Wholesome family fun (Ivanko80 / Shutterstock.com)
These days, television channels and the internet provide a veritable treasure trove of quality entertainment for all tastes - TV shows and movies alike. So much so, that it can sometimes be difficult to find exactly what you’re looking for - especially when you want to narrow your viewing down to something like family TV shows. This list solves the puzzle in one fell swoop, giving you with the best TV shows for the whole family to enjoy together. Hours of wholesome fun, at just the click of a button.
1. THE BRADY BUNCH
STARRING: Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, Ann B. Davis
IN A NUTSHELL: The union of Mike Brady and his three boys with Carol Martin and her three girls - with the addition of housekeeper Alice, of course - results in an iconic, ideal average American family.
ONE OF THE BEST TV SHOWS BECAUSE: It shows that while life in a big family isn’t always easy - it’s always full of love.
2. MODERN FAMILY
STARRING: Ed O'Neill, Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen
IN A NUTSHELL: Currently in its sixth season, this family TV show follows three very different branches of one big family as they face life’s trials and tribulations - in their own unique ways.
ONE OF THE BEST TV SHOWS BECAUSE: It’s inclusive, and hilarious.
3. GILMORE GIRLS
STARRING: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Keiko Agena
IN A NUTSHELL: This girly series follows single mother Lorelai Gilmore and her super bright daughter Rory from high school through college - with a lot of stops for coffee on the way.
ONE OF THE BEST TV SHOWS BECAUSE: No one does banter better than Lorelai and Rory.
4. THE ADAMS FAMILY
STARRING: John Astin, Carolyn Jones, Ted Cassidy
IN A NUTSHELL: While the Adams family is oddly macabre, it is also extremely loving - and made up of some of television’s most unique characters.
ONE OF THE BEST TV SHOWS BECAUSE: It’s where surrealism meets American family drama.
5. FULL HOUSE
STARRING: Bob Saget, John Stamos, Dave Coulier, Ashley Olsen, Mary-Kate Olsen
IN A NUTSHELL: After the sudden death of his wife, Danny Tanner enlists the help of his brother-in-law Jesse and his friend Joey to help him raise his three daughters - D.J., Stephanie and Michelle.
ONE OF THE BEST TV SHOWS BECAUSE: There’s nothing like a ‘Full House’ issue resolution at the end of an episode.
6. THE WONDER YEARS
STARRING: Fred Savage, Dan Lauria, Daniel Stern
IN A NUTSHELL: In a series of flashbacks, Kevin Arnold remembers his journey from adolescence to adulthood through the late ‘60s and early ‘70s.
ONE OF THE BEST TV SHOWS BECAUSE: The show takes place during a period of social turbulence, a fascinating backdrop for the transition into adulthood.
7. THE COSBY SHOW
STARRING: Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, Keshia Knight Pulliam
IN A NUTSHELL: A classic ‘80s sitcom that follows the day-to-day life of the Huxtables, a successful African-American family.
ONE OF THE BEST TV SHOWS BECAUSE: There’s always room for more at the Huxtable house.
8. PARTY OF FIVE
STARRING: Matthew Fox, Scott Wolf, Neve Campbell, Jennifer Love Hewitt
IN A NUTSHELL: This family TV show breaks from the mother-father-children mold, following the lives of five Salinger siblings, who are left to find their own way in life after their parents die in a tragic accident.
ONE OF THE BEST TV SHOWS BECAUSE: It’ll make you love your own brothers and sisters even more.
9. FAMILY TIES
STARRING: Michael J. Fox, Michael Gross, Meredith Baxter
IN A NUTSHELL: Another ‘80s classic, this family TV show follows the lives of ex-hippies Steven and Elyse Keaton, their conservative son Alex, daughters Mallory and Jennifer, and later, their youngest son Andrew.
ONE OF THE BEST TV SHOWS BECAUSE: Michael J. Fox as a teenager. That is all.
10. DOOGIE HOWSER, M.D.
STARRING: Neil Patrick Harris, Max Casella, Belinda Montgomery
IN A NUTSHELL: Doogie Howser is a teenage genius, dealing with the usual problems of growing up: hanging out with friends, having a girlfriend - on top of the pressures of being a doctor.
ONE OF THE BEST TV SHOWS BECAUSE: Doogie is also a fierce advocate for social justice, tackling issues such as AIDS awareness, sexism and homophobia.
