# 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:** 2
**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, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/21 "2013-10-03T16:41:14Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > How will you know how many people didn’t vote? 😕 That’s not an issue, in my opinion. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Dopers have yet to vote. Whether that can be intrepreted as anything meaningful is beyond my ability, or interest. ---
**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, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/22 "2013-10-03T20:23:32Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > How will you know how many people didn’t vote? 😕 Here’s a second shot at an answer to that question. I just bumped an old thread [Which SDMB Poll Has Had The Most Voters?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=611029) which I started 06-03-2011, 10:27 AM. Until somebody finds a bigger number than the … > **[How old are you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=610944)** > > In another thread, Really? Hmm. Let’s find out! I just did ranges, not exact ages, but you can post your age if you want. I think 13 is the minimum age to be a Doper. Poll to follow. ETA: I am 35. How old are you? 06-02-2011, 03:33 PM Voters: 785 … it would be a reasonable ballpark to say 800 voters would be a measure of how many people might be expected to vote in an SDMB poll. What we can do with that information is beyond my skills. ---
**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, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/23 "2013-10-03T20:34:57Z")
Voting milestone: It has taken this long for a show to register 10 votes: ```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 10 15.87% Breaking Bad 8 12.70% Doctor Who 8 12.70% Star Trek: TOS 6 9.52% Buffy 5 7.94% Seinfeld 5 7.94% The Simpsons 5 7.94% The Wire 5 7.94% The West Wing 4 6.35% Band of Brothers 3 4.76% Firefly 2 3.17% The Sopranos 2 3.17% Voters: 63 ``` How long before the second show gets there? ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/24 "2013-10-03T20:51:47Z")
> [@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.” It really isn’t. Without a “none of the above” option your poll results will be unable to reveal the fact (and very likely it is a fact) that most potential respondents think that none of the shows listed is the best ever. Furthermore, in the less likely event that that is not the case, the results will not be able to show that either. Also, without that option, it is almost certain that many people who _do_ vote will be voting not for what they think is the best all-time show at all, but for what they think is best out of the restrictive options listed. ---
**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, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/25 "2013-10-03T21:02:50Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > It really isn’t. Your objection makes sense. On the other hand, those who may have participated in any (or all) of the threads/polls I listed above have helped to narrow down to 12 the dozens (if not hundreds) of shows mentioned and voted on earlier. As I have suggested several times before. I welcome somebody else’s approach to finding the SDMB choice for “best/favorite all-time TV show.” Please be my guest in that effort. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/26 "2013-10-03T21:18:58Z")
I think we have to wait until 30 years after the last ep to see if Breaking Bad is the best show. That’s the thing about M_A_S\*H - even over 30 years later, I can watch any episode and enjoy it. People are coasting on a Breaking Bad high right now, but next year it’ll be something else. To me, to be the best you have to endure the test of time. StG ---
**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, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/27 "2013-10-03T21:33:41Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > I think we have to wait until 30 years after the last ep to see if Breaking Bad is the best show. That’s the thing about M_A_S\*H - even over 30 years later, I can watch any episode and enjoy it. People are coasting on a Breaking Bad high right now, but next year it’ll be something else. To me, to be the best you have to endure the test of time. > > StG I admit to my own _Breaking Bad_ high at this time. This last season elevated the show above earlier “bests.” I hope there’s another show in the wings (or on the drawing board) that will challenge its ownership of Number One long before 30 years, by which time I will most likely be dead. The “long view” approach is worthy, but I’d just as soon see another survey in a year or two to accommodate new shows arriving and old ones’ shine wearing off. I genuinely hope _Justified_ can continue to rise in appreciation and acclaim. But even if it doesn’t, I’ll be watching and enjoying it. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/28 "2013-10-03T21:46:40Z")
Perhaps I shouldn’t have voted, as I’ve only ever watched a couple shows on this list. But Seinfeld gets my vote. Doctor Who would have almost gotten it but it has crapped out since Moffat took over. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2013, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/29 "2013-10-04T00:39:51Z")
I have no doubt that a finer-tuned poll of the top five rated shows in the poll coupled with an age group would show an age-group bias that explains all. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2013, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/30 "2013-10-04T00:44:12Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > I have no doubt that a finer-tuned poll of the top five rated shows in the poll coupled with an age group would show an age-group bias that explains all. Sounds like a fun idea. Go for it! ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2013, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/31 "2013-10-04T13:06:53Z")
Refer to Post #10 for how things were this time yesterday morning. And now: ```auto ============================================= View Poll Results: What's the Best All-Time TV show? This poll will close on 10-31-2013 at 10:07 AM Breaking Bad 15 17.24% M*A*S*H 15 17.24% Doctor Who 8 9.20% Star Trek: TOS 8 9.20% The Wire 8 9.20% The Simpsons 7 8.05% Buffy 6 6.90% Seinfeld 6 6.90% Band of Brothers 5 5.75% The West Wing 5 5.75% Firefly 2 2.30% The Sopranos 2 2.30% Voters: 87 ============================================= ``` It would be great if we could top 100 voters. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2013, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/32 "2013-10-04T13:17:41Z")
None of the Above isn’t needed for a poll like this since Zeldar already narrowed down the field with previous polls. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2013, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/33 "2013-10-04T13:19:07Z")
I voted TOS because of the long lasting impact it’s had on the entertainment industry. ---
**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:** [October 4, 2013, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/34 "2013-10-04T13:19:47Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > I think we have to wait until 30 years after the last ep to see if Breaking Bad is the best show. That’s the thing about M_A_S\*H - even over 30 years later, I can watch any episode and enjoy it. People are coasting on a Breaking Bad high right now, but next year it’ll be something else. To me, to be the best you have to endure the test of time. > > StG I think the fact that M_A_S_H is holding its own against a show that just went out on a spectacular finale in the past week, and that the two of them are leaving the other shows far behind, suggests that even if Breaking Bad pulls ahead M_A_S_H\* wins anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2013, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/35 "2013-10-04T14:19:01Z")
For those who are dissatisfied with the 12 shows in this poll, or who would have preferred other shows over these 12, the poll is still open 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 08-20-2013 Voters: 195 # This poll will close on 11-18-2013 at 12:06 PM That’s plenty of time to affect the Top X-number and perhaps lead to yet another “final” poll. 😉 And maybe **samclem** has some tricks yet to be shown after stating > [@](#): > > I have no doubt that a finer-tuned poll of the top five rated shows in the poll coupled with an age group would show an age-group bias that explains all. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/36 "2013-10-04T15:29:19Z")
I went with _Buffy_, not because I think it actually is the best series ever, but because it has my heart.\* The West Wing \*was certainly better, _Breaking Bad_ probably was too (though it needs more time). But it’s too hard to choose. And _Buffy_ will always have my heart! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/37 "2013-10-04T18:12:24Z")
Next voter gets to be #100! Also, we now have three double-digit shows: ```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 17 17.17% Breaking Bad 16 16.16% Star Trek: TOS 10 10.10% Doctor Who 8 8.08% Seinfeld 8 8.08% The Simpsons 8 8.08% The Wire 8 8.08% Buffy 7 7.07% Band of Brothers 5 5.05% The Sopranos 5 5.05% The West Wing 5 5.05% Firefly 2 2.02% Voters: 99 ``` ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2013, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/38 "2013-10-05T13:01:49Z")
The latest status: ```auto ============================================= View Poll Results: What's the Best All-Time TV show? This poll will close on 10-31-2013 at 10:07 AM Breaking Bad 17 15.89% M*A*S*H 17 15.89% Star Trek: TOS 11 10.28% Seinfeld 10 9.35% The Simpsons 10 9.35% Doctor Who 8 7.48% The Wire 8 7.48% Buffy 7 6.54% The West Wing 6 5.61% Band of Brothers 5 4.67% The Sopranos 5 4.67% Firefly 3 2.80% Voters: 107 ============================================= ``` ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2013, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/39 "2013-10-05T14:17:19Z")
The last few years of MASH were the Alan Alda show, and featured very few laughs. The best show ever has to be consistently awesome throughout its entire run, which is why I went with The Wire. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2013, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006/40 "2013-10-05T15:10:17Z")
At least for a moment we appear to have a distinct Top Half and Bottom Half of these 12 shows. How long will that grouping last? ```auto View Poll Results: What's the Best All-Time TV show? This poll will close on 10-31-2013 at 10:07 AM Breaking Bad 19 16.96% M*A*S*H 17 15.18% Seinfeld 11 9.82% Star Trek: TOS 11 9.82% The Simpsons 10 8.93% The Wire 10 8.93% Doctor Who 8 7.14% Buffy 7 6.25% The West Wing 6 5.36% Band of Brothers 5 4.46% The Sopranos 5 4.46% Firefly 3 2.68% Voters: 112 ``` [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/final-round-best-all-time-tv-show/670006.md?page=3)