People always look for some fun to relax, which can be achieved easily. Watching TV series is one of the most affordable as well as relaxing ways to enjoy free time.
There are many people who prefer TV shows over movies. The increased popularity of tv series is simply because of their accessibility and entertaining modes that are suitable for everyone in every situation.
These shows run for a long time and contain numerous seasons. One season may contain up to a dozen episodes or more than this.
So they can entertain their audience for a long time. Moreover, tv shows can attract people of all ages.
Here is a list of TV shows that contains both children-friendly as well as adult shows. If you are looking for some names of the best 40 pre – 2000 TV shows and watch them, you have to carry on reading!
Welcome Back, Kotter! (1975 – 1979)
Where to Watch – Roku, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV
Director – Gabe Kaplan, Alan Sacks
Storyline: Welcome Back, Kotter! is an American sitcom that features the character Gabe Kotter, who is a high school teacher-in-charge.
He teaches a group of remedial students called the “Sweathogs.” He is the founding member of this group and possesses a special understanding of the possibility of these students.
He launched into a Groucho Marx impersonation on the first day of his job. Gabe Kotter is married to Julie Kotter, who has a sense of humor.
She often wishes her husband would take matters more seriously. She has a college degree in Anthropology. Julie eventually becomes a secretary at Buchanan.
Saved by the Bell (1989 – 1992)
Where to Watch – Peacock TV, Hulu, Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video
Director – Tracey Wigfield
Storyline: Saved by the Bell is an American sitcom that was created by Sam Bobrick. This television sitcom follows a group of high school friends and their principal at Bayside High School in Los Angeles. This show primarily focuses on light-hearted comedic scenes yet touches on some serious social issues.
It shows issues like drug use, driving under the influence, homelessness, remarriage, death, women’s rights, and environmental issues. This tv show has starred Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Dustin Diamond, Lark Voorhies, Dennis Haskins, Tiffani – Amber Thiessen, etc.
The Brady Bunch (1969 – 1974)
Where to Watch – Pluto TV, Roku
Director – Sherwood Schwartz
Storyline: The Brady Bunch is an American sitcom that revolves around a large blended family with six children. This show has five seasons, and each of these seasons is very popular among children as well as teenage viewers.
Mike Brady and Carol Martin will be married to each other, and it is going to be a second marriage for both of them. Each of them has a large family. Mike has three children, who are boys, and Carol has three children, who are girls. So they have the issue of blending their families.
Married…..with Children (1987 – 1997)
Where to Watch – Hulu Plus, Peacock TV, Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Google Play
Director – Michael G. Moye, Ron Leavitt
Storyline: The American television sitcom, Married…..with Children is the longest-lasting live-action sitcom that has been aired on Fox. This series follows the life of Al Bundy, who lives in Chicago. He was once a glorious high school footballer. He has turned into a hard-luck women’s shoe salesman. He has a wife named Peggy, who is a lazy woman.
His daughter, Kelly, is very pretty. He also has a son named Bud. Al has some neighbors like Steve and Marcy Rhoades, whom he does not like at all. Married…..with Children has made its place in the top 100 on Entertainment Weekly’s “New TV Classics” list in 2018, where it has gotten 94th position.
The Wonder Years (1988 – 1993)
Where to Watch – Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
Director – Neal Marlens, Carol Black
Storyline: The Wonder Years is an American coming-of-age comedy series that stars Fred Savage as Kevin Arnold. Kevin is a teenager who is growing up in a suburban middle-class family. His father is Jack, and his mother is Norma. The role of Jack and Norma is played by Dan Lauria and Alley Mills, respectively.
The adult version of Kevin Arnold is played by Daniel Stern in this series. This series revolves around the character of Kevin, whose father holds a management job at NORCOM. His mother is a housewife. Kevin has a brother and a sister. His best friend is Paul Pfeiffer. Kevin has an unsaid relationship with Winnie, whose brother is Brian, whom Kevin admires a lot.
The State (1994 – 1995)
Where to Watch – Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
Director – Peter Kosminsky
Storyline: The State combines some bizarre characters and scenarios that attract the teenage audience the most. This series follows a style of humor that revolves mainly around the cast members. It features a broad range of comedic styles, from satire to forays.
It includes absurdism, too. This show has only one female character, that is played by Kerri Kenney. The casting of this series is very interesting. It stars Kevin Allison, Michael Ian Black, Ben Garant, Todd Holoubek, Michael Patrick Jann, Kerri Kenney, Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Michael Showalter, David Wain, etc.
Diff’rent Strokes (1978 -1986)
Where to Watch – Tubi TV, Amazon Prime Video
Director – Jeff Harris, Bernie Kukoff
Storyline: Diff’rent Strokes stars Gary Coleman as Arnold and Todd Bridges as Willis Jackson. They are two black boys from Harlem. They are taken in by a rich businessman and widower, Phillip Drummond. This series deals with some serious issues like racism, illegal drug use, alcoholism, hitchhiking, kidnapping, child sexual abuse, etc., through many “very special episodes.”
The most notable episode among them is an anti-drug episode that features First Lady Nancy Reagan. Another important episode of this series is “Skin Deep or True Blue,” which involves Roger Morehouse, Kimberly’s new boyfriend.
The Dukes of Hazzard (1979 – 1985)
Where to Watch – Vudu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
Director – Gy Waldron, Jerry Rushing
Storyline: The American Comedy Series, The Duke of Hazzard, is about two young male cousins, Bo and Luke Duke. The show follows the adventures of these boys. They live on a family farm in Hazzard County in rural Georgia. They are on probation for moonshine – running. Luke Duke is a dark-haired boy. He is more mature and rational than Bo.
He wears a checked blue shirt and a denim jacket. On the other hand, Bo Duke is blonde-haired and a slightly mature boy. Bo and Luke Duke, along with their friends and female cousin Daisy Duke, have numerous escapades. They evade the corrupt county Boss Hog and Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane.
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972 – 1985)
Where to Watch – Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu
Director – Bill Cosby
Storyline: Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids is a tv show that is based on Cosby’s remembrance of his childhood gang. This show is focused on Fat Albert and his friends. The role of Fat Albert Robertson is voiced by Bill Cosby. This character is based on Albert Robertson, who is their childhood friend of Cosby.
It is the main character of this show. He is the conscience of the Junkyard Gang. He is very much obese, but he is athletic and enjoys playing games. Albert always wears a red shirt along with blue pants. Another major character in this show is William Bill Cosby, who is voiced by Bill Cosby. It is a character based on Cosby himself. He is also a good athlete, like Albert.
Get a Life (1990 – 1992)
Where to Watch – Tubi TV, YouTube
Director – Chris Elliott, Adam Resnick, David Mirkin
Storyline: Get a Life is a television sitcom that stars Chris Elliott as Chris Peterson, who is a 30 – year – old paperboy. Peterson lives in an apartment above his parents’ garage in Minnesota. The roles of his parents are played by Elinor Donahue and Bob Elliott. Peterson has a carefree and childlike personality.
He is a bachelor who refuses to live the life of an adult. He has a job at the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He has no driving license; he rides a bicycle wherever he goes. He has low intelligence that is exaggerated to absurd levels.
Sex and the City (1998 – 2004)
Where to Watch – Disney Plus Hotstar, Hulu, Netflix
Director – Darren Star
Storyline: Sex and the City is an American romantic comedy series that is adapted from Candace Bushnell’s newspaper column of the same name. This series follows the lives of four women. They are Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha Jones (played by Kim Cattrall), Charlotte York (played by Kristin Davis), and Miranda Hobbes (played by Cynthia Nixon).
This series contains a lot of storylines that deal with relevant as well as modern social issues, such as sexuality, safe sex, promiscuity, and femininity. It also explores the difference between friendships and romantic relationships. Carrie Bradshaw, the protagonist of this series, narrates the series.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997 – 2003)
Where to Watch – Disney Plus Hotstar, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video
Director – Joss Whedon
Storyline: Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, is a supernatural drama series that is based on a 1992 film of the same name by the same director. The protagonist of the series, Buffy Summers, is the slayer. This role is played by Sarah Michelle Gellar. Buffy is such a young woman who is chosen by fate to fight against evil forces.
Her supernatural power dramatically increases her physical strength, endurance, agility, and intuition. She has a limited degree of precognition. She learns to embrace her destiny as the vampire slayer. In spite of having such supernatural abilities, Buffy wants to live a normal life.
Freaks and Geeks (1999 – 2000)
Where to Watch – Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
Director – Paul Feig
Storyline: Freaks and Geeks is an American teen comedy series that is set in a suburban high school near Detroit. The theme of this series is mainly about the hilarious unfairness of teen life. The story features Lindsay Weir and her younger brother, Sam.
They both attend William McKinley High School in the town of Chippewa, Michigan. Lindsay joins a group of friends called “freaks.” The members of this group are Daniel Desario, Ken Miller, Nick Annapolis, and Kim Kelly. On the other side, Sam also has a group of friends called “geeks.” The members are Neal Schweiger and Bill Haverchuck.
South Park (1997)
Where to Watch – HBO Max, fubo TV, Comedy Central, Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu
Director – Trey Parker, Matt Stone
Storyline: South Park is an American animated sitcom that revolves around four boys named Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick. They all live in the fictional town of South Park, which is in the Rocky Mountains of Central Colorado.
They exploit in and around the Colorado town. Stan Marsh is the “everyman” in the group. He is described as an average American 4th grader. Kyle is a Jewish boy. Stan and Kyle are best friends. Their friendship symbolizes the friendship between Parker and Stone. Eric Cartman is amoral and a psychopath. He is basically the antagonist of this drama. Kenny McCormick belongs to a poor family.
Spaced (1999 – 2001)
Where to Watch – Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
Director – Edgar Wright
Storyline: Spaced is British TV series that revolves around the misadventures of Daisy Steiner (played by Jessica Stevenson) and Tim Bisley (played by Simon Pegg). Daisy gives up on squatting, and Tim is kicked out by his ex-girlfriend. They meet in a cafe, by chance. Both have decided to move in together.
They are searching for a flat. When they meet, they conspire to pose as a young professional couple so that they can meet the requirements of an advertisement for a flat that is cheap. Throughout the series, Tim and Daisy involve themselves in surreal and awkward adventures as they navigate through life.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (1999 – 2015)
Where to Watch – Comedy Central, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
Director – David Paul Meyer
Storyline: The Daily Show is a late-night talk show that contains some satirical news. This show draws its comic and satirical elements from recent news stories, political figures, media organizations, etc. This show often uses self-referential humor, too. Jon Stewart took over the role of the host of this show from Craig Kilborn on 11th January 1999.
He continued it till 6th August 2015. He makes the show more focused on political as well as news satire, while during Kilborn’s time, it was focused on pop culture. After Stewart, Trevor Noah becomes the host of this show. This show has won 18 Primetime Emmy Awards. It is the second longest-running show on Comedy Central.
The West Wing (1999 – 2006)
Where to Watch – Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Roku
Director – Aaron Sorkin
Storyline: The West Wing is an American political drama series that is primarily set in the West Wing of the White House. This series features a broad ensemble cast to show numerous positions that are involved in the daily work of the West Wing.
It portrays the president, the first lady, and the senior staff. There are many secondary characters in this series. The role of president has been done by Martin Sheen. The president, Josiah “Jed” Bartlet, is an economist and a former congressman. He has unexpectedly won the Democratic Party nomination. Leo McGarry is his close friend and chief of staff. This role is played by John Spencer.
The Sopranos (1999 – 2007)
Where to Watch – Disney Plus Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu
Director – David Chase
Storyline: The Sopranos is an American crime drama series that revolves around Tony Soprano, played by James Gandolfini. Tony Soprano is a New Jersey-based mobster who tries to balance family life with his leadership in a criminal organization.
He is the protagonist who suffers from panic attacks. He has some therapy sessions with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi, played by Lorraine Bracco. She treats Tony to the best of her ability. The plot of this series is primarily set in New Jersey and New York City. The series features a large cast of characters. Each of these characters has significant amounts of character development throughout the series.
Twin Peaks (1990 – 1991)
Where to Watch – Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, iTunes
Director – Mark Frost, David Lynch
Storyline: Twin Peaks is a mystery series on American Television. This series shows an incident in 1989 when Peter Martell discovers a naked corpse on the bank of a river outside the town of Twin Peaks. The corpse is wrapped in plastic. Sheriff Harry S. Truman, along with his deputies and doctor Will Hayward arrive there; the body is identified as Laura Palmer. Laura was a high school senior.
Moreover, Ronette Pulaski is discovered, who is badly injured. Dale Cooper, FBI Special Agent, is called in to investigate the matter. Cooper discovers a tiny typed letter “R” in Laura’s body, which is inserted under her fingernail, and thinks that Laura’s death is similar to the murder of another girl in Washington.
Seinfeld (1989 – 1998)
Where to Watch – Amazon Prime Video, Netflix
Director – Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld
Storyline: American television series, Seinfeld, stars Seinfeld as a fictionalized version of Jerry Seinfeld. This series focuses on his personal life with his three friends. They are George Costanza (played by Jason Alexander), Elaine Benes (Julia Louis – Dreyfus), and Cosmo Kramer (played by Michael Richards).
Seinfeld is a stand-up comedian. The character is shown as a mild germaphobe. George Costanza is his best friend, who is stingy, conniving, pedantic, and jealous of anyone’s achievements. Elaine is Jerry’s ex-girlfriend, who is friendly yet sarcastic, selfish, and unorganized. Cosmo is Jerry’s slacker neighbor who has a humorous hairstyle. The plot is set in an apartment in New York City and focuses on the minute details of daily life.
The Simpsons (1990 – present)
Where to Watch – Disney Plus Hotstar, Hulu, YouTube
Director – Matt Groening
Storyline: The Simpsons is an animated sitcom that depicts American life in a satirical way. It parodies American culture and society. It revolves around the Simpson family. The members of this family are Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie.
The show is set in the fictional town of Springfield. Homer works as a safety inspector at Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. He is a careless and buffoonish person. His wife, Marge Bouvier, is a stereotypical American housewife. This couple has three children – Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Bart is ten years old and is a troublemaker. Lisa is eight years old and an activist. Maggie is a baby who rarely speaks.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990 – 1996)
Where to Watch – Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max
Director – Andy and Susan Borowitz
Storyline: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself. He is shown as a teenager born and raised in West Philadelphia. He accidentally hits a group of gang members while playing street basketball.
This incident causes a confrontation, and his mother gets frightened. So he is sent to move in with his wealthy uncle Phil and aunt Vivian in Bel-Air. After moving in, his lifestyle starts clashing with his upper-class relatives. His uncle, Phil, is a popular lawyer. The roles of Will’s uncle and aunt are played by James Avery and Janet Hubert, respectively.
Friends (1994 – 2004)
Where to Watch – Disney Plus Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix
Director – David Crane, Marta Kauffman
Storyline: Friends is an American television sitcom that stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer. This series revolves around six friends in their 20s and 30s. They live in Manhattan in New York City.
The friends are Rachel Green, Monica Gellar, Phoebe Buffay, Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing, and Ross Gellar. Rachel is a friendly woman who flees her wedding day. Monica is her childhood friend, who is a caring chef. Phoebe is an eccentric masseuse and musician. Joey is a dim-witted but loyal actor. He is a womanizer, too. Chandler is Joey’s roommate. Ross is a sweet-natured paleontologist.
Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990 – 2000)
Where to Watch – Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Paramount Plus
Director – Darren Star
Storyline: Beverly Hills, 90210 is an American teen drama series that is also popular as 90210. This drama series shows the lives of some friends who live in Beverly Hills in, California. They have been promoted from high school to college and entered the adult world.
The series begins with the introduction of the Walsh family, which contains Jim, Cindy, Brandon, and Brenda. Brandon and Brenda attend West Beverly Hills High School. They have some friends, such as – Kelly Taylor, Steve Sanders, Andrea Zuckerman, Donna Martin, David Silver, and Scott Scanlon.
Law and Order (1990 – 2010)
Where to Watch – Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Roku
Director – Dick Wolf
Storyline: Law and Order is a legal drama tv series where George Dzundza and Chris Noth are cast as the original detectives, Sergeant Max Greevey and Mike Logan, respectively.
This show is filmed in New York. The series follows some complex process of determining guilt or innocence. It is often inspired by the latest headlines or any legal, ethical, or personal dilemma. The plots of this series are often relatable to the daily lives of common people.
Murder, She Wrote (1984 – 1996)
Where to Watch – Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Roku, Peacock TV
Director – Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson, and William Link.
Storyline: Murder, She Wrote is American series that focuses on the life of Jessica Fletcher. Fletcher is a mystery writer and amateur detective. She finds herself becoming involved in solving a series of murder cases. The cases take place in the town of Cabot Cove, Maine, and all over the United States.
Jessica is basically a widowed and retired English teacher; later, she becomes a successful mystery writer. In her writings, she proves more perceptive than the official investigators. She carefully pieces the clues together, asks astute questions, and thus leads the authorities to arrest the real culprit.
Unsolved Mysteries (1987 – 2002)
Where to Watch – Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV, Roku
Director – John Cosgrove, Terry Dunn Meurer
Storyline: Unsolved Mysteries is a mystery documentary tv show that documents cold cases and paranormal phenomena. It profiles real-life mysteries. The show features – enactments of unsolved mysteries, crimes, missing person cases, conspiracy theories, and paranormal phenomena like alien abduction, ghosts, UFOs, etc.
The show debuted as a weekly program on NBC. It is known for its eerie theme song that is composed by Michael Boyd and Gary Remal Malkin. This show is also popular for the presence of Stack’s ominous narration.
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993 – 1994)
Where to Watch – Tubi TV, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
Director – Brice Campbell, Carlton Cuse, John Astin, Tom Chehak.
Storyline: The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. is a weird Western tv series that follows its title character, Brisco County. Brisco is a Harvard – educated lawyer who has turned into a bounty hunter hired by a group of wealthy industrialists.
He has to capture outlaw John Bly and his gang. The role of Brisco is played by Bruce Campbell. This series features Julius Carry as fellow bounty hunter Lord Bowler and Christian Clemenson as lawyer Socrates Poole. They are working together to capture John Bly. But Lord Bowler treats Brisco as a rival. They often find themselves joining forces to achieve the same goal.
Blossom (1990 – 1995)
Where to Watch – Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
Director – Zane Buzby, Bill Bixby, Ted Wass, Gil Junger, Peter Baldwin, John Whitesell, Joe Bergen, Terry Hughes, Jonathan Prince, Selig Frank, Allan Katz.
Storyline: The American sitcom Blossom revolves around the character of Blossom Russo, played by Mayim Bialik. He is a teenager who lives with his father, Nick, and two elder brothers, Tony and Joey. His is a male-dominated household that is adjusting after Maddy, the mother, has left to pursue her own life and career.
Nick is a musician. Tony is an alcoholic and drug addict, but he is trying to recover. Joey is the middle sibling who is known for the exaggerated delivery of his catchphrase, “Whoa!” Blossom has a best friend named Six LeMeure, who is fast-talking and has a tendency to ramble.
Martin (1992 – 1997)
Where to Watch – Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, BET Plus
Director – Stan Lathan
Storyline: Martin is an American sitcom containing five seasons. It stars Martin Lawrence as the titular character, Martin Payne. Martin is a disco jockey who has a girlfriend named Gina Waters.
Gina sometimes tries to change Martin’s behavior and nature, but it does not work at all. The show is set in Detroit, Michigan. Martin works for the radio station WZUP. He also works for a local television station, Channel 51. He is selfish and free-spirited by nature. He eventually becomes the host of the talk show Word on the Street. Martin has an antagonistic relationship with Pam, who is their best friend of Gina.