One of the hallmarks of a great story, no matter what medium it’s told in, is its ability to speak to audiences across the expanse of time. In other words, they can resonate with audiences years or even decades after they were first released, providing much-needed lessons and observations that are relevant no matter the generation. And sometimes, a show can come back to the forefront years after its end, as the ever-changing cultural landscape makes its story freshly pertinent for new reasons the creators may never have seen coming.
There are several great TV classics, known and beloved by many, that have enjoyed such a resurgence in recent years. Whether it’s because of their groundbreaking themes, political and cultural insights, or evergreen appeal, all these shows are as popular today as they were when they premiered, perhaps even more so. So, without further ado, here’s our handpicked selection of classic shows that feel newly relevant again, including some of the greatest shows to ever grace our screens.
8
‘The West Wing’ (1999–2006)
Created by Aaron Sorkin, The West Wing is a political drama series that follows the fictional administration of Democratic President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet (Martin Sheen). As the title suggests, the show is primarily set in the West Wing of the White House and follows the President and his administration as they tackle various issues to maintain peace and harmony within the nation. The series’ ensemble cast includes Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Janel Moloney, and Stockard Channing.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest TV shows of all time, The West Wing has had a significant influence on both popular culture and politics, presenting an idealized image of what a government ought to be. Though the series was criticized by some during its seven-season broadcast for its idealism, the show’s bipartisanship and commitment to national harmony present an essential counterpoint to the increasingly divisive politics of our time, which has brought it renewed attention in recent years.
7
‘Yes Minister’ (1980–1984)
Written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, Yes Minister is a classic British political satire sitcom that stars Paul Eddington as first-time cabinet minister Jim Hacker. As the new head of the fictional Department of Administrative Affairs, which is the department of bureaucrats who manage all the other bureaucrats, Jim attempts to bring about meaningful changes in government policy, almost all of which are thwarted by his conniving Permanent Secretary, career-bureaucrat Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne). The show also stars Derek Fowlds as Bernard Woolley, Hacker’s well-meaning Principal Private Secretary, who is often caught between his two masters.
A sharply satirical and perfectly written series with incisive insights into the politics of both Britain and the world at large, Yes Minister is an evergreen sitcom driven by the conflict between politicians and bureaucrats, expertly illustrating the inefficacies and failings of both. And though it’s been decades since the show was first broadcast, its observations on matters of political infighting, foreign policy, and corruption still feel relevant today, both in the context of British politics and democracies around the world. The original series ended in 1984 but was continued in a sequel show, Yes, Prime Minister, which sees Hacker ascend to Number 10, Downing Street, with Sir Humphrey as his Cabinet Secretary.
6
‘Seinfeld’ (1989–1998)
Created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, Seinfeld is easily one of the most iconic American sitcoms of all time. The series stars Seinfeld as a fictional version of himself, following his various misadventures alongside his three friends: lifelong best friend George Costanza (Jason Alexander), former girlfriend Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and eccentric neighbor Kramer (Michael Richards), drawing comedy from the everyday lives of its characters. The show also features notable guest and recurring characters played by Wayne Knight, Liz Sheridan, Barney Martin, Len Lesser, Bryan Cranston, Heidi Swedberg, Estelle Harris, Jerry Stiller, and more.
It’s not so much that Seinfeld has suddenly become relevant today; rather, the show has always enjoyed an evergreen relevance. Though its references may be dated, the situations and observational humor are timeless and apply just as aptly to our time as they did to its own period. Sure, people like Jerry Seinfeld or Cosmo Kramer may be few and far between in reality, but everyone knows an Elaine or a Costanza, making their stories in particular eternally relevant and relatable.
5
‘The Twilight Zone’ (1959–1964)
The Twilight Zone is a classic anthology series created and narrated by Rod Serling that presents standalone stories of fantasy, horror, or science fiction involving everyday characters who encounter uncanny events. Each episode follows an average, relatable character who finds themselves pulled into inexplicable phenomena (entering the Twilight Zone) that leads to a surprise twist or moral takeaway. The original series aired 156 episodes across five seasons and features a star-studded revolving cast that includes actors like Buster Keaton, Mickey Rooney, Carol Burnett, Leonard Nimoy, Robert Redford, Burt Reynolds, and more.
One of the most innovative anthology series of all time, The Twilight Zone is an undeniably timeless show that has had a foundational impact on film, television, and literature. The show introduced many complex concepts and now-established genre tropes to television, and many of its stories are underpinned by keen social and moral commentary that still feels relevant today, arguably even more so than they did in their time. The series is widely hailed as one of the greatest ever made, and it has been an inspiration for countless subsequent shows and films, including modern masterpieces like Black Mirror.
4
‘The Simpsons’ (1989–Present)
Created by Matt Groening, The Simpsons is an iconic animated sitcom that satirizes everyday American life. Set in the fictional town of Springfield, the series primarily revolves around the titular family — Homer Simpson, his wife Marge, their son Bart, their daughter Lisa, and baby Maggie — exploring various topical and humorous storylines that poke fun at contemporary culture. The show’s ensemble voice cast stars Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, and more.
Of all the shows on this list, this legendary animated series is the only one that’s still airing new episodes, making it one of the most influential and successful TV shows of all time. Thanks to its long life, The Simpsons essentially works like a time capsule of American culture, especially with its earlier, 1990s episodes, which are widely regarded as the show’s peak. Those episodes in particular have become newly relevant these days as they illustrate a time of greater economic security for middle-class Americans (a stark contrast to present-day conditions) and feature some intelligent satire that has become almost prophetic in the years since, particularly in the world of politics.
3
‘The Golden Girls’ (1985–1992)
One of the most celebrated sitcoms of the 1980s, The Golden Girls was created by Susan Harris and revolves around four older women who share a home in Miami, Florida: Dorothy Zbornak (Bea Arthur), her mother Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty), Rose Nylund (Betty White), and Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan). The show follows these four central characters as they navigate life in their “golden years,” providing much-needed support and advice to each other by drawing on a lifetime’s worth of experiences. The series also features Herb Edelman, Harold Gould, Sid Melton, and more in recurring roles.
Highly acclaimed and awarded, The Golden Girls was a big hit in its day and has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years as a multi-generational comfort watch. The show is also appealing to modern audiences because of its ahead-of-its-time themes and storylines, exploring everything from LGBTQ+ rights and interracial marriage to ageism and sexual harassment. The series is also celebrated these days for redefining representations of aging, womanhood, and female friendships, laying the foundations for more recent hits like Grace and Frankie.
2
‘All in the Family’ (1971–1979)
A classic CBS sitcom, All in the Family was developed by Norman Lear and is an American adaptation of the British sitcom Till Death Us Do Part. The series revolves around average working-class man Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor) and his family, following their lives in Queens, New York. Jean Stapleton, Sally Struthers, and Rob Reiner star in other lead roles.
Though it was technically a sitcom, All in the Family was a very groundbreaking show of the ’70s, exploring complex issues like racism, homosexuality, women’s liberation, rape, religious differences, and more at a time when such topics were generally considered taboo. A central theme of the series was the generational conflict between the conservative Greatest Generation (primarily represented through Archie) and the liberal Baby Boomers (represented through his daughter Gloria and her hippie husband Michael). Though it’s been nearly 50 years since the show ended, All in the Family’s themes and storylines feel even more relevant today than ever before.
1
‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)
An iconic sci-fi drama series starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, The X-Files was created by Chris Carter and revolves around a duo of FBI agents who investigate seemingly inexplicable cases involving paranormal phenomena. Duchovny stars as Agent Fox Mulder, a “believer,” and Anderson as Agent Dana Scully, a medical doctor and skeptic who questions Mulder’s unshakable belief in the supernatural. Later seasons introduced new main characters played by Robert Patrick, Annabeth Gish, and Mitch Pileggi.
Widely regarded as one of the most iconic shows of the 1990s, The X-Files is a major pop culture landmark that has had a significant influence on society, not least through the character of Agent Scully, who reportedly inspired numerous young women to pursue careers in STEM fields and law enforcement. However, what makes the show feel so relevant today is its fundamental distrust of authority and exploration of conspiracy theories, which have become increasingly mainstream in recent years. Whether that’s a good thing or not is a matter for debate, but there’s no denying the fact that The X-Files feels arguably more timely today than when it first started in the ’90s.
- Release Date
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1993 – 2018-00-00
- Network
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FOX
