9 Timeless Television Shows That Never Age
Television shows have the ability to stand the test of time, captivating audiences year after year. Here are 9 timeless television shows that continue to remain relevant and entertaining, defying the notion of aging.
The Nanny (1993 - 1999)
A fashionable young woman from Queens becomes the nanny to children on the Upper East Side. Fran Fine (Fran Drescher) is a fish out of water among the rich and successful Sheffield family, but it soon becomes clear that she's exactly what they need.
Fran in a fur coat in the Nanny
The comedic beats of the show often rely upon how different Fran is from the rest of them, and the plots are inventive enough that these situations remain interesting. Part of this is due to the will-they-won't-they relationship between Fran and Mr. Sheffield (Charles Shaughnessy). Though their constant romantic missteps can get repetitive, their chemistry makes it worth the wait.
The Golden Girls (1985 - 1992)
The Golden Girls was revolutionary for many reasons, one being its focus on women in the latter half of life, as well as how strong the storytelling was until the end. Each character was unique and brought her own brand of comedy to the show. This provided ample opportunities for clashing between the main characters, and for them to demonstrate how differently they handle tough situations.
The ladies in jail in The Golden Girls
Friends (1994 - 2004)
Friends is what everyone wants living in New York to be like. Though the on-screen pairings between the main cast of Friends can grow tiresome, watching the characters get themselves in and out of wild situations never does. Living in an amazing city with hilarious, if sometimes ridiculous, people is enough.
Rachel sitting on the couch with Chandler., Monica and Phoebe behind her in Friends
New Girl (2011 - 2018)
The chemistry between Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and Nick (Jake Johnson) on New Girl is one of the long-lasting hallmarks of the series, but the show was only as successful as it was because of the platonic relationships. It starts by throwing Jess into an apartment with three men she doesn't know and unfolding how the group gets to know each other and brings the others out of their shells.
Winston, Schmidt, Cece, Jess, and Nick all standing on a balcony together in New Girl
Parks And Recreation (2009 - 2015)
Starring Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, the government employee who faces every setback and bureaucratic nightmare with a smile and a positive attitude, Parks and Recreation is one of the best feel-good sitcoms out there. The love that's at the heart of the series is what made it so enjoyable when it was on air, and makes it a treat to watch today.
Leslie and April sat together on a couch in the episode Mrs Ludgate-Dwyer Goes to Washington
Law & Order: SVU (1999 - )
While Law & Order may have started the crime procedural craze, SVU perfected it. Despite being a procedural that revolves around the detectives solving a new case every episode, the show has pushed itself to include season-long arcs and plenty of character development for the mainstays of the cast.
Benson and Stabler in the squad room in Law and Order: SVU
Gossip Girl (2007 - 2012)
Gossip Girl didn't take the series too seriously and wasn't afraid to have fun with the premise, making plenty of tongue-in-cheek jokes at their own expense. Additionally, staying up to date with the complex web of relationships and amazing fashion is half the fun of watching.
Blair and Chuck from Gossip Girl
The Simpsons (1989 - )
Though The Simpsons has been accused of using tired sitcom tropes, the show is also credited with inventing those same tropes and evolving as a series enough to subvert them. Since its inception, adult animation has taken off, but the series remains one of the hallmarks of the genre.
Homer and Marge looking shocked on The Simpsons
Seinfeld (1989 - 1998)
Seinfeld is the definition of a character-driven show. The core four cast members and their relationships are what propels the show forward, along with the clever writing that can find comedy in any situation. Before Seinfeld, the concept that the doldrums of everyday life are interesting enough to carry a series would have been unthinkable, but the show's innovation made it interesting to the very end.
Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer in a car in Seinfeld
Gilmore Girls (2000 - 2007)
The dynamic between Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel) as a mother-daughter pair closer in age and maturity than one might expect, and their revolving door of romantic troubles might rely on the same essential conflicts, but it always keeps the audience guessing. What keeps it interesting is that even though certain parts of the world remain the same, how the characters interact with that world develops along with their characterization.
Rory and Lorelai at a dance in Gilmore Girls
