# What is THE Best Show on TV **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 2, 2013, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826 "2013-01-02T14:39:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/41 "2013-01-02T20:56:34Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > I refuse to say on the grounds that everytime I do express a preference for a show it is immediately cancelled. > > Stupidly named SyFy I’m looking at you! Jerks! > [@bup](#): > > SyFy just went off the air. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Huh?😕 I’m gonna go with “Joke.” ---
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/42 "2013-01-02T21:04:44Z")
Dear OP, I wish to report a flaw in your recent online poll. The subject is BEST SHOW EVAR!!! and somehow you’ve omitted the undisputed winner. Please add My Little Pony post-haste. ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/43 "2013-01-02T22:06:43Z")
The correct answer is **Archer** , as a few other people have mentioned. Off that list, I’d probably go with **Justified** , though. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/44 "2013-01-02T22:28:53Z")
Archer for the win, Wilfred should be on the list too. As for what’s on the list, I’d go with Mad Men. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/45 "2013-01-02T22:31:03Z")
I haven’t seen most of the shows on the list. I couldn’t get into Breaking Bad or Mad Men - I think I saw 2 episodes of each. I watched Weeds on Netflix for a while, but it just got too stupid. I’ve watched Dexter from the beginning, except for the latest season, and that’s just because it’s not on disk yet. The last season - the one with Colin Hanks - was tedious. I thought the season with John Lithgow was the best. But even with all that, I won’t call Dexter the best on TV. Honestly, I can’t think of anything on any network that I make an effort to watch regularly. Maybe The Daily Show… ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/46 "2013-01-02T22:44:44Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > The Simpsons. Futurama. South Park. > [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](#): > > Please add My Little Pony post-haste. Comparing episodic comedy cartoons to serial dramas is kinda hard. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/47 "2013-01-02T22:48:15Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’m coming to the conclusion that people have different tastes when it comes to TV shows (and perhaps other things as well). Yeah. And most of the time I get why people like shows I don’t like. But the love one show gets baffles me to no end. It’s a (very) slightly above average sitcom. Very run-of-the-mill. It’s not bad, but you would think it’s a modern classic based on the reaction it gets. I understand that nerds are now reveling in the acceptance of nerd culture, but the Big Bang Theory is mostly making fun of nerds. And while it uses brainy subjects as a source of its humor, the humor itself isn’t really very smart. Maybe I just don’t get it somehow, Well, I get most of the jokes, they’re not hard, but there’s something I’m missing. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/48 "2013-01-02T22:53:31Z")
The only show on that list I watch is _Walking Dead_, and I don’t even like it really. I like humour in my TV, and most new shows are instead dark and gritty. It is the way of things. **QI** is the best of any show on TV right now, and has held that crown for the last 8 years at least (it’s been going for ten years, series “J” is just about completed). ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/49 "2013-01-02T23:40:09Z")
My oldest son has been leading me on to these shows over the last few years, and he has an uncanny knack for finding the ones I enjoy… So far, my favorite is Breaking Bad, it’s just has the right balance that a Yeti requires in his show…Drama, Violence, Humor, Plot and Characters…so outrageous the story, yet plausible. Like watching a train wreck in slow motion, the crumbling morals of a good person going bad is such an original idea that is all too interesting to watch. Hell, my avatar drops a 100 lb. hammer as a clue to my favorite show. Game of Thrones is my second (and my son’s second recommendation)…another great balance of Drama, Violence, Humor, Plot and Characters, with the added bonus of a smattering of naked women sprinkled throughout! Nice fantasy plot where there is a similar idea to BB, it’s the harsh human driven reality of the central kingdoms that are slowly crumbling to the new reality of mysticism and fantasy of the outlying regions that will be competing for the Iron Throne. My son has been pushing me also to watch The Wire, Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire and the Walking Dead as well…so, no doubt I will probably be extending my list to includes those eventually. As for comedies, Modern Family and Big Bang Theory are heads and shoulders above the rest, ATM. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/50 "2013-01-02T23:54:33Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Yeah. And most of the time I get why people like shows I don’t like. But the love one show gets baffles me to no end. It’s a (very) slightly above average sitcom. Very run-of-the-mill. It’s not bad, but you would think it’s a modern classic based on the reaction it gets. I understand that nerds are now reveling in the acceptance of nerd culture, but the Big Bang Theory is mostly making fun of nerds. And while it uses brainy subjects as a source of its humor, the humor itself isn’t really very smart. Maybe I just don’t get it somehow, Well, I get most of the jokes, they’re not hard, but there’s something I’m missing. The only explanation I have is the Nerd Factor, which you already mentioned. Nothing else about it stands out - the jokes are so hacky they might as well be from _Alf_. Not anywhere in the same league as _Louie, Community, It’s Always Sunny…_ or even _Modern Family_ (I haven’t seen _Archer_ yet). From the list, I chose _Breaking Bad_. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/51 "2013-01-03T00:10:34Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > Comparing episodic comedy cartoons to serial dramas is kinda hard. No, it’s not. Watch: _Episodic comedy cartoons are better than serial dramas._ See? Easy-peasy. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/52 "2013-01-03T00:20:28Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > Archer. It’s one of the three shows I make sure I watch, and probably buy on Amazon. Agreed. New season starts soon. ---
**Author:** ![LilRoses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@LilRoses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilRoses)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/53 "2013-01-03T00:54:34Z")
Downton Abbey. Love the clothes, the home, the idealic time. ---
**Author:** ![LilRoses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@LilRoses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilRoses)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/54 "2013-01-03T01:10:52Z")
Oops…idyllic. Been up for 20 hrs…working. ---
**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:** [January 3, 2013, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/55 "2013-01-03T06:07:01Z")
I have never seen even one episode of the shows listed. Most of them, I’ve never even heard of. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/56 "2013-01-03T06:34:00Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Yeah. And most of the time I get why people like shows I don’t like. But the love one show gets baffles me to no end. It’s a (very) slightly above average sitcom. Very run-of-the-mill. It’s not bad, but you would think it’s a modern classic based on the reaction it gets. I understand that nerds are now reveling in the acceptance of nerd culture, but the Big Bang Theory is mostly making fun of nerds. And while it uses brainy subjects as a source of its humor, the humor itself isn’t really very smart. Maybe I just don’t get it somehow, Well, I get most of the jokes, they’re not hard, but there’s something I’m missing. I’ve read that the starkest difference between _The Big Bang Theory_ and and _Community_ is how they use D&D. On _TBBT_, having the guys play D&D (or any other nerdy sort of game) is either a joke at their expense or just window dressing around regular sitcom fare. _Community_ did a D&D episode where the events in the game drove the out-of-game plot of the episode (and they did it without visual effects). That’s a pretty ballsy thing for a network show to do, and it was just one of many outside-the-box episodes they’ve done. It’s also a hell of a lot funnier than the other comedies on the air at the moment (well, _Archer_ is also very good, but in a different way). ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/57 "2013-01-03T10:57:09Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Anything would make you hard. > > (Even your mom). Okay…😛 I just had to laugh. The Middle is my favorite. I can relate to Frankie having to duct tape the lid of the washer down in order to do a load of clothes. In one episode, she leaves home after finding out that the crumbs in the potato chip bag she’s snacking on contain her lazy son’s toenail clippings. I’ve never actually watched Justified but I turn it on for the white noise; they “talk right” and I’m always hungry for sounds of home (said the TN transplant.) ---
**Author:** ![andrewbub](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@andrewbub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewbub)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/58 "2013-01-03T12:00:29Z")
i voted for mad men, but game of thrones, breaking bad, and walking dead are all on the same level. i love sons of anarchy too, but it’s not as good as the top tier. ---
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/59 "2013-01-03T14:21:37Z")
I should have include an “other” option and reworded the title so my apologies. I also LOVE Archer and definitely should have included that gem (along with Cartoons). I also left off sitcoms (I love new girl and B in apt 23) and cartoons (Futurama is A#1) in favor of dramas, again apologies for not clarifying but it is fun to see everyone list their favorites, even a few I am going to check out. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826/60 "2013-01-03T14:30:10Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I have never seen even one episode of the shows listed. Most of them, I’ve never even heard of. Me too. Exactly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-show-on-tv/645826.md?page=4)