Today in TV History: Greg Berlanti, Producer of Every Show on Television, Was Born

Of all the great things about television, the greatest is that it’s on every single day. TV history is being made, day in and day out, in ways big and small. In an effort to better appreciate this history, we’re taking a look back, every day, at one particular TV milestone. 

IMPORTANT DATE IN TV HISTORY: May 24, 1972

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: It’s funny to think that, once upon a time, Judd Apatow, Joss Whedon, and Greg Berlanti were the TV producers we had to root for. They made wonderful TV like Freaks and Geeks and Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Everwood. They made low-rated gems like Undeclared and Firefly and Jack and Bobby. It seemed like they were always struggling to keep their shows on the air; their fans had to rally around them whenever it came time to renew or cancel shows. Often, it was cancel and not renew.

That seems like a LONG time ago now. Judd Apatow is the dominant producing voice in cinematic comedy. Joss Whedon directed two of the biggest blockbusters of all time. And Greg Berlanti is up there in rarefied air with Shonda Rhimes and Dick Wolf as the people who produce ALL the television. Just this past season, Berlanti’s shows included The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, The Mysteries of Laura, and Blindspot. Only Laura won’t be back again next season.

Before he hopped onto the superhero train, however, Berlanti made his bread and butter with teen drama, starting off on Dawson’s Creek before moving on to create Everwood and Jack and Bobby, two of the least flashy but highest-quality WB shows ever. His run of ABC dramadies — Brothers & Sisters, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone —trended more grown-up, and it looked for a moment like he might become the next David E. Kelley. Who knew that it would be Berlanti’s involvement in writing the big-screen Green Lantern disaster that would end up changing his career, sending him down the DC Comics path for television, with Arrow spinning off into The Flash spinning off into Legends of Tomorrow, and this year Supergirl coming to play in the sandbox.

Here, then, in honor of Berlanti’s birthday — the monster is still only 44 years old — is a quick guide to where you can stream the entire Greg Berlanti TV catalogue:

Dawson’s Creek — The lives, loves, and hyperverbosity of Capesides pretty white teens. Entire series run is on Hulu.

Jack and Bobby — A young pair of brothers, one of whom will grow up to be the president. For now, their mom is Christina Lahti. Currently unavailable (BOOOOO!).

Everwood — A grieving widower and surgeon moves his two kids to idyllic Colorado. Entire series run is on Amazon Video.

Brothers and Sisters — Bougie California family squabbles and drinks a heroic amount of wine. Entire series run is on Hulu.

Dirty Sexy Money — Wealthy New York family squabbles and tries to stay out of the tabloids. Entire series run is on Hulu.

Eli Stone — Quirky lawyer sees the future, goes pro bono. Entire series run is on Hulu.

No Ordinary Family — Like The Incredibles but love-action and starring Michael Chiklis. Entire series run is on Hulu.

Political Animals — Sigourney Weaver plays a former First Lady turned Secretary of State, now running for President. Sure, yes, the Hillary thing, but more importantly, Sebastian Stan plays gay. Entire series run is on Netflix

Arrow — The Green Arrow does his thing. Entire series run to date is on Amazon Video.

The Flash — The Flash does his thing. Entire series run to date is on Amazon Video.

The Mysteries of Laura — Police detective and mom (both! at the same! time!) does her thing. First season is available on Netflix.

Supergirl — Daughter of Krypton, cousin of you-know-who does her thing. Season 1 is available on Amazon Video.

Blindspot — Mystery tattoo lady is mysterious. Season 1 is available on Amazon Video.

Legends of Tomorrow — Ragtag superheroes from The Flash and Arrow team up to travel through time with a man who is definitely not Doctor Who. Season 1 is available on Amazon Video.