Best TV Shows

[Vigo]

Curious on some opinions of the best TV shows within the last 10-15 years or so. I am trying to make a "shows to watch" queue, and am sure I missed plenty of good shows out there. Anything over 15 years, I probably have seen it, but feel free to put down anything you want. 

Here are some genre ideas I was thinking:

• Best drama
• Best comedy
• Best Action
• Best sci-fi/fantasy
• Best historical
• Best mystery/detective/investigative police show
• Best non-fiction/documentary
• Best overall
• Most underrated show
• Overrated show that can be skipped

 

[Donkbaca]

Do you want a serious list?  Or do you want me to make up garbage to waste your time? 

[Vigo]

  Meh, you can put down whatever you want. I'm sure this thread will be derailed by the 10th post anyway. Anyway, if you put down "Dora the Explorer" as best drama of all time, it would still be a more valid point than a few of the posts I expect to see.  

[Donkbaca]

OKay, I'll try to make it less obvious, put some actual good ones mixed in with ---smurfy--- ones so that you think, "I'll give that a shot". Of course as a prerequisite I will say, "oh, it gets better after the 5th episode" to make sure that you sink at least 2 1/2 hours into and then after you watch it you will say "---maternal-smurf---!" 


Best drama - Dawson's creek
Best comedy - Arrested Development
Best Action - The Fall Guy
Best sci-fi/fantasy - Firefly
Best historical - Any Ken Burns documentary
Best mystery/detective/investigative police show - Reno 911
Best non-fiction/documentary - Any Ken Burns documentary
Best overall - Dexter
Most underrated show - The Muppet Show
Overrated show that can be skipped - Law and Order - any of them

[Mikezilla]

Best drama: Entourage.
Best comedy : Arrested Development is ---smurfin--- HILARIOUS.
Best Action : 24 is really good.
Best sci-fi/fantasy: Sadly, I cant think of a show for this category.   MAYBE Trueblood? I havent seen Game of thrones though so...
Best historical: Meh.
Best mystery/detective/investigative police show : Dexter. Amazing show.
Best non-fiction/documentary: Double Meh.
Best overall: I think the best show that I cannot WAIT to watch until the next week is Dexter. Its superb.
Most underrated show: Arrested Development.
Overrated show that can be skipped: Lost

I dont watch that much TV, but after reading the criteria, these are the shows that popped in my head.  

[Ginsu Victim]

• Best drama - Tie: Breaking Bad / The Sopranos
• Best comedy - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia / Trailer Park Boys / The IT Crowd
• Best Action - Nothing.
• Best sci-fi/fantasy - MST3k
• Best historical - Pawn Stars
• Best mystery/detective/investigative police show - Veronica Mars
• Best non-fiction/documentary - Hoarders
• Best overall - Breaking Bad / The Sopranos
• Most underrated show - Gilmore Girls
• Overrated show that can be skipped - anything I'm not watching

[Mikezilla]

• Best drama - Tie: Breaking Bad / The Sopranos
• Best comedy - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
• Best Action - Nothing.
• Best sci-fi/fantasy - Doctor Who
• Best historical - Pawn Stars
• Best mystery/detective/investigative police show - Veronica Mars
• Best non-fiction/documentary - Hoarders
• Best overall - Breaking Bad / The Sopranos
• Most underrated show - Gilmore Girls
• Overrated show that can be skipped - anything I'm not watching

Good call on Hoarders, I forgot about that one. But Gilmore Girls? Cmon dude. Thats a joke that I missed right?

[Rando]

Hmm,
I don't watch much but...

• Best drama - Did you ever see OZ from HBO?
• Best comedy - I liked Friends, beginning to end.
• Best Action
• Best sci-fi/fantasy - Firefly is really good (watch show then movie), Heroes was okay in Season 1
• Best historical
• Best mystery/detective/investigative police show - Don't care for Cop/Lawyer/Medical shows
• Best non-fiction/documentary - HBO/Hard Knocks (NFL Football camps)
• Best overall
• Most underrated show - Dollhouse (From same guy that did Buffy/Firefly, so if you like those, this would be a good add)
• Overrated show that can be skipped - Any Cop/Lawyer/Medical show.  If you miss it they'll just air it again with a different name/cast

And True Blood is Meh.  I like vampire stories but between True Blood, Vampire Diaries, Twilight, Ugh, all crap.

And I've never seen it, but above is not the first recommendation that I've seen for Gilmore Girls, take that as you will.

[Ginsu Victim]

Good call on Hoarders, I forgot about that one. But Gilmore Girls? Cmon dude. Thats a joke that I missed right?

Proving my point about Gilmore Girls being underrated. My wife and I own all seven seasons and it's really a well-written, entertaining show with TONS of references, movie quotes, etc. Hell, one episode opens with a visual reference to Yojimbo!

[Vigo]

Lots of good shows rolling in here. 

I just started watching Arrested Development and am already loving it. I guess they are making a movie now.

I never got HBO, and it seems like they have a ton of excellent shows. I have a lot of catching up to do. I watched plenty of Entourage and a handful of episodes of Dexter, but that is it. I still need to see the sopranos, game of thrones, deadwood, and true blood.

Pawn Stars  I like American restoration as well. Hoarders is good, but it ends up angering me with the overdrama over junk. A better intervention would to be light their house of crap on fire. 

Gilmore Girls? All I know is they talked incredibly fast, but the few episodes I have seen were entertaining but were too heavy on the romance.

I've also gotten into Doctor Who lately as well, I gave it a go since I read some of the books as a kid, and they kept advertising it during Top Gear commercials....its kinda nice to watch a show that doesn't take itself too seriously. Rare to find that in TV these days.

[J_K_M_A_N]

I really really like Burn Notice. I am in the current season but the wife just started watching it so I get to watch them again.

I think Modern Family is very funny and Raising Hope is pretty good too.

First 48 is an interesting show.

I used to like Human Target a lot but it got cancelled. Only made it 2 seasons.

Dexter is great too. I am still in season 4. John Lithgow is a freaky man.

That is about all I watch. That and the Mentalist. I can't wait to see how they start that one up again.

J_K_M_A_N

[CCM]

Best drama: Dexter
Best comedy : It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Best Action : none that I can think of
Best sci-fi/fantasy:  current show:  Game of Thrones or Supernatural    All-time:  Battlestar Galactica
Best historical: dunno
Best mystery/detective/investigative police show : Justified
Best non-fiction/documentary: Deadliest Catch
Best overall: Dexter
Most underrated show: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Overrated show that can be skipped: Dancing with the stars... my wife watches that crap...

[Mikezilla]

As Vigo stated, Gilmore Girls is known for its incredibly fast speech patterns. Its annoying, its TOO scripted for me, they speak at ludicrous speed levels. They have gone into plaid a number of times. I personally think its annoying, every girl I know likes the show though so, to each his own. 

Im a huge fan of Storage Wars, I forget what channel its on though. Maybe A&E? I also like Top Chef. Thats a great show. Not the stupid masters one, or the dessert one, the original one.

[Vigo]

Any of those Talent shows is not for me. Dancing with da stars, america has talent, america idol, etc.

Storage Wars is good too, I'm a bit sadistic and love to see them lose out, especially Barry for some reason.

[Ginsu Victim]

As Vigo stated, Gilmore Girls is known for its incredibly fast speech patterns. Its annoying, its TOO scripted for me, they speak at ludicrous speed levels. They have gone into plaid a number of times. I personally think its annoying, every girl I know likes the show though so, to each his own.  

Kudos on the Spaceballs reference.

[CCM]

Any of those Talent shows is not for me. Dancing with da stars, america has talent, america idol, etc.

Storage Wars is good too, I'm a bit sadistic and love to see them lose out, especially Barry for some reason.

Barry cracks me up...  I like to see Dave lose out.

[Donkbaca]

Storage wars is good for about 4 episodes, then its all the same.  You can only watch someone bid up lockers of old abandoned laundry so many times...

[Mikezilla]

As Vigo stated, Gilmore Girls is known for its incredibly fast speech patterns. Its annoying, its TOO scripted for me, they speak at ludicrous speed levels. They have gone into plaid a number of times. I personally think its annoying, every girl I know likes the show though so, to each his own.  

Kudos on the Spaceballs reference.

Thank you sir.  

Any of those Talent shows is not for me. Dancing with da stars, america has talent, america idol, etc.

Storage Wars is good too, I'm a bit sadistic and love to see them lose out, especially Barry for some reason.

Barry cracks me up...  I like to see Dave lose out.

Me too! I cant stand that ---meecrob--- bag. I know a guy just like him in real life. I also HATE when Dave makes a bunch of money. I also cant stand the way he yells. I love to hate him though. Darrell lives down the street from my friends house.  

Thats the thrill though Donk. There are some crazy things people store in lockers, you never know what might turn up!

EDIT: Forgot to put in a couple words.

[crashwg]

• Best drama - The Wire
• Best comedy - Community
• Best Action - Sons of Anarchy
• Best sci-fi/fantasy - Firefly
• Best historical - IDK Macgyver
• Best mystery/detective/investigative police show - Life on Mars (US version)
• Best non-fiction/documentary - Mythbusters
• Best overall - Scrubs
• Most underrated show - Raising Hope
• Overrated show that can be skipped - Lost

Some honorable mentions:
Comedy: Archer, Code Monkeys, Frisky Dingo, Modern Family, Flight of the Conchords, Trigun, My Name is Earl
Drama: Californication, Burn Notice, Six Feet Under

[Howard_Casto]

I'm pretty sure any grown man or the heterosexual orientation that watches Gilmore Girls has to forfeit his penis.

[knave]

•Best drama - TrueBlood
•Best comedy - Big Bang Theory
•Best Action - Samurai Jack
•Best sci-fi/fantasy - Firefly
•Best historical - Rome
•Best mystery/detective/investigative police/spy show - Burn Notice
•Best non-fiction/documentary - Deadliest Warior
•Best overall - Firefly
•Most underrated show - Avatar, the last airbender animated series
•Overrated show that can be skipped - Arrested Development

[SNAAKE]

not in order..

serious:
dexter
breaking bad
prison break
spartacus
boardwalk empire
sons of anarchy
twin peaks(underrated..check it out)
24
terminator sarah conor chronicles
burn notice
true blood
the wire
oz(1-4 seasons..rest is pretty bad)
sopranaos
firefly


hilarious:
arrested development
curb your enthusiasm
shameless
sunny in philadelphia
community

[Mikezilla]

•Best drama - TrueBlood
•Best comedy - Big Bang Theory
•Best Action - Samurai Jack
•Best sci-fi/fantasy - Firefly
•Best historical - Rome
•Best mystery/detective/investigative police/spy show - Burn Notice
•Best non-fiction/documentary - Deadliest Warior
•Best overall - Firefly
•Most underrated show - Avatar, the last airbender animated series
•Overrated show that can be skipped - Arrested Development

Ok well dont trust anything Knave says, because of the last bullet point... 

[SNAAKE]

^ I know right. arrested development was easily one of the funniest show ever.


dont trust him because of first bullet point too lol. TB is far from the "best drama". of course everyone is entitled to their opinion

[Anpanman]

I tried to pick stuff that wouldn't be the obvious choices for some of the categories.  For example, I'd suggest checking out "House" if you haven't seen it.  There are a lot of good shows out there right now and most of what others have listed are great choices.

• Best drama - Mad Men
• Best comedy - Californication
• Best Action - Spartacus
• Best sci-fi/fantasy - Babylon 5
• Best historical - Boardwalk Empire
• Best mystery/detective/investigative police show - NYPB Blue
• Best non-fiction/documentary-
• Best overall - Mad Men
• Most underrated show - Babylon 7
• Overrated show that can be skipped - Glee

[NiN^_^NiN]

    Try to add some others haven't

    Best drama = Misfits
    Best comedy = Spaced
    Best Action = Burn Notice
    Best sci-fi/fantasy = Babylon 5 / Game of Thrones
    Best historical = Walking with Dinosaurs
    Best mystery/detective/investigative police show = Bored to Death
    Best non-fiction/documentary = Man Vs Wild?
    Best overall = Merlin
    Most underrated show = Northern Exposure
    Overrated show that can be skipped = Heroes?

[Ginsu Victim]

^Yeah, I was considering Spaced for my list.

[Xiaou2]

I'm pretty sure any grown man or the heterosexual orientation that watches Gilmore Girls has to forfeit his penis.

 Lets see...  Hes married, getting tail regularly...

  You?

 You might want to reconsider your harsh stances, especially considering your position.

 Personally, I only watched a few eps of GG.  The main characters were very witty, which was very refreshing considering most brainless tv drivel.

 Luckily theres House, and there was Lie to Me.  Both brilliant, witty, unpredictable shows.

 This is pretty much the shows that have/are sucking the productivity out of me...

How I met your Mother
My Name is Earl
Kitchen Nightmares, Hells Kitchen, Masterchef
Top Gear
American Chopper Sr -vs- Jr
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Inuyasha
Chowder
Archer
1000 Ways to Die
Ninja Warrior
A Haunting
Attack of the Show
Firefly
and the occasional wilderness survival show

Edit: Farscape
          

[Anpanman]

^Yeah, I was considering Spaced for my list.

Damn.  Why didn't I think of that?  +1

If you're into British comedy, you might also want to check out "Coupling."  It's the show "Friends" was based on but it's way better/funnier.

[amendonz]

The inbetweeners is the best british show since the office. 
Good to see flight of the conchords get a mention

[Ginsu Victim]

The Inbetweeners is hilarious. From the same people who made Flight of the Conchords, actually.

[Sjaak]

Why the frell did nobody mention Farscape? My all time favorite together with FireFly, of course...

[Nephasth]

All have already been mentioned, but are worth mentioning again. GREAT shows.

Sons of Anarchy
Justified
Spartacus
Shameless

[emphatic]

 Best drama  - tie between Breaking Bad, Justified and The Wire
  Best comedy   - Trailer Park Boys - the movies are great as well
  Best Action   - Alias
  Best sci-fi/fantasy   - Angel (Buffy is awesome as well, but there are some REAL freaks in LA)
  Best historical   - Dancing In The Streets (BBC music documentary, amazing)
  Best mystery/detective/investigative police show   - tie between Veronica Mars and Twin Peaks
  Best non-fiction/documentary   - Pimp My Ride
  Best overall   - Dexter (much better than the books)
  Most underrated show   - tie between Chasing Hope (funny as hell) and The Shield (amazing drama)
  Overrated show that can be skipped   - Lost (Loved a couple of seasons, but too many loose ends)
 

Honorable mentions:
Prison Break (season 1 & 2 than it's down the toilet)
Arrested Development (hilarious, but doesn't have Ricky or Mr. Lehey)
Mad Men - fantastic
Bones - great cast
True Blood (third season was meh, but the first two was funny as hell and right now it is pretty good)
Luther
Sherlock
The Office (US)
Community
Parks & Recreation (funny as hell)

I might have to check out Gilmore Girls. Can someone explain please how Burn Notice can be any good with that smug idiot in the lead?

[shmokes]

Jesus Christ, Gilmore Girls is so incredibly bad.  There is nothing witty about the dialogue.  The show is horribly written.  I suppose it's witty if you think it's witty to write every character either exactly the same or as a ridiculous charicature.  Every single character who supposedly speaks with witty dialogue is written as exactly the same character.  And they just rapid-fire inane witticisms back and forth at each other throughout the entire show in a way that could only be rehearsed like some kind of incredibly boring circus act.  Of course everything in every show is rehearsed, but they're supposed to act like they're having real conversations.  That's why they're called actors.  They're conversations are not supposed to look like an act they put together for open-mic night at the local comedy club (where they would surely be booed off the stage).  I don't know if I've ever seen a show in my life with more retarded dialogue.  And I'm married and regularly get tail, for whatever that's worth.    

Anyway . . .

Drama - Breaking Bad
Comedy - Archer
Action - Probably 24, or maybe Sparticus.  I really haven't seen all that much of either show yet, to be honest.
Sci-fi - Firefly
Historical - Deadwood or Rome
Police show - The Wire
Non-fiction - What Not to Wear (lol . . . seriously)
Best overall - Archer or Breaking Bad, probably Archer
Most underrated show - Carnivale
Overrated Show - True Blood

It was hard not to put Arrested Development down for Comedy.  My mind could change on that in the coming years.  Also, there are quite of few shows that look good but I haven't got around to seeing yet, like Boardwalk Empire and Mad Men.  But that's my current list.

[Blanka]

Best overall: Bumba and Pingu as it keeps the kid quiet at 6 in the morning
Only worthwhile show on Dutch TV: Toren C.
http://programma.vpro.nl/torenc/
Sometimes I like
http://www.keuringsdienst.nl/
As it keeps you alert to all crap that happens in the regular food production.

All other TV is CRAP.

So my TV is merely a screen to watch DVD's on, mostly art-house or independent films with many nationalities: French, Flemish, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Dutch, British, Canadian, American.

I used to like Star Trek Voyager though.

[Mikezilla]

Jesus Christ, Gilmore Girls is so incredibly bad.  There is nothing witty about the dialogue.  The show is horribly written.  I suppose it's witty if you think it's witty to write every character either exactly the same or as a ridiculous charicature.  Every single character who supposedly speaks with witty dialogue is written as exactly the same character.  And they just rapid-fire inane witticisms back and forth at each other throughout the entire show in a way that could only be rehearsed like some kind of incredibly boring circus act.  Of course everything in every show is rehearsed, but they're supposed to act like they're having real conversations.  That's why they're called actors.  They're conversations are not supposed to look like an act they put together for open-mic night at the local comedy club (where they would surely be booed off the stage).  I don't know if I've ever seen a show in my life with more retarded dialogue.  And I'm married and regularly get tail, for whatever that's worth.    

Holy ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. Shmokes said every single thing I wanted to say about Gilmore Girls. Very well written, thanks for typing that out for me!  

I also get tail on a regular basis too.  

[knave]

^ I know right. arrested development was easily one of the funniest show ever.


dont trust him because of first bullet point too lol. TB is far from the "best drama". of course everyone is entitled to their opinion

Arrested development Just isn't enjoyable to me. sure there's a few laughs...but the rest is just Meh. I really tried too...I watched the first two seasons, right around the time Busters hand was bitton off by a seal I totally lost any interest I had for the show.

True Blood probably isn't the best drama out there, but it's about as much drama as I want to watch in my free time.
I suppose I could have put The Walking Dead...that had some drama. 

Thank you for allowing me an opinion. 

[Mikezilla]

Damn I forgot about the Walking dead! Put that under fantasy for sure! Its going to be at comic con, and they are going to show a preview of the new season, with a panel with Greg Nicotero. 

[yotsuya]

Best drama - Mad Men
Best comedy - Community
Best non-fiction/documentary - Any of the ESPN 30 for 30 documentaries, especially "Straight Outta LA"
Most underrated show - The Middle

I used to like Entourage, until every episode followed the formula of 'Vince has a problem - Drama has a few great lines - Ari tosses out a few funny Asian-Gay jokes at Lloyd - Something/someone comes out of nowhere and saves Vince's ass at the last minute - Guys toast on a balcony - repeat"