By Jessica Wedemeyer
5:31am PDT, May 18, 2020
It's been almost 20 years since we first ventured to Stars Hollow when "Gilmore Girls" debuted on The WB on Oct. 5, 2000. Lauren Graham earned Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations for her work as Lorelai Gilmore on the dramedy, which ran for seven seasons and marked Alexis Bledel's acting debut, as well as Melissa McCarthy's big break. To inspire your next binge-watch while quarantining at home amid the coronavirus pandemic, Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at more unforgettable TV shows that are turning 20 in 2020. (You can stream "Gilmore Girls" on Netflix or Philo, by the way!) Now keep reading for more…
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"Malcolm in the Middle" debuted on FOX on Jan. 9, 2000. The Emmy-winning family sitcom — which ran for seven seasons — shot Frankie Muniz into the spotlight. Both the child actor and the stars who played his parents, Jane Kaczmarek and a pre-"Breaking Bad" Bryan Cranston, scored Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for their work on the series, which is currently streaming on Hulu and Sling.
RELATED: "Malcolm in the Middle" cast: Where are they now?
"Seinfeld" creator Larry David racked up Emmy nominations for portraying a version of himself on "Curb Your Enthusiasm," which debuted on Oct. 15, 2000. The HBO comedy ran for eight seasons until 2011, returned for a ninth season in late 2017 and then came back again for a 10th season in early 2020. It's streaming now on Hulu and HBO Now.
RELATED: "Curb Your Enthusiasm" cast: How their lives have changed
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" debuted on CBS on Oct. 6, 2000, and ran for 15 seasons until September 2015. The Las Vegas-set police procedural racked up countless Emmy and Golden Globe nominations over the years, and the stellar cast (including Gary Dourdan, George Eads, Jorja Fox, Paul Guilfoyle, Robert David Hall, Marg Helgenberger, William Petersen and Eric Szmanda) won the SAG Award for best performance by an ensemble in a drama series back in 2005. Various seasons of "CSI" are streaming on Hulu, CBS All Access, Sling, YouTubeTV and Fubo.
One of the all-time greatest reality shows — "Survivor" — debuted on CBS on May 31, 2000. The 40th season of the Emmy-winning series recently came to its dramatic conclusion. It'll be back with season 41 once the coronavirus pandemic has abated — the reality show shut down production back in March. Relive some of the earliest seasons — which Jeff Probst won four Emmys for hosting — on CBS All Access, Hulu, YouTubeTV and Fubo.
Shia LaBeouf shot into the spotlight after he starred on the Disney Channel's "Even Stevens," which debuted on June 17, 2000. He even won a Daytime Emmy Award for his performance on the family comedy, which ran for three seasons. You can relive the magic on Disney+.
Another huge reality show that kicked off in the year 2000? The first season of the American iteration of "Big Brother" debuted on CBS on July 5, 2000. Season 21 of the Julie Chen-hosted series wrapped in September 2019 — with the 22nd season originally scheduled to premiere this summer. Sadly, the start date has been pushed due to the coronavirus pandemic. You can stream "Big Brother" on CBS All Access.
Jessica Alba scored a Golden Globe nomination for her performance as a genetically engineered super-soldier in the James Cameron-created sci-fi series "Dark Angel," which debuted on FOX on Oct. 3, 2000. Sadly, the cult dystopian drama ended after just two seasons.
The iconic kids cartoon "Dora the Explorer" debuted on Nickelodeon on Aug. 14, 2000. The series, which is comprised of eight seasons, went on hiatus in mid-2014 but returned with six new episodes in July 2019 to commemorate the live-action adaptation, "Dora and the Lost City of Gold." Relive your childhood by streaming the cartoon, which racked up Daytime Emmy Award nominations, on Sling, Fubo and Philo and via NickJr.com.
Tracee Ellis Ross scored her first big break when she was cast as Joan Clayton on "Girlfriends," which debuted on UPN on Sept. 11, 2000. The beloved sitcom — which also starred Jill Marie Jones, Golden Brooks and Persia White — aired for eight seasons until February 2008 and is currently streaming on Philo.
"Jackass" debuted on MTV on Oct. 1, 2000. Though the stunt and prank show led by Johnny Knoxville came to an end after just three seasons in February 2002, its impact on pop culture can't be understated. The series spawned several spinoffs and films, and its influence can still be seen in today's Internet pranksters.
"Soul Food" — a TV series based on the 1997 film of the same name — debuted on Showtime on June 28, 2000. The family drama ran for four seasons and brought together stars Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, who tied the knot back in 2005.
Before there was Dick Wolf's "Chicago" universe, there was David E. Kelley's Boston-based TV franchise, which kicked off with "The Practice" and grew to include "Ally McBeal," "Boston Legal" and "Boston Public," which debuted on Oct. 23, 2000, and ran for four seasons on FOX. The Emmy-winning drama centered around the teachers and students at a fictional Boston high school.
Tom Cavanagh scored a Golden Globe nomination for his performance as Ed Stevens — a former hotshot lawyer who buys a rundown bowling alley in his hometown — on the Emmy-nominated dramedy "Ed." The series, which debuted on NBC on Oct. 8, 2000, featured a pre-"Modern Family" Julie Bowen and ran for four seasons.
"Making the Band" debuted on ABC on March 24, 2000. Over the course of 12 seasons, the reality show introduced the world to O-Town, LMNT, Da Band, Danity Kane and more. In early 2020, Diddy announced that his three sons will judge the upcoming fifth iteration of the series, which has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The original iteration of "Trading Spaces" debuted on TLC and Discovery Home on Oct. 13, 2000. The Emmy-nominated home design series, which was mainly hosted by Paige Davis, ran for eight seasons until December 2008. A revival launched on the Discovery Channel in 2018. It's currently streaming on YouTubeTV, Sling, Fubo and Philo.
Craig T. Nelson starred as the commissioner of the DC Police on "The District," which debuted on CBS on Oct. 7, 2000. The police procedural ran for four seasons.
The original iteration of "BattleBots" debuted on Comedy Central on Aug. 23, 2000. After five seasons, the competition show came to an end in December 2002. ABC revived it for two seasons between 2015 and 2016. The series then moved to Discovery in 2018. Its 10th season has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. ("BattleBots" is produced by Whalerock Industries, which owns Wonderwall.com.) "BattleBots" is currently streaming on Sling, Fubo and Philo.
Kevin Sorbo headlined the Canadian sci-fi series "Andromeda," which debuted on Oct. 2, 2000 — though it would be another four years before it premiered in the United States on the Sci-Fi Channel. "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry conceptualized the cult action-drama show, which ran for five seasons, before his death in 1991. It's currently streaming on Amazon Prime and Vudu.
