# Most Revolutionary TV series **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [August 18, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839 "2019-08-18T14:52:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/21 "2019-08-18T17:37:46Z")
_ **Mission: Impossible** _ (1966–1973) was groundbreaking in that its elaborate plots took precedence over dialogue and characterization. Its stories were told almost entirely through pictures and depended on timing and editing to build tension. _ **Dallas** _ (1978–1991) was a nighttime soap opera centered on the rich and powerful, who were still just plain old folks. Until Tony Soprano came along, there was probably no other TV villain as beloved as JR Ewing. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/22 "2019-08-18T17:42:39Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > No. McGoohan was winging it; there was no arc other than the two-parter at the end. The shows were standard “back to square one” endings and nothing carried over until the last two. Actually, it has been argued that you can see The Prisoner gradually gaining more control, although this is only true if you re-order the episodes. “Hammer Into Anvil” and “A, B, and C” definitely shows him in more control than many of the others. “Chimes of Big Ben” is obviously an early episode – probably the second, as broadcast. McGoohan himself had a list of the “essential” episodes (apparently regarding many of the others as “filler”, which could take place at almost any time), and I think he had a preferred order. (See _The Prisoner Companion_). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/23 "2019-08-18T17:51:28Z")
Let’s go way back, to I Love Lucy. Shot on film, using three cameras (one had been standard previously), first ensemble cast and pioneered the syndicated rerun. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2019, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/24 "2019-08-18T17:53:39Z")
I cast my vote for “Married with Children”. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/25 "2019-08-18T17:56:04Z")
It should be noted that both _ **Star Trek** _ and \*\*\*Mission: Impossible \*\*\* owe a lot of their impact to the music they featured. This is especially true for Lalo Schifrin’s 5/4 _ **M:I** _ theme, which is one of the most distinctive tunes of the 1960s (if not of all time). ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/26 "2019-08-18T18:06:55Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > _Hill Street Blues_ – introduced story arcs to non-soap-opera TV. [No, it didn’t](https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=328296). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/27 "2019-08-18T18:09:26Z")
And I Love Lucy also had story arcs earlier than those shows. (The Hollywood arc in one series, the Europe trip in another, and then the move to Connecticut.) ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/28 "2019-08-18T18:10:42Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Actually, it has been argued that you can see The Prisoner gradually gaining more control, although this is only true if you re-order the episodes. “Hammer Into Anvil” and “A, B, and C” definitely shows him in more control than many of the others. “Chimes of Big Ben” is obviously an early episode – probably the second, as broadcast. McGoohan himself had a list of the “essential” episodes (apparently regarding many of the others as “filler”, which could take place at almost any time), and I think he had a preferred order. (See _The Prisoner Companion_). Wait, there’s a way to watch that show where it actually makes sense? I wish I knew that when I watched it. ---
**Author:** ![Royal\_Nonesutch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecb155/32.png) [@Royal\_Nonesutch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Royal_Nonesutch)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/29 "2019-08-18T18:12:34Z")
“Small Wonder” made all other shows about adoreable, precocious little cyborg girls passing as human children who are secretly adopted into a typical yet wacky middle-class American family headed by a befuddled and bighearted Ph.D in robotics look unrealistic by comparison. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/30 "2019-08-18T18:20:43Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > _The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis_. First show to portray a less-than-perfect family. The son goofed off in school, ducked work, and did nothing but chase girls. The father had a real job as a store owner and had to work all the time. Instead of a wonderful relationship with his son, he kept muttering “I gotta kill that boy.” The best friend was a beatnik who liked actual jazz. From the second season on, the regular girl was brainy. Teachers were worshiped and so underpaid they went on strike. > > It debuted in 1959 but was a time traveler from the late 60s. > [@digs](#): > > We’ve been watching Seinfeld reruns, but I think Dobie Gillis wins. Even as a little kid, I LOVED the show, and it felt like something new\*. The breaking the fourth wall, the characters, the family and school situations, and the fact that the G. stood for Walter. > > \*I expected a slew of “new” shows that were like this, but it seemed to be a one-off. We got something fresh, then it was back to regular sitcom fare. Agreed. Ten year old moi loved Dobie Gillis. It was funny and intelligent. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/31 "2019-08-18T18:35:56Z")
The influence of _ **Hill Street Blues** _, with its ensemble cast and multiple story arcs, extended to other genres as well. By the mid-1980s, we had _ **St Elsewhere** _ and \*\*\*LA Law \*\*\*, the latter being pitched as “a _ **Hill Street Blues** _–type show about lawyers.” The format has pretty much become a standard one for hour-long dramas. Back in the day (1980), _ **Miami Vice** _ created quite a stir when it debuted. Another ensemble cast with stylish undercover cops living the high life, driving fast cars, combating the lowest of the low in slow-motion shootouts, all backed with hot rock music—this show had it all! ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/32 "2019-08-18T18:42:14Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Agreed. Ten year old moi loved Dobie Gillis. It was funny and intelligent. Tuesdays were always special for me because _ **Dobie Gillis** _ was the lead-in to _ **Combat!** _ My mother hated the series, which made it especially delightful for me to watch. :o ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/33 "2019-08-18T19:19:06Z")
Question: Did “Dobie” initiate the whole character talking to the audience thing? ---
**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:** [August 18, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/34 "2019-08-18T19:32:21Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I’ve seen “Til Death Us Do Part”, “All in the Family” was inspired by it but completely eclipsed it… Inspired by? > [@](#): > > The show came about when Norman Lear read an article in Variety magazine on Till Death Us Do Part and its success in the United Kingdom.[17] He immediately knew it portrayed a relationship just like the one between his father and himself.[18] > > Lear bought the rights to the show… ([Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_in_the_Family#History_and_production)) It was the US version. We can argue the toss about which was better - I have only ever seen clips of All In The Family, so I would need to do my research. But given that the brief was “…those shows that basically broke all the rules, turned the tropes on their heads, and made it so that, from here on, nothing was the same” - as I said, credit where credit’s due. j ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/35 "2019-08-18T20:03:47Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > Question: Did “Dobie” initiate the whole character talking to the audience thing? No, that goes back to Burns & Allen. George Burns use to talk directly to the audience every show. Also would watch the others on the show on his TV sometimes. Burns & Allen was actually a really amazing show, like nearly no other sitcom. It started back in 1949 and is still funny today. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/36 "2019-08-18T20:08:41Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Inspired by? > > ([Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_in_the_Family#History_and_production)) > > It was the US version. > > We can argue the toss about which was better - I have only ever seen clips of All In The Family, so I would need to do my research. But given that the brief was “…those shows that basically broke all the rules, turned the tropes on their heads, and made it so that, from here on, nothing was the same” - as I said, credit where credit’s due. > > j OK, to me, “Inspired by” as the characters and the story were not the same. Where **Threes Company** was just the US version of **Man About the House**. If you would prefer the term “Based On”, I’ll go with that. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/37 "2019-08-18T20:27:07Z")
_The Monkees_ was less like anything before on television than almost any other show ever. It should have led to tons of other shows breaking all the rules, but it was one of a kind. Same for _Batman_. _Monty Python_, however, not so much. It grew directly out of many earlier British sketch shows. It was simply better than them. And it was the only one to get rebroadcast in America at the time. The movies made it more than just a tv series, the same way that movies made _Star Trek_ more than just a tv series. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/38 "2019-08-18T20:48:59Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > … > _Monty Python_, however, not so much. It grew directly out of many earlier British sketch shows. It was simply better than them. And it was the only one to get rebroadcast in America at the time. The movies made it more than just a tv series, the same way that movies made _Star Trek_ more than just a tv series. **At Last the 1948** had half\* of the Pythoners and was very similar in many style. It is turn was inspired by The Goons I believe. Many episodes of **At Last the 1948** are available on Amazon Prime currently. Not up to Monty Python level but some funny stuff, especially Marty Feldman. One area where Python was different, no punchlines. They may have been the first to do this regularly. - Graham Chapman & John Cleese as performers and Eric Idle writing. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/39 "2019-08-18T20:49:13Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > From a business standpoint, I might offer Star Trek: The Next Generation. > > ST:TNG was a big-budget show that elected to forgo network processes and go into first run syndication to maintain control over its production standards. That’s a bold move. Maybe we should now mention HOUSE OF CARDS: sure, content-wise it was just an adaptation; but the idea of Netflix hiring Oscar-caliber talent for some streaming show that folks can binge-watch? Like, is this even eligible for primetime Emmys instead of daytime ones, since it never actually _aired?_ ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839/40 "2019-08-18T20:51:06Z")
Don’t know if I’d call _ **The Rockford Files** _ revolutionary, but it certainly turned a lot of PI tropes on their heads. Jim was a loner and an ex-con (though he’d been wrongfully convicted). He lived in a mobile home, was close to his father, and was constantly getting screwed over by his closest “friends.” He got beat up a lot, was seldom paid for his services, and was always in hock. It was still one of the best series of the 1970s. Both _ **CSI** _ and _ **24** _ were different from anything that had come before (or has since). The former was remarkable for its science-based forensics and graphics, along with its bizarre crimes and unassuming leading man (an entomologist, of all people). I wasn’t surprised at how fast the series went downhill after he left. The latter had its “real-time format” and an “I need a hacksaw” leading man who could be stabbed, shot, beaten, and blown up, but still managed to track down terrorists without stopping even to take a whiz or a dump. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-revolutionary-tv-series/838839.md?page=3)