The 20 Most Popular TV Shows of All-Time

As social beings, we have been glued to our Televisions to consume different items. The introduction of TV shows has revolutionized how we watch and influenced our daily lives. A television show is any content produced for viewing on television sets. Television shows can be produced through satellite, over-the-air, or cable. Breaking news, trailers, and advertisements are only part of Television shows. In this article, we intend to take a summarized view of the 20 greatest television shows of all time.

20. Squid Game

Squid Game is perhaps the most famous show in Asia. It tells the story of 468 desperate people, and each is drowning in debt. To survive, they have to play a game called Squid Game. This thrilling drama has taken over Asia and other parts of the world with a storm. The award-winning Hwang Dong-hyuk directs it. Squid-game is a philosophical demonstration of how the poor survive under a power-thirsty capitalist. It’s more of a reality because it shows us how ordinary people have to take desperate steps so that they can survive.

19. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The show features Will Smith, who acts as his street-smart teenager. While playing with his friends at Philadephia, he confronted his friends, forcing his mother to send him to live with his uncle in Bel-Air, Los Angeles. Moving to his new place works hard to ensure that he is the center of attraction from his peers. The show had six seasons with 148 episodes and ran from 1990-1996. According to the IMDb, the show won the ASCAP Film and Television Music Award (1994) and Image Awards (NAACP) (1993 & 1996).

18. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

For 15 years, the show has not lost its touch yet. The show is based on five friends with selfish ideas, and they are also running an Irish pub in Philadelphia as they try to find their way into adulthood and relationships. Their precarious judgments about life lead them into serious trouble. The show won the People’s choice in 2016, with different individual actors winning different awards.

17. Batman: The Animated Series

In this show, Kevin Conroy comes out as the best-animated superhero of all time. Every episode is littered with great Batman storylines, packaged in one of the most incredible ways. It features exceptional villains, heroes, and excellent side characters. The show’s plot is based on Bruce Wayne, who vowed to avenge the killing of his parents, billionaires Thomas and Martha Wayne, who were gunned down in Crime Alley. Batman assumed the role of a robin hood who would save his city from damnation by criminals.

16. “The Flintstones”

The Flintstones aired between 1960 to 1966. It is just another production of Hanna Barbera, who was behind the production of Tom and Jerry cartoons. It’s an animation series produced by Hanna in collaboration with John Mitchell of Screen Gems. The show was timely released after the cancellation of The Brave Eagle Show. It took America by storm. The producers had to package it uniquely to take away that animation productions were made for children. It centered on two characters, Fred and Wilma Flintstone. For six years, the show kept its audience glued to their TVs, awaiting the production of each episode.

15. The Office

The Office is undoubtedly the most outstanding comedy series in show history. Can you imagine how hilarious a show can be when it features the likes of Steve Carrell, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, and John Krasinski- The Office was lucky to have all these actors perform for it. The departure of Carrell sent the show astray a bit, but it still managed to maintain its glow and shine. Even after many years of coming to an end, the show continues to attract high viewership levels. Out of the 47 Emmy Awards nominations it received, it won 5 of them.

14. Attack on Titan

The show has more than 100 episodes already on the market. Attack on Titan is an animation that centers on young Eren Jaeger, who is on a mission to kill all the world’s enormous titans after he accused them of killing his mother and destroying their home. Yasuko and Hiroshi Seko wrote the show. Its original version was written in Japanese and later translated into English. The show has scooped the Behind the Voice Actors Awards in 2015 and 2018. its most significant strength is the consistent nature of the ideological flow.

13. Bridgerton

Streaming on Netflix, Bridgerton depicts the works of Julia Quinn in an unmatchable way. The show centers on the members of the Bridgeton family and brings out how family members can backstab each other in their quest for love. Chris Van Dusen, the writer, creates one of the greatest love stories in Tv shows in America. The award-winning Shonda Rhimes scripted the Netflix production. Within a short time, it has bagged the coveted Emmy Awards, with the actors winning different individual awards.

12. Family Feud

There is no way this list would have ended without mentioning Steve Harvey. He is the host of Family Feud. Since it started in 1976, it has had different Emcees, but Mr. Harvey has taken over its public image. The creation of Mark Goodson features two families who must compete and win money and other prizes. The show raises a good amount of money they use to pay their team and participants through commercial advertisement. Sajak, one of its hosts, holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest-serving Tv host of all time.

11. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

The show’s storyline is based on two brothers searching for ‘The Philosopher’s Stone” to regain their physical forms. They started the adventure after failing to revive their mother. It was created by Hiromu Arakawa and starred Kent Williams, Iemasa Kayumi, and Mathew Leonhart, among others. By the time the show was coming to an end, it had employed the services of more than 200 personnel as actors, supervisors, and section directors. In total, it has 69 episodes. It just took animation creativity to new levels.

10. Fawlty Towers

The show was created by Connie Booth and Cleese and was the first broadcast in 1975. It’s a fiction about the hotel Torquay, which was run by Mr. Basil Fawlty and his wife, Sybil. According to The Guardian, it was inspired by a real story of a hotel which Close voted in when he was working on the ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Though it ended long ago, it’s still regarded as one of the greatest shows to air on British TV. In a 2000 poll conducted by the British Film Institute, it emerged as the all-time most incredible show in Britain.

9. Doctor Who

“Doctor Who” premiered on screens in 1963. Since then, it has been featuring different characters with different storylines. Several actors have performed the “Doctor” character-William Hartnell, Tom Becker, Peter Davidson, Sylvester McCoy, and Jon Pertwee. It took a long break but returned in 2005, having Russell T Davies at the top. The show has influenced British Culture by incorporating its iconic TARDIS, Doctor’s outfits, and villainous Daleks into daily lives. Therefore, this is not just one of the most entertaining shows but also the most influential. Arguably, this is the show watched on many platforms by non-British citizens worldwide.

8. The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone is an anthology series whose episodes focus on different characters and situations. At its production time, there were not many competing shows giving its viewers a humble time to watch. Many of the show’s episodes are horror-related or sci-fi, with a few shifting into suspense, thrillers, and fantasy. It has received several reviews, the most recent by CBS. According to IMDb, the show has received more than 15 nominations. Prime Emmy Awards (4), Golden Globes, U.S (1), and Hugo Awards are some of the awards in its catalog.

7. I Love Lucy

I love Lucy is the winner of the Emmy Awards in 1953 and 1954. It’s an American comedy that aired on CBC from 1951 to 1957. The show was based on the life of Lucy Ricardo and her husband, Ricky Ricardo. Lucy played the role of an ambitious woman who believed that, unlike her husband’s belief, women have more to offer in marriage than just staying at home. The show played a huge role in demonstrating to the world that when supported, women had better ways of contributing to the growth of society other than doing house chores. The show was written by five writers: Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Davis, Bob Carroll Jr., Bob Schiller, and Bob Weiskopf.

6. Mr. Bean

Mr. Bean, acted by Rowan Atkinson, was created between 1990 and 1995. It follows the life of an entertaining and sometimes naive Mr. Bean, who tries to do outlandish things to attain solutions to life problems. The show successfully brings humor to the viewer without the main character uttering words. It has not only excelled on the set but also in live performances, the character Mr. Bean performed in the opening ceremony of the Olympic games in 2012. Followed by a significant audience, Mr. Atkinson has also ventured into stand-up comedy. On YouTube, the show has more than 30 million followers.

5. “Jeopardy!”

Under Merry Griffin’s creation (the game’s king) creation, the show premiered in 1964. It airs every weeknight on most of the local networks in the U.S. it has a cult-like following among its fans. The most recognizable feature of the show is its theme song which has been used as a background song in comedy shows and major motion pictures. It involves three contestants, two newcomers and a returning champion. By answering questions, contestants can get some money in return. The show has won more than 60% of its nominated awards.

4. Sesame Street

Ganz Cooney and Llyod Morrissett joined hands to help in the preparation of disadvantaged children for school. It was one of the best educational children’s series, which used live-action, animation, sketch comedy, and puppetry to pass a message to kids. The show started in 1969 by simply teaching how children could count numbers. Over the years, it has evolved to be one of the most authoritative shows which guide children on how to learn. It employs the use of humor and plays to keep your child entertained. The show has been nominated for more than 50 awards for more than half a century and is the most decorated kids’ show in the world with its test number of Prime Emmy Awards.

3. Tom and Jerry Cartoon

Tom and Jerry’s Cartoons have been one of the most successful cartoons in animation history. The original 100 episodes were created by Willian Hana and Joseph Barbera with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Productions. The two production producers housed and acquired the right to continue producing the cartoon series. The show has been the favorite with kids and draws the attention of adults who love animations. Currently available in several networks with a mixture of live action and animation. According to Britannica, it has generated more than $100 million in revenue.

2. The Planet Earth

The NME ranks this as one of the most expensive documentaries ever shown by the BBC. It is one of the gorgeous shows to watch. In one of the unique ways, it gives the audience a glimpse into the life of different animals and where they live. Details of every creature will guide in understanding some of their characteristics that have been written. David Attenborough narrates the show in one of the most talented ways. Planet Earth is one of the shows that the acclaimed critics of show production seem to appreciate, and the world is yet to see such a production.

1. Got Talent Shows

Through Simon Cowell’s SYCOtv, he has managed to create one of the greatest talent shows in the world. The idea was initially conceived at the British Got Talent Show, and America’s Got Talent. With time it has now spread to more than 80 countries. Whenever the show lands in a given country, it arouses the feelings of the audience by giving a platform to all artists to showcase their unique talents. Each talent show is named after its host nation. For example, if it is being held in Australia, it will be named Australia Got Talent. A common feature of the show is that it has four judges and two Emcees, regardless of where it is held.