My Favorite TV Shows of All Time
09/20/2008
Kottke recently posted a poll on the Best show on TV ever, which got me all nostalgic for TV. And after all, this is why I love having a personal blog I can post whatever the heck I want on. So here are my favorite TV shows ever!
There was everything to love about this show. Beautiful setting. Well acted. Well written. Quirky. Long interesting character arcs. Feel good. I recently went to Roslyn, Washington where it was shot and it was still kinda awesome.
No surprise this show was also from creator David Chase (Northern Exposure). Amazing ensemble cast. Well acted all around. Long interesting stories. Character depth. Surprises. Gotta love that crazy ending too, such a bold move.
I like sci-fi anyway, but this is a sci-fi show that anyone could like. Takes an out-there premise and makes it feel real and gritty. Proves you can tell sci-fi stories without giant bugs playing weird instruments, time travel, and all that other nerdy stuff that can hamper storytelling.
Some TV shows can solve 2 murders in 60 minutes. Twin Peaks took two seasons and a movie to solve Laura Palmer’s murder. And then did they even really solve it? God I want some pie.
Never before has a show blown my loaf episode after episode after episode. Intricate mythology. Suspense. Drama. Fascinating.
I love how this show took the played-out genre of “Cop Show” and just rocked it out. It’s the same stuff: solving crimes, corruption, family drama. But The Shield does is better than it’s ever been done before. The shaky-camera documentary/breaking-news filming style I think had a lot to do with it.
Honorable Mentions:
Friday Night Lights
Yeah that’s right. This is a great show.
Firefly
This would have been in my top shows for sure if FOX didn’t make the worst decision it’s ever made in canceling Firefly. Just didn’t have enough episodes to really spread it’s wings. But what is there is amazing.
The Black Donnellys
Also prematurely canceled. This show was great and had as much potential as the Sopranos if you ask me.
Comedy:
Futurama
Funnier than the Simpsons. Funnier than South Park. Funnier than Family Guy. I said it.
Arrested Development
FOX dropped the ball on this one too, but at least we got three great seasons.
Home Movies
Hugely under-rated I think. H. Jon Benjamin does a bunch of different characters. Priceless.
I’m sure I will like but haven’t seen yet:
The Wire
Yeah yeah. I’ll get around to it.
As for comedies, you MUST watch “The Office” — UK version, of course.
You should also check out “Picket Fences” — oldie but a goodie.
I’d second The Office! I think both versions are really good though. The American version has had more time to flesh out the characters. I’m also a big fan of “The Big Bang Theory”. It’s one of the shows that you either think is hilarious or idiotic.
oh yeah I LOVE both versions (US & UK) versions of the office. That probably should have made the list, brilliant stuff.
What no Dexter or Heroes? I’m pretty addicted to both those shows!
The Black Donnellys one of the best of all times.
They where the ones to get me to watch full tv episodes on the internet.
I know Dave already mentioned this, but if you like Battlestar Galactica, then you have to watch heroes. Heroes did for comic books what Battlestar Galactica did for sci-fi. Excellent show.
I thought the first half of season one of heroes was great, then it just went downhill. Big plotlines ending up flat. Big clues/hints never going anywhere. Way to much Niki sucking at acting. It’s alright… It’s got wicked potential… but it’s not even close to one of my favorites ever.
Spaced?
The Mighty Boosh?
Peep Show?
Fonejacker?
Man Stroke Woman?
How Not To Live Your Life was decent too.
Hi Chris.
i thought i would mention (more of a plug) It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia ( which co-stars the funny Danny DeVito)
fyi: Home Movies rocks.
@Joseph: Woah. I watched Spaced and like that but I haven’t even heard of a single other one of those.
@dre: Yeah man, this season of It’s Always Sunny started so strong it’s one of my favorites for sure. So damn good.
Your list is very similar to the one I have in my head.
I can’t recommend “Prison Break” enough. My fiancée and I started watching Season 1 two weeks ago and we’ve just finished it last night (after watching 6 episodes in a row because we couldn’t wait any longer!).
I suspect most of Sunday will be spent watching Season 2…
The Wire really is a must. I swear, after you watch the first season, you’ll catch yourself watching all five. Simply an amazing show. The guys who did The Wire, also did a HBO miniseries on the Iraq war, called, “Generation Kill”. That was good too! Its only 7 episodes, so its a good watch.
I like Firefly and SYTYCD (So You think you can dance) a lot. Seinfeld of course. And a bunch more… My entire list is at http://www.whoila.com/gallery.php?publiclink=MuRjKcA3TIi6&category_id=14
Maaaan, you forgot “Entourage” – the greatest series ever! Next to Dexter and Heroes! I agree with you thoughm BSG was good (the first 2 seasons), but then it went downhill from there.. :(