In the ever-evolving landscape of television, certain shows have not just captured audiences’ attention but redefined the medium itself. It’s fascinating to imagine the impact these groundbreaking narratives and innovative styles would have had a decade earlier. The norms and expectations of the time might not have readily embraced them. Some pushed against the constraints of standards and limitations, while others challenged the conventional boundaries of style and tone, leaving an indelible mark on the history of television.
Even when they did come out, many shows that disregarded norms and pushed against conventional boundaries challenged network executives and audiences alike. If released a decade before their time, they would undoubtedly have been mind-blowing spectacles, reshaping the very essence of what audiences thought television could achieve.
10 BoJack Horseman
2014 – 2020
While the 1990s and early 2000s had risqué adult animated shows, they focused more on brash humor, and none tackled emotionally complex characters the way BoJack Horseman did. With its mix of verbal wit, dark comedy, and moments that threw its audience into an existential crisis, there was nothing quite like the tale of this washed-up former sitcom star. BoJack Horseman‘s dark themes, exploration of characters with mental illness, and morally gray personalities were mind-blowing when the show came out. They would have been even more so a decade earlier amid adult animations filled with raunchy humor that didn’t tackle such real human problems.
9 Breaking Bad
2008 – 2013
Breaking Bad was groundbreaking for its portrayal of an average family man turned heartless drug kingpin. The 1990s saw a slew of darker TV series, especially with the growing popularity of subscription channels where standards were different. However, most of those didn’t explore evil lurking in seemingly mundane places. Breaking Bad‘s nuanced portrayal of Walter White’s descent into becoming a criminal would’ve been an anomaly in ’90s television, as it was when it premiered in 2008. Additionally, Bryan Cranston’s turn as Walter White — arguably the most brilliant television performance of all time — would’ve been even more jarring then, as most people knew him from Malcolm in the Middle.
8 Game of Thrones
2011 – 2019
Groundbreaking and masterfully crafted, Game of Thrones defied the conventions of traditional television to offer an experience more akin to something cinematic. The show’s timing coincided with advancements in television production, allowing for a grand-scale, intricate storytelling and visual prowess that set it apart. A decade earlier, its high quality and production values might have reshaped perceptions of television’s capabilities — not to mention positively shifted the course for the many fantasy adaptations of the 2000s. There’s also the fact that the fourth book was not released till 2005, so if the show had premiered earlier, the absence of Martin’s written guidance would’ve influenced the trajectory of the story.
7 Avatar: The Last Airbender
2005 – 2008
While the series is not technically an anime, Avatar: The Last Airbender’s mix of Eastern esthetics and storytelling techniques with Western animation was groundbreaking. The series had a capacity to address deeper themes, and the way it resonated with children and adult audiences alike was — and in some ways, still is — almost unheard of. There was also the show’s overarching story, a departure from the episodic, self-contained narratives that had become the norm in animation. Avatar: The Last Airbender influenced how creators told stories in the animated television landscape and increased Western viewers’ interest in anime, both of which it may have done sooner if released a decade prior.
6 Arrested Development
2003 – 2006, 2013 – 2019
Arrested Development carved out its own niche in the sitcom landscape entirely, embodying a unique blend of self-awareness, absurdist humor, social commentary, and ridiculous escapades. During its original run, it was notably underappreciated. Had it premiered a decade earlier with fewer options on TV, the show might have found greater success. In that scenario, the series might have thrived in its original run and had the chance to delve into its trademark humor and the quirks of its one-of-a-kind characters. With its intricate storytelling and heavy satire, Arrested Development’s brand of humor would’ve stood out even more amid the enjoyable but formulaic sitcoms of the 1990s.
5 The West Wing
1999 – 2006
The political and social complexities of the 1980s and early 1990s would have provided a compelling backdrop for The West Wing had it been released a decade earlier. The show’s unique perspective on the inner workings of politics, its emphasis on policy nuances, and its optimistic view of public service would have been even more powerful in challenging and engaging amid the landscape of the late ’80s. Its aspirational portrayal of leadership might have left a lasting influence on American sentiments and their trust in the effectiveness of government at the end of the decade.
4 Black Mirror
2011 – Present
Black Mirror probably could not have been made in 2001 — or at least not before the explosion of the smartphone industry, the release of many Apple products, and the rising interest in smart home technology throughout the 2000s. The show’s eerie depictions of technology’s negative impact on human behavior, consumption, relationships, and safety would’ve been even more shocking to audiences before these transformative developments. Its terrifying vision of the future might have slowed down humanity’s acceleration toward technology becoming more and more central in our lives.
3 The Office
2005 – 2013
The debut of The Office sparked a significant surge in single-camera comedies, and it popularized the mockumentary-style sitcom, subsequently becoming a hallmark of network sitcoms in the years that followed. If released in the sitcom landscape of the 1990s, its brash and cringy comedy would have been a major departure from the more gentle and traditional comedies of that era. The show’s influence might have accelerated the trend of mockumentaries and inspired other sitcom creators of the time to explore more bold style choices.
2 Oz
1997 – 2003
Before the rise of subscription channels like HBO, a show like Oz, with its brutal violence, explicit content, and dark, realistic drama, would not have been feasible. A decade earlier, in the 1980s, the standards and limitations of network and cable television would likely have posed significant challenges to the production and broadcast of a series known for its intense, boundary-pushing themes. Oz paved the way for a shift in daring and uncompromising storytelling in television, and the show would’ve shocked audiences in the ’80s with its gritty and unflinching realism.
1 The Walking Dead
2010 – 2022
In 2000, when the genre was less mainstream, The Walking Dead could have potentially been what really shifted the tide of the zombie genre’s popularity. However, technological constraints might have affected the visual quality of the show’s zombie makeup and special effects. Given the era’s preference for more lighthearted television content, the dark and intense nature of the series would also have been profoundly shocking for audiences, making a truly groundbreaking impact.
