Great list! Mine are... 1. The Wire. 2. Breaking Bad. 3. The West Wing. 4. Succession.
I watched S1 of GoT but couldn't get into it.
I've never seen Deadwood but you've energized me to dive in.
The Sopranos is solid, and I realize mine is the minority opinion, but the reason I would place it more in the #5-#10 range is it's kinda one-note.
I went back to watch The West Wing, thinking, "How could I place a network show that started in the '90s on here?" But S1-4 are incredible; S5 is subpar; S6 & 7 are solid.
Succession was a one-hour drama that doubled as the funniest show on TV. That's never been done.
I wrote a piece comparing The Wire and Breaking Bad. Not to self-promote but our writing styles are similar so thought you might enjoy. Key point?
"Breaking Bad shows the breakdown of the human condition. But many books and shows have portrayed myriad character deteriorations, so we know a person can walk down a path of corruption; as such, it’s nothing we don’t already know. It was incredible to watch to what extent Walter White would go, but The Wire depicts how an entire American city disintegrates. After watching The Wire, we see just HOW that all goes down, which is not at all intuitive. The Wire is a singular show; there’s nothing else like it."
As I scrolled, I was all prepared to make a pitch to you for why Deadwood should make Mt. Rushmore... and then there it was! That's my favorite show of all time.
Sopranos is number one. I’ve watched the entire series a dozen times and it really keeps getting better—and funnier!
The Wire is number two. Like the Sopranos, I watch the entire series each year.
I’ve watched Breaking Bad two or three times through, but haven’t been able to make it through a forth time.
I wish I could agree with GOT, but it became so disjointed with so many different character arcs that maybe got five minutes per episode… and when they wiped out, like, everyone with that green fire nonsense, that was the world’s most egregious case of deus ex machina. Jumping the megalodon!
Two way under-appreciated shows are
—Intelligence, the story of Vancouver’s marijuana trade. Canada killed it after two seasons because they started digging into the water rights.
—Brothers. Politics and organized crime in Providence, RI.
Fantastic picks! Deadwood is so underrated, but magnificent with brilliant acting and gritty realism.
Agreed - even if the 3rd season was weak.
Great list! Mine are... 1. The Wire. 2. Breaking Bad. 3. The West Wing. 4. Succession.
I watched S1 of GoT but couldn't get into it.
I've never seen Deadwood but you've energized me to dive in.
The Sopranos is solid, and I realize mine is the minority opinion, but the reason I would place it more in the #5-#10 range is it's kinda one-note.
I went back to watch The West Wing, thinking, "How could I place a network show that started in the '90s on here?" But S1-4 are incredible; S5 is subpar; S6 & 7 are solid.
Succession was a one-hour drama that doubled as the funniest show on TV. That's never been done.
I wrote a piece comparing The Wire and Breaking Bad. Not to self-promote but our writing styles are similar so thought you might enjoy. Key point?
"Breaking Bad shows the breakdown of the human condition. But many books and shows have portrayed myriad character deteriorations, so we know a person can walk down a path of corruption; as such, it’s nothing we don’t already know. It was incredible to watch to what extent Walter White would go, but The Wire depicts how an entire American city disintegrates. After watching The Wire, we see just HOW that all goes down, which is not at all intuitive. The Wire is a singular show; there’s nothing else like it."
Great piece. That earns you a follow and a recommendation.
By the way I agree with you about Seinfeld > Curb - for the reasons you state and a few others.
Great list! No objections.
As I scrolled, I was all prepared to make a pitch to you for why Deadwood should make Mt. Rushmore... and then there it was! That's my favorite show of all time.
I liked the first season of True Detective, but it doesn't belong in the conversation with these 4, imo
It's a great show. 3rd season was a bit of a letdown, of course.
Sopranos is number one. I’ve watched the entire series a dozen times and it really keeps getting better—and funnier!
The Wire is number two. Like the Sopranos, I watch the entire series each year.
I’ve watched Breaking Bad two or three times through, but haven’t been able to make it through a forth time.
I wish I could agree with GOT, but it became so disjointed with so many different character arcs that maybe got five minutes per episode… and when they wiped out, like, everyone with that green fire nonsense, that was the world’s most egregious case of deus ex machina. Jumping the megalodon!
Two way under-appreciated shows are
—Intelligence, the story of Vancouver’s marijuana trade. Canada killed it after two seasons because they started digging into the water rights.
—Brothers. Politics and organized crime in Providence, RI.
Oh wait—Band of Brothers!
And another under-appreciated show, Generation Kill.