My heart will always belong to the 1990s, but the 2000s also had some perfect TV shows that I still reflect on. Although it’s fun to discover underrated 2000s sitcoms that I’ve never heard of, sometimes you just want to rewatch a show that you know so well, it’s like the characters are part of your friend group or your family.
When picking the eight TV shows for this list, I chose series that moved me at the time, that I’ve rewatched at least once, and that I still reference often. I’ll note that there is one show here that has one imperfect season, but I still included it because the rest of the story is so high quality and powerful that it would have been a shame to do otherwise.
Why You Should Trust Me: I’ve been writing about pop culture for over a decade, and as a writer and editor at MovieWeb, I regularly cover new streaming releases and older series (both underrated and popular). As a lifelong fan of TV, some of my favorite shows were released during the 2000s, and I reflect on them often. While I’ve covered every genre of TV from network dramas to binge-worthy miniseries, I’ve written many lists and features about the best sitcoms and dramas from this decade. I’ve also rewatched a lot of my favorites over the years. (Also, I quote Gilmore Girls on a regular basis and am still upset Veronica Mars was canceled.)
Honorable Mentions
Modern Family (2009-2020): This beloved sitcom almost made the list, but since Season 1 premiered in 2009 and the rest of the show aired during the 2010s and in 2020, it just missed my criteria. Also, while the characters are charming and the message about a big family who loves each other but bugs each other is relatable, there are some weak episodes that feel repetitive and not as funny as others.
Weeds (2005-2012): Although I enjoyed the Showtime series starring Mary-Louise Parker, not every season is perfect. Some feel that the suburbia setting of the earlier seasons is more intriguing than the later seasons when Parker’s character Nancy Botwin moves around a lot. I don’t necessarily agree with that, but feel that Nancy’s self-centered nature becomes a bit too hard to take by the end of the series.
The O.C. (2004-2007): A pop culture phenomenon about family, friendship, and first love, The O.C. was one of my favorite high school shows. Unfortunately, it becomes fairly lackluster after Mischa Barton’s exit. The fourth and final season is also nowhere near as compelling as the other three.
‘Lost’ (2004-2010)
An Epic Sci-Fi Series About Tragedy, Happiness, and Found Family
Some might say that I shouldn’t have included Lost because it has a debated series finale, some rough episodes, and it doesn’t wrap everything up. I still think it’s a perfect 2000s TV show because it’s one of the most surprising and emotional experiences you can have binge-watching a series. Many episodes end on cliffhangers, the characters feel real, and the island is one of the best and most mysterious settings on any TV show. I like that there are many layers to the story, from past trauma to more recent losses to the question of why people come into each other’s lives.
Watch This One If: You like adventure, a twist on the classic plane crash story that is inspired by Lord of the Flies, and appreciate some good flashbacks.
Skip This One If: You don’t want to watch a six-season series with some truly devastating moments. While Lost Season 3 has the best season finale of any TV show, it’s definitely upsetting.
’30 Rock’ (2006-2013)
Tina Fey’s Best and Quirkiest Sitcom
Years before watching Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and the more recent Netflix series The Four Seasons, I loved 30 Rock, the sitcom Tina Fey created and starred in. Known for poking fun at the entertainment world and for telling a story about a late-night show that is inspired by Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock is also just a fun and silly series about a character finding their way in the world. Liz Lemon (Fey) is one of the most relatable sitcom characters. She works hard, has trouble with her love life, and just wants to be accepted. Episodes both spoof pop culture and have something meaningful to say about the way we all look to stories for comfort, just like the great Joan Didion said.
Watch This One If: You love Tina Fey and haven’t seen it, and you want an enjoyable sitcom with seven seasons for a light-hearted and long binge-watch.
Skip This One If: I don’t really have a great reason to skip this one. I highly recommend it.
‘Private Practice’ (2007-2013)
My Favorite Medical Drama Years Before ‘The Pitt’
The Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Private Practice sees Derek Shepherd’s (Patrick Dempsey) brilliant OB ex-wife Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) moving to California. She joins a private practice (as the title suggests) and deals with work, love, and stress. I think it’s better than the original series because it’s a strange and unique mix of melodramatic and meaningful. Yes, some plots are hard to believe, but others thoughtfully explore subjects like mental health, trauma, grief, parenthood, and friendship.
Watch This One If: You love medical dramas and want a show with excellent character development. While the sixth and final season only has 13 episodes, it’s a great send-off, which we all know doesn’t always happen.
Skip This One If: Private Practice has some disturbing storylines, which makes it difficult to watch at times.
‘Gilmore Girls’ (2000-2007)
Yes, the Characters Really Do Talk That Fast
Ever since I watched Gilmore Girls as a young adult (when it aired weekly on The WB, aka The Frog), it’s been one of my favorite light-hearted series… except it’s honestly so much deeper than it might seem. Episodes focus on Rory (Alexis Bledel) and Lorelai’s (Lauren Graham) close relationship along with their problems getting along with Rory’s wealthy grandparents. Other plotlines include Rory’s Ivy League desires and Lorelai’s up and down love life. I included it because I’ve rewatched it several times. And a decade since the four-episode revival streamed on Netflix, I’m still hopeful that this story will be told again. After all, Amy Sherman-Palladino told TV Line in 2016 about another revival season, “I don’t rule anything in my life out.”
Watch This One If: You love coffee, want your TV characters to love coffee as much as you do, and enjoy talking quickly while drinking multiple cups of coffee. Just kidding. You want a compelling story about growing up and want to laugh as much as you tear up.
Skip This One If: You don’t want to watch five amazing seasons before a rough one. Season 6 is famously debated since showrunners Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino left after Season 5. The Netflix revival is also a fun nostalgia exercise but doesn’t paint Rory in the best light.
‘Mad Men’ (2007-2015)
A Period Piece You’ll Be Fascinated By the Entire Time
Jon Hamm may be the focal point of Mad Men as advertising expert Don Draper, but I love Peggy Olsen (Elisabeth Moss) the most. Several years after finishing this AMC drama, she’s still on my mind often. As Peggy moves from secretary to a more creative role within the agency, she proves her self-worth, confidence, and courage. It’s an amazing portrait of a clever character who always believes in herself, even when others don’t. Some don’t love every character, especially Betty (January Jones), and others don’t enjoy the series finale. I think it’s a perfect show because it’s a unique drama that may be about the workplace, but is also about how trauma affects people as they get older.
Watch This One If: You love period dramas, are interested in looking back at the social and political climate of the 1960s, and think that the advertising industry is fascinating.
Skip This One If: A really unlikable main character is challenging to watch. Don Draper has become a famous anti-hero protagonist, but he is definitely frustrating.
‘Joan of Arcadia’ (2003-2005)
A Two-Season Coming-of-Age Tale No One Talks About
There are underrated TV thrillers I want to tell everyone about… and then there’s Joan of Arcadia, which gives “underrated” a new meaning. It stars Amber Tamblyn as Joan Girardi, a teenage girl who can suddenly see and talk to God. It’s more about spirituality than religion, and since God appears as different people of various ages in each episode, it’s one of the most creative shows I’ve seen. It’s also an example of a show that didn’t get a real ending. I had to include this one on the list since I still think about Joan’s independence and intelligence, along with the show’s themes of happiness and family connection.
Watch This One If: You want a teen drama that also has great adult characters, like Joan’s artist mom Helen (Mary Steenbergen) and police officer chief dad Will (Joe Mantegna).
Skip This One If: It’s tough to watch two seasons of a great TV show while knowing that the series finale leaves a lot of questions that will never be answered.
‘Psych’ (2006-2014)
A Silly and Comforting Story of Friendship and Crime
Gus (Dulé Hill) and Shawn Spencer (James Roday) are good friends who assist the Santa Barbara Police Department with detective work because Shawn claims he has psychic powers. I don’t love every procedural (or shows that fall close to that genre) because every episode is meant to be the same. At times, though, that’s comforting, which is why I have such fond memories of watching Psych. I’ve seen several episodes more than once because it’s such a familiar series. Although some episodes get a little deeper and explore Shawn’s family background, it’s a mostly humorous series that can be considered a “guilty pleasure.”
Watch This One If: You want an entertaining series with a compelling dynamic between the two main characters and like watching people figure out mysteries.
Skip This One If: You don’t want a repetitive show. With eight seasons and three movies, Psych can get old after a while. But if you love the two main characters, you might want to watch anyway despite a few boring moments and poor episodes.
‘Friday Night Lights’ (2006-2011)
A Show that Will Make Anyone Care About Sports
Friday Night Lights tells the story of a high school football team in Dillon, Texas, and also touches on class, race, the ups and downs of the education system, marriage, and young adulthood. It asks questions about what it’s like to love your community while also wanting to grow up fast and leave so you can achieve your dreams. Most people aren’t thrilled with Season 2, but I can ignore one over-the-top storyline because the characters, especially Connie Britton’s Tami Taylor, are so wonderful. When you watch, you’ll know which plotline I’m talking about.
Watch This One If: You want a coming-of-age story that handles the storylines of younger and older characters with equal weight and are curious about where the catchphrase “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose” comes from.
Skip This One If: You don’t want to watch a five-season series about football (although I would say please give it a try).
Have you seen any of these amazing 2000s TV shows? Is your favorite on the list, or would you add more? Let us know in the comments!
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