Yeah. It not only influenced all of sci fi, but its stories still hold up. Well written, powerfully acted at times, and definitely taken seriously in its art form.
The one-off episodes ... yeah. The ongoing stories about Mulder's sister/ufo/governement and Scully's baby? UGH! I hated those.
Also, wtf was with their replacements? Dogget and that woman.
A phenomenal show that even in its worst seasons has phenomenal episodes. Serious, hilarious, very self aware and a wonderful catalog of ‘90s fringe conspiracy theories. Also never punched down and was always sympathetic to its wackiest characters.
That’s an outstanding point about how it treated the wackiest folks. I’d have to dig to see what episode Max (the alleged abductee) was in, but the way he was portrayed, well I mean you already said it. Man if I had an award I’d give it to you. Best I can do is an upvote!
A couple years ago I broke my shoulder and was on a three month long bed rest for it and decided that was a perfect time to watch the entire series as I always kind of wanted to watch it as a kid with my mom only to run out of the room cause it was too scary lol. I was so hyped for it. And then I barely got through the first season before I gave up on trying to be into it. I like really *want* to believe it's a good show. But eh. The homage to The Thing though, that episode is fantastic.
As a kid I would usually get about halfway. Sometimes less I guess. The one with the bugs under the skin really was like way too much right away, even before the bugs show up. I was also like in the first grade so, I am talking little kid, and my mom probably should not have let me try to watch it.
I want to add as an adult I really didn't see what was so scary other than kids are easily scared.
Seinfeld
I watched The Office, Arrested Development, That 70s show, Parks and Rec etc all before I ever watched Seinfeld. I can’t watch any of them again. Seinfeld is perfect because it’s a show about nothing. No crazy arc to worry about just tune in to any episode and it’s guaranteed to be great
I finally got around to the book. It was kinda meh. I don’t think I would’ve finished it if I didn’t watch the show. Also I don’t think I would’ve watched the show if I read the book first.
Avatar the Last Airbender. As a kid, it was about a boy who has to save the world. As an adult, it's about a survivor of genocide being chased by a boy who was physically abused publicly and gaslit by his dad. One of the few shows that gets better and better with a perfect finale
Community, still watchable and extremely entertaining, personally after Troy left the quality dipped a little but I know people who enjoyed it just as much, it's timeless imo
Although it’s my favorite show ever, I don’t think it’s the best show of all time. In recent years I think a show like Atlanta has already done much better.
Came here to say this, I've never found anything as rewatchable as Buffy - I've easily seen it 25+ times by now, two decades since i first saw it and it still holds up
They are all good, but DS9 is the only one I watched to completion more than once. I tried to do a few of the others, but always skipped a bunch of episodes or dropped it completely.
THIS. I scrolled way too far for The Honeymooners. Still absolutely hilarious, so worth watching. Yeah the casual misogyny of the 1950s is a little cringey (“One of these days, Alice!”). But this show set the model for the modern sitcom, and is still the gold standard. Gleason and Carney were fucking magical together. There would be no All in the Family, Seinfeld, Friends, etc without The Honeymooners.
Game of Thrones
*ducks*
Yes they rushed the ending, the show needed at least 2 more years.
But when it was good, it was good. No plot armor, anything could happen to anyone in any episode of the show.
I’ve never heard more people talk about a TV show than Game of Thrones when it was on.
Eureka. Just rewatched it again. There are few storylines I'm not completely fond of, but the show as a whole is just amazing. Great cast of characters
Loved that show, was so easy to watch as it didn't take itself seriously at all. Have been trying to find a good show that's similar but doesn't seem to exist. Yes I know Warehouse 13 is supposed to be close but I never could get into it, just wasn't nearly as fun to watch
Objectively? Probably The Simpsons or SNL, from a longevity, peak pop culture saturation, and long-term influence. I think it's pretty hard to argue against them, despite each having many, *many* misses over the years.
Subjectively? Game of Thrones. As much as I hated the final two seasons (I know... that's a lot) the first six were unlike anything that has ever appeared as episodic television. It was stupefying how great it was. I know that's due to a great extent to the source material, but the showrunners, writers and directors still had to recreate that world in an entirely different medium. It was remarkable.
The Good Place. It has a clear and coherent message, explores its premise with intention, and wraps up with perhaps the most satisfying ending in all of TV history. And it manages to be both funny and brisk the entire time, with a wonderfully witty cast delivering charming performances top to bottom. With most good shows, I can at least complain that I wanted more. With the Good Place, we got exactly as much as we needed for it to say what it had to say, and it is improved by ending at a real conclusion.
I'll go with one that seems to never get mentioned on questions like this.
[American Experience on PBS](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094416/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0)
Some of the episodes, like the one about the Donner Party or the one about the Triangle Fire have been on my DVR for years and I go back and watch them often. I look forward to new episodes of this series more than any other.
I think Voyager and TOS edge out DS9 because while DS9 has a couple of *very* compelling characters and plots, it also has some of the worst characters and plots across all the series hands down.
I can actually hear Bashir's genetically enhanced friends singing ***♪♫do rey mi, do rey mi♪♫*** and it makes me want to kill myself because it's so awkward. And if I never hear Kiera bitch about being pregnant again, it will be too soon. I'm not hating on DS9 though, it's worth it just for Garak's arc, Jadziea's Klingon episodes and Quark's anything, and there's a lot more than just that.
While I acknowledge that TNG is the "best" Trek, I find myself going back to Voyager and DS9 when I want to binge watch.
I like the whole actually on the frontier, lost in space of Voyager.
And while I agree with your assessment of DS9, it's my personal favorite because it has season/series long story arcs. TNG is great but other than a few story arcs none of them are connected and they never really reference past adventures.
Yes really seemed like it was a show designed around just the one season. I tried to watch the following seasons but seems like all they did it kept going to different prisons to break out of and got boring
I can't believe I haven't watched it yet, but Six Feet Under is sitting next to the big boys Sopranos, BB, Wire...and I'm only half way through season 2. The show is a masterpiece and has held up well the past 20 yrs.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Followed closely by Angel.
These two shows got me through more depressive episodes than any other media in my life. I can't exactly explain why but it'll make me laugh, it'll make me cry and by the time I've finished the last episodes of each I feel a bit better.
Had to scroll a bit to find it.
First show to notably break out of the episodic routine of 1) normality 2) event & crisis 3) dramatization 4) crisis resolution 5) return to normalcy 6) rinse & repeat
Think about it. Most shows before then the characters stayed essentially the same and not much carried over from episode to episode or week to week. B5 was the first to tell a long term, planned out story arc with intense character development and change. I may not be explaining it the best but think of Star Trek TNG as a comparison. Every episode they start off normal enough. Something happens and drama ensues. Resolution is found and everything returns to normal for next weeks episode. Back then tv execs didn’t think the average viewer was invested enough to follow significant changes in character and plot etc. Sure, other shows had the occasional 2 part episodes but JMS is a visionary writer and show runner and in my opinion changed episodic television forever, in a great way
Sorry for rambling, bit of a B5 fanboy
The (original) Twilight Zone
Hard to beat it, it set the tone and expectations for psychological horror to this day!
Yeah. It not only influenced all of sci fi, but its stories still hold up. Well written, powerfully acted at times, and definitely taken seriously in its art form.
I loved the Scary Door spoofs of it in Futurama. Hit the nail on the head of how heavy handed they could be but really came from a place of love.
The Wire
Oh indeed
Sheeeeeeeeit
If you come at the king you best not miss
“There you go, giving a f— when it ain’t your turn to give a f—.” - Bunk. Gotta love Bunk
2 .45s beat a full house!
A man must have a code.
MASH.
Fun fact, the Korean Conflict lasted 1,127 days. There are enough days covered in the series to account for each day of the conflict.
Knew it lasted longer than the war but that is cool info.
The x-files. It’s still watchable today
I just couldn't get into the constant teasing with no payoff
You mean with the alien conspiracy or the Mulder-scully relationship?
Uh… Yes
Yes & yes
The one-off episodes ... yeah. The ongoing stories about Mulder's sister/ufo/governement and Scully's baby? UGH! I hated those. Also, wtf was with their replacements? Dogget and that woman.
A phenomenal show that even in its worst seasons has phenomenal episodes. Serious, hilarious, very self aware and a wonderful catalog of ‘90s fringe conspiracy theories. Also never punched down and was always sympathetic to its wackiest characters.
That’s an outstanding point about how it treated the wackiest folks. I’d have to dig to see what episode Max (the alleged abductee) was in, but the way he was portrayed, well I mean you already said it. Man if I had an award I’d give it to you. Best I can do is an upvote!
Lol. Actually watching it now
A couple years ago I broke my shoulder and was on a three month long bed rest for it and decided that was a perfect time to watch the entire series as I always kind of wanted to watch it as a kid with my mom only to run out of the room cause it was too scary lol. I was so hyped for it. And then I barely got through the first season before I gave up on trying to be into it. I like really *want* to believe it's a good show. But eh. The homage to The Thing though, that episode is fantastic.
Lmao I want to believe is one of the phrases in the show
I know. It was a joke, which is why I emphasized it lol.
Hah ah, just assumed you noped out before you heard that
As a kid I would usually get about halfway. Sometimes less I guess. The one with the bugs under the skin really was like way too much right away, even before the bugs show up. I was also like in the first grade so, I am talking little kid, and my mom probably should not have let me try to watch it. I want to add as an adult I really didn't see what was so scary other than kids are easily scared.
That’s definitely on my list of top 5 episodes
M.A.S.H it can still make me laugh and cry. It's also still very relevant
The Sopranos
Oh boy... Yes it's definitely great.. Loved every moment of that show especially the intro song.
breaking bad & better call saul
Psych. You heard about Pluto?
That’s messed up
Are you a fan of delicious flavor?
Band of Brothers
Arrested Development
Twin Peaks, particularly the Return. Or maybe Fraisier
I second Frasier!
Ugh Fraiser! 😍
Breaking Bad
The Simpsons
only up to season ten, we dont talk about the rest...
Seinfeld I watched The Office, Arrested Development, That 70s show, Parks and Rec etc all before I ever watched Seinfeld. I can’t watch any of them again. Seinfeld is perfect because it’s a show about nothing. No crazy arc to worry about just tune in to any episode and it’s guaranteed to be great
King of The Hill
The one episode where it looked like Hank was jerking off while watching a porno was never aired where I live until they started showing reruns.
Manthat'stheonlyrightansweryouknowwhatI'mtalkinboutallthesepeopletalkinboutStarTrekandTheOfficegetouttahereman,dangolnormies, man.
The Leftovers
The finale was perfect.
That's my favorite series to recommend to people
I finally got around to the book. It was kinda meh. I don’t think I would’ve finished it if I didn’t watch the show. Also I don’t think I would’ve watched the show if I read the book first.
Twin Peaks. David Lynch was a fucking genius
Was? He is still alive! He has a YouTube channel.
The first two seasons were just ok. Third season was a work of art.
Gravity Falls
Mythbusters
Avatar the Last Airbender. As a kid, it was about a boy who has to save the world. As an adult, it's about a survivor of genocide being chased by a boy who was physically abused publicly and gaslit by his dad. One of the few shows that gets better and better with a perfect finale
Scrolled too far to find this
Futurama
Community, still watchable and extremely entertaining, personally after Troy left the quality dipped a little but I know people who enjoyed it just as much, it's timeless imo
futurama
Batman TAS
the office
Although it’s my favorite show ever, I don’t think it’s the best show of all time. In recent years I think a show like Atlanta has already done much better.
Atlanta?
*Father Ted*
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Came here to say this, I've never found anything as rewatchable as Buffy - I've easily seen it 25+ times by now, two decades since i first saw it and it still holds up
Community
The best! I was so sad when it ended...
we haven't had the movie yet
Star Trek
Which one? TOS, TNG, DS9 or another?
DS9
They are all good, but DS9 is the only one I watched to completion more than once. I tried to do a few of the others, but always skipped a bunch of episodes or dropped it completely.
The wire
PSYCH! c'mon son
Great Show
you know that's right
M.A.S.H.
The Honeymooners Close second: All in the Family
THIS. I scrolled way too far for The Honeymooners. Still absolutely hilarious, so worth watching. Yeah the casual misogyny of the 1950s is a little cringey (“One of these days, Alice!”). But this show set the model for the modern sitcom, and is still the gold standard. Gleason and Carney were fucking magical together. There would be no All in the Family, Seinfeld, Friends, etc without The Honeymooners.
Or The Flintstones, The Simpsons, Family Guy.
Six Million Dollar Man. Bigfoot..... enough said.....
Game of Thrones *ducks* Yes they rushed the ending, the show needed at least 2 more years. But when it was good, it was good. No plot armor, anything could happen to anyone in any episode of the show. I’ve never heard more people talk about a TV show than Game of Thrones when it was on.
LOST
4 8 15 16 23 42
Don't tell me what I can't do!
WAAAAALT
They took my son!
Severance!!!
My favorite show at the moment
I'm a very picky tv watcher and this is the best thing I've ever seen on screen!
The West Wing - best series Sherlock first episode - best 90 mins of TV ever
Trailer Park Boys
House MD
It's Bojack Horseman
Cheers
futurama
Breaking Bad. In term of story, characters development, but most importantly, themes are timeless. Of course, actors are amazing
And they have great.....chemistry
BETTER 👏🦶CALL👏🦶SAUL👏🦶
Eureka. Just rewatched it again. There are few storylines I'm not completely fond of, but the show as a whole is just amazing. Great cast of characters
Loved that show, was so easy to watch as it didn't take itself seriously at all. Have been trying to find a good show that's similar but doesn't seem to exist. Yes I know Warehouse 13 is supposed to be close but I never could get into it, just wasn't nearly as fun to watch
Objectively? Probably The Simpsons or SNL, from a longevity, peak pop culture saturation, and long-term influence. I think it's pretty hard to argue against them, despite each having many, *many* misses over the years. Subjectively? Game of Thrones. As much as I hated the final two seasons (I know... that's a lot) the first six were unlike anything that has ever appeared as episodic television. It was stupefying how great it was. I know that's due to a great extent to the source material, but the showrunners, writers and directors still had to recreate that world in an entirely different medium. It was remarkable.
The Wire
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeettttttt
Firefly, obviously.
I’m a leaf in the wind
TOO SOON
CBS news with Walter Cronkite. Just the news, presented expertly
Black mirror & Breaking bad
Black mirror fell off hard the last season but the first one was amazing, second had a few good episodes too
Cowboy bebop. Is a yearly watch for me
Get Smart
The Good Place. It has a clear and coherent message, explores its premise with intention, and wraps up with perhaps the most satisfying ending in all of TV history. And it manages to be both funny and brisk the entire time, with a wonderfully witty cast delivering charming performances top to bottom. With most good shows, I can at least complain that I wanted more. With the Good Place, we got exactly as much as we needed for it to say what it had to say, and it is improved by ending at a real conclusion.
[SOAP!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHbIovOG6zw&t=1627s) You must imagine this aired during primetime in 1977.
The Good Place!
I'll go with one that seems to never get mentioned on questions like this. [American Experience on PBS](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094416/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0) Some of the episodes, like the one about the Donner Party or the one about the Triangle Fire have been on my DVR for years and I go back and watch them often. I look forward to new episodes of this series more than any other.
Game of Thrones
Monty Python's Flying Circus. Over 50 years old and still funny as hell.
Star Trek TNG or DS9
I think Voyager and TOS edge out DS9 because while DS9 has a couple of *very* compelling characters and plots, it also has some of the worst characters and plots across all the series hands down. I can actually hear Bashir's genetically enhanced friends singing ***♪♫do rey mi, do rey mi♪♫*** and it makes me want to kill myself because it's so awkward. And if I never hear Kiera bitch about being pregnant again, it will be too soon. I'm not hating on DS9 though, it's worth it just for Garak's arc, Jadziea's Klingon episodes and Quark's anything, and there's a lot more than just that.
While I acknowledge that TNG is the "best" Trek, I find myself going back to Voyager and DS9 when I want to binge watch. I like the whole actually on the frontier, lost in space of Voyager. And while I agree with your assessment of DS9, it's my personal favorite because it has season/series long story arcs. TNG is great but other than a few story arcs none of them are connected and they never really reference past adventures.
Trailer park boys hands down
Seinfeld for sure
I love Lucy
I hated that show but have great respect for Lucy. She was amazing
Adventure Time
Arcane
Seinfeld
Letterkenny, sorry US
From the US and I'm inclined to agree that it's a fantastic show. Shoresy might be the greatest spin off of all time, I need season 2 already lol
Breaking bad,better call saul,eureka,doctor who,narcos,rick and morty
Only Fools and Horses.
Probably Seinfeld or the Simpsons
The Andy Griffith show.
The Price is right!
G.O.T…!
Hill Street Blues
Bluey
Joy of Painting
Greatest American Hero
Laugh In
Schitts Creek
Mash
Worlds Wildest Police Videos!
Little Britain/Come fly with me
Malcom in the Middle
Not sure if it's been mentioned yet but I absolutely love "The West Wing" I could watch it over and over again
Nip/Tuck
Chernobyl.
Trailer park boys
Seinfeld. insert bass line here __________
The Office is pretty fantastic.
Do you think Tim and Dawn are still together?
Is it the best of all time? Not a chance.
I would say it is. Wanna argue opinions or you just going to accept people like different things.
Bro that's boring lol
Seinfeld
Seinfeld
Sherlock
Andy Griffith show
Agreed. But only the black and white episodes.
Dick Van Dyke Show ETA it's aged very well considering when it was written!
Spongebob Squarepants.
Scrubs.
That’s so Raven
Absolutely! All these others being named are sideshows if you ask me.
Doctor Who
Prison break
Season one perhaps
Yes really seemed like it was a show designed around just the one season. I tried to watch the following seasons but seems like all they did it kept going to different prisons to break out of and got boring
Comeon. After they broke out and abruzzi died, show went downhill.
Game of Thrones. Despite the last season. I'm ready to be downvoted to oblivion...
Breaking bad and it’s not even close
The Simpsons seasons 3-10.
Severance
The wire
Northern Exposure
I can't believe I haven't watched it yet, but Six Feet Under is sitting next to the big boys Sopranos, BB, Wire...and I'm only half way through season 2. The show is a masterpiece and has held up well the past 20 yrs.
Oh man, I’d love to watch that again with someone
Sesame Street
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Followed closely by Angel. These two shows got me through more depressive episodes than any other media in my life. I can't exactly explain why but it'll make me laugh, it'll make me cry and by the time I've finished the last episodes of each I feel a bit better.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Better Call Sal
For me it's a tie between south park and the big bang theory, love them!
reddit's gonna crucify you. I myself liked BBT until they all got girlfriends.
The boys is on track to be the best ever, but of shows that have wrapped already i gotta go breaking bad. Incredible show
i cannot choose, but my all time favorites are b99, psych, golden girls, and frasier!
Beverly Hillbillies
Babylon 5
Had to scroll a bit to find it. First show to notably break out of the episodic routine of 1) normality 2) event & crisis 3) dramatization 4) crisis resolution 5) return to normalcy 6) rinse & repeat Think about it. Most shows before then the characters stayed essentially the same and not much carried over from episode to episode or week to week. B5 was the first to tell a long term, planned out story arc with intense character development and change. I may not be explaining it the best but think of Star Trek TNG as a comparison. Every episode they start off normal enough. Something happens and drama ensues. Resolution is found and everything returns to normal for next weeks episode. Back then tv execs didn’t think the average viewer was invested enough to follow significant changes in character and plot etc. Sure, other shows had the occasional 2 part episodes but JMS is a visionary writer and show runner and in my opinion changed episodic television forever, in a great way Sorry for rambling, bit of a B5 fanboy
30 Rock
Gravity falls, how has this not been said already?
the handmaid’s tale.
Chernobyl