by Audrey Levine

Created on: August 14, 2009

So few shows capture the spirit or joy of life in a smart and memorable way. But I have compiled this list of shows that inspired the trends and the trademark lingo that inspired generations. And, though I may be too young at 24 years old to have had the pleasure of watching some of these shows when they were first run, I can understand what they have done to inspire the work of today. In no particular order, take this trip down the memory lane of television for 10 shows that I consider some of the best there has been to offer thus far.

1. I Love Lucy
A crazy redhead, a Cuban husband and a cheap landlord. What could possibly be funnier than that? Lucille Ball was Lucy Ricardo, a housewife married to performer Ricky Ricardo, played by her then real-life husband Desi Arnaz. To help Lucy get in and out of trouble were her best friends, Fred (William Frawley) and Ethel (Vivian Vance) Murtz. Watching Lucy try to break into show business and Ricky's constant scolding and Spanish outbursts are worth the knowledge that sitcoms are no longer the valued programming they once were. Probably the funniest episode of the series' run finds Lucy doing a commercial for Vitameatavegamin, a product that is part vitamin, part mineral and part alcohol. As she downs more and more in an attempt to make the commercial just right, viewers are treated to a mixed-up version of the piece as she smiles and asks the audience, Do you pop out at parties? Are you unpoopular?

2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The critically acclaimed series about one girl chosen in all the world to kill vampires broke all the barriers of drama, comedy and the supernatural to become a surprise hit. Based on the failed 1992 movie of the same name, creator Joss Whedon weaved together the drama of being a teenager and a young adult with the supernatural world of vampires and demons to create what fans have fondly dubbed the Buffyverse. The show, which had its own spinoff Angel based on the vampire with a soul of the same name (David Boreanaz) starred Sarah Michelle Gellar as the titular character and followed her journey through high school and college as she saved the world from evil. With such standout episodes as one without any dialogue (Hush) and another written as a musical (Once More With Feeling), Whedon stretched the boundaries of television each week for seven years, creating a show that found viewers crying at the deaths of their favorite characters, laughing at the silliness that ensued among the friends and

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next Page >>