Top Television Shows:
Mad Men- Mad Men first aired in 2007 and ran until 2015. Set in the 1960’s, the show followed famous advertising executive Don Draper and associates working on Madison Avenue in New York in the cutthroat ad industry, as well as their stay-at-home wives. It was such a success in the 2000’s because it tastefully balanced vivid storytelling with rather complex characters, contrasting against the not-so-tasteful American culture in the 1960’s. The series enthralled audiences with its exploration into social issues, including gender roles, race and corporate culture pertaining to the prejudice against women, while also offering a stylish, more magical portrayal of the advertising world at the time. Mad Men’s descriptive and vivid character development, particularly the lead Don Draper, allowed viewers to dive deep into the personal and professional struggles of the characters and feel closer to them. Its period-accurate details, from fashion to music to historical events, added authenticity and immersed viewers in an era from far before their time. Additionally, Mad Men connected with more modern audiences due to its critiques of materialism, identity and the “American Dream,” making it a cultural anchor of the 2000’s television scene.
30 Rock- Created by comedian extraordinaire Tina Fey, the show is known for its unique humor that never fails to land with its audience. With a star studded cast including Alec Baldwin and Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock struck comedy gold. The show has a tempo of rapid-fire satirical jokes and makes timely pop culture references and is able to connect with its audience and relate to them on a personable level. The show also doesn’t shy away from making fun of itself, which adds another layer of fun and ensures it never takes itself too seriously. 30 Rock is a masterclass in how to combine humor with smart writing and strong character development, making it a show that’s both endlessly quotable and rewatchable.
Underrated Gems:
Arrested Development- Had it come out 10-15 years later, Arrested Development likely would’ve been much more successful. Just a glance at the cast list including Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, and Will Arnet, probably has today’s comedy fans wondering what could have gone wrong. However, the show was simply too ahead of its time and comedy shows were still expected to be simple sitcoms. The show had a loyal fanbase, but Fox was unwilling to give the show a primetime slot due to its niche and complex humor.
Freaks and Geeks- Now, while this show only had one season and the first episode came out in 1999, its run continued into the 2000 and it deserves any attention we can give it. Starring young talents like Linda Cardenelli, Jason Segal, James Franco, and Seth Rogan, it follows a similar path to destruction as Arrested Development. Freaks and Geeks followed the story of 80’s high schooler Lindsay Weir as she dealt with loss and the expectations placed on her in society. The show had subtle humor and emphasized the darker realities in life such as poverty, drug use, and domestic violence that were not often seen in teen shows in the era. Tragically, these shows would become more popular in the years after Freaks was canceled.
Teen Focus:
Gossip Girl- Gossip Girl was, and still is, a cultural phenomenon. It’s blend of drama, romance and secrecy with a conventionally attractive cast of characters kept audiences hooked. It aired from 2007-2012 and was set in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The show gave a glimpse into the lavish, and sometimes unrealistic, lives of wealthy teens. The show was filled with scandal, betrayal and a few forbidden romances. The show’s main plot point was the anonymous online user “Gossip Girl” — a mysterious figure unknown to both the characters and viewers who exposed each of the characters’ secrets and scandals to the world through posting on an online blog with the opening line, “Hey Upper East Siders” and always ending on, “XOXO, Gossip Girl.” This created a layer of suspense and wonder to each episode as to which character would find themselves the center of Gossip Girl’s next post. The show was very similar in this way to Pretty Little Liars, in that there was an anonymous online user tormenting the characters. The show’s high fashion and luxury lifestyles made it every teenage girl’s dream, though the characters did act and carry themselves much older than the high school students they were portraying. The dynamic and ever-changing relationships between characters like Serena, Blair, Nate, Dan and Chuck created an addictive plotline that combined teen drama with adult themes, making Gossip Girl the perfect guilty pleasure for audiences of any age. It tapped into the dangers that come with wealth and power while also exploring deeper emotions, making it a pop culture staple that stands the test of time.
One Tree Hill- One Tree Hill was a longer running show, airing for seven seasons from 2003-2012. The show followed characters Lucas, Nathan and Hayley James Scott and Peyton Sawyer as they navigated high school, college and sports rivalries in their small town of One Tree Hill, North Carolina. Similar to Gossip Girl, the show was very applicable to its teen audience as it involved much drama and love triangles. The show had an ability to blend intense emotional storylines with moments of humor and lightheartedness, making it easy for viewers to connect with the characters and not get too deep into the drama. It’s unique love dynamics, with friends fighting over half-brothers, gave the show suspense and drama that kept viewers coming back each week for more. The show also included music, specifically through the character of Nathan Scott’s basketball journey and the local band, made the show even more engaging, adding another layer of culture. The show had it all — romance, drama and life lessons, all set against the backdrop of friendship and family. One Tree Hill not only entertained, but also offered fans a sense of nostalgia and emotional depth.
The Disney/Nickelodeon:
Zoey 101- Zoey 101 followed Zoey Brooks on her adventures at her new Malibu boarding school, Pacific Coast Academy. The boarding school aspect was a popular idea among a few shows during the era, but none did it better than Zoey 101. The show combined fun friendships, sparkly early 2000’s gadgets, odd teachers, and light romances to keep teens interested. Additionally, it starred Jamie Lynn Spears, younger sister of Britney Spears, which stirred excitement for the show before its release.
Drake and Josh- Drake and Josh was a teen sitcom focusing on two teenage boys who had to learn to live as brothers after their parents got married. The show’s success has to be largely attributed to the chemistry between leads Drake Bell and Josh Peck, who played opposite personalities throughout the show’s run and always played up their cool guy/nerd roles for laughs. Future Nickelodeon star Miranda Cosgrove also got her start on the show as the brothers’ slightly evil little sister. The writing was 2000’s to its core, created by now disgraced director Dan Schneider, the show had a four season run between 2004-2007. With iconic episodes like “Josh Runs Over Oprah”, “Tree House”, and “Peruvian Puff Pepper”, it’s not surprising the show is still streamed and quoted by Gen-Z today.
Hannah Montana- Hannah Montana was a 2000’s phenomena because of its perfect angle towards young women. Between the double-life of Miley Stewart paired with stylish outfits from that time period and catchy music, Hannah Montana was the perfect blend of every tween girl’s dreams — to be a pop star. Not only was Hannah a character on the show, she also performed real life concerts and toured around the country. Hannah’s age and seemingly normal life as a student gave the show relatability to its audience. The show had guest stars that connected to older audiences, such as Dolly Parton as “Aunt Dolly”, Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley’s dad and other musical guests such as The Jonas Brothers. The show did so well, there was a movie to accompany it released a mere three years after the show’s initial airing, Hannah Montana: The Movie. The show went on to air for three years after that. Miley’s balance of promotion on the TV show and her real life music career with collaborations with other artists propelled her into stardom at the young age of 14 and set the stage for her pop star career.
That’s So Raven- That’s So Raven first aired in 2003. The show’s success was attributed to the relatability of the family dynamic of the Baxter’s in a typical American household setting, but had a supernatural twist. Main character Raven Baxter had a superpower to see the future, which often landed her in chaotic and funny situations trying to avoid disaster, and ended up creating more disaster in the process. The show’s themes of not being able to control the future, to just make good decisions was highly appreciated by parents and made the show a household staple. The show also dressed self-empowerment themes revolving around race and womanhood, making Baxter a great role model for the show’s young audience. The show gave a unique concept based on other shows at the time, but managed to keep the supernatural still real and relatable. The show was such a hit that younger brother Corey Baxter got his own spinoff show, Corey in the House, where Baxter made best friend’s with the president’s son and lived in the White House. Raven made several guest star appearances on the spinoff show.
Malcolm in the Middle- Malcolm in the Middle first hit the screens of household TVs nationwide at the top of the millennium in January of 2000. It broke the mold of the traditional family dynamic portrayed in shows at the time by giving viewers a glimpse into the lives of Wilkersons, a chaotic working-class family composed of mom, dad and three troublemaking sons. The show also is given from mostly Malcolm, the middle child’s perspective, connecting with the show’s younger audience. This combined with the witty, satirical tone of the show’s dialogue and a star-studded cast, including Frankie Muniz and Bryan Cranston, the show was a hit and ran for six years and a total of seven seasons.
Saturday Morning Cartoons:
Spongebob Squarepants- Certainly not a 2000’s specific show, Spongebob Squarepants has existed in the lives of American children for decades. It was almost a guarantee that if you turned the TV on before 9 am on Saturday morning, Spongebob was there to greet you. Plus, he always came with friends like Patrick, Mr. Krabs- and a theme song both beloved and despised by parents.
The Fairly OddParents- Airing for over 15 years, this was one of Nickelodeon’s most popular animated shows. It followed the story of Timmy TUrner, a miserable underdog who is given two fairies to grant his every wish. These fairies come in the form of the responsible and motherly Wanda and her well meaning but clueless partner Cosmo.
The show had fast and zany comedy for a kids show and included absurdist characters like Mr Crockett, Timmy’s teacher and amature fairy hunter, determined to capture Cosmo and Wanda.
Avatar: The Last Airbender- One of the most critically acclaimed animated television shows of all time, Avatar: The Last Airbender transcended it’s medium to become a beloved piece of art. Put simply, the show centered on Aang, a prophesied bender of all elements, sent to save the world from the Fire Nation. It followed his adventures throughout a beautifully drawn world, it contained rich cultural elements, and it explained meaningful issues such as genocide and imperialism to young audiences. 5
Kim Possible- Kim Possible first aired in June 2002 and ran for four seasons, ending in 2007. Kim Possible has a female protagonist, Kim, who had a double-life between high-school student and secret agent. The show was largely comedy and was never too serious, a great dialogue for its target audience of young kids. The show had an evil villan in contrast to Kim named Shego. Kim Possible also had a best friend, Ron Stoppable, who was the total opposite of Kim and a cowardly, feeble and sheepish character with a massive crush on Kim. The show had a cast of “scary” but ultimately funny villains with memorable catch phrases to differentiate their appearances on the show. The show’s witty commentary appealed to audiences of all age ranges, and the iconic theme song of “Call Me Beep Me” is still played on streaming services today.
