Copyright Screen Rant
The WB marked a specific moment in television history with the advent of a network that was dedicated to TV for young adults, creating some of the best shows in the teen market throughout its run. Launching to the world in early 1995, The WB was the perfect cross between comedy and drama to capture the untapped potential of the younger generation. While standard network TV wasn't catering towards the issues that teens and young adults were facing, The WB made it clear that they were paying attention to what the demographic wanted, needed, and were interested in seeing. Becoming a cultural touchstone for a generation, the network is one that's remembered fondly despite its eventual shift to The CW, and sharp decline. The WB's shows stood out for several reasons, specifically because they tapped into a distinct tone that felt current, allowing for teen angst or topical comedy on top of relatable content, refusing to shy away from stories that would resonate. The shows may have been rooted in reality or supernatural elements, but they all felt like they belonged on the network, which helped cohesion. Though The WB's shows weren't always smashing successes, they were shows that felt like they fit with the audience they were catering to, which mattered more at times than their overall quality. Treating its stars like those of an old-style studio, The WB made itself matter as a network, and its shows ensured that even long after it was gone, it would be fondly remembered by a generation. 10 What I Like About You 2002-2006 One of The WB's final sitcom successes, What I Like About You starred Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth as the Tyler sisters, navigating life and love in New York City. As Holly (Bynes) and Val (Garth) moved from a place of chaos to one of cohesion in their relationship, the sitcom offered a new look at two stars in a new setting. Bynes, coming off of her massive Nickelodeon fame, was looking to establish herself as an actress for an older generation, while Garth, coming out of Beverly Hills, 90210, was sharpening her skills on sitcoms after appearing on a melodramatic teen drama for years. Over the course of four seasons, What I Like About You shaped its relationships and captured the tone of the early 2000s. 9 The Wayans Bros. 1995-1999 An early WB series, The Wayans Bros. helped define the network's comedic roots in the first years of the channel's life. Starring Shawn and Marlon Wayans, two of the titular Wayans brothers, the series followed the pair as Shawn and Marlon Williams as they juggled working at their family's businesses while getting into sitcom-style comedic misadventures. Blending a sitcom style with slapstick humor, The Wayans Bros. defined comedy. Not only was the series a huge piece of The WB itself, but it helped jettison the Wayans brothers in their own careers, helping launch future successes like White Chicks and the Scary Movie franchise. Hoping to stand out against the wall of white comedians and sitcoms of the time, The Wayans Bros. showcased everyday humor in a palatable way that stood out. 8 Roswell 1999-2002 As one of The WB's high concept shows, Roswell combined science fiction and teen romance in a way that felt quintessentially WB. Following Liz Parker (Shiri Appleby) after Max Evans (Jason Behr) saves her life, Roswell reveals a world of teenage aliens hiding on earth. With Isabel (Katherine Heigl) and Michael (Brendan Fehr) opening up as well, in Roswell everything is not what it seems. Blending emotional character arcs with paranormal intrigue, Roswell developed an incredibly passionate fanbase quickly throughout the show's three-season run. Paving the way for supernatural teen dramas, Roswell also opened itself up for a future reboot years later. The late '90s sci-fi resurgence had its place on The WB with Roswell long before other, potentially more popular sci-fi series took over. 7 Felicity 1998-2002 Created by J.J. Abrams, eventual co-creator of both Alias and Lost, and Matt Reeves, Felicity was one of the cornerstone series that developed The WB's tone. Following the titular Felicity Porter (Keri Russell), the series watched her go from a shy high school grad to an impulsive, New York bound college student in order to follow her crush, Ben Covington (Scott Speedman). The coming-of-age series went from an impulsive journey to a thoughtful, introspective series about self-discovery and young adulthood's pitfalls. With a fascinating love triangle between Felicity, Ben, and Noel Crane (Scott Foley), Felicity pushed the boundaries on what it meant to be a series for young adults. Even with its sometimes sophisticated storylines, Felicity became one of the most authentic college-aged shows of the time. 6 One Tree Hill 2003-2012 A show that was able to move from The WB to The CW seamlessly, One Tree Hill is one of the most memorable teen dramas of the early 2000s. While The WB seasons of the series span fewer years than The CW seasons, the series began on the seminol teen network in 2003, following half-brothers Nathan (James Lafferty) and Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray), revitalizing small-town teen drama. The show followed the half-brothers through high school and beyond, and the early years of the series didn't shy away from the drama side of teen drama. Resonating with viewers because of its moody narrative and attachment to music of the era, One Tree Hill remains a staple of teen drama for those who enjoyed it while it was airing and found it in its aftermath. 5 Charmed 1998-2006 One of the shows that cemented The WB as a young adult network, Charmed brought fantasy drama to the channel through the story of the Halliwell sisters. Originally featuring the trio of Prue (Shannen Doherty), Piper (Holly Marie Combs), and Phoebe Halliwell (Alyssa Milano), the series eventually brought Rose McGowan in to play youngest sister Paige Matthews upon Prue's demise. Exploring supernatural battles every week, the witchy sisters were able to weave an entire universe's worth of lore into a jam-packed eight-season run. Charmed solidified the supernatural elements of The WB early on, ensuring that the themes of sisterhood, empowerment, and sacrifice were just as clear as the monsters of the week wreaking havor on the powerful Halliwell sisters. 4 Smallville 2001-2011 As The WB's re-imagining of the Superman mythos through the lens of a high school drama, Smallville starred Tom Welling as the Clark Kent of his universe, following his journey in the town of Smallville, Kansas. Leaning into the superhero storytelling of any good Superman series, Smallville added in new elements to the story over the course of its ten-season run. Smallville achieved massive success throughout its run, creating some incredible character-driven storytelling surrounding a superhero universe. Setting the stage for what would eventually come during The CW era of the network with shows like Arrow, Smallville showed how perfectly the teen drama arena worked with superhero stories, building a space for comic book adaptations for years to come. 3 Gilmore Girls 2000-2007 Billed as the fast-talking, fast-moving series following the titular Gilmores, Gilmore Girls was one of The WB's crowning achievements throughout its life as a network. Following Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel), Gilmore Girls made its way through the world of the mother-daughter duo as Rory made it through a prestigious high school, then an Ivy League university. The mother-daughter relationships built on Gilmore Girls were the heart of the series, and at the same time, only the tip of the iceberg. With romances built into the series, a rich world of side characters who fleshed out the show, the culturally relevant and aware series was one of a kind. It remains a comfort show for the masses, and signified a depth to The WB's programming. 2 Dawson's Creek 1998-2003 As the teen drama to define '90s teen dramas, Dawson's Creek revitalized what television could be for teens and young adults. Following Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek) and his friends Joey Potter (Katie Holmes), Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson), and Jen Lindley (Michelle Williams) as they made their way through high school and beyond, the show proved that teen drama could be smart, fun, and insightful. Dawson's Creek set the tone of The WB in its early days, premiering in 1998 and running for the following five years. Known for its hyper-articulate dialogue, emotional storytelling, and the epic love triangle between Dawson, Joey, and Pacey, the series took on a life of its own during its time on the air. Dawson's Creek cemented The WB as a powerhouse. 1 Buffy The Vampire Slayer 1997-2003 Premiering in 1997, Buffy The Vampire Slayer redefined what a network could do with a genre series. Bringing the story of teen vampire slayer Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) to life, the series followed along as Buffy battled monsters of the week with her Scooby gang in tow. Employing tons of supernatural lore, the series was a smart, heartfelt piece of The WB lineup. Buffy's consistency and ability to tug at the heartstrings made it clear that it wasn't a silly supernatural show, but a well-told story that would influence complex female-led hero's journeys to come. Buffy's seven-season run made a name for The WB and turned the network into more of a household entity. More than a pop culture phenomenon, the series forged a path for others.
