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Top 50 TV Shows Of All Time

Author Jim O'Brien
Photo By Getty Images

Saw this list floating around the internet and thought I’d share it. Someone took multiple sources and created a list of the Top 50 TV shows of all time.

Top 50 TV Shows Of All Time – You Agree?

The top 5 are interesting: Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Chernobyl, The Sopranos and Band of Brothers. You’ve got to get down to #11 to find a show that was on more “traditional” network TV (the original Twilight Zone). Take a moment and browse the list – then let’s discuss.

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What’s Missing Off This List?

Top 50 TV shows of all time - and MASH isn't on it?
Matthew Eisman/Getty Images
(Photo by Matthew Eisman/Getty Images for Hamptons International Film Festival)

The first show that jumps out at me is MASH – one of the biggest sitcoms of all time, and a show that will be watched forever (seriously, how is this NOT on the list of Top 50 tv shows of all time). If you’re not sure of it’s social relevance, just google the finale and how many watched (over 120 million in the U.S.). Now to be fair, any list of TV shows is subjective, right? What are you looking for in a show – it’s nice to see “The Bear” from FX is on there (season 3 is amazing), as well as Narcos and Succession.

Recentcy Bias (not a spelling error)

I’m sure this list is stilted a little bit towards more current shows (hence to wording “recent-cy” bias), but that’s not the critics fault – we didn’t have all these sources back in the day. Here’s a couple of additional shows to consider for the list:

Hill Street Blues: From the amazing theme song (it was actually a Top 40 hit) to an ensemble cast that was second to none, Hill Street Blues changed the landscape of TV police dramas.

House of Cards: Obviously the issues with Kevin Spacey led to a very stilted final season Netflix, but the first couple of seasons were as good as anything we’d ever seen on TV. Dark,, well shot, and incredible moments (the first time he broke the fourth wall).

The League: I know it’s unbelievably “guy comedy”, but this show was so well written that I still crack up watching it. To take something as simple as Fantasy Football and turn it into this comedy masterpiece is just awesome.

Cartoons: How would you NOT have The Simpsons and South Park on there? Just saying.

Jim O'Brien is the Host of "Big Jim's House" Morning Show at 94.7 WCSX in Detroit. Jim spent eight years in the U.S. Naval Submarine Service, has appeared on Shark Tank (Man Medals Season 5 Ep. 2), raised over two million dollars for local charities and is responsible for Glenn Frey Drive and Bob Seger Blvd in the Motor City. Jim's relationship with Classic Rock includes considering Bob Seger, Phil Collen from Def Leppard, Wally Palmer of the Romantics and many others good friends. Jim writes about ‘80s movies, cars, weird food trends and “as seen on TikTok” content.

The 10 Most Popular TV Shows to Watch Before Bed

If you’re like half of the population of Americans, watching television before bed is a part of your nighttime routine. Sleep experts at Bestmattress-brand conducted a survey in which they found that 60% of Americans watch TV before bed. Of that, over 50% of the participants watch TV 5-7 days per week before hitting the hay. The research shows that 50.9% of Americans start watching TV between 9 pm and 11 pm. 42% stop watching TV between 11 pm and 1 am.

A spokesperson from the mattress brand commented: “It’s common for us to want to enjoy our favorite TV shows before bed, however too much artificial light, especially right before we think we might try to fall asleep, can increase our alertness and impair our ability to fall asleep naturally.”

They advised, “So, if you are wanting to watch TV before bed it is recommended to switch it off 30 minutes before you are about to sleep so as to allow your mind to prepare for a good night’s sleep.”

There is a wide range of shows that Americans fall asleep to, but below are the top 10 shows that respondents favor:

  • 10. Baseball - 10%

    Sports are easy to watch and are (generally) relaxing for viewers and can be put on in the background while falling asleep, making it a good choice for sports enthusiasts. Baseball’s slower pace (as compared to football, basketball and hockey) makes it easier to fall asleep to.

  • 9. Modern Family – 10.1%

    Modern Family is a show about three related modern-day families from California who try to deal with their kids, quirky spouses and jobs in their own unique ways, often falling into hilarious situations. The show garnered huge popularity over the years, with the expertly written and delivered sitcom balancing comedy with morals and messages, that curate a light-hearted show that remains engaging throughout. This show is one that can be watched again and again, which makes it a good choice for a relaxing and enjoyable bedtime show.

  • 8. Basketball – 11%

    Basketball provides viewers with easy-to-watch entertainment that can be paused and recorded, or watched as highlights, so even if you fall asleep you won’t miss any moments.

  • 7. The Big Bang Theory - 11.4%

    The Big Bang Theory is a comedy about brilliant physicists, Leonard and Sheldon and their friends, who are the kind of “beautiful minds” that understand how the universe works. But none of that genius helps them interact with people, especially women. This show ended in 2019 after 12 seasons as a fan favorite. The witty comedy intertwined with heartfelt touching moments provided an enjoyable viewing experience that can be watched again and again.

  • 6. Saturday Night Live – 14.9%

    Saturday Night Live (SNL) has been a staple of American night-time TV since its inception in the ’70s. The premise of SNL is actors, comedians and artists get together to perform short, hilarious skits on current, intelligent and at times, ridiculous topics. SNL is the longest-running sketch comedy show in America and therefore may act as a comfort show with an element of re-watchability that makes it easy for many to fall asleep too.

  • 5. The Simpsons – 13.1%

    The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom following working-class father Homer Simpson and his dysfunctional family, as they deal with comical situations and the ups and downs of life in the town of Springfield. With over 700 episodes, The Simpsons is one of the most popular and longest-running animated shows.

  • 4. Football – 13.5%

    As the most popular sport in America, it is understandable that many Americans enjoy falling asleep to games, highlights, replays and other football-related shows. Sports provide comfortable watching that requires little interaction and engagement, which makes for a relaxing viewer experience that could help some fall asleep at night.

  • 3. Bob’s Burgers – 16.7%

    Bobs Burgers follows restaurateur, Bob Belcher, who deals with various situations while running his dream restaurant with the help of his uptight wife and their three underachieving kids. This adult animated sitcom is popular due to the cast’s easy, affectionate back-and-forth and meshing comedic sensibilities of the cast. This easy-watching and relatable type of family dynamic makes it a good night-time choice to drift off to.

  • 2. American Dad! – 17.1%

    Seth MacFarlane’s animated sitcom follows CIA agent Stan Smith, who is painfully dedicated to homeland security. His home life includes his ditzy housewife Francine, liberal daughter Hayley and socially awkward teenage son Steve. Also living in the family’s home are Klaus, a goldfish with the brain of an East German Olympic ski jumper, and Roger, an escaped alien from Area 51, who Stan houses in defiance of his employer due to owing Roger a “life debt.”

  • 1. Family Guy – 20.2%

    Family Guy, an animated sitcom also created by Seth MacFarlane, hits the #1 spot as the most popular show. The series has won 9 Emmys and is in its 21st season. The show follows no linear storyline and so can be watched in any order without the viewer feeling lost. The show follows the adventures of the Griffin family with endearingly ignorant Peter, housewife Lois and their three kids. Meg, the eldest child, is a social outcast, teenage Chris is awkward and clueless when it comes to the opposite sex and Stewie is their genius baby who is bent on killing his mother and destroying the world. To top it off, they have a talking dog, Brian, who keeps Stewie in check while sipping martinis and sorting through his own life issues. The light-hearted comedy is what makes it a perfect choice to fall asleep to.

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