Unveiling the Top TV Shows That Offer Invaluable Life Lessons

Summary

TV shows have the power to entertain and teach important lessons, offering an escape from reality while relaying messages that can be applied in real life.

Shows like

The Good Place

,

Friends

, and

Parks & Recreation

These series effectively convey valuable life lessons through captivating storylines and relatable characters. By delving into the intricacies of morality and highlighting the significance of strong bonds with friends and family, they exemplify how television can both entertain and positively impact society.

TV shows not only entertain but also have the ability to teach valuable lessons. While most good TV series incorporate important messages and themes, some shows may struggle to apply these lessons to real life situations. Nevertheless, the most enduring and classic shows skillfully balance style, substance, and entertainment. They transport viewers into a captivating storyline while conveying meaningful lessons that can be applied to their own lives.

Shows like The Good Place and Modern Family are examples of shows that effectively convey messages relevant to their plotlines. Even though certain series may appear to be purely for entertainment purposes, they often impart significant truths about life that will undoubtedly have an impact on their audiences in the future. Regardless of the method employed to communicate these ideas, shows that feature life lessons showcase the potential of television to not only entertain, but also have a positive influence on the world.

10 The Good Place

Michael Schur's show, The Good Place, offers important lessons given its premise. Over the course of its four seasons, the show explores the ethics and morality of being a good person in extreme versions of the afterlife. Initially, the show presents strict categorizations – either someone is moral and goes to the Good Place or they are bad and end up in the Bad Place. However, when the characters defy these categorizations, they delve into a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be "good".

As the series progresses, The Good Place reveals that being a good person is far more complex than initially portrayed in the afterlife. Through the characters' efforts to change and repair a flawed system, the show conveys various messages. The transformations of the characters emphasize the importance of doing good deeds simply because they are the right thing to do. Yet, The Good Place delivers its most significant life lesson in its later episodes: attempting to be a good person is paramount, even if perfection is unattainable.

9 Friends

Friends is widely regarded as one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time. While many discussions about the show tend to revolve around its comedy and romantic aspects, it actually delves deeper to convey a more profound message to viewers. Through the experiences of a close-knit group of six individuals in their twenties who support each other through all the ups and downs of life, Friends highlights the significance of the concept of "found family." In both joyous occasions such as marriages and starting a family, as well as in more challenging times like breakups and career struggles, the main characters of Friends stay by each other's side unconditionally. This bond of friendship is undeniably special, yet it transcends the ordinary definition of friendship.

From the early stages of the show, it is established that the six main characters have complicated family backgrounds. Phoebe is coping with the loss of her mother, Monica faces constant criticism from her parents, and both Rachel and Chandler come from broken homes due to their parents' divorce. Their shared support system becomes even more significant given their individual family situations. The dynamics of a found family that Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, and Joey embody provide a sense of hope to viewers, reinforcing the idea that one can create bonds that are equally meaningful as those found in biological families.

8 Parks & Recreation

The comedy Parks & Recreation not only sheds light on the role of local government systems, but it also imparts valuable lessons. While showcasing the thankless nature of being a local government official, the show emphasizes how Leslie Knope, portrayed by Amy Poehler, remains resilient. Despite the challenges, Leslie's unwavering optimism and dedication to her job in Parks & Recreation exemplify that even minor triumphs have the power to bring about positive change within a community. These victories, no matter how small, are just as deserving of celebration as significant progress.

7 Mad Men

Mad Men presents a captivating portrayal of complex and flawed individuals. Over its seven-season span, the series offers valuable insights that resonate with viewers on a personal level. Throughout the show, the characters grapple with the societal expectations of the 1960s while simultaneously battling their own inner demons and imperfections. Notably, the journey of Don Draper exemplifies this struggle, as his concealed identity progressively hampers his ability to live authentically. Nonetheless, as both Mad Men and the 1960s era unfold, the main characters gradually embrace their true selves, ultimately paving the way for genuine happiness.

Don Draper’s journey in Mad Men is a testament to the significance of staying authentic to oneself rather than assuming a false identity. The burden of pretending to be Don Draper takes a toll on Jon Hamm's character, causing his profound anguish. However, as he embraces his true self as Dick Whitman, a sense of inner tranquility begins to surface. Mad Men illuminates the idea that although defying societal expectations may seem daunting, true fulfillment can only be achieved by staying true to one's own values and beliefs.

6 Avatar: The Last Airbender

In the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, we witness Aang's incredible journey as he trains to fulfill his duties as the Avatar and face the formidable Fire Nation. However, Aang is faced with a moral dilemma as he prepares to confront Fire Lord Ozai, who poses a great threat to the world. Raised with the belief in the sanctity of all life, Aang grapples with the idea of taking a life, even that of his adversary. Nonetheless, he showcases a different approach by employing energybending to depower Ozai, showcasing that achieving objectives can be done in one's own unique way, rather than adhering to conventional methods. This valuable lesson is just one among many enlightening insights within this surprisingly wise animated series.

5 Scrubs

The medical comedy Scrubs effectively conveys valuable life lessons by using a balance of humor and drama. By following the journeys of J.D., Turk, and Elliot from internships to residencies at Sacred Heart, Scrubs delves into profound themes. The characters in Scrubs frequently encounter failures and must learn to cope with their shortcomings and the experience of loss. Whether it's the loss of a beloved patient or Dr. Cox's simultaneous loss of three patients, Scrubs demonstrates how to navigate through grief and other intense emotions, imparting an important life skill.

Furthermore, Scrubs presents insightful lessons through J.D.'s personal life, which can often be messy. While J.D. is undeniably a brilliant doctor, his thoughtlessness, selfishness, and immaturity in his relationships ultimately become obstacles for him. However, as J.D. eventually becomes a father, he recognizes the need to take responsibility for his actions and mature emotionally. The ability to recognize when it is time to evolve and move forward is a vital skill, and by showcasing J.D.'s personal growth, Scrubs allows viewers to make similar progress in their own lives.

4 The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

3 How I Met Your Mother

The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt presents an unconventional premise, chronicling the journey of the main character as she reintegrates into society following her escape from captivity. Yet, this setup serves as a platform to showcase Kimmy's extraordinary resilience in the face of adversity. When asked about coping with her harrowing experience, Kimmy imparts, "I discovered long ago that enduring any challenge is manageable for a mere 10 seconds, and then you begin anew for another 10 seconds." This quote imparts a valuable lesson to viewers, empowering them to persevere through any obstacles they encounter, as long as they approach them one moment at a time.

Just like Friends, How I Met Your Mother explores the significance of close connections, but it takes a different approach. The quirky escapades of How I Met Your Mother's characters emphasize the importance of nurturing friendships throughout different stages of life, which can be challenging at times. By the end of the sitcom, the group starts to grow apart, leaving an empty space in their lives, despite individual successes. Eventually, they come to realize that their true happiness lies in the time they spend together. Although How I Met Your Mother's finale may have divided opinions, it underscores the fact that good friends add value and meaning to life. This message encourages viewers to keep investing in their platonic relationships.

2 Grace And Frankie

In media, older characters are often overlooked, but Grace and Frankie breaks this trend by giving its titular characters a well-deserved spotlight. The lives of Grace and Frankie are completely upended when their husbands, Robert and Sol, drop the bombshell that they have been secretly in a relationship for years and want to divorce their wives. Though initially shocked, Grace and Frankie find solace in each other during this challenging time and ultimately build a new life together as roommates – a life they come to prefer over their previous existence.

Starting anew and breaking old patterns can be daunting, but Grace and Frankie illustrates that it is never too late to embark on a journey of self-reinvention. Through their unexpected divorces, both characters realize that their previous lives were not as fulfilling as they had believed. Together, they embrace the roles of friends, roommates, and entrepreneurs, completely reinventing themselves. Robert and Sol also undergo a similar transformation as they find the strength to embrace their true identities as gay men later in life. By portraying significant changes in their characters' lives that lead to positive outcomes, Grace and Frankie inspires its audience to embrace their own potential for growth and change.

1 Modern Family

Modern Family's message is clearly stated in its title. The show, which has been running for 11 seasons, follows the Pritchett family's three branches as they navigate life's challenges and explore their love for each other. From Jay and Gloria's recent marriage to Lily's adoption, the series highlights the initial difficulties of embracing new additions. However, as time goes on, the Pritchetts learn to appreciate and value each other's differences, ultimately bringing them closer together.

Unlike many comedy series centered around families, Modern Family stands out by portraying an unorthodox, blended family that reflects the reality of many households today. By doing so, the show emphasizes that family is not solely defined by blood relations. Instead, the Pritchett/Dunphy family's ability to accept, support, and love one another unconditionally is what truly makes them a great family, regardless of shared genetics.