Publications
Partners
Friends
One of the longest running comedies ever, this show ended 13 years ago and it’s still culturally relevant today. Who doesn’t remember Chandler’s quips, Phoebe’s Smelly Cat, or the “we were on a break” saga? It was a story about friendship which eventually became a part of the lives of their fans.
Image: Self
Arrested Development
Michael finds himself suddenly pushed into the role of family caretaker when his father is sent to prison for white collar crime. As the only level-headed one he now has to deal with his rich, spoilt family and take care of them while trying to be a good role model to his son, George Michael.
This show was another hilarious look into the lives of the uber rich and eccentric and was full of great one liners that have made for some epic GIFS.
Image: Buzzfeed
Seinfeld
A show about the life of a comedian and his three best friends doesn’t sound all that interesting, does it? But somehow Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld created a show that not only had you in stitches every episode, but also managed to become a cultural institution.
Image: Vulture
The Wire
A stirring drama series that looks at the drugs scene in the city of Baltimore which gives us a unique view from the cops' side as well as that of the drug dealers and users.
It shows us a very important thing about crime – that criminals are people too and that anyone can be swayed to a life of crime.
Image: IFC
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
“In West Philadelphia, born and raised. In the playground was where I spent most of my days...” You sang that in your head, didn’t you?
I mean, what ‘90s kid doesn’t know that rap and can probably drunkenly recite it at a karaoke bar at 3am in the morning if ever such an opportunity arose.
This show had a great impact on how the world saw people of colour on TV and also wormed its way into our hearts as a feel-good family show.
Image: Oyster Magazine
Sex and The City
Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte were pioneers in the world of TV. There were few shows as honest about dating and sex as SATC.
Many of the situations and questions that arose on the show are still relevant today – seems like dating hasn’t really changed that much since the show was first broadcast.
Image: W network
Fawlty Towers
The short-lived British comedy only had 12 episodes, but it’s probably one of the most popular shows ever to come out of the UK.
Basil Fawlty runs a hotel with his long-suffering wife and is awful to everyone including his guests. The comedy is simple, yet timeless and will get you chuckling as heartily now as it did for people who first watched it in the ‘70s.
Image: Imgur
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
A teenage girl who fights vampires and demons while trying to handle being in high school, managing friends' expectations and falling in love?
Yes, please. Buffy wasn't just a role model for girls, but for all teens (and adults) who battle their inner demons in the fight to survive. Plus, the dialogue was witty, the characters were multi-dimensional and there was lots of demon ass-kicking.
And oh, those story lines...
Image: Tumblr
The Golden Girls
Who’d have thought a show about four older women would be this hilarious and culturally relevant? It showed that while strong female friendships are important, they can also be taxing, while also being absolutely hilarious.
These four women were anything but timid little old ladies – they were funny, vivacious, strong women who made it clear that just because you’re of a certain age doesn’t mean you’re any less worthy of love and support.
Image: YourTango
Will and Grace
A gay lawyer and his straight, female interior designer best friend live together in a New York apartment - and hilarity ensues.
Not only is the show a funny look at the gay best friend trope, but it also did great things for gay visibility in its day. The show wasn’t afraid to take itself seriously at times and make fun of the serious issues when it was necessary.
Watch it on your own or in bed with your best friend.
Image: Buzzfeed
The X-Files
Meet FBI agents Mulder and Scully who go all over The United States in search of aliens and conspiracy theories and things that go bump in the night.
This show made sci-fi mainstream to a much broader audience. It took the views of Mulder, the believer, and Scully, the sceptic and pitted them against each other in such a great way that it made for fantastic TV.
Image: FYA
Black Books
If you think a misanthropic, alcoholic, chain-smoking Irish bookstore owner doesn’t sound like the perfect star of a comedy then you’d be dead wrong.
Bernard Black runs a bookstore in London with the help of his long-suffering assistant, flatmate and friend, Manny, with the occasional visit from their friend, Fran. Bernard is a terrible human being, but hilariously so.
There might only be 18 episodes, but each will have you laughing with happy tears.
Image: Weheartit
Six Feet Under
This family dealt with life and death on a daily basis while running a funeral home - exploring why exactly people have to die.
Every episode started with a death that meant that the body would end up at the Fisher and Sons funeral home and the story surrounding the death would somehow relate to something that was going on with the family that week.
This show would take us all sorts of interesting places, some of them depressingly low, but with a subtle humour and wit it kept us coming back for more.
Image: Imgur
