Best TV Shows of 2004
The 40 most popular TV shows that premiered in 2004, most watched first, with a vote floor so obscure titles do not crowd out the ones people remember.
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40 titles · updated 3rd October 2026
1.House(2004)
8.6Drama
Dr. Gregory House, a drug-addicted, unconventional, misanthropic medical genius, leads a team of diagnosticians at the fictional Princeton–Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in New Jersey.
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2.Desperate Housewives(2004)
7.9MysteryDramaComedy
Looking down on her friends and family isn't a way of life for Mary Alice Young... it's a way of death. One day, in her perfect house, in the loveliest of suburbs, Mary Alice ended it all. Now she's taking us into the lives of her family, friends and neighbors, commenting from her elevated P.O.V.
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3.Lost(2004)
8.0MysteryAction & AdventureDrama
Stripped of everything, the survivors of a horrific plane crash must work together to stay alive. But the island holds many secrets.
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4.Peppa Pig(2004)
6.5AnimationKids
Peppa Pig is an energetic piggy who lives with Mummy, Daddy, and little brother George. She loves to jump in mud puddles and make loud snorting noises.
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5.CSI: NY(2004)
7.3CrimeDramaMystery
Follow the investigations of a team of NYPD forensic scientists and police officers identified as "Crime Scene Investigators".
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6.Boston Legal(2004)
7.9ComedyDrama
Alan Shore and Denny Crane lead a brigade of high-priced civil litigators in an upscale Boston law firm in a series focusing on the professional and personal lives of brilliant but often emotionally challenged attorneys. A spin-off of long-running series The Practice.
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7.Entourage(2004)
7.4ComedyDrama
Film star Vince Chase navigates the vapid terrain of Los Angeles with a close circle of friends and his trusty agent.
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8.Stargate Atlantis(2004)
8.0Sci-Fi & FantasyAction & AdventureDrama
With the Ancients' city of Atlantis discovered in the Pegasus Galaxy by Stargate Command, Dr. Elizabeth Weir and Major Sheppard lead a scientific expedition to the ancient abandoned city. Once there, the team not only find themselves unable to contact Earth, but their explorations unexpectedly reawaken the Ancients'…
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9.The Batman(2004)
8.0AnimationSci-Fi & FantasyAction & Adventure
A young billionaire Bruce Wayne fights crime and evil as the mysterious vigilante, The Batman.
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10.Veronica Mars(2004)
7.8MysteryDramaComedy
In the fictional town of Neptune, California, student Veronica Mars progresses from high school to college while moonlighting as a private investigator under the tutelage of her detective father.
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11.Battlestar Galactica(2004)
8.2Sci-Fi & FantasyAction & AdventureDrama
When an old enemy, the Cylons, resurface and obliterate the 12 colonies, the crew of the aged Galactica protect a small civilian fleet - the last of humanity - as they journey toward the fabled 13th colony, Earth.
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12.Shameless(2004)
7.5ComedyDrama
The story of a young group of siblings pretty much abandoned by their parents, surviving by their wits - and humor - on a rough Manchester council estate. Whilst they won't admit it, they need help and find it in Steve, a young middle class lad who falls for Fiona, the oldest sibling, and increasingly finds himself…
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13.Rescue Me(2004)
7.6Drama
The aftermath of 9/11 has left the firefighters of the NYFD traumatized, and no one more so than Tommy Gavin. Recently separated from his wife and their three kids, Tommy drifts between sorrow and anger as he tries to shake the recurring nightmares of his fallen comrades, especially his late cousin, Jimmy Keefe.…
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14.The 4400(2004)
7.1DramaSci-Fi & Fantasy
4400 centers on the return of 4400 people who, previously presumed dead or reported missing, reappear on Earth. Though they have not aged physically, some of them seem to have deeper alterations ranging from superhuman strength to an unexplained healing touch. A government agency is formed to track the 4400 people…
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15.New Tricks(2004)
7.3DramaComedy
New Tricks is a British comedy-drama that follows the work of the fictional Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad of the Metropolitan Police Service. Originally led by Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman, it is made up of retired police officers who have been recruited to reinvestigate unsolved crimes.
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16.Snapped(2004)
7.8CrimeDocumentary
The fascinating cases of every day, seemingly average moms, wives and girlfriends accused of murder. Did they really do it? And if so, why?
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17.Hustle(2004)
7.7ComedyCrimeDrama
A motley group of London con artists pull of a series of daring and intricate stings.
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18.Agatha Christie's Marple(2004)
7.8DramaCrimeMystery
The adventures of Miss Jane Marple, an elderly spinster living in the quiet little village of St Mary Mead. During her many visits to friends and relatives in other villages, Miss Marple often stumbles upon mysterious murders which she helps solve. Although the police are sometimes reluctant to accept Miss Marple's…
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19.Deadwood(2004)
8.1WesternCrimeDrama
The story of the early days of Deadwood, South Dakota; woven around actual historic events with most of the main characters based on real people. Deadwood starts as a gold mining camp and gradually turns from a lawless wild-west community into an organized wild-west civilized town. The story focuses on the real-life…
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20.Justice League Unlimited(2004)
8.3AnimationAction & AdventureSci-Fi & Fantasy
The galaxy's most powerful superheroes return to battle the allied villains and criminal plots that endanger the universe.
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21.Drake & Josh(2004)
8.4Comedy
Fifteen-year-old Drake and Josh are schoolmates, but not close friends. Drake views Josh as weird and a bit of a goof. So, imagine Drake's shock when he finds out that this "goof" is about to become his new step-brother and roommate when his mother marries Josh's father. A spin off of The Amanda Show.
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22.TNA iMPACT!(2004)
7.1Action & AdventureDramaMystery
TNA iMPACT offers a unique style of wrestling that features a blend of the traditional with high-flying athleticism and cutting edge action. TNA's roster includes the biggest names in wrestling today, and the hottest new stars in the sport.
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23.The Venture Bros.(2004)
7.9AnimationComedyAction & Adventure
Hank and Dean Venture, with their father Doctor Venture and faithful bodyguard Brock Samson, go on wild adventures facing megalomaniacs, zombies, and suspicious ninjas, all for the glory of adventure. Or something like that.
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24.Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide(2004)
8.5ComedyKids
The whacky adventures of Ned Bigby and his best pals Moze and Cookie at James K. Polk Middle School, as "every-kid" Ned shatters the fourth wall to share tips and tricks on navigating middle school or junior high hurdles. Ned's not super cool, and he has no superpowers. He is, however, witty, well-groomed, upbeat and…
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25.Doc Martin(2004)
8.3ComedyDrama
Doc Martin is a British television comedy drama series starring Martin Clunes in the title role. It was created by Dominic Minghella after the character of Dr. Martin Bamford in the 2000 comedy film Saving Grace. The show is set in the fictional seaside village of Portwenn and filmed on location in the village of…
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26.Danny Phantom(2004)
8.3AnimationComedySci-Fi & Fantasy
Danny Fenton was once your typical kid until he accidentally blew up his parents' laboratory and became ghost-hunting superhero Danny Phantom. Now half-ghost, Danny's picked up paranormal powers, but only his sister, Jazz, and best friends, Samantha and Tucker, know his secret. Danny's busy fighting ghosts, saving…
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27.Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends(2004)
7.8KidsAnimationFamily
What happens when a child outgrows his trusty Imaginary Friend, the pal that stuck with him through all of the highs and lows of growing up? Well, these creations pack up and head for Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends! Foster's is a one-of-a-kind Victorian mansion filled with hundreds of unique characters from all…
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28.Joey(2004)
6.3Comedy
Joey has struck out on his own and moved to Hollywood, hoping to truly make it as an actor. Joey says goodbye to a time when his friends were his family and welcomes the chance to turn his family into his friends. After reuniting with his high-strung sister Gina, a strong and sexy hairdresser, Joey moves in with her…
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29.Postcards from Buster(2004)
8.3AnimationKids
Postcards from Buster is a children's television series for children aged 6–12, containing both animation and live-action that originally aired on Public Broadcasting Service. It is a spin-off of the Arthur cartoon series. The show stars Arthur's best friend, 8-year-old rabbit Buster Baxter. Inspired by a 2003…
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30.Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi(2004)
7.4AnimationComedyKids
Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi follows the adventures of two very cool, but very different pop stars as they travel from gig to gig or just hang out in their tour bus. Being famous rock stars, Ami and Yumi tour the globe in their customized Puffy bus, a veritable condo on wheels with all the major amenities and an ever-changing…
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31.The First 48(2004)
7.9DocumentaryDramaCrime
The First 48 follows detectives from around the country during these first critical hours as they race against time to find the suspect. Gritty and fast-paced, it takes viewers behind the scenes of real-life investigations with unprecedented access to crime scenes, autopsies, forensic processing, and interrogations.
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32.The Mighty Boosh(2004)
7.6ComedySci-Fi & Fantasy
A British comic fantasy containing humour and pop-culture references. Episodes often featured elaborate musical numbers in different genres, such as electro, heavy metal, funk, and rap. The show has been known for popularising a style called "crimping"; short acappella songs which are present throughout all three…
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33.ReGenesis(2004)
7.4Sci-Fi & FantasyDrama
ReGenesis is a Canadian television program produced by The Movie Network and Movie Central in conjunction with Shaftesbury Films. The series, which ran for four seasons, revolves around the scientists of NorBAC, a fictional organization with a lab based in Toronto. The organization investigates problems of a…
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34.Brandy & Mr. Whiskers(2004)
7.5AnimationComedyKids
Brandy & Mr. Whiskers is an American animated television series about a pampered yet spunky dog and a hyperactive rabbit who get stuck in the Amazon Rainforest together. The show originally aired from August 2004 to August 2006. It was televised in the United States by Disney Channel.
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35.Corner Gas(2004)
8.0Comedy
Following the adventures of a bunch of nobodies who get up to a whole lot of nothing in the fictional prairie town of Dog River, Saskatchewan, Corner Gas focuses on the life (or lack thereof) of Brent LeRoy, proprietor of a gas station that is the only stop for miles around and a hub of action on the Prairies.
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36.Phil of the Future(2004)
6.8Sci-Fi & FantasyComedyFamily
Meet the Diffy family, a futuristic family from the year 2121. When the eccentric dad, Lloyd, rents a time machine for their family vacation, everyone is excited. But then something goes wrong. Their time machine malfunctions and they are thrown out of the space/time continuum in the year 2004.
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37.The Backyardigans(2004)
8.1KidsAnimation
Meet five lively animal friends who love to sing, dance and use their imaginations to embark on outrageous adventures to magical places.
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38.Tom Goes to the Mayor(2004)
6.8AnimationComedy
Tom Goes to the Mayor is an American animated television series created by Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim for Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim. It premiered on November 14, 2004 and ended on September 25, 2006, with a total of thirty episodes.
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39.The Angry Video Game Nerd(2004)
7.5ComedyDocumentary
The Angry Video Game Nerd is an adult web television series of comedic retrogaming video reviews created by and starring James Rolfe. The show's format revolves around his commentary and review of older, but unsuccessful video games which are deemed to be of particularly low-quality, unfair difficulty or poor design.…
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40.Big Fat Quiz(2004)
7.7Comedy
Presenter Jimmy Carr oversees a panel of top-name celebrities in this year end quiz show where they compete to see who can answer the most questions correctly.
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