Summary
I’ve always felt an incredible need to keep up with popular TV shows, and my most hated feeling is being out of the loop about what’s happening in the world of media. This means always checking out the latest popular shows while consistently making a dent in the massive backlog of television classics from bygone eras. While this habit has extraordinary benefits when discovering amazing new series, it also leads to painfully sitting through lackluster television seasons that, when I’m truly honest with myself, just don’t live up to the hype.
But you’ve got to take the good with the bad, and part of being a TV fanatic means occasionally tuning in to shows that everybody seems to love that I thought were just okay or, in some circumstances, actively disliked. Many TV shows get incredible hype when they’re initially released, only to be quickly forgotten by viewers orcanceled after just one season. However, there were other times whena show exceeded its hype and proved itself to be among the greatest series I’ve ever had the honor of watching.
10Freaks and Geeks (1999 - 2000)
Freaks and Geeks was hyped up as an incredible cult classic
I was just a kid whenFreaks and Geeksinitially aired, and even if I was one of the lucky few who knew about this hidden gem during that time, growing up before the widespread use of the internet, I don’t think I could have watched it even if I wanted to due to its haphazard airing scheduling. But, despite its low ratings,the legacy ofFreaks and Geeksgrew over the years, and by the 2010s, hype around the show had built up to extraordinary levels, and it felt like a must-watch series.
As the launching point for the careers of acclaimed comedy actors like Seth Rogan, Jason Segal, and Linda Cardellini, I knew I had to seeFreaks and Geeksonce I’d learned about its existence as anunderrated cult classic. It did not disappoint, and it was a prime example of a series that lived up to its hype. Not only didFreaks and Geeksexemplify the best of Judd Apatow’s comedy style that would dominate the 2000s, but it also played into my love of music, with incredible bands like The Grateful Dead, Joan Jett, and The Who among its soundtrack.
Freaks and Geeks
Cast
Judd Apatow’s Freaks and Geeks is a comedy-drama series centered around several now-popular stars in their first-ever appearances as outcast teenagers dealing with the “hilarious unfairness of teen life.” The friend groups are split into “freaks” and “geeks,” each with their own quirks that resonate with teens today as they try to find their place in the socially complex world of high school.
9The Wire (2002 - 2008)
The Wire was hyped up as groundbreaking television
Growing up during the dawning of the Golden Age of Television meant there was never a shortage of great TV shows to check out, and I was always drawn to fantastic HBO series likeThe SopranosandDeadwood. However, when discussing thegreatest TV shows of all time, television aficionados consistently told me about one series, and I knew I had to check outThe Wireto find out what all the hype was about. As a slow-moving series,The Wiretook a while to click with me, but once I was invested, I was all in.
With incredible attention to detail due to the show’s creator, David Simon, being a former homicide reporter, I was blown away by howThe Wirepresented the true realities of crime in America. Withiconic characters like Jimmy McNulty and Stringer Bell,The Wirefelt like nothing I had ever seen, as it demanded the viewer’s complete attention in its depiction of the social, political, and economic landscape of urban life in Baltimore.The Wiregave me a newfound appreciation for what could be accomplished through episodic television and truly lived up to the hype.
The Wire
The Wire, debuting in 2002, is a series that explores the complex world of Baltimore’s narcotics scene, presenting perspectives from both law enforcement and their targets. It delves into how the war on drugs has evolved into a self-perpetuating institution, blurring moral boundaries between right and wrong.
When I first heard there was a TV show where the dad fromMalcolm in the Middlebecame a meth cook, I was expecting to see an out-and-out comedy. So you can imagine my shock when confronted with what would become one of my favorite shows. From its tense opening episode to its perfect finale,Breaking Badwas among my greatest television viewing experiences, made even better by the hype surrounding it. WatchingBreaking Badas it aired was amazing, as fans endlessly discussed their theories about how the story of Walter White would end.
With exceptional performances from Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul,Breaking Badset a new standard for what I could expect from a TV show. I comparedBreaking Badto every subsequent show I watched, although I was equally impressed by the prequel,Better Call Saul,and how well it fleshed out the character of Saul Goodman. With the advent of streaming,Breaking Badhas found new viewers, who I am incredibly envious of because I wish I could go back in time and watch the series again with the excitement of not knowing how it would end.
Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, follows a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as he attempts to provide for his family following a fatal diagnosis. With nothing left to fear, White ascends to power in the world of drugs and crime, transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg.
7Game of Thrones (2011 - 2019)
Game of Thrones was hyped up as the most talked about TV show on the air
I have to admit, I was never the biggest fantasy fan. Although I appreciated series likeThe Lord of the Ringsand have a genuine soft spot forHarry Potter,Game of Thronesdidn’t look like the kind of thing that would interest me. However, after the first couple of seasons were released, the hype became too great, and I had no choice but to check out the show for myself.
Despite my general avoidance of fantasy series, I enjoyedGame of Thronesascharacters like Tyrion Lannister won me over with their witty comebacks, and the shock of seeing Ned Stark meet his end cemented this as a series where anything could happen. Before long, I was a faithful convert and eagerly anticipated the new seasons ofGame of Thrones. That was until the show surpassed the books, and things completely fell apart. Looking back with the power of hindsight, I wish I had never gotten invested in the first place after the lackluster final season.
Game Of Thrones
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
Game Of Thrones: What Went Wrong With Season 8
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6Suits (2011 - 2019)
Suits was hyped up as an incredible stylish and enjoyable series
Mad Menis one of my favorite TV shows of all time, and whenever I mentioned this, I was always told that I absolutely had to check outSuits. After a while, I’d heard this so often that I decided it was time to find out whether this legal drama could truly live up to the hype and finally acquainted myself with Mike Ross and Harvey Specter. In the end, I felt thatSuitslacked the subtle nuances that madeMad Menso extraordinary, but in terms of pure entertainment, it was incredibly watchable.
After checking outSuitsto see what the hype was about, I ended up sticking around for all nine seasons and am excited for the spin-off seriesSuits: L.A. The initial hook ofSuitswas Mike’s photographic memory, but fan-favorite characters like Harvey, Louis Litt, and Donna Paulson madeSuitsmy go-to show after I first discovered it. AlthoughSuitsnever lived up to the greatest prestige television shows, I felt like it had a unique identity, and part of its appeal was that it never took itself too seriously.
Suits
Suits is a legal drama series that premiered in 2011, centering on Mike Ross, a college dropout with a photographic memory who lands a job at a top New York law firm despite lacking a law degree. Partnering with one of the city’s best legal closers, Harvey Specter, they navigate the challenges of high-stakes cases and firm dynamics.
Suits L.A.: Release Date, Cast, Story, Trailer & Everything We Know About The Suits Spinoff
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5Stranger Things (2016 - Present)
Stranger Things was hyped up as 1980s nostalgia at its best
The hype surroundingStranger Thingswas undeniable in 2016, as I constantly heard viewers praise it as anincredible 1980s throwback that brought to mind the works of Steven Spielberg, Stephen King, and even the horror writer H.P. Lovecraft. That was enough to convince me, and I immediately checked out the first season ofStranger Thingsand really loved it. Not only did it boast an incredible cast of promising child actors, but there was maturity to its storytelling that meant it lived up to its impressive influences.
The hype aroundStranger Thingsonly continued to grow throughout each subsequent season, as I consistently tuned in every time new episodes dropped on Netflix. AsStranger Thingsproceeded, the stakes grew even more intense, and I watched in awe as the Duffer Brothers fleshed out the world of the show and its creepy alternative dimension, the Upside Down. With the final season on the way, I’ll be sad to seeStranger Thingsgo, but I can’t wait to see how it all pans out for Eleven and the gang.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
4Succession (2018 - 2023)
Succession was hyped up for its hilarious dialogue, satirical edge, and great characters
I was always a big fan ofSuccessioncreator Jesse Armstrong’s previous work, and as the hype built up during its first season, I knew I had to check it out. I went in expecting to see something similar to the previous British comedies he’d been involved in, likePeep ShowandFresh Meat, but instead found myself enthralled by the latest HBO prestige satirical drama. This felt like a step-up for Armstrong, and I was delighted to seeSuccessionturn into one of the most popular shows on TV throughout its four-season run.
I should have knownSuccessionwould have been great, as it mixed the awkward cringe of characters fromPeep Showwith the insightful satirical bite ofThe Thick of It, Armando Iannucci’s political sitcom that Armstrong wrote for. But it wasn’t just the amazing writing inSuccessionthat I connected to, as the characters were truly incredible, andthe Roy family was one of the most interesting dynamics on TV. I may have tuned in because of the initial hype, butSuccessionproved itself to be one of the best comedy dramas out there.
Succession
Succession is a Black Comedy and Satire television show created by Jesse Armstrong. It stars Hiam Abbass, Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, and Kieran Culkin and follows the story of an aging conglomerate owner as he deals with his declining health and the sudden realization that one of his children will soon inherit his position and run his company.
3Cobra Kai (2021 - Present)
Cobra Kai was hyped up as the perfect continuation of The Karate Kid
I always felt a little out of the loop regardingThe Karate Kidfranchise. I saw bits and pieces of the original movie as a child, but it wasn’t the stone-cold 1980s classic for me that I’d heard others describe it as. When I heard aboutCobra Kaipicking up onthe untold story of Johnny Lawrence almost 35 years later, I was intrigued, but it still didn’t convince me to watch the show. However, as the series progressed, the hype only grew, and I decided first to familiarize myself with the movies and then finally check outCobra Kai.
I truly did not expect to be as blown away byCobra Kaias I was, but the show felt like it walked the fine line between paying homage to the past and carving out something new perfectly. I loved the ongoing rivalry between Daniel LaRusso and Johnny, but I also found myself invested in the stories of the upcoming generation and the returning villains who made the show so great. I think the ‘Miyagi-verse’ is currently among the greatest extended universes, and I’m eagerly awaitingCobra Kai’sfinal season and the upcomingKarate Kidmovie.
Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
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2The Bear (2022 - Present)
The Bear was hyped up as the an incredible portrayal of the restaurant industry
The Bearwas just one of those shows that everybody seemed to be talking about, and after its first season aired, it was hard to ignore its 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This was enough to convince me to check it out, and I quickly binged the entire first season, even if I was disappointed with how little actual bears played into the story. Instead, I followed the intensely engaging story of Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) as he tried to manage his family’s failing sandwich shop amid financial woes and a staff who didn’t live up to his fine dining expectations.
As somebody who previously worked in the restaurant industry, Ifound it impossible not to relate the frantic pace ofThe Bearand the high-stress environment of its working conditions. As a frenzied, fly-on-the-wall look at a busy restaurant’s inner workings,The Bearcaptured something I had never seen portrayed so well on screen. This, mixed with its fantastic cast of characters, incredible dialogue, and thematic nuances, madeThe Beara must-watch series for me.
1Baby Reindeer (2024)
Baby Reindeer was hyped up as an intense, must-watch Netflix series
Forgive me for my cluelessness, but when I first spottedBaby Reindeerin my Netflix suggestions, I thought it was a Christmas kids' show, and I quickly skipped past it. But then I noticed the series appearing in my news feed, as everybody was writing about the true story behindBaby Reindeerand explaining what happened to the real women that theshocking stalker Martha Scottwas based on. I’d heard it was intense viewing, butBaby Reindeerhad gained widespread critical acclaim, and the hype was too large to ignore.
While I was expectingBaby Reindeerto be intense, I wasn’t prepared for how well it deconstructed the psychology of abuse, unhealthy thinking patterns, and societal sexual expectations. I thought the show’s creator, Richard Gadd, bravely laid his soul bare in the series, and it was shocking to hear that he based it on his own experiences. I felt likeBaby Reindeerwas an emotionally complex but enriching seriesand one of my top shows of 2024.
Baby Reindeer
Baby Reindeer is a dark comedy series based on a true story and a stage play of the same name. It centers around Gus, a barista who becomes the focus of an intense and unsettling obsession by one of his customers, Martha. After a seemingly harmless interaction, Martha’s fascination with Gus spirals out of control and begins to wreak havoc on his life.
