TV On Another Level
by FocoLocoLonzo | created - 21 Aug 2012 | updated - 26 Jun 2015 | Public"Don't you wish there was a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence? There's one marked 'Brightness,' but it doesn't work." --Gallagher
List of TV that doesn't make me feel dumber having witnessed it. Which by no way means I am particularly calling for a reprise/sequel/whatever of any of these. For me, these shows spark a further curiousity or understanding of humanity at-large, in one way or another. Will elaborate more later...
Includes shows that have been, are now or coming soon, in no particular order.
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1. Rectify (2013–2016)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama
Daniel Holden must put his life back together after serving 19 years on Georgia's Death Row before DNA evidence calls his conviction into question.
Stars: Aden Young, Abigail Spencer, J. Smith-Cameron, Adelaide Clemens
Votes: 27,661
2. Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019)
TV-MA | 59 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Convicted of a decade-old crime of transporting drug money, ordinarily law-abiding Piper Chapman is sentenced to 18 months behind bars and quickly discovers the realities of life-changing prison time.
Stars: Taylor Schilling, Danielle Brooks, Taryn Manning, Emma Myles
Votes: 320,349
3. Doctor Who (2005–2022)
TV-PG | 45 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
The further adventures in time and space of the alien adventurer known as the Doctor and his companions from planet Earth.
Stars: Jodie Whittaker, Peter Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, Matt Smith
Votes: 246,734
4. Line of Duty (2012–2021)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Drama series following the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anti-corruption unit.
Stars: Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar, Craig Parkinson
Votes: 70,304
5. Broadchurch (2013–2017)
TV-MA | 1,143 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The murder of a young boy in a small coastal town brings a media frenzy, which threatens to tear the community apart.
Stars: David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Jodie Whittaker, Andrew Buchan
Votes: 127,441
6. Final Witness (2012– )
60 min | Documentary, Crime, Drama
The voices of the dead come to life in this true-crime series which offers a unique look at some of the nation's most shocking murders. Each of the seven episodes will examine one case from... See full summary »
Stars: Thomas Dalby, Morgana Shaw, Madeline Blue, Aemilia Scott
Votes: 247
7. Luther (2010–2019)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
John Luther is a brilliant homicide detective with a knack for getting inside the minds of murderers. Unfortunately, his unconventional methods and personal demons put him at odds with his team.
Stars: Idris Elba, Dermot Crowley, Michael Smiley, Warren Brown
Votes: 154,448
8. Junior Bake Off (2011– )
TV-G | Game-Show, Reality-TV
A spinoff of 'Great British Bake Off, this show features children aged 9-15 battling to win the prize. They are given recipes to bake and also asked to use their own original recipes.
Stars: Harry Hill, Liam Charles, Ravneet Gill, Prue Leith
Votes: 314
The confidence and creativity of these suprisingly articulate pre -teens is quite impressive. The judges provide critique with constructive feedback without resorting to twisting the knife for entertainment value. Nor is there incentive to exploit these kids for fun and profit. Which is why, sadly, I hope they NEVER make an American version.
9.
Elementary (2012–2019)
Episode:
Possibility Two
(2013)
TV-14 | 44 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A wealthy scientist comes to Holmes with a unique case: he believes he has been "poisoned" with a genetic disorder. Holmes has to determine how a healthy person can be contaminated with a genetic disease that no one in his family has.
Director: Seith Mann | Stars: Jonny Lee Miller, Lucy Liu, Jon Michael Hill, Aidan Quinn
Votes: 1,265
10. In the Flesh (2013–2014)
TV-14 | 56 min | Comedy, Drama, Horror
Four years after the Rising, the government starts to rehabilitate the Undead for reentry into society, including teenager Kieren Walker, who returns to his small Lancashire village to face a hostile reception, as well as his own demons.
Stars: Luke Newberry, Harriet Cains, Marie Critchley, Steve Cooper
Votes: 13,932
From script to screen, an AMAZING production. The story is so original and thought out: it considers the complex nature of fear, regret, denial, and forgiveness and plants it in the raw emotional terrain of life after a tragic event (here, a zombie apocalypse/annihilation). Much more of a meditation on the gift of life and second chances, then a blood-and-guts show. Brilliant.
11. Desmond's (1989–1994)
TV-14 | 50 min | Comedy
Meet Desmond, his non-conforming family, and the regulars of his hairdresser salon in Peckham, London.
Stars: Norman Beaton, Carmen Munroe, Ram John Holder, Gyearbuor Asante
Votes: 1,067
So happy to rediscover this with my family. Still sharp, funny, and relevant. Although not sure the relevance is a good thing. You know, whiffs of racial tension and all that. It's sad there hasn't been a successful majority minority show (in America) since The Cos' :(
12. Sherlock (2010–2017)
TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The quirky spin on Conan Doyle's iconic sleuth pitches him as a "high-functioning sociopath" in modern-day London. Assisting him in his investigations: Afghanistan War vet John Watson, who's introduced to Holmes by a mutual acquaintance.
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Una Stubbs, Rupert Graves
Votes: 999,928
13. Derren Brown: Trick of the Mind (2004– )
30 min | Mystery, Documentary
Derren Brown demonstrates his unique powers of psychological mentalism, hypnotism, misdirection and showmanship.
Stars: Derren Brown, Stephen Fry, Martin Kemp, Michel Roux Jr.
Votes: 641
Really anything Derren Brown.
14. Vicious (2013–2016)
TV-MA | 23 min | Comedy
Freddie Thornhill (Sir Ian McKellen) and Stuart Bixby (Sir Derek Jacobi) are an old gay couple who have been together for nearly fifty years. Their lives now revolve around entertaining their frequent guests and hurling insults at each other at every opportunity.
Stars: Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen, Frances de la Tour, Iwan Rheon
Votes: 9,688
15. Rev. (2010–2014)
30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of an Anglican vicar, his wife, and a small but odd group of parishioners in London.
Stars: Tom Hollander, Olivia Colman, Steve Evets, Miles Jupp
Votes: 2,806
16. Louie (2010–2015)
TV-MA | 22 min | Comedy, Drama
The life of Louie C.K., a divorced comedian living in New York with two kids.
Stars: Louis C.K., Hadley Delany, Ursula Parker, Pamela Adlon
Votes: 82,239
17. Wilfred (2011–2014)
TV-MA | 22 min | Comedy, Drama, Mystery
The story of a depressed man who inexplicably is the only one who can see his neighbor's dog as a full-grown man in a dog suit.
Stars: Elijah Wood, Jason Gann, Fiona Gubelmann, Dorian Brown Pham
Votes: 44,400
Devilishly clever
18. Who Do You Think You Are? (2010– )
60 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Celebrities are given the opportunity to research their family trees with surprising and often unexpected results.
Stars: Mocean Melvin, Ken Rogers, Courteney Cox, Julie Bowen
Votes: 1,479
19. Later... With Jools Holland (1992– )
60 min | Music, Talk-Show
Late-night music and chat show with celebrity guests.
Stars: Jools Holland, Paul Weller, PJ Harvey, Robert Plant
Votes: 570
Known, obscure, super-local, way foreign-- good music is good music. 5 bands, 1 stage. Performers are the audience and vice-versa. One big awesome jam--no ego enabling. THIS I would love to see over here, but who could be the American Jools Holland?
20.
20/20 (1978– )
Episode:
What Would You Do?
(2008)
Unrated | Documentary, News
Hidden Cameras are used to capture reactions during everyday scenarios.
Stars: Jessie Coleman, Adrienne Gelo
Votes: 8
21. The Booth at the End (2011–2012)
30 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
An apparently random group of strangers each enter into a Faustian pact with a mysterious figure, whom they believe possesses the power to grant any wish. In return, they must carry out an assigned task and update him on their progress.
Stars: Xander Berkeley, Jennifer Del Rosario, Jenni Blong, Michelle Dunker
Votes: 5,128
22. American Horror Story (2011– )
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
An anthology series centering on different characters and locations, showcasing different aspects of horror.
Stars: Lady Gaga, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Sarah Paulson
Votes: 344,299
23. Key and Peele (2012–2015)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
Project sees Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele in front of a live studio audience bantering about a topic weaved between filmed shorts and sketches.
Stars: Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Metta World Peace, Brendan Hunt
Votes: 25,858
24. TEDTalks (2006– )
TV-G | Talk-Show
Series of talks about technology, entertainment, and design.
Stars: Robert Full, Bill Gates, Richard Dawkins, Dan Barber
Votes: 446
25. Misfits (2009–2013)
TV-MA | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
A group of young offenders doing community service gets struck by lightning during a storm and start to develop superpowers.
Stars: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Joe Gilgun, Iwan Rheon, Lauren Socha
Votes: 107,391
26. Friday Night Dinner (2011–2020)
TV-14 | 24 min | Comedy
Two siblings share their Friday-night dinners at their parents' home and, somehow, something always goes wrong.
Stars: Tamsin Greig, Simon Bird, Paul Ritter, Tom Rosenthal
Votes: 22,235
27. The Young Turks (2005– )
TV-14 | 120 min | News, Talk-Show
A daring, funny, and brutally honest show that covers politics, entertainment, movies, sports, and pop culture.
Stars: Ana Kasparian, Cenk Uygur, John Iadarola, Rick Storm
Votes: 2,185
28. The New Normal (2012–2013)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Romance
A single mother's life after she accepts the offer to be a surrogate mother for a gay couple.
Stars: Justin Bartha, Andrew Rannells, Georgia King, Bebe Wood
Votes: 11,500
29. My Mad Fat Diary (2013–2015)
TV-MA | 47 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Set in the mid-90s at the height of Cool Britannia, a drama based on real diaries takes an honest look at teenage life through the eyes of funny, music-mad Rae
Stars: Ciara Baxendale, Dan Cohen, Jodie Comer, Darren Evans
Votes: 18,895
30. Black Mirror (2011– )
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Featuring stand-alone dramas -- sharp, suspenseful, satirical tales that explore techno-paranoia -- "Black Mirror" is a contemporary reworking of "The Twilight Zone" with stories that tap into the collective unease about the modern world.
Stars: Wunmi Mosaku, Monica Dolan, Daniel Lapaine, Hannah John-Kamen
Votes: 640,784
31. The Unteachables (2005– )
50 min | Documentary
Stars: Mark Halliley, Vivian Hill, Phil Beadle, Ted Wragg
Votes: 11
32. Growing Up Fisher (2014)
30 min | Comedy
A typical family in the middle of a divorce: two kids, mom, dad, and guide dog. Oh, and dad's blind.
Stars: J.K. Simmons, Eli Baker, Ava Deluca-Verley, Lance Lim
Votes: 2,510
33. The Quest (2014– )
42 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Game-Show
Fantasy meets reality as 12 contestants engage in epic challenges in the world of "Everealm", and compete to avoid "banishment" in order to become the one true hero that will save the kingdom.
Stars: Stephanie Nur, Florence Kasumba, Douglas Tait, Mai Duong Kieu
Votes: 1,369
34. The Knick (2014–2015)
TV-MA | 58 min | Drama, History
A look at the professional and personal lives of the staff at New York's Knickerbocker Hospital during the early part of the twentieth century.
Stars: Clive Owen, André Holland, Jeremy Bobb, Juliet Rylance
Votes: 52,574
35. Science of Stupid (2014– )
Reality-TV
Host Richard Hammond, from the hit series Top Gear, explains the science behind videos taken from the Internet.
Stars: Dallas Campbell, Richard Hammond, Damien Gilbert
Votes: 855
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