One Tree Hill (2003)

Two half-brothers in a North Carolina town, one basketball team and one terrible father: the set-up is pure soap, but nine seasons turned it into a comfort watch with a devoted following. Music runs all the way through, from Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be" theme to episode titles named after songs, bands and albums. The fifth season jumps four years ahead, past college, and that is where opinions divide, so decide early whether you are in for the long haul.