22 TV Shows You Won't Believe Are Turning 20 In 2022

    Warning: This article may cause feelings of nostalgia, confusion and disbelief.

    Devin Herenda
    by Devin Herenda

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    1. Kim Possible

    Kim Possible strikes a pose as she prepares to fight villains
    Disney Channel/YouTube

    First episode: June 7, 2002

    Last episode: September 7, 2007

    Number of Seasons: 4

    Number of Episodes: 87

    In 2022, it will have been two decades since the world was introduced to Disney Channel cartoon character Kim Possible, a teenager who fights against villains with her best friend, Ron Stoppable, and his mole rat pet and sidekick, Rufus.

    2. Monk

    Adrian Monk prepares to clean a smudges window in an opening sequence for "Monk"
    Buena Vista Television

    First episode: July 12, 2002

    Last episode: December 4, 2009

    Number of Seasons: 8

    Number of Episodes: 125

    Monk centered around private detective Adrian Monk, who dealt with worsening OCD and phobias after his wife's death. His temperament ended up helping him solve the cases he was assigned.

    3. 8 Simple Rules

    The Hennessy family gathers for a group photo in season 1 of "8 Simple Rules"
    Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection / Everett Collection

    First episode: September 17, 2002

    Last episode: April 15, 2005

    Number of Seasons: 3

    Number of Episodes: 76

    Based on the book, 8 Simple Rules...for Dating My Teenage Daughter, the TV adaptation showed Paul Hennessy’s (played by John Ritter) adventures in raising his three teenagers when his wife returns to work. After John Ritter's untimely passing, the show returned, with his death being written into the series.

    4. The Bachelor

    Chris Harrison (right) stands with Alex Michel, the bachelor for "The Bachelor" season 1
    Courtesy Everett Collection

    First episode: March 25, 2002

    Last episode: still airing

    Number of Seasons: 25

    Number of Episodes: 275

    The Bachelor is one of the few programs on the list that has survived the 20-year mark. This reality dating show began with bachelor Alex Michel searching for a potential wife amongst a group of women in 2002. The show remains a fan favorite is returning to ABC on January 3 for season 26.

    5. The Osbournes

    A still of the Osbourne family from the intro of their MTV reality TV series, "The Osbournes"
    MTV/ Ruth Brennan YouTube

    First episode: March 5, 2002

    Last episode: March 21, 2005

    Number of Seasons: 4

    Number of Episodes: 52

    In March of 2002, The Osbournes’ MTV reality program began, which followed the lives of singer Ozzy Osbourne, his wife, Sharon, and their children, Kelly and Jack. The show helped launched the reality tv genre and brought the family fame "like Beatlemania," Ozzy later said in a British GQ interview.

    6. What I Like About You

    Characters (clockwise) Tina, Lauren, Gary Thorpe, Valerie Tyler, and Holly Tyler and Vince in a promotional photo for "What I Like About You"
    Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection / Everett Collection

    First episode: September 20, 2002

    Last episode: March 24, 2006

    Number of Seasons: 4

    Number of Episodes: 86

    Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth played sisters living together in New York City in this sitcom, which will turn 20 in September 2022. Holly (Bynes) was carefree, while Valerie (Garth) was cautious, which made life interesting as they worked to coexist when their father moves to Japan for a new job.

    7. CSI: Miami

    Stewart Volland / TV Guide / © CBS / Courtesy Everett Collection, Cbs / ©CBS/Courtesy Everett Collection

    First episode: September 23, 2002

    Last episode: April 8, 2012

    Number of Seasons: 10

    Number of Episodes: 232

    CSI: Miami was the first spinoff of the CSI franchise, which started with CSI: Crime Scene Investigation in 2000. The show followed the experiences of detectives working in the Miami-Dade Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigation unit. Its successful release resulted in future spinoffs CSI: NY and CSI: Cyber.

    8. The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius

    The logo of "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius" from the show's intro, which shows characters Cindy Vortex, Sheen Estevez, Carl Wheezer, Jimmy Neutron, and Jimmy's pet robot dog, Goddard
    Nickelodeon Cartoon Universe/YouTube

    First episode: July 20, 2002

    Last episode: November 25, 2006

    Number of Seasons: 3

    Number of Episodes: 59


    Can you believe it’s been almost 20 years since this classic Nickelodeon cartoon series premiered? The show followed the life of genius fifth grader, Jimmy Neutron, who would use his smarts to create gadgets and other inventions. These creations often got him into chaotic situations alongside his pals Carl and Sheen. 

    9. George Lopez

    The cast of "George Lopez" poses for a season 4 promotional photo
    Abc / ©ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection

    First episode: March 27, 2002

    Last episode: May 8, 2007

    Number of Seasons: 6

    Number of Episodes: 120

    Many Nick at Nite fans will remember watching George Lopez before bedtime! In his self-titled sitcom, Lopez played an airplane factory manager juggling family life with his wife, two children, and problematic mother. 

    10. Mike’s Super Short Show

    Disney Channel/Analog Memories YouTube, Disney Channel/Smeaton Plymouth YouTube

    First episode: January 1, 2002

    Last episode: March 6, 2007

    Number of Seasons: 5

    Number of Episodes: 62

    This Disney Channel show was super short, but super memorable! Each episode consisted of two-minute promotional videos of brother and sister duo Mike and Sally discussing upcoming Disney movie releases.

    11. Strange Days at Blake Holsey High

    Characters (clockwise) Vaughn Pearson, Lucas Randall, Josie Trent, Marshall Wheeler and Corinne Baxter in "Strange Days at Blake Holsey High"
    Fireworks Entertainment / Fireworks Entertainment / Courtesy: Everett Collection

    First episode: October 5, 2002

    Last episode: January 28, 2006

    Number of Seasons: 4

    Number of Episodes: 42

    Nearly twenty years have passed since the debut of this Canadian sci-fi series, which presented the puzzling paranormal events faced by five students and their science teacher at Blake Holsey High School.

    12. Andy Richter Controls the Universe

    The cast of "Andy Richter Controls the Universe," (from left) Jonathan Slavin, Paget Brewster, Andy Richter, Irene Molloy, and James Patrick, poses for a group photo
    20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    First episode: March 19, 2002

    Last episode: January 12, 2003

    Number of Seasons: 2

    Number of Episodes: 19

    Following his departure from Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Richter starred in this series as an aspiring short story writer who imagined how his everyday encounters could have played out in his favor. The show has since been remembered as having been cut off too soon, as it only lasted for 19 episodes.


    13. Max & Ruby

    Brother and sister bunnies, Max and Ruby, are seen here in their house during the theme song of "Max & Ruby"
    Treehouse Direct/YouTube

    First episode: May 3, 2002

    Last episode: August 24, 2019

    Number of Seasons: 7

    Number of Episodes: 130

    This cartoon program was based on the Max & Ruby children's book series by author Rosemary Wells. It showed the many adventures of three-year old Max and seven-year-old Ruby, a pair of bunny rabbit siblings who navigate their daily lives together.

    14. Dr. Phil

    Dr. Phil McGraw counsels a guest on his show, "Dr. Phil," about the importance of internet safety
    Dr. Phil/YouTube

    First episode: September 16, 2002

    Last episode: still airing

    Number of Seasons: 20

    Number of Episodes: 3,000

    Another show that began in '02 and has lasted the test of time is Dr. Phil. Phil McGraw started off his TV career by making guest appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, which led to this series. He continues to counsel guests with a variety of issues, including family dysfunction, addictions, and more.

    15. Last Call with Carson Daly

    Carson Daly speaks in front of a live studio audience during a taping of "Last Call with Carson Daly"
    TODAY/YouTube

    First episode: January 8, 2002

    Last episode: May 24, 2019

    Number of Seasons: 18

    Number of Episodes: 2,000

    After serving as a host for MTV’s TRL, Carson Daly moved on to host his own show, Last Call with Carson Daly, which featured celebrity interviews and performances. It began in May of 2002 and ended in 2019 after airing 2,000 episodes.

    16. American Idol

    20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection, 20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    First episode: June 11, 2002

    Last episode: still airing

    Number of Seasons: 19

    Number of Episodes: 640

    From Jennifer Hudson to Carrie Underwood to Kelly Clarkson, American Idol has produced some of the most successful singers in the music industry today. The reality competition show first premiered on Fox in the summer of 2002 and ended in 2016. It has since been picked up again by ABC, where it will continue with season 20 in February of 2022.

    17. What's New, Scooby-Doo?

    (Clockwise) Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Daphne, Velma and Fred of Mystery Inc. in their Mystery machine vehicle for a "What's New, Scooby-Doo?" promotional photo
    Warner Bros / ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

    First episode: September 14, 2002

    Last episode: July 21, 2006

    Number of Seasons: 3

    Number of Episodes: 42

    What’s New, Scooby-Doo? marked a modern iteration of the classic Scooby-Doo cartoon plot. In this version, the Mystery Inc. gang continued to solve mysteries while using new technology as they’re living in the 21st century.

    18. The Anna Nicole Show

    (From left) Anna Nicole Smith, Daniel Smith, Sugar Pie the dog, Kim Walther, and Howard K. Stern in a promotional photo for "The Anna Nicole Show"
    E! Network / E! Network / Courtesy: Everett Collection

    First episode: August 4, 2002

    Last episode: October 7, 2004

    Number of Seasons: 3

    Number of Episodes: 28

    Just five years before Anna Nicole Smith’s untimely passing, The Anna Nicole Show debuted on E! Television Network. The reality series aired 28 episodes that documented the candid moments of the Playboy playmate’s life. 

    19. Lingo

    A 2002 photo of "Lingo" host Chuck Woolery and co-host Shandi Finnessey
    Game Show Network / ©Game Show Network/Courtesy Everett Collection

    First episode: August 5, 2002

    Last episode: June 28, 2007 (then picked up again for 41 more episodes in 2011, and revived in 2021)

    Number of Seasons: 6

    Number of Episodes: 92

    This word spelling game show has been revamped numerous times over the years. After having aired in the late ‘80s, it was revived in 2002 with Chuck Woolery hosting alongside Shandi Finnessey, and Stacey Hayes for 8 episodes. Lingo was later brought back on GSN in 2011 for 41 episodes, and is now airing on British station ITV with host Adil Ray.

    20. The Wire

    HBO

    First episode: June 2, 2002

    Last episode: March 9, 2008

    Number of Seasons: 5

    Number of Episodes: 60

    David Simon, a former police reporter for The Baltimore Sun, created this show about drug trade on the streets of West Baltimore from the experiences of both himself and his writing partner, Ed Burns. It debuted on HBO in 2002, and ran for five seasons, with a total of 60 episodes.

    21. Without a Trace

    Warner Bros. Television

    First episode: September 26, 2002

    Last episode: May 19, 2009

    Number of Seasons: 7

    Number of Episodes: 160

    Without a Trace focused on a missing persons task force team operating under the Federal Bureau of Investigations in New York City. The team is constantly under pressure to search and find each victim with limited time before their case loses hope. Most episodes of the show closed by displaying information to audiences about a real missing persons case.

    22. Everwood

    Actors Gregory Smith, Treat Williams, and Vivien Cardone in a promotional photo for season 1 of "Everwood"
    Warner Bros / ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

    First episode: September 16, 2002

    Last episode: June 5, 2006

    Number of Seasons: 4

    Number of Episodes: 89

    In Everwood, a brain surgeon moved with his two children from the bustling city life of Manhattan to the small town of Everwood, Colorado following his wife's passing. The show produced 89 episodes and helped launch the careers of prominent actors like Chris Pratt, Emily VanCamp, and Justin Baldoni.