The Timeless: Whether they’ve been around since the early 2000s or even just a few seasons, these shows have proven they are worthy and will undeniably go down as classic T. V. shows.
Grey’s Anatomy: This medical drama has leaped beyond the bounds of the household name “McDreamy.” In fact, since the show first debuted in spring of 2005, doctors such as Grey, Yang, and even Karev have stolen our hearts. Airing its eighth season, the show has not failed to continue captivating its growing fan base. Whether it be a shocking shooting or a tragic death of a loved character, Grey’s Anatomy is sure to have at least a few more seasons in it to land it a title for one of the greatest television dramas.
How I Met Your Mother: Taking a turn from the serious, this sharp and sassy comedy about five best friends first aired in September of 2005, giving viewers everywhere a taste of fresh humor. With characters that each shine in their own way, the show’s seventh season is presently airing on CBS, keeping the quick witted humor of Barney Stinson ( Neil Patrick Harris) and lovable personality of Marshall Eriksen (Jason Segel) as entertaining as ever.
Modern Family: Embracing what has become the norm, a blended family is uniquely personified in the ABC hit show, Modern Family. The show’s clever writers put twists on average family activities like camping or holiday get-togethers and transform them into surprisingly hysterical events. Every character contributes to the show’s fresh approach to classic life lessons.
The Fallen: These shows, once extolled for their rapid popularity and immediate fan base, have either taken the ground running or have gradually fallen to their deaths, making each and every episode almost unbearable to watch.
Glee: Taking the country by storm with the revitalized cover of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” this teen based cast took the television network by storm and started off strong. The main focus of the show revolves around a bunch of misfits all finding their way through their common love of singing and yada yada yada, but after the first couple of seasons, mash-ups of Rihanna and Lady Gaga’s latest hits got old, and fast. The show has turned from a once comical perspective of high school stereotypes and turned to an endless strand of episodes full of farfetched events. Glee, once praised for its peppy zing has fallen down the drain and into a pool of other burn-out T. V shows.
Saturday Night Live: After 37 seasons, SNL has passed its glory days and should stop while they can before the humor becomes as tired as a Disney Channel two-season fluke. Even though actors such as Kristen Wigg, Seth Meyers, and Andy Samberg bring a new sense of absurdity to the show, SNL lost its biting appeal back in 2006 after the days of Tina Fey, Will Ferrell and Amy Pohler. With only a few select actors truly carrying the show, their five minute sketches aren’t enough to save the golden reputation of a classic Saturday night time slot.
American Idol: J. Lo? Really? After the consistently harsh Simon Cowell and the lackadaisical Paula Abdul left the show, things just haven’t been the same. Randy Jackson’s “dawg” one liners can’t dig the show out of its apparent downfall from a once fresh reality show to a “this-will-do” you settle on if nothing else good is on T. V. Although, what is a show without the always energetic and pint-sized Ryan Seacrest?
The Promising: This past year, television networks such as ABC and NBC have brought the audience’s attention to a brand new string of dramas. Although they still have time to join Glee, these shows seem to have lots of potential, so they deserve a shot.
Awake: Or is he asleep? Following a mysterious car accident, the show focuses on the twisted life of detective Michael Britten (Jason Isaacs), who is caught between two worlds: one in which his wife survives and the other his son. Wearing a different colored rubber band to distinguish which world he is in, Britten is living in both parallel worlds trying to figure out which one is real. While he wants to know which life is real, he also faces internal conflict because he is too afraid to let one of his loved ones go. With exciting plots and intriguing psychological twists, this show is sure to take us on a journey for many more seasons.
Once Upon a Time: Evil queens, princesses and dwarves, oh my! This fairytale themed plot delves into the hidden lives of the great characters of classic fairytale stories. The main show focuses on the story of Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) and the secrets untold of the Evil Queen’s resentment towards her, although this is not what gives the show its mystical dimension. A curse was placed on the fairytale characters by the Evil Queen, trapping everyone in the magical Kingdom into a modern day small town, where everyone has lost their memory of their alternate lives. This mysterious show, having only completed one season is sure to hold onto its vast audience with the addition of more well-known characters and enchanting stories.
The Voice: Blake Shelton, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green. Four names engrained in music history have taken over the Monday night time slot to introduce the nation to a variety of upcoming talent. The show prides itself on staying true its title: The Voice. The show starts off with blind auditions so that physical appearances don’t alter the judges opinions on the musician based on their outward appearance. With their chairs turned around, the judges turn around their chair if they hear a voice they want to add to their team. From there, the judges battle to the death against one another in order to persuade the best contestants to join their team. Following the blind auditions come the battle rounds and then the live shows until one singer is left standing. This singer embodies all of the qualities of an upcoming musician: authentic talent, audience appeal, and ultimately, The Voice.
