4. "Full House" | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

top 10 shows i watched growing up That i still think about today

I can't help but accept that I am the way I am due to the ridiculous television I consumed as a child.

261
top 10 shows i watched growing up That i still think about today

I am proud of my sense of humor. It's something I value and something I use as a defense tactic if I feel uncomfortable. Whenever I reflect on it, I always arrive at the conclusion that the media I consumed growing up must have had some part of it. Clearly, there are other things as well, but I watched a lot TV growing up. I've had friends that say their parents were highly restrictive with their screen time as well as what programs they were allowed to view. For me, however, nothing was off-limits as long as I could find it on daytime cable. As a movie fanatic, the first time I watched John Carpenter's "Halloween," I wasn't over 8 years old.

The Disney Channel empire sucked me in like no other. I admired the stars I watched on programs like "Hannah Montana" and "That's So Raven." When I watch these shows today, I still find their punch-lines humorous. I think I grew up in the golden age of children/pre-teen television. These shows were comedic gold and could dive into deeper subject matters.

From "Degrassi: The Next Generation" to "Hannah Montana," here are shows I watched growing up that still affect me today.

1. "Degrassi: The Next Generation"

There's nothing sweeter than finding another former-"Degrassi" super fan and discussing it like it's "Game of Thrones." I probably wasn't the show's target audience when I was in 4th grade, but I still was a loyal fan of this show. This program has the most mature subject matter on this list. This was the first show where I became absorbed in character development and storylines. I also learned what the term "abortion" meant, the dangers of eating disorders, the consequences of sex and much more. Although it can be argued that I was much too young to be exposed to topics like these, I believe it was a good way to effectively teach me some of the dangers of growing up. I have seen each episode in this series through season 11 at least two times over.

2. "Drake and Josh"

This show is still hilarious in 2018. Although there has been controversy surrounding Nickelodeon and Dan Schneider parting ways, there's no denying that Schneider is a mastermind for creating this show. In my opinion, four seasons of this program wasn't nearly enough. The odd humor featured in this show definitely had an effect on what I think is funny now.

3. "That's So Raven"

"That's So Raven" wins the creativity jackpot in my book. A psychic teen that has futuristic visions that the audience can see? Sign me up. This show seemed to have it all. A psychic, an annoying brother, a clueless best friend, a quirky dad and a high school teacher that sweats profusely. It looks bizarre when I type it out, but this show will always be one of my guilty pleasures.

4. "Full House"

I remember one summer when I was in elementary school where I would count down the minutes until 10 a.m. when the "Full House" hour started on ABC Family. I managed to watch the entire series this summer. This show has humor, heart and a model family that could make anyone jealous. Like "Degrassi," this is a show I could still relate to today, even in my twenties.

5. "iCarly"

It wasn't the end of the world when "Drake & Josh" came to an end because "iCarly" was released shortly after. This program's quirky humor can still make me laugh out loud when I think of some of the scenes. For example, they have a teacher that is obsessed with "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and keeps a closet packed with Randy Jackson novelties. It's things like this that can make this show seem like an SNL skit. This show inspired my best friends and me to become obsessed with creating YouTube videos of our own (clearly, with the lack of iKayla in the world, it never worked out).

6. "Spongebob Squarepants"

Someone told me once that if you watched "Spongebob" growing up, your IQ is lower than those who didn't. I don't know how much I believe that, but this is my favorite cartoon, so I wouldn't be too heartbroken if it was. Packed with inside jokes only "Spongebob" connoisseurs would understand, this silly cartoon is one I can still sit through without getting bored. It's funny, somehow relatable and adorable.

7. "Hannah Montana"

When I think of "Hannah Montana," strong feelings of nostalgia overcome me. This show proved that it's possible to be a mega-pop star who doubles as a regular 13-year-old girl living in luscious Malibu. This series was a phenomenon. Not only was it an uber popular television series, it also created a musical empire. Obsessed is an understatement when I think back to how much I loved this show when I was a kid. I'm still waiting for my alter-ego pop-star to be recognized.

8. "The Fairly OddParents"

This cartoon contributed to every kid's expansive imagination. It also showed through animation that kids are more capable than adults think. By making adults out to be dumb and obnoxious and kids as smart as can be, this show made me feel invincible. Although it can't compete against "Spongebob," this is an excellent cartoon.

9. "Big Time Rush"

Like "Hannah Montana," I was a huge fan of this show, as well as the music that came out of it. This is the story of four hockey-crazed Minnesotans who cut a big break in California with a record deal. This show spoke to my own secret dreams, and I think that's why I liked it so much. It's also ridiculous and quirky.

10. "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody"

Last but not least, "Zack & Cody." This Disney Channel show was hilarious and knew how to develop characters. I still have a huge crush on Cole Sprouse. This featured video still is one of the scariest ghost scenes I've ever seen, and it's from a children's show.

There you have it. My top 10 picks for best childhood shows.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

621
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
student thinking about finals in library
StableDiffusion

As this semester wraps up, students can’t help but be stressed about finals. After all, our GPAs depends on these grades! What student isn’t worrying about their finals right now? It’s “goodbye social life, hello library” time from now until the end of finals week.

1. Finals are weeks away, I’m sure I’ll be ready for them when they come.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

2001
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

3255
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments