On Family Feud, Richard Dawson felt different from every other game show host on television. He leaned in. He joked quietly. He made contestants feel seen. The kisses, the suits, the confidence—it all suggested ease and control. What audiences couldn’t see was how much of that ease was carefully constructed, and what it was covering.

Science fiction didn’t suddenly get smart in the streaming era. Long before prestige budgets and moody synth scores, TV writers in the 60s and 70s were already wrestling with identity, free will, surveillance, and the quiet terror of technology. Today’s “original” sci-fi often feels fresh—but only because it’s standing on some very old shoulders.

Television’s power to entertain is one thing–but when shows tap into cultural nerves, they can set off political debates, public outrage, and even policy questions. These 20 shows didn’t just draw viewers–they sparked discussions that stretched far beyond the screen. From dramas that reshaped how we think about war and justice to reality series that ignited ethical firestorms, here’s how TV crossed the line and found itself in the middle of serious political controversy.

The Academy Awards should honor excellence, but controversy keeps stealing the spotlight. Envelopes go to the wrong people. Diversity vanishes mysteriously. Oscar history remembers its scandals far longer than most acceptance speeches.

If you remember being able to follow these shows as a kid, you were probably smarter than you thought!

Fame doesn't make you untouchable. Some celebrities learned that lesson the hardest way possible. Their crimes caught up with them, and now prison cells have replaced red carpets. They're still making news, just behind bars.