Best TV Shows
- Thread starter HarrisburgDave
- Start date
So many really good ones have been mentioned.
Can I include PBS? If so then I Claudius is at the top of my list.
Others would be (in no order)
The Simpsons
Mork and Mindy
Soap
Arrested Development
The Crown
Fawlty Tours
All Creatures Great and Small (both old and new)
Speaking of not aging well, Archie Bunker was 46 when All in the Family began ... and Edith was 43.
They had lived rough, rough lives, apparently.
They had lived rough, rough lives, apparently.
We should include Cheers - possibly the best sitcom ever. I wouldn't argue. 2 times as funny as M*A*S*H*.
But, as far as Frazier goes, I go back to my comments about Seinfeld and The Office. Where are the likable characters? Frazier was the most unlikable character on Cheers. His wife was even worse. His brother on Frazier was insufferable. Even the Benny Hill broad and his Dad (and dog) were annoying.
But, as far as Frazier goes, I go back to my comments about Seinfeld and The Office. Where are the likable characters? Frazier was the most unlikable character on Cheers. His wife was even worse. His brother on Frazier was insufferable. Even the Benny Hill broad and his Dad (and dog) were annoying.
Who needs likeable if the characters are funny? Dwight Schrute and Michael Scott were completely unlikeable but hilarious. I would say the same for Cliff Clavin, Lilith Crane and Carla Tortelli.
Surprised no mentions of Parks & Recreation.
B/C he was a narcissistic a**hole maybe? I love Kelsey Grammar. I don't love the character.
+1. Especially Modern Family. Its tone was to make fun of everything and everybody. How it achieved its balance of sweetness and zero PC is something awe-inspiring. Every damn episode.
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There was a forefather to the show w/ a common actor, and it bows to no one when it comes to zero PC.
Apparently, many people in this thread stopped watching TV in 1988.
...and music up until the early 80's. Blame it on the content, not the viewer or the listener.
Content? TV has had a golden age in the past 20-25 years. With the advent of Netflix and streaming, a lot of money shifted towards TV show making the production so much better, as well as the actors. It's really not even close.
Some people aren't looking for production value. They just want to be entertained. Network sitcoms are dead. I agree that there are streaming shows w/ high production qualities. That doesn't mean everyone loves them or wants to watch them.
I just want a WKRP or Three's Company type laugh now and then, and there's nothing out there.
If Married With Children never existed, and it was somehow allowed to debut on Fox next fall w/ the same writing, characters, etc. - it would be the #1 rated show on television. People are starved for stuff like that.
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I'm curious what "garbage" is compared to Three's Company. I thought people only watched that show for the hot chicks.
Reno 9-11 is probably the greatest show of this century. Definitely best comedy, with Gemstones coming second.
IMO
IMO
Quick laughs, physical comedy, double entendres, etc.
Not knocking the streaming shows that I don't pay to watch. Just saying on my hotwire/fision remote control there is nothing to point to other than reruns.
The best tv show that will be aired on my HOA included cable today will likely be Mannix or Cannon at 2AM and 3AM. It is what it is. Prime time network/cable tv is full of pretend singers/entertainers being judged by quasi singers/entertainers, reality garbage, and 48 hours or Dateline type stuff.
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NCIS for me. Mostly the original, but also L.A. and New Orleans
Some "newer" shows that I've liked are
The Americans
The Diplomat (OK, I like Keri Russell)
Slow Horses
Veep
Fleabag
After Life
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24 was such an amazing thing at the time. I tried to rewatch it like two years ago but didn't get very far. However when it was on, man it was just can't miss TV. I was absolutely enthralled by it.
My incomplete list looks like this:
24 - Every minute counted.
Lost - This jumpstarted the mystery box serialized shows that we enjoy today.
Jericho - Super underrated post-apocalyptic show that was cancelled, brought back due to fan intervention and cancelled again.
Stargate (SG:1, SG:A, SG:U) - Some of the best SciFi ever made. A little campy, but good writing, jokes and acting.
The Expanse - Super real take on space exploration.
Battlestar Galactica (remake) - Probably the pinnacle of space operas.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - The gang rarely gets it wrong.
I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson - This is obviously peak comedy and if you disagree you're wrong.
I disagree. I think season three is peak with Neal McDonough. Justified is one of my favorite shows of all time though.
But in that regard and much like George Costanza they never seem to win. I thought Miles was a hoot and I liked Roz and Maddog.
I was a fan of the series. I loved their bedroom farce/stuck in a cabin in the woods episodes.
+100 I liked it at the time but am rewatching it now and some of the later episodes I missed and it is just spot on with a lot of things. The episode where Cam and Mitch get married is one of the funniest things I've seen on network tv in a long time. Nathan Lane is hilarious.
I think the Wonder Years was a great show. If you grew up in the 60’s or 70’s, it pretty much hits on the angst of puberty and wrestling with the social and family pressures of that era. And did it with drama and humor. All the actors were great and I had a huge crush on the sister.
Good pick. Whats crazy is I think the re-boot they did with the Black family was really well done as well. The twist at the end that dovetailed them was great.
But I also see their side of things as well. If I'm looking at strictly Network tv it's not good. There are a few outliers like Tracker, Elsbeth and Matlock but thats about it. I'm not a fan of the NCIS originals series.
Network TV is horrible. I literally haven't watched it in about 20 years. Looking strictly at network TV is like judging restaurants strictly by fast food.LOL.
But I also see their side of things as well. If I'm looking at strictly Network tv it's not good. There are a few outliers like Tracker, Elsbeth and Matlock but thats about it. I'm not a fan of the NCIS originals series.
There has been some really good music put out the last 20 years and it's across a lot of genres.
And here's the thing....that music is really easy to find now days, well ok don't look for it on most terrestrial stations, but a few have it. WTMD in Towson, MD for one. But it's all over TV apps and phone apps. Look for any Adult Alternative Station and you'll find stuff from the 60's through today. But I also know I'm preaching to the choir on this one.
