The 2000s represented a golden era of television. Sitcoms advanced from tired tropes of the past, dramas rivaled what we saw in movies, and several actors broke out thanks to iconic roles.
Whether it was premium channels like HBO, cable networks like FX, or even basic television stations like NBC, there seemed to be something incredible on TV every night of the week.
With that in mind, let’s take a trip down memory lane and honor the best TV shows of the 2000s. As a note, some of these shows spanned multiple decades, but they all aired during the 2000s.
The Sopranos
Arguably, it is not just one of HBO’s best shows but also one of the greatest series of all time.
The Sopranos offered a new take on the mafia genre, presenting a more realistic, down-to-earth portrayal that helps the show’s characters resonate with viewers. It also helps make those shocking moments stand out more.
The Wire
As good as The Sopranos is, you can easily make the argument that The Wire is even better.
Yes, there are some rough spots, but the show’s highs are completely unmatched. It’s an unflinching, complex, and breathtaking drama that didn’t deserve the low ratings it received.
Arrested Development
The less said about the Netflix seasons of Arrested Development, the better.
The original run on Fox is untouched, and some of the best comedy I’ve ever watched. The witty, clever writing and nonstop barrage of jokes you miss on the first or second viewings are impressive. It feels like every time I re-watch the show, I discover something new.
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30 Rock
Speaking of a non-stop barrage of jokes, that’s precisely what 30 Rock is.
Based on Tina Fey’s experience writing for Saturday Night Live, the hit comedy does an excellent job balancing over-the-top comedy along with
The West Wing
If you’re looking for a great 2000s-era television show with incredible writing, look no further than NBC’s political drama The West Wing.
The origin of the “walk and talk,” Aaron Sorkin’s dialogue is so entertaining that I could listen to these people talk about the most mundane policy issues all day.
Breaking Bad
A drama starring the father from Malcolm in the Middle? It could never work, right? Wrong.
Breaking Bad is a perfect show from start to finish. It’s incredibly well paced, letting the tension build properly rather than forcing it down our throats. Yes, Bryan Cranston is great here, but the rest of the cast does their part too. Even Anna Gunn; she never deserved the hate she got.
Dexter
As someone who didn’t enjoy the ending of Dexter, the quality of its first four seasons is enough to mark its place as one of the best television shows.
It hooks you from the very beginning, featuring a serial killer as a likable protagonist you want to root for. Come season four, it blows you away when it introduces John Lithgow as a worthy adversary.
Peep Show
David Mitchell and Robert Webb’s fantastic comedy deserves more than the cult classic status it has today.
It’s a brilliant look into the lives of two roommates with entirely different attitudes to life. Mitchell and Webb do a fantastic job of playing off each other’s personalities for some of the biggest laughs in television history.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
If Seinfeld was the defining sitcom of the 1990s, then It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is the defining sitcom of the 2000s.
It takes the “show about nothing” mantra to a whole new level, following the lives of five completely irredeemable people. Instead of throwing them into Larry David-style circumstances of misunderstandings, they’re truly the worst of the worst. We’re not laughing with them, we’re laughing at them.
House
It’s such a simple concept: what if a detective show wasn’t about solving crimes but instead solving illnesses?
With that hook, House elevates compelling weekly storylines thanks to Hugh Laurie’s central performance as the titular character.
24
You can argue whether 24 overstayed its welcome, but its original seasons were among the best dramas of the 2000s.
Telling a story over an entire 24-hour span seems like a concept that can crash and burn, but 24 is able to deliver non-stop action for all 24 hours. Nothing will ever beat that season one finale, either.
The Office
I may not be the biggest Office fan, but there’s no denying its place as one of the most influential shows ever.
Yes, the characters are relatable, iconic, and, especially during early seasons, well written. What impresses me most, though, is how unfraid it was to embrace the mockumentary style of production. The show is far better for it, eschewing the traditional stylings of a sitcom and helping pave the way for future shows in the 2010s and beyond.
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