14 breaking the deal. It's like the pigeons decided to ignore me." "So they're like everyone else."
00:18 Number 20. Lost. This was one of the biggest cultural phenomena of the new millennium,
00:26 with a large ensemble cast and ever-expanding lore. It was ambitious and unafraid to take risks.
00:32 Centered around a crew of survivors deserted on an island after a plane crash,
00:36 it was dark from the very beginning. "But if we can't live together,
00:40 we're gonna die alone." The continuous and gripping storyline kept viewers hooked for
00:48 over half a decade that became a mass sensation. "I'm an ordinary man, Jack. I eat meat and
00:54 potatoes. I live in the real world. I'm not a big believer in magic. But this place is different."
01:04 It was also heavily discussed online, with theories constantly being bandied about. While
01:09 the finale left many people frustrated and disappointed, there's no doubt that it kept
01:13 people hooked until the very end. Number 19. South Park. Not every program has to be serious
01:20 to be important. Irreverent and intentionally provocative, South Park is in a league of its
01:24 own. The animated show focuses on a group of friends and their shenanigans in their less-than-normal
01:29 hometown. It quickly became known for tackling current issues, and for making fun of everybody
01:35 in the process. "Hey, do you people mind? You're supposed to wear your mask over your nose.
01:40 Looks like you're wearing a diaper for your chin. Chin diapers don't help." The fact that no one is
01:45 off-limits made it accessible to a wider audience. While it's undeniably raunchy, there is also a
01:51 strong heart that keeps it from becoming too off-putting. It has defined the humor of a
01:55 generation, with jokes that are still fresh after a quarter-century. It opened doors for
02:00 other mature shows, and helped reshape comedy within the form. "Hey, yes! Oh, let me taste
02:07 your tears, Scott. Mmm, your tears are so yummy and sweet. Dude, I think it might be best for us
02:12 to never piss Cartman off again. Good call." It's hard to imagine now, but at one point,
02:20 women on TV were primarily portrayed as being married with children. The Mary Tyler Moore
02:25 show changed that. Mary Richards was one of the first female characters to be portrayed as having
02:30 a job while being single, which was unheard of at the time. "Oh no, I think all I can afford is
02:34 associate producer." "You can start tomorrow." "Oh, that's just wonderful. So I'll see you tomorrow."
02:44 The fact that she never had to rely on a man was groundbreaking, and coincided with the peak of
02:50 second-wave feminism. The series tackled other real-world issues such as anti-Semitism as well,
02:55 keeping people invested for several seasons. It was a trailblazing movement wrapped up in
03:00 an episodic show, and helped change the way women were viewed in entertainment.
03:04 Number 17. The X-Files. While many TV shows are bright and cheery,
03:09 others are less afraid of showing how dark they could be. Featuring two agents who investigate
03:14 extraterrestrial creatures and paranormal events, it started out as a cult favorite before exploding
03:19 in popularity. The X-Files changed the way people perceived conspiracy theories, leading to a wider
03:24 belief in the unknown. Viewers also intensely shipped the two leads, which kept people even
03:30 more interested. "You really don't give up, do you? But then you have so much to lose.
03:35 That's what we have in common. We have nothing in common." The X-Files continues to thrive
03:42 in pop culture, having been parodied and referenced countless times.
03:45 "Hey guys, what's up?"
03:51 It has also inspired other modern projects from Supernatural to Gravity Falls.
03:55 It is one of the defining pieces of the science fiction genre, and helped shape it into what it
04:00 is today. Number 16. The Wire. Helping popularize the notion that TV characters don't have to be
04:07 picture-perfect or comically evil, this show trusted audiences to accept nuance. The Wire
04:12 wasn't afraid to show the harsh realities of Baltimore, while also exposing some of the deeper
04:17 reasons why the city was going through a rough patch. "I see a man without a country. Not hard
04:23 enough for this right here. And maybe, just maybe, not smart enough for them out there." "Not hard
04:29 enough? No offense, I don't think you ever really were." Though other crime programs depicted
04:34 criminals as simply being evil, The Wire showed them as layered, multifaceted people who made both
04:40 good and bad choices. It was a new concept to many viewers, and the dichotomy kept them hooked.
04:46 It did not pull a single punch, leading to an intense yet compelling experience.
04:50 Presenting a fresh perspective on a complicated subject, it was undoubtedly ambitious,
04:55 but the execution was near flawless. "And what is your occupation?" "Occupation?"
05:02 "What exactly do you do for a living, Mr. Little?" "I rip and run."
05:09 "You?" "I robs drug dealers." Number 15. Cheers.
05:14 Comfort shows are an underrated gem of the television industry. Light and unapologetically
05:25 positive, Cheers has become the standard for non-family-oriented sitcoms. The humor, coupled
05:30 with the fact that the episodes almost always took place in a bar, made it more relatable to adults
05:35 of all ages. It was a marvel in character development, showing how people across all
05:40 different social classes and experiences could come together and form friendships.
05:44 Cheers ended up being so successful that it spawned a couple of spinoffs,
05:48 including the effortlessly witty Frasier. It was an endearing exploration of how a bar could become
05:53 a home away from home, and help you connect with people who ultimately become your chosen family.
05:58 Number 14. The Looney Tunes Franchise. While they first popped up as theatrical shorts,
06:03 they're most known for their antics on smaller screens. The premier animated show of the 20th
06:08 century, it offered an edgier look on talking animals than their Disney counterparts. This
06:12 show wasn't afraid to show cartoonish violence and crude jokes, creating an experience that
06:17 both children and adults could enjoy. The slapstick comedy and sardonic humor still
06:21 hold up to this day. Even after it ended, many of the characters went on to become cultural mainstays.
06:32 From spinoffs to merchandise, they've become some of the most prominent cartoon icons.
06:37 From Bugs Bunny to Tweety Bird, each character has impacted pop culture in their own way,
06:42 permanently leaving their mark on society.
06:44 Number 13. The Twilight Zone
07:00 This show helped popularize not only cosmic horror, but anthology programming as well.
07:05 The Twilight Zone was like scary stories in television form, haunting audiences of the early
07:10 1960s. While the episodes were often frightful, they usually had an underlying message of a deeper
07:16 human issue at play. Tackling subjects like mob mentality and paranoia, The Twilight Zone had a
07:21 way of teaching lessons in the most twisted way possible. Despite being made over half a century
07:26 ago, many of the episodes still hold up today and are just as creepy as they were when they first
07:31 aired. While several revivals have been made since then, none has been able to capture the magic of
07:36 the original. Number 12. Friends
07:42 Perfectly capturing the essence of the 1990s, Friends became one of the most significant shows
07:47 of the 20th century, despite only coming to fruition at the very end of it. The show focused
07:52 on a group of friends and their attempts at navigating life and love in New York City. While
07:57 this was very much an ensemble show, each character was beloved in their own way.
08:01 Their unique personalities from Chandler's sarcasm to Phoebe's quirkiness became instantly
08:11 recognizable. Purely a feel-good experience, it supplied classic sitcom shenanigans with realistic
08:17 love stories between the group. As a comforting watch to millions of people, it continues to make
08:22 people laugh almost 20 years after the ending. Number 11. All in the Family
08:37 While many classic sitcoms sugarcoated their stories, this landmark wasn't afraid to show
08:41 the cracks in American society. It discussed several important topics that other shows
08:46 wouldn't dare touch, from racism to menopause. This comedy proved that the format could handle
08:51 some darkness instead of the usual saccharine storylines. While many of the characters,
08:55 particularly Archie Bunker, were anything but politically correct, All in the Family
09:00 became one of the most forward-thinking shows of its time.
09:03 Its unique progressivism even translated into a successful spinoff for The Jeffersons,
09:08 a program centered around the Bunker's neighbors. Combining comedy and relevance,
09:12 All in the Family redefined the landscape for years to come.
09:15 Number 10. Game of Thrones
09:19 Based on a popular book series by George R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones is a classic
09:23 comedy-themed show that's been around for decades. The show's main character,
09:27 the famous Queen, is a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
09:32 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
09:34 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
09:38 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
09:40 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
09:42 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
09:45 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
09:47 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
09:50 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
09:52 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
09:54 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
09:58 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:00 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:03 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:06 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:09 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:12 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:15 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:18 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:21 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:24 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:27 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:30 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:33 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:36 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:40 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:43 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:46 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:49 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:52 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:55 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
10:58 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
11:02 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
11:05 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
11:08 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
11:12 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
11:15 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
11:19 She's a young girl who's been in love with a man for years.
11:22 I'm the Doctor.
11:24 I'm a Time Lord.
11:26 I'm from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation of Casterboros.
11:29 I'm 903 years old and I'm the man who's gonna save your lives
11:32 and all six billion people on the planet below.
11:35 Centered around a time-traveling universe-saving being,
11:38 Doctor Who has become synonymous with science fiction.
11:41 The evolution is unparalleled,
11:44 showing the immense changes in special effects
11:46 across the 20th century and into the 21st.
11:49 The lore is vast and seemingly unending,
11:52 making for an ambitious experience that satisfies on all levels
11:56 and has inspired a vast fan base that is still prevalent today.
12:00 No matter who's portraying the Doctor,
12:02 they always have a certain charm about them
12:04 that unites their diverse characterizations.
12:06 The lead constantly changing and incorporating new personalities
12:09 helped keep the concept fresh for over half a century.
12:12 You may be a Doctor, but I'm the Doctor.
12:15 The definite article, you might say.
12:16 Look here.
12:17 Number 7 - Sesame Street
12:19 A show being made for children doesn't negate its importance.
12:22 Using brightly colored puppets and whimsical music,
12:28 Sesame Street doesn't just teach children,
12:31 it truly loves them.
12:32 Determined to teach children to see the world in a brighter way,
12:35 this has become one of the most positive programs airing today.
12:38 The use of the Muppets became its calling card,
12:41 leading to the immense popularization of characters like Elmo and Cookie Monster.
12:45 The Muppets became so successful among adults
12:47 that The Muppet Show was created in response,
12:50 giving older demographics more mature jokes with similar characters.
12:53 There's no doubt that Sesame Street is one of the most vital TV shows in history
12:58 and has continued to influence new generations.
13:00 Number 6 - I Love Lucy
13:12 It's hard to overstate how pivotal I Love Lucy was,
13:16 not just for comedy, but for the television landscape as a whole.
13:19 While women were normally expected to play straight men to their husbands,
13:28 I Love Lucy flipped that concept,
13:30 allowing Lucy to be silly yet headstrong.
13:32 The stories were gold,
13:34 and many have continued to be referenced in contemporary media.
13:37 It also demonstrated the importance of the ensemble cast,
13:40 creating a trend that is still popular today.
13:43 Besides the creative aspects,
13:45 it's also a technological marvel.
13:47 The show trailblazed the use of multiple cameras,
13:50 a practice that would become prevalent for decades to come.
13:53 It also popularized reruns and became the program that set syndication in motion,
13:58 changing the industry forever.
13:59 Number 5 - The Simpsons
14:05 They may be cartoons,
14:06 but they're one of the most recognizable and well-loved families on television.
14:10 The Simpsons is the longest-running American animated program,
14:14 creating trends and characters that are still loved to this day.
14:17 There have even been several phrases adopted into common vernacular,
14:21 such as Homer's catchphrase.
14:23 The series completely changed the industry,
14:31 helping popularize animated shows made for adults.
14:34 It ushered in a tidal wave of cartoon sitcoms,
14:37 such as Family Guy and King of the Hill,
14:39 and became one of the pillars of a sub-genre.
14:42 It continues to remain relevant today,
14:44 keeping its finger on the pulse of culture.
14:46 With its litany of classic and modern episodes,
14:49 there's something for everybody to enjoy.
14:51 Number 4 - M*A*S*H
15:03 When done right,
15:04 interjecting humor into serious storylines can take a show from good to superb.
15:09 M*A*S*H managed to find light amid the darkness of the Korean War.
15:12 It was an instant hit in the United States,
15:15 showcasing the complexities of war and what it can do to one's psyche.
15:18 Lasting over a decade on the air,
15:20 it became one of the defining shows of the country,
15:23 perfectly capturing the anti-war mindset of the time.
15:26 "With the friends of my youth,
15:27 my comrades through thick and thin,
15:30 and everything in between,
15:33 I drink to your memories."
15:37 Its expertise in incorporating both intense tragedy and light-hearted comedy
15:41 made it one of the deepest and most affecting shows ever aired.
15:45 "Well boys, it would be hard to call what we've been through fun,
15:49 but I'm sure glad we went through it together."
15:52 It was so iconic that its finale episode
15:55 became one of the most watched scripted broadcasts in history.
15:59 Number 3
16:00 Seinfeld
16:01 Among the optimistic and love-filled sitcoms of the 1990s was this sardonic alternative,
16:06 focusing on an inherently unlikable yet charming group of friends.
16:09 "You look exactly like Al Pacino.
16:11 You know, a sand of a woman.
16:14 Hoo-ah! Hoo-ah!"
16:16 "Very good, very good.
16:20 You know something?
16:21 No soup for you!"
16:23 Seinfeld is unlike any other show that existed before or after it,
16:26 exhibiting a sense of sarcasm that hasn't been replicated since.
16:30 The stories weren't as adventurous as those on some other shows,
16:33 but they were wickedly funny and had a sense of realism that others didn't have.
16:37 The friends all being flawed only made them more loved,
16:40 and they served as examples of how characters didn't have to be picture-perfect to be well-written.
16:45 "So, I'm on Third Avenue, minding my own business, and yada yada yada,
16:49 I get a free massage and a facial.
16:52 Wow! What a succinct story!"
16:54 It was a fresh take on the form,
16:56 and it was popular with viewers and advertisers alike.
16:59 Number 2 - Breaking Bad
17:02 One of the most ambitious shows in history,
17:04 it challenged viewers' conceptions of good and evil.
17:07 While Breaking Bad is superficially a show about a meth-dealing kingpin,
17:10 its deeper messages about the healthcare system and crime in America give it extra layers.
17:15 The deterioration of Walter's character is breathtaking and tragic,
17:19 as you see a broken man morph into a dangerous and uncaring drug lord
17:23 who is at odds with everyone from the DEA to his own family.
17:26 "I am not in danger, Skyler. I am the danger.
17:30 A guy opens his door and gets shot and you think that of me?
17:33 No. I am the one who knocks."
17:36 While exciting, it also had moments of genuine emotion
17:41 that created a multifaceted experience for people everywhere.
17:44 The show furthered the popularity of non-perfect protagonists in television,
17:48 and became the defining drama of the 2010s.
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18:07 Number 1 - The Sopranos
18:12 When discussing iconic television, this show is bound to come up.
18:16 Focused on a mob leader and his complicated life,
18:18 The Sopranos became one of the defining touchstones of the new millennium.
18:22 It popularized the anti-hero,
18:24 someone the audience couldn't help rooting for despite his horrible deeds.
18:28 Tony Soprano is one of the most well-developed characters in media,
18:31 a powerful man who also struggles with his own mind.
18:34 "Cause you don't gotta love me, but you will respect me."
18:37 The cinematography remains breathtaking,
18:40 with powerful shots that are still impactful.
18:43 The writing is unparalleled and can make you love or hate a character in just one second.
18:48 "That's never been disputed by anybody."
18:50 It wasn't just an entertaining show,
18:53 it helped bring legitimacy to the art form,
18:55 completely changing people's ideas of what TV could be.
18:59 Which TV show do you think has been the most influential?
19:02 Let us know in the comments below.
19:03 "Guy was an ethereal deco-
19:05 This house look like shit."
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