For whatever reason, TV shows aren’t a media form I think of as mentally transformative.
Maybe the general populace thought differently when TV shows were ceremonial. The whole family huddled around the boob tube in anticipation because if they missed it, only the printed TV guide could reveal when the program would be back on air.
Television shows are essentially ambient noise for doom-scrolling TikTok—at least for my generation.
Now that I’ve given it some thought, I’d put some of my favorite TV shows up there with The Alchemist, The Shawshank Redemption, or historically relevant speeches. I’m talking about shows that contribute a message to humanity’s collective consciousness, the zeitgeist, or simply hit like nothing else.
As they pertain to masculine wisdom, here are 12 TV shows that I deem mandatory for any fellow of the XY-chromosome variety to watch.
King of the Hill (1997-2009)
Unlike its animated counterparts, Family Guy and The Simpsons, King of the Hill ditches slapstick humor and jokes-of-the-day for the endearing comedy of Hank Hill’s middle-class life in suburban Texas.
Neither Peter Griffin nor Homer Simpson comes close to the relatability of Hank Hill. He’s a propane salesman with two quirky kids, a fiery dad who might be losing it, and a supportive yet strong-headed wife who tends to overpower his patient demeanor. A driveway sip sesh with his three best friends bookends every family-man challenge.
Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Even I, someone who cares more about fresh perspective than anything in a written piece, had to include Breaking Bad.
With the focus on the lived male experience, I think the inclusion is justified. Breaking Bad is so much more than a drug-fueled game of cat-and-mouse between Walt, Jessie, and the various wingnuts they get tangled with. I always viewed it as the worst-case scenario for a father’s dedication.
Walter White doesn’t set out to make millions dealing drugs because one hit of meth wasn’t enough. The chemist-turned-eductor doesn’t kill for sport. He has cancer, a baby is on the way, and leaving nothing his wife and kids aren’t in the cards.
M*A*S*H (1972-1983)
My grandfather, a combat medic in the Vietnam War, made a point of exposing this Zoomer to the greatest programming of his heyday.
Eleven seasons of M*A*S*H follow combat doctors during the Korean War where episodes can swing from harrowing to gut-busting. If I remember anything from the political commentary series, it’s that getting thrust into a terrible situation is made slightly less horrible with good company, perseverance, and a touch of humor.
Even if your evening news wasn’t delivered by Walter Cronkite, M*A*S*H is hours worth of political commentary, comedy, and moments to reflect on how precious life really is.
This Old House (1979-Present)
Since 1979, This Old House has convinced men nationwide, for better or for worse, that they can handle that home improvement project instead of a contractor.
Whether it’s a seasonal deck stain, a leaky U-trap, or tearing down a wall to open up the kitchen, This Old House can show you how it’s done.
Succession (2018-2023)
Every young man’s coming of age goes something like this: he wants to be a marine biologist, a firefighter, or a crane operator. Then he discovers the value of a dollar, and for a brief period, he wants to be a “businessman,” whatever that means to him at the time.
Then education, licenses, and hustling in the corporate salt mines enter the picture and suddenly it isn’t as appetizing.
Whether you made it to Wall Street or charted different horizons, Succession is the best fly-on-the-wall experience for all things media, business, and high-stakes schmoozing. Jeremy Strong’s as Kendall Roy is one of the best TV performances of the last ten years.
If only it was as cool as Succession makes it seem.
The Boys (2019-Present)
Enough no-stakes superhero movies. We have enough of those. We know Spiderman isn’t going to die, and we know he gets the MJ no matter how many directors want to try their hand at the IP. Enter The Boys.
This show is the only reason I bit the bullet and subscribed to Amazon Prime—no regrets at all. Homelander’s twisted worldview paired with seemingly unlimited power is an archetype that isn’t new to the superhero genre, but I’m hard-pressed to think of another character I’ve hated to love since the dawn of the MCU.
Mad Men (2007-2015)
Considering the critical acclaim for Mad Men, a series centered around the despicable yet boring advertising industry, I have to give props to AMC’s entertainment alchemy.
Don Draper puts on a masterclass of negotiation and business politics. I have yet to find another program that inspires such confidence in my ability to “play the game” in the corporate world, and I’m not sure one exists. Yes, it’s Hollywood, but once you watch him pitch the slide projector campaign to Kodak, you’ll realize the importance of storytelling in getting what you want.
The Sopranos (1999-2007)
My Italian roots did not influence the making of this list. The Sopranos is that good, but you know that.
Childhood movies for me (at my paternal grandparents’ house with mom not around) were The Godfather, Goodfellas, and A Bronx Tale. She hated it. I Couldn’t get enough.
The Sopranos maintains all of the mafioso magic that makes the Scorsese and Coppola films so enthralling, only with a soft spot that I respect David Chase for incorporating: therapy for men.
All of Tony’s sin is padded with his visits with Dr. Melfi, outlining the anxiety, guilt, and insecurity that either solves his predicaments or throws gasoline on them. TV shows following the destruction of men aren’t rare. Ones featuring the mental side effects of their actions sure are.
Jeopardy! (1964-Present)
The pen is mightier than the sword. For every hour in the gym, the mind deserves an equal amount of stimulation.
Consistent viewings won’t amount to technical mastery in any one subject, but a single episode can teach you a few things you didn’t know yesterday, and it’s way more fun than a Javascript e-course. Any time someone asks me “How did you know that?” The answer is always the same: Jeopardy!
Modern Marvels (1993-Present)
Modern Marvels scratches the same itch that How It’s Made relieves. But instead of Twinkies and broomsticks, Modern Marvels chooses to explore ming-boggling feats of engineering instead of everyday objects. Think Mt. Rushmore, satellites, and international airports.
The real-life accomplishments of the human race stun me in a way that a fictional, albeit satisfying season-ender can’t. Modern Marvels is a highlight reel of humanity.
Workaholics (2011-2017)
Workaholics is genre-defining for dude comedies. Three best friends working dead-end telemarketing jobs doesn’t sound like much potential for seven seasons of laughs, but throw in drugs, post-pubescent immaturity, and insatiable sex drives, and you’ll be yearning for glorious post-college freedom.
The Wire (2002-2008)
The Wire is just different, man. Traditional crime dramas haven’t been the same since I watched it. Instead of predictable plotlines and tidy conclusions, The Wire delves into the complex and often harsh realities of urban life and institutional dysfunction.
This series presents a gritty, unfiltered view of real-world challenges—binge fuel if authenticity and depth get you hooked more than anything.
Narrowing down must-see television shows tailored to the male experience is tough. It must be said that Game of Thrones, Home Improvement, and Archer were close runner-ups in the creation of this roundup.
I can’t imagine I’m introducing anyone to Breaking Bad or The Wire to anyone here. Outside of those fan favorites, I sincerely hope my analysis adds something to your queue.
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