1

The Supremes

Image: Namroud Gorguis

The ‘60s gave us The Supremes, which was not only one of the most successful girl groups ever but also had the iconic Diana Ross among its members.

Have you heard "Stop! In the name of love / Before you break my heart / Think it over / Think it over"? But that unforgettable 1965 hit was not the Supremes' only success. They created many other hits, such as the famous "You Can't Hurry Love" from 1966. In fact, the group had 12 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100!

The influence of this successful group was so deep that it inspired and contributed to the flourishing and recognition of many other girl groups in the decades that followed, some of which are also on this list.

2

The Jackson 5

Image: Markus Spiske

The Supremes were not the only musical group that gave rise to an iconic solo star. The Jackson 5 appeared in 1964, featuring a very young Michael Jackson and his four brothers: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon.

In the late ‘60s and ‘70s, the Jackson brothers achieved great success. In fact, one of their first singles, "I Want You Back," from 1969, became a number-one hit. When that song was played all over America, Michael Jackson was only 11 years old! Tunes like "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There" are just a few of the other hits that followed.

In addition, The Jackson 5 had their own TV show, "The Jacksons" (from 1976 to 1977), and they were even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997!

3

The Monkees

Image: Austin Prock

If you hear, "I thought love was only true in fairy tales..." you know how the lyrics of that song go on, right?

The Beatles' film A Hard Day's Night inspired an American series called The Monkees , televised from 1966 to 1968. If you watched it, you probably remember the musical band of the same name, created specifically for the show. Originally composed of Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones, The Monkees achieved great musical success, particularly with the hit we just mentioned, "I'm a Believer," which remains famous worldwide.

4

The Ronettes

Image: Gayatri Pandkar

The '60s were prolific in musical groups, and one of the most popular was The Ronettes, a girl group formed by sisters Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector) and Estelle Bennett, along with their cousin Nedra Talley. Have you listened to some of their hits, such as "Be My Baby," "Baby, I Love You," and "Walking in the Rain"?

In addition to their catchy tunes, what distinguished The Ronettes was their style, characterized by dramatic makeup, beehive hairstyles , and iconic outfits.

Despite their influence, many years passed before they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 .

5

The Pointer Sisters

Image: Haley Lawrence

Pop, soul, R&B, jazz, country, and even dance music were some of the genres played by The Pointer Sisters, the girl group from Oakland, California, that rose to fame in the 70s. Their talent and versatility kept them going for several decades!

As their name suggests, The Pointer Sisters were a trio made up of sisters Anita, June, and Ruth Pointer. "I'm So Excited," "Jump (For My Love)," and "Fire" were some of the most famous hits of this three-time Grammy Award-winning group. Have you listened to them? You probably have!

6

New Kids on the Block

Image: Florian Schmetz

NKOTB was the coolest way to refer to the legendary New Kids on the Block (in fact, their fan base called themselves "NKOTB Nation"). Formed in 1984 in Boston, Massachusetts, this boy band triumphed in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

NKOTB paved the way for other boy bands that emerged in the '90s, reshaping our concept of pop music. "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," "Hangin' Tough," and "Step by Step" were just a few of their many hits, which made them winners of several American Music Awards during their peak years. They also sold more than 80 million records worldwide!

If you want to remember NKOTB, you can listen to their songs, of course, but you can also visit their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where they've been honored since 2014.

7

Salt-N-Pepa

Image: Ben Wiens

In 1985, Queens , New York, saw the birth of Salt-N-Pepa, a legendary hip-hop group that became one of the first female groups in the genre.

Did you ever dream of forming a band when you were in college? We did! So did the members of Salt-N-Pepa. They not only made it happen, but they also became a huge success.

With hits like "Push It," "Shoop," "Whatta Man," and many others, these girls were everywhere. They had so much flow and rhythm that, in 2005, they were inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame!

8

Backstreet Boys

Image: Steve Johnson

If someone says, "Tell me why," many of us would probably respond with, "Ain't nothing but a heartache." And that's just one of the many ways the Backstreet Boys have left their mark across generations.

As one of the best-selling boy bands, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson were a sensation in the late '90s and early 2000s . Their music was everywhere, and fans were desperate to meet them.

As you know, they had several hits that we still remember, such as "I Want It That Way," "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," and "As Long As You Love Me." You've probably danced to the beat of some of these hit songs, right? Did you have a favorite?

9

Destiny's Child

Image: Rob Sarmiento

Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams were the final and best-known members of a girl group called Destiny's Child. Do any of these names ring a bell?

Big hits like "Say My Name" and "Bills, Bills, Bills"—which won them a couple of Grammy Awards, by the way—launched these women to total stardom. Destiny's Child was a constant presence on the charts during the late ‘90s and early 2000s, and had us all singing catchy lyrics like "Say my name, say my name / If no one is around you, say baby I love you."

In addition to several major hits that still live on in many people's minds and hearts, Destiny's Child gave us the incredible, iconic, record-breaking Beyoncé . What more could we ask for?

10

'N Sync

Image: Alphacolor

This list could never be complete without mentioning the unforgettable 'N Sync.

Not only was this one of pop's most legendary boy bands, but it also featured one member who eventually became a solo superstar. Yes, you guessed it— we're talking about Justin Timberlake! He, along with JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass, formed 'N Sync in 1995. Their first album, released in 1998, sold over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone and included hits like "I Want You Back."

The faces of the 'N Sync members were everywhere: on posters, T-shirts, dolls, and all sorts of merchandise, selling out not just in the U.S. but also in other parts of the world. Remember their performance at the 2001 Super Bowl ?

1

Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky

Image: Jonny Belvedere

A name like "Monkey's Eyebrow" begs an explanation. One assumes there is a very particular story behind it. This is an unincorporated community in Ballard County, rural Kentucky, and the origin of its name is disputed. One of the theories suggests that, when seen from the air or on a map, the landscape in Ballard County looks like a monkey’s head, and this community has formed where the eyebrow would be .

Kentucky is, after all, no stranger to towns with odd names. Some of them include Rabbit Hash, Bachelor’s Rest, Sparta, and Oddiville itself.

2

Whynot, North Carolina

Image: Tammi Nowack

Yet another unincorporated community with an unusual name is Whynot, from Randolph County, North Carolina. Founded in the 18th century, the name was originally spelled separately: "Why Not."

The legend holds that, undecided about what name to pick for the town, the residents started throwing at one another "Why not this?" and "Why not that?" Until one bored resident said: "Why not name the town ‘Why Not’ and let's go home?" Joke or not, that ended up being the official name for the land. Today the community has an estimated 100 inhabitants.

3

Fries, Virginia

Image: Dzenina Lukac

One would expect a big monument of golden fries to be erected in some square within Fries, Virginia. But you would be misled to imagine that. When pronounced correctly, this town’s name rhymes with "breeze." Situated on the New River in Grayson County, Virginia, Fries boasts beautiful natural landscapes, and visitors are encouraged to bike, hike or horse ride around the unspoiled countryside.

The town was named after a prominent cotton mill owner and businessman, Francis Henry Fries. Fries holds music festivals annually and has a strong bluegrass and country music culture.

4

Canadian, Texas

Image: Cedric Fauntleroy

Canadian, Texas is not, in fact, Canadian. Founded in 1887, it is home to around 2,400 residents from the north of Texas, in Hemphill County. It was named after the Canadian River that flows one mile north. The river is a tributary of the Arkansas River, and it was named so in the 1820s when Canadian traders were spotted camping in its borders.

Here is a piece of trivia that you would never guess: The beginning and the end of the movie Cast Away (2000), with Tom Hanks, which occur in Texas, were filmed in Canadian and nearby.

5

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

Image: Csongor Schmutc

A city with a name that sounds like a threat, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, is within Sierra County and has a population of a little over 6,000. It is sometimes shortened to "T or C."

The place wasn’t always called this.

Originally, it was named Hot Springs, after the springs it was built over, belonging to the Artesian Basin. However, in 1950, the NBC Radio quiz show called "Truth or Consequences" declared that the 10th anniversary of the program would be recorded in the first town that changed its name to that of the show. Thus, Hot Springs officially became Truth or Consequences to gain the honor, and the show’s host visited the former Hot Springs yearly for half a century after that.

6

Dinosaur, Colorado

Image: Danny Grizzle

Dinosaur is a small town in Moffat County, Colorado, that was once called "Artesia." However, in the 1960s, it was decided to rename it to attract tourists who were traveling to see the Dinosaur National Monument, east of the town. The park contains over 800 archeological sites and unique fossils and was proclaimed a National Monument in 1915 by Woodrow Wilson.

Dinosaurs did once roam the golden fields under the Blue Mountain Range where Dinosaur sits. Beyond the visit of paleontology fans, the town prides itself on boasting stunning natural views and wildlife that includes deer, elk, and antelope.

7

Okay, Oklahoma

Image: STEPHEN POORE

Those who named this Oklahoma town "Okay" weren’t just trying to be funny. Okay, OK had several other names throughout history, including Coretta, Falls City, and Rex. The current one was adopted in 1919. Oklahoma Auto Manufacturing Company had a factory nearby, makers of the "O.K. Trucks." The official postal designation was changed in its honor.

The community had been established in 1806 on the east bank of the Verdigris River and had soon become a trading post for many visitors in the area, which allowed the settlement to grow.

8

Uncertain, Texas

Image: Scott Graham

Imagine the complications of filling out a form indicating that the name of your city is "Uncertain." This probably has happened to several residents, and it is closely related to the origin story of the town’s name.

It is said that, when applying for township, the residents hadn’t yet agreed on a name for the place. They tried to explain this by writing "uncertain" in the form’s blank space for the town name, hoping to resolve it in the future. But the township was eventually granted and the place came to officially be called Uncertain.

Uncertain is located in eastern Texas very near to the border with Louisiana. It sits near the Big Cypress Bayou and the banks of Caddo Lake.

9

Cut and Shoot, Texas

Image: Guðleifur Kristjánsson

The town of Cut and Shoot, Texas, got its unusual name from a confrontation that occurred in July 1912. A local church, meant to be shared by various denominations, became the center of conflict when an Apostolic preacher was invited to hold a meeting. The community split into two sides, those for and against the preacher's appearance, and both arrived armed to enforce their stance.

During the argument, a frightened eight-year-old boy exclaimed, "I'm going to cut around the corner and shoot through the bushes!". The conflict was resolved peacefully that day, but a trial unfolded between the two leading families. When the judge asked the name of the community, someone suggested calling it the place of the "cutting and shooting scrape." Residents eventually took a liking to this term and adopted it.

10

Coward, South Carolina

Image: Yohan Marion

"Coward" sounds like an accusation, but it is also the name of a town in Florence County, South Carolina, with a population of just over 700. One would expect its name to derive from some story of dishonor and shame, but Coward is instead just a surname .

It is unclear and disputed whether the town was named after Capt. Solomon Coward, who owned most of the land, Col. Asbury Coward, a Confederate veteran, or John Wilson Coward, a member of the "Committee of 50." However, the rural farming community was called that many years before it was incorporated in 1963.

1

The Simpsons

The Simpsons , created by Matt Groening, premiered on Fox in 1989, starring a new family that defied conventional, picture-perfect TV norms.

Instead, an imperfect and dysfunctional family appeared — and because of that, they were relatable in profoundly new ways . The Simpsons was also a pioneer in adult animation, allowing children to follow the story while including complex political and social satire for adults. It not only coined permanent catchphrases but also had a surprising ability to predict world events.

2

The Sopranos

The Sopranos, created by David Chase, debuted on HBO in 1999. It followed the life of Tony Soprano (played by the late James Gandolfini) and his struggles as a mobster and the patriarch of his dysfunctional suburban family , all analyzed by his psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco).

This show was radical because, unlike previous protagonists, the central figure Tony was deeply flawed and often unlikable, paving the way for more anti-hero protagonists like Walter White and Don Draper. Alongside its complex and ambiguous morality, the cinematography of the show began to rival that of Hollywood movies.

3

Lost

Lost , created by J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Jeffrey Lieber, premiered on ABC in 2004, before streaming existed. The story follows the crash of Oceanic Flight 815 on a very peculiar tropical island. It kicked off as a gritty and character-driven survival story that eventually evolved into a sci-fi and mythological epic.

It was revolutionary because it introduced the "mystery box" trope, proposing complex questions and dropping clues that kept viewers hooked and constantly theorizing — arguably inventing modern, interactive TV fandom.

4

Sex and the City

Created by Darren Starr, Sex and the City, which premiered in 1998 on HBO, changed the cultural narrative around women’s roles through the lives of four female friends (led by Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw) living and working in New York City.

It was the first mainstream hit that featured women talking frankly about sex and sexuality — and proposed that female friends can be soulmates, and that those relationships can take precedence over romantic, marital ones. Rejecting outdated "traditional" roles, the show also destigmatized being single and childless, and instead embraced female financial independence, celebrating women who focused on their careers and personal development in their 30s and 40s.

5

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

CSI, created by Anthony E. Zuiker and which premiered on CBS in 2000, followed the lives and work of a team from the Las Vegas Police Department (LVPD), led by Dr. Gil Grissom (William Petersen), who meticulously collected evidence to solve cases.

It shifted the focus for the first time from police and detective work on the streets to the indoor, behind-the-scenes dynamics of interrogations, forensics, and high-tech lab analysis. It also popularized the concept of "nerd squad", making lab and microscope analysis cool for the first time .

6

The X-Files

The X-Files, created by Chris Carter, premiered in 1993, and introduced a structure where each episode was a stand-alone story known as a "monster of the week," while also being part of an overarching mythic story that included government alien conspiracy theories and supernatural events.

This show flipped gender roles completely: the main female character, Agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), was the intelligent and assertive medical doctor (inspiring many women at the time to pursue STEM careers), and the lead male character, Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny), was the intuitive and instinct-driven character.

7

Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, premiered in 2008 and is considered by many to be the ultimate catalyst that transformed television into a cinematic experience, elevated serialized storytelling, and, once it became available on Netflix, popularized the binge-watching model so common today .

Another crucial aspect was the main character: Walter White (Bryan Cranston) changed from a sympathetic, cancer-stricken high school chemistry teacher to the ultimate drug lord villain. Before this show, characters rarely evolved; instead, here the audience became especially invested in Mr. White’s persona.

8

Mad Men

Mad Men , created by Matthew Weiner and airing on AMC from 2007 to 2015, centered on the professional and personal lives of advertising executives, including protagonist Don Draper (Jon Hamm), on Madison Avenue in New York City in the 1960s. It was the first basic cable series to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series .

It revolutionized television at the time by proving that a sophisticated, slow-burning script with literary character development (including some of the best-written dialogue on television ever) could work. The show was also committed to historical accuracy and meticulous set design, raising the bar for visual and thematic storytelling.

9

Law & Order

Law & Order, created by Dick Wolf, premiered on NBC in 1990, flipping the usual crime drama formula on its head — splitting episodes into a two-part structure, presenting a police investigation, followed by a courtroom prosecution .

Therefore, it prioritized legal procedures over emotional drama, and the cases became the main character, presenting the difficulties and nuances of the criminal justice system, instead of the usual black-and-white representation of justice. With new episodes still airing (following a 2010-2022 hiatus), Law & Order remains one of the most successful series in TV history, launching numerous spinoffs including the popular Law & Order: SVU.

10

Grey’s Anatomy

Grey’s Anatomy, created by Shonda Rhimes, aired on TV for the first time in 2005 and became the longest-running American primetime medical series ever. It centers on a hospital in Seattle and follows surgical residents as they become surgeons, while balancing intense life-and-death emergencies with complex personal life stories .

Most notably, the series created what was described as "Grey’s Effects": the approach to joyful and defiant female sexuality and to women unapologetically taking up space in a male-dominated professional field; it even shaped medical school applications and improved the public's understanding of real-world health issues.

11

The Wire

The Wire was created by former police reporter David Simon and detective Ed Burns, and is considered by many to be one of the greatest shows ever made , airing on HBO from 2002 to 2008. It is a drama series that analyzes the systemic issues Baltimore faces, examining a different institution in each of its five seasons.

Originally pitched as the "anti-cop show," it showed police departments slowed down by piles of bureaucracy, where chasing arrests became more important than actually solving crimes or improving lives. In addition, the city was the main character, portrayed as a gray, morally complex world.