The 2000s were an exhilarating decade for television. It was a time of innovation and change, right before the explosion of streaming services revolutionized the way we watch. This era brought us an abundance of captivating shows that left an indelible mark on our culture. From hilarious sitcoms to gripping dramas and mind-bending reality programs, these series became an integral part of our daily lives.
What truly sets the television landscape of the 2000s apart are the surprising gems that emerged during this era. These shows defied expectations, showcasing fresh talent, unconventional concepts, and boundary-pushing ideas. Against all odds, they managed to capture the spirit of the times and struck a chord with viewers everywhere. Let’s dive into the thrilling world of these underdog 2000s TV shows, which burst onto the scene and soared to unprecedented popularity.
1. Breaking Bad’ Managed To Turn Bryan Cranston Into A Dramatic Star
Before he starred in Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston was mainly known for his comedic role as sitcom dad Hal on Malcolm in the Middle. However, in 2008, he took on the role that would completely change his career. He played Walter White, a chemistry teacher who turns to cooking meth to pay for his cancer treatment and support his family, but ultimately gets consumed by the power and control of the drug trade.
At the time, Breaking Bad wasn’t seen as an obvious success. Networks like Showtime, TNT, and HBO all passed on creator Vince Gilligan’s pitch. It was only the relatively new AMC network, which had recently started exploring original programming with Mad Men, that took a chance on the show. Luckily for AMC, Cranston delivered an incredible performance as Walter White, perfectly capturing the bitterness, anger, and intensity of the American white male. This led to numerous Emmy wins and nominations for Cranston.
Combined with Gilligan’s exceptional writing and the outstanding performances by Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, and the rest of the talented cast, Breaking Bad went from being an underdog pitch to a masterpiece that is often hailed as one of the greatest TV dramas of all time.
2. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ Somehow Became The Longest Running Live-Action Sitcom In American TV History
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a remarkable Hollywood success story, going from rags to riches. The creators and stars, Rob McElhenny, Glenn Howerton, and Charlie Day, were struggling actors with limited credits. They took a chance and made a homemade pilot with just $100. Despite being considered an underdog, their undeniable talent and vision managed to sell the show to FX. They even added Katlin Olson to the ensemble, creating a series about four self-centered friends running a bar in Philadelphia.
But it wasn’t until Season 2 that the acclaimed actor Danny DeVito joined the cast, attracting a wave of fans. The show’s absurd and boundary-pushing humor, which relentlessly poked fun at the characters’ terrible behavior, became a hit.
Since then, with each passing season, the show has continued to push the boundaries of taste and acceptability. Each member of the Gang has become more and more unhinged, adding to the show’s unapologetically bizarre tone. It’s this unique blend that has allowed the series to become the longest-running live-action American sitcom, now in its 15th season.
3. Psych’ Rode A Dedicated Fanbase To Eight Seasons, Six Novels, And Multiple Feature Films
Psych is often referred to as a cult TV series due to its unique blend of comedy, procedural, and drama. The show revolves around Shawn Spencer and Burton “Gus” Guster, played by James Roday Rodriguez and Dulé Hill respectively, who portray a faux psychic detective and his best friend. To the surprise of its home network, USA, Psych became a hit and played a significant role in shaping the network’s brand identity. As network president Chris McCumber stated in 2014, the show established a comedic tone with a murder mystery element that became characteristic of the network.
Initially, the concept of Shawn using his exceptional observational skills to fake being a psychic and assist in detective work may not have seemed particularly distinct from other similar procedural shows featuring quirky investigators. However, it was the humor and the chemistry between the lead actors that resonated with fans. This resulted in Psych enjoying an extraordinary eight-season run on USA. The show expanded beyond television, creating its own small universe with three films already released and at least three more currently in development. Additionally, six novels were published based on the series.
Considering the initial uncertainty surrounding its success, Psych has undeniably become a remarkable success story.
4. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ Became A Surprise Smash That Launched Numerous Shows
American television audiences have always had a fascination with crime, so it’s no wonder that procedural dramas have become a mainstay on network TV. However, one show in particular managed to captivate viewers like no other – CSI, which first aired in 2000. Despite tough competition from other popular franchises like Law & Order, this newcomer found the perfect balance between engaging characters, with William Petersen’s portrayal of Gil Grissom being a standout, and mind-blowing special effects that showcased the power of forensic science in solving crimes.
What makes the success of CSI even more remarkable is the fact that its creator, Anthony Zuiker, was relatively unknown at the time. It was thanks to the influential producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who discovered Zuiker’s script, that the show got its big break on CBS. This collaboration turned out to be a huge hit, running for an impressive 15 seasons and spawning multiple spinoffs set in different cities across the United States, including New York City and Miami, as well as in the virtual realm of cyberspace.
5. Supernatural’ Became A 15 Season, Multimedia Juggernaut
Supernatural first aired on the WB network in 2005, right before it became the CW. It started off as a tale about two brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester, played by Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, on a mission to hunt down all sorts of monsters. But as time went on, the show took on a more intricate and mythology-driven approach. The creator, Eric Kripke, gradually shifted the focus from the standard monster-of-the-week formula to an epic battle against the forces of Hell itself.
Things really took off after the fifth season, when Kripke left the show. The story expanded in both scale and complexity, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Thanks to this captivating storyline and the incredible popularity of Padalecki and Ackles, Supernatural managed to outlast other successful shows in the same genre, like The X-Files and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It ran for a whopping 15 seasons, finally concluding in 2020, leaving an indelible mark on almost two decades of television.
But Supernatural didn’t stop there. Like many other beloved cultural phenomena, it expanded into various other forms of media. Apart from collectibles, there are also comic books that delve deeper into the stories of this captivating universe.
6. The Office’ Survived A Lackluster First Season To Become A Defining Sitcom
These days, it’s impossible to be on the internet without hearing about The Office. Even though it ended a decade ago, it continues to be a huge part of pop culture, which just goes to show how successful it was as a sitcom. It’s pretty surprising considering that its first season was not that great – it was short (only 6 episodes) and critics weren’t too impressed.
Thankfully, The Office made a comeback in its second season and really found its groove. The writers and actors got the hang of the mockumentary style, and Steve Carell’s unexpected success in The 40-Year-Old Virgin helped boost the show’s popularity. The support from network executives also played a role in turning The Office into a sitcom that not only had a successful run, but also served as inspiration for many other American sitcoms. It also launched the careers of some now-legendary writers and actors like John Krasinski, B.J. Novak, and Mindy Kaling.
7. Chappelle’s Show’ Revitalized Sketch Comedy In Three Short Seasons
Sketch comedy has always been a staple of American television, serving as a platform for talented comedians to sharpen their skills before moving on to bigger ventures. In the early 2000s, Chappelle’s Show emerged as one of the boldest sketch comedy series, led by the renowned comedian Dave Chappelle. With its razor-sharp wit, the show fearlessly dissected various aspects of American culture, particularly masculinity and race.
Despite its relatively short duration, spanning two regular seasons and a third season featuring previously unaired sketches, Chappelle’s Show enjoyed immense popularity on Comedy Central. Only outmatched by the boundary-pushing South Park, the series demonstrated the power of satirical comedy in addressing serious issues. It not only introduced new comedic talents to the world but also breathed new life into the careers of some established comedians.
8. Lost’ Redefined How American Television Does Big-Budget Drama
When it comes to puzzle-box dramas, Lost reigns supreme. What started off as a simple survival story quickly morphed into a mind-bending, mystical adventure that left viewers with more questions than answers after every episode. ABC took a leap of faith with J.J. Abrams, Jeffrey Lieber, and Damon Lindelof’s creation, investing a staggering $10 to 14 million in the pilot. Little did anyone know, Lost would forever alter the way audiences engage with television.
In the pre-2000s era, most TV shows followed a formula where each episode had its own self-contained story. This allowed viewers to jump back in even if they missed a few episodes or years. But Lost capitalized on the changing landscape of TV consumption. With the rise of DVD box sets and the emergence of online fan communities, catching up on missed episodes and discussing theories became easier than ever. Lost took advantage of this and embraced a never-ending web of mysteries, refusing to tie up loose ends.
As the series progressed, it amassed a dedicated fanbase that eagerly awaited each new episode. The cliffhangers surrounding the island’s inexplicable magic or the recurring sequence of numbers left viewers hungry for more. This symbiotic relationship between the show and its fans became a defining characteristic of many future television series. Lost set the stage for a new era of interactive storytelling, where audience engagement and speculation would become an integral part of the viewing experience.
9. Mad Men’ Propelled Numerous Actors Straight To The A-List
On paper, you wouldn’t think a series about the trials and tribulations of an advertising agency in the 1960s would be a hit. Despite creator Matthew Weiner’s previous work on the hugely popular show The Sopranos, HBO passed on producing Mad Men unless The Sopranos creator, David Chase, took the helm. Eventually, AMC, a network mainly known for airing movies, became the home for Mad Men, making it their first original drama series and the start of their many award-winning successes.
The show was a showcase of exceptional performances, with Jon Hamm’s portrayal of Don Draper receiving high praise. It also delved deeply into the complexities of masculinity. Additionally, Mad Men played a significant role in launching the careers of several actors, including Hamm, Christina Hendricks, and Elisabeth Moss, propelling them to Hollywood stardom. Hamm is now sought after as a leading man, while both Hendricks and Moss have taken on leading roles in their own television dramas, Good Girls and The Handmaid’s Tale, respectively. However, perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Mad Men’s incredible success was AMC itself.
10. Grey’s Anatomy’ Was A Midseason Pickup That Reinvigorated The Medical Drama Scene
Shonda Rhimes, a highly successful producer today, had only a few screenwriting credits when she initially pitched Grey’s Anatomy. ABC saw the potential and bought the show, which was set to premiere in the middle of the season in 2005. This position often makes it harder for shows to gain the momentum needed for renewal, but the power of Grey’s was undeniable.
Not only did Grey’s Anatomy capture the audience’s attention for a second season, but it continued to do so for almost two decades, reaching 19 seasons by 2023. The show achieved many milestones, including revitalizing the medical drama genre, which had been a prominent part of 1990s television. Additionally, it played a significant role in elevating the stardom of its talented cast, such as Patrick Dempsey, Ellen Pompeo, Katherine Heigl, and Sandra Oh.
While the medical dilemmas within the show have always been crucial, it’s the human relationships, along with a healthy dose of romance, that truly make Grey’s shine. Even today, Grey’s Anatomy remains a prized asset for ABC and holds the record as the network’s longest-running scripted primetime show.
