When thinking of the 2000s and TV shows, some of the most iconic series of the last 20 years come to mind. Among these are shows likeThe Wire,Mad Men, andThe Sopranos,series that have not only withstood the test of time, but went on to re-define television in the 21st century.
But the turn of the century also marks the launch of exciting shows that didn’t get as much attention. A few of them have returned in some fashion, one is even still on the air. But each has something in common: they had a dedicated legion of fans and received positive reviews yet have never been considered among the best shows of that decade.
10’Cougar Town' (2009-2015)
Created by Bill Lawrence & Kevin Biegel
Courteney Coxstars in this sitcom as a divorced woman trying to start over in her 40s. Newly single with a teenage son and wine-loving friends, Jules (Cox) is living a life much different from the one she did in her 30s, and that can be terrifying. Each episode tackles her challenges and triumphs as she embarks on new later-in-life adventures.
Cougar Townaired for its first three seasons on ABC, and following its cancellation, TBS picked the show up for three more, splitting the show’s run between the two networks. One of the reasonsCougar Townis so underrated is that the first season was poorly reviewed. But theshow ditched its main premiseand hit its stride in subsequent seasons, with several of the seasons even earning a100% Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes critics' score.
Cougar Town
Cougar Towncan be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.
Watch on Hulu
9’My Name is Earl' (2005-2009)
Created by Greg Garcia
An interesting take on the concept of karma, Earl Hickey (Jason Lee) is a small-time thief who realizes that every time something good happens to him, something bad follows. This realization comes to a head when he buys a $100,000 winning lottery ticket, then loses it. Earl decides to change the course of his life by making a list of all the bad things he has ever done, then making up for them all, one by one.
My Name is Earlwas not only underrated, the show was also abruptly canceled. It ended on a cliffhanger, so fans never got the closure they deserved.My Name is Earlwas funny, had a great cast, and offered a unique story with a positive spin. The show gives viewers something to think about, behind the humor, too, through thought-provoking analysis of how every action and decision in life has repercussions.
My Name Is Earl
My Name is Earlcan be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.
8’Medium' (2005-2011)
Created by Glenn Gordon Caron
Patricia Arquettemight be a huge movie star, but she has also had some notable small screen roles. One of her most known is as Allison DuBois in thesupernatural dramaMedium,a series that follows a medium who works with the district attorney to help them solve cases. What’s most interesting is that the premise is based on a real medium of the same name who claims to have worked with law enforcement, though the agencies she says she worked with deny her involvement.
Whatever the truth behind the real-life story that inspiredMedium, the fictional series is enthralling and fascinating.
Whatever the truth behind the real-life story that inspiredMedium, the fictional series is enthralling and fascinating. Arquette is convincing as a woman who is able to talk to dead people, and proves her claims are real by shocking others when her dreams lead police to making arrests and finding bodies. Arquette won an Emmy Award for the role in 2005. Those who watched it, loved it. But whileMediumcontinued for seven seasons, it largely flew under the radar.
Mediumcan be streamed on Paramount+ in the U.S.
Watch on Paramount+
7Jericho (2006-2008)
Created by Stephen Chbosky, Josh Schaer & Jonathan E. Steinberg
A nuclear attack against 23 major cities across the U.S. kickstarts the apocalypse. Those who reside in the fictional town of Jericho, Kansas are doing their best to survive with no power, no method of communication, and no idea if what is happening there is happening anywhere else. AsJerichoprogresses, viewers see the group meet others to trade and survive. The show tackles themes of family, honor, and, of course, survival.
Jerichois one of those shows that was met with mixed reviews by critics but widely praised by fans.
Jerichohad a tumultuous run. CBS cancelled the show after one season due to low ratings, but a campaign by loyal fans convinced the network to bring the show back for another. Named among the best cult shows ever,Jerichowas canceled (again) after its second season, but the series continues to air in re-runs on The CW.Jerichois one of those shows that was met with mixed reviews by critics but widely praised by fans, which is why it should be considered one of the most underrated TV shows to air in modern history.
Jerichocan be streamed on Paramount+ in the U.S.
6’George Lopez' (2002-2007)
Created by Bruce Helford, George Lopez & Robert Borden
George Lopezis a well-known stand-up comedian, and during this decade, he starred in his own sitcom calledGeorge Lopezor, commonly referred to asThe George Lopez Show. Long known as one of themost underrated ABC showsoverall, he plays a fictional version of himself navigating work and life in Los Angeles with his family. This includes his wife, kids, his neglectful mother, his wealthy father-in-law, and his childhood best friend.
Like many of the best sitcoms,George Lopezis rooted in humor but also tackles serious topics, including strained familial relations, dyslexia, domestic abuse, and illness.
Like many of the best sitcoms,George Lopezis rooted in humor but also tackles serious topics, including strained familial relations, dyslexia, domestic abuse, and illness. Fans, and Lopez himself, were disappointed whenGeorge Lopezwas canceled after six seasons. Lopez appears on-screen again, however, in the sitcomLopez vs Lopez, a must-watch for fans who are missingGeorge Lopez.
George Lopezcan be streamed on Peacock in the U.S.
Watch on Peacock
5’Roswell' (1999-2002)
Created by Jason Katims (Based on Roswell High by Melinda Metz)
Most people are familiar with the Roswell Incident, whereby myth proclaims that a U.S. Army Air Forces balloon crashed in 1947 near Roswell, New Mexico, and a “flying disc” was reportedly found, potentially with extraterrestrial origins. The sci-fi seriesRoswellis centered around these rumors but depicts three high school teenagers who are actually aliens in disguise.
The show is based on the young adult novel seriesRoswell Highand spawned a re-imagining calledRoswell, New Mexicothat aired in 2019.Roswellreceived positive reviews during its time on The WB, but the show simply didn’t get a lot of attention, thanks, in large part, to the network it was airing on. The WB, while producing a large number of good dramas, was always crowded out by the “Big Four,” meaning that good shows likeRoswell routinely feel through the cracks.
Roswellcan be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.
4’Party Down' (2009-2023)
Created by John Enbom, Rob Thomas, Dan Etheridge & Paul Rudd
Party Downis a sitcom about a group of people working for a catering company, each wishing they will eventually rub elbows with the right person or go to the right audition and finally make it big as an actor. For now, however, they spend their days and nights serving canapés and pastries to the Hollywood elite and dealing with their complicated, unfulfilled lives.
The original cast ofParty Downreads like a who’s who of comedy at the time, includingAdam Scott, Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Lizzy Caplan, Jennifer Coolidge, Megan Mullaly, andJennifer Garner. This is, in part, the reason the series was short-lived. Lynch landed the role of Sue Sylvester onGleeand Scott was starring inParks and Recreation, soParty Downsort of petered out. But the show was so popular that 13 years after its cancelation after two seasons,Party Downreturned with a limited series revival, with most of the original cast reprising their roles.
Party Down
Party Downcan be streamed on Starz in the U.S.
Watch on Starz
3’Deadwood' (2004-2006)
Created by David Milch
Set in the 1870s in the town of Deadwood, South Dakota, the Western follows the community’s development from being a small camp to a town. With a talented ensemble cast that includes names likeTimothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Keith Carradine, Kim Dickens, andGarret Dillahunt,Deadwoodfeatures characters based on those from real history as well, includingWyatt Earp, George Hearst, andCalamity Jane.
Earning 28 Emmy nominations and winning eight Emmys throughout its run,Deadwoodis often named among the shows that were canceled too soon. The show was so beloved, in fact, that it led to the development of a follow-up movie,Deadwood: The Movie, which premiered in 2019. Receiving universal praise,Deadwoodis arguably one of the best reviewed series of the 2000s, yet it’s often overshadowed by more high-profile shows.
Deadwoodcan be streamed on Max in the U.S.
Watch on Max
2’Freaks and Geeks' (1999-2000)
Created by Paul Feig
Freaks and Geekseventually became a cult classic, but the teen comedy-drama didn’t receive the attention it deserved until long after it had come and gone. Only lasting a single 18-episode season, the show centers around teenagers navigating typical coming-of-age challenges while attending a high school near Detroit.Set in the ‘80s, there are two core groups: Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) and her friends, known as the “freaks,” who are rebellious slackers, and her brother Sam (John Francis Daley) and his friends, the “geeks.”
It’s a timeless story about the struggles kids face trying to fit in, the lengths they’ll go to do so, and the tension this causes with their parents. From the cast that includes Cardellini as well asJames Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, andBusy Philippsto the relatable and honest storylines,Freaks and Geeksis one show fans would love to see come back, even if with a different cast.
Freaks and Geeks
Freaks and Geekscan be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.
1’It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia' (2005-)
Created by Rob McElhenney
The story inIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiacenters around a group of friends who run a flailing Irish dive bar in South Philadelphia. Each of them is selfish, narcissistic, and petty, and they get into arguments, constantly scheme against one another, and do whatever they can to further themselves. This is often at the expense of the business, which seems to be secondary to their antics. But it sure makes for tons of hijinks and laughs.
At the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2024, several members of the cast appeared on stage to present an award. They joked about howIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiahas been on the air so long yet have never been invited to the ceremony, much less win an award.It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiais not only still going strong almost 20 years later withtons of great episodes, the show continues to attract a strong legion of fans who tell everyone who will listen how funny it is.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiacan be streamed on Hulu in the U.S.
