ERA - on Netflix - short stories about various (different) personal interactions in Chicago - interesting.
The current issue of Rolling Stone has their list of Top 100 TV Shows of all time. Here is their Top Ten:
1 The Sopranos
2 The Wire
3 Breaking Bad
4 Mad Men
5 Seinfeld
6 The Simpsons
7 The Twilight Zone
8 Saturday Night Live
9 All in the Family
10 The Daily Show
Their top 5 I'm fairly on board with, after that, not so much.
Some current shows:
Game of Thrones 12
Curb Your Enthusiasm 19
Louie 22
Veep 25
South Park 33
Orange is the New Black 37
The Americans 43
Girls 72
Transparent 73
The People vs OJ Simpson 75
The Walking Dead 77
House of Cards 83
Real Time w Bill Maher 84
The Real World 85
Doctor Who 87
Homeland 89
Broad City 91
Jeopardy 94
Portlandia 97
1 The Sopranos
2 The Wire
3 Breaking Bad
4 Mad Men
5 Seinfeld
6 The Simpsons
7 The Twilight Zone
8 Saturday Night Live
9 All in the Family
10 The Daily Show
Their top 5 I'm fairly on board with, after that, not so much.
Some current shows:
Game of Thrones 12
Curb Your Enthusiasm 19
Louie 22
Veep 25
South Park 33
Orange is the New Black 37
The Americans 43
Girls 72
Transparent 73
The People vs OJ Simpson 75
The Walking Dead 77
House of Cards 83
Real Time w Bill Maher 84
The Real World 85
Doctor Who 87
Homeland 89
Broad City 91
Jeopardy 94
Portlandia 97
There is no way The Sopranos should be above The Wire and Breaking Bad. As good as it was it suffered from a common TV illness: Decide when to quit based on ratings and not on story line. There are many bad episodes (including the Columbus Day episode which was written by the actor who played Christoper) and I think even a whole bad season (6 or 7?). But hey, it's Rolling Stone magazine what can you expect?
quote:Originally posted by The Old Man:
There is no way The Sopranos should be above The Wire and Breaking Bad. As good as it was it suffered from a common TV illness: Decide when to quit based on ratings and not on story line. There are many bad episodes (including the Columbus Day episode which was written by the actor who played Christoper) and I think even a whole bad season (6 or 7?). But hey, it's Rolling Stone magazine what can you expect?
Agreed 100%
quote:Originally posted by The Old Man:
There is no way The Sopranos should be above The Wire and Breaking Bad. As good as it was it suffered from a common TV illness: Decide when to quit based on ratings and not on story line. There are many bad episodes (including the Columbus Day episode which was written by the actor who played Christoper) and I think even a whole bad season (6 or 7?). But hey, it's Rolling Stone magazine what can you expect?
I might have reversed the order of the top 3. Otherwise, the top 10 choices make sense I suppose.
I was surprised that Hill Street Blues and St. Elsewhere fared so poorly.
I couldn't get into the Sopranos and Mad Men. I can watch a random episode but just can't binge watch it. I may have to The Wire another try when I am not exhausted.
Breaking Bad was like their product "Blue Sky." It gave you an immediate lift, and you became hooked instantly.
HSB and St. Elsewhere were the first of its kind. It may have suffered from the fact that most of the readers probably have never watched the shows. But it is someone's list. So who cares.
Breaking Bad was like their product "Blue Sky." It gave you an immediate lift, and you became hooked instantly.
HSB and St. Elsewhere were the first of its kind. It may have suffered from the fact that most of the readers probably have never watched the shows. But it is someone's list. So who cares.
quote:Originally posted by DoubleD:
It may have suffered from the fact that most of the readers probably have never watched the shows.
That's what crossed my mind when I saw All in the Family so low, no MASH, etc.
quote:Originally posted by indybob:quote:Originally posted by The Old Man:
There is no way The Sopranos should be above The Wire and Breaking Bad. As good as it was it suffered from a common TV illness: Decide when to quit based on ratings and not on story line. There are many bad episodes (including the Columbus Day episode which was written by the actor who played Christoper) and I think even a whole bad season (6 or 7?). But hey, it's Rolling Stone magazine what can you expect?
Agreed 100%
Disagree 100%.
I watched the second episode of "Designated Survivor" and am already thinking about dropping it.
I don't really like shows where the entire premise is a mystery ("Who blew up the Capitol and wiped out the government?") that likely isn't going to be solved, if at all, until you are at the end of the season, or even within a year or two.
I don't really like shows where the entire premise is a mystery ("Who blew up the Capitol and wiped out the government?") that likely isn't going to be solved, if at all, until you are at the end of the season, or even within a year or two.
quote:Originally posted by wine+art:quote:Originally posted by indybob:quote:Originally posted by The Old Man:
There is no way The Sopranos should be above The Wire and Breaking Bad. As good as it was it suffered from a common TV illness: Decide when to quit based on ratings and not on story line. There are many bad episodes (including the Columbus Day episode which was written by the actor who played Christoper) and I think even a whole bad season (6 or 7?). But hey, it's Rolling Stone magazine what can you expect?
Agreed 100%
Disagree 100%.
Sopranos Cage Fight. w+a, indybob and TOM.
PH
quote:Originally posted by Rothko:
I watched the second episode of "Designated Survivor" and am already thinking about dropping it.
I don't really like shows where the entire premise is a mystery ("Who blew up the Capitol and wiped out the government?") that likely isn't going to be solved, if at all, until you are at the end of the season, or even within a year or two.
Yeah, why can't they wrap it up in 24 hours?!
the fact mr robot isn't on there invalidates the whole list
quote:Originally posted by Vino Bevo:quote:Originally posted by DoubleD:
It may have suffered from the fact that most of the readers probably have never watched the shows.
That's what crossed my mind when I saw All in the Family so low, no MASH, etc.
MASH was #16.
I doubt it will ever be listed on the top 100 shows all time (which is wildly biased to modern shows) but I am looking forward to Luke Cage tonight.
quote:Originally posted by sunnylea57:
MASH was #16.
Too low, but again most of the voters in a Rolling Stone poll probably haven't seen much or any of it.
quote:Originally posted by Vino Bevo:quote:Originally posted by sunnylea57:
MASH was #16.
Too low, but again most of the voters in a Rolling Stone poll probably haven't seen much or any of it.
I'm thinking this is not a poll, but a list from the staff.
Sopranos was fun but would not make my top 5. Wire is leaps and bounds the best show ever IMO. Have tried to start breaking bad a few times but I haven't had the time to stick it out. It's still on my short list. Getting snipped next month so might binge on that for a couple days will iceing the boys.quote:Originally posted by wine+art:quote:Originally posted by indybob:quote:Originally posted by The Old Man:
There is no way The Sopranos should be above The Wire and Breaking Bad. As good as it was it suffered from a common TV illness: Decide when to quit based on ratings and not on story line. There are many bad episodes (including the Columbus Day episode which was written by the actor who played Christoper) and I think even a whole bad season (6 or 7?). But hey, it's Rolling Stone magazine what can you expect?
The
Agreed 100%
Disagree 100%.
Was Banshee on the list. That's probably the craziest/most fun show I've seen recently.
quote:Originally posted by GlennK:
Sopranos was fun but would not make my top 5. Wire is leaps and bounds the best show ever IMO.
You is so right.
quote:Originally posted by The Old Man:quote:Originally posted by GlennK:
Sopranos was fun but would not make my top 5. Wire is leaps and bounds the best show ever IMO.
You is so right.
There is nothing wrong being on the outside looking in. Clearly this is the case here.
I really enjoyed both The Sopranos and The Wire, but I'd probably give the edge to The Sopranos. Yeah, there were a few dud episodes of The Sopranos and the first season of The Wire might win my vote for best season of a TV show, overall I'd go with Sopranos. Although I enjoyed every season of The Wire, subsequent seasons didn't match season 1 and though it has been awhile since I've watched it I remember at least one season just being good. I believe Sopranos also had about a third more episodes in its run and some great seasons too, so a dud episode here or there didn't diminsh the overall product for me. As for Breaking Bad, I've not yet watched it.
I've watched some episodes of Mad Men and have never been impressed, so it would't be close to my top 10. Nor would The Daily Show. I also have a hard time believing that The People vs. OJ Simpson (75) would be anywhere near my top 100.
But like someone said, it is just someone's list. And when you start comparing different eras and different genres, it is always difficult.
I've watched some episodes of Mad Men and have never been impressed, so it would't be close to my top 10. Nor would The Daily Show. I also have a hard time believing that The People vs. OJ Simpson (75) would be anywhere near my top 100.
But like someone said, it is just someone's list. And when you start comparing different eras and different genres, it is always difficult.
Another Sopranos' problem is the horrendous series finale. I know some people argue that it's brilliant, but there really is no there there. One of the most masterful series endings of all time is from the excellent, mostly overlooked, The Shield.
quote:Originally posted by The Old Man:quote:Originally posted by Vino Bevo:quote:Originally posted by sunnylea57:
MASH was #16.
Too low, but again most of the voters in a Rolling Stone poll probably haven't seen much or any of it.
I'm thinking this is not a poll, but a list from the staff.
I think its simply recency bias.
quote:Originally posted by wine+art:quote:Originally posted by The Old Man:quote:Originally posted by GlennK:
Sopranos was fun but would not make my top 5. Wire is leaps and bounds the best show ever IMO.
You is so right.
There is nothing wrong being on the outside looking in. Clearly this is the case here.
I assume you guys all watched the Wire as when it came out? Everyone I talk to who did absolutely loved it. I just watched it a year ago and don't get all the love. Most people I have talked to who just watched it say the same thing. Maybe it isn't as shocking and disturbing now as it was then? Go ahead and flame me now.
I actually watched The Wire on DVD maybe 3 or 4 years ago (maybe 5). I also didn't watch Sopranos when it was originally running, starting it after it had ended -- maybe a year or so before I watched The Wire.
The problem with almost any "Greatest TV Shows" list is that the vast majority of even the greatest shows are not good all seasons and it becomes a question of what makes a show "great" to you. Take the extreme example of "True Detective". If the first season had ended differently, it could be the greatest season of television ever. But the second season sucked. While "Homeland" is good, its first season was outrageously sublime. "The Sopranos" was exceptional for four seasons and then not for a few more. Even the first few seasons of "Entourage" were great.
I certainly haven't seen even most TV shows, but of those I have, taken holistically, "Seinfeld" and "Game of Thrones" have to be 1 and 2 of traditional plot-oriented shows and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Repot" have to be 1 and 2 of variety shows.
Other shows not mentioned anywhere else in this post with some awesome seasons or just general awesomeness would include:
Arrested Development
The Americans
Dexter
The West Wing
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Saturday Night Live
Last Week Tonight
and while I know those of a different era would tell me I'm nuts to include it as opposed to others, "The Late Show with David Letterman"
Two unsung shows that never took off are "Sports Night" and "Murder One"
I certainly haven't seen even most TV shows, but of those I have, taken holistically, "Seinfeld" and "Game of Thrones" have to be 1 and 2 of traditional plot-oriented shows and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Repot" have to be 1 and 2 of variety shows.
Other shows not mentioned anywhere else in this post with some awesome seasons or just general awesomeness would include:
Arrested Development
The Americans
Dexter
The West Wing
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Saturday Night Live
Last Week Tonight
and while I know those of a different era would tell me I'm nuts to include it as opposed to others, "The Late Show with David Letterman"
Two unsung shows that never took off are "Sports Night" and "Murder One"
My very subjective 'top 10' list:
The Honeymooners
I Love Lucy
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
Seinfeld
Mad Men
West Wing
Game of Thrones
The Honeymooners
I Love Lucy
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
Seinfeld
Mad Men
West Wing
Game of Thrones
quote:Originally posted by winetarelli:
"Sports Night"
Sooooooooooooooooooooo good.
quote:Originally posted by Seaquam:
My very subjective 'top 10' list:
The Honeymooners
I Love Lucy
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
Seinfeld
Mad Men
West Wing
Game of Thrones
Have you tried to watch UNCLE recently? I loved it as a kid, but it just doesn't stand the test of time. Certainly not in the way that the Honeymooners often does. For shows I liked as a kid that can still stand up there's The Avengers and the first four seasons of Have Gun Will Travel.
quote:Originally posted by The Old Man:
Another Sopranos' problem is the horrendous series finale. I know some people argue that it's brilliant, but there really is no there there. One of the most masterful series endings of all time is from the excellent, mostly overlooked, The Shield.
Agree re the Shield, loved the show, the ending was indeed brilliant in that it came as a bit of a surprise and wrapped up the whole series' storyline very credibly.
I would add Homicide, Life on the Street, Band of Brothers, Barney Miller, Big Bang Theory and Taxi to any "Best of TV" list.
I didn't watch it until the series was already over. Re-watched it again recently and it's still my favorite. Also didn't find it shocking or disturbing. Have never heard that used to discribe the wire before? I found it had the best character development of any show I have watched. I felt so vested in each person. I was pulling for the good guys and the bad guys at the same time. Can't remember a show were I've felt that same way.quote:Originally posted by jburman82:quote:Originally posted by wine+art:quote:Originally posted by The Old Man:quote:Originally posted by GlennK:
Sopranos was fun but would not make my top 5. Wire is leaps and bounds the best show ever IMO.
You is so right.
There is nothing wrong being on the outside looking in. Clearly this is the case here.
I assume you guys all watched the Wire as when it came out? Everyone I talk to who did absolutely loved it. I just watched it a year ago and don't get all the love. Most people I have talked to who just watched it say the same thing. Maybe it isn't as shocking and disturbing now as it was then? Go ahead and flame me now.
quote:Originally posted by GlennK:I didn't watch it until the series was already over. Re-watched it again recently and it's still my favorite. Also didn't find it shocking or disturbing. Have never heard that used to discribe the wire before? I found it had the best character development of any show I have watched. I felt so vested in each person. I was pulling for the good guys and the bad guys at the same time. Can't remember a show were I've felt that same way.quote:Originally posted by jburman82:quote:Originally posted by wine+art:quote:Originally posted by The Old Man:quote:Originally posted by GlennK:
Sopranos was fun but would not make my top 5. Wire is leaps and bounds the best show ever IMO.
You is so right.
There is nothing wrong being on the outside looking in. Clearly this is the case here.
I assume you guys all watched the Wire as when it came out? Everyone I talk to who did absolutely loved it. I just watched it a year ago and don't get all the love. Most people I have talked to who just watched it say the same thing. Maybe it isn't as shocking and disturbing now as it was then? Go ahead and flame me now.
I think one of its best feature is the way it twists expectations. At the end of the first season you believe you know what the show is about--drug dealers in the street and undercover street cops who go after them. Then season 2 starts and it's like huh, what? Always fresh, always innovative.
I watched the first episode of Westworld last night. Certainly an interesting concept.
HBO hopes this will be their Game of Thrones replacement. As with Vinyl, no dice.quote:Originally posted by Rothko:
I watched the first episode of Westworld last night. Certainly an interesting concept.
Watched the first episode of Orphan Black on the plane this weekend. Anyone else watch this? I liked the first one.
quote:Originally posted by GlennK:
Watched the first episode of Orphan Black on the plane this weekend. Anyone else watch this? I liked the first one.
Glenn, thanks. I have over 30 hours of flying in the coming weeks.
quote:Originally posted by GlennK:
Watched the first episode of Orphan Black on the plane this weekend. Anyone else watch this? I liked the first one.
Loved it, but it crashed and burned (got overly convoluted) around the beginning of season three. We gave it up. As one who loves science and science fiction may I suggest Fringe? Stumbles over time, but pulls it off.
I watched the first couple seasons of Fringe but I found it lost its way as well.
quote:Originally posted by GlennK:
I watched the first couple seasons of Fringe but I found it lost its way as well.
I can see that too.
quote:Originally posted by The Old Man:quote:Originally posted by GlennK:
Watched the first episode of Orphan Black on the plane this weekend. Anyone else watch this? I liked the first one.
Loved it, but it crashed and burned (got overly convoluted) around the beginning of season three. We gave it up. As one who loves science and science fiction may I suggest Fringe? Stumbles over time, but pulls it off.
+1 on Orphan Black. First season was really good and second season was pretty good as well. I've since binged watched episodes a couple of times but it is all over the place.
Another of these almost-makes-it sci-fi shows is Eureka. There's more of a comic/nerd twinge to it, but it has a very bold interesting twist at the end of, I think, the third season.
I just watched Timeless' pilot. It's kind of a reboot of the dreadful Time Tunnel from the 60s. Had a few nice things in the first show. The best of these recently, is The Man in the High Castle, but there's only been one season so who knows.
I just watched Timeless' pilot. It's kind of a reboot of the dreadful Time Tunnel from the 60s. Had a few nice things in the first show. The best of these recently, is The Man in the High Castle, but there's only been one season so who knows.