Scrubs
“Scrubs” was a fantastic show not just because of the Turk Dance, but because it gave us authentic people who were struggling with real issues as well as the greatest bromance in the history of television, of course. The show was goofy, profound, and for Millennials growing up, there wasn’t a better show than “Scrubs.”
The medical comedy had it all, from oddballs to touching storylines and characters that you could really invest in. Although it was subject to some cast changes over the years, the heart of the series remained the same.
The Andy Griffith Show
"The Andy Griffith Show" prepared the way for future comedy shows of the same genre. This modest sitcom looked back to a simpler time. Starring Andy Griffith in the role of Andy Taylor, the series followed the sheriff as he kept order in a small town in North Carolina, with gentle humor and genuinely likable characters made it a beloved fixture on the TV landscape.
The show remained popular right up to its cancelation in 1968.
Maude
"Maude" gave voice to an original kind of protagonist, this time with an outspoken feminist, who had no time apologizing when she went toe-to-toe with her opposers. "Maude" had snark, and with this show, CBS embraced the breadth of the 1970s Women's Movement.
Beyond that, "Maude" was innovative, playing with patterns and constructs even within the time constraints of sitcoms, staging many episodes as dialogues between Maude and husband Walter. The series welcomed taboo topics and made its mark by examining those concepts that we're too scared to discuss on our own.
All in the Family
"All in the Family" may have been a sitcom, but the writers behind the scenes also used it as an avenue to address more serious issues. Back in the '70s, this was considered a risky position to have. Matters like the Vietnam War and gender issues were bound up in palatable half-hour spots. More importantly, it was still an enjoyable show to watch.
Although it took a little while to gain traction when it premiered, "All in the Family" went on to become quite a staple as the most-watched show during summer reruns.
Parks and Recreation
Leaning heavily on the mockumentary genre, "Parks and Recreation" went for more silly gags and slapstick comedy than "The Office." With Amy Poehler leading the cast, the show also starred Rashida Jones, Chris Pratt, and Rob Lowe. The producers heavily researched politics before filming started, and frequently took onboard audience feedback throughout the series to make sure it's as relevant as possible.
The decision to end the show was the producer's decision, with Michael Schur describing their last season as "landing a plane to stick the landing."