Here's the thing: although the golden age of television and the advent of streaming have brought along with them a slew of new must-see shows, there is something to be said about older, classic television programs that took over our screens years ago.
Today, thanks to the likes of Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, we actually have the ability to go back in time and find out for ourselves why shows like Frasier and The West Wing have a spot in the TV canon that we reference when critiquing the likes of Girls and Peaky Blinders.
As the world embraces a moment of standby, collectively trying to stop the spread of the coronavirus, why not delve into Netflix's library and sit down to finally watch Twin Peaks?
To that intent, here are 9 classic TV shows that are now streaming on Netflix and are totally worth binge-watching.
Twin Peaks
Number of seasons: 2
This horror drama series, created by David Lynch back in 1990, follows the murder investigation of homecoming queen Laura Palmer in the fictional town of Twin Peaks. Although the show was cancelled due to declining ratings after two seasons, it built up a cult following that led to a 2017 revival on Showtime. Many original cast members, including Kyle MacLachlan, reprised their roles almost three decades later. You'll only have access to the first two original seasons on Netflix but why not see what all the fuss is about?
Cheers
Number of seasons: 11
This is a classic American sitcom that, let's be honest, you should have already seen multiple times. But, alas, life does get busy so this might be the perfect time to indulge in 275 half-hour episodes of pure joy. You're likely familiar with the show's catchphrase ("Where everybody knows your name!"), which references the show's main setting, a bar named Cheers in Boston, Massachusetts.
Star Trek
Number of seasons: A lot
Star Trek is one big media franchise, and most of it is available for streaming on Netflix. From the original series to Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: The Next Generation and more, you could literally get lost in the space-related, streamable offerings. Our suggestion? Watch them all.
The Twilight Zone
Number of seasons: 4
This 1959 science-fiction TV show was one of the very first anthology series. Each episode is presented as a stand-alone story involving unusual events that the characters have to deal with. Yes, this is where the phrase "twilight zone" originated.
Mad Men
Number of seasons: 7
Although not as old as other shows on this list, Mad Men, alongside The Sopranos, has been credited by many as a purveyor of the era of golden television—and for good reason. The period drama, which centers around the lives of an advertising agency's employees, unfolds slowly, taking its time to dissect each character's temperament, all the while presenting a 1960s New York City that is sure to tickle your fancy.
The Andy Griffith Show
Number of seasons: 8
Fun fact: of the 249 half-hour episodes that make up the 8 seasons of this 1960 comedy show, 159 are in black and white and 90 in color. Critically acclaimed and still often referenced, the show stars Andy Griffith as Andy Taylor, a widowed sheriff in a fictional community of just 2,000 folks in North Carolina.
The West Wing
Number of seasons: 7
This might actually be the ideal time to sink our teeth into an American political drama centered around the West Wing of the White House (that's where the Oval Office is, by the way). The series, which premiered on NBC back in 1999, was created by master wordsmith Aaron Sorkin, which should really be enough of a reason to binge it. In case you need more: Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford and Rob Lowe are all part of the cast.
Breaking Bad
Number of seasons: 5
Unpopular opinion: Breaking Bad doesn't stand the test of time. That being said, the uber successful Vince Gilligan series did make a splash when it aired from 2008-2013, so you probably should eventually watch it. Although you likely know all about it, here goes our synopsis: Walter White is a high school chemistry teacher who starts a crystallized methamphetamine business with former student Jesse Pinkman after a stage-three lung cancer diagnosis.
The Office
Number of seasons: 9
The American mockumentary is an adaptation of the original eponymous BBC series. Starring Steve Carell, John Krasinski, B.J. Novak, Jenna Fischer, Ed Helms and a slew of other household names, the show takes us inside fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company's office in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Yes, you're in for loads of laughs.