I get it: our world is always changing, and so is the media. We've made a lot progress, and now almost everything is readily accessibly in the palm of our hands. With the push of a button, I could be watching almost any movie or video on Youtube or my Netflix app. While this is a great thing, I miss how TV was when I was a kid. Ten years ago, my kid self would scramble to finish chores and complete that last homework problem, and then run to my spot on the floor in front of the TV for my favorite shows that came on at the same time every day. Those memories make me incredibly nostalgic. Even still, the nostalgia also comes from what was on TV then versus what is on TV now. The things my friends and I watched a decade ago were much more wholesome, exciting, funny, and (frankly) more worth watching than half of what is on TV now. As kids, we were lucky. Some of the shows we grew up with were awesome.
If I was to go back to the glorious days of ABC Family, the WB, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, PBS, Disney Channel and turn on the TV, here are the 20 shows I wish were still playing on a day to day basis.
1. Drake and Josh
Without a doubt, I would still binge watch them today. There are too many good things about it. HUG ME BROTHA!
2. Suite Life of Zach and Cody
Two of the coolest things about this show: that fact that they lived in the Tipton Hotel... and being able to say Esteban Julio Ricardo Montoya de la Rosa RamÃrez's name as fast as you could.
3. Rugrats
Talk about Day One Friends... these tiny tots had the life. I loved their whimsical adventures- and I still think Reptar is the coolest dinosaur ever.
4. That's So Raven
I loved watching all the shenanigans Raven, Cory, and their family and friends would find themselves in!
5. Madeline
"... and the smallest of them was Madeline!"
Yes, I had the dolls, and yes, I wanted to dress just like Madeline.
6. Spongebob Squarepants
Let's face it- no one can make us laugh like Spongebob can.
7. Inspector Gadget
For the creative thinkers, this is for you.
8. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
... the first rap we all learned as kids.
9. Sabrina the Teenage Witch
I don't know who I liked more- Sabrina, or the cat.
10. Dexter's Laboratory
11. Mister Roger's Neighborhood
The gem of my childhood. Thank you for the Land of Make-Believe. Thank you for all of those incredibly VALUABLE life lessons, as well as making my kid self feel better and more confident about life.
12. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
13. Bill Nye the Science Guy
Cheers to the guy that made science more fun than video games. Also, thank you for having a TV show theme song that I wanted to dance to every time it came on.
14. Boy Meets World
there was never a sweeter couple than Cory and Topanga. Also, if anyone deserves as big a standing ovation as Mister Rogers, it would have to be Mr. Feeny. Thank you.
15. Zoey 101
Admit it: we all wanted her phone, and we all wanted to go to a school as cool as PCA. Also, I hear there is FINALLY an ending to the season finale that left us on the edge of our seats...
16. Full House
I mean the original Full House, when the Olson twins were babies and everyone still lived in the same house. I miss the good old days when this family and I were growing up together. There were SO many good life lessons... also baby Michelle was the most relatable kid ever.
17. Dawson's Creek
I don't know if it was the drama or the relationships between characters, or if it is because I really like shows that make me think, but I really loved this show.
18. Saved by the Bell
I watched the original and the college editions... and I would have continued to watch them if they make enough editions to get them to retirement.
19. The Powerpuff Girls
Thank you Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup for showing us kids the meaning of GIRL POWER!
20. The Amanda Show
AMANDA PLEASE.
