My Favorite TV Shows of All Time
This will be a running list of my very favorite television shows. Not just shows that I like a bit. This list will only include the very best of the best. I'll try and keep them in close to "in order of preference" rank as I can. See something new to you? Feel free to check it out and hit me on twitter @SidiousStrange to let me know what you think!
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- CreatorGlen A. LarsonRonald D. MooreStarsEdward James OlmosMary McDonnellJamie BamberWhen an old enemy, the Cylons, resurface and obliterate the 12 colonies, the crew of the aged Galactica protect a small civilian fleet - the last of humanity - as they journey toward the fabled 13th colony, Earth."All of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again..." Battlestar Galactica is one of the boldest, most innovative science fiction dramas to hit in gods knows how long. I'm sure you have known at least one person who has praised this show as being "not regular science fiction" or "one of the best shows on television". And it deserves such praise. I was only a casual fan of the original BSG from my childhood. It was as close to Star Wars as I was gonna get on my tv. But this is a new beast altogether. Series producers/writers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick took some elements from the original series, and crafted a very timely tale that focused as much on the human drama than it did the typical sci fi elements like robots and space battles (but oh those "robots" and space battles... they were so very cool here.), crafting a show that deserved to be ranked alongside televisions best dramas of our time. I was able to convert many a friend who cared little to nothing for the genre into fans of this show, due to the compelling human drama that typified this program. And BSG doesn't shy away from timely topics: torture, genocide, suicide bombings... all fodder for the stories of the last survivors of the human race, fleeing their one time subjects, the Cylons, looking for a new place to call home.
If you are going to watch this, please note that it began with a 3 part mini series in 2003, then went to Season One in 2004. It runs for four seasons with two tv movies (BSG: Razor and BSG: The Plan), which should be viewed after the end of Season Two (as Razor stands as sort of a prequel to events in Season Two) and after the Series Finale (as BSG The Plan offers a look at the entire series from the Cylons point of view).
I won't say that this show was perfect. It is my favorite for the fact that I've never cared so much for a series characters as I did the crew of BSG (and even their Cylon enemies). Season One and Two (and the mini series that kicked it off) stands as some of the very best television I've ever seen. Season Three has it's ups and downs, but the first few episodes and the last few are up to the standard set in the first two seasons. Season Four, sadly, did have a lot of problems. But I was still happy overall with the series ending, which is important in a genre that more often than not ends up getting canceled with little to no closure. And even in this series weakest moments, it still was compelling television. So go ahead and take a chance, even if sci fi isn't your thing. BSG deserves all the praise it received and then some. "So Say We All". - CreatorKim CoghillAndrew De AngelisJeff DetskyStarsTatiana MaslanyDylan BruceJordan GavarisA streetwise hustler is pulled into a compelling conspiracy after witnessing the suicide of a girl who looks just like her.This show caught be me surprise. I was planning to check it out, as one of BBC America's first original programs. But I didn't expect to get hooked so hard and so fast! My addiction to this show is due largely to the brilliant performances of the lead, Tatiana Maslany. What she manages to accomplish in playing multiple versions of herself, each one very distinct, believable & captivating, is truly top notch acting. The show itself is an exciting sci fi drama/thriller involving conspiracy, cloning and so much more. I cannot recommend Orphan Black any higher. Time to join the #CloneClub.
- CreatorDavid BenioffD.B. WeissStarsEmilia ClarkePeter DinklageKit HaringtonNine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.What can I say about HBO's Game of Thrones that hasn't already been said. The fantasy genre has never seen it's like in quality, and may never see it again. The bar has been set so high by this show, any other fantasy show that tries to follow it will have big shoes to fill indeed. Not for the faint of heart, but compelling, dramatic, cinema quality storytelling awaits all who view it.
- CreatorGraham YostStarsTimothy OlyphantNick SearcyJoelle CarterEnforcing his own brand of justice, U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, a strong-willed, quiet law-man haunted by his past, returns to his native town to see that justice is served to those in need.
- CreatorChris CarterStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonMitch PileggiTwo F.B.I. Agents, Fox Mulder the believer and Dana Scully the skeptic, investigate the strange and unexplained, while hidden forces work to impede their efforts.
- CreatorSydney NewmanStarsJodie WhittakerPeter CapaldiPearl MackieThe further adventures in time and space of the alien adventurer known as the Doctor and his companions from planet Earth.
- CreatorDavid MilchStarsTimothy OlyphantIan McShaneMolly ParkerA show set in the late 1800s, revolving around the characters of Deadwood, South Dakota; a town of deep corruption and crime.
- CreatorRobert CochranJoel SurnowStarsKiefer SutherlandMary Lynn RajskubCarlos BernardCounter Terrorism Agent Jack Bauer races against the clock to subvert terrorist plots and save his nation from ultimate disaster.
- CreatorMichael HirstStarsJonathan Rhys MeyersHenry CavillAnthony BrophyEpic series reveals the scandalous life of a young king whose affairs and obsession with producing a male heir changed marriage, the church, and the world.
- StarsAneurin BarnardRebecca FergusonAmanda HaleThree different, yet equally relentless women vie for the throne in 15th-century England.
- CreatorRussell T. DaviesStarsJohn BarrowmanEve MylesKai OwenThe members of the Torchwood Institute, a secret organization founded by the British Crown, fight to protect the Earth from extraterrestrial and supernatural threats.
- CreatorJ.J. AbramsAlex KurtzmanRoberto OrciStarsAnna TorvJoshua JacksonJohn NobleAn F.B.I. agent is forced to work with an institutionalized scientist and his son in order to rationalize a brewing storm of unexplained phenomena.
- CreatorMark V. OlsenWill SchefferStarsBill PaxtonJeanne TripplehornChloë SevignyA Utah polygamist who owns home improvement stores in the Salt Lake City area juggles relationships with three wives while trying to keep his complex family life from becoming a public scandal.
- CreatorCharlie BrookerStarsWunmi MosakuMonica DolanDaniel LapaineFeaturing 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.
- StarsKôichi YamaderaUnshô IshizukaMegumi HayashibaraThe futuristic misadventures and tragedies of an easygoing bounty hunter and his partners.
- CreatorRob McElhenneyGlenn HowertonStarsCharlie DayGlenn HowertonRob McElhenneyFive friends with big egos and small brains are the proprietors of an Irish pub in Philadelphia.
- CreatorJackie Marcus SchafferJeff SchafferStarsMark DuplassJonathan LajoieNick KrollAn ensemble comedy that follows a group of old friends in a fantasy football league who care deeply about one another -- so deeply that they use every opportunity to make each other's lives miserable.
- CreatorBen BestJody HillDanny McBrideStarsDanny McBrideSteve LittleKaty Mixon GreerMany years after he turned his back on his hometown, a burned-out major league ballplayer returns to teach Physical Education at his old middle school.
- 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.
- CreatorGreg DanielsMike JudgeStarsMike JudgeKathy NajimyPamela AdlonA straight-laced propane salesman in Arlen, Texas tries to deal with the wacky antics of his family and friends, while also trying to keep his son in line.
- CreatorKeegan-Michael KeyJordan PeeleStarsKeegan-Michael KeyJordan PeeleMetta World PeaceProject sees Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele in front of a live studio audience bantering about a topic weaved between filmed shorts and sketches.
- CreatorNeal BrennanDave ChappelleStarsDave ChappelleDonnell RawlingsRudy RushComedian Dave Chappelle hosts this sketch-comedy show that parodies many of the nuances of race and culture.
- CreatorMitchell HurwitzStarsJason BatemanMichael CeraPortia de RossiLevel-headed son Michael Bluth takes over family affairs after his father is imprisoned. But the rest of his spoiled, dysfunctional family are making his job unbearable.
- CreatorSteve DildarianStarsSteve DildarianMJ OttoNick KrollWatch as Tim finds himself in several awkward situations in this HBO cartoon comedy.
- CreatorMichael KarnowZak PennStarsDavid StrathairnRyan CartwrightWarren ChristieAlphas is a science fiction drama focusing on a team that investigates people with supernatural abilities.
