19 Old TV Shows That Have Stood The Test Of TimeSkip To ContentHomepageSign InSearch BuzzFeedSearch BuzzFeedlol Badge Feedwin Badge Feedtrending Badge FeedCalifornia residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data.Do Not Sell My Personal Information 2022 BuzzFeed, Inc PressRSSPrivacyConsent PreferencesUser TermsAd ChoicesHelpContactSitemap Posted on 3 May 2022 19 Old TV Shows That Have Stood The Test Of TimeThey just don't make them like they used to. by Tom VyBuzzFeed ContributorFacebookPinterestTwitterMailLink While we all get hooked on shows it s worth examining the classics we can t stop watching Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Fox Yeah, they might be old, but we keep returning to them for a reason. 1 Seinfeld Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF NBC A show famously “about nothing”, but if you’ve seen it, you’ll know it’s really about everything. You can feel Seinfeld’s influence on just about every sitcom, so you know it’s good TV. It had an influential female character in Elaine Benes, who could unapologetically be what she wanted to be, and characters in Jerry and George whom we both loathe and love. For a show that’s over 30 years old, it really does stand the test of time. Watch on: Netflix, All4 (UK), Apple TV (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 2 Sabrina the Teenage Witch ABC Sabrina the Teenage Witch is still a classic, and I’ll stand by that. It's since been remade, but the original is light and fun, presenting us with an alternative family structure. You can most likely remember the characters like Harvey, but I bet your favourite is Salem — so much attitude in one little cat. Watch on: Prime Video (UK), Hulu (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 3 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air NBC You’re already singing that theme tune in your head because it’s ingrained there. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air introduced us to Will Smith’s natural charisma but, more importantly, Carlton’s dance. Timeless. Watch on: Now TV (UK), HBO Max (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 4 The Simpsons Fox It’s the longest-running primetime TV show for a reason, because it’s just that good. I’ve started to watch the newer seasons, and they are actually really funny, proving just how good it is. The older episodes are still pure gold, though. The Simpsons takes the piss out of everything and everyone, so there’ll always be a place for it. Watch on: Disney+ 5 The Office UK BBC This is my favourite comedy show by a mile because it captures the quintessential awkwardness of the British workplace. Those little awkward moments are the funniest parts of the day. The Office is still funny now and will always be the best version, in my eyes. It has also been a massive influence on many comedies that came after it, and Ricky Gervais is amazing as David Brent. It really is timeless TV. Watch on: BBC iPlayer (UK), Britbox, Hulu (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 6 The X-Files Fox The chemistry between Mulder and Scully is brilliant, and I can still remember how much this show scared me when I was younger. It’s since been revived, and it remains as relevant as ever with its government conspiracy theories. You’ll definitely remember the creepy theme song that I’ve put below — listen to the point where it randomly transitions into some David Guetta club mix. Beautiful. Watch on: Disney+ (UK), Hulu (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 7 Star Trek NBC Decades later, the stories in Star Trek remain as creative and compelling as they were at the time of their first showing. The effects aren’t brilliant, but that’s not really why you watch the show. It spawned countless spinoffs and is genuinely one of the most inventive TV shows ever. Star Trek was groundbreaking in many ways, being one of the first to have people of colour in positions of power and respect. Watch on: Netflix (UK), Paramount+ (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 8 The Sopranos HBO Easily the best thing on TV. Ever. It’s funny and intense (often in the same scenes), while also having some of the best acting and writing you’re likely to see on the small screen. I’d say The Sopranos really kicked off a golden age of TV, and it's honestly the best — just when you think you’re out, it’ll pull you back in. Watch on: Now TV (UK), HBO Max (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 9 Murder She Wrote CBS I’ve always caught a glance of this on TV while someone else was watching it, and then been drawn to finish the episode. Angela should really think of moving, because the town of Cabot Cove seems to have a freakishly high murder rate. Let's be honest: The whodunit genre is always going to be relevant. Anyway, there’s nothing like a murder to warm your heart, and that theme should be played in clubs.Watch on: Peacock (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 10 Charmed The WB Despite the fallout from the change of cast, the original Charmed is still one of the best shows around. As with any older show, the effects aren't groundbreaking, but the storytelling is brilliant and underrated. The reboot has tried to capture some of this magic, but if you ask me, it kinda missed the mark. Watch on: Prime Video (UK), Peacock (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 11 Golden Girls NBC Golden Girls broke the mould in so many ways, introducing us to four older single women who were more socially progressive than many who would come after them. It definitely wasn’t my choice to watch this when I was younger, but it’s actually pretty good, and worth a modern-day rewatch.Watch on: Disney+ (UK), Hulu (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 12 Friends NBC Friends has easily stood the test of time, as it’s just a show that everyone loves. I’m sure a large portion of the population rewatches it regularly, and I’m still shocked by how relevant it is today. What makes it so relatable is that the problems they face are still the same ones we all go through now. Plus, Chandler was eerily right: The ‘‘internet thing’’ really is here to stay. Watch on: Netflix (UK), HBO Max (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 13 Buffy the Vampire Slayer The WB It introduced a pretty strong base for so many shows that came after it, and the storylines and plot twists hold up to this day. It’s about to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year, making it a prime example of a golden oldie. Watch on: Disney+ (UK), Prime Video (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 14 The Waltons CBS At the very least, The Waltons has stood the test of time in my house because it’s always on TV. The "Goodnight" scenes kinda sound like the end to every Zoom conference call, but it’s wholesome, feel-good TV, and that’s what makes it watchable today. Watch on: Amazon Prime (UK), Freevee (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 15 Twin Peaks ABC I can’t really talk about TV shows that have stood the test of time without including Twin Peaks. It’s such a well-thought-out show and always has little clues you can spot upon rewatching. It’s the sort of TV that lets you get fully caught up in a mystery, and I’m all for that. Watch on: Now TV (UK), Fubo (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 16 My Name Is Earl NBC My Name Is Earl is a more recent show, but it has an original premise and ~perfect~ casting. This show was my childhood, and I think it's criminally underrated. I’m sure we all just wish it would come back. Watch on: Disney+ (UK), Hulu (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 17 The Wire HBO With its high-stakes, compelling characters and lack of swear words (j/k), The Wire really set a standard for TV. The cast is laughably good and has huge names like Idris Elba, Dominic West, and Michael B. Jordan within its ranks. In years to come, you can be confident we’ll still be watching this masterpiece.Watch on: Now TV (UK), HBO Max (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 18 Ally McBeal Fox Ally McBeal was highly regarded and won so many awards, so even if you missed it the first time around, you know it’s going to be good. It may not be as popular as other ‘90s shows, but it’s such an easy rewatch. Plus, Barry White makes a cameo in it. Barry White. Watch on: SkyGo (UK), Hulu (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com 19 And Finally Everybody Hates Chris UPN Another show we all grew up with, and one that is funny in all the right places; we have Chris Rock to thank for that. Trust me — watching it when you’re an adult is even better. You might even find yourself relating to Julius and Rochelle more than the kids. Watch on: Now TV (UK), Hulu (USA) View this video on YouTube youtube.com What golden oldies will you never give up Let us know in the comments Share This ArticleFacebook PinterestTwitterMailLink BuzzFeed DailyKeep up with the latest daily buzz with the BuzzFeed Daily newsletter!This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.