20 television series that forever changed the medium

MASH gave way to the beautiful genre that is dramedy. Without this show, the genre might not have a place in television. The MASH series finale is still the most-watched series finale in television history, and its record will likely never be broken. 

The Simpsons changed American television history and the cultural landscape. The series has predicted the future on numerous occasions, and it’s the longest-running animated series of all time. 

Good Times was the first sitcom to feature an all-Black family in the typical fashion. There were others that came before it, but Good Times did lots of good in breaking down racial stereotypes. 

Seinfeld changed the sitcom structure and characterization. The series proved that sitcoms don’t have to be a one-size-fits-all, that audiences are capable of following along with different formats, and that characters don’t have to be so wholesome. 

The Office wasn’t the first mockumentary in television history, but it’s widely considered the best. That debate aside, it certainly popularized the genre among U.S. audiences, making shows like Parks and Recreation, Modern Family, and Abbott Elementary possible. 

It’s hard to imagine a time in history when the Super Bowl wasn’t the biggest television event of the year, even for people who don’t watch sports, but that time did exist. Without the influence of the Super Bowl, we wouldn’t have special Super Bowl episodes, iconic advertisements, or great Halftime Shows. 

Plenty of sitcoms existed before The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but the eponymous series redefined what was possible for the genre. Moore showed that sitcoms didn’t need a family ensemble or a long-lasting romantic relationship to anchor — a self-actualized woman was more than capable of doing that herself. 

The Real Housewives of Orange County was the first of The Real Housewives franchise, and its premiere resulted in a boom for Bravo, a change to the landscape of reality TV, and a cultural shift. The United States of America may never be the same because of this series. 

Very few good TV dramas predate The Sopranos. Tony Soprano and his band of mafia brothers interested viewers in long-form dramas, showing that television didn’t have to just be an escape for people. It could be something kind of stressful but in a good way. 

Reality television would not be where it is today without Survivor. Its impact is evident in many ways, but most notably by the fact that it’s still on the air and it’s never gone off since it began. Its legacy will only grow stronger. 

Like so many shows on this list, Lost changed television history by showing audiences and television creators what’s possible when there’s creative freedom. Lost changed perspectives and constantly kept viewers guessing. People are still mystified by Lost to this day. 

There had been shows in the supernatural vein before The X-Files, but the series combined it with police television to become something entirely original. It made space in TV for a brand new crop of series that all have cult followings. 

Nickelodeon itself changed television history by providing a network solely for children’s entertainment. One of the most successful series in its early days was Rugrats, which helped grow the network and proved once and for all that children are a television demographic worth investing in.  

If you like teen dramas, you have Beverly Hills, 90210 to thank for their prevalence. Without this iconic series, we wouldn’t have The O.C., One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, Riverdale — the list goes on.  

I Love Lucy is one of the most progressive television series in history. As the star of the show, Lucille Ball proved that audiences were more tolerant than studio execs previously thought, and she pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable on screen. 

Star Trek had many influences on television history, but its most important was being the first television series to feature an interracial kiss. Seeing an interracial kiss on TV isn’t a big deal now, but Star Trek did it first. 

Saturday Night Live’s impact on television and pop culture at large is still immense. After decades on air, it’s still an honor for hosts and musical guests to be asked on, and skits are still making the rounds on the internet for their hilarity. 

Twin Peaks was barely on television, but it still managed to make a lasting impression. That’s how powerful the series was. Sometimes it takes a piece of art like Twin Peaks to act as a sacrificial lamb so other series can come along and last for years and years. 

Before Sesame Street, TV shows made for kids weren’t great. They weren’t horrible, but they weren’t thoughtful. Sesame Street creators recognized that children deserved something educational and entertaining, too, and the options for that demographic haven’t been the same since. 

House of Cards wasn’t Netflix’s first original TV series, but it was its first to reach a wide fanbase. With House of Cards, Netflix proved that streaming services had the potential to offer legitimate original programming, and the television landscape hasn’t been the same since.