A lot goes into making any TV show work, from the initial script writing to the final edits, but one often overlooked detail is the props that can become essential to the wider story. There is no doubt that details like a script form the foundation for a good story. And of course, the performances by actors take that skeleton and put meat on the bones, but as much as these visible elements get the recognition they deserve, there are so many details that are too often overlooked.
Even when looking at how awards for film and TV are categorized, it’s clear that a disproportionate amount of the attention is directed to actors, writers, directors, and so on, while other creative industries receive much quieter fanfare. Thankfully, Hollywood is beginning to pay attention to other elements that have gone overlooked for far too long, such as stunt performers and even casting.
And with all of that in mind, it’s time to turn our attention to the production design, and specifically to consider some of the props that have become so central to larger stories, helping to keep audiences engaged, focus attention, and clearly illustrate an element of the story that is central to the larger narrative.
10
The TARDIS
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First up is one of the most indisputable props of any series to date, the TARDIS in Doctor Who. The TARDIS, which is an acronym for Time And Relative Dimensions In Space, is an organic time machine grown on the planet Gallifrey, and stolen by the titular hero of the series, the Doctor.
This incredible device allows the Doctor to travel throughout the universe and visit any place and period in history. Present from the very first episode back in 1963, the TARDIS has evolved to become the beating heart of the show, as the big blue police box acts as an anchor while almost every other detail in the show is subject to change over time.
9
The Iron Throne
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On a slightly different line of thinking, Game of Thrones also boasts a pivotal object that has managed to have a reputation beyond the original series, and into the spin-offs of the show: the Iron Throne. The Iron Throne is the seat of ultimate power in Westeros, and it is located in the primary residence of whosoever is ruling the Seven Kingdoms.
While entire peoples fight in the name of the Iron Throne, and there are numerous struggles that see those who would claim power for themselves, the Throne itself is also a fiercely intimidating object, forged from the swords of hundreds of rivals to the ruling class. A perfect embodiment to the larger narrative around struggle, conflict, and power.
8
The Yellow Umbrella
In How I Met Your Mother, Ted Mosby and his dear friends find themselves navigating the intricacies and complexities of life as a young adult in New York. And at the center of the plot, Ted lays out the story of how he connected with the woman who would go on to become the mother of his children.
But before that big reveal, Ted has a lot of close calls, with one of the most notable recurring parts of the story revolving around a yellow umbrella that belongs to his future wife. At several points in the story, the umbrella changes hands, and in the final episode, it plays a pivotal role in the moment Ted and his wife-to-be meet for the first time.
7
K.I.T.T.
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Knight Rider is an iconic series from the 1980s starring David Hasselhoff in his prime. The Hoff plays a crime-fighting high-tech hero by the name of Michael Knight, who spends his time patrolling for criminal activity in his incredibly advanced car, K.I.T.T.
The title is an acronym for Knight Industries Two Thousand, which is a reflection of the fact that this hyper-intelligent AI-powered car is a product of Knight’s own organization, and a project that has been in development for some time. But beyond all of that, K.I.T.T. is just a cool piece of kit that audiences adored seeing join Michael on his adventures.
6
The Jukebox
Sticking with the classics for a moment, Happy Days remains an iconic series which debuted in the early 1970s, and thrived for 11 seasons on the air. The show featured an eclectic cast of characters, and resulted in several major Happy Days spin-offs that went on to find success on their own. But for much of the runtime, the story takes place in a local drive-in.
And inside the drive-in, the jukebox stands out as an important prop from the show’s history, serving as the tool that helped the Fonz convey how cool he was, and playing a host of rock-and-roll tunes that set the tone for the show. It’s just as much of an icon as many characters from the series itself.
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Heisenberg’s Hazmat Suit
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Meanwhile, in the more gritty and intense drama categories of modern television, Bryan Cranston brought audiences to the edge of their seats playing the ignoble Heisenberg, aka Walter White. In Breaking Bad, Walter transforms from being a down-on-his-luck science teacher to a powerful drug lord when he gets a terminal diagnosis that causes him to completely change the course of his life.
Applying his knowledge of chemistry, Walter starts to produce large quantities of high-quality drugs, which requires him to wear the suitable safety gear during the preparation, leading to our association of the character with his hazmat suit. Of course, the glasses, hat, and hazmat mask all became instantly recognizable parts of Heisenberg’s costume, but this suit feels like an important piece of the wider story.
4
Central Perk Couch
In Friends, similar to How I Met Your Mother, the series follows a bunch of twenty-somethings figuring out life in New York, but the show has a much broader approach to navigating adulthood than simply honing in on romance. Instead, Friends spends an incredible amount of time unpacking the connection between six individuals, and the bonds that they make over the years.
And many of those bonding moments happen at their favorite coffee spot, Central Perk. But, as much as the coffee shop plays an important role in the story, it isn’t exactly a prop. Instead, the audience tends to overlook the environment that these friends spend their time in, and more specifically the couches which appear in the shop, the opening credits, and even their apartments, all of which become essential parts of the show’s fabric.
3
The Phaser
Returning to legendary sci-fi drama, Star Trek: The Original Series delivered one of the most impactful and enduring franchises on TV, with dozens of spin-out projects, and further expansions on characters and themes that were introduced from the very first episode. But, if there is one piece of equipment that stands out in this franchise above all others, it’s the phasers.
Phasers are introduced early in the show’s run, and they are used as a tool and a weapon to incapacitate, stun, and occasionally cause serious harm to enemies of Starfleet. Decades after their debut, and despite numerous reimaginings of the show over time, phasers remain a constant in this distant galaxy.
2
Don Draper’s Lucky Strike Pack & Zippo
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Mad Men features the smooth talking and highly influential Don Draper, as played by Jon Hamm. The series showcases the life of a successful ad executive from the 1960s, with Don being the standout figure from the show, which may contribute to why his frequent use of an everyday object, being his lucky strike cigarettes and his worn zippo lighter.
The show deals a lot with marketing and showing off products, but this simple repeated action becomes an integral piece of the puzzle for who Don is, and by extension, becomes an essential prop from the series.
1
Agent Cooper’s Microcassette Recorder
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Finally, this list would not be complete if we didn’t mention David Lynch’s masterpiece, Twin Peaks. This 1990 mystery series had the entire world holding their breath thanks to the central question, “who killed Laura Palmer?” And of course, no one was more dedicated to uncovering the answer to that question than agent Dale Cooper, as played by Kyle MacLachlan.
Throughout his investigation, Cooper relied heavily on the use of his microcassette tape recorder, which he uses to keep track of his thoughts, insights, and ideas about the case. This simple prop became a huge part of the series and continues to be one of the most defining props of any TV show. But as with all the other entries on this list, it’s one piece of a larger story that helps to bring everything together in a way that completes the narrative.
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