Top Ten Television Shows (late 90s to now)
I love television. TV and my laptop are two of the greatest friends I've ever had. They're both always there for you, and they provide whatever you need. This section of the site is devoted to whatever. Long-term sports ideas, movies, everyday life stuff... this is the page where those types of articles will fall. In my initial piece I'm focusing on the greatest television shows (and in some cases portions of the show) of my teenager/adult generation (late 90s to now... I'm going to classify Seinfeild as a bridge between the previous generation and mine since the series' prime took place in the early to mid-90s.). Here we go:
10. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FX)
Plot: Gang of Philadelphia losers own their own bar and get into all kinds of nonsense. [Comedy]
Honorable mentions to Pawn Stars, The Wire, and 30 Rock. I remember sitting in a movie theatre about 6 years ago and hearing somebody sitting near me desribe It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia as Seinfeld on crack. As the show has played out I'm not sure that characterization is 100% accurate. It's Always Sunny just isn't in the same league as Seinfeld'. But it is hilarious. That episode where Charlie officiates a youth league basketball game drunk while the Harlem Globetrotters theme blares in the background is really, really funny. Most of the episodes are really funny. If you're looking for extreme over-the-top (but dry) humor then this is the show. And the addition of comedic legend Danny DeVito gave the show credibility. And give DeVito credit for recognizing he was a perfect fit for the show. One more star on an absolutely tremendous acting career for DeVito.
9. Family Guy (Fox)
Plot: Classic dysfunctional cartoon family... [Comedy]
The Flinstones, The Simpsons, Family Guy... nuff said.
8. The Celebrity Apprentice (NBC)
Plot: Celebrities of different shapes, sizes, and star power compete in business tasks to raise money for their charities. Donald Trump (with children and business associates) fire a different celebrity each week until somebody wins the finale in a heads-up showdown. [Reality TV]
This show really doesn't have a downside. Trump is awesome, fading celebrities get one last shot at glory. Celebrities still popular get to take that one last leap at major stardom. And millions of dollars are raised for great charities. The only problem with the show is that it takes a dip after the extraordinarily entertaining people get eliminated (see Gary Busey/Rob Blagojevich). I have a hard time picturing this show ever getting old. A fresh batch of personalities are always coming in, and - once again - Trump is the man. Three episodes into the season, I'd say Penn (from Penn & Teller) is my favorite to win this season...
7. House (Fox)
Plot: Genius doctor is brutally sarcastic, mean, and great. [Drama... with a lot of humor mixed in]
I've been sitting here for a while... I had a really hard time with this. Number 3 through 7 on this list are centimeters apart in my viewing pleasure level. House is intelligent, funny, and deep. They run House episdoes in marathon loops on CLOO on Wednesday's and Oxygen on Friday's...
6. Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Plot: Former Seinfeld driving force Larry David struggles to exist in society. [Comedy]
I've only been alive since 1983, but is it safe to say that Larry David is the greatest comedy television writer of all time? Seinfeld and Curb? I'm trying to think of a sports analogy for that type of dual excellence spanning over multiple decades and can't come up with one. David's given everyone that has anal tendencies or struggles to understand the confusing day-to-day nuances of life great comedic comfort. And the episode [spoiler alert for those who haven't seen the show] where Bill Buckner drops baseballs and gets harassed all episode, only to make a diving catch of an infant thrown from a burning building, might have been the most genius piece of writing in the history of television. For anyone who doesn't know, Buckner is the ultimate goat in sports history. He is labeled as the guy who cost the Boston Red Sox the 1986 World Series by letting an easy grounder slide past him on the final play of Game 6. And David basically gave him retribution in a television show that also happened to be hilarious. As my Dad has said numerous times: Larry David is a "genius."
5. Arrested Development (originally on Fox, syndicated episodes are on IFC)
Plot: Wealthy, dysfunctional family engages in the smartest humor on television to date. [Comedy]
This is one of those things that makes me worry about our society. Arrested Development cancelled after three seasons? To let a show of the highest level of comedy like this go by the wayside is criminal. And it's too late now. Even if a network was smart enough to pick it back up Jason Bateman and Will Arnett are already lost to "cash in on any cookie cutter movie or television show" land. I can't even do this show justice by writing about it. The only reason Arrested Development isn't even higher on this list is because it was destroyed after three seasons. Those who have seen it know what I'm talking about. If you enjoy dry humor go to your local Target or whatever and buy all three seasons.
4. The Office (NBC)
Plot: Michael Scott runs a paper supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. [Comedy]
Lots of mixed emotions for me concerning The Office. The first four seasons are so incredibly outstanding that it's honestly amazing. Then Carell basically carries the show on his back for the next three seasons. Episodes became really hit or miss, but the great Steve Carell was leading any given episode to comedic gold. Post-Carell the level of the show has ranged anywhere from good to depressing depending on the episdoe. I'll put it this way: I'll watch a syndicated episode from Season 2 I've seen eight times over a brand new episode any day of the week.
3. The Sopranos (originally on HBO, syndicated on A&E)
Plot: Tony Soprano balances his two families in a highly entertaining look at mob life in the 21st century. [Drama]
I originally thought the series took a dip in quality the last couple of seasons, but I've realized that my expectations were simply too high upon reflection. The Sopranos was just a beast of a TV show. Smart enough to cater to the sophisticated. Carnal enough to please the masses. Deep enough to appeal to all. I thought it would be a long time before I found a show to compare it to...
2. Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
Plot: Nucky Thompson, Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Arnold Rothstein and many other mobsters battle for power in the 1920s. [Drama]
This ranking is based on the idea that Boardwalk Empire is going to maintain the quality of the first two seasons for at least five more seasons. Hopefully that's not a major leap of faith. This show's good enough to add HBO to your television package once Season 3 starts up (expected to be in September... why does it always have to conflict with Sunday Night Football? I hate that.) The attention to detail in this show is outstanding. I know how things go down for Capone, but it's really tempting to Wikipedia the show's other characters to see how things end up. Can't do it though... this show's to good to spoil.
1. The Shield (originally on FX... sadly I don't even know if anyone's picked it up since it went off the air. I've seen it on Spike at real odd hours over the years, though)
Plot: Detective Vic Mackey leads an antidrug task force in Farmington, California.
This isn't your typical cop show. The Shield can't be classified as anything other than modern day art. Nobody should ever try to play the corrupt cop again. Micahel Chiklis nailed it with such brilliance... there's no way to top what he did.
To respond to this piece go to our Reader Responses page: http://www.strangeonsports.com/reader-responses.html
Plot: Gang of Philadelphia losers own their own bar and get into all kinds of nonsense. [Comedy]
Honorable mentions to Pawn Stars, The Wire, and 30 Rock. I remember sitting in a movie theatre about 6 years ago and hearing somebody sitting near me desribe It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia as Seinfeld on crack. As the show has played out I'm not sure that characterization is 100% accurate. It's Always Sunny just isn't in the same league as Seinfeld'. But it is hilarious. That episode where Charlie officiates a youth league basketball game drunk while the Harlem Globetrotters theme blares in the background is really, really funny. Most of the episodes are really funny. If you're looking for extreme over-the-top (but dry) humor then this is the show. And the addition of comedic legend Danny DeVito gave the show credibility. And give DeVito credit for recognizing he was a perfect fit for the show. One more star on an absolutely tremendous acting career for DeVito.
9. Family Guy (Fox)
Plot: Classic dysfunctional cartoon family... [Comedy]
The Flinstones, The Simpsons, Family Guy... nuff said.
8. The Celebrity Apprentice (NBC)
Plot: Celebrities of different shapes, sizes, and star power compete in business tasks to raise money for their charities. Donald Trump (with children and business associates) fire a different celebrity each week until somebody wins the finale in a heads-up showdown. [Reality TV]
This show really doesn't have a downside. Trump is awesome, fading celebrities get one last shot at glory. Celebrities still popular get to take that one last leap at major stardom. And millions of dollars are raised for great charities. The only problem with the show is that it takes a dip after the extraordinarily entertaining people get eliminated (see Gary Busey/Rob Blagojevich). I have a hard time picturing this show ever getting old. A fresh batch of personalities are always coming in, and - once again - Trump is the man. Three episodes into the season, I'd say Penn (from Penn & Teller) is my favorite to win this season...
7. House (Fox)
Plot: Genius doctor is brutally sarcastic, mean, and great. [Drama... with a lot of humor mixed in]
I've been sitting here for a while... I had a really hard time with this. Number 3 through 7 on this list are centimeters apart in my viewing pleasure level. House is intelligent, funny, and deep. They run House episdoes in marathon loops on CLOO on Wednesday's and Oxygen on Friday's...
6. Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Plot: Former Seinfeld driving force Larry David struggles to exist in society. [Comedy]
I've only been alive since 1983, but is it safe to say that Larry David is the greatest comedy television writer of all time? Seinfeld and Curb? I'm trying to think of a sports analogy for that type of dual excellence spanning over multiple decades and can't come up with one. David's given everyone that has anal tendencies or struggles to understand the confusing day-to-day nuances of life great comedic comfort. And the episode [spoiler alert for those who haven't seen the show] where Bill Buckner drops baseballs and gets harassed all episode, only to make a diving catch of an infant thrown from a burning building, might have been the most genius piece of writing in the history of television. For anyone who doesn't know, Buckner is the ultimate goat in sports history. He is labeled as the guy who cost the Boston Red Sox the 1986 World Series by letting an easy grounder slide past him on the final play of Game 6. And David basically gave him retribution in a television show that also happened to be hilarious. As my Dad has said numerous times: Larry David is a "genius."
5. Arrested Development (originally on Fox, syndicated episodes are on IFC)
Plot: Wealthy, dysfunctional family engages in the smartest humor on television to date. [Comedy]
This is one of those things that makes me worry about our society. Arrested Development cancelled after three seasons? To let a show of the highest level of comedy like this go by the wayside is criminal. And it's too late now. Even if a network was smart enough to pick it back up Jason Bateman and Will Arnett are already lost to "cash in on any cookie cutter movie or television show" land. I can't even do this show justice by writing about it. The only reason Arrested Development isn't even higher on this list is because it was destroyed after three seasons. Those who have seen it know what I'm talking about. If you enjoy dry humor go to your local Target or whatever and buy all three seasons.
4. The Office (NBC)
Plot: Michael Scott runs a paper supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. [Comedy]
Lots of mixed emotions for me concerning The Office. The first four seasons are so incredibly outstanding that it's honestly amazing. Then Carell basically carries the show on his back for the next three seasons. Episodes became really hit or miss, but the great Steve Carell was leading any given episode to comedic gold. Post-Carell the level of the show has ranged anywhere from good to depressing depending on the episdoe. I'll put it this way: I'll watch a syndicated episode from Season 2 I've seen eight times over a brand new episode any day of the week.
3. The Sopranos (originally on HBO, syndicated on A&E)
Plot: Tony Soprano balances his two families in a highly entertaining look at mob life in the 21st century. [Drama]
I originally thought the series took a dip in quality the last couple of seasons, but I've realized that my expectations were simply too high upon reflection. The Sopranos was just a beast of a TV show. Smart enough to cater to the sophisticated. Carnal enough to please the masses. Deep enough to appeal to all. I thought it would be a long time before I found a show to compare it to...
2. Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
Plot: Nucky Thompson, Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Arnold Rothstein and many other mobsters battle for power in the 1920s. [Drama]
This ranking is based on the idea that Boardwalk Empire is going to maintain the quality of the first two seasons for at least five more seasons. Hopefully that's not a major leap of faith. This show's good enough to add HBO to your television package once Season 3 starts up (expected to be in September... why does it always have to conflict with Sunday Night Football? I hate that.) The attention to detail in this show is outstanding. I know how things go down for Capone, but it's really tempting to Wikipedia the show's other characters to see how things end up. Can't do it though... this show's to good to spoil.
1. The Shield (originally on FX... sadly I don't even know if anyone's picked it up since it went off the air. I've seen it on Spike at real odd hours over the years, though)
Plot: Detective Vic Mackey leads an antidrug task force in Farmington, California.
This isn't your typical cop show. The Shield can't be classified as anything other than modern day art. Nobody should ever try to play the corrupt cop again. Micahel Chiklis nailed it with such brilliance... there's no way to top what he did.
To respond to this piece go to our Reader Responses page: http://www.strangeonsports.com/reader-responses.html
