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That abundance has changed the meaning of television fame.
Earlier generations often shared the same cultural experiences.
Millions of people might watch the same finale or television special on the same night.
Today, audiences are more fragmented.
People can watch completely different programs at the same time.
That makes the television icons of previous eras especially significant.
They often represent moments when an enormous portion of the public was watching the same screen.
## The Programs Become Time Capsules
One reason television legends remain memorable is that their programs preserve a particular moment in history.
The hairstyles change.
The clothing changes.
The technology looks old.
The sets reveal the era in which they were filmed.
The advertisements surrounding the program reflect the culture of the time.
Even the way people speak can transport viewers into another decade.
Watching an old television episode can therefore feel like opening a time capsule.
The personality at the center of the program becomes part of that experience.