Top 10 Shows That Ended 20 Years Ago
#10: “The Practice” (1997-2004)
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The great television writer David E. Kelly conceived of “The Practice” as an antithesis to the hit legal show from the 80s and 90s, “L.A. Law.” While that series portrayed the legal system in a glamorized fashion, Kelly took “The Practice” in the very opposite direction. The series was much grittier, and characters often found themselves fighting a battle of legal ethics versus their own personal morals. The show ran for 8 successful seasons and took home the Emmy Award for Best Drama series two years in a row in 1998 and 1999.
#9: “Johnny Bravo” (1997-2004)
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“Whoa Mama,” “Johnny Bravo” is at number nine on our list. The funny and pop-culture-reference-filled animated show ran for four seasons on the Cartoon Network and featured the eponymous Johnny Bravo’s continuous failures to live up to his self-proclaimed ladies’ man image. Although it was his continuing failures with the ladies that often made for the biggest laughs. Bravo’s macho and misogynistic attitude might be a little cringe inducing these days. But at least his attitude and his game rarely worked in his favor - and he usually got his much deserved comeuppance.
#8: “Hollywood Squares” (1965-2004)
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“Hollywood Squares” has had many iterations over the decades, from the 1965 pilot to the final series, hosted by Tom Bergeron that ran from 1998-2004. But regardless of the year or the host, one thing remained the same: a large 3x3 stack of cubes populated by celebrities answering questions with the contestants deciding if those answers are correct or not. The tic-tac-toe premise gave the show a low barrier of entry for viewers and the simple questions set up the celebs for plenty of easy jokes and laughs. In a 2013 list TV Guide called “Hollywood Squares” the 7th greatest game show of all time.
#7: “The Drew Carey Show” (1995-2004)
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LeBron James put Cleveland on the sports map in the mid-aughts when he was drafted by his hometown team the Cavaliers. But Drew Carey fans already knew that Cleveland rocked years prior to James’ entry into the NBA. And that opening credit sequence with the big dance number is a great example of what “The Drew Carey Show” was all about. While it was framed as a typical sitcom, Carey and the gang had a lot of fun playing within that framework and creating something truly original and hysterically different. Along with dance numbers, they also did live and semi-improvised shows. And you might also remember the April Fools episodes in which “mistakes” were purposely inserted into the episode for fans to find.
#6: “Rugrats” (1991-2004)
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Premiering in 1991, for a while it looked like “Rugrats” wouldn’t make it to 1995, let alone chug along all the way to 2004. After its initial run of 65 episodes ended in 1994 there was no guarantee of more. However, over the course of the next couple of years the reruns on Nickelodeon continued to gain in popularity and this led to a new bunch of episodes being produced starting in 1996. And that’s when the “Rugrats” really blew up with over 100 more episodes airing over the next 8 years, as well as three theatrical movies which have grossed almost $300 million combined.
#5: “Lizzie McGuire” (2001-04)
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If you were a young person - or had a young person in your life that was watching the Disney Channel in the early aughts - there’s very little chance you don’t remember “Lizzie McGuire.” The show was a huge hit for the network from 2001 to 2004 and upped star Hilary Duff’s celebrity profile a few notches as well. Nominated for two Emmys and a Writers Guild of America award, “Lizzie McGuire” presented a fun and endearing cast of characters and episodes that were - as one review wrote - “clever, funny, and pretty sincere.” There may have only been two seasons produced, but with a total of 65 episodes - there was plenty of Lizzie to enjoy.
#4: “Angel” (1999-2004)
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While we all remember and honor the ending of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” in 2003, we shouldn’t forget that just one year later, one of the best spin-offs in television history also came to an end. “Angel” began just two years after “The Vampire Slayer,” when Joss Whedon took Buffy’s dark and tormented vampire-with-a-human-soul love interest Angel, and sent him to Los Angeles. As a private investigator he and his associates “help the helpless” and fight the demonic forces at play in the city. The series might have initially been viewed as a second-rate offshoot of the OG “Buffy,” but the smart writing and darker tone eventually helped it stand out with both fans and critics as a worthy series in its own right.
#3: “Sex and the City” (1998-2004)
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“Sex and the City” helped make HBO a must-have channel in the late 90s and early aughts. It made the Cosmopolitan many a lady’s drink of choice, and it had women everywhere contemplating whether they were a Carrie, a Miranda, a Charlotte, or a Samantha. Then after 6 seasons, a plethora of award nominations and wins, critical and cultural acclaim, just like that…. In 2004 the series had its “big” finale. Over the course of the next 6 years the adventures of the four friends continued in two feature films and then finally, in 2021 the gang (minus Samantha) returned to HBO in a sequel series.
#2: “Frasier” (1993-2004)
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After 9 seasons on “Cheers” and 11 seasons on the “Frasier” spin-off, Kelsey Gramer’s 20-year run as Dr. Frasier Crane finally came to an end (until the “Frasier” revival/spin-off hit Paramount+ in 2023). And while the revival has received lukewarm reviews, the original series is one of the most honored sitcoms in the history of television. Its 5 consecutive Outstanding Comedy Series Emmys is tied for the record - and its 37 total wins is second only to “Game of Thrones.” How many of you are now hankering for a serving of tossed salad and scrambled eggs?
#1: “Friends” (1994-2004)
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Could number one on our list BE anymore obvious? It’s “Friends”! Do we really need to say anymore? As one of the most popular television shows of all time, we probably don’t. But we will. While the critics took a little time to come around to the show, right from the jump “Friends” was a hit with audiences. From “The Rachel” haircut to Joey’s “How you Doin’?” the series infiltrated pop culture on a level that few ever have. It made mega-celebrities of its 6 stars and continues to find new fans via repeats every year - even though it’s been 2 decades since the Central Perk gang closed the door on 495 Grove Street.
