I saw a recent post on Instagram about song's that have been passed between generations like family treasures. Song's from the 60's on down that people instantly recognize and sing their heart out to, no matter how old they are.
So taking inspiration it got me thinking about TV shows that fall in the same category. The one's I use to watch my grandparents or my parents, or that they watched during their heyday and passed down. Or the TV shows that raised me giving me hints about life before I understood them. That I will pass down to my kids once their old enough.
Its a comprehensive list that I nailed down to 10. So before folks starting asking about this show or that show, I plan to do a few more. Without further ado here's 10 TV shows passed down like family heirlooms.
The Heat of the Night
If you ask most Millennials, they will share fond memories of watching In The Heat Of The Night during the middle of the day with a grandparents. The TV series based on the 1967 film of the same name and starring Archie Bunker himself. Debuted on NBC in 1988 running through 1992, before moving to CBS in '92 finishing out the series in 1995.
In the meantime it became a syndicated favorite that spanned generations.
Living Single
The mid-90's Fox ensemble sitcom hit that actually inspired Friends. Living Single is known for its iconic theme song and the friendship and sisterhood the show was built around. Many Baby Boomers and Gen X'ers watched the show during its heyday, as they were living life relating to the characters.
Their millennial and Gen Z children watched as well, especially as we got older and understood some of the life stories. Now thanks to the power of streaming. Older Gen Alpha's are learning and loving this classic sitcom.
The Jeffersons
Well we're moving on up, everyone knows the opening words to the iconic theme song. This long-running 1970's sitcom produced by Norman Lear and was a spin-off from All In The Family. Was watched by my grandmother when it aired, and my mother as child/teenager. There is not a time I do not remember this show being on air, whether through syndication on local or cable TV and now streaming.
The story of a successful Black family in their high rise apartment, and their interactions with other tenants in the building. Will continue to span generations.
Law & Order
The original Law & Order aired in 1990, and ran until 2010. 20 years for the children of day one viewers to grow up and watch the show, and then run it back and watch episodes they may have been too young for. The long-running spin-off series Law & Order: SVU is the real family heirloom.
Debuting in 1999 and still airing on NBC. SVU has become a rerun hallmark on cable TV especially the USA network. Giving the show opportunities to reach new generations.
My Wife & Kids
An updated new millennium version of The Cosby Show, My Wife and Kid's which turns 25 next month is a modern day classic. Starring Damon Wayans and Tisha Campbell, the sitcom followed a upper middle class family navigating parenthood in the early 2000s.
It ran for five seasons and was a favorite amongst many Boomers and X'ers raising the kids, and the millennials the same age as the kids. It became even more popular in syndication and when it premiered on Nick At Nite in the early 2010's. Streaming came along and it has gained even more fans.
Moesha
The mid 90's hit which was one of the first successful sitcoms for the fledging UPN network. Following a L.A. teenager played by r&b singer Brandy, the sitcom followed her adventures as a teenager navigating high school and college.
This is another sitcom with an iconic theme song , which I believe gained a resurgence and popularity through social media. Which in turn led a new generation towards the show and Millennial parents saying "I loved that show". Forging a newfound love for the sitcom.
A Different World
A spin-off of The Cosby Show, premiering in 1987 A Different World showcased life on a HBCU campus. Many members of Gen X and elder Millennials credit the sitcom for being their inspiration to attend a HBCU. Actually many Gen Z kids attend HBCU's today because of this sitcom.
It has been shown by parents who attended those schools to their kids. To give them an idea of the culture at HBCU's. In turn creating bonding moments, even the 2010s sitcom Grown-ish you can see the fingerprints of A Different World.
With Netflix producing a legacy sequel series. A whole new generation will fall in love with Hillman College, and watch the OG sitcom with their older relatives.
Good Times
Another Norman Lear sitcom with a infectious theme song. This sitcom followed the Evans life as they navigated living in the Cabrini Green projects. It ran for 6 seasons and left a legacy behind. Syndication has kept the Good Times train humming along for 50 years.
My parents watched it faithfully, I've watched it multiple times through the years. And my younger cousins love the sitcom as well. A testament to how much the show has been passed down through generations.
Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
Go to a Karaoke night and you just may hear someone rapping the intro to Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. The 90's sitcom was the catalyst for Will Smith becoming a Hollywood superstar. The six season sitcom has become a TV and in this age Phone/tablet favorite.
Whether you first watched it 1990 on NBC, caught it on your local station, or TBS and Nick At Nite when they ran it repeat every night. HBO Max or Hulu, the show is one for the ages.
Martin
There's always a debate about the funnier and more influential Black 90's sitcom Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air or Martin. While my money is on Martin, there's non denying the impact both had still to this day. My younger cousins who born after the sitcom had been off the air for more than 5 years love Martin and quote it likes it a current sitcom.
The memes, the fact its still talked about on podcasts, and the YouTube and social media clips still get thousands of likes and comments. Shows how much the sitcom is loved and how it transcends generations. Many father and sons and mom and daughters, sometimes grandparents and their grandchildren will sit in front of the TV and laugh at the sitcom. As if they've never heard the jokes before.
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