Let’s talk about the most rewatchable serialized one-hour television dramas ever on network TV, which for the sake of this post includes all of the broadcast network TV like CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, the CW, and I’m also including PBS here.
The broadcast network commercial television model makes it incredibly difficult for television showrunners because their episodes must keep audience’s attentions through four or five commercial breaks.
But for decades, this is all that was available for television audiences, so they became accustomed to it. And it was especially challenging for serialized one-hour dramas because in many cases it meant that a viewer needed to see every episode of the series to understand what was going on, and they couldn’t just binge a series to catch up like you can these days. This is also why procedural or case-of-the-week television models typically run for more seasons than a serialized drama.
But when thinking about the most rewatchable serialized broadcast network dramas, there are certain shows that did it better than any others, and to this day are still very rewatchable.
#10 Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
Okay, some serious bias here as I did write for Brothers & Sisters, but that aside, this is still one of the most rewatchable serialized dramas with some of the most exceptional talent on earth, and it was probably your mom’s favorite show at one point. I was lucky enough to spend all five seasons with the Walkers.
#9 Gilmore Girls (WB / CW)
Speaking of your mom’s favorite shows, at number 9, Gilmore Girls from the WB, which later became the CW. Gilmore Girls is one of those super-relatable, cozy dramas with great characters. I had never seen Gilmore Girls until my mom made me watch it.
#8 Parenthood (NBC)
Another family drama featuring Lauren Graham, NBC’s Parenthood. Another incredible ensemble cast with amazing writers behind it. This was based on the 1989 Ron Howard film and developed by Jason Katims, who will be mentioned again in this list.
#7 Beverly Hills 90210 (Fox)
This one absolutely deserves a spot on this list. Beverly Hills 90210 was a series that ran the entire decade of the 1990s and is still surprisingly rewatchable. I got to rewatch this with someone who had never seen the show and loved every moment of it.
#6 thirtysomething (ABC)
We arguably wouldn’t have serialized family dramas like Parenthood or Gilmore Girls or Brothers & Sisters if it weren’t for thirtysomething. It’s definitely one of the more rewatchable serialized broadcast network TV series to come out of the 1980s, and it tackled some pretty big issues.
#5 Twin Peaks (ABC)
Believe it or not, this David Lynch-created series aired on ABC. Between the writing, the actors, the characters, the setting, and the big Laura Palmer mystery, this should arguably be higher on the list.
#4 The West Wing (NBC)
The story goes that after Aaron Sorkin wrote and filmed The American President, he was compelled to create this television series because there were so many interesting and intelligent characters to explore, their dynamic relationships inside the White House, and of course, the super high stakes of running an entire country. The dialogue is so well written and the pacing throughout is excellent — I’m sure this would be a lot of people’s number one most rewatchable broadcast network drama.
And I might agree if it were not for these next three shows.
#3 Friday Night Lights (NBC)
Jason Katims gets another mention with Friday Night Lights. Inspired by the 2004 film, this NBC series was a gripping relationship drama disguised as a football show. Perhaps the most impressive part of the show was that the cast was relatively unknown at the time, but if you saw Kyle Chandler walking down the street, you’d probably call him Coach Taylor.
#2 Lost (ABC)
Another ABC show here, Lost was one of the most talked-about water-cooler shows of all time. People threw Lost watch parties. You think people were nuts about their White Lotus theories? It doesn’t even compare. There wasn’t social media back then like there is today, but there were blogs, and lots of people blogged about Lost.
And the number one most rewatchable serialized broadcast network drama of all time goes to…
#1 Freaks and Geeks (NBC)
We were only graced with 18 episodes of this series, but they are all so rewatchable. And this is the show that launched a thousand careers. If you have not seen Freaks and Geeks, I am completely envious that you get to experience it for the first time.
So please go watch or rewatch it and all of the serialized network shows listed here!
I’m sure there are others that could have made the list — honorable mentions go to 24, Alias, Dallas, Melrose Place, Desperate Housewives, This is Us, and probably another dozen more. Let me know what you think I left out, and keep watching.
