As technological advancements in television have encouraged more viewers to tune in, thousands of shows have impacted audiences and mass media in general, all fighting to be shown to a wide audience.
Many shows get popularized by the internet. Whether it’s Tiktok, IMDb, Letterboxd, or other various websites, it has never been easier to discover a new show to obsess over. Online, critics and viewers alike can share their opinions: ratings and interactions translate to lists that reflect a show’s performance. Here are four timeless shows that have stood the test of time among a sea of new, invigorating shows.
Friends
“Friends” tells the story of a group of six friends navigating through their everyday lives in New York City. From romance to heartbreak to new careers, each character brings something different to the table while supporting one another.
“Friends” aired weekly on National Broadcasting Company, NBC, featuring live reactions from a studio audience. Tapings were filmed five to six months in advance, each requiring hours of takes.
Although the series aired its last episode in 2004, audiences today stay entertained by the group’s adventures. Throughout the show’s 10-season, 235-episode run, each episode averaged about twenty-two minutes weekly, which was typical of many shows at the time.
“The good thing about ‘Friends’ was that it was comical and relatable,” West Ranch Honors Human Anatomy and AP Biology teacher Mr. Manalastas remarked. “Everyone has an inner circle that they confide in, and different situations have different opinions from their friends. Ultimately, they have to go with a decision, right or wrong, and then they learn from their mistakes.”
The Office
“The Office” aired one year following the season finale of “Friends.” This series is uniquely a single-camera mockumentary. The plot follows employees at the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company in Scranton, Pennsylvania, giving viewers a closer look at each character’s personality.
Across 191 episodes and 9 seasons, the series has become known for its realistic portrayal of everyday office workers, enhancing the sit-com’s relatability for viewers. While “Friends” focused on a singular group of friends and their dynamic, “The Office” revolves around the entire staff without a laugh track. This makes each scene feel more natural for viewers, creating awkward yet authentic interactions between co-workers of the company.
West Ranch freshman Sawyer Ylagan, a dedicated fan, explains, “I think ‘The Office’ became popular because of its charm and its simple humor, and it’s enjoyable for many groups of people.” Along with many fans, Ylagan appreciates “The Office” for its familiarity with audiences. “I really like the story because it feels like you’re really growing with the characters and feeling the same emotions as them,” she elaborated.
Stranger Things
One of the last decade’s most viewed shows, “Stranger Things,” has left a lasting impact on both television audiences and the industry. While earlier television trends were often dominated by shorter sitcom episodes, the early seasons of “Stranger Things” run at roughly an hour, with seasons 4 and 5 episodes stretching from 90 to 120 minutes.
Across 42 episodes and 5 seasons, “Stranger Things” follows four young boys and their lives in Hawkins, Indiana. That is, until one mysteriously disappears after a game of “Dungeons and Dragons,” with no trace. After his disappearance, the group of friends and their families face abnormalities that change their world forever.
“Stranger Things” takes place in the early to late-1980s, capturing audiences from the beginning of its run. While many modern shows focus on being relatable in the present to gain popularity, “Stranger Things became popular because it brought about ‘80s nostalgia with a different type of story than what we’re typically used to when we think about modern sci-fi and television shows,” Mr. Rivera, an English teacher at West Ranch, explained.
This series stands out among the past shows; instead of a sitcom, “Stranger Things” is a long-standing horror and science fiction drama. While other dramas focus on how the world today might impact the future, this show uses a unique storyline coupled with a nostalgic 1980s concept to accentuate each character and experience, without falling victim to horror media tropes.
Heated Rivalry
One show that has recently taken off is “Heated Rivalry,” which tells the story of two professional hockey players on rival teams. Despite the media consistently amplifying their rivalry, the two players develop a private relationship that slowly evolves over several years.
The show released the first two episodes simultaneously on November 28, 2025, on the Canadian television program Crave and HBO Max in select territories, followed by weekly releases up until the finale on December 26.
Unlike the other shows on this list, “Heated Rivalry” is an adaptation of author Rachel Reid’s book. One notable thing is how the show openly presents its core values. “I think Heated Rivalry stands out in how it is exemplifying and normalizing queer relationships, which you don’t really see a lot in television today,” West Ranch senior Josie Adames-Baena, an avid enjoyer of the show, elaborated.
On December 12, 2025, it was announced that “Heated Rivalry” was renewed for a second season, and it is expected that the second season of the show will cover “The Long Game”, a sequel to “Heated Rivalry.” Along with the current six episodes on HBO Max, the new season is currently scheduled to release in 2027.
The Overall Picture
Each of these shows bring something special and enjoyable for viewers to watch. “Friends,” a classic 1990s sitcom, followed a similar format as other television series of that era, but still managed to stand out due to its relatability.
Then came “The Office,” which popularized the mockumentary format. Rather than multi-cam, these new sitcoms did not rely on a live taping audience for laughter, creating a more natural viewing experience.
As demographics began to change in the TV scene, audiences began to stray away from shorter sitcom episodes, and the rise of a continuous plot in TV shows became the ideal. While sitcoms revolve around the same characters and how they interact, they follow a different plotline or story each episode. Meanwhile, new dramas such as “Stranger Things” and “Heated Rivalry” follow episodes that maintain a continuous story throughout each new release.
The timeline from “Friends,” a multi-cam sitcom series, to “Heated Rivalry,” a single-cam drama, emerged within just thirty years, clearly showing how the industry is sure to change. The rise of streaming services means that many of these series are available online. So cats, grab a snack, get comfy and get ready to find a fresh, riveting series that caters to your interests.
