Entertainment
10 Classic Sci-Fi TV Shows Still Worth Binge-Watching Today
The science fiction genre is one that lends itself perfectly to producing highly binge-worthy television. After all, what is it that makes a show bingeable? Serialized stories full of gripping mysteries and engaging plot lines, character arcs that are irresistibly compelling, and creativity so enrapturing that it makes clicking on the “next episode” button a necessity more so than a simple temptation.
Binge-watching television is a modern phenomenon of the streaming era, so it’s mostly newer sci-fi shows that are highly bingeable. But there are also plenty of classic sci-fi shows that seem prophetic in how they seemed to understand how audiences would consume television in the future, ticking every box that makes a show binge-worthy in the modern day. If we define “classic” as any series from the 20th century, that leaves us with 10 series that should all be considered essential viewing for fans of the genre.
10
‘The Twilight Zone’ (1959–1964)
It’s true that an element of serialization is almost a necessity for a show to be binge-worthy, but the keyword here happens to be “almost.” The proof? The Twilight Zone, far and away one of the best American sci-fi shows of all time—and most definitely the most influential one. The thing about this classic is that it’s perhaps the most perfect use of the anthology format in television history.
As such, though there are definitely a few underwhelming episodes here, The Twilight Zone mostly delivers across the board. Its many distinct stories are so creative, so freshly original, and so delectably nostalgic that, even if there’s no serialization to keep viewers clicking on “next episode,” the episodes themselves are so strong in their own right that it’s impossible to stop moving on to the next one.
9
‘Batman: The Animated Series’ (1992–1995)
Whether superhero shows like Batman: The Animated Series should or shouldn’t be considered science fiction is a topic for debate, but what’s undeniable is that this is one of the best cartoons of the ’90s. It’s the definitive small-screen portrayal of the Caped Crusader (voiced by the legendary Kevin Conroy), a show that should prove irresistible even for those who hold no nostalgic feelings toward it.
This is another instance of a heavily episodic series that’s nevertheless borderline impossible to stop watching, particularly for those who already find the Dark Knight to be one of the most interesting superheroes in history. Everything about Batman: The Animated Series is so well-realized; its adaptations of and additions to the Batman lore are all so gripping; and its animation has aged so well that it’s abundantly easy to consume the whole thing in less than a month.
8
‘Stargate SG-1’ (1997–2007)
The Stargate franchise was born from Roland Emmerich‘s 1994 blockbuster classic, and from there, we got one of the best military sci-fi franchises in the genre’s history. There’s really not much of a question regarding what the best or most popular installment in the whole franchise is: That honor would have to go to Stargate SG-1, which started out as more of a low-key niche product in the ’90s, but transformed into a pop-cultural sensation after it moved from Showtime to The Sci Fi Channel in 2002.
The ’90s were perhaps the best-ever decade for sci-fi television, and few shows demonstrate that better than Stargate SG-1. With an exceptional ensemble cast that oozes chemistry and a fascinating world that never got dull throughout the show’s run, the show is a brilliant blend of episodic “world-of-the-week” elements and an overarching serialized narrative that grows in importance as the show goes on. With over 200 episodes, it’s definitely not a show one can binge-watch in a single week, but that doesn’t make it any less addictive.
7
‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998–1999)
Cowboy Bebop is perhaps the most iconic and acclaimed sci-fi anime series in history, one of the shows that helped popularize anime among Western audiences in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Twenty-seven years after its conclusion, it’s still one of the best TV show masterpieces of the last 30 years, a neo-noir space Western that works wonderfully in virtually every way that matters.
Genre-bending, visually delectable, and flawlessly paced, it’s a show that pretends to be episodic, but it also features a strong, slow-burning serialized story and a sense of aesthetic continuity that you can’t get in any other show. The story’s paced like a good tune (paired with some phenomenal music), and the character-driven story is a blast from start to finish, making Cowboy Bebop‘s 26 episodes abundantly easy to get through.
6
‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’ (1993–1999)
You’d be hard-pressed to find a Star Trek fan who thinks that Deep Space Nine is the franchise’s best show ever, but is it the most bingeable of the bunch? It most definitely is. By this point in the life of Gene Roddenberry‘s franchise, some kind of refreshing was needed, and a refreshing is precisely what Deep Space Nine provided by introducing complete serialization to the Star Trek television universe.
Complete with a fantastic cast, top-tier production values, and the best villain that Star Trek has ever shown on the small screen, Deep Space Nine is the kind of binge-worthy sci-fi show that gets better every season. It’s not perfect, particularly since there are some elements of filler that definitely haven’t aged the best, but for the most part, this is a criminally underappreciated chapter of Star Trek‘s history.
5
‘Farscape’ (1999–2003)
The worst thing about Farscape is the fact that it ends. Produced by The Jim Henson Company, this is one of the most groundbreaking sci-fi shows in history, a perfectly written and visually delightful cult classic that has aged like fine wine in virtually every way. If only for its revolutionary work with make-up, prosthetics, and animatronic puppets, it makes it impossible to watch only one episode at a time.
But its visuals aren’t the only thing that Farscape has going for it, which only makes it more addictive. Blending quirky goofiness and camp with seriously dramatic character-driven drama and high-stakes stories, this is one of the most perfect space operas that the small screen has ever seen. Its breaking of genre molds and clever mixture of serialization and episodic elements make it a must-see for people who love sci-fi television.
4
‘Legend of the Galactic Heroes’ (1988–1997)
Legend of the Galactic Heroes is one of the most iconic anime series of the 20th century, one of those sci-fi anime shows that can be considered masterpieces. It’s the second and longest-running animated adaptation of Yoshiki Tanaka‘s series of epic sci-fi novels, and watching the show itself feels like watching a fascinating science fiction book come to life.
Politically and philosophically complex in its thematic work, sprawling in its world-building, and absolutely gorgeous in its cutting-edge animation—which has aged perfectly—, it’s a phenomenal show that even those who don’t typically love anime should consider checking out. It’s television at its most episodic, an airtight story where every moment of every episode starts building up a sense of momentum that leads all the way to an enthralling conclusion.
3
‘Future Boy Conan’ (1978)
Future Boy Conan is one of the best animated shows you’ve probably never heard of—and it’s a borderline crime that so few people have ever heard of it, because it was actually the first time that Hayao Miyazaki oversaw an entire TV series as director. As such, many people consider it the legendary Studio Ghibli filmmaker’s directorial debut.
You can see every signature here that would turn Miyazaki into a legend soon enough: ahead-of-its-time animation, a delightful sense of humor, a thrilling plot full of memorable characters, exceptional music, and surprisingly mature themes. With there only being 26 episodes, there’s no excuse for fans of Miyazaki and anime in general not to watch what’s easily one of the greatest animated shows of the 20th century.
2
‘Babylon 5’ (1994–1998)
Babylon 5 revolutionized American science fiction television. In fact, it was a landmark in the history of American television in general. Very unusually for American broadcast television at the time, this cult classic was devised as a sort of novel for television, where each season would serve as a different chapter of a pre-planned five-season story arc. For such an ambitious premise, it’s surprising that Babylon 5 turned out as well as it did.
It’s one of the most exciting sci-fi shows to binge-watch, if only because it’s a delight to watch how this group of creatives in the mid- and late ’90s set a new gold standard for sci-fi television going forward. Babylon 5‘s serialization still works flawlessly all these many years later, and though some elements of the show do feel pretty dated by modern standards, those elements only add to its nostalgic charm.
1
‘The Prisoner’ (1967–1968)
The British show The Prisoner is one of the best forgotten shows of the 1960s, a surreal gem with elements of spy fiction and psychological drama. It’s a mind-bending trip that was far ahead of its time, and is even more engrossing to watch today than it was back in the late ’60s. Complex, Kafkaesque, and thematically powerful, it’s a powerful reflection of the mentality generated by the countercultural movements of its era.
The Prisoner is definitely not for those who prefer their sci-fi to be straightforward, since its escalating sense of weirdness and mystery only keeps getting less and less apologetic about its surrealism as its 17-episode single season progresses. But for people who tend to be pulled into sci-fi shows by their philosophical hooks, The Prisoner should prove to be an absolute blast.
The Prisoner
- Release Date
-
1967 – 1968-00-00
- Network
-
ITV1
- Directors
-
Don Chaffey, Pat Jackson, Peter Graham Scott
- Writers
-
George Markstein, Anthony Skene, Terence Feely, Vincent Tilsley, Ian Rakoff
-
-
Arthur Gross
Control Room Operator
-
Barbara Yu Ling
Taxi driver
-
Bartlett Mullins
Committee Chairman
Entertainment
Lizzo Accused of Ignoring New Album After Chart Failure
Lizzo released her fifth studio album, “B-TCH,” in June 2026. Leading up to its release, the Grammy-winning songstress called out her label, Atlantic Records, for failing to promote her new music. Now, the album is out, but it failed to chart on the Billboard charts, and Lizzo has been silent since, addressing only the success of her past music.
This has led many on social media to believe that she not only wants to move on from the failure but also to deflect.

Lizzo released “B-TCH” to decent reviews on June 5. She promoted the project with social media content, album signings, and television interviews. However, despite what would be considered a similar marketing campaign to other high-profile pop stars, the album failed to connect with listeners.
According to Stereo Gum, the album missed the coveted Billboard top 200, which comprises the highest-selling albums on any given week. By most estimates, “B-TCH” sold fewer than 6,000 units in its first week, a figure far lower than her major record label peer.
For comparison, her most recent studio album, 2021’s “Special,” sold 69,000 album equivalent units, including 39,000 traditional albums being sold.
Lizzo Has Stopped Encouraging Fans To Listen To The Album

Since the release of “B-TCH,” Lizzo has made multiple social media posts. One came on June 15, which coincided with when many fans learned the album was in danger of missing the Billboard Top 200. She posted on X, “I’m bored.. Let’s stream ‘About Damn Time’ so it can hit a billion.”
The same day, she took to social media to highlight that her song, “Truth Hurts,” was certified diamond, meaning it has sold 10 million or more equivalent units. On TikTok, she posted two videos of herself lip-syncing to the hit song.
Fans Question Why The Change In Focus

First-week album sales are important for any artist, as it’s typically when a new project performs the best. However, a performer with a social media following like Lizzo’s can always find creative ways to introduce it to fans. Because of this, many are questioning why she’s seemingly ignoring the project in recent days.
In response to her post about being “bored,” one person on X said, “Why not tell people to stream your new album?” Another social media user stated, “Already gave up on that flop album after you saw the numbers, huh? Someone else wrote, “So that whole new project of yours is trash now, huh?”
After that, a different person questioned, “Bored?? with a whole new album out??? Why are you ignoring it now, Lizzie?” Then, a different fan responded, “You’re over your new album? What do you mean you’re bored? All that clout chasing for 16 sales?”
In replying to her announcement that “Truth Hurts” was certified diamond, someone said, “Keeping those numbers real close to your chest, are you?”
Lastly, in support of Lizzo, one person wrote on X, “Nothing wrong with this. Not a fan of her music, but I acknowledge success. Plus, I respect her for working her a-s off to become healthier. She did it the right way.”
Lizzo Previously Opened Up About Calling Her Album ‘B-TCH’

Many have questioned Lizzo’s decision to give her album a title that many publications choose to censor, arguing that it could lead to fewer people gravitating toward it. In many interviews, she’s stated that she picked the title because “b-tch” is her favorite word. However, she recently shed more light.
When addressing the album itself with USA Today, she stated, “I don’t think I have to redefine myself. I think this is about reclaiming who I am. A lot of my identity has been manipulated by people outside of me, so this album is me taking that back — showing the Lizzo everybody knows and loves, letting her tell her side of the story, and just letting her play again.”
Regarding where the title came from, Lizzo revealed, “There’s this Katt Williams joke he made about me where he was like, ‘They’ll come for anybody. They came after Lizzo, and she’s unproblematic, but that just goes to show, you could be fat, you could be Black, but you can’t be no fat, Black b-tch.’ And I was like, ‘Whoa, that is the realest.’”
She went on, “Like, God forbid, you’re having a bad day, or God forbid you weren’t rainbows and sunshine one day. You will get crucified, especially as a Black woman in this industry and in society.”
Lizzo Recently Responded To Nicki Minaj

The night of her album’s release, Lizzo took to social media to address Nicki Minaj. According to Complex, she did so by reposting a Tweet from the rapper that stated, “Fat Lizzo lost 300 lbs just to sell 300 albums. So now she has loose skin AND a flop album, AND a weird charge. Sheesh.”
The singer captioned the post, “Since I’m blocked…” and also included a video of a new version of her song, “B-TCH,” in which she addressed the “Super Bass” rapper. In one line from the remix, Lizzo can be heard saying, “Used to be the biggest fan, and I lost weight / Wait, wait. Let me fixate.”
This has caused many of Minaj’s fans to celebrate the album’s failure, claiming she only made the post to drum up excitement.
Entertainment
NYPD mistakes Knicks player for a fan, tries to kick him out of championship parade
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Point guard Tyler Kolek was almost ejected from the event.
Entertainment
“All My Children” actor Paul Avery and wife Sheila killed in house fire
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Avery played Hughie on an ’80s arc of the beloved soap, and also appeared in the 1978 “Superman” movie.
Entertainment
Josh Brolin doesn't know 'what the f— he got himself into' with Peter Thiel's secret society
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Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Sophia Bush also addressed their names surfacing in leaked documents identifying those affiliated with the invite-only society Dialog.
Entertainment
3 Years Later, the BBC’s Perfect ‘Broadchurch’ Replacement Is Finally Back
So much controversy currently surrounds the BBC, and Doctor Who being put out to pasture is just one of its problems. It was recently announced via the new director general, Matt Brittin, that TV, radio, and news divisions were to face cuts of $107 million in the next two years, with between 1,800 and 2,000 roles being lost. Of course, this puts the future of the entire company in doubt, as such drastic cost-cutting measures can often lead to even poorer results.
Despite this, the show must go on, and the current state of the BBC is still packed with great shows. One of the Beeb’s best thrillers, Vigil, was an undeniable hit when it arrived in 2021, with the premiere scoring 12.75 million viewers in its first 28 days. The second season then became one of the BBC’s top three most-watched dramas of 2023, despite facing critical backlash and being dubbed a disappointment by many fans. In February last year, the announcement was made that this gripping police procedural would return for more, and, over a year later, we finally have our first full glimpse at the chaos to come, courtesy of a trailer available to view below.
Filmed in Svalbard and Scotland, Season 3 takes DCI Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) and Kirsten Longacre (Rose Leslie) to a research station on the Norwegian archipelago, “where a member of a covert British special forces mission has been shot dead,” according to the synopsis. “Amy and Kirsten will need to catch the killer and defuse a potential international confrontation, driven by a land-grab for energy and resources in the changing polar climate, with both their careers and relationship on the line.”
Who Else Stars in ‘Vigil’ Season 3?
Of course, Vigil simply wouldn’t be as binge-worthy as it is without the gripping performances of BAFTA TV winner Jones and Leslie. They will be joined by returnees Gary Lewis as DS Robertson and Dominic Mafham as Sir Ian Dowing in Season 3, although it is the plethora of new faces added to the cast that proves most exciting. This includes Jeppe Beck Laursen (The Last Kingdom), Dept Q. star Steven Miller, Naomi Yang (Under Salt Marsh), Benjamin Wainwright of Belgravia: The Next Chapter fame, Tornike Gogrichiani (Extraction 2), Danusia Samal (Red Eye), and more.
Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for more updates on the best of British television.
Entertainment
Memphis Producer Reportedly Passes Away At Age 29
The music industry and fans are mourning after reports surfaced that Memphis producer Tay Keith has passed away. Keith, born Brytavious Lakeith Chambers, built a legendary catalog producing hits for heavyweight artists like Beyoncé, Drake, Travis Scott, Lil Baby, and Gunna.
RELATED: Prayers Up! Fans Share Heartbreak After ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Actress Daveigh Chase Passes Away At Age 35
Details On Tay Keith’s Passing
Metro Nashville Police confirmed Tay Keith’s passing. According to TMZ, officers found the hitmaker inside his Nashville apartment on Thursday, June 18. At this time, the cause of his death is unclear. Police said they do not suspect foul play. Authorities also shared that officers responded to his home after receiving a request for a welfare check. The Grammy-nominated producer was 29 years old.
More About Tay Keith’s Catalog
Tay Keith built his name by cranking out banger after banger. Fans know that whenever they heard his signature producer tag — Tay Keith, f*** these n****s up!” — a hit usually followed. He stacked his catalog with chart-topping records, producing Travis Scott’s 2018 smash ‘SICKO MODE,’ BlocBoy JB and Drake’s ‘Look Alive,’ and Beyoncé’s ‘Before I Let Go’ from her ‘Homecoming: The Live Album.’ he also co-produced Drake’s ‘Nonstop,’ adding even more classics to his resume. Tay also worked with other artists like Sexyy Red, Moneybagg Yo, Latto, and Lil Yachty.
Fans React To Memphis Producer’s Death
Once The Shade Room shared the news of Tay Keith’s passing, the Roommates packed the comment section with reactions. Plenty of fans expressed shock, while others looked back on his legendary hits and shared heartfelt condolences.
Instagram user @domslaps wrote, “rest in peace legend.”
Instagram user @prettychaoss__ wrote, “The intro to all the best songs 💔💔 so young.”
While Instagram user @secretlykiyah wrote, “Every time I heard his name in a song, I knew it was gonna be good 💔”
Then, Instagram user @spanish_sosa wrote, “Tay Keith this one hard 😢”
Another Instagram user @buyackbeatz wrote, “TAY KEITH NOOOOOO.”
Instagram user @chiraqhumor wrote, “RIP 🕊️”
Then another Instagram user @jefegabrielle wrote, “This is insaneeeeee😢😢”
While another Instagram user @kelvinirdgo wrote, “Damn I know Sexyy Red probably going thru it right now. That was her main dog. They was hella close 😩😢”
Finally, Instagram user @maristfroze wrote, “rip a real GOAT 🐐”
RELATED: Prayers Up! Viral Video Shows 21-Year-Old Woman In Brazil Being Tossed Off Bridge Before Her Bungee Safety Cord Is Attached
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
The Valley’s Janet Caperna Shares She Identifies as Bisexual
The Valley star Janet Caperna is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, confirming during the latest episode of season 3 that she identifies as bisexual.
“Technically, when I’m not with Jason [Caperna], he’s like, ‘I don’t care if you hook up with girls,’” Janet, 36, told costar Zack Wickham of her husband during the cast’s Mexico trip, which aired on the Wednesday, June 17, episode of the reality TV series. “I’ve never acted on that though.”
Janet and Jason, 42, have been married since 2022, and the attorney has since clarified his comments.
“When we were dating, I said something like that,” he said on The Valley After Show, which aired later on Wednesday. “But it’s, like, if Janet were to hook up with a guy, that’s pretty much, probably gonna go toward, eventually, the demise of our relationship.”
Jason, however, said it would be “fine” if Janet kissed another woman.
“If she were like, ‘Oh, I’ve been going out on a couple dates with this woman,’ I’d be like, ‘No, you’re not going on dates with this woman,’” he explained. “I could just as easily lose her to a woman as to a man. I don’t think she gets exactly what I meant.”
In a separate After Show confessional, Janet admitted that she likely “got it wrong” when she attempted to explain Jason’s comments to Zack, 36.
“I think I said, like, ‘Jason wouldn’t care if I was with a girl.’ I think he would care if I was with anybody,” she acknowledged. “So, just to be clear, there’s no, like, rule in place that I’m allowed to, like, be with women. I think it was more like, ‘Oh, like, you and Michelle [Saniei] had too many margaritas and, like, made out for a second in Mexico.”
Janet and Jason, who previously welcomed son Cameron in December 2023, have been candid about their marriage throughout their three-season tenure on Bravo’s The Valley. (The reality TV hit is a spinoff of Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules featuring former cast members Kristen Doute and Brittany Cartwright with their California-based friend group.)
Last season, Jason even raised eyebrows when he appeared to go out without wearing his wedding ring.
“It’s tough because it’s not just a ring off. There’s definitely an implication there,” Jason exclusively told Us Weekly in April 2025. “When somebody says you take your ring off, it’s not like, ‘Oh, I forgot it’. It’s like I’m doing it to try to get girls or something as if I take it off and they just flock to me.”
He continued at the time, “People can be shady, but I am not one of those people. I would never do anything ever to jeopardize this lady right here is my wife and our son and the family we have.”
The Valley airs on Bravo Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET and is available to stream the next day on Peacock.
Entertainment
Bunnie XO Sparks Buzz With Jelly Roll Song In Podcast Teaser
Fans have been patiently waiting to hear from Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO since news of his divorce filing broke. So far, neither of them has spoken publicly about what led to their split, but that hasn’t stopped the internet from trying to connect every dot possible. Now, the speculation just got even messier as Bunnie teased her upcoming podcast episode while using some of Jelly Roll’s lyrics.
RELATED: Holdin’ Her Down! Fans Flood Bunny XO’s Comments With Reactions Following Jelly Roll’s Divorce Filing (VIDEO)
Bunnie XO’s Song Choice has Fans Reading Between The Lines
Fans are scratching their heads after Bunnie XO dropped a new Instagram post on Wednesday, June 17. She didn’t say much in her caption — she just told fans a new episode of her podcast, Dumb Blonde Podcast,’ was on the way. Folks online said they were seated and waiting to see if she would finally address her divorce from Jelly Roll. But while everyone focused on that, some fans locked in on something else — she used one of Jelly Roll’s songs in the video. Bunnie even rapped along to the lyrics while she panned the camera over to her friends, who were enjoying a sushi date. Right now, she hasn’t explained the song choice, but fans quickly started asking if she was trolling or just teasing the tea she’s about to spill.
Bunnie’s Post Has Fans Reading Between The Lines
Fans instantly flooded Bunnie XO’s comment section with reactions. Some folks said the song choice had them confused, while others said they feel like they’re getting played.
Instagram user @korileverington wrote, “I have never been more confused in my LIFE!!!! 🥲🤣”
Instagram user @frankiewithanee wrote, “Hold tf up isn’t this a jelly song? I feel like they are playin all of us 😂”
While Instagram user @caro_powell wrote, “The song choice is chef’s kiss 🔥🔥🔥”
Then Instagram user @lalalala_lauren_ wrote, “I just know y’all are gonna break the Internet with this episode 😂❤️🙌”
Instagram user @maksuds_ wrote, “GIRL WTF IS GOIN ONNNNN.”
Another Instagram user @orlandriaharden wrote, “WITH THE JELLY SONG I LOVE IT 🔥🔥”
Instagram user @_srharris wrote, “Waiting for the podcast 🧐😤 someone has explaining to do lmfao.”
Then another Instagram user @el_chelpo wrote, “I can’t tell if you’re being petty or a PR queen… either way I’m SAT.”
While another Instagram user @logieeeee wrote, “Is this not jelly rapping?!? Just want this to be a bad dream 😭”
Finally, Instagram user @thefinestlina wrote, “She’s using jelly’s song! I’m sooooo confused lol.”
More Details About Jelly Roll & Bunnie’s Split
Bunnie’s latest upload marks the second video she’s recently shared amid her divorce from Jelly Roll. She recently posted a video on Instagram of herself singing along to Nickelback’s ‘How You Remind Me.’ Fans quickly packed the comments with love and praise for her single baddie era.
As The Shade Room previously reported, fans were shocked after news surfaced that Jelly Roll filed for divorce from Bunnie XO. TMZ was first to share the details, reporting that Jelly Roll filed the paperwork on May 18 and cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split. Bunnie and Jelly first met in 2015 and spent 10 years together.
RELATED: Jelly Roll’s Daughter Speaks Out As Fans Flood His Comments With STRONG Words Amid Him Filing For Divorce From Bunnie XO
What Do You Think Roomies?
Entertainment
All 9 Black Sabbath Albums With Ozzy Osbourne, Ranked
Reading about the life of Ozzy Osbourne is kind of bewildering, and sometimes disturbing (everyone knows about the bat, but he apparently also snorted a line of ants once… somehow). To stick with the music, though, he released some legendary stuff over his decades-spanning career, especially as the frontman of Black Sabbath, being the band’s lead vocalist throughout the 1970s, on their first eight albums.
There was one ninth Black Sabbath album with Osbourne, released in 2013, while different singers served the frontman role at other points in the band’s run (including Ronnie James Dio and Tony Martin). It’s also fair to say that most (though not all) of the band’s classic albums were done with Ozzy Osbourne, and him being the first lead singer in the band helps his name be synonymous with Black Sabbath, too. The following is a ranking of all nine studio albums Black Sabbath did with Osbourne as the lead vocalist, starting with a couple of misses and ending with some absolute classics of the whole heavy metal genre.
9
‘Never Say Die’ (1978)
When Never Say Die kicks off, it doesn’t initially sound too bad, since the title track is up first, and it’s about as decent as the album gets. You don’t know that initially, though, or you probably don’t, if you’re just getting around to these less well-known Black Sabbath albums, like, today. It could happen. It could be someone’s reality, the one they’re a master of and stuff.
After “Never Say Die,” right at the start, things kind of fall apart. The album doesn’t really sound like Black Sabbath, and in hindsight, it doesn’t feel too surprising that Ozzy Osbourne pursued a solo career separate from the band after the release of this one (thankfully, he returned for one more studio album, plus some live shows later on). Since Heaven and Hell, the first Black Sabbath album without Osbourne, was genuinely very good (and a big improvement on the previous two albums), maybe it was for the best, at that time.
8
‘Technical Ecstasy’ (1976)
The weirdness here starts – but certainly doesn’t end – with the album cover, because it’s anyone’s guess what’s going on there. Technical Ecstasy keeps feeling odd once you tear your eyes away from that cover long enough to engage the album with your ears. It’s the first slight miss Black Sabbath had, to be perfectly honest. Sure, Never Say Die missed a little more, but Technical Ecstasy was that first unfortunate misstep, and perhaps the first non-essential album of Black Sabbath’s, too.
There are releases without Osbourne from the 1980s and 1990s that are technically Black Sabbath albums and are a little worse, but still, there’s just not much by way of reasons to spend time with Technical Ecstasy. The two longest songs here, “You Won’t Change Me” and “Dirty Women,” aren’t bad, but everything else is surprisingly forgettable. There isn’t a ton of passion or life here, which is odd when you consider how good the first six Black Sabbath albums were.
7
’13’ (2013)
You know, it’s better than you might expect, or than you might fear. 13 is, unsurprisingly, not as good as the classic Black Sabbath albums Ozzy Osbourne was a part of, and they are going to be gotten to momentarily, but it’s good that 13 exists to stop those other two albums from being the last official ones with Osbourne. It’s a way of ending things on a comparable high, albeit not a high for the band’s overall discography, by any means.
It’s familiar territory, for the band. They sound a bit like they’re playing the hits, even if they’re not technically hits, and are instead songs that just sound recognizably Black Sabbath in nature. If you like the band’s ‘70s output, you will find things to generally like here, but if you’re after things you’ll actually love, that’s not guaranteed, by any means. There isn’t much to be truly wowed by with 13, but again, it not sounding too bad overall is definitely something. And it’s worth listening to over Technical Ecstasy and Never Say Die, for what that might be worth.
6
‘Sabotage’ (1975)
Like Technical Ecstasy, the cover of Sabotage is perhaps a little iffy, but unlike Technical Ecstasy, Sabotage is a pretty good album overall. It was the sixth album Black Sabbath released, and so if you look at its placement here, and notice it’s #6, that kind of suggests it was the weakest Black Sabbath album at that point in the band’s history. Like, that’s technically true.
The album itself is not weak, though, with the first half being especially strong, comprising “Hole in the Sky,” “Symptom of the Universe,” and “Megalomania,” with the last of those songs being almost 10 minutes long, because Black Sabbath just could, one assumes (the second track here, “Don’t Start (Too Late)” is more of an interlude than a real song, since it’s so short). If anything, Sabotage could’ve benefited from having its best songs spread out a little more, because the second half, while not terrible by any means, doesn’t quite have the same impact as the first half. It’s not a deal-breaker, and Sabotage is still good even with that notable imperfection.
5
‘Vol. 4’ (1972)
Unsurprisingly, Vol. 4 is the fourth Black Sabbath album, but it just misses out on being the fourth-best overall. Sorry. Compared to Sabotage, it’s an improvement in the sense that the best songs here are all spread out a little more. It’s like Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen, honestly, with the evenness of its distribution, starting with the fact that the opening and closing tracks here (“Wheels of Confusion” and “Under the Sun,” respectively) are both highlights.
And then rounding out the first side of the album, you’ve got “Supernaut,” right before the second side of the album gets kicked off in style, thanks to “Snowblind.” Those songs are all great, while just about every other song is at least pretty good… except for the strange “FX,” which is a little too long to be just an interlude, and is technically the album’s fourth song. That fourth song on Vol. 4 could’ve probably been cut, truth be told. It doesn’t add much, but otherwise, this is essential Black Sabbath.
4
‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ (1973)
And now here’s the fifth Black Sabbath album, which was not called “Vol. 5,” and was instead given the pretty great name of Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. Again, it has to be acknowledged that it would’ve felt nice to put album #5 at #5, and Vol. 4 and #4, but Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is just a little better than the album that preceded it. For starters, it helps that there are no goofy interludes blown up to the length of a full-on song (or something close to full-length) here.
It’s eight decently lengthy songs, with even the shortest ones exceeding four minutes, and a couple of the longest ones being around the six-minute mark. Everything has room to breathe on Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, and the result is a well-balanced and very consistent album. Highlights don’t jump out quite as much, because of this, but there is still that title track which probably shines the brightest (which is saying quite a lot, since everything here, to some extent, shines).
3
‘Black Sabbath’ (1970)
Black Sabbath introduced themselves to the world with an album called Black Sabbath, and the very first song on that debut album was “Black Sabbath.” It’s like, how much more Black can the Sabbath get? (The answer is none. None more Black). No, but seriously, it’s an incredible opening statement from the band as they open their first album. The band’s overall energy and feel are set perfectly right from the start.
Funnily enough, it’s not even the best Black Sabbath album of 1970, just because this year had them at such a creative peak, they went ahead and released another all-time classic rock/metal album later that year. Black Sabbath, as in the album, is pretty much just as essential, though, and almost as good. If you’re looking for highlights beyond the title track, you’ve also got “N.I.B.” and “The Wizard,” but honestly, you can’t really go wrong with any of the seven songs found on this debut studio album.
2
‘Master of Reality’ (1971)
Black Sabbath didn’t waste any time with their third album, Master of Reality, following on from the first two albums of theirs which both dropped in 1970. The momentum was maintained, to say the least, with these first three Black Sabbath albums ultimately being their three best, with Master of Reality being a good one to pick as your favorite if you’re worried about making too obvious a pick… but hey, the obvious pick was picked here. You don’t have to scroll very far now to see that confirmed.
Anyway, Master of Reality is a little shorter than most of the classic Black Sabbath albums, at just over 34 minutes all up, but it keeps most of the songs fairly long, with two of its eight tracks being interludes, and the rest exceeding five minutes in length. “Sweet Leaf” feels like it might represent the album peaking early, as the first song here, but then you’ve got “Children of the Grave” at the halfway point, and “Into the Void” at the very end, to cast doubt on that whole idea. It’s paced and sequenced well throughout, and has well and truly earned its status as a classic (not to mention influential) metal album.
1
‘Paranoid’ (1970)
This is the one. This is the album that you can play for people who don’t think they like metal, and convince them to at least like some metal, or this metal. Paranoid is a defining heavy metal album, you know? Maybe it’s the heavy metal album, very much satisfying as a hard rock album, too. Perhaps therein lies its appeal and approachability, because there is super immediate and instantly attention-grabbing songwriting on offer here.
You get it from the very start, with “War Pigs,” and then the second track, “Paranoid,” is potentially even better, or at least even snappier/more immediate. From there, it’s pretty much non-stop greatness. Almost every song here is worth a shout-out, with even the strange and quiet tracks here playing a role in the flow of the overall album. Paranoid is basically perfect, and an album that pretty much refuses to get old, even if it is technically kind of old, having existed for more than 55 years at this point. Here’s to it sounding just as good 55 decades from now, too.
Entertainment
Ellen DeGeneres Makes Rare Appearance With Wife in London
Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, made a rare appearance together at one of Harry Styles’ concerts.
DeGeneres, 68, took to Instagram on Wednesday, June 17, to share a selfie with de Rossi, 53, beaming at Styles’ Together, Together tour at Wembley Stadium in England. DeGeneres and de Rossi pressed their heads together and smiled for the camera with Styles, 32, performing in the background.
“@HarryStyles tonight at Wembley. Amazing as always,” the former talk show host captioned the post.
Fans gushed over the pair’s rare public outing in the comments section.
“You two look adorable 😍 have fun at the concert. ❤️,” one wrote, while another added, “Awe good pic of you and Portia! Enjoy seeing Harry Styles! ❤️.” A fan account also gushed, “The amount of love we have for you two is unreal. 🥹❤️ A selfie from you both instantly made our day.”
DeGeneres’ post comes after she moved to the U.K. countryside in 2024. One year later, she opened up about her decision to leave the U.S. following President Donald Trump’s reelection during a live conversation with broadcaster Richard Bacon.
“We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis, and I was like, ‘He got in,’” DeGeneres recalled of Trump, 80, winning the election. “And we’re like, ‘We’re staying here.’”
She gushed that the countryside is “absolutely beautiful.”
“We’re just not used to seeing this kind of beauty,” she said. “The villages and the towns and the architecture — everything you see is charming and it’s just a simpler way of life. It’s clean. Everything here is just better — the way animals are treated, and people are polite. I just love it here.”
DeGeneres added, “We moved here in November, which was not the ideal time, but I saw snow for the first time in my life. We love it here. Portia flew her horses here, and I have chickens, and we had sheep for about two weeks.”
In February, a source confirmed to Us Weekly that the couple purchased a $27.4 million home in Montecito, California, but were not planning to live there full-time.
“They are still planning to live full-time in the U.K. but will spend a few months of the year in Montecito,” the insider told Us.
DeGeneres and de Rossi tied the knot in 2008.
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