20 TV Shows That Are Still Popular

There are tons of TV shows out there to watch. Nothing beats the classic ones from the 1970s-1990s. They still hold up to this day. Thomas West, a writer for the MSN.com page YardBarker, has compiled a list of 20 TV shows that are still popular

Ironically, I actually watch quite a few of these shows. Such as The Golden Girls, I Love Lucy, The Carol Burnett Show, Scooby Doo, Where Are You?, Murder, She Wrote

1. The West Wing

-This political drama gives a good side to government. It shows that there are people who work in government offices who really do have the best interests of the people as their top consideration. This show is a great reminder of alternative options to handling situations

2. The Nanny

-It's a pretty hilarious sitcom. There was humor all around, from Fran Drescher's character to the kids, and there was romance between Fran Fine and her boss Mr. Sheffield. Then, of course, was the long running rivalry between C.C. and Niles. Overall, the show had a good heart as well

3. Maude

-Bea Arthur is mostly known for playing outspoken, sarcastic Dorothy Zbornak on The Golden Girls. Prior to this, she starred on the 1970s television show Maude, as an outspoken feminist. She played a fiery feminist not afraid to speak her mind about the issues of the day, including abortion. And who doesn't love Bea Arthur?

4. All in the Family

-This 1970s-era television show dealt with all of the issues in the world at that time, such as gay rights, feminism, abortion, etc. There was an almost constant battle of the wits between Archie Bunker and his  daughter and son in law. The issues they debate about are still hot topics to this day and it makes the show feel relevant

5. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

-For many who grew up in the 1990s, Will Smith will always be The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. There is a strong sense of culture clash, as Will's character came from the working class area of Philadelphia and suddenly finds himself in the affluent area of Bel-Air, California. His humor is constantly present, making the show funny and also an overall good show to watch. It even spawned a new spin off called Bel-Air

6. Seinfeld

-There is not really much of a premise or plot to the show. It's a show about nothing. Somehow, it's found popularity with people. It's still popular thanks to streaming services. The characters still resonate with people, despite going off of the air nearly thirty years ago

7. Star Trek

-This is one of the most influential sci-fi shows around. It still holds up well to this day. The costumes and special effects seem incredibly outdated, especially in a world that now uses CGI and AI to do special effects. But, it's the outdated costumes and special effects that people love most. The show provided something that was joyful, exciting about the extents that it would go to regarding progressive points of view. It's from a time where things were far simpler. It's still popular to this day and finding new fans almost constantly

8. Scooby Doo, Where Are You?

-There have been few animated characters who have had a long, successful career. One of them is Scooby Doo. He is one of the most successful animated characters, inspiring spin off TV shows, television movies, such as Zombie Island, Alien Invaders, etc. Airing in the late 1960s, the show featured a cowardly Great Dane and five kids solving mysteries the old fashioned way, with clues and investigations. It's a reminder of the days when Saturday morning cartoons were a tradition with kids while others love the simply fun of an old fashioned mystery

9. Gunsmoke

-One of the many Western television programs on TV, they were quite popular in the 1950s. While many of the shows have been long since forgotten, Gunsmoke is not one of them. This show ran twenty seasons, from the 1950s to the 1970s. Today, it might seen as old fashioned, but it still holds up well. Many love the show for the great performances of James Arness, Milburn Stone and Amanda Blake

10. The Jeffersons

-This show was a revolution in TV. Staying on the air from 1975-1985, it showed an upwardly moving black couple and their family. It showed this family in a positive way in an era where black actors and actresses often got stuck in typecast roles. The show appealed to many because of the heartfelt and humorous relationship between Louise "Weezy" Jefferson and her husband George, played by Isabel Sanford and Sherman Hemsley. To this day, this show is still popular and is also gaining new fans

11. The Carol Burnett Show

-This show is still popular thanks to streaming services. When it aired on TV, it was sure to be a night of laughs and music. The lady for whom the show is named, Carol Burnett, starred in sketches along with comedic actors Harvey Korman and Tim Conway. Many of the sketches are still remembered to this day, like the spoof of Gone with the Wind. In the case of the show, it was Went with the Wind. And there were so many guest stars, both actors, actresses and musicians, that everyone loved to see who was going to turn up in a sketch, from Julie Andrews to Jim Nabors to Maggie Smith to The Jackson 5 and more. Each episode of the show would end with the current guest star signing their autograph in a book for Carol. This show even inspired a spin off called Mama's Family, starring Vicki Lawrence as the titular Mama. Carol Burnett would appear from time to time playing Eunice

12. The Mary Tyler Moore Show

-Despite being something straight out of the 1970s, and a second wave of feminism following, the show is still popular. It was revolutionary at the time because it featured an unmarried, independent w

13. Designing Women

-Similar to The Golden Girls, this program, created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, focused on a group of four women who run a design firm in Atlanta, Georgia. This show dealt with touchy topics, such as HIV / AIDS. It was on TV during the 1980s and 1990s and is still a beloved TV show to this day

14. Cheers

-Everyone knows the iconic theme to this show centered around a Boston bar. This show was the very definition of workplace sitcom. It centered on Sam Malone, a bartender running a Boston bar and the various people who enter and leave the bar. Despite being on in the 1980s, it seems dated by today's standards. It's still popular for those looking for a good laugh. And some can even quote the show, like people quoting Norm by saying "It's a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing Milk Bone underwear"

15. M*A*S*H

-This TV show was based on a book of the same name. It told the story of a medical unit in Korea during the Korean War. It found the right balance between drama and comedy, creating tear-inducing laughing and heartbreaking grief. It's easy to see why this show still holds up today

16. Murder, She Wrote

-This show takes place in the Maine town of Cabot Cove. It centers on a murder mystery writer named Jessica Fletcher who always manages to find herself at the center of a juicy mystery. Angela Lansbury plays this role perfectly. There's just something about this show that people love. Whether it's the cozy, timeless feel of it or that it's good old fashioned detective work, this show never gets old

17. The Twilight Zone

-Rod Serling and his show The Twilight Zone, have remained one of the most thought-inducing programs out there. Each episode had a moral to learn. So it was as much educational as it was entertaining. Rod Serling had the ability to take anxieties people felt and turn them into stories that were terrifying to watch for the time. When you watch it, it takes you back to 1950s era America and the concerns plaguing the world at that time and their relation to current events

18. Kolchak: The Night Stalker

-This was a short lived television series. It had just 20 episodes. Despite its short run, it did make an impact on some people. It was said to have even inspired The X-Files. Darren McGavin played the title character and the stories were quite scary for the time period. While it doesn't rely on special effects, it relies on an eerie atmosphere, which is the reason it's still entertaining to watch

19. I Love Lucy

-Two of the most remembered episodes of this program were "Lucy Gets a Job" and Lucy Does a Commercial." There's no doubt Lucille Ball was the genius of comedy in the 1950s. She was thrown into superstardom with her program I Love Lucy. Despite airing in the 1950s, something about the show just makes it loveable. Her comedy style was hilarious, joyful and a refreshing change. Lucille Ball is a master of physical comedy as well as sarcastic remarks and facial expressions. It's no wonder the show is still highly popular, thanks to streaming services allowing people to re-discover this show and new fans to discover the show

20. The Golden Girls

-No one can deny the comedic genius of Bea Arthur (Dorothy), Estelle Getty (Sophia), Rue McClanahan (Blanche) and Betty White (Rose). Despite going on the air in 1992, the show was funny, heartfelt, with great actors and actresses, and politically relevant for the time period. They often discussed issues that were just as relevant then as they are now, from same-sex marriage to care and concerns for the elderly and the problems with aging. They tackle these issues with comedy, and cheesecake, of course

Ozzy Osbourne, "The Prince of Darkness", passes away at the age of 76

"The Prince of Darkness", a psychotic madman on stage, Ozzy Osbourne. Whatever you choose to call him, you knew him by name and by reputation. He was the iconic vocalist for legendary British metal band Black Sabbath, a successful solo artist and a loving family man. He passed away yesterday morning at the age of 76, just weeks after his, now literally, final show

His family issued a statement that reads "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time." In 2020, it was revealed that he was suffering from Parkinson's Disease after having a fall. He was almost always wearing all black or he was bare chested on stage. He was often the primary target of concerned parents groups for the imagery in his music and on stage. He was most famous for the incident where he bit the head off of a bat. Later on, he would reveal another side to him. A loving family man with a comical side

Black Sabbath's 1969 debut album has been credited, by some, as the Big Bang of heavy metal. This also led to the band's other nickname, The Godfathers of British Heavy Metal. It was made during the height of the Vietnam War and added a bit of doom to the hippie culture. The music was doom-laden, ominous and signaled a change in the music industry

Rob Halford of Judas Priest: My Top Ten Favorite Metal Albums

Rob Halford, the iconic vocalist for British metal band Judas Priest, talks to Rolling Stone Magazine about his top ten favorite metal albums

The commentary under each album are Rob's own words

10. Ace of Spades, Motorhead (1980)

-This is a hardcore roar of wild bombastic f--- you!

9. Slipknot, Slipknot (1999)

-When this came out, it was nu-metal pent up rage searing a whole new era

8. Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, Emperor (1997)

-I love this because it's sonic blasphemy from the dark side

7. Holy Diver, Dio (1983)

-This album has classic grooves, vibes and melodies supporting the king

6.Cowboys from Hell, Pantera (1990)

-The "Texas Massacre" started with this one

5. Reign in Blood, Slayer (1986)

-It's full frontal assault riffage and in your face lyrics

4. Iron Maiden, Iron Maiden (1980)

-This felt like fresh U.K. blood from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and it was top of the heap

3. Korn, Korn (1994)

-On their debut, Korn brought a new definition of metal that was a game changer

2. Kill 'Em All, Metallica (1983)

-This was full-on thrash energy that led the USA charge

1. Black Sabbath, Black Sabbath (1970)

-This is the blueprint that epitomizes everything metal

15 Metal Bands That Your Parents Did Not Want You Listening To

Some people consider metal music just loud noise. Some consider it a harbinger of bad activity to come. The strongly religious believers think metal is the music of the Devil. It all depends on how you look at it. Ella Brown, a writer for MSN.com page Back in Time Today, has compiled a list of metal bands parents wanted their kids not to listen to

1. Black Sabbath

-Just the name is eerie enough. Considered to be the godfathers of British heavy metal, these guys are also known as the founding fathers of heavy metal. They played into every parent's worst fear. Occult imagery, dark, ominous music with its tritone sound, often nicknamed "The Devil's Interval." Any parent who discovered their child was listening to Black Sabbath feared they were messing around with the dark arts

-Vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, with his wild onstage personality, didn't help matters much. He looked like a madman released from an asylum to front a metal band. The band even took their name from a Boris Karloff film, suggesting even further connections to devil worship. Conservative parents worried about songs like "War Pigs" or N.I.B", which they thought meant Nativity in Black. Songs like this they thought corrupted innocent youth

2. Judas Priest

-Another Midlands, England metal band, Judas Priest created the studded leather look, twin lead guitar and devastating vocals from Rob Halford that helped define heavy metal. Parents were scared by Halford's seemingly intimidating stage persona and songs deemed rebellious, such as "Breaking the Law" or "Living After Midnight"

-This panic centering on morality reached an all time high in 1990. Two teens made a suicide pact after claims that the band inserted subliminal messages into their songs. The case was thrown out, but their reputation was already damaged. Conservative groups issued warnings about the band's supposedly devilish influences, despite the fact that the songs centered on fairly mild themes of rebellion and freedom

3. Iron Maiden

-Nothing frightens conservative parents more than Iron Maiden's mascot Eddie. He's a snarling, skeletal concoction created by artist Derek Riggs. Each of Iron Maiden's albums feature this snarling creature in some adventure. This legendary British metal band became the center point of all parents fears, despite the fact that their lyrics were often inspired by literature, history and mythology

-Their albums, like The Number of the Beast, were burned at the stake at church-related events. And all of this actually backfired because even their manager, Rod Smallwood, laughs as he says it was great for the band because that meant people actually bought the album. Parents thought it was about devil worship and it was really about a nightmare. The band's complex stage setup showed Eddie as a giant monster. This scared the living daylights out of parents who believed that imagery like that could corrupt their children. Elsewhere, teenagers could not get enough of the music by the band

4. Motley Crue

-Not surprisingly, these guys definitely were a cause for concern. They were known for raunchy lyrics about drug use, strippers and living the fast life. They had teased hair, wore makeup and wore revealing clothing. A parents worst nightmare. MTV embraced their music, with videos for their songs, such as "Girls, Girls, Girls", "Looks That Kill". Parents felt uncomfortable with their seemingly unburdened lifestyle and barely hidden drug references in their songs

-The band members were frequently arrested, overdosing or causing fatal car accidents. This only strengthened their already dangerous reputation. Teens found them appealing-the ultimate symbol of freedom

5. Venom

-Legendary British heavy metal band Venom took metal to nightmarish new heights. They had a raw, unpolished sound and straight, in your face, devilish imagery. Their albums often featured pentagrams and other demonic imagery that seemed almost designed to scare parents and religious communities

-Their song titles left little to the imagination. The band members openly embraced their reputation as the bogeyman of metal, despite the fact that the band members didn't actually worship the Unholy One. Parents were firmly convinced Venom were actually worshipping the devil and were corrupting the youth of the world with their music. The band was noisy, chaotic in their music, with low production only adding to their dark charm. They appealed to teens who were looking for the next thing to shock their parents

6. W.A.S.P.

-One of the great 80s metal bands, this band was fronted by a vocalist named Blackie Lawless. Their stage shows shocked all. Bits of raw meat were thrown, drinking blood from skulls, semi-naked models being tortured, this all came together to form the ultimate nightmare for parents. One of their songs was targeted by the Parents Music Resource Council (PMRC) for having dirty lyrics. It earned a spot on their "Filthy Fifteen" list. This council deemed that albums with explicit lyrics get the famous black and white "Parental Advisory Explicit Lyrics" label. This made them even more famous

-The band created metal excess when vocalist Blackie Lawless had a codpiece with a chainsaw hanging from it. Their acts were purely theatrical, but many parents firmly believed that the band was a threat to the morality of the kids

7. Slayer

-The dark side and Slayer seem like a match made in metal heaven. They have lightning fast music with lyrics about serial killers, warfare and the occult. This made them the ultimate forbidden fruit to teens looking for a new sound. Their albums, such as Reign in Blood, or songs like "Angel of Death" (about Nazi doctor Josef Mengele) crossed lines that even other metal bands refused to cross. Their logo, which features a pentagram and eagle symbol, became the symbol of fear for some parents

-Parents and even religious groups became convinced that Slayer were members of a satanic cult. The band members never denied this. They knew their terrifying reputation was only part of the reason they appealed to fans who were looking for the most extreme metal music that was out there

8. Ozzy Osbourne

-Known as "The Prince of Darkness", Ozzy Osbourne embarked on a rather successful solo career after leaving Black Sabbath. His solo career turned out successful songs like "Mama, I'm Coming Home", "Desire", "Mr. Crowley" and more. Unfortunately, his solo career also attracted controversy. Urinating on the Alamo while drunk and accidentally biting the head off of a bat gave him a reputation as a madman of rock

-He came under fire for the song "Suicide Solution" because it ended in a lawsuit. Claims were that it encouraged a teenager to commit suicide. The case was dismissed when the courts discovered the song was not about urging people to commit suicide, but rather a warning against alcoholism. Unfortunately, the damage was complete. Parents were worried about the classical-inspired solos by guitarist Randy Rhoads. His solos partnered with Ozzy's lyrics made the music accessible to all audiences. This worried parents that the music could corrupt impressionable young minds. This resulted in widespread panic in parents all over North America

9. Mercyful Fate

-King Diamond is their iconic vocalist. With his insane vocal range and unique black and white face paint including black crosses or inverted crosses, became the symbol of the supposed devilish connections with metal music. The Danish metal band horrified parents with albums like Melissa and Don't Break the Oath. The reason being explicit occult themes and imagery. Their stage setups often featured inverted crosses and bones, creating a complex and theatrical experience that would also be deeply disturbing

-Many parents didn't understand the high level of sophistication the band's music involved. There were complex arrangements, King Diamond's beautiful but also devastating vocal range. Many teens saw Mercyful Fate as strongly appealing because of their forbidden nature

10. Megadeth

-One of the "Big 4", a series of thrash metal bands who came out around the same time as each other, Megadeth was created by former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine after he'd been fired from Metallica. He combined the technical precision he'd learned with Metallica with politically powered lyrics to make a music that scared parents. Their mascot is a skull with metal caps over the eyes, ears and mouth. Nicknamed Vic Rattlehead, he symbolizes "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" in the most visual way possible

-"Peace Sells" questions mainstream values and authority. The band's name is a deliberate misspelling of the term megadeath. This term means one million deaths by a nuclear explosion. It seemed almost tailor made to cause maximum fear. The aggressive sound and sneering vocalist represented every parent's worst fear about metal. Elsewhere, teenagers loved the highly technical sound and politically charged lyrics

11. Anthrax

-Just the name alone has parents worried. The band took their name from a bioweapon that was all over the news in the wake of 9/11. The New York-based thrash metal band set off alarms with parents who worried about the influence of metal on young minds. Some metal bands embraced darkness, while these New Yorkers included pop culture and humor into their music. Their songs reference Stephen King novels and comic books, making them easily accessible to younger listeners, worrying parents even more

-When they worked with hip hop group Public Enemy on "Bring the Noise", it caused even more concern amongst parents because metal and hip hop were considered problematic genres. The combination of urban East Coast attitude and the speed and aggression of Anthrax's music made a combination of music dangerous to parents all across North America

12. Twisted Sister

-This band is every parent's worst nightmare. Grown men in garish makeup and drag. Twisted Sister intimidated parents with wild vocalist Dee Snider and his mane of blonde hair and onstage presence. He became the villain in the eyes of many parents. Their best known song "We're Not Gonna Take It" became the soundtrack for rebellious teens. The video for the song came under fire, as it showed a rock music loving teen humiliating his father, seemingly making a direct assault on authority

-Dee Snider famously appeared before Congress to testify against music censorship. He stated thoughtful, intelligent arguments that surprised the Senate committee conducting the session. He was highly intelligent and defensive of metal, which only frustrated parents more. It undermined their argument that metal musicians were brainless degenerates who corrupted the young minds of the world with their songs and messages of defying authority

13. Celtic Frost

-The Swiss metal legends frightened parents with their music. The band is considered, by some, to be avant-garde, because of their experimental approach to music. Their albums, which include Morbid Tales and To Mega Therion, featured complex, but disturbing work by artist H.R. Giger, who is famous for creating the Alien movie monster. The band's heavy use of symphonic instruments made the dark themes their music centered around even more unsettling and dramatic. Vocalist Tom G. Warrior and his iconic "UGH!" grunt became the symbol of everything incomprehensible about extreme metal. The band is more than willing to incorporate female vocals, classic inspirations and experimental sounds. Combined, it makes for a truly original sound that parents could not place into a category, making them seemingly more dangerous

14. KISS

-Some of the more conservative parents thought the name stood for something else, most commonly Knights in Satan's Service. Despite being popular in the 1970s, they introduced controversy in the 1980s. Their makeup, mostly bassist Gene Simmons, who was known as the Demon, spit blood, breathed fire. This had parents convinced that Kiss was satanic, despite the lyrics mostly being party-based

-The rumor that their name stood for Knights in Satan's Service spread like wildfire through concerned parents groups and churches, despite the fact there is no information proving it. Their marketing genius extended to as many markets as possible, bringing their supposedly demonic influence to children. Parents were strongly worried about the open sexuality and Gene's constantly wagging tongue, seeing it as a way of corrupting young people

15. Metallica

-The speed and aggression Metallica put into their music scared the living daylights out of parents. Their early albums, like Kill 'Em All or Ride the Lightning, which featured an electric chair surrounded by lightning, depicted violent imagery that seemed almost tailor made to incite the maximum amount of parental concern. The band wrote songs about warfare, addiction and death, striking fear into parents. This nihilistic and dangerous attitude scared parents. The band wrote a song as a tribute to their fallen band member Cliff Burton. The song "To Live is To Die" struck a chord of fear because it was misinterpreted as being a promoter of suicide when it was really the band's way of mourning the loss of their friend and fellow band mate

-The band's fan base, known as the Metal Militia, had a cult-like devotion to the band that terrified parents. The strong intensity of the connection between the fans and the music suggested unhealthy obsessions to parents. Some of the parents couldn't comprehend the actually healthy, stress-reducing release valve that Metallica's aggressive, speedy sound provided for teens who were navigating those challenging years known as adolescence