Clint Hale

Once upon a time, being single past the age of 25 was considered a bad thing. But thanks in part to the power of popular culture, that is no longer the case.

Those “single and loving it” 20- and 30-somethings we see on TV are not just accurate representations of their real-life viewers. For better or worse, they are models on which many base their lives.

Here are five shows that helped usher in the era of single empowerment.

‘ALLY MCBEAL'
RUN: 1997-2002
THE PLOT: A 30-something lawyer (Calista Flockhart) balances work, relationships, her many quirks and imaginary dancing babies.
THE 210 TAKE: Some critics actually said this show set the women's movement back because of its star's emotional instability and many eccentricities. What those critics failed to realize was that those two traits were not because McBeal was a woman, but rather, a lawyer.

‘FRIENDS'
RUN: 1994-2004
THE PLOT: Six unbelievably good-looking 20/30-somethings (except for Ross) sleep around (sometimes with each other), while somehow managing to afford fabulous New York City apartments, despite the fact that they spend most of their time in a coffee shop.
THE 210 TAKE: This show jumped the shark right around the time its characters gave up their single lives for serious relationships. That's probably not a coincidence.

‘IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA'
RUN: 2005-present
THE PLOT: Four 20-somethings (and Danny DeVito) run a pub in Philadelphia, care for no one but themselves and often run afoul of the law and good taste.
THE 210 TAKE: Not only are these characters single, for the most part, they don't even date. And to anyone who watches this show and knows the damage often inflicted upon others by this band of miscreants, you know that's probably for the best.

‘SEX AND THE CITY'
RUN: 1998-2004
THE PLOT: Four Manhattan career women give new meaning to the phrase “female empowerment,” thanks to great jobs, fabulous outfits and gentlemen callers aplenty.
THE 210 TAKE: Ever walk into a bar and see four women sitting around in expensive outfits, sipping cosmopolitans and talking about their respective dating lives? Yeah, it's a safe bet those women are “Sex and the City” fans.

‘SEINFELD'
RUN: 1989-1998
THE PLOT: Four self-centered New Yorkers date, eat at Monk's Coffee Shop and focus on minutia.
THE 210 TAKE: When George's fiancée Susan died from licking the infamous poisonous envelopes, he was relieved to not have to go through with the wedding. How's that for craving the single life?