The Top 300 Greatest TV Shows of All Time: FBG Consensus: 50 Lists received. 2: Seinfeld 1: Breaking Bad (24 Viewers)

[Instinctive]

Veep - ranking feels about right I think but really did not expect to be the 2nd highest ranker. That show was HILARIOUS and the cast was awesome. Pace never got dull. Absolutely worth a watch. JLD is phenomenal and so is every single other person they cast. Great chemistry, wonderful comedic timing, some really funny back and forth.

My goodness is it funny. This makes me want to watch it again.

 

[KarmaPolice]

38 - Parks and Recreation​

Comedy
Score: 674
Average Rank: 37.3

The absurd antics of an Indiana town's public officials as they pursue sundry projects to make their city a better place.

List Breakdown

Don Quixote 10
Rand al Thor 12
McBokonon 13
landrys hat 13
Psychopav 14
Dr Octopus 20
ilov80s 33
Instinctive 36
KarmaPolice 37
Nick Vermeil 39
Yo Mama 39
turnjose7 41
Barry2 42
whoknew 45
Frostillicus 50
Atomic Punk 55
Maik Jeaunz 55
Binky 57
zamboni 67
The Gator 68

Now this is a star-studded cast.

Aubrey Plaza

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Veep - ranking feels about right I think but really did not expect to be the 2nd highest ranker. That show was HILARIOUS and the cast was awesome. Pace never got dull. Absolutely worth a watch. JLD is phenomenal and so is every single other person they cast. Great chemistry, wonderful comedic timing, some really funny back and forth.

My goodness is it funny. This makes me want to watch it again.

What I like about it the most is just how vicious the comedy can be. No punches pulled.

 

[rockaction]

Parks and Recreation was such a good show to binge-watch back when I still drank. I don't remember a thing about it. All I remember is how funny it was. Aziz Ansari and his buddy made me laugh laugh laugh.

I do remember one thing. I have a friend who is a former print and television journalist and runs in circles. I told him that if he ever got a chance he should try and meet and date Rashida Jones. I was skunk drunk and don't know why I said that to him like he would know her or have any chance of meeting her ever, but I think this is either when he freelanced big time or was working for Fox and CNBC. Something like that. But a stupid thing to say. I was like, "Man, this is your type of woman." His response to me wasn't to call me a loon or say I was crazy or anything like that. "rock," he replied, "she's my cousin."

And indeed she was. His aunt was Quincy Jones's wife and her and Quincy had Rashida together.

I laughed at that. Perfect. If not a date then a family gathering. I asked if I could go to any family reunions of his.

"I'm available, Rashida!" was what I think I would have yelled.

 

[FarFromHome]

39 - Boardwalk Empire​

Drama
Score: 651
Average Rank: 32.7

An Atlantic City politician plays both sides of the law, conspiring with gangsters during the Prohibition era.

List Breakdown

steelerfan1 9
Dan Lambskin 18
ilov80s 18
Rand al Thor 19
Keith R 19
Chaos34 19
AAABatteries 23
Binky 24
kupcho1 28
Sullie 29
Maik Jeaunz 36
The Gator 42
McBokonon 42
Dr Octopus 49
BLOCKED PUNT 54
Instinctive 61
shuke 66

Loved this - I’ve always been fascinated by mobsters and the mafia so having a show with some of the most well known mobsters ever was a great touch. Last season was a little uneven with the Cuba stuff but the whole ride was enjoyable. Be warned - lots of violence and sex.

Also, the actor who played Capone is the Dad on the new Adolescence show and he’s great.

Adolescence was gripping. Only 4 episodes.

But very very powerful.

After these postings I put on episode 1 while I gave the 3 dogs I never wanted baths. I had forgotten how great the cast was on this. Gonna slow watch this again. Such a good show.

 

[Barry2]

Aziz Ansari and his buddy made me laugh laugh laugh.

Jean Ralphio's sister was hilarious. and hot.

 

[rockaction]

Jean Ralphio

That's his name! I was trying to remember the character. He was ludicrous. I don't remember the sister, though. I just . . . don't. Perhaps I was too distracted with Rashida.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Two things about Offerman playing Swanson are great:

1) That Offerman is a raging liberal playing a raging conservative
2) The love/hate relationship he has with his on-screen wife is with the woman he's actually married to. I imagine they had a great time with that

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Bye, bye Lil Sebastian

 

[landrys hat]

Aziz Ansari and his buddy made me laugh laugh laugh.

Jean Ralphio's sister was hilarious. and hot.

Don't be suspicious.

 

[Hastur]

Two things about Offerman playing Swanson are great:

1) That Offerman is a raging liberal playing a raging conservative
2) The love/hate relationship he has with his on-screen wife is with the woman he's actually married to. I imagine they had a great time with that

Same with Carroll O'Connor/Archie Bunker

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Two things about Offerman playing Swanson are great:

1) That Offerman is a raging liberal playing a raging conservative
2) The love/hate relationship he has with his on-screen wife is with the woman he's actually married to. I imagine they had a great time with that

Same with Carroll O'Connor/Archie Bunker

It's funny (maybe ironic?) that those who think that All In The Family should be cancelled because of all the "insensitivity" don't realize that it's a satire.

 

[Gr00vus]

Veep - ranking feels about right I think but really did not expect to be the 2nd highest ranker. That show was HILARIOUS and the cast was awesome. Pace never got dull. Absolutely worth a watch. JLD is phenomenal and so is every single other person they cast. Great chemistry, wonderful comedic timing, some really funny back and forth.

My goodness is it funny. This makes me want to watch it again.

What I like about it the most is just how vicious the comedy can be. No punches pulled.

It's brutally hilarious. I'd say people should watch it if they haven't seen it, but it's one of those ones where all the characters are pretty terrible people, if you don't like that kind of thing in a comedy its not for you.

 

[rockaction]

Same with Carroll O'Connor/Archie Bunker

Same with pretty much any actor in Hollywood in the last eighty years who played a conservative. Except eighty years ago they were actually communists. Nowadays you'll just get a hybrid of socialism and woke.

 

[kupcho1]

Bye, bye Lil Sebastian

This is the 2nd series that has been revealed that he's appeared on. Not too many other actors can say that.

 

[Scoresman]

Up next, I'm assuming was the toughest show to rank for everyone who included it.

 

[Scoresman]

37 - True Detective​

Crime
Score: 738
Average Rank: 32.2

An anthology police detective series in which investigations seem to unearth both personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within or outside the law.

List Breakdown

Bottomfeeder Sports 6
Binky 12
simey 16
Atomic Punk 18
Tau37 19
Frostillicus 21
Sullie 21
Chaos34 27
Runkle 29
The Gator 32
Maik Jeaunz 33
Dan Lambskin 36
shuke 45
Psychopav 50
ilov80s 53
AAABatteries 53
McBokonon 56
Scoresman 58
krista4 68

 

[Scoresman]

I agonized over ranking this show based solely on Season 1. Ultimately, ranked the whole thing.

If we only included Season 1, I bet it would be top 5. Definitely a top 5 season all time.

 

[Instinctive]

I agonized over ranking this show based solely on Season 1. Ultimately, ranked the whole thing.

If we only included Season 1, I bet it would be top 5. Definitely a top 5 season all time.

I had True Detective ranked, but every time I compared it to another show it got moved down a bit. Season one was amazing. The others...pretty meh.

 

[kupcho1]

If we only included Season 1, I bet it would be top 5. Definitely a top 5 season all time.

I don't know. In retrospect it was a lot of nonsense (time is a flat circle?) that was never resolved.

At least that's my recollection

 

[Scoresman]

If we only included Season 1, I bet it would be top 5. Definitely a top 5 season all time.

I don't know. In retrospect it was a lot of nonsense (time is a flat circle?) that was never resolved.

At least that's my recollection

I just rewatched it and still think it's a master class of acting from both McConaughey and Harrelson.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Jean Ralphio

That's his name! I was trying to remember the character. He was ludicrous. I don't remember the sister, though. I just . . . don't. Perhaps I was too distracted with Rashida.

Mona Lisa Ralphio

 

[McBokonon]

37 - True Detective​

Crime
Score: 738
Average Rank: 32.2

An anthology police detective series in which investigations seem to unearth both personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within or outside the law.

List Breakdown

Bottomfeeder Sports 6
Binky 12
simey 16
Atomic Punk 18
Tau37 19
Frostillicus 21
Sullie 21
Chaos34 27
Runkle 29
The Gator 32
Maik Jeaunz 33
Dan Lambskin 36
shuke 45
Psychopav 50
ilov80s 53
AAABatteries 53
McBokonon 56
Scoresman 58
krista4 68

Yeah, like @Scoresman said - this was tough. Season One was one of the best seasons of anything, ever, including that Summer in Barcelona when I had a three month affair with twins (this didn’t happen but I’m in Spain right now!)

Season 2 was one of the worst things ever filmed.

Season 3 was fine. I never watched the Jodie Foster season.

Season One though - lightning in a bottle.

 

[Keith R]

37 - True Detective​

Crime
Score: 738
Average Rank: 32.2

An anthology police detective series in which investigations seem to unearth both personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within or outside the law.

List Breakdown

Bottomfeeder Sports 6
Binky 12
simey 16
Atomic Punk 18
Tau37 19
Frostillicus 21
Sullie 21
Chaos34 27
Runkle 29
The Gator 32
Maik Jeaunz 33
Dan Lambskin 36
shuke 45
Psychopav 50
ilov80s 53
AAABatteries 53
McBokonon 56
Scoresman 58
krista4 68

Late cut for me. The first and last seasons (so far) were great but the others not so much. I do like that they're largely stand alones, so the most recent season still shined for me.

 

[rockaction]

including that Summer in Barcelona when I had a three month affair with twins (this didn’t happen but I’m in Spain right now!)

Vicky Christina McBokonon?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Jean Ralphio

That's his name! I was trying to remember the character. He was ludicrous. I don't remember the sister, though. I just . . . don't. Perhaps I was too distracted with Rashida.

Mona Lisa Ralphio

And their dad was Henry Winkler.

 

[simey]

I agonized over ranking this show based solely on Season 1. Ultimately, ranked the whole thing.

If we only included Season 1, I bet it would be top 5. Definitely a top 5 season all time.

I didn't rank the show on just season 1. I liked season 3 a lot, too.

 

[rockaction]

Jean Ralphio

That's his name! I was trying to remember the character. He was ludicrous. I don't remember the sister, though. I just . . . don't. Perhaps I was too distracted with Rashida.

Mona Lisa Ralphio

And their dad was Henry Winkler.

I’ve totally forgotten.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Same with Carroll O'Connor/Archie Bunker

Same with pretty much any actor in Hollywood in the last eighty years who played a conservative. Except eighty years ago they were actually communists. Nowadays you'll just get a hybrid of socialism and woke.

Define Woke?

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Veep - never seen it, I generally don’t care for any political related TV though, but maybe I’ll give it a shot

Boardwalk - obviously I rated it pretty highly, it all kind of runs together for me and it can be a bit boring at times, but overall I think it’s great. I think 5 seasons is a good sweet spot for a drama. What a great cast…so much depth. Michael Stuhlbarg is great as Arnold Rothstein, Michael Kenneth Williams as Chalky White…that jail scene is an all timer , Paul Sparks Mickey White is such a great little scumbag of a bit player. Michael Shannon great as always. Probably the only character I don’t like is Kelly Macdonalds Margaret Thompson “what about the children” gah…

Parks and rec not my thing…not sure I’ve ever seen a full episode, maybe on an airplane

True Detective - that was hard to rate, Season 1 was great. Season 2 was like Blue Balls for the heart although I don’t hate it as much as most. Season 3 was decent, Mahershala Ali was excellent
Season 4 was an abomination and i refuse to recognize it as part of the same series

 

[rockaction]

Same with Carroll O'Connor/Archie Bunker

Same with pretty much any actor in Hollywood in the last eighty years who played a conservative. Except eighty years ago they were actually communists. Nowadays you'll just get a hybrid of socialism and woke.

Define Woke?

Not here. Google it.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Someone sell me on Veep. Never really considered watching it but this is pretty high. Is it more comedy than drama?

Comedy. But smart, sharp and hard hitting comedy.
Another show where its hard to find a character with any redeeming quality as they all prove them self amoral time and time again.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is simply magnificent. Her ability to display the raw emotions of her character is unreal.
As others have said this isn’t a one character show, the depth of the supporting cast and creativity is inspiring

Someone sell me on Veep. Never really considered watching it but this is pretty high. Is it more comedy than drama?

It has a great cast and offers intelligent humor. Gary Cole in particular cracked me up.

You also get some insight into how the White House operates.

Or doesnt.
During the running of this show real life would transcend the absurdity of the “fiction”

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Same with Carroll O'Connor/Archie Bunker

Same with pretty much any actor in Hollywood in the last eighty years who played a conservative. Except eighty years ago they were actually communists. Nowadays you'll just get a hybrid of socialism and woke.

Define Woke?

Not here. Google it.

Defining “pretty much any actor” as socialist and/or woke is a broad brush.
Most are apathetic to anything outside their own life. Like most people
The ones that shout the loudest get the most attention and define a group. Like 1000s of other professions.

 

[Psychopav]

41. The Bear: 96/78
40. Veep: 93/90 (wow!)
39. Boardwalk Empire: 92/95 (wow!)
38. Parks and Rec: 93/89
37. True Detective: 79/59 (oof)

 

[BlackCrowes]

Just couldn't rank True Detective because of season 2.

 

[northern exposure]

39 - Boardwalk Empire​

Drama
Score: 651
Average Rank: 32.7

An Atlantic City politician plays both sides of the law, conspiring with gangsters during the Prohibition era.

List Breakdown

steelerfan1 9
Dan Lambskin 18
ilov80s 18
Rand al Thor 19
Keith R 19
Chaos34 19
AAABatteries 23
Binky 24
kupcho1 28
Sullie 29
Maik Jeaunz 36
The Gator 42
McBokonon 42
Dr Octopus 49
BLOCKED PUNT 54
Instinctive 61
shuke 66

Watch Michael K. Williams as Chalky White in this show and his Omar Little performance and realize how tragic his death from fentayl was at age 54.
The cast of Boardwalk was filled with amazing actors - Jack Huston, Michael Pitt, Michael Shannon, Jeffrey Wright, Kelly MacDonald,Shea Wigham, Stephen Graham.

 

[KarmaPolice]

If we only included Season 1, I bet it would be top 5. Definitely a top 5 season all time.

I don't know. In retrospect it was a lot of nonsense (time is a flat circle?) that was never resolved.

At least that's my recollection

I just rewatched it and still think it's a master class of acting from both McConaughey and Harrelson.

I agree with both of you, which is why i ultimately left it off. Yes, i also thought it was a masterclass in acting and the direction and look of the show was great. However, like kupcho posted- the story was a bit of unresolved nonsense. I think its a bit overrated, even Season 1.

What i think about when in these types of threads is TV vs. movies. Maybe i am not wording it correctly, but i feel the opposite of most. What i mean is that if a movie is something i would describe as well acted, well directed, meandering, and without a resolution - it is usually some artsy crap that 80s and i get roasted for ranking highly. I find it weird that people will watch that for 8+ hours in a season of tv but seem to have no patience for it in a 2 hour movie.

 

[krista4]

37 - True Detective​

Crime
Score: 738
Average Rank: 32.2

Hey, finally one I've seen (and ranked)! That average rank is very low for this point in the countdown, reflecting our mixed feelings. Or at least my ranking did.

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

37 - True Detective​

Crime
Score: 738
Average Rank: 32.2

An anthology police detective series in which investigations seem to unearth both personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within or outside the law.

List Breakdown

Bottomfeeder Sports 6
Binky 12
simey 16
Atomic Punk 18
Tau37 19
Frostillicus 21
Sullie 21
Chaos34 27
Runkle 29
The Gator 32
Maik Jeaunz 33
Dan Lambskin 36
shuke 45
Psychopav 50
ilov80s 53
AAABatteries 53
McBokonon 56
Scoresman 58
krista4 68

True Detective

Lets just pretend that it ended 10 minutes before the ending of season 1 and the rest never happened. Still remember the day HBO was showing the first 3 episodes in a continuous loop the weekend before the Superbowl. I started the show in the middle of episode 2 and was so confused at first. The second and third time through though had me hooked on the two unreliable narrators. And those first interrogation episodes are enough to elevate this despite how what came after deminished this. No I didn't look past that season 2 was basically taking the complaints from Season 1's ending and using that for season 2. Just season 1 might have been number 1. At least for me.

Up next, I'm assuming was the toughest show to rank for everyone who included it.

I guess the length of the above versus all the other blurbs supports this.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I miss Tanner in the True Detective threads…Rust and Coal

 

[CletiusMaximus]

"One or two great seasons then it went **** up" is a constant theme in this exercise. For me, just on the last page, Veep, Bear, True Detective all fall into this category in addition to a dozen or so others so far. I'm going to say the same about several in the top ten I'm sure. They just can't help themselves.

 

[McBokonon]

I’m vacationing in Spain and have only tracked this thread on train rides, but I wish Season 2 onward of Parks and Rec was on nonstop on Comedy Central after work instead of the Office. Veep was hilarious. Tried Taxi but just didn’t grab me. Dexter until Season 4 or whatever was good but never amazing.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Always wanted to watch Veep

If only there was some way.

hey thanks! I assume this is you volunteering to give me $10 to buy season 1/the max app

If you really needed $10 that badly, sure. Where should I send?

Luckily I can afford it but there are likely people (maybe not on this board) that can't.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

"One or two great seasons then it went **** up" is a constant theme in this exercise. For me, just on the last page, Veep, Bear, True Detective all fall into this category in addition to a dozen or so others so far. I'm going to say the same about several in the top ten I'm sure. They just can't help themselves.

I think for long running shows it might be due to the show runners/writers not having a clear vision after the initial 1-2 season story arc but I've also wondered if we "like" a show because it's new and unique then after its been on for X amount of time it loses that veneer

 

[CletiusMaximus]

"One or two great seasons then it went **** up" is a constant theme in this exercise. For me, just on the last page, Veep, Bear, True Detective all fall into this category in addition to a dozen or so others so far. I'm going to say the same about several in the top ten I'm sure. They just can't help themselves.

I think for long running shows it might be due to the show runners/writers not having a clear vision after the initial 1-2 season story arc but I've also wondered if we "like" a show because it's new and unique then after its been on for X amount of time it loses that veneer

Agreed, although I'm more cynical about it. I think many of the great television stories just don't have enough to them to support a second or third (or sixth, eighth) season but they can't kill the cash cow so they keep it alive much longer than its worthy of. I think many of the great tv dramas and sitcoms should really only have been one season, maybe two at most. Writers are energized getting it underway, then get bored, run out of fresh ideas and focus their attention on other projects while the show just keeps beating the same old tropes over and over. The producers don't feel a need to invest in great writers or find great new ideas for their show because they have guaranteed eyeballs no matter the quality.

 

[AAABatteries]

39 - Boardwalk Empire​

Drama
Score: 651
Average Rank: 32.7

An Atlantic City politician plays both sides of the law, conspiring with gangsters during the Prohibition era.

List Breakdown

steelerfan1 9
Dan Lambskin 18
ilov80s 18
Rand al Thor 19
Keith R 19
Chaos34 19
AAABatteries 23
Binky 24
kupcho1 28
Sullie 29
Maik Jeaunz 36
The Gator 42
McBokonon 42
Dr Octopus 49
BLOCKED PUNT 54
Instinctive 61
shuke 66

Watch Michael K. Williams as Chalky White in this show and his Omar Little performance and realize how tragic his death from fentayl was at age 54.
The cast of Boardwalk was filled with amazing actors - Jack Huston, Michael Pitt, Michael Shannon, Jeffrey Wright, Kelly MacDonald,Shea Wigham, Stephen Graham.

And Buscemi!

 

[rockaction]

If we only included Season 1, I bet it would be top 5. Definitely a top 5 season all time.

I don't know. In retrospect it was a lot of nonsense (time is a flat circle?) that was never resolved.

At least that's my recollection

I just rewatched it and still think it's a master class of acting from both McConaughey and Harrelson.

I agree with both of you, which is why i ultimately left it off. Yes, i also thought it was a masterclass in acting and the direction and look of the show was great. However, like kupcho posted- the story was a bit of unresolved nonsense. I think its a bit overrated, even Season 1.

What i think about when in these types of threads is TV vs. movies. Maybe i am not wording it correctly, but i feel the opposite of most. What i mean is that if a movie is something i would describe as well acted, well directed, meandering, and without a resolution - it is usually some artsy crap that 80s and i get roasted for ranking highly. I find it weird that people will watch that for 8+ hours in a season of tv but seem to have no patience for it in a 2 hour movie.

You're missing the story here. People just don't like you and Ilov80s.*

No, I think you're on to something and I think it's that the American public views the cinema with a bit of skepticism toward the foreign, yet embraces that same type of thing when it is in a format that it had as its birthplace and into which time divisions (a half-hour or an hour) make more sense for their consumption habits. Yes, I know people watch television differently now, but it's still that half-hour or hour show (aside from commercial interruptions) that make it palatable, even if the content is ponderous and somewhat foreign to America. (I think True Detective was pretty existential in outlook and philosophy, if I've heard correctly about the show, so that would qualify as pretty much not American—unless they were deists, which is another discussion for another time.)

Plus, there is at least some story line that begins and gets wrapped up in an episode most of the time, no matter how open ended some story lines in the show are or continue to be at the end of each episode. There's generally at least a superficial denouement somewhere, and people relate to that. It helps the pacing and piques at least a little bit of interest before there is a resolution to one of the matters at hand.

Otherwise, it's just like one of those long, ponderous foreign movies where people tend to babble a lot about nothing and there's no action and no resolution to anything—you know, movies that you and Ilov tend to love.

*I hope you both know I'm joking.

 

[Instinctive]

To be fair to season two of True Detective...Alexandra Daddario. That's worth a top 70 ranking alone probably.

 

[Yo Mama]

To be fair to season two of True Detective...Alexandra Daddario. That's worth a top 70 ranking alone probably.

She was in season 1

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Season 2 has Rachel mcadams and Beth from Yellowstone