A good rivalry can add an extra layer of excitement to any situation. From sports events like the Super Bowl to movie events like Barbenheimer, healthy competition is fun to watch. This applies to television shows as well. Whether fighting for ratings in the same time slot or having competing fandoms, there have been plenty of projects vying for the attention of viewers.Such situations can help each show spur each other on, creating better storylines and pushing boundaries.
The head-to-heads are not only confined to ratings. TV shows would vie for the same awards recognition, actors would face off in competing categories, and critical acclaim was of paramount importance. Of course, some shows are universally beloved and watched by all kinds of fans, but in the annals of history, they will most likely be mentioned in the same breath.
10House vs. Grey’s Anatomy
Medical dramas tend to come in multiples, andGrey’s Anatomyhad competition from both an established show and a newer one later on. It even decided to compete with itself by creating another procedural spin-off withPrivate Practice. Closer in tone to the goings-on at Seattle Grace,ERwas on the way out after a record-breaking run.Then cameHouse, which was also set in a hospital but had more edge to it, as it dealt with darker themes. It also followed a mystery-of-the-week format which resonated with fans of the popular crime dramas of the time.
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The abundance of choice can be great for viewers, and even though these two shows had crossovers, they also had two very separate fan bases. Those for Dr. Gregory House felt that it was the superior show due to its less soapy nature and more awards recognition, and those who stood with Dr. Meredith Grey praised its heart and empowering message Neither one was exactlya realistic medical TV show, but their influence is undeniable.House’simpact on pop culture has been great, with multiple Emmys and Golden Globes, butGrey’s Anatomyhas stood the test of time for over 20 seasons and counting.
9The Vampire Diaries vs. Teen Wolf
Team Warewolf Vs. Team Vampire
WhenTwilightcame out, it helped reinvigorate the vampire craze that had died down afterBuffy the Vampire SlayerandAngelended. TV followed, withTrue Bloodtargeting older audiences andThe Vampire Diariesaimed at young adult viewers. Where there are vampires, werewolves often follow, andTeen Wolfpremiered two years laterwith a similar demographic in mind. Mirroring the rivalry between Edward and Jacob, the two supernatural teen series battled it out on television screens, withmultiple actors appearing on bothTeen WolfandThe Vampire Diariesthanks to their Georgia filming locations.
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They both drew in similar numbers, withThe Vampire Diariesedging outTeen Wolfslightly. Their popularity online was vast and saw the rise of many dedicated accounts and fan pages, as well as fan fiction featuring their favorite “ships”. Fans would debate about their favorite characters and be hooked on the romance and mystical developments. The undead seemed to have prevailed in this battle, withThe Vampire Diariesbecoming one of Netflix’s most-viewed shows, and spawning two successful spin-offs.
8Gossip Girl vs. Pretty Little Liars
A Fashion Face-Off
These two shows dominated the late 2000s and 2010s, withGossip Girlpremiering in 2007 andPretty Little Liarsfollowing suit in 2010. They aired on different networks on different days, butthey were targeted at the same demographic, so many comparisons were made. One show followed the lives of a group of very wealthy young New Yorkers being terrorized by a mysterious blogger, and the other focused on a group of friends in a small town being terrorized by a mysterious texter. Both had very strong starts, butPretty Little Liarskept slightly steadier numbers throughout its 7-season run.
Each show had a very strong following andits casts found great fame worldwide. The cultural impact ofGossip Girlwas significant, with “Vulture” having a popular column rating the accuracy of all the New York connections, countless magazine covers, invitations to the Met Gala, and other prestigious events. Its rival made waves as well and spawned three spin-offs that continued its legacy well into the future. Both were hugely impactful on the world of fashion, but the chokehold Blair’s headbands and colorful tights had on the world is unmatched.
7Friends vs. Frasier
Battle Of The Sitcoms
The 1990s were a golden age for sitcoms, and these two are some of the best.Frasierwas a spin-off of an already hugely successful show and carried over some of the audience, andFriendswas new, fresh, and exciting. The ups and downs of six quirky twentysomethings living in New York had mass appeal, and the broad comedy struck a chord with millions of viewers. On the other hand, there was a fussy Seattle radio psychiatrist with some very particular tastes and an unorthodox family dynamic.
Friendsstill gets quoted worldwide, whileFrasierwas more successful with critics.
Both were part of NBC’s Must See TV and appealed to different audiences, so they didn’t really compete for ratings, butit was the awards circuit where they would often get nominated against each other.Friendsstill gets quoted worldwide, whileFrasierwas more successful with critics. It’s one of the most awarded shows in history and Kelsey Grammer is one of the few actors to play the same character for three consecutive decades. But,Friendsis perhaps the most famous sitcom in TV history with all six of its cast members recognized all over the globe.
Criminally Good Dramas
While the shows did not air at the same time, with one ending the same year the other started, their competition started long after they finished.Both are considered among the top dramas in TV historyand amongthe best shows of TV’s golden age. The dark subject matter dealing with criminal activity, gritty realism, and powerful performances were all present in both shows, and they received a lot of critical acclaim over the years.Breaking Badmay have had more impressive ratings and won more awards, butThe Wirehas also proved to be extremely influential in the long run.
Bryan Cranston was awarded four lead actor Emmysfor playing Walter White, including three consecutive wins between 2008 and 2010, and Aaron Paul received three, with both their characters remaining recognizable and revered. With a hugely successful spin-off and a lasting legacy,Breaking Badhas stood the test of time.The Wireremains a template for deeper social commentary and realism, which can be felt in many shows that came after it. With both shows still reaching huge numbers of viewers through streaming and box sets, theBreaking Badvs.The Wiredebatesees no signs of slowing down.
5House Of The Dragon vs. The Rings Of Power
Battle Of The Fantasy Franchises
One of the most recent head-to-heads has been the one between two prequels to huge global hits from years gone by. WithLord of the RingsandGame of Thronesstill some of the most revisited projects that have legions of dedicated fans, it’s no wonder that both have chosen to expand their respective universes. The fact thatthey have both come out around the same timehas meant that they are naturally pitted against each other. Although the similarities in themes and styling also certainly contributed to it.
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One is a big hit for HBO and the other one of the most streamed shows on Amazon Prime, so they have seen their fair share of success, withHouse of the Dragonreceiving slightly more awards recognition. What originally drew audiences to George R. R. Martin’s book adaptation was the higher level of adult content and violence, but the love of J. R. R. Tolkien’s source material still draws a huge audience. While it’s tough to say how both will fare in the future, it’s a battle worth watching.
4The Simpsons vs. Family Guy
A Cartoon Showdown
The origin stories for both these animated series are vastly different.The Simpsonspremiered in 1989, and proceeded to define the 1990swith its witty social commentary and storylines that gripped the world. It was groundbreaking and arguably paved the way for shows likeFamily GuyandSouth Park. When the Griffin family first arrived on the scene, there was interest and positive reviews, but irregular viewing figures led to not one but two cancelations. It was brought back because of its word-of-mouth popularity and soaring DVD sales, and finally hit its stride in the 2000s.
Both shows show no signs of slowing down andbothFamily GuyandThe Simpsonshave made references to the rivalryin various episodes and collaborated on a crossover episode. The comedic tone of both shows is vastly different, with one relying on subtle social commentary and the other reveling in its shock value. There are those who opt for one over the other as well as people who are fans of both.Homer and Peter are icons in their own right, and Stewie and Bart get quoted on a regular basis, so their cultural reach has been far and wide.
3The Office vs. 30 Rock
War Of The Workplaces
In the 2000s there was a tonal shift on the comedy circuit. While traditional sitcoms filmed in front of studio audiences with audible laugh tracks and bright sets still saw success, more subdued and off-beat shows were emerging.The Officewas based on the cult British BBC program of the same name, and vastly popularized the mockumentary format for television.30 Rockwas a satirized version of anSNLstyle show inspired by Tina Fey’s experiences on the famed sketch show.
Both workplace comedies are about the relationships between a boss and their employees, and both rely on boundary-breaking humor. In the ratings war,The Officewas much more successful, especially at its peak, and while both received an impressive number of awards,30 Rockwas a more popular choice with the various voting panels, especially in the acting categories. While Steve Carell famously never received an Emmy for his portrayal of Michael Scott, both Fey and Alec Baldwin won for their roles. Each show has a devoted viewership, but the legacy ofThe Officeis just that much more widespread.
2The O.C. vs. One Tree Hill
Two Teen Titans
One of the most well-known TV rivalries saw these popular showsbattle for the title of best teen drama.The O.C.premiered in the summer of 2003, and its glossy appeal was immediately embraced by a captivated audience. Historically, parents had usually played a much less compelling role in shows aimed at younger audiences, but both series fleshed out the older characters, making their storylines just as salacious as their younger counterparts. WhileThe O.C.made waves from the beginning,One Tree Hilltook a little longer to establish itself, but ultimately also managed to build its audience.
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The ratings were comparable, and many viewers enjoyed both, but the two were often pitted against each other in the media, especially asOne Tree HillandThe O.C.had so many similar characters. This competition caused each show to try and one-up the other, which resulted in similar storylines interpreted to fit their respective universes. WhileOne Tree Hillended up outlastingThe O.C.by 5 seasons, the latter’s impact on pop culture has also been impressively long-lasting. Ultimately, both helped raise a generation who still know all the words to their respective theme tunes by heart.
1Game of Thrones vs. The Walking Dead
Walkers Vs. Dragons
The days of TV ratings hitting double digits on a regular basis are long gone, as viewing habits changed a lot over time. When these two shows were in their prime,they managed to peak at close to 20 million viewers, as they gathered around to watch. People would go out of their way to avoid spoilers online if they weren’t able to catch them live, and the fans were extremely dedicated to their favorite shows.
Each series has a supernatural element to it which resonated with fans of the genre, and the more gory and adult themes drew in an audience who enjoyed the thrill. Since the themes of each show differed, the fan bases didn’t have quite as much crossover as some other rival shows, but they were both extremely dedicated.Game of Thronesreceived much more critical praise, with multiple Emmy wins in the best drama category and many of the actors being awarded as well.
Each boasts their own spin-off shows and still pulls good numbers on streaming, so it’s fair to say the real winners are the viewers.
The Walking Dead,however, isoften credited for reviving the zombie genreand making it what it is in the modern day. Both saw similar scrutiny in their latter seasons, which weren’t best received by fans or critics and ended on a controversial note. The rivalry may have died down, but their popularity still hasn’t. Each boasts their own spin-off shows and still pulls good numbers on streaming, so it’s fair to say the real winners are the viewers.
