10 Classic TV Shows That Changed Television As We Know It

7) The Jeffersons

Like All in the Family, this spin off show was another glimpse into the American household, this time depicting an African American family with wealth, a rarity in real life as well as on TV. The dry cleaning business which made them so much money proved they worked hard and the premise usually revolved around the family trying to balance the world they came from with their new-found wealth and perceptions of them.

The Jeffersons aired from 1975-1985 and spawned a new era of inclusive television shows like The Cosby Show though few shows would ever match the popularity of the Jeffersons.

6) I Love Lucy

This classic debuted in 1951 to rave reviews, a sentiment which most of America held for until well after the show ended in 1957. We can’t imagine TV without Lucille Ball nowadays, but back then the female lead, who was far funnier than her husband, was a novel concept. Other shocking aspects of the show were the appearance of Lucy pregnant, with all the cravings that brings and the birth episode (a new concept on TV), and the mix-ethnicity marriage portrayed on screen with husband Desi Arnaz (another first).

It wasn’t just what the actors were doing: how I Love Lucy was shot also changed TV forever. The 3-camera system filmed 3 different angles at once for a more dynamic TV viewing experience. And, the Desilu production company made sure that syndicated airings of the show earned them money, a novel of aspect of TV at the time. Check out the hilarious scene where they try to get Lucy to the hospital in the video below.