Back in the day, TV shows used to be mostly about comedy and entertainment factors. Now, with dozens of new releases every month, the showrunners realize that to draw the viewers’ attention, they have to stand out from the crowd.
Don’t get us wrong – TV shows are still fun, but many of them also include serious takes on real-life problems and express opinions on issues like racism and social inequality that plague our society.
While Bojack Horseman shows the seemingly extravagant life of ex-Hollywood stars in a bad light, Rick and Morty highlight nihilism, existentialism, and the different philosophies of life. The Handmaid’s Tale, set in a near dystopian future ruled by an unjust government that takes rights from women and minorities, can be applied to the current situation of human rights in some parts of the world.
Black Mirror acts as a warning about the dangers of the technological revolution, while Mad Men shows viewers a completely different look at old-school society. None of these titles catches your attention. Well, then you can check this list of the 50 best TV shows of all time.
Here are our picks for 5 TV shows with a positive impact on people and society.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood, the story takes place in a near-future dystopian society known as Gilead. The United States has been transformed into a totalitarian state where women are stripped of their rights and are subjugated into classes based on their ability to reproduce.
The story follows Offred (Elisabeth Moss), a handmaid. She is forced into sexual servitude as a last desperate attempt to repopulate the world after environmental pollution has rendered most women infertile.
The Handmaid’s Tale has received universal acclaim from critics and audiences alike. The show has gained quite a lot of attention because of its themes and relevance to real-life situations. Like many other dystopian TV shows, The Handmaid’s Tale connects with viewers through its commentary on modern society.
The show deals with feminism and religion in a very blunt way. It shows the viewer how easily those with power and influence can manipulate both of these things.
Black Mirror
Black Mirror is an anthology series that centres around speculative fiction and explores modern society and human nature. Each episode presents a different scenario that questions the value and meaning of life and technology.
Black Mirror is currently one of the most acclaimed science fiction shows out there, and it has received worldwide recognition for its original ideas and deep storytelling. It is one of those shows that cause us to think about the future and what technological advances might bring us – both positive and negative consequences.
As we progress as a society, technology becomes more and more interwoven into our daily lives, and we become more dependent on it every day. We need to keep this in mind when we develop new technologies and decide how we want them to affect us and our environment.
BoJack Horseman
BoJack Horseman is an animated comedy-drama series for mature audiences that centres around BoJack, a washed-up sitcom star from the 1990s. Vanity Fair Magazine also voted him with the title of “the world’s number one celebrity”.
However, BoJack now has to contend with the harsh reality of show business. Bojack Horseman is one of those rare shows which doesn’t fit into any particular genre – it’s animation, but it’s not for kids; it’s funny, but it’s not a comedy; though it’s drama, but it’s not realistic enough to be drama.
It’s cynical, but not cynical enough to be… well, you get the picture. Bojack Horseman is like no other show out there – it combines all these contradictory elements in an almost perfect way.
Unlike many other shows, BoJack Horseman is not trying to change the world or make people think deeply about certain issues. It doesn’t have a hidden agenda, yet the show has a lot to say about Hollywood’s entertainment industry and the pressure stars are under. The entire series focuses on BoJack’s struggles to cope with fame, his problems, his failed relationships, and the shortcomings of the entertainment business.
Mad Men
Mad Men chronicles the lives of the employees at an advertising agency on Madison Avenue in New York City from 1960 to 1970. The series explores both the personal lives of each character as well as their professional ones as they interact with clients, coworkers, partners, spouses, and others in the Manhattan business world of the 1960s.
Mad Men is a drama that focuses on office politics and interpersonal relationships that define the American culture of that period. The characters have depth, and they’re flawed, just like any real person is. There are also numerous references to pop culture from the 60s that will leave a lot of room for discussion with your friends after watching an episode or two.
Mad Men demonstrates how easily prejudices can arise from ignorance and close-mindedness. It also covers topics such as the gender roles of women during that period, the treatment of minorities at work, and the role of public relations in business.
Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty is an animated sci-fi sitcom created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon. It follows the story of a sociopathic scientist and his not-so-bright grandson as they go on wacky adventures across the universe.
Rick, also known as the smartest person in the universe, is a genius who’s always looking for new challenges. Together with his trusty grandson Morty, he uses his superior intellect to go through different dimensions and experiment on alien species.
Rick is cynical and often says offensive things that make him seem like a bad person, but deep down inside, he’s a good grandfather who loves his family and would do anything to protect them from any harm.
It is important to watch this show not only because it’s funny and entertaining but also because it offers some great life lessons. Rick is a huge nihilist who doesn’t believe in anything, but as the series progresses, we see him change his opinion on many things as he teaches Morty about morality.
Conclusion
These TV shows have a positive impact on people and society, and they are not only entertaining but also educational. It’s one of those things that makes watching TV worth it – you can learn something new even if you’re sitting on your couch with a bag of chips. The more we know about others’ opinions and beliefs, the easier it’s getting for us to understand each other.
