• Best Entertainment 2014 badge

What It Was Like Watching Television In 2004 Vs. 2014

A lot can change in a decade, but it doesn't always.

2004: You wait seven painful days for a new episode of your favorite show. 2014: You can watch 13 new episodes of your favorite show in 13 hours.

Fox / Netflix
Fox / Netflix
Fox / Netflix

2004: Lost premieres and introduces us to a group of people (the survivors of Oceanic flight 815) stuck in a scary place (the Pacific) where their lives are in danger and the only way to escape is by plane. 2014: On Scandal, a group of people (OPA) are stuck in a scary place (Washington, D.C.) where their lives are in danger and the only way to escape (as Olivia proves) is by plane.

ABC

Also, both involve an island in some capacity. Scandal's seems better, but only by a hair.

ABC

Also, both involve an island in some capacity. Scandal's seems better, but only by a hair.

ABC

Also, both involve an island in some capacity. Scandal's seems better, but only by a hair.

2004: Amazon provides you with the essentials almost instantly. 2014: Amazon provides you with viewing essentials instantly.

Amazon

Thank you, 2014, for the gift of Transparent.

Amazon

Thank you, 2014, for the gift of Transparent.

Amazon

Thank you, 2014, for the gift of Transparent.

2004: Everyone is obsessed with a show (Gilmore Girls) about a woman who got pregnant as a teenager and ends up raising her daughter as a single parent. 2014: Everyone is obsessed with a show (Jane the Virgin) about a woman who got pregnant as a teenager and ends up raising her daughter as a single parent.

The WB/ The CW

Lorelai and Xiomara have a lot in common. At least Rory didn't get accidentally artificially inseminated like Jane?

The WB/ The CW

Lorelai and Xiomara have a lot in common. At least Rory didn't get accidentally artificially inseminated like Jane?

The WB/ The CW

Lorelai and Xiomara have a lot in common. At least Rory didn't get accidentally artificially inseminated like Jane?

2004: "Weekend Update" isn't hosted by two white men anymore! 2014: "Weekend Update" isn't hosted by two white men anymore!

NBC

In 2004, Amy Poehler took Jimmy Fallon's seat at the "Weekend Update" table. For the first time ever, the Saturday Night Live segment was hosted by two females: Poehler and Tina Fey. Today, the segment is hosted by Colin Jost and Michael Che. Che, a former writer on the show, replaced Cecily Strong on the "Weekend Update" desk. Now if only we could get Leslie Jones in Jost's seat.

NBC

In 2004, Amy Poehler took Jimmy Fallon's seat at the "Weekend Update" table. For the first time ever, the Saturday Night Live segment was hosted by two females: Poehler and Tina Fey. Today, the segment is hosted by Colin Jost and Michael Che. Che, a former writer on the show, replaced Cecily Strong on the "Weekend Update" desk. Now if only we could get Leslie Jones in Jost's seat.

NBC

In 2004, Amy Poehler took Jimmy Fallon's seat at the "Weekend Update" table. For the first time ever, the Saturday Night Live segment was hosted by two females: Poehler and Tina Fey. Today, the segment is hosted by Colin Jost and Michael Che. Che, a former writer on the show, replaced Cecily Strong on the "Weekend Update" desk. Now if only we could get Leslie Jones in Jost's seat.

2004: On Friends, Lisa Kudrow steals the show as a quirky aspiring artist who is underappreciated in her time. 2014: On The Comeback, Lisa Kudrow steals the show as a quirky aspiring artist who is underappreciated in her time.

Warner Bros. / HBO

Phoebe and Valerie forever.

Warner Bros. / HBO

Phoebe and Valerie forever.

Warner Bros. / HBO

Phoebe and Valerie forever.

2004: On the debut season of The L Word, a relationship is left so strained after a miscarriage that one of the women finds herself sleeping with someone who ISN'T her partner. 2014: On The Affair, a relationship is left so strained after the death of the couple's young child that the woman finds herself in bed with someone who ISN'T her partner.

Showtime

In 10 years, Showtime hasn't changed, apparently. Noah is the new Candace.

Showtime

In 10 years, Showtime hasn't changed, apparently. Noah is the new Candace.

Showtime

In 10 years, Showtime hasn't changed, apparently. Noah is the new Candace.

2004: Jimmy Fallon leaves Saturday Night Live for bigger and better things (Late Night with Jimmy Fallon). 2014: Jimmy Fallon leaves Late Night for bigger and better things (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon).

NBC

It's Jimmy Fallon's decade and we're just living in it, people.

NBC

It's Jimmy Fallon's decade and we're just living in it, people.

NBC

It's Jimmy Fallon's decade and we're just living in it, people.

2004: David Hyde Pierce bids farewell to TV as Frasier ends after 11 seasons. 2014: David Hyde Pierce returns to TV for the first time in a decade on The Good Wife.

NBC / CBS
NBC / CBS
NBC / CBS

2004: You cry every Thursday night as you say good-bye to your TV family on NBC. 2014: You cry every Thursday night as you say good-bye to your TV family on NBC.

NBC

Friends came to an end in May 2004, and a decade later, we are buying Kleenex boxes by the dozen as Parenthood wraps up its run.

NBC

Friends came to an end in May 2004, and a decade later, we are buying Kleenex boxes by the dozen as Parenthood wraps up its run.

NBC

Friends came to an end in May 2004, and a decade later, we are buying Kleenex boxes by the dozen as Parenthood wraps up its run.

2004: Adult Carrie Bradshaw's search for love comes to an end as HBO airs the series finale of Sex and the City. 2014: Teenage Carrie Bradshaw's search for love comes to an end as The CW cancels The Carrie Diaries.

HBO / The CW

Four is not Carrie's lucky number, apparently.

HBO / The CW

Four is not Carrie's lucky number, apparently.

HBO / The CW

Four is not Carrie's lucky number, apparently.

2004: The Amazing Race wins Best Reality Competition Program at the Emmys. 2014: The Amazing Race wins Best Reality Competition Program at the Emmy Awards.

Wikimedia: ApprenticeFan / Public Domain

Those watching this show, please stand up.

Wikimedia: ApprenticeFan / Public Domain

Those watching this show, please stand up.

Wikimedia: ApprenticeFan / Public Domain

Those watching this show, please stand up.

2004: Kelsey Grammer wins an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy for Frasier. 2014: Kelsey Grammer gets a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice Movie Villain for Transformers: Age of Extinction.

NBC / Paramount Pictures
NBC / Paramount Pictures
NBC / Paramount Pictures

2004: Jack Bauer saves the world. 2014: Jack Bauer saves the world.

Fox
Fox
Fox