Ranking TV shows is a lot like trying to pick your favorite snack from an endless buffet: there’s a ton of good stuff, a few questionable choices, and at least one that makes you scratch your head. But that’s part of the fun, right? Over the decades, television has evolved from a handful of network channels and watercooler conversations into a sprawling streaming universe where everyone has an opinion and a backlog longer than a CVS receipt. Amid all the options, certain shows didn’t just entertain, they reshaped TV itself. Here’s a countdown of the 10 series that left their lasting mark on the medium, from the 1980s to today.
10. The A-Team
Sometimes, all you need is a big van, exploding walls, and Mr. T growling, “I pity the fool.” The A-Team was action-comedy gold, featuring a ragtag team of mercenaries helping the underdog while causing chaos. Hannibal’s ingenious plans, Face’s smooth-talking charm, Murdock’s wild antics, and B.A. Baracus’s unforgettable toughness made the show iconic. Beyond the explosions and catchphrases, it set the template for blending humor with action, a formula still copied on TV today.
9. Hill Street Blues
Before Hill Street Blues, cop dramas were predominantly about high-speed chases and easy resolutions. This show changed the game with handheld cameras, gritty realism, and an ensemble cast that made the streets of the city feel alive. It introduced serialized storytelling, layered characters, and overlapping plots in a way that influenced decades of dramas that followed. Modern police and crime shows owe a huge debt to this groundbreaking series.
8. The Cosby Show
Complicated though the legacy of its creator may be, The Cosby Show at its height represented a cultural phenomenon. It introduced America to a successful Black family navigating everyday life in a relatable way for viewers of all backgrounds. Dominating ratings from the mid-1980s, it proved that such a show could be both popular and socially significant while changing the sitcom landscape forever. Representation wasn’t just important-it could be commercially successful too.
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation
TNG elevated the original Star Trek vision to new heights, as Picard, Data, Worf, and the Borg would explore not only outer space but also moral, philosophical, and ethical questions. It made science fiction thoughtful, serious, and compelling to the mainstream audience. By making interstellar diplomacy and philosophical dilemmas into must-watch TV, it cemented sci-fi’s place in the prime-time lineup.
6. Cheers
“Where everybody knows your name.” Cheers wasn’t just a sitcom; it was a third place for viewers space where humor and heart coexisted with ease. Driven by an ensemble cast of memorable characters that rotated over time, including Sam and Diane, Norm, Cliff, and Frasier, the show redefined how sitcoms combine warmth, comedy, and character-driven storytelling. Its DNA remains present in almost every ensemble comedy that followed.
5. The Sopranos
The Sopranos took TV storytelling to cinematic heights. By making Tony Soprano—a complex, morally ambiguous antihero- the centerpiece, the show proved that television could rival film in depth, complexity, and visual storytelling. Therapy sessions, family drama, and mob politics combined to usher in the modern golden age of TV drama, influencing countless shows from Breaking Bad to Mad Men.
4. The Golden Girls
Four older women living together in Miami-a simple concept, yet groundbreaking. Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia added wit, heart, and sass in equal measures as they tackled aging, love, and loss with aplomb. The chemistry among the actors made every episode seem genuine, and even today, it’s endlessly quotable and loved by audiences of all ages.
3. Friends
Love it or roll your eyes at reruns, Friends became a global cultural touchstone. Central Perk and its gang of six made coffee shops iconic, and the show’s mix of romance, comedy, and friendship defined the sitcom genre for years. Its influence extends beyond TV, shaping pop culture, merchandising, and even the way shows approach ensemble casts today.
2. The Simpsons
Well before adult animation entered the mainstream, The Simpsons showed the world it could be smart, satirical, and hilarious. The dysfunctional family of Springfield skewered American culture for decades, and the early seasons remain some of the sharpest social commentary on TV. Its impact is huge, from South Park to BoJack Horseman, and its catchphrases have embedded themselves in everyday language.
1. Breaking Bad
If The Sopranos opened the door, Breaking Bad smashed it off its hinges. Walter White’s transformation from mild-mannered chemistry teacher to ruthless meth kingpin was a master class in suspense, character development, and moral complexity. Boasting cinematic visuals and event storytelling, it redefined what was possible on television; for the first time, binge-watching became a cultural phenomenon, proving that TV could be true art.
From action-packed adventures to serialized dramas and iconic comedies, these 10 shows didn’t just entertain-they changed the way we watch, think about, and experience television. Disagree with my list? That’s part of the fun. TV is always personal, and everyone’s favorite game-changers are a little different.