TV

10 Most Popular TV Shows of the 20th Century That Aged Like Milk

10 Most Popular TV Shows of the 20th Century That Aged Like Milk
Image credit: Legion-Media

Some things are better left in the past.

There are some moments when we all want to get some comfort in our lives and seek nostalgia. That is when the TV shows and movies from our childhood come into play. But while some of them have aged well and are still just as funny and heartwarming, others will only bring disappointment.

This list may seem perfect for any 80's and 90's kid, but if you take a closer look, you'll realize that none of these shows are actually good by today's standards.

Baywatch (1989-2001)

To say that Baywatch was bad would not even be a controversial opinion or a hot take. Despite its longevity, the only thing the show could rely on was the good looks of its cast, which is why it was so overly sexualized. The creators must have hoped to hide the lousy production and all the plot holes behind a bunch of conveniently attractive people.

Growing Pains (1985-1992)

A favorite of many '80s kids, this show is so awful that it caused one of its actresses to develop an eating disorder. As Tracey Gold admitted, all the fat jokes affected her so much that at one point she was afraid to pick up a new script because she knew how many new insults she was about to see.

Home Improvement (1991-1999)

There's no show that better portrays the most toxic family model rooted in misogyny than Home Improvement. Tim, the father of the family, is a very masculine man with some very masculine hobbies, which include DIYing things around the house, hating on his wife, and taunting his kids. It's not a family you'd want to be a part of.

Dawson's Creek (1998-2003)

One of the things that bothers many people the most when they look back at their favorite TV shows and movies from the past is the implied morals that they try to get into the viewer's head. Dawson's Creek, for example, very obviously pushed the idea that teenage sex is a life-changing event, and that sex in general means a lot more than it does in real life.

Married... with Children (1987-1997)

This show is another twist on the popular '80s idea that everyone in a family hates each other. The parents hate each other and enjoy bullying their stereotypical children, who in turn fight with each other and often talk back to their parents. It may have been humorous a long time ago, but it's hard to watch today.

Saved by the Bell (1989-1992)

Even though some parts of this iconic sitcom are still funny, there is a very creepy narrative that the producers have chosen for Kelly. She's seen far too often dating older guys, since she's a 15-year-old teenager herself. It is brought up once in the show, but then glossed over as if nothing happened.

The Nanny (1993-1999)

There's probably no other 90s sitcom as universally recognized as The Nanny, Friends aside, but that doesn't mean the love story portrayed in the show isn't problematic. Falling in love with the powerful man in her life who can easily manipulate her job and finances, Fran ignores all the red flags and enters into a toxic and manipulative relationship.

Friends (1994-2004)

Despite being extremely open-minded about some topics, Friends took a few steps back when discussing others. The constant fat jokes and the horrible fat suit they dressed Monica in is just one of those things. The other would be the gay jokes aimed at Chandler. And if we start analyzing everything Phoebe has ever said, we'll be here all day.

The A-Team (1983-1987)

Looking back on the show, it aged poorly, not because of any problematic issues it tackled, but because of how cheap the production was. The show was loud, fast-paced, and almost always ended with a bang, but all 4 members of the gang were always miraculously healthy, alive, and ready to fight some more. A show like that wouldn't stand a chance today.

The Man Show (1999-2014)

Of course, the show has changed a lot over the years, but the earlier you go, the more problematic things you can find. Jimmy Kimmel thrived on sexist jokes about women and was even caught several times wearing blackface for his sketches. It's a wonder his reputation as The Man Show creator was never ruined.