The Top 300 Greatest TV Shows of All Time: FBG Consensus: 50 Lists received. 2: Seinfeld 1: Breaking Bad (26 Viewers)

[Encyclopedia Brown]

I haven’t - it’s pretty far from me. A few other Jets fans around here are closer and may have gone there

What about the Roy Rogers that Paulie and Christopher had planned on going to after picking up the money from the interior decorator?

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

What actor or actress appears the most on this list? A regular, not just guest spots.

my guess would be one of the Davids (Schwimmer, Cross, Duchovny) but Louis-Dreyfus and Ron Livingston show up a few times. Jensen Ackles is on here twice.

Would be neat to see the result if anyone wanted to sit down and do this.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Jason Segal is on it at least twice too.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

In honor of #1 and #2, Bryan Cranston breaking up Jerry Seinfeld after meeting his "Two Face" girlfriend.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[zamboni]

What actor or actress appears the most on this list? A regular, not just guest spots.

my guess would be one of the Davids (Schwimmer, Cross, Duchovny) but Louis-Dreyfus and Ron Livingston show up a few times. Jensen Ackles is on here twice.

Would be neat to see the result if anyone wanted to sit down and do this.

Jason Bateman is on there for Ozark, Arrested Development and Little House on the Prairie. Alas, no It’s Your Move, Silver Spoons or Valerie/The Hogan Family.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

No The Fly and Ozymandias were 2 of the 3 in episodes directed by Rian Johnson. Brought in the big guns for those and it showed.

**** that guy.

Is this some kind of Star Wars thing?

You know it. I ****ing hate his SW movie.

 

[Don Quixote]

Odenkirk has three as well.

ETA: Four with Fargo (also Breaking Bad, BCS, and Mr. Show).

ETA2: And five with Larry Sanders.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I love that this exercise has been all about personal preference. I don't love Mafia/mob stories, so The Sopranos never appealed to me. Fantasy stuff is not my thing either, so Game of Thrones was an autoskip. I think I might have given The Wire a shot, but didn't have access, but also drug-centered stories don't appeal to me either, so I've also never seen Breaking Bad, and he'll always be Tim Whatley to me.

Hmmm. I get that people don't necessarily dabble in some genres, like fantasy. That being said, while I'm not into fantasy shows, I ended up binging Game of Thrones and put it in my top 15. It's just that good.

I didn't realize it was such an issue that people wouldn't watch shows on a particular topic such as mafia/mob or what they perceive to be shows that are "drug-centered." To me, a story is a story, but I get what you're saying. I would not at all call The Wire "drug-centered" though there is drug trade in there. Breaking Bad is more drug-centered as a story. But at least you didn't say The Wire was about journalists.

To steal a little from Andy's quote above you, IMO Game of Thrones was more fantasy adjacent. I also am not big into fantasy, but despite starting the show with zombies I felt that Game of Thrones initially felt like a political and family drama (with zombies and dragons in the background). It feels a little more grounded in reality in that way, so I think that allows it click with a much wider audience.

I am similar to others in that I seem to watch very few shows or movies that deal with gangsters or the mob. I don't have a great reason for it, and I just assumed it was a "me" thing before reading other comments. That is a main reason it took me so long to watch movies like The Godfather, or why I never bothered watching Sopranos. I think growing up there seemed to be an almost reverence of those types of people from people in school and I never understood that draw. Maybe I assumed that the shows and movies glorified them and that's why I wasn't interested in watching them?

ETA: another thing I don't seem to like to watch is hospital/doctor shows. I hate being in hospitals and don't like going to the doctor, so I don't have much interest in watching shows to do with those things.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Breaking Bad was very entertaining and well done. I had it ranked high but it’s a show I haven’t and never will go back to. It was a perfectly designed ride but I didn’t see any depth to it. It was pure entertainment which is great and I flew through it but it didn’t resonate with me the way many other great shows did. Once you know what happens, it stopped being so interesting. Also the Skylar problem was a real problem for me.

I enjoyed the rewatch a lot, despite Walt's family sucking. Mostly I liked watching the early season knowing what happens. It made my take on Ep.1 Walt different, and in general how I viewed the show.

 

[simey]

I can't imagine better acting in any medium than Bryan Cranston's performance in the phone call scene from this episode.

The fight scene between Carmela and Tony in the episode Whitecaps in the Sopranos comes to mind. The way Edie Falco portrayed Carmela's rage towards Tony was outstanding.

 

[KarmaPolice]

That's the thing about Breaking Bad. Despite having a couple annoying characters, the show was good enough to overcome this and still be brilliant because every other character and story arc was that good. I cant think of another show where I more dreaded the last 5 minutes of an episode because I knew it would be over soon and it would be a whole week until the next. Maybe 24 at its peak had this same level, not sure.

What show doesn't have an annoying character or two?

 

[KarmaPolice]

On rewatches, different people annoy me as well. The first time Skylar bothered me, but the next time I liked her a little more but Marie bothered me.

 

[Tick]

While we wait, here was the rest of my list that didn't make the top 300.

50 V (1983)

That's three people (including me) who had V. Are we sure it didn't make the list?

Ranked 412.

Bottomfeeder Sports
Frostillicus
Scoresman
shuke

Do Black Summer, please - is it just me and shuke?

 

[Hastur]

Probably not the demographic here, but somewhat surprised Grey's Anatomy isn't listed.

Heck, if Gilmour Girls made the list...

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I can’t say I’ve watched a ton of shows, but if there is a single better episode in TV history than “Ozymandias”, I’d like to know about it.

Narrator: There is not.

 

[steelerfan1]

Remember, Joe says be excellent to each other. Having said that, my list that didn’t make the 300.

Bad Monkey
From
Dead to Me
The Sinner
Mare of Easttown
American Rust
Based on a True Story
The Following
The Killing
Tulsa King
Lioness
Longmire
Harper's Island
Wayward Pines
Hunter
Silk Stalkings
You
Millennium
Picket Fences
Big Sky
La Femme Nikita
Simon & Simon
The Fall Guy
Mayor of Kingstown
Wait Till Your Father Gets Home

 

[Leroy Hoard]

In case it wasn't already clear, I'm a huge fan of not just BB but also BCS. Great characters, actors, and filmmaking. And the always entertaining Salamanca family. Even if Gus does hate their guts.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Wayward Pines

I had thought about this but in hindsight it was just one good season so I decided no but if I was doing a personal list of 300 then heck yeah.

I'm also just a tad surprised that Paradise didn't make the list although I'm not sure if the people that were heaping praise are the same people that made lists...it was also only 1 season so far.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Driving to Jets games, I pass the real Bada Bing (called Satin Dolls).

Have you ever visited Pine Barrens? I have heard it is actually quite impressive, that even today there are parts of it that have not been visited by humans.

I haven’t - it’s pretty far from me. A few other Jets fans around here are closer and may have gone there.

Most of The Sopranos takes place in North Jersey. The Pine Barrens are in South Jersey, which is a completely different universe.

 

[steelerfan1]

Wayward Pines

I had thought about this but in hindsight it was just one good season so I decided no but if I was doing a personal list of 300 then heck yeah.

I'm also just a tad surprised that Paradise didn't make the list although I'm not sure if the people that were heaping praise are the same people that made lists...it was also only 1 season so far.

I would have had Paradise on my list but didn’t start watching until it was submitted.

 

[simey]

Remember, Joe says be excellent to each other. Having said that, my list that didn’t make the 300.

The Sinner
Mare of Easttown
The Killing
You

I haven't seen everything on your list, but I like all of these, although "You" I could probably take or leave, but it keeps my curiosity up enough to keep me tuning in to the next season. This season (which starts soon) is the last, and it will be interesting to see what happens to Joe. I also like some others on your list like Picket Fences. That was a quirky good show.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

The ”winning” 70


The Wire
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Battlestar Galactica (2004)
Gilmore Girls
News Radio
This Old House
Breaking Bad
Northern Exposure
Band of Brothers
The Larry Sanders Show
BoJack Horseman
The Office
Seinfeld
The Simpsons
Game Of Thrones
Survivor
60 Minutes
Cheers
The Shield
The Late Show with David Letterman
MASH
Jeopardy
Lost
Veep
The West Wing
The Carol Burnett Show
Picket Fences
The Sopranos
Mad Men
Homicide: Life on the Streets
House
Chappelle's Show
Chernobyl
St. Elsewhere
Justified
MythBusters
The New Yankee Workshop
Stranger Things
Parks and Recreation
WKRP in Cincinnati
Girls
Happy Days
Siskel and Ebert at the Movies
The Muppet Show
Sesame Street
Better Call Saul
Deadwood
Taxi
Freaks and Geeks
Dexter
The X Files
The Joy of Painting
Lonesome Dove
Fargo
Andor
ER
Ted Lasso
Dark
Mr. Show
Key & Peele
Better Things
Flight of the Concords
Inside the NFL
The Bear
Rescue Me
Black Mirror
Firefly
The Expanse
Saturday Night Live
Severance

 

[Scoresman]

So if you put Breaking Bad at 70, you get 69 points for it. 70 (for your rank) minus 1 (overall rank).

I assume you used absolute value. So if a ranker put Rules of Engagement at #11 and it was on the lost at #71 you get 60 pts and not minus 60 pts.


ETA: what did you do in cases if a show on a ranker list at #10 but it wasn't in the top 300. Did that count as 300?

Yes absolute value. If you’re into fantasy football, it’s essentially the same method fantasypros uses to rank the various FF experts.

In the case where a show wasn’t on either list I just made it worth 71. Probably a better way to do it but I didn’t have much time.

 

[kupcho1]

Ok, now that we're done, here's my shows that didn't make the top 300. Top one was already revealed in the didn't make the cut post.

40 The Umbrella Academy
49 The OA
50 Eastbound & Down
51 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
54 Get A Life
62 Dollhouse
64 The Beverly Hillbillies
68 Dead Like Me
69 Derry Girls
70 AP Bio
71 Danger Five
72 Search Party

 

[Scoresman]

I knew I had the best taste of all y'all

Well, technically I do and you’re just the closest to me. But congrats.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

oh hey, other people besides me had better things and dead like me

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Ok, now that we're done, here's my shows that didn't make the top 300. Top one was already revealed in the didn't make the cut post.

40 The Umbrella Academy
49 The OA
50 Eastbound & Down
51 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
54 Get A Life
62 Dollhouse
64 The Beverly Hillbillies
68 Dead Like Me
69 Derry Girls
70 AP Bio
71 Danger Five
72 Search Party

The OA would be my number one in the “Best, Most Frustrating series ever.” It needed a season or two more for sure.

 

[UncleZen]

Good job @Scores!man ! I would post those on my list that didn't make it but I'm too lazy to look it up. I would like to throw in a mention of one I did not rank because I forgot. Heartland is a good family type show originating on CBC but available on several streaming services here. It's all about the happenings on Heartland ranch and the horse whisperer Amy Fleming.

I would also like to mention that I still think Shameless is criminally low.

 

[UncleZen]

oh hey, other people besides me had better things and dead like me

I forgot about Dead Like Me. That would have cracked my top 70 but barely.

 

[Hastur]

Here is what I ranked that didn't make the 300. Lots of classics here.

7 Svengoolie
13 The Bugs Bunny Show
17 Wildlife on One
24 The Three Stooges
30 Spiderman and his Amazing Friends
31 The Little Rascals
32 Battle of the Planets
34 Super Dave
37 The Transformers
38 Jonny Quest
39 3rd Rock from the Sun
43 Voltron
44 The Addams Family
45 Gilligan's Island
51 America's Test Kitchen
52 The A-Team
53 The Waltons
63 Wacky Races
65 Hogan's Heroes
69 Thundercats

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

I wonder how different the results would be if we didn't use fight club rules.

the first rule of FBG list making is don't talk about what's on your list!

the amount of times people have said I forgot that show etc. Of course, there's always the if you remembered it then it means you liked it more. argument but I do think the methodology could have been improved upon.

It was neat learning the shows people liked etc.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

2 - Seinfeld​

Comedy
Score: 2665
Average Rank: 9

The continuing misadventures of neurotic New York stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his equally neurotic New York friends.

List Breakdown

Chaos34 1
BLOCKED PUNT 1
Scoresman 1
Gally 1
Shaft41 1
Frostillicus 1
steelerfan1 1
landrys hat 2
AAABatteries 2
simey 2
Keith R 2
Dr Octopus 3
Jayrod 3
Tau37 3
Barry2 4
John Madden's Lunchbox 3
ilov80s 4
Atomic Punk 4
The Gator 4
Pip's Invitation 5
shuke 5
Psychopav 6
Tick 6
UncleZen 7
whoknew 7
Runkle 7
Todem 8
krista4 8
Dan Lambskin 9
turnjose7 10
Binky 11
Yo Mama 12
gr00vus 12
kupcho1 12
KarmaPolice 13
Nick Vermeil 13
Brutal Penquin 13
Maik Jeaunz 14
BlackCrowes 14
Don Quixote 17
McBokonon 23
zamboni 52
Rand al Thor 62

I didn't watch it regularly in the beginning because I was first in college and then at my first job and was often too busy to watch much TV -- and I wasn't sure I wanted to invest any time into "a show about nothing." But then it became ubiquitous in syndication and I found myself gravitating to it whenever I could, and I watched much of the final seasons in real time. It may be the best example of a comedy that was ridiculous but relatable. We have all met self-absorbed narcissists whose way of interacting with the universe is hysterical from an outsider perspective. The characters here had a softer edge than those on Curb because of the constraints of network TV, and that made this show easier for me to watch than Curb.

My fantasy baseball team's name is "Serenity Now!"

 

[shuke]

Would be interested in hearing what folks think was the biggest snub.

I really thought Small Wonder was at least going to get enough shtick votes to make it.

 

[Instinctive]

Ok, now that we're done, here's my shows that didn't make the top 300. Top one was already revealed in the didn't make the cut post.

40 The Umbrella Academy
49 The OA
50 Eastbound & Down
51 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
54 Get A Life
62 Dollhouse
64 The Beverly Hillbillies
68 Dead Like Me
69 Derry Girls
70 AP Bio
71 Danger Five
72 Search Party

Oo Dollhouse was good. Felt like it didn't really end it got cancelled early right?

 

[UncleZen]

Another one I thought might make the top 200ish was The Good Doctor. Sure, it was unrealistic but I have a close family member with autism so I connected to this show.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

1 - Breaking Bad​

Drama
Score: 2687
Average Rank: 7

A chemistry teacher diagnosed with a terminal lung cancer, teams up with his former student, Jesse Pinkman, to cook and sell crystal meth.

List Breakdown

Pip's Invitation 1
Psychopav 1
McBokonon 1
zamboni 1
AAABatteries 1
Don Quixote 1
Bottomfeeder Sports 1
Jayrod 1
The Gator 1
shuke 1
Maik Jeaunz 2
Frostillicus 2
Tick 2
Binky 3
Yo Mama 3
timschochet 3
KarmaPolice 3
Chaos34 4
landrys hat 4
Todem 4
Dr Octopus 4
whoknew 4
steelerfan1 4
Runkle 5
Scoresman 5
Sullie 5
kupcho1 5
John Madden's Lunchbox 5
Gally 5
Barry2 6
Atomic Punk 6
BlackCrowes 6
Nick Vermeil 7
Hastur 8
Dan Lambskin 8
simey 12
krista4 14
Keith R 20
Rand al Thor 21
ilov80s 23
Instinctive 26
gr00vus 56

The only thing I knew for sure when I started making my list is that Breaking Bad would be my #1. Episode after episode, this series provided constant moments and memorable lines. (To me, the most iconic is "I am the danger! I am the one who knocks!") I believe this show has the best lead character ever created (Walter White) and the best episode ever created ("Ozymandias").

I first watched this on Netflix in the mid-2010s. It made me think so much that I had an urge to discuss it, and the only available adult to do that with was my wife, so she learned about the show as I did without actually watching it. I'm sure she was humoring me to some extent, but we did watch Better Call Saul together as soon as it started airing, and after BCS ended, we watched Breaking Bad together, me for the second time and her technically for the first time. (All she is missing from this universe is El Camino, which I saw when it came out.)

I still think about this show constantly because it was a stunning feat of storytelling and characterization (as was BCS, which I ranked #2).

 

[Riffraff]

Battle of the Planets

Has an outstanding theme song.
Classic Casey Casem as a character.
Live Action Movie adaptation.

A 'toon that in it's multiple iterations lasted into 3 decades 1972 - 1997:
70s-80s = Gatchaman / Science Ninja Team
70s-80's = Battle of the Planets / G-Force Guardians of Space
90's = Eagle Riders

Off to listen to the theme songs again {hums}...

 

[shuke]

54 Get A Life

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

1 Breaking Bad
My #5 - Rightly deserves a high ranking. Dont know if they stuck the landing, but it was solid.
This show was just a joy to watch from episode to episode. The absolute mastery of Bryan Cranston carried other castmates

2 Seinfeld
My #3 - This show was just such a revelation. Not nice people. Awkward social situations. Dancing around taboo topics.
Great on rewatch too. The casting of George’s parents was spot on (eventually). You could see how George became how he was.

3 The Sopranos - This failed the wife test so did not watch. Would be right up my alley too.

4 Game of Thrones
My #18 - At times breathtaking, at times swords and sandals nonsense. It would be interesting to see this done if George Martin ever finished the books. Have a feeling they get released when he dies,
We all invested in the characters we loved or hated. How television should be done.

5 The Wire- This failed the wife test so did not watch. Would be right up my alley too.

6 The Simpsons
My #10 - Sure it just exists now to sell ad revenue and merchandise, but at one stage this was THE show to watch with outsdtandimg episode after outstanding episode. Eminently quotable and Homer became the star ahead of Bart after unexpectedly being the better character.

7 Better Call Saul
My #28 - It was great to watch and the new characters were good. Just something lacking for my liking.
Wonderful to reenter this universe though and a brave step to focus on Saul Goodman

8 The Office (US) - I havent watched a single episode of the UK or US The Office. Odd as I should like it.

9 Cheers
My #74 - I enjoyed tuning in, but just something about the various characters irked me. From Sam Malone to Norm. Bar culture wasnt my thing either. Still it was well made and iunderstand its popularity

10 Saturday Night Live
My #29 - Not being from round these parts watching episodes hasnt been easy over the years.
Im not one who yearns for the olden days. Some of the stuff now I find very funny. To be honest the host is the one who usually makes the show great or not. Its always better when the standups host imho.

11 Band of Brothers - Never been on my radar and not sure I can convince the wife to watch

12 Mad Men
My #30 - Don Draper is one of the most amazing characters in all of television history. Its a tour de force by Jon Hamm.
Other characters not so much like Pete and Betty in particular

13 The Twilight Zone - Well before my time and just not something Ive desired to watch

14 South Park
My #40 - Similar to Family Guy I find this to be too mean spirited for my liking. At times cutting and goes to areas other shows wouldn’t dare, but dances over the line too much for my liking.

15 Jeopardy! - i didnt rate any game shows that didnt have an outside comedic element introduced to them. Its just stuff to watch and kill time imho. No regular narrative.

16 Deadwood - Surprised this ranked so high. Its never been on my radar at all.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

10 Saturday Night Live
My #29 - Not being from round these parts watching episodes hasnt been easy over the years.
Im not one who yearns for the olden days. Some of the stuff now I find very funny. To be honest the host is the one who usually makes the show great or not. Its always better when the standups host imho.

I wouldn't say the entire show is definitely better when a stand-up hosts, but the monologue certainly is.

 

[Gr00vus]

If you haven't seen Deadwood, you should.

 

[Hastur]

If you haven't seen Deadwood, you should.

Yeah, it's the highest rated show I haven't seen. Looks like I'm starting it this weekend.

 

[zamboni]

Here is what I ranked that didn't make the 300. Lots of classics here.

13 The Bugs Bunny Show

Bugs made it - just may have been under a slightly different name/version.

The version I mostly saw as a kid was The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Hour.

 

[Gr00vus]

If you haven't seen Deadwood, you should.

Yeah, it's the highest rated show I haven't seen. Looks like I'm starting it this weekend.

There's really no other show like it.

 

[Hastur]

Here is what I ranked that didn't make the 300. Lots of classics here.

13 The Bugs Bunny Show

Bugs made it - just may have been under a slightly different name/version.

The version I saw mostly as a kid was The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Hour.

Time to get my eyes checked.

 

[Sullie]

2 - Seinfeld​

Comedy
Score: 2665
Average Rank: 9

The continuing misadventures of neurotic New York stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his equally neurotic New York friends.

zamboni 52
Rand al Thor 62

Stay strong you two! Don't let anyone here tell you this is wrong. Stay away from the hype!

I watched Seinfeld, fairly sure I've seen all the episodes and I get its place in TV history. Heck, I enjoyed the finale that everyone hates. For me its overrated and I'd have it down the list as well. I just don't find it rewatchable.

I intentionally left it off my list secretly hoping it wouldn't get #1. I like Jerry Seinfeld, I enjoyed the Seinfeld show in its day, and the endless times I've watched it on re-runs but I'm way over it at this point. It's like a red 57 Chevy or a black T-Bucket at a car show, an overplayed 70's/80's/90's song, I feel like its become super played out. It's over quoted, over played, over referenced, etc. Nothing at all against it but I've moved on from it a while ago. Again, it was a wonderful show back in the day and I really enjoyed it but if I never see another episode of it I would be perfectly okay with that.

 

[Keith R]

2 - Seinfeld​

Comedy
Score: 2665
Average Rank: 9

The continuing misadventures of neurotic New York stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his equally neurotic New York friends.

zamboni 52
Rand al Thor 62

Stay strong you two! Don't let anyone here tell you this is wrong. Stay away from the hype!

I watched Seinfeld, fairly sure I've seen all the episodes and I get its place in TV history. Heck, I enjoyed the finale that everyone hates. For me its overrated and I'd have it down the list as well. I just don't find it rewatchable.

I intentionally left it off my list secretly hoping it wouldn't get #1. I like Jerry Seinfeld, I enjoyed the Seinfeld show in its day, and the endless times I've watched it on re-runs but I'm way over it at this point. It's like a red 57 Chevy or a black T-Bucket at a car show, an overplayed 70's/80's/90's song, I feel like its become super played out. It's over quoted, over played, over referenced, etc. Nothing at all against it but I've moved on from it a while ago. Again, it was a wonderful show back in the day and I really enjoyed it but if I never see another episode of it I would be perfectly okay with that.

Wow. I rated Seinfeld at #2, well above BB but still had BB in the top 20. Had I played this game trying to get 1 of my top 2 the #1 spot, we'd be crowning Seinfeld Champion right now.

 

[BrutalPenguin]

My picks that didn't make top 300:

17 Bull
22 The Unit
37 Black Sheep Squadron
48 Prison Break
49 Maverick
53 Penn & Teller: Fool Us
54 Mission Impossible
55 Hogan's Heroes
57 The Honeymooners
58 Penn & Teller: ********!
61 The Incredible Hulk
63 Kung Fu
64 Six Million Dollar Man
65 Kolchak: The Night Stalker
66 The Wild Wild West
67 Daria
68 Johnny Quest

 

[The Gator]

Did Soul Train make it?

right behind Pinky and the Brain

 

[The Gator]

2 - Seinfeld​

Comedy
Score: 2665
Average Rank: 9

The continuing misadventures of neurotic New York stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his equally neurotic New York friends.

zamboni 52
Rand al Thor 62

Stay strong you two! Don't let anyone here tell you this is wrong. Stay away from the hype!

I watched Seinfeld, fairly sure I've seen all the episodes and I get its place in TV history. Heck, I enjoyed the finale that everyone hates. For me its overrated and I'd have it down the list as well. I just don't find it rewatchable.

he's a United fan, he doesn't enjoy things done well. PLZ ignore