# Final Round -- Best All-Time TV Show **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 30, 2013, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006 "2013-09-30T15:04:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/1 "2013-09-30T15:04:54Z")
With just fewer than 200 voters participating since 08-20-2013 in [The Best All-Time TV Show – UPDATE](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=699986) it’s time to identify SDMB’s Number One show from the top finishers. Public poll. One choice. Make it count! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/2 "2013-09-30T15:20:31Z")
In spite of previous polls, you left out “none of the above.” ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/3 "2013-09-30T15:34:17Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > In spite of previous polls, you left out “none of the above.” A no-vote can be interpreted that way. These 12 shows were the top finishers in the UPDATE poll. If your pick for best show is not on the list, and you don’t have a preference for any show on the list, then just don’t vote. That’s equivalent to “none of the above.” ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/4 "2013-09-30T17:55:02Z")
I would have said none of the above, but of the shows given, I selected Seinfeld. The Sopranos would be a close 2nd. For the record, Arrested Development would have been my top choice. I have not seen the latest season on Netflix, though. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/5 "2013-09-30T18:03:21Z")
The Doctor, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/6 "2013-09-30T18:08:07Z")
M_A_S\*H. It’s been off the air for 30 years, and STILL gets in the top two or three against incredibly popular current shows. It’s proven that it has the legs to be best ALL-TIME show. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/7 "2013-09-30T18:10:16Z")
It was between Breaking Bad and Seinfeld. While I actually think Breaking Bad may be slightly better, so much of the Seinfeld universe has infiltrated society in a way that no other show ever has. Apples and oranges in a way-- Seinfeld is the greatest comedy, Breaking Bad is the greatest drama and a tremendous show overall, but Seinfeld wins my vote because it’s become part of the pop culture and vernacular and Americana in a way that BB never will. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/8 "2013-10-01T15:51:50Z")
You just never can tell where these polls will go. Compare the first 25 votes here: ```auto View Poll Results: What's the Best All-Time TV show? This poll will close on 10-31-2013 at 10:07 AM M*A*S*H 5 20.00% Breaking Bad 4 16.00% Seinfeld 3 12.00% Buffy 2 8.00% Doctor Who 2 8.00% Star Trek: TOS 2 8.00% The West Wing 2 8.00% The Wire 2 8.00% Band of Brothers 1 4.00% Firefly 1 4.00% The Simpsons 1 4.00% The Sopranos 0 0% Voters: 25 ``` With these first votes at > **[The Best All-Time TV Show -- UPDATE](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=699986)** > > If you’ll refer to The Best All-Time TV Show \[vote for up to 10\], which was active a couple of years ago, you’ll see the basis of the 51 shows in this poll. Vote for YOUR FAVORITE in this group. If your favorite isn’t on the list, vote OTHER and let... The Best All-Time TV Show – UPDATE ```auto View Poll Results: What is the Best TV Show of All Time? This poll will close on 11-18-2013 at 12:06 PM Breaking Bad 5 15.63% Doctor Who 4 12.50% The Simpsons 3 9.38% The Wire 3 9.38% Buffy 3 9.38% Star Trek: TOS 3 9.38% M*A*S*H 2 6.25% Firefly 1 3.13% The Sopranos 1 3.13% All In The Family 1 3.13% Futurama 1 3.13% The West Wing 1 3.13% Mad Men 1 3.13% I Claudius 1 3.13% My Name Is Earl 1 3.13% OTHER -- Post and explain 1 3.13% Voters: 32 ``` ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/9 "2013-10-01T17:36:34Z")
I voted for _The Sopranos_ because episode-for-episode it is simply the most consistently excellent show of all those listed that I have seen. _Buffy_, _Seinfeld_, and _The Simpsons_ had too many weak seasons. _Firefly_ shouldn’t be listed with series that lasted for anything over a full season. _M_A_S_H\* went off the rails for several seasons toward the end. _Star Trek: TOS_, as much as I love it, was at best a season and a half of really good TV. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/10 "2013-10-03T12:40:14Z")
Voting is slowing down this week so maybe this is the final word on which show can be regarded (at least by those who have chosen to express opinions) as the Best All-Time TV Show: ```auto View Poll Results: What's the Best All-Time TV show? This poll will close on 10-31-2013 at 10:07 AM Doctor Who 7 16.67% Breaking Bad 6 14.29% M*A*S*H 6 14.29% The Simpsons 5 11.90% Buffy 3 7.14% Seinfeld 3 7.14% The West Wing 3 7.14% Band of Brothers 2 4.76% Star Trek: TOS 2 4.76% The Sopranos 2 4.76% The Wire 2 4.76% Firefly 1 2.38% Voters: 42 ``` To me it seems worth noting that the thread debating the merits of _Breaking Bad_ versus _The Wire_ may be focusing on two shows that seem further apart than several nearer the top of this list. It may be worth discussing the merits of some of these other shows and why they should be seen as more significant rivals to the top three or four. And then again, this sample may not be convincing enough in its size to draw any real conclusions. At least for me personally, I can’t argue persuasively for my own pick(s). It appears to be a matter of taste more than real quality in the shows themselves. Just for the record, the other threads I have started on the topic may encourage someone else to devise a better way to find The Top Show of All Time. > **[Your Top Five Most Preferred TV Shows (Final Poll)](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=567279)** > > Vote for up to five. Your Top Five Most Preferred TV Shows (Final Poll) 06-15-2010, 01:24 PM > **[Your Preferred TV Shows (Section C) -- Vote for up to 10](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=565330)** > > These are the 40 shows that received two mentions in Your Favorite All-Time TV Shows – Second Pass. Multiple Choice: Vote for up to 10 shows. The title’s “preferred” is meant to suggest that whether you see your vote(s) for “favorite” or “best” is... Your Preferred TV Shows (Section C) – Vote for up to 10 06-01-2010, 07:38 AM > **[Your Preferred TV Shows (Section B) -- Vote for up to 10](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=565328)** > > These are the 33 shows that received at least three mentions in Your Favorite All-Time TV Shows – Second Pass. Multiple Choice: Vote for up to 10 shows. The title’s “preferred” is meant to suggest that whether you see your vote(s) for “favorite” or... Your Preferred TV Shows (Section B) – Vote for up to 10 06-01-2010, 07:23 AM > **[Your Favorite All-Time TV Shows -- Second Pass](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=562690)** > > Posts in the thread The Best All-Time TV Show \[vote for up to 10\] indicated that some people weren’t aware of the first pass thread or else they were disappointed some of their favorite shows weren’t included in the Top 51 shows involved in the... Your Favorite All-Time TV Shows – Second Pass 05-10-2010, 04:49 PM > **[The Best All-Time TV Show \[vote for up to 10\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=562451)** > > After seven weeks Your Favorite All-Time TV Shows has provided the “favorite” Top 51 TV Shows of All Time. This poll is to try to determine the BEST of those shows. Since there’s no way to control the number of votes in a multiple choice poll, you... The Best All-Time TV Show [vote for up to 10] 05-08-2010, 07:40 AM > **[Your Favorite All-Time TV Shows](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=556753)** > > With the apparent enjoyment of two threads with similar purposes: The greatest actors of your lifetime with 48 Replies and 650 Views and Best Western (movie) with 81 Replies and 734 Views …where the intention is to get preliminary data for polls... Your Favorite All-Time TV Shows 03-22-2010, 08:28 AM ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/11 "2013-10-03T12:59:45Z")
Where is _The Shield_? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/12 "2013-10-03T13:26:08Z")
> [@Flander](#): > > Where is _The Shield_? It didn’t rise close enough to the top to make it to these “final” polls. That’s true of many good shows. Check those links in my previous post. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/13 "2013-10-03T14:42:01Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > To me it seems worth noting that the thread debating the merits of _Breaking Bad_ versus _The Wire_ may be focusing on two shows that seem further apart than several nearer the top of this list. It would be interesting to see how _ **Breaking Bad** _ did in a year, or 5 years, instead of having ended just 4 nights ago. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/14 "2013-10-03T14:49:37Z")
I never really watched M_A_S_H. I HAD to vote for Breaking Bad. It’s not perfect, I think if I were to have seen all of M_A_S_H, it might have been a toss-up. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/15 "2013-10-03T14:53:45Z")
> [@bup](#): > > It would be interesting to see how _ **Breaking Bad** _ did in a year, or 5 years, instead of having ended just 4 nights ago. Yes. For me, the last half of the last season really elevated the show in my own judgment as worth contention for “best ever.” The weak seasons in _The Wire_ and the letdown at the end of _The Sopranos_ lowered them for me. The only other show on this list of 12 that I would consider as All-Time Best would be _Band of Brothers_ but its short duration hurt it for comparison to the long run shows. There are so many shows that got left by the wayside on the way to this “final poll” that I’d like to see somebody else’s approach to a way to determine if there even is an SDMB Favorite show. My best guess so far would be _The Simpsons_, but I only caught a few episodes of it. Several of these Top 12 are things I never saw at all. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/16 "2013-10-03T14:59:15Z")
Quite the rectangular distribution thus far; I’m surprised that \*Firefly \*hasn’t done better. I voted for _MASH_, but didn’t expect to see it leading like it is today, albeit by a small margin. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/17 "2013-10-03T16:08:30Z")
What if we had separate categories of shows, like Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and such groupings? Would that make deciding what was the Best All-Time Show(s) any more convincing? If so, how would you break down these 12 shows into categories? What about category overlap? ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/18 "2013-10-03T16:11:51Z")
Was M_A_S\*H more of a comedy, or drama… I know it was both, but if you had to place it in one of the 2 genres, which would it be? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/19 "2013-10-03T16:21:30Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > Was M_A_S\*H more of a comedy, or drama… I know it was both, but if you had to place it in one of the 2 genres, which would it be? I would vote Comedy. Many comedies have “serious” sides just as many dramas have their lighter moments, if not themes. The boundaries between categories can be fuzzy at least, which make slotting shows into those categories a puzzle. Is it even worth the trouble? I, for one, can’t equate the quality of _M_A_S_H\* with that of _The Wire_ for several reasons. The importance of the laughs is just one factor in that dilemma. And how much slack is there between Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and wherever _Buffy_ should be grouped? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/20 "2013-10-03T16:36:01Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > A no-vote can be interpreted that way. > > These 12 shows were the top finishers in the UPDATE poll. If your pick for best show is not on the list, and you don’t have a preference for any show on the list, then just don’t vote. That’s equivalent to “none of the above.” How will you know how many people didn’t vote? 😕 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006.md?page=2)