35. Frasier
Rating: 95%
Beginning in 1993, Kelsey Grammer was a mainstay on NBC’s airwaves thanks to the hit-show Frasier. A spin-off of the legendary Cheers, Fraiser focused on Grammer’s Fraiser Cane — a psychiatrist who returns to Seattle to host The Dr. Fraiser Cane Show, a radio show focusing on psychiatry. Fraiser made its debut four months after Cheers final episode aired, and Grammer carried the show until 2004 — 11 seasons and 264 episodes in total. Remarkably, the show won 38 Emmy awards (nominated for 108) and 24 Golden Globes.
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34. The Good Wife
Rating: 93%
Good wife, terrible husband. On this hit CBS show that aired between 2009-2016, a woman named Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) finds herself having to return to work following her husband’s embarrassing arrest. While Florrick returns to a law firm to provide for her family, her husband — a state attorney in Illinois — is jailed following a public sex and political corruption scandal. Margulies’ performance throughout the series received rave reviews and netted the star two Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. The Good Wife is one of the best dramas of recent years.
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33. House of Cards
Rating: 77%
House of Cards went from being Netflix’s top dog to being an untouchable project. Led by two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey, House of Cards featured a powerhouse cast, excellent writing, and a strong producer in David Fincher. The Netflix show garnered 56 Emmy nominations and won two Golden Globes — Best Actor (Spacey) and Best Actress (Robin Wright) — Television Series Drama.
However, after Spacey was hit with multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, the show-lead was fired immediately. As a result, the show was essentially finished on the spot. Without Spacey, Netflix produced one final season — consisting of eight episodes — before calling it a day.
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32. Friday Night Lights
Rating: 97%
Two years before Friday Night Lights debuted as a television series, executive producer Peter Berg had brought the sports drama to the big screen. Following the success of the film, the Dillon Panthers were the center of the (fictional) football world for another five years. Starring Kyle Chandler (head coach Eric Taylor), Connie Britton (Tami Taylor), Jesse Plemons, Taylor Kitsch and Minka Kelly, Friday Night Lights had viewers on the edge of their seats each and every episode. The show made you care about the lives of the main characters more than the results of the football games — although those games didn’t lack intensity. This is certainly a binge-worthy show.
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31. NYPD Blue
Rating: 83%
Until Grey’s Anatomy became one of the most successful shows of all-time, NYPD Blue held the distinction as being ABC’s longest-running primetime one-hour drama. The police procedural drama debuted in 1993 and remained on air until 2005. Thanks to riveting content and committed acting from its stars, NYPD Blue always felt fresh. Throughout its run, the show starred veteran actors such as David Caruso, Jimmy Smits, Dennis Franz, James McDaniel, Kim Delaney and Sharon Lawrence. Franz, playing the role of Andy Sipowicz, won a record four Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
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30. Orange Is the New Black
Rating: 90%
When Orange Is the New Black debuted in 2013, nobody could have predicted just how massive of a hit it would become. One of Netflix’s most iconic shows, OITNB brings viewers inside a women’s prison and gives a brutally honest look into the inner-workings of a prison — from the inmates to the administrators. Fans of the show quickly came to love the cast and all of the drama that was taking place inside Litchfield Penitentiary. Uzo Aduba took home two Emmys for her portrayal of Suzanne ‘Crazy Eyes’ Warren — winning Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. Aduba is the only actress to win drama and comedy Emmy awards for the same role.
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29. Scandal
Rating: 93%
For seven seasons spanning six years, Kerry Washington’s Olivia Pope was one of the most recognizable characters on television. Pope, a former White House Communications Director, opens her own crisis management firm — Olivia Pope & Associates. Pope is a top-notch fixer (like Ray Donovan) who has earned a strong reputation within the nation’s capital. Whenever there is a problem, Pope is the woman to call. With a strong supporting cast and intriguing plot lines, it is easy to see why Scandal was a smash-hit. During her run as Pope, Washington was nominated for two Emmys and two Golden Globes.
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28. South Park
Rating: 80%
Two animated sitcoms rule them all — The Simpsons and South Park. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park utilizes dark, satirical humor and capitalizes on current events like no other show in television history. Revolving around four boys — Cartman, Kyle, Kenny and Stan — the show debuted in 1997 and quickly won over the audience with its deft humor and unique animated cutout look. Some may find South Park a bit too extreme, but it wouldn’t be the show it is if Parker and Stone weren’t willing to push the boundaries.
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27. Mad Men
Rating: 94%
Mad Men is one hell of a show. Set in the early 1960s, Don Draper (Jon Hamm) is a talented ad executive who is fighting to stay at the top of the mountain as it pertains to his New York ad firm. Hamm plays the role to perfection. Draper is a chain-smoking, alcoholic executive who struggles to come to grips with his shortcomings and his wild past. The great Elisabeth Moss plays the role of Peggy Olson — a woman who goes from being Draper’s secretary to a copywriter. Mad Men is strengthened by its excellent cast, which also includes January Jones, Christina Hendricks, Kiernan Shipka, Jared Harris, and John Slattery.
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26. Modern Family
Rating: 85%
Right before the turn of the decade, on September 23, 2009, Modern Family premiered on ABC. The hit sitcom revolved around three families — the Dunphys, Pritchetts and Tucker-Pritchetts. Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell) and Claire Dunphy (Julie Bowen) are parents of three — Haley (Sarah Hyland), Alex and Luke. Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill), Claire’s father, is married to Gloria (Sofia Vergara). The Tucker-Pritchetts consist of Mitchell (Jay’s son), his partner Cameron (Eric Stonestreet), and their daughter, Lily. The three families are hilarious in their interactions, and just as funny when occupying the screen alone. Modern Family was such a success that it spanned 250 episodes and 11 years — with its finale airing on April 8, 2020.
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25. Arrested Development
Rating: 74%
Do you recognize any of the four individuals in this image? Originally on air from 2003-2006, Arrested Development featured a star-studded cast. From left to right: Portia de Rossi, Jessica Walter, Jason Bateman, Michael Cera. Narrated and produced by Ron Howard, the show is predictably filled with a ton of gags and hilarious catchphrases. Unlike his character in Ozark, Bateman plays a wholesome family man who is trying to keep his loved ones together. Michael Bluth (Bateman), a widowed father, keeps an eye on his son George Michael (Cera) while simultaneously dealing with his jailed father (Jeffery Tambor) and wild mom (Walter). This show is whacky in all the best ways.
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24. Sex and the City
Rating: 70%
Since its debut in 1998, Sex and the City has become one of the most discussed, debated, and quoted shows of the last 20 years. Following the antics of four single women — Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon — living in New York City, Sex and the City became a fan favorite almost immediately upon its premier.
The show used the four women to attack multiple social issues including sexuality, femininity and relationships. During its run, Sex garnered 50 Emmy nominations and seven wins. While the series came to an end in 2004, two films — Sex and the City, Sex and the City 2 — were released in 2008 and 2010.
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23. The Walking Dead
Rating: 80%
There will always be a place in entertainment for zombies. Whether they appear on television, in theaters, or in video games, zombies will forever be utilized. So, it should come as no surprise that The Walking Dead became one of the biggest shows of the 2010s. Based on a comic book series of the same name, the show follows a group of people who have survived a zombie apocalypse. Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) is the central figure for much of the series. Some of the people trying to survive alongside Rick are Daryl, Maggie, Carol, Michonne, Carl and Glenn. If you can handle blood and guts, you will have a good time watching this zombie epic.
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22. NCIS
Rating: 83%
All four people in this shot look like they mean business. A spin-off from the series JAG, NCIS stars Mark Harmon as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs — the leader of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service’s Washington, D.C. Major Case Response Team. Before becoming the lead agent, Gibbs spent time in the Marines and also as an investigator. Remarkably, Harmon has starred in the show since its debut in 2003. To date, Harmon has appeared in all 435 episodes of the series. Due to its popularity, CBS has created three spin-offs — NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, and NCIS: Hawaii. Season 20 of the original show is set to premier in September 2022.
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21. Stranger Things
Rating: 91%
By the time Stranger Things‘ story comes to an end, the show may rank a lot higher on this list. Created by the Duffer Brothers for streaming giant Netflix, Stranger Things is a story about friendship, destruction, and horror. Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the series follows a group of friends — Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin, Caleb, Will, Max, Nancy, Steve, Jonathan, Jim and Joyce (Winona Ryder) — as they deal with a supernatural nightmare. Watching the group try to best a Demogorgon will never get old. With the final part of Season 4 released on July 1, 2022, it may be a while before we see Stranger Things return with a new season.
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20. Battlestar Galactica
Rating: 95%
Some people may prefer the 1970 edition of Battlestar Galactica, but the 2004 reboot is considered by most to be the better show. The story begins with news of the Cylons — the main villains — returning and destroying the 12 colonies. As a result, it is paramount that the Galactica’s crew protects the remaining humans. Their end goal? Reach Earth aka the 13th colony. The crew is led by Admiral William Adama (Edward James Olmos) and President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell). Following the crew on their journey to Earth is exhilarating — as are their battles with the dastardly Cylons.
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19. LOST
Rating: 85%
Throughout the history of television, there may not be a more impactful pilot than LOST‘s September 22, 2004 debut. In the early moments of the pilot, viewers are brought to a seemingly idyllic beach. However, the beach is actually the scene of a horrifying plane crash. That episode set the tone for a series which is often considered one of the best of all-time. The survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 were pushed to the brink by many forces — including some supernatural events. The action was fun, the storytelling was brilliant (and confusing at times), and the cast was spectacular. Locke, Hurley, Kate, Sawyer, Jack, Sayid, Ben…there were so many fantastic characters that kept viewers coming back week after week.
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18. ER
Rating: 84%
331 episodes, 15 seasons, 15 years — ER. Following the doctors and nurses of Chicago’s County General Hospital, ER was Grey’s Anatomy before that hit came to exist. The series debuted on NBC in 1994 and originally starred a host of notable actors including George Clooney, Julianna Margulies and Anthony Edwards. The show focused on the happenings inside the emergency room at Chicago’s County General Hospital, but also spent a fair amount of time dealing with the personal lives of the staff. Overall, ER won 23 Primetime Emmys — including Margulies winning Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1995.
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17. The Office
Rating: 81%
Based on the British version of the same show, Ricky Gervais brought his highly-inventive mockumentary concept across the pond to the States. As fate would have it, The Office quickly turned into a juggernaut of a show — particularly on streaming services in the aftermath of its original run from 2005-2013. The eclectic personalities on this ensemble cast work brilliantly with one another. Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, Brian Baumgartner, and Leslie David Baker — to name a few — helped form a legendary show.
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16. The Simpsons
Rating: 85%
A show that never needs an introduction, The Simpsons has been an American staple dating back to December, 1989. Created by Matt Groening, this hilarious animated sitcom relies upon satire and parodying American life to capture its audiences attention. And for over 30 years, the show has done just that. Who doesn’t love the Simpson family? Watching Bart disobey Homer will never get old. With 32 seasons and nearly 700 episodes to its name — not to mention a film and a ride at Universal Studios — The Simpsons has shown no signs of slowing down.
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15. 24
Rating: 87%
Everyone knows the name Jack Bauer. Played by Kiefer Sutherland, Bauer is an elite counter terrorism agent. The format of 24 is very unique — each season covers 24 consecutive hours of Bauer’s life. Bauer is determined to put an end to every serious threat, and knows that his time to do so is limited. Also starring the likes of Dennis Haysbert, Elisha Cuthbert and Carlos Bernard, 24 is action-packed and smart. The plotlines are well thought out and almost every moment has a purpose. The show was a hit with critics, as well. In total, the series won 20 Primetime Emmys during its nine-season run.
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14. The Wire
Rating: 94%
The Wire was a transcendent program in more ways than one. Created by David Simon, the show itself was the result of a real life police reporter and a homicide detective getting together to craft multiple narratives based upon their experiences in the unforgiving city of Baltimore. Each of the shows five seasons highlighted a different issue within the city’s limits — including failing school systems, political corruption, and the drug trade. Somehow, the show never won an Emmy and only received two nominations. Regardless, the show will stand the test of time due to its storytelling and performances by the likes of Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Wendell Pierce, Domenick Lombardozzi, Idris Elba, and the late Michael K. Williams.
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13. Grey’s Anatomy
Rating: 84%
When Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey and Sandra Oh appeared on our screens in 2005, we could never have imagined the historical impact Grey’s Anatomy would have. Following a similar formula to which ER popularized (and thrived), Grey’s made viewers care about not only what was happening within the hospital — but also the personal lives of the doctors we came to know. Though Dempsey and Oh have not appeared on the show for nearly all of its past 10 seasons, Grey’s hasn’t suffered much. It is a true testament to the writers, Pompeo, and the rest of the cast that after 16 years the audience is still immersed in the drama. For ABC, Grey’s is the longest-running scripted primetime show.
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12. The Sopranos
Rating: 92%
In our opinion, there are not 11 shows that are better than The Sopranos. Creator David Chase should be thanked on a regular basis for bringing us this masterpiece. Revolving around Tony Soprano (the late James Gandolfini), the series dives into the difficulties Soprano faces while trying to balance his life at home with his responsibilities as a high-ranking mob boss. The fantastic writing and production is topped only by the stellar cast.
In addition to Gandolfini’s epic performance, the show was boosted by the likes of Edie Falco (Carmela Soprano), Lorraine Bracco (Dr. Melfi), Michael Imperioli (Christopher), Steven Van Zandt (Silvio), Tony Sirico (Paulie ‘Walnuts’) and Dominic Chianese (Junior Soprano). Gandolfini and Falco won three Emmys for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively — and the show won 21 overall.
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11. Sherlock
Rating: 78%
There have been a number of spin-offs emanating from the Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Coyle. However, we don’t think there’s been nearly one as successful or well-done as this version. Sherlock only ran for 13 episodes — yet won three Emmy Awards largely based upon brilliant writing, storytelling and acting. Benedict Cumberbatch really broke out as a megastar from this performance, and it led to him starring as a lead in a number of box office hits (The Imitation Game, Doctor Strange, The Power of the Dog).
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10. The X-Files
Rating: 74%
Beginning in 1993, The X-Files original run spanned close to nine years. Starring the great David Duchovny (Mulder) and the incredibly talented Gillian Anderson (Scully) as FBI Agents, the show followed the duo as they investigated unsolved cases which involved paranormal activity. The dichotomy between Mulder’s belief in alien life and Scully’s more skeptical approach was impossible to dislike. The two stars possessed a great chemistry that only enhanced the program. It was fun, smart, and always kept you on the edge of your seat. After a 15-year hiatus, the show returned in 2016 for two additional seasons.
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9. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Rating: 84%
Chosen by fate to battle vampires and demons, Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy Summers has trouble coming to grips with her destiny — often wishing she could be a normal person and not a Vampire Slayer. As we’ve seen over the course of film history, vampires are a popular topic. So, it wasn’t shocking to see Buffy the Vampire Slayer quickly become a fan-favorite. It would have been easy to dismiss as a corny supernatural show, but strong storylines and powerful performances cemented Buffy‘s place in TV history. In total, Buffy ran for seven seasons between 1997-2003.
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8. Doctor Who
Rating: 90%
Doctor Who dates back to 1963. The original version of the hit show was on air from 1963 to 1989. However, the version that ranks No. 8 on Rotten Tomatoes‘ list of best shows from the past 20 years is the current one. The new and improved Doctor Who was relaunched by BBC in 2005. In the series, a Time Lord called ‘the Doctor’ explores the universe in a time-travelling space ship.
Over the years, 13 people have played the Doctor. Since the show’s return, familiar names such as David Tennant (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) and Jodie Whittaker (Broadchurch) have taken on the role. In 2018, Whittaker became the first woman to play the role on television. While 13 people playing a lead role may sound a bit strange, the show does an excellent job transitioning from one actor to the next.
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7. The West Wing
Rating: 75%
People loved The West Wing. An NBC smash-hit from 1999-2006, West Wing was a riveting political drama with a very talented mix of actors and writers. The cast was excellent — with Martin Sheen (six Emmy nominations), Richard Schiff (Emmy for Best Supporting Actor), Allison Janney (four Emmy wins), John Spencer, and Bradley Whitford leading the way.
Generally regarded as one of the finest television series of all-time, West Wing peaked when its creator was on board. The brains behind the operation, Aaron Sorkin (five Emmy wins), left his show after four seasons as he became increasingly frustrated with the network. While the show remained popular and well-regarded following Sorkin’s departure, it was never quite the same.
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6. Law & Order
Rating: 90%
“In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: The police, who investigate crime, and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories.”
When a show has the lasting power to stick around for two decades, it must be good. When a show also has more than a handful of spin-off’s emanate from it, it must really be good. Dick Wolf’s Law & Order debuted in 1990 and captivated everybody that owned a television. For 20 years, Dick Wolf produced a magnificent police procedural — one that has an iconic opening sequence accompanied by an unforgettable score. Also, who hasn’t recited these words 10-to-500 times?
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5. Seinfeld
Rating: 89%
The show about absolutely nothing is arguably the greatest single sitcom in the history of television. The braintrust of Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld crafted weekly episodes centering on idiosyncratic behavior, absurd attention to detail, tomfoolery, and nuanced comedic timing. When smashed together with the core group (Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards), you’re left with an absolutely brilliant show. Though many have attempted to recreate this format, none have — or will ever come close to replicating the success Seinfeld enjoyed (and continues to enjoy through syndication).
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4. Friends
Rating: 79%
Friends was immensely formulaic in nature. It’s part of what made it both popular and easy to consume. The same jokes often were regurgitated in various packages. The storylines were easy to follow, and the audience generally knew where they were going. While the quality of the show may not have been exceptional, it certainly took the United States by storm as one of the premier sitcoms of the decade. By the show’s final seasons, there were reports that the six main actors from the show (Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry) were making $1 million an episode.
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3. The Big Bang Theory
Rating: 81%
Who saw this one coming? While The Big Bang Theory is definitely worthy of a spot on this list, the sitcom checking in at No. 3 is a bit of a shocker. In the show, two California-based physicists work and live together. It is evident from the very start that the two men are a bit eccentric. However, Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons) — the latter won four Emmys for Best Actor — will come to realize that there is more to life than work. When a woman named Penny (Kaley Cuoco) moves across the hall from the friends, the pair start looking at life in a different way. The dynamic between the three (and two other close friends) resonated with viewers. The Big Bang Theory enjoyed a 12-season run which spanned 12 years and 279 episodes.
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2. Breaking Bad
Rating: 96%
What could possibly go wrong when a cancer stricken high school science teacher (Bryan Cranston) decides to start cooking crystal meth? Everything. A husband and father, Walter White turns to cooking meth in order to make some extra cash before cancer takes him away from his family. However, WW’s desire to make some money turns into an addiction when he comes to understand the power that comes with his success in the business. With his DEA Agent brother-in-law trying to dismantle the meth ring, WW’s actions become even more precarious. Aaron Paul, Giancarlo Esposito and Bob Odenkirk are outstanding in their roles, as well. This is a show that will keep you on the edge of your seat from Episode 1 until the closing shot of the series.
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1. Game of Thrones
Rating: 89%
There’s no other way to put it: Game of Thrones was a global phenomenon during its 73-episode run (over the span of eight seasons). Based on the novels penned by George R.R. Martin, this series was arguably the biggest thing to happen to the realm of fantasy since the Harry Potter series (and before that, anything written/evolving from J.R.R. Tolkien content). The depth of this series was virtually unlike any before it — not to mention the stunning visuals, thrilling storylines, and the ‘shock value’ it brought. In the social media age, this show was debated at a level unlike anything else. Over eight seasons, Game of Thrones won a whopping 59 Emmy Awards. As a result of its success, a handful of spinoff series are on the way. First up, House of the Dragon (debuted in 2022).
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