# Best TV show of the decade? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 17, 2019, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972 "2019-12-17T01:06:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/41 "2019-12-17T17:07:37Z")
NCIS with Mark Harmon ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/42 "2019-12-17T17:08:24Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Did Brooklyn 99 improve after the first season, in the first season I found it more cringe humor than clever funny like Community, The Good Place or a classic like Barney Miller. > > I know Parks & Rec stayed cringe humor. But I was hoping Brooklyn 99 might be worth giving another chance. Like I said - hard to reach consensus. -If you didn’t like S1 of B99, I doubt you would like the later ones. In fact, by the end I was not enjoying it as much as I had at first. -But I don’t know what it means to call Parks and Rec “cringe humor.” I thought it had numerous well-written characters, and consistently clever scripts. -OTOH, I tried The Good Place, but just didn’t find it any kind of enjoyable or interesting. Yet many folk offer it as THE best. -And I tried to rewatch Barney Miller (and have tried other past faves like WKRP, Sanford & Son). The first ep, you figure, “Man, I just caught a dog ep.” Then after 2-3 more dogs in a row, you start to wonder how well it held up. Tastes differ. > [@](#): > > Some not mentioned yet: > > … > Modern Family … Well, I _mentioned_ it… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/43 "2019-12-17T17:09:49Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Did Brooklyn 99 improve after the first season, in the first season I found it more cringe humor than clever funny like Community, The Good Place or a classic like Barney Miller. > > I know Parks & Rec stayed cringe humor. But I was hoping Brooklyn 99 might be worth giving another chance. Like I said - hard to reach consensus. -If you didn’t like S1 of B99, I doubt you would like the later ones. In fact, by the end I was not enjoying it as much as I had at first. -But I don’t know what it means to call Parks and Rec “cringe humor.” I thought it had numerous well-written characters, and consistently clever scripts. -OTOH, I tried The Good Place, but just didn’t find it any kind of enjoyable or interesting. Yet many folk offer it as THE best. -And I tried to rewatch Barney Miller (and have tried other past faves like WKRP, Sanford & Son). The first ep, you figure, “Man, I just caught a dog ep.” Then after 2-3 more dogs in a row, you start to wonder how well it held up. Tastes differ - and change. > [@](#): > > Some not mentioned yet: > > … > Modern Family … Well, I _mentioned_ it… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/44 "2019-12-17T17:11:40Z")
Lots of quality stuff already mentioned so I won’t repeat. I’d put the first two seasons of _Legion_ as among the best television I’ve seen in the last decade, but it was badly let down by the third season which was way too filler-heavy. I’ve really enjoyed _Billions_ too. ---
**Author:** ![Unreconstructed\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/76d3ee/32.png) [@Unreconstructed\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unreconstructed_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/45 "2019-12-17T17:12:02Z")
In no particular order: _Stranger Things Hannibal Watchmen Chernobyl Breaking Bad (could fall into either decade, IMO) Better Call Saul Rick and Morty The Good Place True Detective Black Mirror Fargo_ Edit: Honourable mention: _Santa Clarita Diet_, gone too soon ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/46 "2019-12-17T17:20:52Z")
Some pretty good quality programming came from [Eric Andre](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOnGIphn9Sk) ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/47 "2019-12-17T17:31:47Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > Well, so IMHO, it really makes me think you’ve not seen any other shows over the last ten years… > > Like I said, I can how others can consider other stuff as best. Just. I really can’t see how anyone can put WTD in the best, I can see how you like it if you like stupid, repetitive nonsense. Guilty shame and all that. For me it has swung between unwatchable and bearable in recent years. Jesus, man. Lighten up. People like what you don’t. It happens. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/48 "2019-12-17T17:43:12Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Is there something about the rules that excludes [Wolf Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Hall_(miniseries))? Otherwise, it is beyond my comprehension why this was not included/mentioned already. Surely it was shown in the US? > [@zimaane](#): > > It was shown in the U.S. but only on PBS and they didn’t extensively promote it, unlike _Downton Abbey_. I saw a bit of it, and thought it was good, but didn’t really follow up… Goddamn, that’s a shame for you guys. Starring Mark Rylance - need I say more? j ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/49 "2019-12-17T18:09:09Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > Wow. How this show can ever be mentioned in the same breath as the rest, baffles me. … Who’s got the stupid ball this episode? EVERYONE? It’s been about ten years, you solved the zombie problem with a fake zombie suit about season 6, WHY AREN’T YOU DOING THIS? Why aren’t you in a serious prison with concrete walls, cleared out and farmed. You all deserve to die. > > There could be a riot at a scifi convention if someone asked “What is the worst Walking Dead season”. > > In future generations it will be the example to show quality does not equal popularity. The whole idea of the show is that \*\*we \*\*are the monsters. That was obvious like not even halfway thru first season. yawn. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/50 "2019-12-17T18:13:04Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Did Brooklyn 99 improve after the first season, in the first season I found it more cringe humor than clever funny like Community, The Good Place or a classic like Barney Miller. > > I know Parks & Rec stayed cringe humor. But I was hoping Brooklyn 99 might be worth giving another chance. Yeah, I am not fond of cringe humor. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/51 "2019-12-17T18:17:39Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > Well, so IMHO, it really makes me think you’ve not seen any other shows over the last ten years… > > Like I said, I can how others can consider other stuff as best. Just. I really can’t see how anyone can put WTD in the best, I can see how you like it if you like stupid, repetitive nonsense. Guilty shame and all that. For me it has swung between unwatchable and bearable in recent years. You’re so right I haven’t watched any other show in 10 years. Yep, let’s go with that. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/52 "2019-12-17T18:27:46Z")
Shows that almost nobody I know has seen belong on this list – “Trivia” – an Irish series from 2011-2012 starring David Pearse. I saw it on Hulu or Netflix, and then it disappeared completely, not even available on DVD. Pearse plays a socially malajusted video store clerk who is obsessed with winning his local pub quiz 52 weeks in a row. “The Book Group” – 2002-2003 – Anne Dudek, who was the Drapers’ neighbor on “Mad Men” is an American in Scotland who starts a book group. First time I saw Rory McCann (the future Sandor Clegane), who plays a really sweet guy. “Detectorists” – 2014-2015 – The brilliant Toby Jones, and Mackenzie Crook (Gareth from “The Office”) shows he’s a real actor! As a pair of treasure hunters in southeast England. “Moone Boy” – 2012 – Actor Chris O’Dowd plays his own self’s imaginary friend in this semi-autobiographical story about a kid growing up in western Ireland in the 1990s. “Derry Girls” – 2018-2019 – Four teen-aged girls coming to age in a Northern Ireland torn by civil strife. ---
**Author:** ![Disheavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/53 "2019-12-17T18:41:49Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Tie: _Nova_ and _Frontline_ You are someone I like! In high school, I had a feature about myself in the local hometown paper and I said that my favorite TV shows were: Nova and Nature. I caught so much flak for that… but as I’ve had my research featured twice on Nova, I am now laughing all of the way to the bank. Well maybe not the bank, as it is PBS and government supported science. ---
**Author:** ![Calavera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calavera/32/70_2.png) [@Calavera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calavera)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/54 "2019-12-17T18:41:52Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > \*\*Twin Peaks - the Return \*\*- what a mess, but when it hits big, still one of the best shows. Episode 8 might be the best episode of TV this decade. I’ve got no real interest in watching _Twin Peaks: The Return_, I just don’t have enough time. Is whatever makes episode 8 so good something I could pick up from context without watching 1-7, or are the previous episodes mandatory? ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/55 "2019-12-17T19:36:40Z")
Justified. Hands down. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/56 "2019-12-17T21:23:44Z")
If I could nominate “Walking Dead Seasons 1-4” and forget everything else, it would be my top pick. I’m surprised people don’t remember how great it was in the beginning. It is only because is has ambled(ha) on and on and on an on and become a confusing, boring mess that I couldn’t put it on my list. Way more crappy content than good at this point. But, wow, those first few seasons were up there with the best shows I’ve seen in a long time. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/57 "2019-12-17T22:42:21Z")
Best drama: _Mad Men_. Best comedy: _Community_. Making Alison Brie a Very Special Person. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/58 "2019-12-17T22:43:01Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > There have been plenty of good shows, but the ones I’d put at the top of my list are **The Good Place** and **Justified**. Both of them are completely hilarious, both are serial stories, but one emphasizes the comedy and the other emphasizes the drama. Justified ended perfectly; here’s hoping The Good Place does as well. I just want to say that IMO Justified had a perfect blend of drama and humor. FWIW, I would estimate that to be 80% drama and 20% humor. I could watch Timothy Olyphant for hours at a time because some actors - like Olyphant - are just so intensely interesting to watch. Also, Walton Groggins and Olyphant make a great match. I love watching scenes with both of them. If you have never seen Justified, I highly recommend it to you. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/59 "2019-12-17T23:25:26Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > I just want to say that IMO Justified had a perfect blend of drama and humor. FWIW, I would estimate that to be 80% drama and 20% humor. > > I could watch Timothy Olyphant for hours at a time because some actors - like Olyphant - are just so intensely interesting to watch. Also, Walton Groggins and > Olyphant make a great match. I love watching scenes with both of them. > . I will add James Spader. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972/60 "2019-12-17T23:30:56Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Tie: _Nova_ and _Frontline_ Except those started in the 1974 and 1983 respectively, so they don’t really meet the criteria of “the vast majority of the episodes aired in this decade”. 😉 Come to think of it they’ve both been on the air so long you can’t say the majority of the episodes aired in _any_ decade. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-tv-show-of-the-decade/844972.md?page=4)