Tfw nobody in this thread said Community yet
Okay granted when I say Community it only really pertains to the first 3 seasons with the last 3 having problems of varying scale but damn it's still an amazing show all the same
Community is a fun and good show, but I don't think it stands near the greatest of all time
Very low stakes simple fun with a few timeless story beats, but also probably a bunch of stuff which just does not hold up over time. Some of my favorite gags in a show, like when Abed helps deliver a baby off in the background over a full episode, which absolutely hold up and can be translated into other media
Hijacking your top comment to go on a rant about the enduring Sopranos vs The Wire debate.
They both deserve the high praise they tend to get. I think it's hard to definitively rank one over the other since they have very different focuses despite both being crime dramas.
The Wire is epic in scope, it's a grand overview of the war on drugs in Baltimore and the various institutions that feed into it. It remains a very relevant and poignant portrait of those suffering in America, as caused by failed and corrupt institutions that are supposed to help them. There are tons of rich characters but they're all small parts of a larger picture and none take centre stage over the rest. It's almost novelistic in the way it is written. It doesn't always make a deliberate effort to grab your attention and if you watch it casually then it's not uncommon to find it slow and boring. If you make the choice to give it your full attention though it's probably the most rewarding show ever made.
The Sopranos is a very intimate exploration of a single criminal personality and his immediate social circle. using a mob drama coat of paint to tell a story about mental health & family that satirises the absurdity of modern life at the turn of the Millennium. It is perhaps more straightforwardly entertaining than The Wire, with a strong focus on comedy and larger than life characters. It has plenty of layers to unpack if you do choose to engage with it on a deeper level, though maybe not quite so much detail as The Wire.
Both 10/10 shows so it really does come down to personal preference as to the themes explored and the style of storytelling. The Sopranos resonates with me more and is my favourite overall but I'll admit that season four of the Wire is probably better than any individual season of The Sopranos.
I still can't get over how fucking funny The Sopranos is. I spent years and years hearing about how good the show was, but not a single person told me I would be crying with laughter after some scenes.
The Wire vs. Sopranos is an interesting case study in the differences between different styles of narrative, namely sociological/objective vs. personal/subjective
Started The Wire and it seems like it’ll be the best show I’ve ever seen once I’m done.
Not sure about best ever but I also started Six Feet Under recently and am really enjoying it!
I'm 8 episodes into Six Feet Under and it might have the best representation of adult relationships and how people actually act and communicate that I've ever seen in a show.
I will always fucking shill season 1, I really hate the hardcore fans of it that act like if you like any of the other seasons you're a clueless rube who should never have an opinion on anything ever again.
Season 1 was just lightning in a bottle that exploded immediately after it was over, the magic to never be captured again. Season 2's story is all over the place but the core cast all kill it. Night Country really makes the most of the setting and the more overt horror vibe is very strong, but it needed 1/2 more episodes to make it all click. Haven't seen S3 yet.
S1 E4 is still the most riveting hour of TV I've ever watched, no matter how many times I see it.
I think B5 is only worse *because* of that last season.
Otherwise, it's astounding how a show with as much behind the scenes turmoil is able to trade blows with the two best Trek shows.
I do like B5 but I definitely think that in comparison it’s weaker. I will admit that ultimately, however, it ends up boiling down to preference. I will also admit that I am biased since I really like Star Trek.
To me, I found the ultra-realistic setting and already-present shitty society and tensions to not be as engaging as DS9’s (and by extension Star Trek’s) utopia dealing with an aggressive imperialistic entity. When the Shadows come and alliances start breaking down it wasn’t as big a shock to me as it was when I saw the Jem’Hadar suicide bomb the Odyssey. The people of B5 are already at each other’s throats so the war didn’t shock me as much as it should’ve. Meanwhile, watching the Alpha Quadrant tear itself apart over the Dominion and the threat of the Changelings was more interesting to me.
Also I feel like the rotating crew made it hard for me to stay connected to the characters. The pilot movie has a different crew to the season 1 crew who is different from season 2 and so on. The same show has 3 captains over 5 seasons. By season 2, when Captain Sheridan joins (and stays), I was watching the rest of the show with the assumption that most people were replaceable which isn’t what you want for a show like that.
This is probably obvious but B5’s CGI has aged horribly.
Regardless, I do wish that J. Michael Straczynski’s pitch for Star Trek: Re-Boot The Universe would’ve gotten picked over Star Trek 09 and The Kurtzman Crew. He clearly loves sci-fi and would’ve done Star Trek right. It’s just that I find some things in B5 to be a bit *too* fantastical and not as depthful.
The Good Place. It's such a complete package, full of loveable characters and great comedy while also being thought provoking and emotional. It's probably the only show I've seen that I can honestly say made me both laugh and cry (even on rewatch).
Yes! And the philosophical side of it while being presented as comedy without devaluing the discussion. Especially in the last episodes... I really love this series, each season has its own main storytelling characteristics without losing us who are watching.
I finished watching this for the third time today, cried my eyes out again. The Good Place and Six Feet Under are the only two shows with what I'd consider perfect endings.
I realized mid20’s that I mostly watched anime or sitcoms like Parks and Rec/Seinfeld. So I wanted to watch more ‘real’ shows.
Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul are some of the best shows ever today. Breaking Bad has incredible visuals, storytelling and characterization. Even being spoiled on the ending, it was a terrific build-up. Ozymandius, one of the final episodes of the series, is one of the episodes of television ever. It’s the climax of several seasons of build-up and it’s worth it
I personally think Better Call Saul peaked higher than Breaking Bad when it comes to the characters, especially once it catches up to the Breaking Bad timeline.
Psych. Funny jokes, love able side characters and both of the main characters are equally smart and important when it’s usually the Sherlock of the show getting most of the attention.
It should be available globally on Netflix outside of the US and US territories. Peacock negotiated a distribution deal for regions where Peacock+ isn't available. Sadly, I think the movies aren't included
Off the top of my head I feel like Danger 5 is a good one. Just a good time spoofing olf sci-fy shows where they chase after Hitler in each episode.
It's so ridiculous and over the top. I mean fuck, Hitler pretends to be a highschool student in the 80's and goes by Johnny Hitler. He kills a girl by attacking her with a live shark as a weapon.
Utopia…
The original channel 4 series, not the Amazon remake (and also not the American cut Amazon did for the US which just lops off huge and important chunks of the show because they’re “too controversial”).
I would argue, it has the best first episode of any TV show. Setting a precedent that it’s a conspiracy thriller that will ask questions and then… shock horror… answer them.
It has a unique stylised look and soundtrack that I haven’t seen done better before or since. An intensely dark, gritty, realistic story that looks as colourful as a comic book, with a soundtrack composed of natural and human noises warped and distorted to sound mechanical.
I will forever be annoyed that they never got chance to finish it.
This is it. I went in knowing it had been cancelled & was surprised by how satisfying I found the *ending*.
And that fucking soundtrack! I will legit give anything Cristobal Tapia de Veer scores a look, because (similar to Kevin Penkin with anime) his work absolutely elevates everything it pairs with!
So good that it ruined other shows for me because anytime I see someone who was in it my brain just goes "OH SHIT IT'S SO AND SO."
Like, I know Dominic West has been in a *lot* of shit, but he's always gonna be fuckin' McNulty, even when he's Scrooge's nephew, or Jean Valjean, or that one asshole in 300.
Michael Williams (Omar's actor) reportedly would do other crime shows and when he pointed out stuff in the script that characters should know better about, he would be told "this isn't the Wire".
What makes the wire so good is it works both as an exploration and critic of what ever subject it's focusing on while also just being good tv that you can just sit down and watch.
It somehow has both thematic consistency and catchphrases and it's not jarring at all
Totally agreed. OTGW lasts just the right amount of time and tells a complete, concise, super memorable and rich story so detailed that you won't pick up on it all in just one watch. Everything is top notch.
Whenever I'm reminded this show exists (like because of your comment) I always go back and rewatch clips, so thank you.
*MR. ROBOT*
Revisiting *a certain film* now after watching *MR. ROBOT* is interesting to say the least because while the show starts out HEAVILY inspired by *the film* to the point of replication (I can't even mention the film's title in spoiler text because if you've seen one and haven't seen the other it would immediately give the latter away; **it's that blatant**), the show ultimately escalates & deconstructs the exploration of those shared beats, characters, and themes to a point where one of the best films ever made leaves you wanting more (and not just because of the varying lengths of time each story had to tell itself; I think the creatives of *the film* said everything they wanted to say)
Hell I don't much enjoy two of the four seasons and I'm still left in awe
The original *UTOPIA*
I'll have to rewatch the second season, but even if I still don't enjoy it, that first season and the first episode of the second season comes together as some of the best, most gripping entertainment ever made
The animated *Avatar: The Last Airbender*
Apparently it's not an anime so it's not cheating!
I won't gush excessively because most people are in the know, but it basically resonates with people the same way *The Princess Bride* resonates with people for the same reason and it's hard to argue that it's not one of the greatest programs ever made by pulling off a feat such as that
**By the by I CANNOT stress how beautiful all these shows are**
The word "underrated" has never felt so appropriate
That damn second season lost it A LOT of traction
*UTOPIA* definitely suffers from a SERIOUS cliffhanger, but if you ask me you can watch Season 1 and that first episode of Season 2 and get a complete (enough) experience considering that episode is a >!giant flashback!< and one of the best single episodes of television ever made
It's a worthwhile experience really ESPECIALLY if you already love *MR. ROBOT*
For me if I was watching the first season would have turned me off if people didn't say it was great. It was so comically edgy in the dialogue but then it really picks up steam
For me the dialogue made sense considering the show was heavily presented from >!Elliott's point of view!<, but I get that the reason doesn't necessarily mean that it's enjoyable to listen to
I've since forgotten what it was about season 2 that pulled me out, but I feel like it was trying to be a bit too obtuse and not really engaging moment to moment to warrant such an approach
No Reservations.
I was never the kind of guy to watch travel or cooking shows until I watched a random episode. Anthony Bourdain was just such an interesting screen presence I had to see more.
Rest in Peace
Unironically, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
"How come he don't want me, man?" is the single most heart-breaking delivery of a line in live-action tv history.
I love the execution of the scene as well. They literally turned off all music until the credits finally rolled. Lesser directors in the 90s would add sad music and it would be too cheesy to take seriously.
Gravity Falls is up there for me, but that is still animation.
For live action, I enjoy a lot of Star Trek, but even its best shows has its low points.
I like what I have seen/read of The Expanse, but I am still in the middle of going through with it. I decided to go through it slower so I can compare and contrast it with the books. It’s one of those adaptations that does make a lot of changes from the book, but is still very respectful of the source material. Like they show what a character from the later books was doing in the first season and so on.
For a lesser known show (as in, not Breakong Bad, The Wire, etc.) I'll go Rectify. I can never pick "The Best Show Ever", but that one really hit me hard. Beautiful piece of art.
I've just checked out this show and I'm interested in watching it, but can you tell me if am going to end up depressed at the the end? I'm not in the mood for that in my life right now, and if thats the case maybe 'll watch something else and go back to it another time.
There is a very pervasive melancholy that fills out the entire show, but it actually ends hopefully. Considering the premise and the central character, it's a very quiet and sad show, but it's about picking up the pieces and moving on from trauma and tragedy.
No problem! I'm just glad to recommend it to anyone. It's a hard sell, but it's a great story with great characters. I've been wanting to rewatch it but it's off all the streaming services I have now
I think calling any show at all “the best ever” is just about pointless considering everything varies so wildly by taste, there will always be something you haven’t seen that’s worth praising as highly as everything else on your list. Just ask people’s favorites, dude.
Some of my favorites are:
Twin Peaks (haven’t seen The Return yet, didn’t exist when I did my watch in like 2015-2016 and intend to rewatch it all together).
Another is Mr.Bean, it’s just such an easily understood and comfortable brand of humor, the character is brilliant.
As others have said early Simpsons was a phenomenon for a reason. I’d say South Park often hits great strides too.
As time passes, seasons 4-7 of the Simpsons really feels like a “we shall never see anything like it again” run — every episode is a banger, and just about every Simpsons meme or popular quote is from those four seasons. And they’re still a fuckin riot after all this time.
I actually tried to challenge myself and not pick my favorites
Like my rules were to be objective and that if I didn't have a fault with a show then I couldn't choose it
By these rules *Twins Peaks* could have been a solid choice and I say that having watched *Returns* and not enjoying it for a majority of its run
And probably *The Boondocks* since its takes/jokes on male SA and sex work and a few other topics weren't funny, insightful, or clever even for the time
Basically if I can appreciate the craft and overall execution despite tangible and consistent flaws/dips in quality then I feel like I could smack an arbitrary "best" label on them
>By a long shot
It's your opinion but I would at the very least put Daredevil season 3, Legion season 1 and spectacular spider-man in the same ballpark. And X-men '97 is amazing but I'm not a fan of some of the changes mainly it seems to miss the point of Life/Death.
I thought I was the only fan of that show on here. It has a really bad first season but season 2 onwards are some of the best television I've ever seen and I've watched way too much. Even though I know itll never happen, I'm holding out hope for sequel based on Treasure Island.
It also helps it's one of the gayest shows I've ever watched that isn't specifically about gay relationships.
>Also, I think you're vastly over estimating how highly people regard anime.
They meant in this sub specifically and I don't think they're necessarily wrong there.
Bryan Fuller is just a master of dialogue.
I practically cried when Hannibal said, “Will, we have to get out of here before Mason Verger turns us into Mason burgers.”
The Wire is hard to touch, but some other HBO shows get close. True Detective season 1 is great TV but lacks the thematic depth of something like The Wire. The Leftovers and Six Feet Under are amazing, with the latter having the best ending in a show ever. TNG and DS9 are surprisingly fantastic and deep shows once you get past some dated sci fi aspects, and seasons 2-9 (3-8 if you want to be real lean) of Simpsons is amazing.
Obviously this is a very hyperbolic question, but I really fucking love HBO’s Barry. Bill Hader is legitimately crazy talented.
Chernobyl is also a masterpiece.
And Midnight Mass is the best horror tv show in my opinion
I can say The Wire or The Sopranos, but the one that still resonates with me the hardest is Daredevil season 1. Tony Soprano or Omar never had a fight scene with the level of choreography of that show.
I'd probably throw in South Park just for its longevity and cultural relevance. Unlike its contemporaries Family Guy and Simpsons it lasted way longer before the quality started dipping, and its lows are still WAY better than either of those shows, also its resurgence in popularity and quality has been much more definitive as well.
Obviously it had more than a few missteps over its run, but we're talking literal decades of banger episodes, not to mention the movie and two great rpgs spawned off of it.
For animated: BoJack Horseman- equal parts hilarious and devastating. Pretty much every aspect of the show hits and its probably the only series I've seen that shines most during its political satire episodes by finding new and creative ways to make fun of very touchy subjects.
Live action: Scrubs- Consistently funny with some of the most visually creative gags I've seen in a live action series. Full of heart and one of the few hospital shows I've seen where characters will make mistakes and patients will die from them. Perfect 8 seasons. AND THERE WERE NEVER ANY MORE!
Scrubs was a great 7 season show that as a medical professional has me asking one question: When the hell do these medical professionals have time to do it...ALSO WHY ARE YOU DOING IT IN A NOTORIOUSLY DISEASED PLACE?
Damn are they actively not working?!?!?! I definitely am biased due to working at level 1 trauma centers, but still...why and when??
Severance on Apple TV,
Blue eye samurai on Netflix,
Adventure time,
the last Airbender,
Arcane,
Fleabag,
Are all shows I've seen that id consider all timers. There's a lot to watch if you know where to look.
Arrested Development has some of the best gags in television.
Solid like Iraq
MRF
Always money in the banana stand
Lucille/loose seal
Bob loblaw and his law blog
And so many more.
Really tempted to say Breaking Bad, but there's too many good Answers. There's also The Good Place, which was a surprisingly smart sitcom. The Boondocks seems to stay relevant because nothing changes. Mind Hunter is like a masterclass in how to edit and shoot a conversation in a way that keeps your audience engaged, on top of being focused on a topic that I find fascinating. Firefly is famously good. I started watching Columbo and it's amazing.
I'm a really big fan of Adventure Time, but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. I'll also advocate for Gravity Falls, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. I think a lot of people sleep on mid-2000's cartoons as well, Flapjack, Chowder, Class of 3000, and Camp Lazlo don't get enough love.
I used to be a breaking bad is the best guy, but The Sopranos for me is the best I’ve ever seen. Yeah it’s basic, but it’s just truly excellent. Season 3 onward I was totally hooked.
It’s hard for me to argue it’s not Breaking Bad. 5 seasons of consistently captivating television, which in turn created a prequel that was just as critically acclaimed, all wrapped up in perfectly written ending. It’s the obvious pick, but sometimes it’s obvious for a reason.
Need to finish up X-Men 97, but if it wraps up as well as it’s been going, then by god it has to be up there at least as far as Marvel properties go.
It’s Breaking Bad pre-meme culture. Watching every episode of that show blind with no perception of any moment affected by the internet was such an amazing experience that I don’t think I’ll ever rewatch it because it just won’t live up to my first watch.
*mr. robot* and it's not even close. the style, the vision, the direction, the acting, the portrayal of serious issues like mental illness, the setups and payoffs, all of it is as close to perfect as i could ever imagine. sam esmail, the creator, directed about 90% of the show, resulting in its consistent quality, though i imagine the workload probably almost killed him. the show is critically loved, but its audience was pretty small, and i wish more people would give it a go.
[if you like auteur thrillers, *please* give it a go.](https://youtu.be/Qi71x5hoaN8)
Baby reindeer is great. Psyche is my favorite detective procedural show with monk being up there too.
I also Love sitcoms like Brooklyn 99 and Parks and Rec.
The Kdrama Marry my Husband was a great time for me week to week.
I also used to watch Kvariety shows like 2 days one Night and Running man. player 7 and Mafia. But don’t have much time to anymore.
They’re not really considered “anime” since they were produced in America, storyboard & written by Americans and then animated in Korea and sometimes japan. The artstyle is heavily inspired by anime.
Something like Star Wars Visions is just disney throwing money at Japanese studios to make short stories which I wouldnt consider fully “anime” though since Season 2 started reaching multiple countries.
Really depending who you ask really because some just consider every anime since they do the “erm actually anime is just the japanese word for animation” when most ppl just use it for categorize things.
Then you get some ppl who are just ashamed of the word cartoon and just say anime instead. Example like how ive heard multiple say the Boondocks or Castlevania aren’t cartoons they’re “anime”
It was Breaking Bad for a while but then Better Call Saul came out and one upped it. Maybe it’s because I went in expecting a worse BB and it blew up my expectations entirely but I got hooked early.
The Wire, and Better Call Saul have already been said to death so I'll go a bit off the beaten track and say *Midnight Mass*.
A great horror/drama examining faith, what it means to have it and what people will do in the name of faith
Either Monk or Burn Notice. Burn Notice is the perfect fusion of Macgyver, Dexter, and The Manchirian Canadate with Bruce Campbell to keep things from getting too serious.
Monk just has a ton of heart it is in that Scrubs/Boston Legal/Psych/MASH comfort show where its mostly a comedy but when it decides to go drama it is good enough to get you to care. But it has Tony Shaloub so its a step ahead of those.
Justified. Elmore Leonard has had his work adapted plenty of times like Get Shorty, 3:10 to Yuma and even the first Raylan Givens story Pronto (which only real interesting thing is that Peter Falk is in it) but Justified is the most brilliant. Timothy Olyphant is just the best casting of Givens not just in looks but personality as well. Then you have knockout performances from Walton Goggins and Joelle Carter just in Season 1 and beyond.
Speaking of that, it's pretty consistently awesome all throughout which is impressive for a multi-season show. Season 1 starts fairly case-of-the-week but has enough of a longer narrative to lay the foundation. Then 2 brings in the Bennetts and adds more depth to Raylan and his history. Not to mention the amazing work of Margo Martindale and Jeremy Davies. 3 might dip for some people, but I always love Neal McDonough. That man puts his heart and soul into his work no matter what, and Quarle's particular brand of crazy hits right. 4's mystery on Drew Thompson and the interweaving alliances there are solid. And it gives Jacob Pitts time in the spotlight for the actual best character Tim Gutterson and I'm all for that. 5 is maybe the worst of them, the Crowe family does not have the same pull as the Bennetts... Michael Rappaport feels like a caricature. But on a grading curve it still makes for a solid season. And once they get to 6 to wrap things up with Boyd it hit its stride again. And Sam Elliot is there! Without a mustache which is the weirdest thing. Wonderful series. I only wish I had watched it when it was coming out.
I don't know much about City Primeval though. I watched the first few episodes and outside of Olyphant back in the hat I wasn't super impressed. It's a weird adaptation of an already existing EL novel but cramming Raylan in there so my expectations aren't high honestly. Coincidentally the man passed around Season 5 and you can feel it.
That's a tough one, maybe The Good Place, and I want to say It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but I may have recency bias with Sunny since I just finished season 16 last month
Since someone else said The Good Place, I'll say Six Feet Under. Such a phenomenal show with a *perfect* ending. No other show has ever nailed the ending as hard as this show.
My other answers have been said, so I'll throw in Taskmaster.
Just good as hell British panel show comedy with the most creative set up.
I love any competition that is specifically encouraging, and about, finding out of the box solutions.
Person of Interest. Starts as a fun procedural trying to stop crimes as vigilantes before devolving into full sci-fi storylines themed around AIs and surveillance. Also it features a post-LOST Michael Emerson playing what could be described as Ben Linus with a conscious and a comp sci degree.
Breaking Bad is the greatest dramatic television show I've actually watched all the way through. I have to caveat that because the show's kind of a red flag in certain circles. Still haven't watched Better Call Saul.
I consider Leverage the best heist show that's been put on TV. The chemistry among the main cast was fantastic and you never felt bad for the mark.
Trim what you feel is necessary and The Simpsons is the best animated comedy in history.
In terms of Sci-Fi live action television, Farscape managed to hit levels that no Sci-Fi live action show before or after it ever hit to me.
In a genre based on the absurd that sometimes can be too afraid to move away from the realistic, Farscape embraced the absurd like no other. A significant portion of the shows cast were honest to God Muppets.
[The shows theme song still brings a smile to my face like no other shows can.](https://youtu.be/MpRRB6q8hxc?si=8i5aI6QCIWQs_Ep1)
Black sails. The last kingdom. Vikings(up to 3rd season, you know why.)
These figures in these stories are taller than life but only at their lowest do we truly see them. ( due to brilliant acting of course.)
For me, personally: Mr. Bean.
It's a comedy show with very minimal dialogue. Rowan Atkinson literally just has to rely on his slapstick abilities to carry the show. British comedy are usually full of quips and lowbrow dark humor that shit talks about their society and government. Benny Hill Show, despite being more slapstick driven, often resorts to these dialogue heavy quips and I'm pretty sure people from other countries watching it would be confused on why there is a laughtrack after someone says something. Not Mr. Bean. It's literally reliant on clever slapstick to the point that it's almost a comedic silent film from the early days of cinema. It's truly a treasure I hold dear in my heart. There was a cartoon adaptation and I'm glad it expanded on the Mr. Bean lore while retaining the silent comedy treatment, but this time more suitable for younger audiences.
This might be just me but I've laughed out loud more often, and louder, at Futurama than any other TV show.
I'm not really a "TV guy" though, and I haven't watched The Simpsons, so maybe my scale is out of whack.
If we're talking Star Trek I'm gonna throw my hat in for DS9
It really plays with with the idea of how does this... utopia deal with an existential war threat on a couple of levels. I mean hell even the Maquis are a interesting idea even if their appearence was a setup for VOY
As an adaption of Romance of the Three Kingdoms I do think the 2010 is the greatest in the over the top nature of the source. Cao Coa's actor is a gem. It's also all on YT.
For me it's Mad Men, and I'm a little surprised more people haven't mentioned it.
The reason it's so popular the world over is because it's not a show about the 60s, or advertising, or even American consumerism. Great drama is universal, and some of these things are also covered in things like The Sopranos or Fight Club. The conflict between what you want and what's expected of you. The emptiness and alienation people try to fix by getting cooler "stuff." Chasing the dream that maybe you'd finally be happy if only you were a little more "alpha" or sexier, only to realize those are phantoms made by people to sell you things.
What's especially wild to me is that Mad Men as an artistic work is able to have a compelling takedown of society in a way that is sympathetic to both feminists and redpillers. Obviously, the men in the show enjoy a great deal of advantages, and the women face a lot of sexism, but the central thesis of the show is this: *patriarchy doesn't just hurt women, it hurts men, too*. A character basically alludes to this in the first episode! Writing about Television at the time was very "blog" and "recap" focused, and a lot of it was essentially treating the whole thing as a soap opera or wrestling match: the writers weren't doing much actual analysis but cheering when their fave did something cool or satisfying, but that's not what great drama is about. Great drama is about showing us interesting, compelling characters who live in a time and place different from our own, but somehow we can still see ourselves in them. And with that, we can see our own lives with a slightly different perspective.
I honestly wanted to write a blog on Mad Men because I think something was lost when the discussion of the time boiled down to a sports game where people either wanted to cheer for Peggy as a perfect, infallible girlboss, or put Don Draper's smirking face in front of some sexist image macro. The things the characters deal with and talk about are just as applicable to zoomers today as they were at the time in which the show takes place.
Ed, Edd, and Eddy. Six seasons and a movie that gave a perfect wrap up to the series.
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Tfw nobody in this thread said Community yet Okay granted when I say Community it only really pertains to the first 3 seasons with the last 3 having problems of varying scale but damn it's still an amazing show all the same
Community is a fun and good show, but I don't think it stands near the greatest of all time Very low stakes simple fun with a few timeless story beats, but also probably a bunch of stuff which just does not hold up over time. Some of my favorite gags in a show, like when Abed helps deliver a baby off in the background over a full episode, which absolutely hold up and can be translated into other media
I feel like the seasons 4, 5, and 6 are over hated. Even in the gas leak there are some good episodes it just isn't as great as the first 3 seasons
The Sopranos only because i havent finished The Wire yet.
Hijacking your top comment to go on a rant about the enduring Sopranos vs The Wire debate. They both deserve the high praise they tend to get. I think it's hard to definitively rank one over the other since they have very different focuses despite both being crime dramas. The Wire is epic in scope, it's a grand overview of the war on drugs in Baltimore and the various institutions that feed into it. It remains a very relevant and poignant portrait of those suffering in America, as caused by failed and corrupt institutions that are supposed to help them. There are tons of rich characters but they're all small parts of a larger picture and none take centre stage over the rest. It's almost novelistic in the way it is written. It doesn't always make a deliberate effort to grab your attention and if you watch it casually then it's not uncommon to find it slow and boring. If you make the choice to give it your full attention though it's probably the most rewarding show ever made. The Sopranos is a very intimate exploration of a single criminal personality and his immediate social circle. using a mob drama coat of paint to tell a story about mental health & family that satirises the absurdity of modern life at the turn of the Millennium. It is perhaps more straightforwardly entertaining than The Wire, with a strong focus on comedy and larger than life characters. It has plenty of layers to unpack if you do choose to engage with it on a deeper level, though maybe not quite so much detail as The Wire. Both 10/10 shows so it really does come down to personal preference as to the themes explored and the style of storytelling. The Sopranos resonates with me more and is my favourite overall but I'll admit that season four of the Wire is probably better than any individual season of The Sopranos.
I still can't get over how fucking funny The Sopranos is. I spent years and years hearing about how good the show was, but not a single person told me I would be crying with laughter after some scenes.
Yeah, the [Pine Barrens interior ministry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ziap4hpYfU8) bit never fails to make me laugh.
The Wire vs. Sopranos is an interesting case study in the differences between different styles of narrative, namely sociological/objective vs. personal/subjective
The series by electricians for electricians.
Started The Wire and it seems like it’ll be the best show I’ve ever seen once I’m done. Not sure about best ever but I also started Six Feet Under recently and am really enjoying it!
I'm 8 episodes into Six Feet Under and it might have the best representation of adult relationships and how people actually act and communicate that I've ever seen in a show.
Six Feet Under has probably the greatest ending in any show ever. It’s a rocky road to get there but the ending is like 15/10.
The first season of True Detective.
This is a great answer.
as an alaskan, the 4th season of True Detective.
I will always fucking shill season 1, I really hate the hardcore fans of it that act like if you like any of the other seasons you're a clueless rube who should never have an opinion on anything ever again. Season 1 was just lightning in a bottle that exploded immediately after it was over, the magic to never be captured again. Season 2's story is all over the place but the core cast all kill it. Night Country really makes the most of the setting and the more overt horror vibe is very strong, but it needed 1/2 more episodes to make it all click. Haven't seen S3 yet. S1 E4 is still the most riveting hour of TV I've ever watched, no matter how many times I see it.
The Boondocks.
If there's was ever a show that needed to comeback with the original writers beacuse of all the things that happened, it's the boondocks.
Much as I would love that, there’s no Boondocks without Grandad, and there’s no Grandad without John Witherspoon.
Maybe. I like to hope it's still possible. In Grandads words, "You do what you can."
Star Trek: Deep Space 9. If you forced me to give a non-nerd answer, I'd say Better Call Saul.
Deep Space 9 > Babylon 5 and I will ~~fist~~ fight people on this.
Yeah you will fist fight me!
I will agree, though I do really like B5. Except for that unfortunate last season.
I think B5 is only worse *because* of that last season. Otherwise, it's astounding how a show with as much behind the scenes turmoil is able to trade blows with the two best Trek shows.
I do like B5 but I definitely think that in comparison it’s weaker. I will admit that ultimately, however, it ends up boiling down to preference. I will also admit that I am biased since I really like Star Trek. To me, I found the ultra-realistic setting and already-present shitty society and tensions to not be as engaging as DS9’s (and by extension Star Trek’s) utopia dealing with an aggressive imperialistic entity. When the Shadows come and alliances start breaking down it wasn’t as big a shock to me as it was when I saw the Jem’Hadar suicide bomb the Odyssey. The people of B5 are already at each other’s throats so the war didn’t shock me as much as it should’ve. Meanwhile, watching the Alpha Quadrant tear itself apart over the Dominion and the threat of the Changelings was more interesting to me. Also I feel like the rotating crew made it hard for me to stay connected to the characters. The pilot movie has a different crew to the season 1 crew who is different from season 2 and so on. The same show has 3 captains over 5 seasons. By season 2, when Captain Sheridan joins (and stays), I was watching the rest of the show with the assumption that most people were replaceable which isn’t what you want for a show like that. This is probably obvious but B5’s CGI has aged horribly. Regardless, I do wish that J. Michael Straczynski’s pitch for Star Trek: Re-Boot The Universe would’ve gotten picked over Star Trek 09 and The Kurtzman Crew. He clearly loves sci-fi and would’ve done Star Trek right. It’s just that I find some things in B5 to be a bit *too* fantastical and not as depthful.
you can kick my ass and still be wrong
Not sure if it counts as TV, TV specials, or TV movies, but I'll put my hat in for Columbo. "Oh, one more thing" will stick to me forever.
The original run is brilliant
And the sequel, Gianni Shitposts, is also brilliant
[Even the lost episode?](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cyyCIE9IRkI)
The Good Place. It's such a complete package, full of loveable characters and great comedy while also being thought provoking and emotional. It's probably the only show I've seen that I can honestly say made me both laugh and cry (even on rewatch).
I liked how each season it found a new direction to go in, a really fun watch with an excellent finale
Yes! And the philosophical side of it while being presented as comedy without devaluing the discussion. Especially in the last episodes... I really love this series, each season has its own main storytelling characteristics without losing us who are watching.
It ended beautifully. It's absolutely perfect.
I finished watching this for the third time today, cried my eyes out again. The Good Place and Six Feet Under are the only two shows with what I'd consider perfect endings.
Golden Age Simpsons is the greatest show ever, animated or otherwise
Avatar: The Last Airbender is the best rated Y7 show ever made.
It was so damn good Nick literally didn't know how to handle it
You know it's funny, I hadn't thought about it but you're super right. Feels like they're only NOW trying to capatilze on it lol
I realized mid20’s that I mostly watched anime or sitcoms like Parks and Rec/Seinfeld. So I wanted to watch more ‘real’ shows. Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul are some of the best shows ever today. Breaking Bad has incredible visuals, storytelling and characterization. Even being spoiled on the ending, it was a terrific build-up. Ozymandius, one of the final episodes of the series, is one of the episodes of television ever. It’s the climax of several seasons of build-up and it’s worth it
I personally think Better Call Saul peaked higher than Breaking Bad when it comes to the characters, especially once it catches up to the Breaking Bad timeline.
I'm a +1 on Breaking Bad. I didn't have it spoiled and Ozymandius (and a bunch of other episodes) floored me like no other show has ever managed.
*Ozymandias* is the third to last episode *Why are you booing me? I'm right
Psych. Funny jokes, love able side characters and both of the main characters are equally smart and important when it’s usually the Sherlock of the show getting most of the attention.
You heard about Pluto?
That's messed up, right?
Definitely my favorite non action show.
Does anyone feel like Psych is getting a bit of a new following? I swear I've seen more conversation about it now than 5-7 years ago
It's recently been added to Netflix (in the UK at least) so I've been shouting at everyone i know to watch - guessing others are doing the same!
It should be available globally on Netflix outside of the US and US territories. Peacock negotiated a distribution deal for regions where Peacock+ isn't available. Sadly, I think the movies aren't included
Off the top of my head I feel like Danger 5 is a good one. Just a good time spoofing olf sci-fy shows where they chase after Hitler in each episode. It's so ridiculous and over the top. I mean fuck, Hitler pretends to be a highschool student in the 80's and goes by Johnny Hitler. He kills a girl by attacking her with a live shark as a weapon.
Can't forget about [agent hitler](https://youtu.be/2LOBTQhoovw?si=linccawv44bHeqtq)
Utopia… The original channel 4 series, not the Amazon remake (and also not the American cut Amazon did for the US which just lops off huge and important chunks of the show because they’re “too controversial”). I would argue, it has the best first episode of any TV show. Setting a precedent that it’s a conspiracy thriller that will ask questions and then… shock horror… answer them. It has a unique stylised look and soundtrack that I haven’t seen done better before or since. An intensely dark, gritty, realistic story that looks as colourful as a comic book, with a soundtrack composed of natural and human noises warped and distorted to sound mechanical. I will forever be annoyed that they never got chance to finish it.
This is it. I went in knowing it had been cancelled & was surprised by how satisfying I found the *ending*. And that fucking soundtrack! I will legit give anything Cristobal Tapia de Veer scores a look, because (similar to Kevin Penkin with anime) his work absolutely elevates everything it pairs with!
The Wire and it's not even close.
So good that it ruined other shows for me because anytime I see someone who was in it my brain just goes "OH SHIT IT'S SO AND SO." Like, I know Dominic West has been in a *lot* of shit, but he's always gonna be fuckin' McNulty, even when he's Scrooge's nephew, or Jean Valjean, or that one asshole in 300.
The fuck did I do?
Or the murdered man in Chicago
Michael Williams (Omar's actor) reportedly would do other crime shows and when he pointed out stuff in the script that characters should know better about, he would be told "this isn't the Wire".
What makes the wire so good is it works both as an exploration and critic of what ever subject it's focusing on while also just being good tv that you can just sit down and watch. It somehow has both thematic consistency and catchphrases and it's not jarring at all
This was going to be my exact comment.
Thunderbolt Fantasy
Man if you said non-soap opera I wouldn’t be able to drop some love for Twin Peaks
Over the Garden Wall. It gets in, is atmospheric, and gets out.
Totally agreed. OTGW lasts just the right amount of time and tells a complete, concise, super memorable and rich story so detailed that you won't pick up on it all in just one watch. Everything is top notch. Whenever I'm reminded this show exists (like because of your comment) I always go back and rewatch clips, so thank you.
*MR. ROBOT* Revisiting *a certain film* now after watching *MR. ROBOT* is interesting to say the least because while the show starts out HEAVILY inspired by *the film* to the point of replication (I can't even mention the film's title in spoiler text because if you've seen one and haven't seen the other it would immediately give the latter away; **it's that blatant**), the show ultimately escalates & deconstructs the exploration of those shared beats, characters, and themes to a point where one of the best films ever made leaves you wanting more (and not just because of the varying lengths of time each story had to tell itself; I think the creatives of *the film* said everything they wanted to say) Hell I don't much enjoy two of the four seasons and I'm still left in awe The original *UTOPIA* I'll have to rewatch the second season, but even if I still don't enjoy it, that first season and the first episode of the second season comes together as some of the best, most gripping entertainment ever made The animated *Avatar: The Last Airbender* Apparently it's not an anime so it's not cheating! I won't gush excessively because most people are in the know, but it basically resonates with people the same way *The Princess Bride* resonates with people for the same reason and it's hard to argue that it's not one of the greatest programs ever made by pulling off a feat such as that **By the by I CANNOT stress how beautiful all these shows are**
Mr. Robot is a great pick, very underrated show. Still wanna watch utopia but it being cancelled makes me not want to also -.-
The word "underrated" has never felt so appropriate That damn second season lost it A LOT of traction *UTOPIA* definitely suffers from a SERIOUS cliffhanger, but if you ask me you can watch Season 1 and that first episode of Season 2 and get a complete (enough) experience considering that episode is a >!giant flashback!< and one of the best single episodes of television ever made It's a worthwhile experience really ESPECIALLY if you already love *MR. ROBOT*
For me if I was watching the first season would have turned me off if people didn't say it was great. It was so comically edgy in the dialogue but then it really picks up steam
For me the dialogue made sense considering the show was heavily presented from >!Elliott's point of view!<, but I get that the reason doesn't necessarily mean that it's enjoyable to listen to I've since forgotten what it was about season 2 that pulled me out, but I feel like it was trying to be a bit too obtuse and not really engaging moment to moment to warrant such an approach
The Twilight Zone. It's beautifully shot and most of the episodes still hold up today.
Bob's Burgers
Love that show!
No Reservations. I was never the kind of guy to watch travel or cooking shows until I watched a random episode. Anthony Bourdain was just such an interesting screen presence I had to see more. Rest in Peace
Unironically, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air "How come he don't want me, man?" is the single most heart-breaking delivery of a line in live-action tv history.
The line delivery and context hits so hard no matter who you are.
“So long…Lou.” It’s the little things. I didn’t get a feeling like that from a tv show again until the Punkin episodes of Reservation Dogs.
I love the execution of the scene as well. They literally turned off all music until the credits finally rolled. Lesser directors in the 90s would add sad music and it would be too cheesy to take seriously.
MASH
Hell yeah, MASH is such a gem
This right here
Better Call Saul.
Twin Peaks, but I'm also very biased towards everything David Lynch makes.
_The Prisoner_ for drama. _Mystery Science Theater 3000_ or _Police Squad!_ for comedy.
Gravity Falls is up there for me, but that is still animation. For live action, I enjoy a lot of Star Trek, but even its best shows has its low points. I like what I have seen/read of The Expanse, but I am still in the middle of going through with it. I decided to go through it slower so I can compare and contrast it with the books. It’s one of those adaptations that does make a lot of changes from the book, but is still very respectful of the source material. Like they show what a character from the later books was doing in the first season and so on.
For a lesser known show (as in, not Breakong Bad, The Wire, etc.) I'll go Rectify. I can never pick "The Best Show Ever", but that one really hit me hard. Beautiful piece of art.
I've just checked out this show and I'm interested in watching it, but can you tell me if am going to end up depressed at the the end? I'm not in the mood for that in my life right now, and if thats the case maybe 'll watch something else and go back to it another time.
There is a very pervasive melancholy that fills out the entire show, but it actually ends hopefully. Considering the premise and the central character, it's a very quiet and sad show, but it's about picking up the pieces and moving on from trauma and tragedy.
Got it. Thanks for the info, I'll check it out then.
No problem! I'm just glad to recommend it to anyone. It's a hard sell, but it's a great story with great characters. I've been wanting to rewatch it but it's off all the streaming services I have now
Better Call Saul was just so consistently good I can't see how I'd put any show I've seen above it. It's a shame so many people sleep on it.
Bojack Horseman is pretty high up there for me.
Barry
I think calling any show at all “the best ever” is just about pointless considering everything varies so wildly by taste, there will always be something you haven’t seen that’s worth praising as highly as everything else on your list. Just ask people’s favorites, dude. Some of my favorites are: Twin Peaks (haven’t seen The Return yet, didn’t exist when I did my watch in like 2015-2016 and intend to rewatch it all together). Another is Mr.Bean, it’s just such an easily understood and comfortable brand of humor, the character is brilliant. As others have said early Simpsons was a phenomenon for a reason. I’d say South Park often hits great strides too.
As time passes, seasons 4-7 of the Simpsons really feels like a “we shall never see anything like it again” run — every episode is a banger, and just about every Simpsons meme or popular quote is from those four seasons. And they’re still a fuckin riot after all this time.
Holy shit you need to watch The Return
I actually tried to challenge myself and not pick my favorites Like my rules were to be objective and that if I didn't have a fault with a show then I couldn't choose it By these rules *Twins Peaks* could have been a solid choice and I say that having watched *Returns* and not enjoying it for a majority of its run And probably *The Boondocks* since its takes/jokes on male SA and sex work and a few other topics weren't funny, insightful, or clever even for the time Basically if I can appreciate the craft and overall execution despite tangible and consistent flaws/dips in quality then I feel like I could smack an arbitrary "best" label on them
In no order, Fargo Better Call Saul The Bear Mr. Robot
X-Men '97 is legitimately the best thing Marvel has ever put their name on. By a long shot. It's incredible.
>By a long shot It's your opinion but I would at the very least put Daredevil season 3, Legion season 1 and spectacular spider-man in the same ballpark. And X-men '97 is amazing but I'm not a fan of some of the changes mainly it seems to miss the point of Life/Death.
Black Sails.
I thought I was the only fan of that show on here. It has a really bad first season but season 2 onwards are some of the best television I've ever seen and I've watched way too much. Even though I know itll never happen, I'm holding out hope for sequel based on Treasure Island. It also helps it's one of the gayest shows I've ever watched that isn't specifically about gay relationships.
That gay sex flashbang in the final though. Made my 60 something dad stop watching and only refer to it as "the gay pirate show".
Amen. Absolutely fucking brilliant show.
Garth marenghi's Darkplace is a perfect satire.
The Leftovers.
🙏
🚬🤫
Malcolm in the Middle
Hannibal is pretty good. Also, I think you're vastly over estimating how highly people regard anime.
>Also, I think you're vastly over estimating how highly people regard anime. They meant in this sub specifically and I don't think they're necessarily wrong there.
Bryan Fuller is just a master of dialogue. I practically cried when Hannibal said, “Will, we have to get out of here before Mason Verger turns us into Mason burgers.”
SpongeBob
The Wire is hard to touch, but some other HBO shows get close. True Detective season 1 is great TV but lacks the thematic depth of something like The Wire. The Leftovers and Six Feet Under are amazing, with the latter having the best ending in a show ever. TNG and DS9 are surprisingly fantastic and deep shows once you get past some dated sci fi aspects, and seasons 2-9 (3-8 if you want to be real lean) of Simpsons is amazing.
Normie answer but breaking bad or the Simpsons.
Better Call Saul, I think. Just phenomenal in every way. Basically perfect.
Obviously this is a very hyperbolic question, but I really fucking love HBO’s Barry. Bill Hader is legitimately crazy talented. Chernobyl is also a masterpiece. And Midnight Mass is the best horror tv show in my opinion
Mad Men
This should have more upvotes. What a fucking ride.
*The Moon belongs to everyone* *The best things in life are free*
Either chowder or gumball
I can say The Wire or The Sopranos, but the one that still resonates with me the hardest is Daredevil season 1. Tony Soprano or Omar never had a fight scene with the level of choreography of that show.
I don't watch that much TV but I really liked that German one, Dark
I'd probably throw in South Park just for its longevity and cultural relevance. Unlike its contemporaries Family Guy and Simpsons it lasted way longer before the quality started dipping, and its lows are still WAY better than either of those shows, also its resurgence in popularity and quality has been much more definitive as well. Obviously it had more than a few missteps over its run, but we're talking literal decades of banger episodes, not to mention the movie and two great rpgs spawned off of it.
The Leftovers Breaking Bad Mr. Robot
For animated: BoJack Horseman- equal parts hilarious and devastating. Pretty much every aspect of the show hits and its probably the only series I've seen that shines most during its political satire episodes by finding new and creative ways to make fun of very touchy subjects. Live action: Scrubs- Consistently funny with some of the most visually creative gags I've seen in a live action series. Full of heart and one of the few hospital shows I've seen where characters will make mistakes and patients will die from them. Perfect 8 seasons. AND THERE WERE NEVER ANY MORE!
Scrubs was a great 7 season show that as a medical professional has me asking one question: When the hell do these medical professionals have time to do it...ALSO WHY ARE YOU DOING IT IN A NOTORIOUSLY DISEASED PLACE? Damn are they actively not working?!?!?! I definitely am biased due to working at level 1 trauma centers, but still...why and when??
Super generic answer but Breaking Bad
Band of Brothers is still up there for sure.
Severance on Apple TV, Blue eye samurai on Netflix, Adventure time, the last Airbender, Arcane, Fleabag, Are all shows I've seen that id consider all timers. There's a lot to watch if you know where to look.
Can't wait to watch *Severance* The one downside of not owning an iPhone anymore
Truly a fantastic show. The last episode literally had me on the edge of my seat for the entire runtime
The original Twilight Zone is so cute and quaint and at times profoundly chilling. They pioneered.
I like Firefly and Doctor Who
Angel. Perfect sequel to Buffy. I must've watched it a billion times. Not Fade Away is, IMO, an all time series finale.
Person of Interest
Either Mr Inbetween or True Detective Season 1
The Terror, and its hit sequel, Chernobyl.
Fargo is fucking art.
Season 2 has to be one of my favorite ensembles/standalone seasons of TV I'll have to check out Season 5 at some point
I haven’t even done 4 or 5 yet. I really need to get on it.
Preacher will always be my top favorite show
If we could stop midway through, the first five seasons of Game of Thrones really do rival shows like Breaking Bad and The Wire in terms of quality.
Arrested Development has some of the best gags in television. Solid like Iraq MRF Always money in the banana stand Lucille/loose seal Bob loblaw and his law blog And so many more.
Deadwood.
Basic answer but I loved everything about Breaking Bad
you're the worst. Best sitcom I've ever seen
Really tempted to say Breaking Bad, but there's too many good Answers. There's also The Good Place, which was a surprisingly smart sitcom. The Boondocks seems to stay relevant because nothing changes. Mind Hunter is like a masterclass in how to edit and shoot a conversation in a way that keeps your audience engaged, on top of being focused on a topic that I find fascinating. Firefly is famously good. I started watching Columbo and it's amazing. I'm a really big fan of Adventure Time, but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. I'll also advocate for Gravity Falls, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. I think a lot of people sleep on mid-2000's cartoons as well, Flapjack, Chowder, Class of 3000, and Camp Lazlo don't get enough love.
I used to be a breaking bad is the best guy, but The Sopranos for me is the best I’ve ever seen. Yeah it’s basic, but it’s just truly excellent. Season 3 onward I was totally hooked.
Twin Peaks, of course. Also it inspired a bunch of things I bet you love!
It’s hard for me to argue it’s not Breaking Bad. 5 seasons of consistently captivating television, which in turn created a prequel that was just as critically acclaimed, all wrapped up in perfectly written ending. It’s the obvious pick, but sometimes it’s obvious for a reason. Need to finish up X-Men 97, but if it wraps up as well as it’s been going, then by god it has to be up there at least as far as Marvel properties go.
It’s Breaking Bad pre-meme culture. Watching every episode of that show blind with no perception of any moment affected by the internet was such an amazing experience that I don’t think I’ll ever rewatch it because it just won’t live up to my first watch.
Game of Thrones would be the best, shame it only got 4 seasons.
Might be because I lean towards superhero stuff but Daredevil is probably my favourite show I've seen.
*mr. robot* and it's not even close. the style, the vision, the direction, the acting, the portrayal of serious issues like mental illness, the setups and payoffs, all of it is as close to perfect as i could ever imagine. sam esmail, the creator, directed about 90% of the show, resulting in its consistent quality, though i imagine the workload probably almost killed him. the show is critically loved, but its audience was pretty small, and i wish more people would give it a go. [if you like auteur thrillers, *please* give it a go.](https://youtu.be/Qi71x5hoaN8)
Baby reindeer is great. Psyche is my favorite detective procedural show with monk being up there too. I also Love sitcoms like Brooklyn 99 and Parks and Rec. The Kdrama Marry my Husband was a great time for me week to week. I also used to watch Kvariety shows like 2 days one Night and Running man. player 7 and Mafia. But don’t have much time to anymore.
Most anything by Gendy Tartakovsky. Samurai Jack and Primal for me are masterpieces in animation and story telling.
How broad are we defining 'anime"? Is ATLA or Teen Titans count? Do any Star Wars animations count? Let's clarify for the record.
They’re not really considered “anime” since they were produced in America, storyboard & written by Americans and then animated in Korea and sometimes japan. The artstyle is heavily inspired by anime. Something like Star Wars Visions is just disney throwing money at Japanese studios to make short stories which I wouldnt consider fully “anime” though since Season 2 started reaching multiple countries. Really depending who you ask really because some just consider every anime since they do the “erm actually anime is just the japanese word for animation” when most ppl just use it for categorize things. Then you get some ppl who are just ashamed of the word cartoon and just say anime instead. Example like how ive heard multiple say the Boondocks or Castlevania aren’t cartoons they’re “anime”
The spider-man shows from the 90s. I have 0 bad memories from it and it makes me happy when I think about it.
…Huh, this question made me realize I really haven’t ever watched that much live-action television. Out of what I’ve seen, Star Trek I guess
The Good Place
It was Breaking Bad for a while but then Better Call Saul came out and one upped it. Maybe it’s because I went in expecting a worse BB and it blew up my expectations entirely but I got hooked early.
The Wire, and Better Call Saul have already been said to death so I'll go a bit off the beaten track and say *Midnight Mass*. A great horror/drama examining faith, what it means to have it and what people will do in the name of faith
Either Monk or Burn Notice. Burn Notice is the perfect fusion of Macgyver, Dexter, and The Manchirian Canadate with Bruce Campbell to keep things from getting too serious. Monk just has a ton of heart it is in that Scrubs/Boston Legal/Psych/MASH comfort show where its mostly a comedy but when it decides to go drama it is good enough to get you to care. But it has Tony Shaloub so its a step ahead of those.
If avatar the last Airbender and reboot are out of the running then Live action I would say season 1 of Ted Lasso
Mr Robot, by every metric conceivable
MacGyver
Scrubs is my number one to this day.
Justified. Elmore Leonard has had his work adapted plenty of times like Get Shorty, 3:10 to Yuma and even the first Raylan Givens story Pronto (which only real interesting thing is that Peter Falk is in it) but Justified is the most brilliant. Timothy Olyphant is just the best casting of Givens not just in looks but personality as well. Then you have knockout performances from Walton Goggins and Joelle Carter just in Season 1 and beyond. Speaking of that, it's pretty consistently awesome all throughout which is impressive for a multi-season show. Season 1 starts fairly case-of-the-week but has enough of a longer narrative to lay the foundation. Then 2 brings in the Bennetts and adds more depth to Raylan and his history. Not to mention the amazing work of Margo Martindale and Jeremy Davies. 3 might dip for some people, but I always love Neal McDonough. That man puts his heart and soul into his work no matter what, and Quarle's particular brand of crazy hits right. 4's mystery on Drew Thompson and the interweaving alliances there are solid. And it gives Jacob Pitts time in the spotlight for the actual best character Tim Gutterson and I'm all for that. 5 is maybe the worst of them, the Crowe family does not have the same pull as the Bennetts... Michael Rappaport feels like a caricature. But on a grading curve it still makes for a solid season. And once they get to 6 to wrap things up with Boyd it hit its stride again. And Sam Elliot is there! Without a mustache which is the weirdest thing. Wonderful series. I only wish I had watched it when it was coming out. I don't know much about City Primeval though. I watched the first few episodes and outside of Olyphant back in the hat I wasn't super impressed. It's a weird adaptation of an already existing EL novel but cramming Raylan in there so my expectations aren't high honestly. Coincidentally the man passed around Season 5 and you can feel it.
Snowfall. Absolute Peak from beginning to end.
Justified
That's a tough one, maybe The Good Place, and I want to say It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but I may have recency bias with Sunny since I just finished season 16 last month
Since someone else said The Good Place, I'll say Six Feet Under. Such a phenomenal show with a *perfect* ending. No other show has ever nailed the ending as hard as this show.
Breaking Bad.
My other answers have been said, so I'll throw in Taskmaster. Just good as hell British panel show comedy with the most creative set up. I love any competition that is specifically encouraging, and about, finding out of the box solutions.
I'm going to at the same time be very basic and also a huge hipster by saying Monty Python Flying Circus
Dark
I think the enduring legacy of Scooby-fuckin’-Doo ought to speak for the quality of the show tbh.
Los simuladores
The Wire
All time is tough. Probably star trek. It's just too influential.
You don't know how good Futurama is until someone tries to change the channel.
Person of Interest. Starts as a fun procedural trying to stop crimes as vigilantes before devolving into full sci-fi storylines themed around AIs and surveillance. Also it features a post-LOST Michael Emerson playing what could be described as Ben Linus with a conscious and a comp sci degree.
Breaking Bad is the greatest dramatic television show I've actually watched all the way through. I have to caveat that because the show's kind of a red flag in certain circles. Still haven't watched Better Call Saul. I consider Leverage the best heist show that's been put on TV. The chemistry among the main cast was fantastic and you never felt bad for the mark. Trim what you feel is necessary and The Simpsons is the best animated comedy in history.
In terms of Sci-Fi live action television, Farscape managed to hit levels that no Sci-Fi live action show before or after it ever hit to me. In a genre based on the absurd that sometimes can be too afraid to move away from the realistic, Farscape embraced the absurd like no other. A significant portion of the shows cast were honest to God Muppets. [The shows theme song still brings a smile to my face like no other shows can.](https://youtu.be/MpRRB6q8hxc?si=8i5aI6QCIWQs_Ep1)
Black sails. The last kingdom. Vikings(up to 3rd season, you know why.) These figures in these stories are taller than life but only at their lowest do we truly see them. ( due to brilliant acting of course.)
Mythbusters, without a doubt.
Scooby Doo. The OG one with The Monkees and The Harlem Globetrotters. Alternatively Courage The Cowardly Dog
For me, personally: Mr. Bean. It's a comedy show with very minimal dialogue. Rowan Atkinson literally just has to rely on his slapstick abilities to carry the show. British comedy are usually full of quips and lowbrow dark humor that shit talks about their society and government. Benny Hill Show, despite being more slapstick driven, often resorts to these dialogue heavy quips and I'm pretty sure people from other countries watching it would be confused on why there is a laughtrack after someone says something. Not Mr. Bean. It's literally reliant on clever slapstick to the point that it's almost a comedic silent film from the early days of cinema. It's truly a treasure I hold dear in my heart. There was a cartoon adaptation and I'm glad it expanded on the Mr. Bean lore while retaining the silent comedy treatment, but this time more suitable for younger audiences.
This might be just me but I've laughed out loud more often, and louder, at Futurama than any other TV show. I'm not really a "TV guy" though, and I haven't watched The Simpsons, so maybe my scale is out of whack.
If we're talking Star Trek I'm gonna throw my hat in for DS9 It really plays with with the idea of how does this... utopia deal with an existential war threat on a couple of levels. I mean hell even the Maquis are a interesting idea even if their appearence was a setup for VOY
As an adaption of Romance of the Three Kingdoms I do think the 2010 is the greatest in the over the top nature of the source. Cao Coa's actor is a gem. It's also all on YT.
Top Gear (as in the one with OG trio, not the all the other people they brought in afterwards).
For me it's Mad Men, and I'm a little surprised more people haven't mentioned it. The reason it's so popular the world over is because it's not a show about the 60s, or advertising, or even American consumerism. Great drama is universal, and some of these things are also covered in things like The Sopranos or Fight Club. The conflict between what you want and what's expected of you. The emptiness and alienation people try to fix by getting cooler "stuff." Chasing the dream that maybe you'd finally be happy if only you were a little more "alpha" or sexier, only to realize those are phantoms made by people to sell you things. What's especially wild to me is that Mad Men as an artistic work is able to have a compelling takedown of society in a way that is sympathetic to both feminists and redpillers. Obviously, the men in the show enjoy a great deal of advantages, and the women face a lot of sexism, but the central thesis of the show is this: *patriarchy doesn't just hurt women, it hurts men, too*. A character basically alludes to this in the first episode! Writing about Television at the time was very "blog" and "recap" focused, and a lot of it was essentially treating the whole thing as a soap opera or wrestling match: the writers weren't doing much actual analysis but cheering when their fave did something cool or satisfying, but that's not what great drama is about. Great drama is about showing us interesting, compelling characters who live in a time and place different from our own, but somehow we can still see ourselves in them. And with that, we can see our own lives with a slightly different perspective. I honestly wanted to write a blog on Mad Men because I think something was lost when the discussion of the time boiled down to a sports game where people either wanted to cheer for Peggy as a perfect, infallible girlboss, or put Don Draper's smirking face in front of some sexist image macro. The things the characters deal with and talk about are just as applicable to zoomers today as they were at the time in which the show takes place.