The Rise and Fall of NBC’s Must See TV: When Thursday Nights Ruled the World →

Thursday nights in the 1990s weren’t just TV — they were an event.

NBC branded it Must See TV, and for nearly two decades, it owned the culture. Friends, Seinfeld, Frasier, and ER pulled in more than 70 million viewers on a single night. Rival networks waved the white flag, and advertisers paid record prices just to be part of the lineup.

But every empire falls. By the 2000s, Seinfeld was gone, Friends said goodbye, and spin-offs like Joey couldn’t fill the gap. CBS fought back with Survivor and CSI. ABC countered with Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal. Streaming, DVRs, and YouTube shattered the watercooler moment forever.

In this High and Low Retrospective, we explore the rise and fall of NBC’s Thursday Must See TV:

How the slogan was born in 1993 and became a cultural truth
Why NBC’s lineup dominated for over a decade
The shows that defined an era (Friends, Seinfeld, Frasier, ER)
The rivals that ended NBC’s reign - And why the end of Must See TV marked the death of the last true network monopoly

Degrassi: The Teen Drama That Changed Everything →

What started with The Kids of Degrassi Street in 1979 grew into Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, The Next Generation, and Next Class. For over four decades, the franchise pushed boundaries—teen pregnancy, AIDS, suicide, bullying, mental health—long before anyone else on television dared.

In this High and Low Retrospective, we dive into:

How Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood created a uniquely Canadian series that became a global cultural export.
The continuity that set Degrassi apart - Spike’s pregnancy becoming Emma’s backstory, Snake growing into Principal Simpson, Joey Jeremiah’s evolution
How Degrassi launched careers for Nina Dobrev, Shenae Grimes, and Drake (Aubrey Graham)
Why its raw realism influenced later shows like Skins, Euphoria, and 13 Reasons Why
The delicate balance between realism and melodrama-and whether Degrassi’s honesty would still work in today’s streaming era

The Fall of Icons: Diddy, Kanye, Cosby, and the Memory We Can’t Shake →

What happens when the artists who shaped your childhood… fall from grace? From the sitcoms that raised us to the music that moved us, this is the story of what happens when memory collides with morality. In this special episode of High and Low Retrospective, we unpack the weight of complicated nostalgia—that gut-check feeling when the art you once loved is tied to someone you no longer recognize. From Bill Cosby and The Cosby Show, to Michael Jackson, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Kanye West, Will Smith, and J.K. Rowling, we explore the moments that broke the spell—and ask whether it’s possible to still enjoy the work when the creator’s legacy turns dark. Is it still okay to listen? Can we ever watch the reruns the same way again? And who gets forgiven… and who doesn’t? This isn’t just about cancel culture. It’s about identity, betrayal, and what we choose to carry with us—even when the truth hurts.

The OC: From Overnight Hit to Abrupt Goodbye →

Welcome back to the High and Low Retrospective! In this episode, we rewind to The O.C. - the teen drama that redefined early 2000s TV. From Seth and Summer to Chrismukkah and “Welcome to the O.C., bitch,” we explore its cultural explosion, behind-the-scenes drama, and lasting influence on television. Why did it burn so bright and end so fast? This is the definitive retrospective for every fan - new or nostalgic.

Dave Chappelle's Masterpiece: The Gift and Curse of Chappelle's Show →

Dive into the brilliance of Chappelle's Show—a comedy revolution created by Dave Chappelle and Neil Brennan. From iconic sketches like "Rick James" and "Prince" to its sharp cultural commentary and unforgettable guest stars, this retrospective unpacks how the show redefined comedy and left a lasting legacy. We explore its meteoric rise, controversial end, and enduring impact on pop culture and hip hop.