You jest, but some of those first few seasons of SpongeBob are peak comedy. You cannot tell me the episode where they go camping in Squidwards yard doesn't make you laugh.
It’s amazing how well Band of Brothers has held up over the years. When you watch it today it’s hard to believe it aired in 2001. It truly is a masterpiece and will go down as one of the greatest TV series ever created.
Yes!!! i watched it for the first time when I was 28 and i am now 31 and have watched the series thrice. it’s one of the best shows I’ve ever watched. I laugh, I cry, I have real life takeaways from the allegories in each episode. even as a grown lady it reminds me to be a good person and I love that about this show!
Personal opinion, the first half at least of season 1 isn't spectacular. But after that it starts to get really good especially with the last few episodes. It's important to watch for context the first time but I don't generally rewatch the early episodes.
All 3 Seasons have a 100 rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It's also the third highest ranking show of all time on IMDB with a 9.3 (tied for 2nd with 'The Wire', with 'Breaking Bad' in 1st with 9.5).
M. Night Shyamalan loved the show so much, he turned the first season into a live action movie (but he absolutely BUTCHERED it, so do not watch it).
Because the series was so popular, Nickelodeon recently started up a production company called 'Avatar Studios', which they've dedicated to writing and making nothing but Avatar shows, Movies, etc.
Netflix is also working on a new live action show (which they hopefully don't butcher like Shyamalan did), spending $15 million per episode to produce.
So yeah, ATLA is an alright show.
Good lord are you in for a ~~wild~~/**wonderful** ride. It's one of those series you really wish you could forget and experience it for the first time again
I'm only partway through my first watch of *The Sopranos* (which is amazing), and yep, incredible list, these are the first that came to mind for me too.
Honorable mention to the first season of *True Detective*, too, I'd say, but it's hard to put it in the same league
I still say this season is a miracle. Rust as a character is just so so so easy to fuck up and make insufferable (in a bad way) or corny. But somehow they nailed it. He legitimately felt dangerous.
That show was so good that when I was 4-8 watching that after school (or Batman beyond on Saturday mornings on WB) that my PARENTS would watch it with me. Hell even the justice league was so well done for all age ranges. Static shock, and spider-man were more kids shows. Teen titans was more of a teen/adult show in my opinion, but also very well done.
Marvel movies are definitely better, but DC runs the animated series and it’s not ever been close.
My number one. I love every episode (and comics that one radio show). All of them are so endlessly quotable and have blessed my life with lines that my boyfriend and I just throw at each other. And not the typical ones either, but such lines like "those BASTARDS" or "and I love you Princess Num Num." Amazing, beautiful show. I cant wait for the new season. I want a futurama theme park
Fleabag - it was something unbelievable for me, when it ended and I was reading that she won’t continue I was really sad, I never been that sad for a tv show in my life.
The Good Place.
A clever premise, humor that never missed the mark, a genuinely compelling story that had *incredible* twists and turns, (if you know, you know) and perhaps most important of all, the heart. This show has *so* much heart, and it teaches beautiful and important lessons about life and morality. Oh, and in an age of shows starting out strong only to crash and burn at the finish line...this show has the most powerful, narratively satisfying ending of any I've ever seen.
Cannot recommend it enough.
A comedy about ethics and philosophy really shouldn't have worked but boy did it. Hands down best discussion of the trolley problem in mainstream culture.
Agreed. My 12 year old son and I repeat it often. But we absolutely watch it beginning to end in order every time. We are currently on round like 15 I think.
I was looking for someone to say The Good Place. Genuinely a masterpiece from start to finish. If there’s any show that can truly change your outlook on life, it’s that.
It’s brilliantly hilarious, full of plot twists, the most loveable unlikeable characters, perfect amount of seasons, and the most beautiful possible wrap up and ending. To me, it’s absolutely perfect from start to finish. I’m constantly telling people to watch it and always shocked and gutted when it’s not someone’s cup of tea.
Don't forget the portray of generational trauma... It's crazy, how this show deals with incredibly dark topics so well, while still being somewhat of a funny show
Bojack does a phenomenal job of utilizing the animated platform to tell stories in compelling and unique manners. An absolute masterclass in writing from start to finish
True. To think that a talking horse feels more real and relatable than other shows that tries to depict that topics/issues. It's so good that I keep re-watching some moments.
I’m literally watching it right now. Decided to rewatch it a week ago and I’m already up to season 5. The first few episodes just made it seem like another goofy comedy about a washed up actor but it goes in such an insane direction from there. There literally isn’t a bad episode, just episodes that aren’t as good.
Samurai Jack. The fifth season perfectly wrapped up the story and was timed ideally (eleven years later) for the mature audience I assume it was aimed towards who grew up watching the show. I audibly gasped when >!I saw blood!< since the entire four seasons preceding it were just bots and Aku Goo™.
Not to mention Uncle Iroh ([Makoto Iwamatsu](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mako_(actor)), rest his soul) makes a sick villain.
Who doesn’t want to be a space cowboy?
Even my mom loves this show.
Edit: she also loves Fringe, Lost, and LOTR extended editions…. I’d love to take credit, but maybe she’s just cool.
Seinfeld. Over the top but impactful.
Second choice :Married with Children, it broke ground with me about how suburban life was a lie and family units can be toxic. Wasn’t realistic in the slightest as no shoe salesman can live in the suburbs and have a stay at home wife& dumb kids, but it blew my mind that FOX actually allowed this to make it on the air.
Frasier. It had its ups and downs, but in the end, they took a background character and developed him across two decades plus with one common driving theme - just because you make a living fixing people doesn’t mean you don’t need fixing. Doctors get sick, plumbers clog toilets, and therapists have personality quirks they’re unaware of that affects how they treat others. Even the smartest of men will overlook how their own idiosyncrasies prevent them from succeeding.
I’ve thought about binge watching this from start to finish. I’ve definitely seen a ton of episodes while it was running on air, but i don’t think I’ve seen them all. It was a great show!
Even though it's not my favorite there's no denying breaking bad is how it's done. Writing. Tension, plot, payoff, cliff hangers. None of them cheap shots.
I am half way through the 3rd series. It hurts my poor brain in the first 2 series trying to keep up with who is who and when. I thought I was going to die in the 3rd series when an alternative timeline was introduced but it has simplified the storyline.
Abbott elementary, still airing, rewatched it 3 times
Good place comes in as #2 for me
Number 3 is Moon girl and devil dinosaur but my #1 animation (yes I've seen owl house and amphibia)
I would say :
1. Breaking bad
2. The Sopranos
3. The Wire
4. Game of Thrones
5. Mad Men
6. The Crown
7. Stranger Things
8. Friends
9. The Office
10. Seinfeld
11. The Simpsons
12. The Twilight Zone
Ultimately, what makes a show "the best" is subjective and depends on individual tastes and preferences.
Personally I’m saying Game of Thrones (ik Ik last two seasons were..) but I honestly truly enjoyed it. I also don’t watch a lot of shows though so we’ll see in the future.
Hannibal was one if not the most cinemaically gorgeous television shows I've ever seen, on top of being incredible writing and acting. Mindhunter was also fantastic and had me hooked and had so much potential, I'm still not over them canceling it.
House M.D is the show i enjoyed the most. Hugh Laurie amazingly played a character that is so entertaining to watch but be absolutely nightmarish to know in real life.
Sex and the City. It seems so silly and surface level but deals with lots of interesting themes. When you realize that it’s not about the characters so much as what they represent, it becomes a whole new show.
Someone else will say breaking bad so I will be the one to say Dexter's laboratory
Isn’t that the same show in different universes?
I believe the live action Dexters laboratory is just called Dexter
And the multiverse expands!
Dee-dee really should've stayed out of the lab
yes
Juistice Friends
Spongebob Squarepants hands down
You jest, but some of those first few seasons of SpongeBob are peak comedy. You cannot tell me the episode where they go camping in Squidwards yard doesn't make you laugh.
Six Feet Under Ted Lasso is also shaping up to be one of the best of all time imo
Band of Brothers
Watching it right now cause I realized I haven’t seen it in a few years. Oh man it’s so good.
100 percent, Dick Winters is my absolute hero
It’s amazing how well Band of Brothers has held up over the years. When you watch it today it’s hard to believe it aired in 2001. It truly is a masterpiece and will go down as one of the greatest TV series ever created.
Damn I forgot about this one. God it's such a good show. It was so good I couldn't stop watching it my first time around.
Peaky blinders
Avatar the last airbender. It starts out as a goofy kids' show, but it evolves so much. There's so many little details that are ignored.
Came here to say that. ive never seen a show with even half the effort put into the story and detail.
i’m a few episodes in, im also 28 😂 is it that good like ?
Yes!!! i watched it for the first time when I was 28 and i am now 31 and have watched the series thrice. it’s one of the best shows I’ve ever watched. I laugh, I cry, I have real life takeaways from the allegories in each episode. even as a grown lady it reminds me to be a good person and I love that about this show!
Personal opinion, the first half at least of season 1 isn't spectacular. But after that it starts to get really good especially with the last few episodes. It's important to watch for context the first time but I don't generally rewatch the early episodes.
All 3 Seasons have a 100 rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It's also the third highest ranking show of all time on IMDB with a 9.3 (tied for 2nd with 'The Wire', with 'Breaking Bad' in 1st with 9.5). M. Night Shyamalan loved the show so much, he turned the first season into a live action movie (but he absolutely BUTCHERED it, so do not watch it). Because the series was so popular, Nickelodeon recently started up a production company called 'Avatar Studios', which they've dedicated to writing and making nothing but Avatar shows, Movies, etc. Netflix is also working on a new live action show (which they hopefully don't butcher like Shyamalan did), spending $15 million per episode to produce. So yeah, ATLA is an alright show.
gotcha 😂
Yes it actually is lmao just wait till ur season 3 deep then think back to where you started and you’ll be like holy shit how far we’ve come
Good lord are you in for a ~~wild~~/**wonderful** ride. It's one of those series you really wish you could forget and experience it for the first time again
Succession
Sopranos and The Wire share the first place. Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul come close.
I'm only partway through my first watch of *The Sopranos* (which is amazing), and yep, incredible list, these are the first that came to mind for me too. Honorable mention to the first season of *True Detective*, too, I'd say, but it's hard to put it in the same league
Tom and Jerry, loved that show as a kid , watching it now and I realize the true meaning of the show
That Jerry was the asshole the whole time?
That they were actually friends keeping up the chase to keep the owners from kicking Tom out like they always did
Just out of curiosity, what do you think the true meaning of the show is?
True Detective-season 1 Edited to capitalize
Yep
100%
Also for one season wonders: Fargo season 1
So damn good
Agreed
Literally a perfect season of television. It gives me chills just thinking about it
First thought that came to my head. Such a great show.
Oh man ! Especially the final episode and the ending… They make sure you go through Rust’s journey and feel the switch in his beliefs…
I still say this season is a miracle. Rust as a character is just so so so easy to fuck up and make insufferable (in a bad way) or corny. But somehow they nailed it. He legitimately felt dangerous.
I really loved community. It was funny, simple and there is so many Easter eggs to discover
Honestly, I’m terms of good writing and show structure, I’d go with Community too.
That one abed easter egg
The one that absolutely delivers?
Batman: the Animated Series
Good pick bro
That show was so good that when I was 4-8 watching that after school (or Batman beyond on Saturday mornings on WB) that my PARENTS would watch it with me. Hell even the justice league was so well done for all age ranges. Static shock, and spider-man were more kids shows. Teen titans was more of a teen/adult show in my opinion, but also very well done. Marvel movies are definitely better, but DC runs the animated series and it’s not ever been close.
Futurama, hands down
This is top ten for me … good news is they’re supposed to be coming back with new episodes this summer
Totally agree. Seasons 1-5 in particular are utter perfection.
My number one. I love every episode (and comics that one radio show). All of them are so endlessly quotable and have blessed my life with lines that my boyfriend and I just throw at each other. And not the typical ones either, but such lines like "those BASTARDS" or "and I love you Princess Num Num." Amazing, beautiful show. I cant wait for the new season. I want a futurama theme park
BAND OF BROTHERS
The Simpsons
Fleabag - it was something unbelievable for me, when it ended and I was reading that she won’t continue I was really sad, I never been that sad for a tv show in my life.
Arrested Development
The first 3 seasons were perfect.
"The name's Loblaw. Bob Loblaw...."
The "Bob Loblaw Law Blog" you, sir, are a mouthful!
The wire
True story: My cat’s name is McNulty
Does he ever give you the "What the fuck did I do" face?
RIP Lance Reddick
Six Feet Under
Many great shows mentioned here but none with an ending as good as Six Feet Under
M.A.S.H. - as a 45 yr old this was before my time but watching the entire series has been amazing
Black Books. Each actor suited their characters perfectly. So well written.
The golden girls
Second this.
Thank you for being a friend
This! Its my go to happy warm place And the comedy still holds up to this day
The Good Place. A clever premise, humor that never missed the mark, a genuinely compelling story that had *incredible* twists and turns, (if you know, you know) and perhaps most important of all, the heart. This show has *so* much heart, and it teaches beautiful and important lessons about life and morality. Oh, and in an age of shows starting out strong only to crash and burn at the finish line...this show has the most powerful, narratively satisfying ending of any I've ever seen. Cannot recommend it enough.
I might give the show another chance because of this! The first two episodes didn't reel me in but maybe I should give it another go.
If you do, you won't regret it. I recommend giving at least the first season a watch.
If you watch the whole first season, you'll better understand why those of us who love it so much can't stop talking about why we love it so much.
A comedy about ethics and philosophy really shouldn't have worked but boy did it. Hands down best discussion of the trolley problem in mainstream culture.
Jason? It was Jason that got it this time?! This is a new low.
It's a perfect show. Every story kine, the God damn satisfying ending to the series!? Fuck man. Perfection.
It was sad and it also wasn't sad! I felt like I'd come to the end of a journey and I was complete. It was so well done.
Agreed. My 12 year old son and I repeat it often. But we absolutely watch it beginning to end in order every time. We are currently on round like 15 I think.
I’m only on rewatch 4 or 5! Glad to know I have some catching up to do!
I was looking for someone to say The Good Place. Genuinely a masterpiece from start to finish. If there’s any show that can truly change your outlook on life, it’s that.
It’s brilliantly hilarious, full of plot twists, the most loveable unlikeable characters, perfect amount of seasons, and the most beautiful possible wrap up and ending. To me, it’s absolutely perfect from start to finish. I’m constantly telling people to watch it and always shocked and gutted when it’s not someone’s cup of tea.
Bojack Horseman. It has a good ending and it portrays reality and mental illness very well.
Don't forget the portray of generational trauma... It's crazy, how this show deals with incredibly dark topics so well, while still being somewhat of a funny show
Bojack does a phenomenal job of utilizing the animated platform to tell stories in compelling and unique manners. An absolute masterclass in writing from start to finish
True. To think that a talking horse feels more real and relatable than other shows that tries to depict that topics/issues. It's so good that I keep re-watching some moments.
It’s got some heavyyy moments
... Sarah Lynn?
*17 minutes later*
I’m literally watching it right now. Decided to rewatch it a week ago and I’m already up to season 5. The first few episodes just made it seem like another goofy comedy about a washed up actor but it goes in such an insane direction from there. There literally isn’t a bad episode, just episodes that aren’t as good.
Currently on my 3rd or 4th rewatch and I’m noticing how much I missed! Individual shots on the show could truly be paintings in their own right.
Chernobyl
Approved
I'm 4 seasons in It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia and im already sure it's this one
Season 5 will seal the deal, for sure!
Samurai Jack. The fifth season perfectly wrapped up the story and was timed ideally (eleven years later) for the mature audience I assume it was aimed towards who grew up watching the show. I audibly gasped when >!I saw blood!< since the entire four seasons preceding it were just bots and Aku Goo™. Not to mention Uncle Iroh ([Makoto Iwamatsu](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mako_(actor)), rest his soul) makes a sick villain.
Sesame Street
Trailer park boys
I love that so much of it is improvised. That’s what really makes the show imo
Nothing has ever or will ever touch The Simpsons seasons 2-8.
Firefly
21 years since it was cancelled and I'm still angry.
Who doesn’t want to be a space cowboy? Even my mom loves this show. Edit: she also loves Fringe, Lost, and LOTR extended editions…. I’d love to take credit, but maybe she’s just cool.
Breaking Bad. It was beautiful from beginning to end.
The breaking bad ending will always be the best ending in any show for me probably
Agreed. Very hard to top that ending.
That shit is tight yo
Mash
A series that lasted more than 3 times as long as the war it was based on.
Totally agree. It makes you laugh and cry. Even when characters left, they were replaced with even better characters.
Finding out the chicken was really a baby still gets to me .
Deadwood
My new fav is Pushing Daisies but it sadly never properly finished.
SO underrated! And we all deserved a real ending 💔
Luckily it's on HBO Max rn
Over The Garden Wall
Cowboy Bebop
Arrested Development, insane comedy, please take a look!
First 3 seasons maybe.
Bluey
honest to god it's really hard to argue against that
I get all my parenting tips from Bluey
“We can play any game you like as long as it doesn’t involve me moving or opening my eyes” I feel that deeply in my soul.
Seinfeld. Over the top but impactful. Second choice :Married with Children, it broke ground with me about how suburban life was a lie and family units can be toxic. Wasn’t realistic in the slightest as no shoe salesman can live in the suburbs and have a stay at home wife& dumb kids, but it blew my mind that FOX actually allowed this to make it on the air.
Twin Peaks. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but if it hits you, it really hits.
But it is some peoples cup of damn good coffee.
Came here to say this too. It’s still my fave show and has had such a huge impact on me since it first came out.
Ditto. Did you watch The Return?
Scrubs
Parks and Rec is my favorite. But Avatar the Last Airbender is probably the best.
A man of culture I see
Those are 100% my favorite comfort shows
Frasier. It had its ups and downs, but in the end, they took a background character and developed him across two decades plus with one common driving theme - just because you make a living fixing people doesn’t mean you don’t need fixing. Doctors get sick, plumbers clog toilets, and therapists have personality quirks they’re unaware of that affects how they treat others. Even the smartest of men will overlook how their own idiosyncrasies prevent them from succeeding.
I’ve thought about binge watching this from start to finish. I’ve definitely seen a ton of episodes while it was running on air, but i don’t think I’ve seen them all. It was a great show!
Even though it's not my favorite there's no denying breaking bad is how it's done. Writing. Tension, plot, payoff, cliff hangers. None of them cheap shots.
Schitts creek - i can rewatch it million times and it’s still funny
DARK. The atmosphere, the story, the casting... all perfect.
Love that show!!
I am half way through the 3rd series. It hurts my poor brain in the first 2 series trying to keep up with who is who and when. I thought I was going to die in the 3rd series when an alternative timeline was introduced but it has simplified the storyline.
Soundtrack is also amazing !
True Blood [*"Blah, blah, vampire emergency, blah."*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L27zuWvljH4&t=15s)
Horace And Pete
Abbott elementary, still airing, rewatched it 3 times Good place comes in as #2 for me Number 3 is Moon girl and devil dinosaur but my #1 animation (yes I've seen owl house and amphibia)
Game of Thrones
Had to scroll way too long to find this
Infinitely better than freakin breaking bad
I would say : 1. Breaking bad 2. The Sopranos 3. The Wire 4. Game of Thrones 5. Mad Men 6. The Crown 7. Stranger Things 8. Friends 9. The Office 10. Seinfeld 11. The Simpsons 12. The Twilight Zone Ultimately, what makes a show "the best" is subjective and depends on individual tastes and preferences.
The west wing, just rewatched the whole thing for the god knows how many th time!
Frasier is my favorite sitcom of all time
True Detective, Season 1. Once there was only dark. If you ask me, the light’s winning.
Personally I’m saying Game of Thrones (ik Ik last two seasons were..) but I honestly truly enjoyed it. I also don’t watch a lot of shows though so we’ll see in the future.
House
Game of thrones if you exclude season 8
MASH
Bojack Horseman
Shameless
Avatar the Last Airbender
I love lucy
Breaking bad, and peaky blinders a close second.
It’s Deadwood. I know I’m late to this little battle but I will defend Filoni. His work was cut short.
Boy Meets World. It has heart, drama, comedy, friendship, love, family. It taught me how to be a good person.
Mad Men, hands down
I had to scroll so far to find it! Me too dawg no questions asked
Fawlty Towers.
Definitely. Guilty pleasure for me is Keeping Up Appearances. I feel like I can relate with Richard sometimes 😆
An absolute classic. Whilst these shows are alive Britain is still great.
South park
Lost - had a grip on me like no other
The end killed it for me. But I’ve thought about revisiting. Just can’t seem to do it yet
Phineas and Ferb, the best cartoon out there
The west wing
Oh yes! Still holds!
Brooklyn Nine Nine
Battlestar Galactica
Mindhunter and Hannibal the TV series.
Hannibal was one if not the most cinemaically gorgeous television shows I've ever seen, on top of being incredible writing and acting. Mindhunter was also fantastic and had me hooked and had so much potential, I'm still not over them canceling it.
Bobs Burgers.
Mr. Bean
Looney Tunes
The Middle
Bojack Horseman
Blackadder. Different lyrics to the theme song at the end of each episode. Absolutely bonkers and addictive and got better and better.
neon genesis evangelion
M *A *S *H
True Detective season 1 is up there
True Detective season 1
Carl Sagans - cosmos
When it comes to science fiction, I say that Steins;Gate and Steins;Gate 0 are the best when it comes to anime in my opinion.
House M.D is the show i enjoyed the most. Hugh Laurie amazingly played a character that is so entertaining to watch but be absolutely nightmarish to know in real life.
The Americans, hands down.
If im being honest. Season 1 of True Detective is some of the best television I've ever watched.
Married With Children \- Al Bundy made me staunch supporter of NO MA'AM (National Organization of Men Against Amazonian Masterhood)
Sex and the City. It seems so silly and surface level but deals with lots of interesting themes. When you realize that it’s not about the characters so much as what they represent, it becomes a whole new show.
Archer season 1-4
The wire