The Mycenaean

For a long time now, television has been a main source of entertainment for the general population. With hundreds of shows released yearly, people have many choices of shows to indulge in.

Teenagers in particular represent a large portion of the television audience, with platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Max easily accessible through a subscription.

The Classics

There are some shows that just never seem to die, often ones that aired years ago, ran for many seasons, and sparked heated debates among the fanbase; these can be seen as “classics.”

In a recent poll posted on the @lrhsnews Instagram, students shared the shows that they have been watching. Notably, a lot of the responses were these so-called “classics” that have been popular for what seems like forever. For example, multiple students, including Ella Jack, a sophomore, and Sarah Peterson, a senior, shared that they’ve been watching Grey’s Anatomy.

Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama that aired 20 years ago, has surpassed 20 seasons, and remains a staple on students’ watchlists. The show’s longevity and continued popularity are why it’s seen as a classic, and even new generations, such as Generation Z, still are drawn to watching it.

Another popular response was Gilmore Girls, an even older show that aired in 2000 and concluded in 2007. Yet, the show has had a consistent and growing fan base throughout the years. The rise of popular social media apps such as TikTok has contributed to its popularity, with clips attracting new, younger viewers.

Additionally, Dexter, which aired from 2006 to 2013, has experienced a notable resurgence. With the show being added to Netflix less than a year ago, it’s been introduced to a younger demographic, leading to a renewed fanbase being propagated on TikTok.

“I started watching Dexter a couple of months ago because I kept seeing clips of it on TikTok, and it looked interesting. Now I’m on season five and I love it,” said Taylor Gorrell, a senior.

Studies show that Gen Z consumes more media than any other age group, averaging around 6.6 hours a day. The study also reports that streaming platforms have become the new norm over cable television. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that when Netflix or Hulu decides to add an older show, such as Dexter, it can end up dominating the media when new audiences are exposed to it.

Among these classics, other notable shows students reported were Gossip Girl, Impractical Jokers, and The Walking Dead. All shows that came out over ten years ago.

The Currents

Aside from the old attracting the new, there are a select few shows that have come out in recent years and made waves within popular culture.

Emily Gagan, a senior, reported that she’s been watching The Night Agent, a show that aired on Netflix in 2023 and currently has a new season running.

Evan Smith, a senior, reported that he’s been watching Outer Banks, a show that aired on Netflix in 2020 and has had a strong following since. Outer Banks in particular has kept such a dedicated fan base through TikTok clips from the show that have even become memes.

Other newer shows on students’ radars are The Summer I Turned Pretty, set to release a new season this July, as well as The White Lotus and Yellowjackets, both currently airing new episodes from their recently released third seasons.

Whether it’s timeless classics or new releases capturing students’ attention, streaming and social media platforms have revolutionized the way media is diffused. As streaming platforms continue to introduce older shows, the cycle of rediscovery continues.