We haven’t had a list for a while, and there is nothing I love to waste my time on more than lists. So here we go with the Best TV Series of All Time.
This is a very difficult list and one that has so many different factors to weigh. Here are some criteria I am suggesting we should use to evaluate our favorite TV Series.
Cultural Status – Did the series become a cultural phenomenon, can you name a character or line from the show and people immediately know what you are talking about? Did any of the actors or actresses grow to fame and cultural icon status as a result of the show.
Context – Certain shows capture a time and a generation exceptionally well. They may seem dated later on, but at the time they are spot on.
Longevity – Some great series don’t make it more than a season or two, others last too long. But there is something to be said about a shows ability to stay fresh, relevant, and on the air for a long period of time.
Star Power - Who made the show what it was? Some shows have stars, some make stars, some are greater than the sum of their parts. Where does this show fall in the star power spectrum.
Mindblowingness – This is not a word, except now it is. Some shows simply amaze, dumbfound and shock. You have to keep thinking and talking about them well after you watch them.
Episodenicity - Another new term or the amazing moment or two that absolutely defined that series and you can still remember where you were and how you felt when you watched it. This is akin to a clutch last second Jordan hanging over Ehlo to win the series moment. Did the show have any of these?
Syndication Elation – Now I am just rhyming stuff, this is getting silly. Does TNT play this show everyday? Can you sit down and watch an episode over and over again? Do you love finding an episode airing back to back on Fox before prime time hits? If so, you are experiencing syndication elation.
To help compare apples and oranges we can make sure we categorize the shows. Let’s use these categories: Sit-Com, Drama, Cop Show, Anything before 1980 (I have little affinity for old TV Shows, but don’t want to ignore them), Sci-Fi, Mystery Drama, and Other. We can move the categories or add more if needed. Despite their entertainment and relevance I think we should exclude gameshows, news shows, and reality tv from the conversation. The deserve their own post.
Here are some preliminary shows that I would offer for consideration:
The Cosby Show
Cheers
Law and Order
CSI
Family Ties
Lost
The Wire
Star Trek
House
E.R.
Murder She Wrote (What Angela Lansbury is hot? Just checking to see if you are paying attention)
Leave it to Beaver
Twighlight Zone
The Simpsons
Beverly Hills 90210 (this isn’t a joke, I will post as to its greatness later)
NYPD Blue
LA Law
SNL
Seinfeld
Friends
I will end my list there, to give you the chance to name other shows and vote on ones you love. Let’s hear it!
September 15, 2009 at 4:29 pm
the wire
the sopranos
deadwood
the lost room
breaking bad
sons of anarchy( looking to be in my top list )
family guy
September 15, 2009 at 4:31 pm
oh and basically everything hbo is doing is catching my eye at the moment
September 17, 2009 at 9:55 am
Black Books
September 20, 2009 at 11:23 am
Hi,
One of the best written, acted and produced tv series has to be ‘The West Wing’.
As a non USA citizen it is incredibly informative about USA political reality and history. I yearn for some Social Science textbooks so that I can understand about all these people that the script writers refer to! Any recomendations?
Also, Band of Brothers has to be a wonderful testament to the courage and commitment of ordinary people as well as a clear analysis of the true cost of war to us all and especially the combatants. Long may we know such courage and may we no longer need it.
September 27, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Smallville (9 seasons), Entourage, Monk (i think 10 seasons), have to give a vote for friends, the cosby show.
September 27, 2009 at 9:08 pm
and 100 votes for house
October 8, 2009 at 10:11 pm
wow you people are so mainstream x files was the best show of all time.
November 5, 2009 at 2:15 am
1 Heroes!
2 Prison break
November 11, 2009 at 11:16 pm
La Femme Nikita
November 15, 2009 at 4:43 am
HEROES IS THE BEST TV SHOW OF ALL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!