Top 20 Greatest TV Shows Ever
Here are, in my opinion, the best TV shows in any genre, and the top 5 episodes within each TV show.
Honorable Mentions:
The Sopranos: About a mob boss trying to maintain a balance in his attention to his real family and problems with his crime family. In terms of production and writing, this is one of the greatest shows of all time. But a terrible ending keeps it out of my list.
Lie To Me: This Psychological Crime Thriller about the new-born science of reading facial expressions staring Tim Roth, started out as one of the best Crime shows to date, but the series steadily decline throughout the second and third season, resulting in its cancellation.
Homeland: As far as TV shows and movies about the post-9/11 war on Terror goes, Homeland is pretty unbiased, but the show is simply to young to be considered as a show for the ages.
Lost: A fast-paced exciting story about a mysterious island where the passengers of an American Airline flight are stranded slowly turned into a far-fetched pseudo-scientific time-travel show that answered none of the questions it created. As with Sopranos, the show also failed miserably at its finale.
A Bit of Fry & Laurie: A Brilliant british sketch show that would definitely be on this list except for the fact that it's not for everybody.
Mr. Bean: Another hilarious british show, that would be on this list if it were longer.
Honorable Mentions:
The Sopranos: About a mob boss trying to maintain a balance in his attention to his real family and problems with his crime family. In terms of production and writing, this is one of the greatest shows of all time. But a terrible ending keeps it out of my list.
Lie To Me: This Psychological Crime Thriller about the new-born science of reading facial expressions staring Tim Roth, started out as one of the best Crime shows to date, but the series steadily decline throughout the second and third season, resulting in its cancellation.
Homeland: As far as TV shows and movies about the post-9/11 war on Terror goes, Homeland is pretty unbiased, but the show is simply to young to be considered as a show for the ages.
Lost: A fast-paced exciting story about a mysterious island where the passengers of an American Airline flight are stranded slowly turned into a far-fetched pseudo-scientific time-travel show that answered none of the questions it created. As with Sopranos, the show also failed miserably at its finale.
A Bit of Fry & Laurie: A Brilliant british sketch show that would definitely be on this list except for the fact that it's not for everybody.
Mr. Bean: Another hilarious british show, that would be on this list if it were longer.
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- CreatorTrey ParkerMatt StoneBrian GradenStarsTrey ParkerMatt StoneIsaac HayesFollows the misadventures of four irreverent grade-schoolers in the quiet, dysfunctional town of South Park, Colorado.Without a doubt the greatest TV show of all time. With more than 200 episodes in the bag, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the creators of South Park, somehow manage to still be hilarious, while enduring controversy after controversy as they poke fun at America and its culture.
Must-See Episodes: Scott Tenorman Must Die, 200, You're Getting Old, Mecha Streisand, 'Make Love, Not Warcraft' - CreatorLouis C.K.StarsLouis C.K.Hadley DelanyUrsula ParkerThe life of Louie C.K., a divorced comedian living in New York with two kids.Louis CK stars in, directs, writes and edits all the episodes of this revolutionary independent series. Although the series began loosely based on the real-life Louis CK, it gradually got darker and more surreal. The show has been frequented by many top-notch comedians and actors, and also features stand-up clips by Louis CK in the style of Seinfeld.
Must-See Episodes: Late Night (3 Parts), Duckling, Come On God, Poker/Divorce, Dentist/Tarese - CreatorDavid ShoreStarsHugh LaurieOmar EppsRobert Sean LeonardUsing a crack team of doctors and his wits, an antisocial maverick doctor specializing in diagnostic medicine does whatever it takes to solve puzzling cases that come his way.Hugh Laurie does a perfect job at portraying an anti-social diagnostic medicine savant, Dr. House, while Robert Sean Leonard does an equally amazing job at portraying House's loyal best (and Only) friend, in a pair that has drawn comparisons to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. If that's not enough, on the medical front, House and his diagnostic team deal with increasingly extraordinary medical cases that are mostly based on real-life patients.
Must-See Episodes: House's Head, The Jerk, House vs. God, No Reason, Broken - CreatorSeth MacFarlaneDavid ZuckermanStarsAlex BorsteinSeth MacFarlaneSeth GreenIn a wacky Rhode Island town, a dysfunctional family strives to cope with everyday life as they are thrown from one crazy scenario to another.Created by the enfuriatingly-gifted Seth MacFarlane, this TV Show follows the footsteps of many family-oriented Animation shows, but set itself apart from the bunch, by being chaotically random.
Must-See Episodes: Barely Legal, 420, Stewie Kills Lois, Peter's Two Dads, Death Lives - CreatorDavid E. KelleyStarsJames SpaderWilliam ShatnerCandice BergenBoston Legal is a spin-off of the long-running David E. Kelley series The Practice (1997), following the exploits of former Practice character Alan Shore (James Spader) at the legal firm of Crane, Poole, and Schmidt.An ordinary courtroom drama series with a twist. Set in Boston and around the lawyers at a very respectable firm, the series deals with extremely unique situations and in doing so, critiques the politics and the laws of the U.S and its justice system. Most episodes contain amazing closing arguments by Alan Shore (portrayed by James Spader), the firm's leading lawyer, which are perhaps the strong suit of this show.
Must-See Episodes: Schmidt Happens, Schadenfreude, Fine Young Cannibal, The Good Lawyer, The Court Supreme - CreatorLarry DavidJerry SeinfeldStarsJerry SeinfeldJulia Louis-DreyfusMichael RichardsThe continuing misadventures of neurotic New York City stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his equally neurotic New York City friends.In terms of the sheer quantity of funny episode, this show is perhaps the most constantly funny series of all time. With its unique point of view, the show pokes fun at the routine social situations that everyone is familiar with, this show is the best example of observational comedy.
Must-See Episodes: The Contest, The Pen, The Soup Nazi, The Parking Garage, The Good Samaritan - CreatorAlan BallStarsPeter KrauseMichael C. HallFrances ConroyA chronicle of the lives of a dysfunctional family who run an independent funeral home in Los Angeles.A unique drama series follows the life of a family that owns a funeral home. A great cast and gripping drama (and the fact that it ends great, something most shows seem to be unable to do) make this show truly phenomenal.
Must-See Episodes: The Room, I'll Take You, The Trap, Untitled, Static - CreatorMark BrazillBonnie TurnerTerry TurnerStarsTopher GraceLaura PreponMila KunisA comedy revolving around a group of teenage friends, their mishaps, and their coming of age, set in 1970s Wisconsin.A group of pot-smoking teenagers in the 70s get into various sticky situations in the fictional town of Point Place, Wisconsin.
Must-See Episodes: I Love Cake, The Trials of M. Kelso, The Canadian Road Trip, Eric's Buddy, Stone Cold Crazy - CreatorJames Manos Jr.StarsMichael C. HallJennifer CarpenterDavid ZayasHe's smart. He's lovable. He's Dexter Morgan, America's favorite serial killer, who spends his days solving crimes and nights committing them.Dexter is a like-able serial killer portrayed brilliantly by Michael C. Hall in this incredibly addictive TV show that keeps you at the edge of your seat, even while waiting for a new episode to air.
Must-See Episodes: A Horse of a Different Color, The Big One, Living The Dream, About Last Night, Return to Sender - CreatorLarry DavidStarsLarry DavidCheryl HinesJeff GarlinLarry David stars as an over-the-top version of himself in this comedy series that shows how seemingly trivial details of day-to-day life can precipitate a catastrophic chain of events.Larry David follows up Seinfeld with this largely improvisational TV show that takes a look at the everyday life of a social assassin.
Must-See Episodes: The Bare Midriff, The N Word, The Carpool Lane, The Bisexual, Meet the Blacks - CreatorChristy KaracasBen GruberStephen WarbrickStarsDavid WainTeddy CohnChristopher McCullochIn a surreal world, a large maximum security prison, which houses thousands of dangerous inmates is run by an eccentric warden and his equally odd staff.An insane animation show, set in a violent and surreal universe.
Must-See Episodes: Don't Be a Negaton, Ladies Night, Superbar, Jailbot 2.0, Sticky Discharge - StarsChris O'DowdRichard AyoadeKatherine ParkinsonThe comedic misadventures of Roy, Moss and their grifting supervisor Jen, a rag-tag team of IT support workers at a large corporation headed by a hotheaded yuppie.One of the funniest British comedy series of all time. Follows the adventures of two IT geeks, their computer-illiterate supervisor and their eccentric bosses.
Must-See Episodes: The Red Door, Return of the Golden Child, Are We Not Men?, Bad Boys, Calendar Geeks - CreatorVince GilliganStarsBryan CranstonAaron PaulAnna GunnA chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with a former student in order to secure his family's future.This series has it all: Incredible Story, all-round decent performances, and a great setting. The pace is slow at times, but it just adds to the realism of the show.
Must-See Episodes: Crazy Handful of Nothin', Negro Y Azul, I.F.T, Phoenix, Bullet Points - CreatorChuck LorreBill PradyStarsJohnny GaleckiJim ParsonsKaley CuocoA woman who moves into an apartment across the hall from two brilliant but socially awkward physicists shows them how little they know about life outside of the laboratory.Jim Parsons' portrayal of the Introvert genius Sheldon Cooper alone makes this one of the most hilarious Sitcoms on the air today.
Must-See Episodes: The Middle-Earth Paradigm, The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis, The Adhesive Duck Deficiency, The Precious Fragmentation, The Thespian Catalyst - CreatorLouis C.K.StarsLouis C.K.Pamela AdlonMike HagertyA working class family and their oddball friends.HBO and Louis CK's First attempt at a sitcom was cancelled after only one season because of low ratings but this is one of the funniest sitcoms ever. Yet, considering what Louis CK did next, one can say that it was all for the best.
Must-See Episodes: A Mugging Story, Long Weekend, Control, Discipline, Confession - CreatorCarter BaysCraig ThomasStarsJosh RadnorJason SegelCobie SmuldersA father recounts to his children - through a series of flashbacks - the journey he and his four best friends took leading up to him meeting their mother.This show beats Friends at their own game. A suspenseful story and solid performances by Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Segel, Allyson Hannigan, and a star-studded guest list make this show one of the best romantic comedies ever.
Must-See Episodes: Mary The Paralegal, Swarley, Slapsgiving, The Naked Man, The Broath - CreatorRob McElhenneyGlenn HowertonStarsCharlie DayGlenn HowertonRob McElhenneyFive friends with big egos and small brains are the proprietors of an Irish pub in Philadelphia.A unique series where all the characters are *beep*
Must-See Episodes: The Gang Gets Racist, The Gang Gets Held Hostage, The Nightman Cometh, Mac and Dennis Break Up, Thunder Gun Express - CreatorDavid CraneJeffrey KlarikStarsMatt LeBlancStephen ManganTamsin GreigA couple of British TV producers move to Hollywood to export their most popular series, and find it is not what they expected.A Humorous look at the differences between British and American TV Shows.
Must-See Episodes (The Episodes are named Episode One, Two, etc., and the count goes back to One at the beginning of each season): S1 Episode Two, S1 Episode Four, S2 Episode 2, S2 Episode 6, S2 Episode 8 - CreatorGregory Thomas GarciaStarsJason LeeEthan SupleeJaime PresslyA ne'er do well wins $100,000 in the lottery and decides to right all the wrongs from his past with his newfound realization!A Premature Cancellation closed the curtain on a great cast in this great series.
Must-See Episodes: The Professor, Stole A Badge, Robbed A Stoner Blind, Midnight Bun, Reading Is a Fundamental Case - CreatorChris FedakJosh SchwartzStarsZachary LeviYvonne StrahovskiJoshua GomezWhen a computer geek inadvertently downloads critical government secrets into his brain, both the CIA and the NSA assign an agent to protect him and exploit his newfound skills.A Computer geek accidentally becomes a CIA asset when his college best buddy sends him encrypted government secrets that are downloaded in his brain. This show mixes elements of Action, Comedy and Drama in an unprecedented way.
Must-See Episodes: Chuck vs. The Sizzling Shrimp, Chuck vs. Tom Sawyer, Chuck vs, The Nacho Sampler, Chuck vs. The A-Team, Chuck vs. The Bullet Train