The 8 Best U.S. TV Shows of All Time
From the sitcoms that made you laugh your first year in middle school to the dramas that had you crying into your pillow at night. Television has been an integral part of American culture throughout its short history. Here’s our top 8 list of the Best U.S. TV Shows of all time and why they deserve the coveted spot on this list.
1. Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The American drama series follows Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a high school chemistry teacher who discovers he has terminal cancer. He turns to making crystal meth as a way to leave his family financially secure when he dies. In order to guarantee his family’s future, Walt starts cooking meth with a former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul). Later he becomes more dangerous as he transforms from mild-mannered science teacher to cold-blooded drug kingpin.
2. House Of Cards
Based on a book by Michael Dobbs and a British miniseries of the same name, House Of Cards was first released in 2013. A compelling drama about corruption in Washington D.C. House Of Cards quickly became one of Netflix’s most popular original shows, as well as an award-winning series.
3. Arrested Development
Created by Mitchell Hurwitz, Arrested Development aired for three seasons on Fox in 2003-2006. The television show focuses on a wealthy family who loses everything and has to live with their son, who’s in charge due to his new trust fund. If you love sarcastic, acerbic humor, then Arrested Development will be right up your alley.
4. Stranger Things
This sci-fi thriller was an unexpected hit and cemented Netflix’s position as a home for top-tier television. Created by brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, who previously worked on Wayward Pines, Stranger Things is set in 1980s Indiana and focuses on a boy whose friends go missing while he investigates mysterious events in his neighborhood—eerie. Things he encounters include telekinetic children and Demogorgons, creatures that are reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project.
5. The Office
The Office revolves around a branch of Dunder Mifflin, a fictional paper company. And the American Series is presented in mockumentary style (like The Office) as if it were a real documentary about an actual paper company. The drama series follows people who work at Dunder Mifflin and their quirky office antics and interactions with each other.
6. Orange Is the New Black
The Netflix original series Orange Is The New Black is a comedic drama about Piper Chapman, who is sentenced to 15 months in prison after her involvement with a drug-trafficking ring ten years prior comes to light. Set in minimum security Litchfield Penitentiary, OITNB provides an insight into life behind bars as well as portraying racial issues that are rarely touched upon in US media and television shows.
7. American Horror Story
AHS is a little known but very popular show, with a host of chilling characters. The scenes shown are unlike anything you’ve ever seen on television before. The story involves multiple narrative threads. The story run concurrently throughout each season, jumping from time period to time period, adding to its uniqueness as well as its allure for viewers who can’t get enough horror and suspense in their lives.
8. Full House
Though criticized as an odd pick, there’s a reason Full House was a hit back in the day—and why it’s still worth watching today. The family-friendly sitcom starring John Stamos and Bob Saget focuses on two fathers raising three young women (D.J., Stephanie, and Michelle) after their wives were killed in a car accident. It showcases some of America’s favorite tropes: close-knit families, humorous hijinks, and adorable kids.
