Sometimes it is very small yet powerful things in the world of pop culture that make a lasting impact on the world as we see it. Television is one of those items that ultimately has formed and changed society’s impression of how we deal with everyday life.
Mental Floss has a list of TV Shows that have changed the world. For the most part, I agree with their list which is comprehensive, and oddly surprising, in it’s depth of coverage.
They list several obvious choices, such as “Star Trek” and Edward R. Murrow’s “See It Now” as examples of television that obviously engaged generations with the introduction of politics and James Kirk (William Shatner is probably one of the greatest living icons of TV who has been able to span 45 years in his career.)
Also included on the list are, which was surprising to me, Billy Graham’s “Hour of Decision” but it goes to show that his influence on televangelism was revolutionary. The most recent edition, and rightfully so, is “The Living Planet.”
A couple of series that were absent that might need a post in the future would be “Mary Tyler Moore” and “Lou Grant.” However, I do believe if this list were done in five years, “Lost” would top the count as would “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” which I believe were the two shows that incorporated the Internet base of fandom into weekly viewing rituals.
