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The television world has changed a great deal over the years as the entertainment industry evolves. Many revered shows retain appeal and popularity, while others fade into obscurity. But thanks to streaming and DVDs (yes, some still buy them), people can rediscover or watch a forgotten gem for the first time. On an online forum, some TV viewers share the once-popular shows that deserve another chance to shine. Here are 16 Classic Shows That Deserve a Second Look.
1. Mad About You (1992-1998, 2019)
Mad About You follows a young married couple living in New York, navigating the ups and downs of daily life. Based on Paul Reiser’s stand-up comedy and starring him and Helen Hunt, the show soared as part of the NBC “must-see TV” of the ’90s. Despite its critical acclaim, awards, and numerous fans, the show does not get as much recognition today as its counterparts like Friends and Seinfeld. But much of its light comedy about relationships remains relatable. An excellent revival came and went without much fanfare, but both that and the original deserve more love.
2. Ally McBeal (1997-2002)
With Calista Flockhart as a tenacious lawyer, provocative storylines, dancing babies, and Robert Downey Jr., Ally McBeal falls into the category of “you just had to be there.” Audiences can also put the show into the one-of-a-kind category. Many viewers remember the character’s primary attribute as “Fighting for her client and being self-reliant.”
Someone else recalls, “The dancing baby was the ‘viral’ sensation of early Web 2.0.” Ally McBeal represents a specific kind of cultural phenomenon from the late ’90s and early 2000s: a highly original water cooler show that faded in novelty and notices over time.
3. Caroline in the City (1995-1999)
Caroline in the City follows a bubbly cartoonist and her fun circle of friends as they try to figure out life in their 30s. Another NBC sitcom, this show exists in the same universe as Friends and Mad About You. It featured characters and scenarios that were just as funny as the shows above. But like a few other shows of the era, Caroline in the City’s popularity never reached the same heights and subsequently got lost over the years. Those who remember it find the show charming. Thankfully, its fans and those who’ve yet to watch can find Caroline in the City on Paramount Plus.
4. Wings (1990-1997)
Another show that got lost in the 90s sitcom flood of juggernauts like Seinfeld, Friends, and Frasier is Wings. The series follows a cast of quirky characters working at a small Nantucket airport. Light, relaxed comedy at its finest, Wings is a prime example of a quality series that people rarely discuss anymore. To its fans, this feels like a travesty. One person says, “I loved Wings, and it being mentioned as being forgotten hurts me to my core.”
5. Northern Exposure (1990-1995)
Few shows epitomize quirkiness as much as Northern Exposure. When it aired, its offbeat storytelling and characters resonated with audiences. It wasn’t a huge series, but it didn’t fly under the radar. However, fans no longer feel the impact because it’s only available to purchase digitally or as a DVD box set and does not stream for free. One individual notes, “[It] was a mini cultural phenom in its first few seasons and popularized the small town full of quirky characters trope. [But it’s] pretty much vanished from the collective consciousness.”
6. Spin City (1996-2002)
Ensemble political shows like The West Wing and Spin City inspired and entertained audiences and critics in the 90s and 2000s. The latter found humor in the drama of the New York City mayoral staff. Although absurdist, viewers sometimes found hilarity in the colorful characters who constantly faltered. Michael J. Fox won an Emmy for his role. However, shows with this tone do not garner the same appeal as they once did. Still, its quality speaks for itself. One fan raves, “For all that’s good in life, watch Spin City.”
7. Murphy Brown (1988-1997)
The words cultural phenomenon only apply to a few shows, but no other phrase better describes Murphy Brown. The series, starring Candace Bergman, followed television news journalists and anchors and tackled serious subject matter with a comedic tone. It also never shied away from complex topics, giving audiences an edgy yet relatable 30 minutes. During its 11-season run, Murphy Brown perfectly illustrated the changing landscape of television. Unfortunately, long-running success does not mean everlasting appeal.
8. That Girl (1966-1971)
Today, audiences don’t bat an eye at shows about single, self-reliant women following their career dreams. However, this type of female protagonist was revolutionary in the ’60s. That Girl’s Ann-Marie gave women everywhere something to aspire to while entertaining viewers thoroughly. Considering the revolutionary aspect of That Girl, it still should be widely known.
9. The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977)
That Girl’s Ann-Marie walked so that The Mary Tyler Moore Show’s Mary Richards could run. The show featured an independent woman doing her best to make it as a news reporter. Luckily for fans, old and new, people can stream it on Hulu. The funny, warm, progressive storytelling and the superb supporting cast that includes Ed Asner, Ted Knight, Gain McCleod, and Betty White add to the show’s virtues.
10. Growing Pains (1985-1992)
The ’80s and ’90s saw an influx of family sitcoms that many still love, such as Full House and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Growing Pains followed the Seaver family, the trials and tribulations of kids Mike, Carol, and Ben, and their two working parents, Jason and Maggie. Well-loved at the time, a lack of consistent streaming and poor publicity from actor Kirk Cameron may have led to the show’s decline in popularity. Still, watching the show for its core values, heartfelt comedy, and willingness to tackle more challenging issues should bring it back to the forefront for sitcom fans.
11. Ugly Betty (2006-2010)
As one person points out, Ugly Betty “was a thing” at one point. It rose in notoriety very quickly but faded at the end of its run. That may be why the earlier impact did not last far beyond the 2000s. However, this fun and colorful series about an awkward but incredible woman working in the New York fashion industry still feels fun and fresh.
12. Monk (2002-2009)
Monk falls under the category of an acclaimed but underrated series. It follows a former police detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder who assists in cases on consulting badges because of his uncanny observation and deductive skills. On the same level as Sherlock Holmes and Columbo, Adrian Monk’s social skills, compulsive tendencies, and brilliance make him a unique character, due in no small part to Tony Shalhoub’s exceptional, award-winning performance. The weekly mysteries prove entertaining, while the overarching story of who murdered Monk’s wife resonates deeply. Monk also features one of the most satisfying series finales.
13. Who’s the Boss? (1984-1992)
One of the funniest and subtly subversive sitcoms of the 1980s, Who’s the Boss? doesn’t get as much praise as other sitcoms of the era. However, it should and deserves a second look from modern audiences. The story follows a former baseball player, Tony Micelli (Tony Danza), who moves from Brooklyn to Connecticut with his daughter Samantha (Alyssa Milano) and gets a job as a live-in housekeeper for a successful advertising executive (Judith Light). Flipping traditional gender roles made Who’s the Boss? Refreshing at the time and remains so today. Likewise, the comedy has aged well, and cast chemistry delights viewers.
14. Bewitched (1964-1972)
The 1960s and 1970s sitcoms made positive steps forward for female characters on television. On Bewitched, the witch Samantha Stephens (Elizabeth Montgomery) wants to live an everyday mortal life as a wife and mother but has trouble letting go of her magic. Despite her husband Darrin’s objections to witchcraft, Samantha does not abandon her magic completely and helps her husband open his eyes.
A metaphor for feminism, Bewitched works because it depicts a powerful woman who asserts herself but does it with humor and heart. She wants a more traditional life but, at the same time, represents progressive ideas. The show’s zany, sweet tone and excellent supporting cast help make Bewitched a classic.
15. Felicity (1998-2002)
As far as teenage dramas go, Felicity remains one of the most thoughtful, sensitive, and beautifully acted shows. The story follows the intelligent and shy Felicity Porter (Keri Russell), who throws caution to the wind and decides to attend the same university as her crush, Ben (Scott Speedman), after he writes an extraordinary message in her yearbook.
However, Felicity is more than a show about a girl who drops everything for a boy. The relationships she forms with Ben, her resident advisor Noel (Scott Foley), and friends Julie (Amy Jo Johnson) and Elena (Tangi Miller) prove entertaining and engaging. The show tackles serious issues and equally focuses on their academic and social lives. Much better than its counterparts, fans of the genre should revisit Felicity.
16. Alias (2001-2006)
High-octane thrills, endless twists and turns, romantic entanglements, and engaging characters define this action drama from J.J. Abrams, led by Jennifer Garner. The series follows Sydney Bristow, a woman who becomes a double agent for the CIA to take down the corrupt organization that recruited her out of college. Shocked to her core, Sydney tries her best to complete her missions without hurting her friends and colleagues, who are ignorant of the truth.
The endless number of aliases Sydney takes on and her grounded, emotional moments allow Garner to demonstrate her talents. The entire cast, including Victor Garber, Michael Vartan, Ron Rifkin, Bradley Cooper, Carl Lumbly, and Merrin Dungey, prove exceptional. Alias’s intensity, emotion, and genuine surprises help the series stand out, while the pace and overarching storytelling make it an ideal choice for binge-watching.
Source: Reddit
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