There is no doubt that the vast majority of Hollywood leans to the left. With its strong focus on progressive values and social justice, it can be difficult bordering on impossible for conservatives to find TV shows that reflect their worldview and values.
But take heart! There are quite a few great conservative TV shows out there from yesteryear and today that reflect “the way things ought to be”.
In this article, we will provide a list of the 15 best conservative-values TV shows, along with a short synopsis of each.
So whether you’re looking for something to watch on Netflix or want some ideas for your next DVD hunting session, you’ll find something here that’s right up your alley.
COPS
You know it, you love it. COPS is a reality television show following police officers on patrol, and one of the first true examples of genuine reality TV.
The show originally aired on Fox from 1989 to 2013, and then was picked up by Spike TV from 2013 to 2019. It is currently airing on the Paramount Network. COPS follows police officers during their shift, providing a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement.
The show is filmed with handheld cameras, giving it a raw and realistic feel. The principal actors are the police officers themselves, as there is no script or dialogue: all the action and conversations are genuine!
COPS provides a unique and riveting perspective on law enforcement and crime and has been praised for its unflinching portrayal of the realities of policing.
J.A.G.
JAG was a long-running American television show that originally aired on NBC from 1995 to 2005.
Bringing the (dramatized) intricacies and operations of the military’s Judge Advocate General to the fore, the show follows the exploits of the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) office, a team of lawyers who handle military justice cases.
The JAG team is led by Harmon Rabb played by David James Elliott, a former Navy pilot who becomes a lawyer after being shot down over Vietnam.
His opposite number and sometimes foil is Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie played by Catherine Bell, a Marine lawyer.
Over the course of its ten-season run, JAG became one of the most popular shows on television, garnering critical acclaim and a loyal fan following for its patriotic depiction of military honor and justice, a sharply stylized contrast to the typical “courtroom dramas” of the era.
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Walker, Texas Ranger
Before ChuckNorrisFacts, before the memes, there was Walker. Walker, Texas Ranger is an American action television series starring Chuck Norris as Cordell Walker, a Dallas-based Ranger working for the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Rangers division.
The show first aired on CBS in the spring of 1993, and enjoyed a long run- 201 episodes over nine seasons.
Popular among viewers for its mix of martial arts action, crime-solving and modernized Western storytelling, the eponymous hero Walker is depicted as an honorable but no-nonsense man of principle, but one more than able to kick ass when the situation called for it. And it often did!
Even though he is forced to deal with all sorts of criminals and even corruption in his home state, Walker always adheres to his code.
Norris became a legitimate pop-cultural icon as a result of the show, one of the most successful conservative-values shows in television history.
Duck Dynasty
Even if you have never watched the show, you have seen the products! Duck Dynasty was an American reality television series that followed the lives of the Robertson family, who first found success in the duck call business before turning it into a multimedia mega-empire with boatloads of branded merch and, of course, this successful television show.
The “reality” show followed the lives, times and trials of the Robertsons at home and in business, but is predominately remembered for the positive depiction of the Robertson’s strong Christian faith, southern values, and “unconventional” wholesome lifestyles.
The show was and remains incredibly popular, particularly for the forward and unflinching Christian faith of its cast members, and all became household names for a time.
Aired on A&E from 2012 to 2017, Duck Dynasty remains one of the most successful reality television shows of all time.
Blue Bloods
Blue Bloods is an American police procedural drama airing on CBS and the first show on this list starring the inimitable Tom Selleck.
Launched in 2010, the series runs on to this day and follows the lives of the members of the NYPD’s “First Family of Law Enforcement”: the Reagans.
Selleck leads as Police Commissioner Frank Reagan, with Donnie Wahlberg portraying his brother Danny Reagan and Bridget Moynahan playing daughter and Prosecutor Erin Reagan.
Blue Bloods is focuses on the investigation of crimes and the daily running of a police department, but it also explores the characters’ personal lives and how their work affects their relationships.
The family regularly deals with intensely personal and professional challenges as they work to keep the city safe, and it is the juxtaposition of duty to department and loyalty to family that is such an interesting source of pathos on the show.
Blue Bloods has also been praised for its realistic portrayal of law enforcement, the humanity inherent to the job and the challenges that officers face.
The Andy Griffith Show
If there is any show on this list more deserving of the label of true Americana, I don’t know how or why.
The iconic Andy Griffith Show was a sitcom set in the town of Mayberry, North Carolina, that follows the lives of a small-town sheriff, his family and neighbors.
Sheriff Andy Taylor was played by showrunner Andy Griffith, and his well-meaning but bumbling deputy Barney Fife was played by Don Knotts.
The show was known for its family-friendly humor and salt-of-the-earth characters. The Andy Griffith Show was a huge success, and has since been hailed as one of the greatest television shows of all time.
It is another of the most influential conservative-values TV shows, with its depiction of small-town life, small-town troubles and traditional values resonating with viewers across America.
It remains in regular circulation on various channels across America, proving that wholesome content can still find an audience even in our increasingly cynical era.
Dirty Jobs
Dirty Jobs is a phenomenally popular reality television series that premiered on the Discovery Channel in 2003 and is single-handedly responsible for making Mike Rowe a household name.
The series followed host and narrator extraordinaire Mike Rowe as he traveled across America to learn about and perform various jobs that are considered to be dirty, demeaning or dangerous.
These jobs ranged from septic tank cleanout to carcass rendering and a whole lot more.
Each episode provided viewers with an inside look at the day-to-day operations of these businesses or jobs which might normally be out of sight, carefully hidden or beneath notice.
In addition to highlighting the specifics of the work itself, the show also sought to educate viewers about the importance of these jobs and the people who perform them.
The moral lesson implied is that all of these jobs, no matter how nasty and smelly, are vital and the people that do them deserve our respect.
That’s something every conservative can get behind. Dirty Jobs ran for seven seasons before a hiatus, but happily, the show has currently been rebooted and is back on the air.
Magnum, P.I.
The shirt. The ‘stache. And that red Ferrari 308. The quintessential 80’s show Magnum, P.I. is an action drama television series once again starring Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum, a private investigator living in Hawaii.
The show aired on CBS from 1980 to 1988 and was immensely popular, spawning two made-for-TV movies and a successful spin-off series.
The show was known for its mix of action, humor and suspense, as well as its catchy theme song which was guaranteed to earworm you once you heard it.
The main character, Magnum, was always depicted as a smart, capable and clever man who often helped police crack difficult cases in a decidedly extra-judicial way.
Nonetheless, he never strayed from anything but upstanding behavior in a setting where crossing lines is sometimes seen as a necessary way to get things done.
Magnum, P.I. was also notable for its depiction of Vietnam War veterans adjusting to civilian life, something that was not often seen on television at the time.
Band of Brothers
Band of Brothers is WWII-era miniseries based on historian’s non-fiction book of the same name.
The series dramatizes the entirely real experiences of Easy Company, 101st Airborne Division from the opening salvoes of Operation Overlord through V-J Day.
The series was produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, who had previously worked together on the World War II, film Saving Private Ryan.
Airing on HBO in 2001 the show was massively successful, both commercially and critically.
The show is often lauded for its accurate and realistic portrayal of warfare, as well as its nuanced exploration of the human experience during wartime.
Decidedly patriotic, Band of Brothers is nonetheless a moving and thought-provoking series that all conservatives should watch.
America’s Most Wanted
America’s Most Wanted was a long-running television program that aired on the Fox Network from 1988 to 2012.
In a unique format, the show’s host John Walsh featured interviews, reenactments, and surveillance footage pertaining to unsolved crimes in an effort to generate tips from viewers to help law enforcement catch suspected criminals.
The show was often criticized for its sensationalist approach but it nonetheless had a significant impact, with law enforcement crediting it with the capture of over 1,200 fugitives.
America’s Most Wanted was abruptly canceled in 2011 but was later revived briefly by the Lifetime network in 2012. That stint was short-lived, and the show is currently back airing on Fox.
While it may not be the most thought-provoking program out there, “AMW” is still a highly influential show that has made justice for wrongdoings its chief concern.
24
The first truly blockbuster series of the new millennium, 24 was an action-drama television series starring Kiefer Sutherland as ultra-competent (and utterly ruthless) Jack Bauer, a federal agent who was thrust into dangerous and often life-or-death situations on an hourly basis.
The show’s name is derived from the fact that the entirety of the show happens concurrently in “real-time” over the course of a single 24-hour day.
The show aired for eight seasons from 2001 to 2010 and again in 2014 for a short revival and was incredibly popular, winning numerous awards including an Emmy for Best Drama Series.
While it may not be traditionally conservative, it is nonetheless a patriotic show that celebrates America’s law enforcement and military personnel.
Jack Bauer is a man who will stop at nothing to get the job done, and one who always puts duty above everything else, even his own safety or well-being: A heroic figure, if one just this side of an anti-hero.
Later seasons would stray further and further into a bleak, utilitarian ethos, but the first two are phenomenal. Totally worth watching if you still, somehow, haven’t seen it!
Last Man Standing
If you sometimes like the last voice of sanity in a world gone mad, boy do I have a show for you! Last Man Standing is a sitcom starring Tim Allen as Mike Baxter, a man who finds himself nominally out-of-step with the changing world around him.
Mike is portrayed as a diehard conservative who believes in traditional values and is often at odds with his more liberal wife and oldest daughter, along with his daughter’s husband.
Last Man Standing is a funny and relatable sitcom tailored for conservatives. Mike is often shown to be beleaguered in conversation (rather, argue-sation) with his smug family members and in-laws, but by the end of the episode, his timeless wisdom and keen insights usually turn the tables on them.
This show, though always lighthearted and funny, is a great reminder that we’re not alone; there are plenty of other people out there who think as we do.
Last Man Standing was a mega-hit and extremely popular with conservatives but was suspiciously canceled by ABC, its network parent, in 2017 after six profitable seasons.
Cries of cancel culture resounded among fans and resulted in it later being picked up by Fox who began airing it again in 2018 for a run through 2021. This one really deserves a watch.
Lock n’ Load, with R. Lee Ermey
Lock n’ Load, with R. Lee Ermey, was a History Channel series that, most tragically, aired for just one season in 2009. The show was hosted and narrated by R. Lee Ermey, known the world over for his star-making role as Full Metal Jacket’s incendiary, foul-mouthed Gunnery Sergeant Hartman.
Lock n’ Load was a highly informative and entertaining show that focused on firearms and military innovation throughout history, along with the greater context surrounding them.
It covered a wide range of subjects such as modern military weapons, antique firearms, artillery, famous gunfights and more. There’s no greater lesson with this one; only a red-blooded love of military hardware and history!
The show was canceled after only one season but it nonetheless left a lasting impression on viewers. R. Lee Ermey brought his substantial knowledge of firearms and inherent screen charisma to the forefront and made learning about them fun and interesting again.
And, all the while, berating the audience as only he could while displaying unbridled enthusiasm to live-fire demo the subject of the episode.
Chernobyl
Chernobyl is an HBO miniseries that tells the story of the real-world 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, one of the worst man-made catastrophes in history, and the single worst nuclear accident ever.
The joint British-American production follows the series of unfortunate events that resulted in the incident, the cleanup effort after the explosion and the human and political consequences.
An incredibly well-made show with excellent acting, directing, and writing, it is a standout of the last decade. Just be prepared to be absolutely horrified.
While it may not be explicitly conservative according to the standards of our day, this is a tale that will resonate with any conservative viewer.
It examines the consequences of reckless and misguided government action, the importance of personal responsibility, the role of institutions and more.
All this through the prism of one of the most harrowing disasters in human history. I cannot recommend this one enough; watch it.
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Wanted: Dead or Alive
Wanted: Dead or Alive is a western television series that aired on CBS from 1958 to 1961. The show stars the undisputed “King of Cool” Steve McQueen as Josh Randall, a bounty hunter in the old west who tracks down criminals for the reward money.
Despite being a bounty hunter by trade, Randall is more akin to a knight-errant of distant history; he settles feuds, helps his captives that are wrongly accused, tracks down missing or kidnapped people and is an all-around good man, though one sharpened by adversity. It was one of the first shows to feature a vigilante-style protagonist and was highly popular in its time.
While Wanted may not be everyone’s cup of tea owing to its age, it is an excellent example of profoundly conservative entertainment.
In an age where government overreach and lawlessness are at all-time highs, it is refreshing to see a show where justice is meted out by an individual, an honorable one, rather than waiting around for the slow and increasingly corrupt wheels of government bureaucracy.
This one is definitely worth checking out if you don’t mind a black and white production.
15 Conservative Shows for Every Viewer
Now that you have so many excellent conservative TV shows to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start.
Hopefully, this list has given you a few ideas of some must-watch programs for any red, white and blue American. Whether you’re interested in history, law and order or just good old-fashioned adventure, there’s something here for everyone.
And if this list was not enough, check out my list of the best survival movies, best survival tv shows, and my other list of the best conservative movies.
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Add in Bonanza, Have Gun Will Travel, High Chaparral, Big Valley, Little House on the Prairie, and every John Wayne movie!