I was watching an episode of a show the other day and this notion hit me: this is the best show in the history of television. I didn’t pose it to myself as a question, a possibility, or even a probability. I knew it in my bones, I knew (know) it as fact. I have seen lot of great television, but this is the very first time I ever articulated such a statement.
Such a thought, of course, is entirely subjective; most will disagree with me. But for me, the statement stands as Truth.
As for the poll, I’ve tried to compile a list of programs that I believe others may have such feelings for. I’ve overlooked some, to be sure, but I think this list is pretty comprehensive. Go ahead and use the ‘other’ option, but please make your case.
I will reveal which show had this profound effect on me after there are some responses.
mmm
Though this is an excellent list, there are a few missing that would have been among my top choices for “this is the best thing I’ve seen” depending on my mood. I don’t think I would be able to choose among them, really.
Yes Minister / Yes Prime Minister (a brilliant UK comedy) Roseanne (seasons 1 - 5, at least) The Good Life (another UK comedy, full of warmth, heart, and wit) I, Claudius (yes, it’s a 13-episode mini-series, but genius television nonetheless)
I know many who would make a case for Sports Night, too.
I specified Battlestar Galactica was the 2003 version. I specified Dr. Who as the 2005 incarnation. I noted the Letterman show was his NBC program. I gave the titles of the two Star Trek series I included. I Identified Johnny Carson as the host of my Tonight Show entry. I even differentiated between the U.S. and U.K. versions of The Office, and included both.
Was there a remake of Seinfeld with which I am unfamiliar?
mmm
I voted The Wire. All due respect to Deadwood, The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Arrested Development, Seinfeld, etc., but The Wire blows them all out of the water. And I have never in my life understood the love for MASH.
