Socially Significant Television

We all know the place in pop culture history occupied by shows like That Girl, Mary Tyler Moore, and All in the Family. Which shows from the 1980s to today do you consider socially significant, and why?

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Permalink Reply by Whatchawatchin on May 2, 2008 at 2:22pm: 24. Don't watch it, but like Headcheese pointed out about Murphy Brown and the VP's unfortunate comments, Jack Bauer is actually used as an example on the floors of Congress.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by bkandwt on May 2, 2008 at 4:23pm: and cited by supreme court justices! (well, one): http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/06/19/scalia-asks-%E2%80%98are-y...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by bkandwt on May 2, 2008 at 4:20pm: I'm surprised no one has said Sex and the City yet -- made sex an acceptable topic for both frank discussion as well as comedy, exhibited the fashion-consumer culture of the 90s, and explored 30-something women's changing roles in society and relationships.

And though it had way too short of a series run, Freaks and Geeks should get a mention. Just because it's short doesn't mean it won't have a lasting impact, and it certainly showed the non-preppy side of 90s high school.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by bkandwt on May 3, 2008 at 5:39am: obv i meant 80s high school for F&G, though made in 90s; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Whatchawatchin on May 2, 2008 at 5:23pm: I'm going to go with a favorite, but Firefly. It was short lived, but I think it spoke volumes about how people are fed up with government interference in every aspect of their lives. It also showed that family is who you decide, not just whose blood you carry in your veins. In addition, it showed strong female leads (love Joss Whedon for doing that consistently) and turned tons of women onto the scifi and western genres that weren't into it prior to that. It made it make sense in our terms as far as how they represent freedom.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by macroman on May 2, 2008 at 5:43pm: Instead of a TV show, I will go for news programs where you actually get important news and reports the mainstream media either doesn't cover or covers in such a way that that it borders on brainwashing.
Democracy Now with Amy Goodman(Free Speech TV and Link TV)
INN Report(Free Speech TV); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pihk on May 2, 2008 at 5:53pm: Commie!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mort in Detroit on May 2, 2008 at 6:01pm: I think Commie may be too far right.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by NetflixJunkie on May 2, 2008 at 6:38pm: Ouch... I'm a righty but I have lots of friends from Detroit :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by macroman on May 2, 2008 at 6:31pm: I recommend Outfoxed and Orwell Rolls in His Grave for anyone who thinks mainstream news doesn't have an agenda.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Whatchawatchin on May 2, 2008 at 6:40pm: Outfoxed was an interesting watch. I'm going to have to queue up Orwell, thanks for the tip :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by macroman on May 2, 2008 at 6:43pm: Outfoxed covers only FOX. Orwell covers the mainstream media as a whole. There is a new video out called the Fifth Estate on the same subject.
NF may not have this one yet.; ▶ Reply to This