2000s Television at a Glance
While the late 1940s to late 1950s were known as the “golden age of television,” the 2000s could very well be the “platinum age of television.”
Cable TV soared in popularity in the 2000s. As the competition for viewership continued to intensify, networks poured a lot of effort into enhancing their lineup. This decade saw the rise of critically-acclaimed big-budget programs like Grey’s Anatomy, Mad Men, and The Sopranos; shows that introduced us to some of today’s biggest stars.
Reality TV shows were also on the rise during this decade. Survivor, which premiered in May of 2000, was one of the most popular TV shows in the United States by the end of the year. American Idol made TV viewing more interactive by giving the public a say in the show’s outcome — viewers could call or text to “vote” for their favorite contestant. As the decade progressed, more reality TV subgenres were developed. Dating shows like The Bachelor proved to be successful and inspired international versions in countries like France, Israel, and Slovenia. Celebrities, meanwhile, began cashing in on this rising genre with shows like The Osbournes, The Anna Nicole Show, and The Simple Life.
Television’s role in the September 11 attacks was unlike anything the world had ever seen before. Millions around the world watched horrified as a second plane headed towards the World Trade Center in New York. The crash and the towers’ subsequent collapse were replayed by news networks numerous times in the days and weeks that followed, giving them a significant boost in ratings. This would also set the tone for how major events would be covered in later years.
Technological advancements during this decade enhanced people’s TV viewing experience. While DVDs and DVD players were introduced in the late 1990s, they did not gain momentum until the 2000s. By the end of the decade, nearly 80% of American households had a DVD player. Less than ten years later, Blu-ray discs were introduced, promising better quality and longer run times than DVDs. The development of LCD and plasma technology led to the launch of televisions with better picture quality and larger screens. TV networks began transitioning from analog signals to digital signals, rendering older analog television sets useless unless a special translator device was used. TiVo gave viewers the ability to pause live broadcasts and record programs. Finally, the rise of high-speed internet would lead to the emergence of video streaming sites, which would become even more popular in the 2010s.
Now, let’s look back on some of the best television shows that defined the 2000s.
The Best of 2000s Television
Mad Men
Mad Men was a period drama series that aired on AMC from 2007 to 2015. It was created by Matthew Weiner and produced by Lionsgate Television and starred Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones, Christina Hendricks, and John Slattery.
Mad Men, set primarily in 1960s New York, focuses on the day-to-day activities at the fictional Sterling Cooper advertising agency (later known as Sterling Cooper & Partners) as well as the personal lives of its characters. The show depicted aspects of American life in the 1960s, and dealt with topics such as racism, sexism, alcoholism, cigarette smoking, adultery, and homophobia. The show was widely praised for its acting, writing, visual style and historical authenticity, earning it numerous accolades including sixteen Emmys and five Golden Globes.
Popular Episode: “The Wheel” (season one)
Why viewers love it: This episode, which capped off the show’s first season, shows Betty in anguish over Don’s suspected infidelity as he refuses to come home for Thanksgiving. Don, meanwhile, reflects on his life and affairs as he flips through family photos while pitching a campaign for Kodak’s Carousel projector. This episode remains one of the show’s best. It is a perfect example of why Mad Men has gone down in history as a television gem.
