For nearly four decades, the Big Three networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) dominated television, with any attempts at a fourth competitor quickly trounced. However, on October 9, 1986, a fourth network launched and steadily gained affiliates by offering innovative programming, often appealing to a younger demographic.
Fox has been the most successful network beyond the Big Three, despite a somewhat shaky beginning. The network launched with a short-lived late night talk show initially hosted by Joan Rivers, “The Late Show.” Then, beginning in April 1987, Fox gradually rolled out original primetime programming, starting with Sunday night premieres of two shows whose concepts were new to regular network programming. “Married. . .with Children” brought raunch to the family sitcom genre, raising the ire of conservative watchdog groups to the point that demands were made for a boycott; ironically, this actually brought attention to the series, and it achieved a whole new level of success. “The Tracey Ullman Show” delivered a unique sketch comedy series that earned the network its first Emmy, and introduced another sitcom family to audiences – one that would eventually make the network a contender with the Big Three.
“The Simpsons” began as a series of animated shorts on “The Tracey Ullman Show,” and debuted as its own series on December 17, 1989. It became the first Fox series to rank in the top 30, and has gone on to become the longest-running animated series, sitcom and scripted primetime series in American TV history. During this time, Fox also found a niche with reality TV that included the long-running “Cops” and “America’s Most Wanted.” Fox steadily grew during this time by offering programming slightly below the number of hours defined by the FCC to legally be considered a network, thus it didn’t have to adhere to many of the regulations that were in effect – a practice which other fledgling networks have copied.
Throughout the 1990s, Fox produced shows with edgier content that likely would have never made it on a Big Three network. Shows like “Martin,” “In Living Color,” “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Melrose Place” developed loyal followings that took the network to a new level of success.
By 1993, Fox offered original programming all seven nights, including its first late-night success, “MADtv.” Fox ended the 1997-1998 season with three shows in the top 20, including the animated series “The Simpsons” and “The King of the Hill.” “The X-Files” barely missed the top ten, landing at number 11.
Animated sitcoms became a staple of the network’s programming going into the 2000s. Besides “The Simpsons” and “King of the Hill,” “Family Guy” and “Futurama” were hits with audiences and critics. Fox produced a number of controversial reality shows during this time, including the ill-advised “Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?” and “Joe Millionaire,” the latter of which became Fox’s first top ten program, rising to number three. In 2002, Fox finally hit the big time with the hugely popular “American Idol,” which consistently maintained two spots in the top ten for 11 years. For six consecutive years, either the competition night or the results night ranked number one, a feat unmatched. With several contestants going on to successful careers and the unparalleled popularity of the show, “American Idol” is one of the most (if not the most) influential shows to air since the beginning of the 2000s.
Besides “American Idol,” Fox has continued to build its foundation by delivering new and fresh programming. “24” redefined TV espionage thrillers, “Bones” offered a fresh take on police procedurals, “Glee” brought back comedy musicals and shows like “Fringe” and the short-lived “Firefly” developed cult followings.
Although Fox hasn’t been around as long as the Big Three, the network has provided excellent programming throughout its nearly four-decade history. We’ve attempted to find the 30 best. The impact of “American Idol” on television cannot be ignored; however, we have not included include daytime, reality, news or sports programs on our lists; we have based choices on longevity, popularity, innovativeness and awards. Tour our photo gallery of the 30 best FOX shows, ranked.
You can also visit our galleries ranking the history of best shows for ABC, CBS and NBC.
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30. 21 Jump Street (1987-1991)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image It’s a wonder that no one had come up with the concept previously: young, attractive police officers going undercover in high schools and colleges, cracking down on drug trafficking and abuse. It was the perfect era and the perfect cast to boost the brand-new network, and “21 Jump Street” became the first hit series for Fox, the first to win a time slot against a Big Three network program and, most memorably, the show that made a teen idol out of Johnny Depp.
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29. Futurama (1999-2003)
Image Credit: Futurama TM and © 2010 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved After his success with “The Simpsons,” creator Matt Groening conceived this animated sci-fi sitcom revolving around eternal slacker Philip J. Fry, who is accidentally cryogenically frozen in 2000 and thawed out in 2999. Full of dark and irreverent humor, with inside mathematical and scientific jokes and references to such sci fi classics such as “Star Trek,” “Futurama” gained a cult following. Even critics appreciated its innovative and funny concept of the future, and it won three Emmys during its years on Fox, including Best Animated Program.
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28. Party of Five (1994-2000)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image It wasn’t the first series targeted to teens, but it was among the first teen dramas to portray realistic and timely situations as opposed to glitzy soap-opera-type drama. Five orphaned siblings must face not only coming-of-age challenges, but also deal with the sudden loss of their parents, having the eldest sibling take over guardianship and try to keep the family business afloat. Although it struggled in the ratings initially, a Golden Globe win for Best Drama in 1996 gave the series a boost. The series itself boosted quite a few careers, with the ensemble cast including Scott Wolf, Matthew Fox, Neve Campbell, Lacey Chabert, Jeremy London and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
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27. Bob’s Burgers (2011-present)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Fox This little animated sitcom had a rocky start, but once it picked up momentum, it won the praise of critics and audiences alike, enduring for over a decade. Bob and Linda Belcher raise kids Tina, Gene and Louise while running the family restaurant “Bob’s Burgers,” which caters to the oddball locals and finds stiff competition in Jimmy Pesto’s Pizzeria. Running gags, such as the Belcher’s ever-changing neighboring business and the “Today’s Special” burger, contribute to the series quirky humor, which has garnered numerous award nominations, including Emmy nods for Best Animated Program every year since 2012 and wins in 2014 and 2017.
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26. The Bernie Mac Show (2001-2006)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Well-loved comedian Bernie Mac turned his standup routine into a sitcom, with a fictional version of himself taking in his sister’s three kids (Dee Dee Davis, Jeremy Suarez and Camille Winbush) to raise with the help of his loving wife (Kellita Smith). Mac’s love of the Chicago White Sox, his trademark sardonic humor and his connection with “America” when breaking the fourth wall provided a fresh take on the traditional family sitcom. The pilot episode earned an Emmy for writing, and Mac earned two nominations for Best Comedy Actor.
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25. The Mindy Project (2012-2015)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Mindy Kaling wrote, produced and starred in this sitcom influenced by her mother’s career as an OB/GYN. Blending wry workplace humor with romcom fancies, Kaling stars as Dr. Mindy Lahiri, who tries to balance her professional life with her personal life, including frustrating romantic entanglements – most notably with co-worker Dr. Danny Castellano (Chris Messina). Kaling’s unique and quirky comedy was a hit with critics, and a solid presence on the network for three seasons.
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24. MADtv (1995-2009)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Very few shows have been able to compete with NBC’s successful “SNL,” but “MADtv” proved up to the task for 14 years. Loosely based on the popular “Mad” magazine, the sketch comedy series utilized a large and diverse cast to parody celebrities, films, TV series and various current events. Numerous characters made their way into pop-culture history, such as the overgrown spoiled brat Stuart Larkin (Michael McDonald) and his overbearing mother Doreen (Mo Collins), the dim-witted Ms. Swan (Alex Borstein) and the loathsome Vancome Lady (Nicole Sullivan), whom fans loved to hate. Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key met while starring on “MADtv,” eventually forming a highly successful comedy duo.
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23. King of the Hill (1997-2009)
Image Credit: Courtesy of FOX Mike Judge followed up his wildly popular and irreverent MTV animated series “Beavis and Butthead” with this slice of life animated sitcom set in the heart of Texas. The everyday lives of typical Americans is shown through Hank Hill, his wife Peggy, son Bobby and their oddball neighbors, including conspiracy theorist Dale Gribble and former high school golden boy Bill Dauterive. Audience and critics alike were drawn in by small-town shenanigans, such as the Hills’ niece Luanne coming to live with them after her mother stabs Hank with a knife, and neighbor Dale’s cluelessness that his son is not biologically his, but the result of his wife’s 14-year affair with Native American John Redcorn. “King of the Hill” was a solid hit for Fox for 13 seasons, and picked up a Best Animated Program Emmy in 1999.
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22. Prison Break (2006-2009, 2017)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image It was a thrill ride to watch the brilliant structural engineer Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) break his wrongly convicted brother Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) out of prison. Following an elaborate scheme to commit a crime and be sentenced to the same prison as Lincoln, a heavily tattooed Michael runs into numerous complications that force him to seek help from fellow (and not-so-innocent) inmates. Although plots involving government conspiracies got a little hare-brained along the way, “Prison Break” is a solid thriller reminiscent of “The Fugitive,” and gained a loyal following that resulted in a fifth season eight years after its original conclusion.
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21. New Girl (2011-2018)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Sitcoms centering around a group of friends and their various personal, professional and romantic entanglements wasn’t a new concept, but Zooey Deschanel’s kooky and eternally optimist elementary school teacher Jessica Day gave it a fresh and “simply adorkable” twist. She and roommates Nick Miller (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Winston Bishop (Lamorne Morris), along with friends Cece (Hannah Simone) Coach (Damon Wayans, Jr.), indulge in rounds of “True American,” make fun of Winston’s obsessive love of a cat, depend on Nick’s valiant efforts at fixing anything broken and support Schmidt’s many contributions to the “douchebag jar.”
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20. Fringe (2008-2013)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image An FBI agent (Anna Torv), along with a mad scientist (John Noble) and his jack-of-all-trades son (Joshua Jackson), investigate unexplained and terrifying happenings using fringe science. Although it got stuck in the “Friday night death slot,” storylines involving a parallel universe and different mysteries each week, as well as a recurring role for cult-favorite Leonard Nimoy, attracted a loyal following. With its unique blend of sci fi, supernatural fantasy and procedural drama, “Fringe” became a cult hit that has spawned games, a comic book series and a trilogy of books.
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19. Living Single (1993-1998)
Image Credit: Courtesy of FOX In one of her first acting roles, Queen Latifah led an ensemble cast that includes Kim Coles, Kim Fields, Erika Alexander, John Henton and T.C. Carson, who play a group of successful friends navigating the single life in New York City. It quickly became one of the young network’s most popular series, and has often been cited as one of the best and most relatable African-American sitcoms. Although often compared to “Friends,” which became a ratings hit during the same era, “Living Single” never reached that level of popularity, but has been praised for its positive portrayal of successful young Black Americans. And it has staying power, remaining on air in syndication or streaming, and gaining new fans 25 years after its final episode.
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18. Melrose Place (1992-1999)
Image Credit: ©1992 FOX TELEVISION/SOAPNET Spun off from “Beverly Hills 90210,” this sudsy drama had a revolving cast of young adults living in an apartment complex on Melrose Place, with characters ranging from always-unlucky Alison (Courtney Thorne-Smith) to makes-her-own luck Sydney (Laura Leighton), from the unfaithful Michael (Thomas Calbro) to reliable Jake (Grant Show). But most memorable is the deliciously nasty Amanda Woodward, played to perfection by Heather Locklear, who had flings with just about every straight male on the show- eventually ending up with the equally nasty Dr. Peter Burns (Jack Wagner). The show provided an hour of tantalizing escapism in the tradition of “Dallas” and “Dynasty.”
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17. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2018)
Image Credit: Courtesy of FOX At this NYPD precinct, a team of oddball but surprisingly effective detectives crackdown on crime in the big city. The stern and deadpan Captain Holt (Andre Braugher) commands a team that includes the cocky Jake Peralta (Adam Samburg), Jake’s faithful sidekick Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio), the tough Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz), sensitive strongman Sergeant Jeffords (Terry Crews), Jake’s nerdy love interest Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero), the lazy but sometimes shockingly insightful Hitchcock and Scully (Dirk Blocker and Joel Mckinnon Miller) – who are just biding time to retirement – as well as Holt’s sarcastic and disinterested assistant Gina (Chelsea Peretti). Most police procedurals lean dramatic, but “Nine-Nine” brought humor to crime-fighting, and kept audiences coming back with epic Halloween heists.
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16. Bones (2005-2017)
Image Credit: Streiber/FOX Forensic anthropologist Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel) believes in science and remaining subjective; FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) relies on instinct and his faith. Along with her formidable team of “squints” at the Jeffersonian, the two solve cases revolving around humans remains. With its dark humor, chemistry between the two leads and ongoing storylines with prolific serial killers like The Gravedigger, Gormogon and Pelant, “Bones” offered a new twist on the police procedural, and developed a solid fan base over 12 seasons.
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15. Empire (2015-2020)
Image Credit: Chuck Hodes/FOX Reminiscent of glitzy 1980s primetime soap operas, “Empire” hooked audiences with family drama, manipulations, romantic entanglements and revenge – updated for the newer millennium. Hip-hop mogul Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) built his “Empire” with drug money, for which vengeful ex-wife Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) has served prison time. When Lucious is diagnosed with ALS, he pits their three sons (Bryshere Y. Gray, Jussie Smollett, Trai Byers) against one another for control of the company. With its contemporary music, suspenseful battles for power and excellent ensemble cast, “Empire” gradually attracted audiences, becoming a top five show for Fox.
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14. That ’70s Show (1998-2006)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image It seems like ancient history now, but the 1970s was an era of fond and vivid memories for the mom and dads of the 1990s. A group of teens (Topher Grace, Laura Prepon, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Wilmer Valderrama, Danny Masterson) are just “hangin’ out. . .down the street/the same old thing (they) did last week. . ” Smoking pot on the sly in the basement, driving around in the Vista Cruiser, listening to KISS, smirking when tough dad (Kurtwood Smith) threatens to “kick your ass” or grinning when ditzy mom (Debra Jo Rupp) makes brownies all bring that decade to hilarious life. With eight seasons, it’s Fox’s second-longest-running live action sitcom, and launched the careers of its young leads. And who doesn’t love the fact that Kelso and Jackie ended up together in real life?
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13. Family Guy (1999-present)
Image Credit: Courtesy of FOX With its crude humor and in-your-face commentary on current events and pop culture, “Family Guy” has attracted as much controversy as it has praise. Early on, Fox wasn’t quite sure where to place Seth MacFarlane’s irreverent animated sitcom, and bounced it around on the schedule, resulting in a cancellation after season three. However, phenomenal DVD sales and high ratings in syndication quickly renewed Fox’s interest. “Family Guy” was revived, and audiences have enjoyed following the dysfunctional Griffin family, especially the diabolical baby Stewie and their much more urbane canine companion Brian. In 2009, it became the second of just two animated series to receive a nomination for the Best Comedy Emmy; “The Flintstones” had managed this feat 48 years prior. “Family Guy” is the fourth-longest running series in American primetime TV history, and has been renewed for a least two more.
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12. The Tracey Ullman Show (1987-1990)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image This sketch series was Fox’s second original primetime program, and one of the most original ever produced. With James L. Brooks at the helm, British import Tracey Ullman displayed her many talents in close to 100 different characters that included different accents, hair and makeup. Julie Kavner, Dan Castellaneta, Sam McMurray and Joseph Malone provided numerous additional characters, and Paula Abdul won an Emmy for choreography. “The Tracey Ullman Show” was the first Fox program to garner any Emmy, with ten wins over its four seasons, including a win for Best Variety Series in 1989, and a win for Ullman herself the next year. However, the show’s greatest legacy might be the introduction of a family in short animated “bumpers” during the first three seasons – “The Simpsons.”
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11. Ally McBeal (1997-2002)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Whether it was Ally’s (Calista Flockhart) “dancing baby,” John’s (Peter MacNicol) bathroom gymnastics or one of Richard’s (Greg Germann) many “Fishisms,” there was always something offbeat going on at the law firm Cage & Fish. Romantic entanglements, especially Ally’s love triangle with ex-boyfriend Billy (Gil Bellows) and his wife Georgia (Courtney Thorne-Smith), were as prevalent as actual legal woes, and “Ally McBeal” led the way for the “dramedy” genre, becoming the first such program to win an Emmy for Best Comedy.
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10. Glee (2009-2015)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image It made being “gleek” cool, bringing the highs and lows of high school years to vivid musical life on the small screen. The glee club of the fictitious William McKinley High included a variety of teens that anyone could find relatable – from jocks (Cory Monteith, Mark Salling) to bullied (Kevin McHale, Chris Colfer), from cheerleaders (Heather Morris, Naya Rivera) to overachievers (Lea Michele, Amber Riley). Over six seasons, roughly a dozen teens rotated through Will Schuester’s (Matthew Morrison) glee club, representing various ethnicities, as well as teen issues such as sexual orientation, teen pregnancy, cliques and family dysfunction. The infectious musical numbers in “Glee” won over critics and audiences alike, with dozens of singles from the show charting on the Hot 100.
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9. Married . . . with Children (1987-1997)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Once upon a time, the image of a sitcom family was a nice set a parents, a couple of well-behaved kids, a dog and a white picket fence. Then came the Bundys. Al (Ed O’Neill), Peggy (Katey Sagal), Kelly (Christina Applegate) and Bud (David Faustino) became synonymous with laziness and dysfunction. “Married. . . with Children” was Fox’s first original primetime series, and brought attention to the fledgling network, albeit largely through controversy. As the first raunchy sitcom to air on network TV, conservative advocacy groups condemned the show, causing Fox to pull the 1989 episode “I’ll See You in Court,” which remained unseen until FX aired it in 2002. Love it or hate it, the sitcom is Fox’s longest-running live-action sitcom and one of the longest-running in TV history, with 11 seasons over a decade, and has had a huge influence on the genre since.
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8. Arrested Development (2003-2006)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix The dysfunction of the riches-to-rags Bluth family is legendary, with corrupt dad (Jeffrey Tambor), martini-swilling mom (Jessica Walter), man-child Buster (Tony Hale), ne’er-do-well Gob (Will Arnett) and materialistic Lindsay (Portia de Rossi) making life miserable for the only sensible one in the bunch, Michael (Jason Bateman). Although it was under appreciated by audiences during its initial run and was cancelled after three seasons, critics recognized its originality and intelligence, and the series was nominated for the Best Comedy Emmy for each season, winning for its first. It’s gained a cult following over the years, has been consistently named as one of the greatest sitcoms ever, and its single-camera format has influenced a generation of comedy-makers.
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7. Malcolm in the Middle (2000-2006)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Child prodigy Malcolm (Frankie Muniz), his rambunctious brothers (Christopher Kennedy Masterson, Justin Berfield, Erik Sullivan) and overly passionate parents Hal (Bryan Cranston) and Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) became a defining sitcom family for the aught generation. From its Grammy-winning theme “Boss of Me” to its absurd cold openings to Malcolm’s frequent breaking of the fourth wall, “Malcolm” was a new, upbeat portrayal of a dysfunctional – but loving and loyal – lower-middle-class family.
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6. In Living Color (1990-1994)
Image Credit: Courtesy of FOX Keenen Ivory Wayans created this sketch variety series that presented irreverent Black humor at a time when that genre was dominated by shows with mostly white casts. The show helped to launch dozens of careers, including Wayans’s siblings Shawn, Damon, Kim and Marlon, as well as Jim Carrey, David Alan Grier, Jamie Foxx and “Fly Girls” Rosie Perez, Carrie Ann Inaba and Jennifer Lopez. Wayans’s fresh and raw humor poked fun at American race relations and black stereotypes with skits like “The Homeboy Shopping Network,” “Men on Film” and “Homey D. Clown.” Its first season won the Emmy for Best Variety Series.
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5. Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Twins Brandon (Jason Priestley) and Brenda (Shannen Doherty), Kelly (Jennie Garth), Steve (Ian Ziering), Donna (Tori Spelling), Andrea (Gabrielle Carteris), David (Brian Austin Green) and bad boy Dylan (Luke Perry) – they are one of the most well-known and infamous group of teens in the history of TV, sparking the popular “teen soap” genre and making household names out of its stars. Despite a slow start, “Beverly Hills” became a pop culture phenomenon, attracting a following with contemporary teen issues, such as teen sex, abuse, homophobia, teen suicide and teen pregnancy. The show remained popular despite cast exits, including Doherty and Perry, for a decade, with a generation of teen viewers now grown and still holding this series close to heart.
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4. House (2004-2012)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image Brilliant doctor. Medical detective. Drug addict. Misanthrope. Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) is one of the most dynamic and complex characters to hit the small screen since the turn of the millennium. House leads a revolving team of diagnosticians while his boss (Lisa Edelstein) and best friend (Robert Sean Leonard) try to keep him from going down a Vicodin-fueled rabbit hole. Part mystery, part medical drama, part dark humor, “House” was a huge hit for Fox, ranking in the top ten for three seasons, and making the top ten on many critics’ lists throughout its eight-year run.
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3. 24 (2001-2010, 2014)
Image Credit: chris Raphael/FOX It was 24 hours in the life of counter-terrorist federal agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), but each day was a months-long thrill ride for viewers. Told in real time, “24” revolutionized serial television and reinvigorated the spy thriller. A ticking clock and the use of split screens amped up the suspense as Bauer raced against time to protect a government leader or stop a conspiracy, often times putting those he loved in danger and forcing him to choose between his duty to his country and his natural need to protect those close to him. It received 68 Emmy nominations throughout its run, winning Best Drama and Best Actor (Sutherland) for its highly acclaimed fifth season.
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2. The X-Files (1993-2002, 2016-2018)
Image Credit: Courtesy Image FBI agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) is skeptical when it comes to the existence of paranormal activity, but her partner Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) is a believer, determined to expose paranormal influences in the bureau’s unsolved case files. Week after week, “X-Philes” eagerly tuned in to see the two “find the truth out there,” by uncovering government conspiracies and alien invasions, as well track down “monsters of the week” and the infamous “Cigarette Smoking Man,” all while a romance blossoms between the two agents. Initially the show developed a cult following, but it soon became a cultural phenomenon, largely through with the help of a new-at-the-time technology – the internet. It is considered by many to be the most influential series of the 1990s, and has lived on in a revival series, comics, games and two feature films.
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1. The Simpsons (1989-present)
Image Credit: Courtesy of Fox They started out as a series of shorts on “The Tracey Ullman Show,” but they’ve grown into the most enduring sitcom family of all time. For more than 30 years, perennial ten-year-old Bart Simpson has wreaked havoc on Springfield, and, along with his buffoonish dad Homer, his kind blue-haired mother Marge, his politically-minded sister Lisa and his sweet pacifier-sucking baby sister Maggie, have become one of the most beloved TV families. Traditions like “The Treehouse of Horror,” Bart’s pranks, subtle cultural references and catchphrases like “Don’t have a cow, man!” and “D’oh!” have turned “The Simpsons” into the longest-running American scripted primetime series of all time, and a cultural phenomenon with merchandising products stretched across all mediums.
