Top 10 American TV Shows that Shaped the 9X Generation's Childhood, Aired on VTV

Last but not least in our list of top American TV shows that became a part of the 9X generation's childhood on VTV is The Ghost Whisperer. This show aired on VTV1 at 6 AM and follows Melinda, a woman with the ability to see, hear, and communicate with ghosts. Gifted with her grandmother's ability to interact with the spiritual world, Melinda is constantly visited by restless spirits seeking her help to fulfill unfinished business before they can move on to the light. Each episode features a different spirit, sharing compelling and heartwarming stories that deepen our understanding of human connections and life. Despite its supernatural theme, the show is not overtly scary, allowing viewers to get caught up in the plot and wonder how Melinda will resolve each situation.

The Ghost Whisperer captivated audiences with its intriguing mix of mystery, emotional depth, and elements of the supernatural, leaving a lasting impact on the 9X generation's memories.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 2005 - 2010

Genre: Drama, Supernatural

Director: John Gray

Stars: Jennifer Love Hewitt, David Conrad, Camryn Manheim

IMDb Rating: 6.4

Charmed is a popular American TV show loved by many young viewers, which aired at 9 PM on VTV1. The series follows the lives of three sisters—Prue, Piper, and Phoebe Halliwell—who reunite after many years at their family home following their mother's death. The sisters discover a book of shadows hidden by their family and realize that they have inherited a powerful witch's bloodline from their late mother. When they join hands, they invoke magical spells that give them the strength to combat dark forces. They use their powers to fight evil sorcerers and demons from hell to protect innocent lives.

The show also draws viewers in with its portrayal of the Halliwell sisters, who, despite their magical abilities, still have to deal with everyday challenges in their personal lives and workplaces. Alongside the three main characters, one fan-favorite is the eldest sister's love interest, a half-demon with the power to control fireballs and lightning, who exists in a morally gray area.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 1998-2006

Genre: Mystery, Supernatural, Drama

Director: Aaron Spelling

Stars: Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, Brian Krause

IMDb Rating: 7.1

In the early 2000s, VTV3 aired Sabrina the Teenage Witch at 6 PM, a show that became an unforgettable part of the 8X and 9X generations' childhood. This American sitcom follows the life of a 16-year-old witch named Sabrina, who lives with her two 800-year-old aunts. The show is filled with quirky, hilarious situations Sabrina encounters in her everyday life, along with the challenges of being a teenager after discovering her magical powers on her 16th birthday.

Melissa Joan Hart's charming yet mischievous performance, combined with the iconic antics of her cat Salem plotting world domination, has become a classic meme in viewers' memories. Even after more than two decades, Sabrina Spellman and her bizarre adventures in the magical world of Sabrina the Teenage Witch continue to captivate audiences.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 1996 - 2003

Genre: Family, Comedy, Supernatural

Director: Nell Scovell

Stars: Melissa Joan Hart, Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick

IMDb Rating: 6.7

Roswell follows a storyline similar to Smallville. This American TV series aired on VTV3 at 6 PM, telling the story of three extraterrestrial siblings living on Earth in the small town of Roswell. Inspired by the book series *Roswell High* by Melinda Metz, the show begins with the crash of a UFO in Roswell in 1947, sparking a series of strange phenomena. Max Evans and Isabel Evans, two alien siblings, are sent to Earth with a mission, but they lose their memory upon arriving. They integrate into human society and live in Roswell, unaware of their true origins. The show, launched in 1999, gained massive popularity at a time when Americans were fascinated with UFOs and extraterrestrial theories.

Roswell captivated viewers not only with its supernatural elements and special abilities of the alien siblings, but also with the everyday struggles of teenage life they faced, and how they navigated these challenges.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 1999 - 2002

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance

Director: David Nutter

Stars: Shiri Appleby, Jason Behr, Katherine Heigl

IMDb Rating: 7.5

100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd is an American comedy series about Eddie McDowd, a notorious bad boy who’s known as the worst bully at his school. Eddie prides himself on being charming and powerful, and he bullies others without remorse. One day, while tormenting a younger student, Eddie is confronted by a mysterious man (known as the Drifter), who tells Eddie he will be punished for his wrongdoings by being turned into a dog (literally). In order to return to his human form, Eddie must complete 100 good deeds for others. The only person who can understand Eddie's dog language is Justin Taylor, the last kid Eddie bullied. Initially, both Eddie and Justin resist the idea, but over time, Eddie learns he must work together with Justin and his family to complete the 100 good deeds.

Broadcast at 6 PM on VTV3, each episode of 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd sees Eddie the dog completing a new good deed. This heartfelt and humorous series became a fan favorite and is considered a nostalgic part of many childhoods.

DETAILS:

Original English Title: 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd

Year of Production: 1999 - 2002

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Family

Director: Mitchel Katlin

Stars: Brandon Gilberstadt, Catherine MacNeal, William Francis McGuire

IMDb Rating: 7.2

Premiering at 8 PM on VTV3 in 2002, 18 Wheels of Justice follows the journey of FBI agent Michael Kates, who successfully infiltrates and dismantles a criminal organization led by Jacob Calder. During the trial, Michael’s home is bombed, and his wife and daughter are believed to have died in the explosion. Jacob becomes the prime suspect, and Michael enters the witness protection program, adopting the new identity of Chance Bowman, an undercover cop posing as a truck driver. As he travels across America, Chance, along with his boss Burton Hardesty and colleague Cie Baxter, solves various cases and helps those in need. Despite being behind bars, Jacob continues to control his underlings and cause trouble for Chance. The situation takes a dramatic turn when Jacob offers proof that he did not kill Chance's family, revealing shocking secrets about his wife and placing both Chance and Jacob as targets of a new dangerous power.

18 Wheels of Justice gained popularity not just for its thrilling plot, but also for the strong performances, particularly from lead actor Lucky Vanous, who was named one of People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People in the World.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 2000 - 2001

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama

Director: Richard Okie

Stars: G. Gordon Liddy, Lucky Vanous, Lisa Thornhill

IMDb Rating: 5.6

One of the most iconic American TV series of the 90s that became a beloved part of many childhoods, Rex - The Canine Detective was first aired at 6 PM on VTV3 and quickly captivated audiences across Vietnam. The series follows the thrilling investigations of Rex, a highly intelligent and courageous police dog, alongside his human partner, Officer Richard Moser. Rex proves to be an invaluable asset in solving challenging cases. During one daring rescue, Moser sacrifices himself, and Rex is subsequently placed under the care of his new owner, Police Commander Alexandre. Together with Alex and his team, Rex continues to track down criminals and keep the city of Vienna safe.

Rex - The Canine Detective became a fan favorite for its portrayal of Rex’s bravery and intelligence. The most memorable episode likely involves Rex saving his human partner from a dangerous organ trafficking syndicate, where the officer is captured but survives only thanks to Rex’s quick thinking and heroism.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 1994 - 2004

Genre: Crime, Mystery, Action

Directors: Peter Hajek, Peter Moser

Stars: Gerhard Zemann, Heinz Weixelbraun, Wolf Bachofner

IMDb Rating: 7.1

First aired at 6 PM on VTV3 in 2005 and later re-broadcast at 10 AM on VTV1, The X-Files became an iconic and immensely popular American TV series. Produced by Vince Gilligan, the mind behind *Breaking Bad*, the show centers around FBI agent Fox Mulder, portrayed by David Duchovny. Driven by his search for his missing sister, Mulder investigates paranormal phenomena in the "X-files," hoping to uncover the truth about her abduction by aliens. Alongside Dana Scully (played by Gillian Anderson), Mulder dives into investigations involving strange and often terrifying occurrences that defy explanation.

The series covers cases linked to legendary myths, including werewolves, witches, and especially the unprovable: extraterrestrials. Widely believed to be based on real-life secret government files, *The X-Files* captivated audiences with its compelling plots and chilling episodes, leaving many 90s viewers too scared to sleep after watching.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 1993 - 2018

Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery

Director: Chris Carter

Stars: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi

IMDb Rating: 8.6

Among the many American TV shows that marked our childhood, Smallville is undoubtedly one that cannot be overlooked. Aired at 8 PM on VTV3, it aired during the time kids usually did their homework, but many young viewers found ways to watch, like finishing their work earlier in the day. *Smallville* follows the life of teenage Clark Kent, living on a farm in the small town of Smallville.

Clark Kent, in fact, is an alien who crash-landed on Earth and was adopted by the Kent family. As he grows up, Clark discovers he has extraordinary abilities, including super strength, x-ray vision, super speed, and heat vision. With these powers, he must confront evil forces, protect the town, and later, the world. While many young viewers did not initially realize his true identity, Clark Kent is actually the beloved superhero, Superman, from DC Comics, and *Smallville* tells the story of the hero's youth. Quite intriguing, right?

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 2001 - 2011

Genre: Action, Drama, Adventure

Directors: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar

Stars: Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Allison Mack

IMDb Rating: 7.5

Unlike the two previously mentioned shows that aired during prime time, Lost was broadcast later at night, 10 PM on VTV3. Despite its late airing time, it became a defining show for many viewers in the 90s generation.

Lost begins with the tragic crash of Oceanic Airlines flight 815 in the Pacific Ocean. Miraculously, a few survivors manage to escape, only to face countless unexplained situations. Each episode delves into the memories of the passengers, intertwined with mysterious revelations about the island where they crash-landed. These survivors not only battle the harsh environment but also encounter supernatural phenomena. The scariest part is confronting their own inner darkness. It's only when faced with death that people reveal their true nature, capable of terrifying actions. But if you were to sum up the story in just a few lines, that would only scratch the surface of what *Lost* is truly about. It's no wonder the show has such a dedicated fanbase.

DETAILS:

Year of Production: 2004 - 2010

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

Directors: J. J. Abrahams, Jeffrey Lieber, Damon Lindelof

Stars: Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Yunjin Kim

IMDb Rating: 8.3