KevinG Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 So over in the Breaking Bad thread I mentioned that I thought Breaking Bad could be (after it ends) the best television show ever (over the Wire). There seemed to be some debate about. I think it is appropriate to discuss this in depth in its own thread. I would however like to set some ground rules (hey it is my thread and I can do what I want). To claim a TV show is the best ever it has meet these requirements:The show has to be and no longer on the air (ie Game of Thrones still on the air does not qualify). You need to take in consideration its beginning middle and end.You cannot say TV show X is the best discounting particular seasons or episodes. You can nominate Lost and say except the Nikki and Paulo episode take the show as a whole and its entirety.None of this category qualifications. You can't say MASH is the best comedy and St. Elswhere is the best drama. It is one or the other.I want to know what you think is the best television show ever made. Not your favorite, best. Also feel free to qualify your answers. So mine as mentioned before is The Wire. The story lines and characters are the most compelling and interesting ever put on TV. Also it stands up to repeating watching. It get more out of it the more I watch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Monty Python's Flying Circus Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Freaks and GeeksMy favorite AND the best.Yeah, it only ran one season. However the characters ALL were intensely relatable and multidimensional and all grew over the course of the single season. Even the most-deplorable character developed some sympathy. And it wasn't done cheaply -- he wasn't shown to be abused or anything -- they just showed his human side. He was a teenager that realized some things in a very real way. And even the most-likeable character showed some flaws.The way they ended the season/series worked as both a season ender and as the end of it all. A great, open-ended thing that implied all sorts of possibilities, both good and bad.The very best. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Three's Company. Ok, lock this thread. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mpolak21 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Freaks and GeeksMy favorite AND the best.Yeah, it only ran one season. However the characters ALL were intensely relatable and multidimensional and all grew over the course of the single season. Even the most-deplorable character developed some sympathy. And it wasn't done cheaply -- he wasn't shown to be abused or anything -- they just showed his human side. He was a teenager that realized some things in a very real way. And even the most-likeable character showed some flaws.The way they ended the season/series worked as both a season ender and as the end of it all. A great, open-ended thing that implied all sorts of possibilities, both good and bad.The very best. I'm with Pop Todd. The Wire, Seinfeld, the first five seasons of West Wing, and Louie are all pretty high on my list as well. Then as an anglophile, I'd nominate Fawlty Towers, Python, The Thick of It, and the first series of I'm Alan Partridge. --Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JUDE Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Riptide or Simon & Simon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
smells like flowers Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 My best and favorite shows: Six Feet Under My So-Called Life Arrested Development I tried The Wire once (watched only the pilot) and was disappointed that it didn't grab me. I've heard it called the best TV show ever and so it's on my list to try it again sometime. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KevinG Posted September 14, 2012 Author Share Posted September 14, 2012 My best and favorite shows: Six Feet Under My So-Called Life Arrested Development I tried The Wire once (watched only the pilot) and was disappointed that it didn't grab me. I've heard it called the best TV show ever and so it's on my list to try it again sometime. You can't give up on The Wire. It is a heady show to figure out if you make it through episode 4 you will be hooked. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moltisanti Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 The Sopranos. No other show even comes close. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Probably All in the Family. Ground-breaking story lines, great acting, funny, poignant. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 So over in the Breaking Bad thread I mentioned that I thought Breaking Bad could be (after it ends) the best television show ever (over the Wire).I agree with you. For me, Breaking Bad is the best television show ever.The Sopranos is a close second. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 It's always a close call for me between Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sports Night. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky speaks Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 My favorites over the years... Leave it to BeaverCombatSNL early yearsBob Newhart (anyone)TaxiCheersMiami ViceSeinfeldSoparanosCurb Your EnthusiasmBoardwalk EmpireDavid LettermanGold RushJustified Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The High Heat Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 First couple of years of both: Law & OrderMoonlighting Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I tried The Wire once (watched only the pilot) and was disappointed that it didn't grab me. I've heard it called the best TV show ever and so it's on my list to try it again sometime. I had the same initial reaction. Then tried again a year later, promising myself to stay with it until Omar shows up. I didn't need to wait that long - was hooked after 2nd episode. Definitely best series ever. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GtrPlyr Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I can't pick just one so I'll go with a bunch: Breaking Bad, Freaks and Geeks, Mad Men, Six Feet Under, The Twilight Zone, Seinfeld, Louie, Arrested Development, Sports NIght, The Larry Sanders Show, SCTV, M*A*S*H, Treme, The Sopranos, Fawlty Towers.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Although I've never been more rapt with a story line than with The Sopranos. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
parisisstale Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Although I love The Wire, Season 5 was a definite letdown for me. Without giving away any spoilers, the main storyline just got too ridiculous.Similar to Breaking Bad imo, Season 5 Six Feet Under might be my favorite show ever....definitely my favorite finale Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Please stop starting your posts with the same word I start mine with. Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JUDE Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Honorable mention: The Black Sheep Squadron and The Rat Patrol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Since the thread isnt locked yet, I'll throw in Curb Your Enthusiasm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Since the thread isnt locked yet, I'll throw in Curb Your Enthusiasm. Agreed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Since the thread isnt locked yet, I'll throw in Curb Your Enthusiasm.I tried. I really did.But, just like with Seinfeld, while I can see it's brilliance and even laugh at a lot of it, the characters piss me off too much, too frequently for me to enjoy the show. CYE even moreso than its predecessor. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Honorable mention: The Black Sheep Squadron and The Rat Patrol. Riceball! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Six Feet Under might be my favorite show ever....definitely my favorite finale I thought it got awful towards the end. The finale was good though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.