I
love lists. As this decade comes to close, I was going to continue listing my
favourite twenty shows from the last ten years. However, I thought I would go
back even further and list my favourites from the 90’s, then repost my slightly
updated 00’s and conclude with the 10’s. The criteria is that the show needs to
have more than two seasons (sustainability is important) and should be plot
driven (no Last Week Tonight). So
here’s the slightly updated list. Enjoy.
1. LOST (ABC)
Creators: JJ
Abrams, Jeffrey Lieber, Damon Lindelof
Seasons: 6
Episodes: 118 Years: 2004-2010
Best Season: 5
Nothing
can beat the intricate nature of this show. You must watch every episode to
gather clues and try solve the mysteries that surround the island. This is
event television (even if the finale doesn’t answer
everything).
Standout Episode: The Constant (S04E05)
Desmond’s search for Penny has grounded
the show for so long and seeing him jolt back and forth in time to get to her
back kept us fully engrossed.
2. THE WEST WING (NBC)
Creator: Aaron
Sorkin
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 155 Years: 1999-2006
Best Season: 2
I
got to the series after it ended but boy am I glad I got to watch it. The repartee between the presidential
staffers is quick-witted and fun to watch. Learned some things about politics
as well.
Standout Episode: In the Shadow of Two Gunmen (S02E01-02)
With the heart-pounding emergency room
scenes and the flashbacks of how the staff came together, this episode has it
all.
3. ANGEL (WB)
Creators: Joss
Whedon, David Greenwalt
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 111 Years: 1999-2004
Best Season: 5
While
it started off a little rocky, it grew into a more mature Buffy show with adult themes. The humour and action are
still there but the emotional punch hits home a lot more.
Standout Episode: Waiting in the Wings (S03E13)
Angel Investigations is out of their
element, but we also see loads of heartbreak as the female characters fall in
love unaware of other suitors.
4. ALIAS (ABC)
Creator: JJ
Abrams
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 105 Years: 2001-2006
Best Season: 2
Sure
the last two season stretched the premise a little too far, the first three
were top notch. The spy element mixed with emotional relationships made for
some great television. I can still hear the techno.
Standout Episode: Phase One (S02E13)
They practically wrapped up the series
with this episode. Shown after the Superbowl, this action packed thrill-ride
was truly a game-changer.
5. SCRUBS (NBC)
Creator: Bill
Lawrence
Seasons: 9
Episodes: 182 Years: 2001-2010
Best Season: 5
From
the first time JD played with his shaving cream in the pilot, I was hooked on
this very funny comedy that was filled with zany dream sequences and
hard-hitting emotional turns. The last season sucks.
Standout Episode: My Screw Up (S03E14)
Brendan Fraser returns in this
fantastically written episode that even managed to throw in a little twist when
you weren’t looking.
6. THE OFFICE (NBC)
Creators: Greg
Daniels, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Seasons: 9
Episodes: 188 Years: 2005-2013
Best Season: 2
I’ll
admit that the original British version was more groundbreaking and painfully
awkward, but the Scranton branch has made me care about the characters more. It
declined when Steve Carell left unfortunately.
Standout Episode: Casino (S02E22)
Michael Scott trying to juggle two women
while running a casino night is funny but it all comes down to Jim’s
confession to Pam.
7. THE SOPRANOS (HBO)
Creator: David
Chase
Seasons: 6
Episodes: 86 Years: 1999-2007
Best Season: 5
Even
though I sometimes feel the pace drags at times, the storytelling is still
compelling and the acting is incredible. Talk about powerhouse performances,
especially James Gandolfini.
Standout Episode: Pine Barrens (S03E11)
Christopher and Paulie eating ketchup
packets in a frozen van. This episode, directed by Steve Buscemi, made me smile
from ear to ear.
8. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (FOX & NETFLIX)
Creator: Mitchell
Hurwitz
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 84 Years: 2003-Present
Best Season: 3
Quirky
characters, inside jokes, guest stars galore, brilliant callbacks, and
wonderful narration by Ron Howard. A fall-down funny
sitcom, even with its Netflix reboots.
Standout Episode: S.O.B.s (S03E09)
The Save-Our-Bluths campaign becomes a
cry for help from the series begging for viewers to watch by using every
television gimmick in the book.
9. HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (CBS)
Creators: Carter
Bays, Craig Thomas
Seasons: 9
Episodes: 208 Years: 2005-2014
Best Season: 2
This
sitcom takes its relationship/friendship commentary from Friends but manages to turn it on its ear. Rules are made,
conventions are broken as we see the never-ending flashback to reveal the
mother.
Standout Episode: Slap Bet (S02E09)
Our first introduction to Robin Sparkles
and the genesis of the slap bet. Even with their callbacks in future episodes,
nothing beats the first time.
10. DEXTER (SHOWTIME)
Creator: James
Manos Jr.
Seasons: 8
Episodes: 96 Years: 2006-2013
Best Season: 4
You
got to hand it to a show that makes you want to root for a serial killer. I
kept hoping he didn’t get caught. Michael C Hall sure managed to separate
himself from his Six Feet Under
character. Wow.
Standout Episode: The Getaway (S04E12)
Even after four seasons, this show can
make my mouth drop in utter shock. My jaw was almost on the floor at the
conclusion of this tense episode.
11. CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (HBO)
Creator: Larry
David
Seasons: 9
Episodes: 90 Years: 2000-Present
Best Season: 7
For
those who missed Seinfeld, this fills
the void, and I’m not just talking about the Seinfeld reunion storyline. This show is basically George ramped up
to the nth degree.
Standout Episode: The Grand Opening (S03E10)
Never before has this much bad language
been so funny. The lead up was well crafted enough to make the conclusion
priceless. Simply priceless.
12. THE WIRE (HBO)
Creator: David
Simon
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 60 Years: 2002-2008
Best Season: 4
This
well written exploration of a city’s politics told through drug dealers,
dockworkers, politicians, educators and journalists pulls you in. The dynamic
cast keeps you going despite the snail’s pace realistic timing.
Standout Episode: Middle Ground (S03E11)
Watching our two drug kingpins reminisce
and turn on each other makes for great television. Throw in the concept of
Hamsterdam for added fun.
13. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (NBC & DIRECT TV)
Creator: Peter
Berg
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 76 Years: 2006-2011
Best Season: 1
Never
thought I would get into this show. Not only does it have one of the most
realistic marriage portrayals on TV with Coach and Tami Taylor but the games
themselves are well shot and totally unpredictable.
Standout Episode: Mudbowl (S01E20)
For those passionate about the
sport of football, this one’s for you. Nothing like playing in a field, in a
downpour, to go for a state championship.
14. DAMAGES (FX)
Creators: Glenn
Kessler, Todd A. Kessler, Daniel Zelman
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 59 Years: 2007-2012
Best Season: 1
Season one is impeccable with clever twists & incredible acting from Glenn
Close, Ted Danson and Zeljko Ivanek. Subsequent season twists are predictable but darkly fun.
Standout Episode: I Hate These People (S01E11)
It’s sad how the ‘justice’ system works.
Ray’s desperation after being blackmailed is a sight to see.
15. MAD MEN (AMC)
Creator: Matthew
Weiner
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 92 Years: 2007-2015
Best Season: 4
This
is a show that revels in its preciseness. Everything is picture perfect except
the character’s lives. This show takes its time weaving a compelling story
that’ll have you empathizing with its characters.
Standout Episode: Shut the Door, Have a Seat (S03E13)
This must be one of the fasted paced
episodes in the series history. With a hint of Jerry Maguire maneuvering, it’s
a brand new day.
16. VERONICA MARS (UPN, CW, HULU)
Creator: Rob
Thomas
Seasons: 4
Episodes: 72 Years: 2004-Present
Best Season: 1
Unfortunately,
not enough people knew this show existed. Sure it seems a little Nancy Drew-ish
but Kristin Bell’s sarcasm and spunk gives this series an electric energy. The
mysteries were also expertly crafted.
Standout Episode: Leave it to Beaver (S01E22)
The conclusion of the yearlong mystery
had me on the edge of my seat. Literally. They got everything right in this
episode. Brilliant.
17. HOUSE (FOX)
Creator: David
Shore
Seasons: 8
Episodes: 176 Years: 2004-2012
Best Season: 4
While
the format is predictable with the last minute solution from a seemingly normal
conversation, the cases and caustic nature of Hugh Laurie’s Dr. House make it
all worth it.
Standout Episode: House’s Head (S04E15)
The trippy nature of the episode make
this one a treat as House can’t remember who was injured after a bus crash.
18. 30 ROCK (NBC)
Creator: Tina
Fey
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 138 Years: 2006-2013
Best Season: 2
The
rapid-fire dialogue and inside jokes make this fast paced sitcom a zany romp.
Sometimes the jokes are too inside and fast and the stories get repetitive but
I still love Tina Fey and Robert Carlock’s writing.
Standout Episode: Jack-Tor (S01E05)
Liz thinking that Tracey Jordan is
illiterate is blissfully funny but Jack’s outtakes trying to show product
integration is perfection.
19. THE OC (FOX)
Creator: Josh
Schwartz
Seasons: 4
Episodes: 92 Years: 2003-2007
Best Season: 1
This
show replaced my guilty-pleasure Dawson’s
Creek fix. Full of pop-culture references, meta-commentary and indie music
cred, this show kept me coming back for more.
Standout Episode: The Best Chrismukkah Ever (S01E13)
This highlights the best of Adam
Brody’s Seth Cohen (before the over-exposure sunk in) with Seth juggling
two girls during his holiday mash-up.
20. 24 (FOX)
Creators: Robert
Cochran, Joel Surnow
Seasons: 8
Episodes: 195 Years: 2001-2010
Best Season: 5
Started
strong with innovative storytelling and camera work, intense emotion and
high-octane action. It got a little to repetitive though. You can only here
Jack yell, “Dammit, we’re running out of time” so much.
Standout Episode: Day 5: 6:00pm-7:00pm (S05E12)
24
rejuvenated itself with President and Martha Logan. This episode features a CTU
takeover that results in loss of life.
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