What's the best TV show EVER?
October 25th 2006 23:17
Now this is a tough question, and really it is all relative because everyone likes different shows. But, I'm curious. What people think.
What would you base your decision on? There are so many different catagories to form an opinion on this. The first being, whether or not you were/are completely obsessed with this show.
Also, did/does the show make a profound impact on TV as a whole? I don't think ratings has much to do with it. If we went by ratings alone it would be Baywatch, and that's really scary.
So, taking all that into consideration. After reviewing everything. I'm split. I have to considerations. Not only because I absolutely adore the shows, but because they completely changed the way we watch TV.
The 2 shows are:
Both these shows redefinded their genres. 24's influence is still being felt today. Just check out all the serial dramas that premiered this year. Truly, both of these shows have totally reinvented the way we watch TV.
So my question is to you, the reader, what would you name as the best show or shows ever? And Why?
What would you base your decision on? There are so many different catagories to form an opinion on this. The first being, whether or not you were/are completely obsessed with this show.
Also, did/does the show make a profound impact on TV as a whole? I don't think ratings has much to do with it. If we went by ratings alone it would be Baywatch, and that's really scary.
So, taking all that into consideration. After reviewing everything. I'm split. I have to considerations. Not only because I absolutely adore the shows, but because they completely changed the way we watch TV.
The 2 shows are:
SEINFELD
24
Both these shows redefinded their genres. 24's influence is still being felt today. Just check out all the serial dramas that premiered this year. Truly, both of these shows have totally reinvented the way we watch TV.
So my question is to you, the reader, what would you name as the best show or shows ever? And Why?
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Comment by TonyK
AFL Central
My reason for Friends is not only because its a great comedy but the way it influenced society, from the millions of women who got Rachel's hairdo and all the other things it helped inspire.
But thats just my personal opinion, its all very subjective I guess.
Comment by Aaron
But, I can't see eye to eye with you on Friends. But, that's what this post was all about. I just want to see people's reasoning behind their choices.
Aaron.
Comment by TonyK
AFL Central
Comment by Aaron
I can't say that Friends was ever funnier than Seinfeld though.
Aaron.
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Wow, what a difficult question. There are so many great shows around (and a great many rubbish ones too). I guess all I can go by is the first thought that popped into my head when I read your post.
One of my fav shows ever was the 1980s program Quantum Leap with Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell. I loved the show at the time and I've still got a couple of episodes on video tape. Please don't ask me why ... I guess it just appealed to my love of all things time travel related.
I also love mini-series like ANZACS and For The Term of his Natural Life. They both have excellent story lines and brilliant acting, which always helps.
TV is about learning and escapism for me, making my mind think about what I'm watching and all of these shows did this.
A.H.
Comment by anonymous
Comment by Aaron
Thanks for dropping in.
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
Thanks for making your voice hear anonymous.
Aaron.
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
I vote for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which I think reinvented just the kind of layers that can be brought to the screen via episodic television. Buffy managed to reinvent itself with every new episode, borrowing from genres as diverse as action, comedy, romance, horror, coming-of-age and musicals and had remarkable retro-continuity, ofa type very atypical of a TV show. Angel is also similiarly engaging as a postmodern work.
Comment by Aaron
Buffy and Angel have huge and rabid fan bases. And I can see that it really did do a lot for the Fantasy/Sci Fi genre of TV.
Aaron.
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Sarah Michelle Gellar was the reason I didn't watch the show until its 5th season... I thought she was a bad role model for young girls due to her body shape, and I still don't know that Joss Whedon (the creator) should be promoting female beauty along such skinny lines, but the show actually deals with her as being marginalised as a skinny blonde. Buffy's opponents habitually write her off as weak until they see what she's capable of (her physical strength is meant to be a metaphor for emotional weight).
I think Buffy engages social issues in a much more interesting and informed way than most shows that operate under the tag of 'realism'.
Comment by Aaron
I kinda just meant, as an actress I think she's just not that good. But, you've got a great point there. And I'm sure that's what was meant by her character.
Aaron.
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Comment by RUSerious
My second would be St Elsewhere, which I think was the precursor of all of the medical shows we see today.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Nina
TV Babble
I agree with you on Seinfeld, it broke the boundaries of Sitcoms, characters and plots and paved the way for a different generation of comedy. I also agree with TonyK and his nod to the Simpsons - it was really the catalyst for bringing adult cartoons to the relative mainstream in the West.
Postmoderncritic's assessment of Buffy is spot on- while critics wrote it off as udicrous show with a tiny blonde girl battling vampires, the plotlines were much deeper than that. Postmoderncritic summed it up better than I ever could.
Another show would have to be Alias. What could have been just another spy show was so much more than that - the rambaldi storyline brought an extra level of meaning to the show that is absent in your run of the mill action drama. I would contest that, since the shows started in the same year, it is really the combination of Alias and 24 that have brought about the revolution of dramas.
Comment by The Voices in my Head
The Voices in my Head
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Friends - not very original I'm afraid)
Seinfeld - how many Seinfeld phrases have crept into our lives)
Will and Grace - I agree with Voices, that they were human and relatable
Love My Way - amazing program that didn't shy away from dealing with death and grief.
Secret Life of Us - only the earlier episodes though
I'm sure I'll think of a few others later....
Comment by Aaron
Seinfeld was the show of my era. It is interesting to see that the shows people think are the best are the shows from their eras.
Aaron.
Comment by Luke
Book Club
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
it's clearly Doctor Who
Comment by Aaron
What a great movie that was.
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
But, out of Alias and 24, which one is still going? Hmmm? HAHA! just kidding. I just never got into Alias. It just wasn't for me. But, from reading everything people say about it, it was quite the influential show.
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Luke
Book Club
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
I'm not from that era, and I find it funny.
But I'm not sure it's better than the movie, the movie's pretty good.
Comment by Aaron
OH NO! 2 Will and Grace--ers? EEEK! LOL! It's all good. Yeah that show just never did a thing for me.
Aaron.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Nina
TV Babble
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Luke
Book Club
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by The Voices in my Head
The Voices in my Head
That's ok...you don't have to agree with me...millions of others did..*smile*
Voices~
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I'm from England so I'm not sure how big Dr Who was here in Australia. It was huge in England and was definitely a big part of my childhood. Tom Baker was my favourite doctor
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
SIX FEET UNDER
FAWLTY TOWERS
THE YOUNG ONES
BLACK ADDER (2nd & 3rd series)
M.A.S.H. & SEINFELD (selected episodes)
DOCTOR WHO (Jon Pertwee & Tom Baker, selected episodes)
FREAKS AND GEEKS
REN & STIMPY
BUTTERFLIES
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
1. Simpsons - a cartoon that is as much (if not more) for adults than kids. And so damned clever
2. M.A.S.H - the show ran for longer than the Korean War that it was based on last for! War/Medical Drama/Comedy. What a combination.
3. Buffy - sci/fi made accessible to everyone. And Joss Whedon is a master of pop culture.
4. Seinfeld - even if you're not a fan of this show you have to admit that it changed tv comedy.
5. West Wing - I think this was a brilliant show. Not least because Martin Sheen was exactly the President we all wish the US had.
My honorable mentions go to (honorable because I can honestly say I've never watched an episode of either of these two shows, but you can't deny that they deserve their place in the list) :
-Dr Who
-Star Trek
I'm going to stop now before I think of any other shows that I LOVE.
Comment by KarenC
Genghis Gal
The Shield. Very confronting television. Vic Mackey is an amoral bastard and yet I find him a really sympathetic character. Michael Chiklis is a genius in being able to pull this off.
Alias. Jennifer Garner occasionally annoys the hell out of me, but I overlook that and just go along for the ride.
24. Fantastic show. American drama at its fist pumping, gung ho, patriotic best.
Scrubs. Surreal, moving and one of the funniest shows ever made.
Curb Your Enthusiasm. I never got into Seinfeld but this Larry David show is one of the wittiest, clever shows I've ever seen.
And finally I'm going to go with Spooks. Keeps me glued to the set from beginning to end.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
Great picks on 24 and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Curb is an amazingly funny show. Every time I watch it though I'm reminded of Arrested Development
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
That's got to count for something.
Aaron.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Johanna
PCOS Mum
Comment by Anonymous
(Sorry, don't have time to log in as Homer) ...
Fawlty Towers and Ripping Yarns (especially one particular episode: The Testing of Eric Olthwaite, about the most boring person in the world ...) ...
Homer ...
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Legally Brunette
My Wedding
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Eastenders (a national institution)
Men Behaving Badly
Coupling
Gimme gimme gimme
Spooks
Um, can't think of anymore at the moment....
Comment by Johanna
PCOS Mum
Comment by Luke
Book Club
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
You said 'Longest running primetime show ever", not 'longest running american primetime show ever', and your blog is called eTV reviewer, not American eTV reviewer.
Sorry but I just get annoyed when Americans imply or infer that the world begins and ends with America.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
And then "Magnum PI" and "Chips" and who can forget "Bionic Woman" and the original "Flipper".
Plus "Airwolf" and "Get SMart","Green Acres" and "Bonanza"
Ah I could go on, there aren`t many that can touch on these oldies!
Ash
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Emily
Oh and I agree on The Simpsons too. Definitely. Nothing changed TV like the Simpsons did.
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
I watched a few of them, and they were just terrible. LOL.
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
Coronation Street is the longest running show ever. Sorry.
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Sandi
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Luke
Book Club
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by Lizard68591
The Blog Formerly Known As Saturday Morning Movie Club
Saturday Morning Movie Club
God damn that Edith Bunker was hysterical!!!
Comment by Stanley
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
37 years, over 4,000 episodes, broadcast in 120 countries with 20 international variations. You know you've made it when you get a guest spot on Sesame Street.
Hands up who can't recite at least one Sesame Street song/catch phrase or number count.
Comment by KarenC
Genghis Gal
My favourite, the one that I sing to my nieces all the time, is "C is for Cookie, and Cookie is for me."
Comment by Aaron
Never watched All in the Family. Heard of it, never watched it though.
Welcome to Orble.
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
Or I'll round-house kick you through a barn door, lol.
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
But, Sesame Street, never thought of it that way.
7 bats ha ha ha 7...
Aaron.
Comment by lethalpiano
West Wing was my personal favourite. I don't understand politics at all so it was an entertaining education for me. Plus, the all-star cast! Rob Lowe, Martin Sheen, Brad Whitworth, Alison Janney, Richard Schiff, Stockard Channing and I'm gonna marry "Donna"!!!
Comment by movieland
i have really enjoyed with Friends. The performances and players were just amazing. i am sad that it doesn't have new episodes anymore
I miss them!!!
Osman
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Brilliant stuff!
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Then;
LOST IN SPACE
STAR TREK (Original and Voyager)
TOP OF THE POPS (uk)
COUNTDOWN (Aus)
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (Early Days)
Now;
FRASIER
SENFIELD
SIMPSONS
Comment by Whatever
WHATEVER
Other than that, my FAVOURITE is definitely Seachange. Best in Australian acting and writing that I am yet to see on TV.
Yes, Saturday Night Live was Gold.
Comment by C-Blog
Australian TV (RJHH)
InsideThe Cynic
I'd have to agree with the Simpson's fans, I've been watching The Simpsons for years.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
Media Watch during the Benevolent Dictatorship of Stuart Littlemore
Comment by Johanna
PCOS Mum
Comment by Legally Brunette
My Wedding
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Secret Life of Us was another one that I stayed up to tune in to, although it seemed to lose something each time one of the original cast members left. Although I was sorry to see it go, it wouldn't have been the same now Deb Mailman has left as well.
Seseme Street ... sorry, can't stand it, even though I have two children. How about Play School, what a classic. And Simon Burke is really nice to tune in to twice a day!
A.H.
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
I loved the Tomorrows People too, I'd forgotten, thanks for reminding me.
Lilla...
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
just another couple paw prints...
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Adrienne
Celebrity Fox
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by theadora
at the boardroom
Ad Magnum Opus
now - there are some brilliant episodes of Criminal Intent (then again i am a little biased because i love vincent d)
seriously if you enjoy great interplay between characters this show has it (anti-thesis, a person of interest)
Comment by Adrienne
Celebrity Fox
Comment by Aaron