Top 250 Tv Shows Like The Great Pretender

A stand-up comedian and his three offbeat friends weather the pitfalls and payoffs of life in New York City in the '90s. It's a show about nothing.

Six young people from New York City, on their own and struggling to survive in the real world, find the companionship, comfort and support they get from each other to be the perfect antidote to the pressures of life.

A truly amazing, fantastical, science fiction, funny and odd, and sometimes scary, sad and endearing anthology series presented by Steven Spielberg with guest appearances by many famous actors, actresses, and directors.

A hit man from the Midwest moves to Los Angeles and gets caught up in the city's theatre arts scene.

Having gone their separate ways since the original series ended 19 years ago, the cast of Beverly Hills, 90210 reunites when one of them suggests it’s time to get a reboot up and running. But getting it going might make for an even more delicious soap than the reboot itself.

The Critic is an American prime time animated series created by writing partners Al Jean and Mike Reiss, who had previously worked as writers and showrunners on The Simpsons. The show follows the life of a 36-year-old film critic from New York named Jay Sherman, voiced by Jon Lovitz. 23 episodes were produced, first broadcast on ABC in 1994 and finishing its original run on Fox in 1995.

Drew is an assistant director of personnel in a Cleveland department store and he has been stuck there for ten years. Other than fighting with co-worker Mimi, his hobbies include drinking beer and not being able to get dates. To make a few extra bucks he has a micro-brewery going in his garage with his buddies.

Andy Millman gave up his day job five years ago in the hope of achieving the big time, but he’s yet to land a speaking part, let alone saunter down the red carpet to pick up an Oscar. He remains optimistic however, as rubbing shoulders with the A-list on-set only serves to reinforce his belief that the big time is just a job or two away.

Brand new lawyers work for both the defense and the prosecution as they handle the most high profile and high stakes cases in the country – all as their personal lives intersect.

The story of the romantic and creative partnership between Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. He was a filmmaker and one of theater's most influential choreographers and directors; she was the greatest Broadway dancer of all time. Together, they changed the face of American entertainment — at a perilous cost.

Sam Casey is an agent for INTERSECT, a government think-tank and operations center specializing in secret missions. While on a diving assignment, Sam was affected by the radiation from an underwater explosion. The radiation rendered him invisible, but INTERSECT devised a way to control his invisibility, by fitting him with a computerized watch that kept him visible. He could, however, shut it off, and become invisible again, for short periods of time. If he did this for more than 15 minutes in any 24 hour period he would die. This ability to become invisible made him a very effective agent.

General Electric Theater is an American anthology series hosted by Ronald Reagan that was broadcast on CBS radio and television. The series was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations.

The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.

TV series about the life of Brendon Small, an eight-year-old visionary who, using his friends Jason and Melissa as actors, have managed to direct over a thousand homemade films. His parents are divorced, but it doesn't feel strange since so many other kids' parents are divorced. His friend Jason actually feels upset because his parents are still together. At school, he is taught soccer by his coach John McGuirk, or as he calls him, "that weird Irish guy".

James Lipton sits down with some of the world's most accomplished actors and directors for penetrating, fascinating interviews.

Two I.T. nerds and their clueless female manager, who work in the basement of a very successful company. When they are called on for help, they are never treated with any respect at all.

Late Show with David Letterman is an American late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated and CBS Television Studios. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is Paul Shaffer. The head writer is Matt Roberts and the announcer is Alan Kalter. Of the major U.S. late-night programs, Late Show ranks second in cumulative average viewers over time and third in number of episodes over time. The show leads other late night shows in ad revenue with $271 million in 2009. In most U.S. markets the show airs at 11:35 p.m. Eastern/Pacific time, but is recorded Monday through Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m and 6:00 p.m. The second Thursday episode usually airs on Friday of that week. In 2002, Late Show with David Letterman was ranked No. 7 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time. CBS has a contract with Worldwide Pants to continue the show through 2014; by then, Letterman will surpass Johnny Carson as the longest tenured late-night talk show host.

Life's Too Short is a British sitcom mockumentary created and written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant from an idea by Warwick Davis, and is as described by Gervais, about "the life of a showbiz dwarf".

Follow the young, hip-hop elite as they strive to either “make” or “maintain” a life in the La La Land of Hollywood! From hip-hop artists, to video vixens, to actors, personal assistants, girlfriends, and co-parents, we take an exclusive look behind the curtain at the lives of the hip-hop couples as they struggle to balance their careers and their personal lives.

Fran, fresh out of her job as a bridal consultant in her boyfriend’s shop, first appears on the doorstep of Broadway producer Maxwell Sheffield peddling cosmetics, and quickly stumbled upon the opportunity to become The Nanny for his three children. But soon Fran, with her offbeat nurturing and no-nonsense honesty, touches Maxwell as well as the kids.

Omnibus was an arts-based BBC television documentary series, broadcast mainly on BBC1 in the United Kingdom. The programme was the successor to the long-running arts-based series 'Monitor'. It ran from 1967 until 2003, usually being transmitted on Sunday evenings. During its 35-year history, the programme won 12 Bafta awards. Among the series' best remembered documentaries are Cracked Actor, a profile of David Bowie, and Rene Magritte, a graduate film by David Wheatley, 'Madonna: Behind the American dream', a film produced by Nadia Hagger, and a profile of the British film director Ridley Scott. For a season in 1982, the series was in a magazine format presented by Barry Norman. The series was replaced by 'Imagine' hosted by Alan Yentob.

A former professional dancer, Brooke, and her brother Cary, an aspiring actor, try to find their place in the world while wrestling with their feelings about their 13-year-old brother Chase's sudden rise to internet fame.

Robert Montgomery Presents is an American dramatic television series which was produced by NBC from January 30, 1950 until June 24, 1957. The live show had several sponsors during its seven-year run, and the title was altered to feature the sponsor, usually Lucky Strike cigarettes, for example, Robert Montgomery Presents Your Lucky Strike Theater, ....The Johnson's Wax Program, and so on.

Rocko is a wallaby who has emigrated to America from Australia. He lives in O-Town and tries to get through life but, of course, comes across a multitude of dilemmas and misadventures he must get through. Other characters include Rocko's best friend, Heffer, a steer who has been raised by wolves, Filbert, a paranoid hypochondriac turtle, Rocko's faithful (but none-too-bright) dog Spunky, and Ed Bighead who detests Rocko and hates having him for a next door neighbor. On this show, Rocko has such adventures as trying to adapt to a new vacuum cleaner, having Heffer move in temporarily after his parents kick him out, and going to a movie theater.

A songwriting duo tries to create a hit with a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe.

Allison "Sonny" Munroe makes the leap from the Midwest to Los Angeles to join the cast of "So Random!," the most popular sketch comedy TV show for kids and tweens. Her fellow young actors are resident teen queen Tawni, super suave Nico, gregarious funnyman Grady and quirky Zora. Now Sonny must somehow balance these new friendships while adjusting to her family's decidedly different way of life in Hollywood. Meanwhile, Sonny must also contend with heartthrob Chad Dylan Cooper, star of the rival show "MacKenzie Falls," who makes it known that he thinks his dramatic work is better than her comedy career.

An American radio–television anthology series, created in 1947 by Canadian director Fletcher Markle, who came to CBS from the CBC. Studio One, presented by Westinghouse, was one of the first of the anthology TV programs. The episodes were often abridged remakes of movies from years gone by and many future well-known television and movie actors appeared in the productions.

Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! is an American sketch comedy television series, created by and starring Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, which premiered February 11, 2007 on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim comedy block and ran until May 2010. The program features surrealistic and often satirical humor, public-access television–style musical acts, bizarre faux-commercials, and editing and special effects chosen to make the show appear camp. The program featured a wide range of actors, spanning from stars such as Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, Will Forte and Zach Galifianakis, to alternative comedians like Neil Hamburger, to television actors like Alan Thicke, celebrity look-alikes and impressionists. The creators of the show have described it as "the nightmare version of television."

PBS SoCal and Variety take you inside the biggest movies and T.V. shows of the past year through candid conversations with today's hottest actors. Hosted by Variety Film Awards Editor Clayton Davis and Variety Chief Correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister, each episode brings together pairs of actors engaging in intimate one-on-one discussions about their craft and work.

For Valerie Cherish, no price is too high to pay for clinging to the spotlight. Desperate to revive her career, she agrees to star in a reality TV series, allowing cameras to follow her every move as she lands a part on a new network sitcom.

Set in Texas, this animated series follows the life of propane salesman Hank Hill, who lives with his overly confident substitute Spanish teacher wife Peggy, wannabe comedian son Bobby, and naive niece Luanne. Hank has conservative views about God, family, and country, but his values and ethics are often challenged by the situations he, his family, and his beer-drinking neighbors/buddies find themselves in.

Cuban Bandleader Ricky Ricardo would be happy if his wife Lucy would just be a housewife. Instead she tries constantly to perform at the Tropicana where he works, and make life comically frantic in the apartment building they share with landlords Fred and Ethel Mertz, who also happen to be their best friends.

Crash is an American television drama series that tells the story of how the lives of how several very diverse Southern Californians intersect.

Since premiering in 1976, the landmark series has sought to democratize the world of the performing arts by making Lincoln Center's historic concerts and events available for public broadcast across the country. And it continues to push the boundaries, both technical and creative, of what is possible in the realm of stage performance capture.

Family Business was an American reality TV series produced for the cable network Showtime. Based in Los Angeles, the series focused on the pornography industry and the life of Adam Glasser, a reality porn star and video director who uses the stage name "Seymore Butts". Also featured on the series were his son, Brady, along with his mother, Lila Glasser, and his older cousin, Stevie Glasser, both of whom help Adam run the eponymous "family business" of the series, which in this case is a successful porn video production and distribution house in the San Fernando Valley, known for the "Seymore Butts" line of videos. The series first aired in 2003. In Canada it is broadcast on The Movie Network, Movie Central, and Showcase Television, in the UK on Channel 4, and in Latin America on FX. The first two seasons are currently available on DVD in North America. The series ran for four seasons. The series won the 2005 AVN award for 'Best Alternative Release'.

A series about the life, career and works of the movie comedy genius.

Ed Asner tells the story of RKO Pictures from the 1920s to the 1960s.

Orson Welles' Sketch Book is a series of six short television commentaries by Orson Welles for the BBC in 1955. Written and directed by Welles, the 15-minute episodes present the filmmaker's commentaries on a range of subjects. Welles frequently draws from his own experiences and often illustrates the episodes with his own sketches.

The wrenching plight of two Bosnian sisters and their descent into the dark world of enforced prostitution. Their journey is intersected by a British journalist struggling to uncover a conspiracy by American peacekeepers and the machinations of an international charity organization.

Five friends learn to deal with the harsh realities of life after college.

In this tongue-in-cheek portrayal of his life, Chris Jericho is a former wrestler struggling to make it big as an actor.

Jacob Gordon can't catch a break. A struggling actor with a personal life to match. His epic streak of bad luck just might change when he's cast in a Broadway musical; "The Ice Queen", opposite stage and screen royalty Veronica Bailey.

Tim Heidecker reviews the latest movies in theaters with a special guest.

Actor and car fan Philip Glenister (of "Life on Mars" fame) and car restorer Ant Anstead find classic British cars to bring back to life.

Mark Cousins invites film actors and directors to watch major scenes in their career to date, and to talk us through them.

Ever wondered what happened to a popular actress or actor, athlete or comedian? Are you curious about their backstory? Well Life After has the scoop! The series investigates turning points in the lives of intriguing stars.

Hollywood Wives tells the stories of several women in Hollywood, from powerful talent agents and screenwriters to vivacious screen vixens and young, innocent newcomers.

It's the first day of camp in this outrageous prequel to the hilarious 2001 cult classic movie. And at Camp Firewood, anything can happen.

LESlieVILLE follows the story of two women with a strong connection, played by Canadian theatre actors Samantha Wan and Tiffany Martin. The trouble is, one of them is already taken — a storyline based on the personal experience of series writer and director Nadine Bell.

A web series that depicts the intersecting lives of several off-beat 21st century teenagers.

Dark comedy about the eccentric members of the Flowers family. Maurice and Deborah are barely together but yet to divorce. They live with Maurice's batty mother and their maladjusted twin children.

Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive is a 2006 two-part television documentary directed by Ross Wilson and featuring British actor and comedian Stephen Fry. It explores the effects of living with bipolar disorder, based on the experiences of Fry, other celebrities and members of the public with, or affected by, the disorder. It won an Emmy Award for Best Documentary at the 35th International Emmys in 2007.

The story of the real characters who bring life to this enormously popular television genre. Set in Miami, the series follows a group of beautiful and fierce Latina actresses and actors working in this hyper-competitive world, which has captivated hundreds of millions of viewers.

The wild story of young William Shakespeare's arrival onto the punk-rock theater scene in 16th century London -- the seductive, violent world where his raw talent faced rioting audiences, religious fanatics and raucous side-shows. It's a contemporary version of Shakespeare's life, played to a modern soundtrack that exposes all his recklessness, lustful temptations and brilliance.

A middle-aged man recently ditched by his long-term girlfriend, ‘Karl’ lives with his elderly Auntie and his closest companion is his doppelgänger alter ego.

Explore the evolution of sci-fi from its origins as a small genre with a cult following to the blockbuster pop-cultural phenomenon we know today. In each episode, James Cameron introduces one of the “Big Questions” that humankind has contemplated throughout the ages and reaches back into sci-fi’s past to better understand how our favorite films, TV shows, books, and video games were born.

Shining a light on the world of the urban theater and revealing the show behind the show, producer and director JD Lawrence mounts his new production of the stage play Your Husband Is Cheating On Us, implementing unorthodox creative methods with his cast.

The World’s Foremost Drive-in Movie Critic – actually he’s pretty much the world’s only Drive-in Critic – Joe Bob Briggs brings his iconic swagger to this firebrand of horror and drive-in cinema offering honest appreciation, hilarious insight, inside stories and of course, the Drive-in totals.

Follow renowned journalist Elvis Mitchell as he travels with A-list filmmakers and actors to places of inspiration around the world with unprecedented access, exploring how each location shaped their work and identity.

The intersecting stories of several different people of widely diverging ages and backgrounds. From STASI offspring to Oakland anarchists, the characters' landscapes are as varied as East Berlin, the Bolivian jungle, East Harlem walk-ups, and the California Redwoods. Based on the novel of the same name by Jonathan Franzen.

Love, loss and transformative luck intersect in this musical drama about two struggling artists experiencing life at full volume in Los Angeles.

These blockbusters brought us together and gave us the time of our lives. Meet the actors, directors and industry insiders who made them happen.

Three generations of a family with separate but intersecting obsessions - trying to figure out how to die with dignity, live with none and make it count.

Tired of being the comedic sidekick, Kevin Hart gets his wish when a famous director offers him his dream – to be a leading man action star – but there’s a catch: Kevin must first train at the world’s greatest action star school, run by a lunatic.

As told through clips from 183 female directors, this epic history of the cinema focuses on women’s integral role in the development of film art. Using almost a thousand film extracts from thirteen decades and five continents, Mark Cousins asks how films are made, shot and edited; how stories are shaped and how movies depict life, love, politics, humour and death, all through the compelling lens of some of the world’s greatest filmmakers – all of them women.

A chronicle of five friends during a decade in which everything changed, including the rise of AIDS.

As the iconic voice of Goofy and Pluto for more than 30 years, Disney Legend Bill Farmer steps out from behind the microphone to meet his own favorite characters — dogs! Join Bill as he crosses the country meeting dogs doing incredible work!

Soon after moving to New York City to pursue his dream of becoming an actor, 22-year-old Andy is diagnosed with HIV. Now, Andy and his three best friends must come to terms with his life-changing news while struggling to survive life in the city.

A series of four short dramas depicting life in lockdown. Each episode will be 15 minutes in duration and will reflect what families are going through after weeks of isolation. The series will be filmed observing the strict rules of lockdown with actors and their families filming the scenes themselves watched remotely by the directors. Each of the directors — Paul Whittington, Paul Andrew Williams, Louise Hooper and David Blair — will be watching footage via their mobile phones and giving advice to the actors and their family members about camera positioning, scene composition and lighting as they record the scenes.

Series written and filmed in lockdown that responds to the radical way we have seen our world change during the coronavirus pandemic, featuring the UK’s most celebrated actors.

David Tennant and Michael Sheen (playing themselves) were due to star in a production of 'Six Characters in Search of an Author' in the West End. The pandemic has put an end to that, but their director (Simon Evans) is determined not to let the opportunity pass them by.

A complex thriller revolving around three characters, each with troubling pasts clouding their intersecting motives: Emma is a young woman who once loved a dangerous killer, John is a former serial predator desperate for redemption, and a grieving mother Mary who is obsessed with finding her missing daughter.

1950s. Under the communist regime, a struggling actor joins the KGB as an informant to make ends meet. He quickly finds himself caught up in a dangerous web of deceit and treachery.

The cult hit returns! Captured by mad scientists, new host Jonah survives a blitz of cheesy B movies by riffing on them with his funny robot pals.

Secrets from the "Stranger Things 2" universe are revealed as cast and guests discuss the latest episodes with host Jim Rash. Caution: spoilers ahead!

We Shall Remain is a five-part, 7.5 hour documentary series about the history of Native Americans spanning the 17th century to the 20th century. It was a collaborative effort with several different directors, writers and producers working on each episode, including directors Chris Eyre, Ric Burns and Stanley Nelson Jr. Actor Benjamin Bratt narrated the entire series. It is part of the American Experience series and premiered April 13, 2009.

The paths of city businesswoman Haziran and Poyraz, a handsome and helpful young man, intersect on Swallow Island, and love arises from the disagreements of these two opposite characters.

Examine the intersecting paths of five of America’s most notorious killers–Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer, The Green River Killer and BTK–who all operated during the same period, across two decades.

An original series about an immigrant actress navigating through life in New York. Recipient of two Best Web Series awards and selected by over 15 international film festivals. Filmed in New York and Sofia by an international cast and crew.

France, 1914. The destinies of four women intersect : Marguerite, a mysterious Parisian prostitute, Caroline, propelled to the head of the family factory, Agnes, Mother Superior of a requisitioned convent and Suzanne, a feminist nurse.

Documentary on the life of Brian Epstein, the man who brought The Beatles to fame. First in a two-part documentary examining the turbulent life and career of Beatles manager Brian Epstein. Gay when homosexuality was illegal, a gambler, shopkeeper and failed actor, he was also pop king with a Midas touch who, in the 60s, was as well known as the band he managed.

Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side explores the spirit world from the perspective of an earthbound spirit named Zach, who as he searches for answers about his death meets ghosts that teach him how to intersect with the land of the living.

Hosted by Canadian actor, director, and author Jay Baruchel, the series is a smart, tongue-in-cheek look at the end of the world, which draws together science, psychology, pop culture, and philosophy.

The four-part drama series will tell the story of Cary Grant’s life, from his humble beginnings as Archie Leach in Bristol, England to the Hollywood leading man he became.

Within the spectacular, complex and corrupt world of gladiatorial sports in Ancient Rome, follow an ensemble of diverse characters across the many layers of Roman society where sports, politics and business intersect and collide.

Investigating murders that intersect with Playboy, exposing the pitfalls of fame for those appearing on their pages and forcing audiences to question everything they thought they knew about one of America's most recognizable publications.

Follow legendary actor Sylvester Stallone with his wife and daughters in a direct access to their daily life.

A series of television comedy specials primarily featuring some of the most well-known faces in the world... doing some of the most embarrassing things on camera including "blooper" outtakes from film and television.

This intimate docuseries follows Arnold Schwarzenegger's multifaceted life and career, from bodybuilding champ to Hollywood icon to politician.

Hosted by Actor, Author and Speaker Rodney Damon Collins brings us the most inspiring guests and content. We are each accountable for our own lives and that's what this show is about. Personal accountability to ensure that you see your life's purpose fulfilled. Viewers and listeners are challenged to stop watching inspiring lives and become one.

Every episode explores two chilling stories of real-life paranormal encounters that intersect with revenge. Each story unfolds from the perspective of a main storyteller – a victim – who has been targeted by a mysterious paranormal entity or entities. What follows is a truly original and compelling approach: a mash-up of the true-crime procedural and terrifying ghost stories.

News, reviews and interviews. Topical magazine program about what's going on and happening in London.

A travel memoir series hosted by award-winning actor, playwright and director Colman Domingo, who takes us on an intimate tour of the cities, places and hidden spots that hold special meaning in his life story.

Follows Mexican actors and comedians Mauricio Barrientos (aka "El Diablito") and Paloma Cedeño, as they travel around the city and have conversations about life, relationships and sex with their celebrity guests.

A romantic comedy series following the intersecting love stories of young mall employees during the holiday season.

Young American Bodies is an American web series, which originally premiered on Nerve.com and currently airs on IFC and at IFC.com in the United States. Each short episode looks into the intersecting love lives of six twenty-somethings in Chicago. The series is produced and directed by Joe Swanberg, the director of Hannah Takes The Stairs and Nights and Weekends.

Actor Gabe Greenspan and his real life father, Jason Alexander, play heightened versions of themselves on Freeform's new short form digital series "Dinner with Dad." The show takes place in a deli, where each week father and son get together to catch up on life. Each episode centers on Alexander's encouraging but unsolicited advice on his son's life and show business ambitions. All episodes of the series were written by Alexander and Greenspan.

In the sci-fi world of Frequency, individuals have the ability to tune in to a frequency gaining them different skills, i.e Clairvoyance, Telepathy, Time-travel, Healing, and Mental Manipulation. Claire, a present day clairvoyant, is on a colliding course with Deanna, a empath from the 80's. Will their paths intersect in the correct space and time?

Actors are invited onto the Actors lounge to discuss production developments, their careers, and their lives as working Actors. Host by Daisie Belle interviews Actors Andrew Osei-Kamren & Ellinor Persdotter

Steve Martin is one of the most beloved and enigmatic figures in entertainment. Dive into his extraordinary story from two distinct points of view—past and present—as Martin reflects on how his beginnings led to his unexpectedly fulfilling life today.