The best TV shows of the 2000s span well beyond just Gossip Girl and Breaking Bad. In fact, the aughts marked the peak of what many describe as the Golden Age of television.
In the late ’90s and early ’00s, shows like The Sopranos and Sex and the City changed television forever with their groundbreaking storytelling, complex characters, and cinematic style. While HBO was delivering prestige shows, reality TV was on the rise. CBS’s Survivor became a pop culture moment in 2000 that opened up the possibilities for the genre, and MTV evolved from The Real World in the ’90s to Laguna Beach and The Hills in the aughts.
As the decade went on, shows got more prestigious, with AMC introducing Mad Men in 2007 and Breaking Bad in 2008. But while television was getting a little more serious, there were still the fun, lighthearted sitcoms like Girlfriends and Reba and teen dramas like Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill.
Basically, the best TV shows of the 2000s—specifically, shows that debuted starting in 2000 and through 2010—are a delightful mix of prestige drama, reality TV, comedies, soapy teen dramas, and, of course, network crime procedurals. Ever wonder why there seems to be a CSI or NCIS program based in every major city?
There were some true gems airing in the decade, as evidenced by how many are still popular on streaming services (The Office, 30 Rock) and by the shows that have already gotten reboots (Dexter, Gossip Girl, Sex and the City). Some of the most successful shows of the era are still on the air, including Survivor, Grey’s Anatomy, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. So whether you’re looking to revisit a nostalgic old favorite, find out what the fuss was all about, take a look back on disturbing Y2K fashion, or get caught up before a hit comes back, you’ll find a great show here.
Find out where to stream the best TV shows of the 2000s, below.
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