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Life can be hard, and picking what TV show to watch next shouldn't add to everything else. That's where the best classic TV shows come in. Putting on what's gone down as a must-watch series is a guaranteed good time, as you can binge through the iconic pop culture you may have missed or are in for a reliable rewatch.

Between captivating dramas, side-clutching, essential comedies, and gripping sci-fi, classic TV shows serve up heaps of nostalgia, grade-A acting, galloping plots, and even insights into the big questions in life. They can range from award-winning hits to cult classics to feel-good watches—and deliver as much comfort as they can conviction to consider issues and people differently, and have gone on to influence series to follow in some way. Below, find the best classic series that have stood the test of time.