LU's Top 100 TV Shows - 2015 Edition

[Misanthrope]

Apologies for the sizeable gap between updates. File was on my old laptop, which I'd lost the charger one. Finally managed to recover it today.

On with the show!

#90 - 81
​

=#90 - Danger 5 (2012 - present) - 34 points from two voters

Starring: David Ashby, Sean James Murphy, Natasa Ristic, Amanda Simmons, Aldo Mignone, and Pacharo Mzembe.
Creator: Dario Russo and David Ashby.
Network: SBS.
Country: Australia.
Genre(s): Action. Comedy.
Accolades: N/A

An Australian made action comedy detailing the efforts of five international spies to assassinate Adolf Hitler, Danger 5 spoofs classic espionage and action movies in a distinctly Australian way.

After a well-received first season aired in 2012, a lengthy break between seasons saw the second season air in 2015. Highly stylized and irreverent, Danger 5 is one of the more unique Australian made comedies.


#89 - Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993-2009) - 34.5 points from three voters

Starring: Conan O'Brien, Andy Richter, and the Max Weinberg 7.
Creator: Conan O'Brien.
Network: NBC.
Country: US
Genre(s): Late night talk show.
Accolades: Writer's Guild of America Award for Comedy/Variety (1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) and Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing for a Variety Program (2007).

Conan O'Brien's rise to international fame came from virtually nowhere, with the largely unknown Simpsons writer and Saturday Night alumni being picked over more established stars such as Drew Carey and Jon Stewart to helm NBC's replacement for David Letterman's Late Show after Letterman jumped ship to CBS.

After a less than stellar start, O'Brien's sardonic, self-depricating humour and easy rapport with guests would go on to make him a late night juggernaut.

While the show has since ceased to air, Conan still peddles his unique brand of humour on the self-titled Conan to this day.

= #86- Spaced (1999 - 2001) - 36 points from two voters

Starring: Simon Pegg, Jessica Stevenson, Nick Frost, Mark Heap, Julia Deakin, Katy Carmichael, and Aida the Dog.
Creator: Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright, and Jessica Stevenson.
Network: Channel 4.
Country: UK.
Genre(s): Sitcom.
Accolades: British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actress - Jessica Stevenson (1999 and 2001).

Largely responsible for bringing the likes of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Edgar Wright to international attention, Spaced had a fairly simple premise - two strangers meet while house-hunting and decide to pose as a couple to boost their chances.

A sitcom that dabbled in the surreal (it was pitched as being a blend of Northern Exposure, The Simpsons, and The X-Files) it succeeded on the back of quality writing and the easy charm of its cast.


= #86 - Homeland (2011 - present) - 36 points from two voters

Starring: Claire Danes, Damian Lewis, Morena Baccarin, David Harewood, Mandy Patinkin, Diego Klattenhoff, and more.
Creator: Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa.
Network: Showtime.
Country: US
Genre(s): Political thriller. Drama.
Accolades: Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series (2012), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Damian Lewis (2012), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series - Claire Danes (2012, 2013), and Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series (2012, 2013). Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Drama (2012, 2013), Best Actress - Claire Danes (2012, 2013), and Best Actor - Damian Lewis (2013).

A critical juggernaut upon its launch, Homeland was a tense and wonderfully acted political thriller detailing the story of a paranoid CIA agent, a recently 'rescued' former US marine who is a convert to a fictional terrorist organization, and the webs of lies and betrayal that surround international intelligence.

Homeland's initial two seasons were fantastically tense television, but the show has since succumbed somewhat to the inevitability of continuing a show long after the initial concept has lost its shine. Despite its gradual decline in quality, the show remains a popular drama.


= #86 - Boston Legal (2004 - 2008) - 36 points from two voters

Starring: James Spader, William Shatner, Candice Bergen, Tara Summons, Christian Clemenson, John Larroquette, Julie Bowen, and more.
Creator: David E. Kelley.
Network: ABC.
Country: US.
Genre(s): Legal dramedy.
Accolades: Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama - James Spader (2005, 2007), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama - William Shatner (2005), and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama - Christian Clemenson (2006). Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - William Shatner (2004).

A spin-off from another successful Kelley legal drama (The Practice), Boston Legal would go on to be a highly successful comedy-drama in its own right.

Focusing on the career of James Spader's Alan Shore, the legal drama had a liberal helping of comedy thanks to the many quirky characters who peopled the fictional interpretation of Boston.


#85 - Adventure Time (2010 - present) - 39 points from three voters

Starring: Jeremy Shada, John DiMaggio, Hynden Walch, Niki Yang, Tom Kenny, Olivia Olson, and more.
Creator: Pendleton Ward.
Network: Cartoon Network.
Country: US
Genre(s): Animation.
Accolades: Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Animation (2013, 2014). Annie Awards for Best Animated TV Broadcast (2014), and Outstanding Voice Acting - Tom Kenny (2014).

A kids show with plenty for adults, Adventure Time is part Dungeons & Dragons homage, part acid trip, part coming of age story, and part post-apocalyptic fantasy.

Detailing the adventures of Finn the Human and his magic, shape-shifting dog, Jake - Adventure Time has become an international phenomenon with kids and adults alike, spawning huge amounts of merchandise, games, apps, and more.


= #82 - The Amazing Race (2001 - present) - 40 points from two voters

Starring: Reality TV.
Creator: Elise Doganieri and Bertram van Munster.
Network: CBS.
Country: US.
Genre(s): Reality TV. Travel.
Accolades: Emmy Awards for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2014).

A reality TV juggernaut that has seen 27 seasons on US television as well as regional versions in 11 other international market, The Amazing Race pits teams of two against one another in a series of vaguely travel-related challenges all over the world.

Testing a team's ability to get along as much as their bravery or their travel savvy, the show remains immensely popular to this day.


= #82 - NCIS (2003 - present) - 40 points from two voters

Starring: Mark Harmon, Sasha Alexander, Pauley Perrette, Michael Weatherly, David McCallum, Sean Murray, Lauren Holly, and more.
Creator: Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill.
Network: CBS.
Country: US.
Genre(s): Police procedural.
Accolades: Multiple minor awards.

A spin-off from the long forgotten JAG, NCIS has become an entity all of its own - an internationally beloved procedural currently in its 13th season and boasting two spin-offs of its own.

A great deal of its popularity arises from the outstanding chemistry of its cast - whether it is the dour practicality of Harmon, the effervescence of Perrette, or the roguish charm of Weatherly.

Hugely popular in Asia, NCIS shows no signs of stopping, with ratings actually improving as time goes by rather than declining.

= #82 - Law and Order - SVU (1999 - present) - 40 points from two voters

Starring: Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Richard Belzer, Dann Florek, Ice-T, BD Wong, Diane Neal, and more.
Creator: Dick Wolf.
Network: NBC.
Country: US.
Genre(s): Police procedural.
Accolades: Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (Amanda Plummer 2005, Leslie Caron 2007, Cynthia Nixon 2008, Ellen Burnstyn 2009, Ann-Margret 2010) and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series - Mariska Hargitay (2006). Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series - Mariska Hargitay (2005)

The only member of the once massive Law and Order family still in production, SVU chronicles the efforts of members of the New York City Police Department to deal with crimes of a sexual nature.

Anchored by Meloni and Hargitay, the series' tough subject matter and the excellent casting of guest actresses has made it a critical and commercial success long after its siblings have met their ends.

While ratings have fallen to roughly half what they were during the show's hey-day, it remains popular both at home and abroad.

=#79 - The League (2009 - 2015) - 42 points from two voters

Starring: Mark Duplass, Nick Kroll, Stephen Rannazzisi, Paul Scheer, Jon Lajoie, and Katie Aselton.
Creator: Jeff and Jackie Schaffer.
Network: FX and FXX.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Sitcom.
Accolades: N/A

A show about the debauched, petty, and often surreal lives of a Chicago fantasy football league, The League succeeds on the basis of the tremendous comedic chemistry between its cast. Everybody looks like they're having an absolute blast, and the show became less about fantasy football and more about these terrible people as time went on.

Documenting their dogged pursuit of a trophy called the Shiva, The League is gross, hilarious, and often scarily true to real life.

RAFI BOMB!

 

[Misanthrope]

Fair warning, I'm about to go on a five week US road trip, so next update may not be until mid-March.

 

[pennywisealfie]

Good to see Conan got a spot. I plan to go to a taping when I'm in America!

 

[Misanthrope]

Good to see Conan got a spot. I plan to go to a taping when I'm in America!

I'm hoping to see a TV taping of some kind while I'm in NYC. Last Week Tonight or The Daily Show would be my top choice, but Conan wouldn't be a bad choice either.

 

[Misanthrope]

#80 - 71
​

=#79 - - Last Week Tonight (2014 - present) - 42 points from two voters

Starring: John Oliver.
Creator: John Oliver.
Network: HBO.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Talk show. Current affairs. Comedy.
Accolades: Writer's Guild of America Award for Best Comedy (2015) and Emmy Award for Outstanding Interactive Program (2015).

The brainchild of former Daily Show correspondent, John Oliver, Last Week Tonight takes the Daily Show/Colbert Report formula and amps it up with the creative freedom allowed on a premium cable network like HBO.

Last Week Tonight discusses (you guessed it), the events of the previous week, with Oliver bouncing from whimsical to indignantly outraged as the story requires. The show particularly excels at engaging with its audience, encouraging activity on social media and even starting its own for profit church to showcase how ludicrously easy it is to exploit the system.

Informative, entertaining, and rarely impartial, it's already hugely popular and will only grow as it enters its second year.

=#79 - Angel (1999 - 2004) - 42 points from two voters

Starring: David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Glenn Quinn, Alexis Denisof, J. August Richards, Amy Acker, Vincent Kartheiser, Andy Hallett, James Marsters, and Mercedes McNab.
Creator: Joss Whedon and David Greenwait.
Network: The WB.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Supernatural drama.
Accolades: N/A.

A spin-off from the hugely popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel took the vampire with a soul of the same name and sent him to the City of Angels to atone for his centuries of misdeeds by helping the needy as a private detective.

The premise may seem hokey, but like all things Whedon, its carried by its witty scripts and the chemistry between its cast. Joined by a motley collection of witches, reformed demons, psychic cheerleaders, and other such weirdness, Angel frequently battled with the demon run Wolfram and Hart Law Firm for control of the souls of the city's residents.

Inexplicably cancelled despite solid ratings, the show's mythology lives on in comic book form.

#78 - 24 (2001 - 2014) - 44 points from two voters

Starring: Kiefer Sutherland, Leslie Hope, Sarah Clarke, Elisha Cuthbert, Dennis Haysbert, and a whole lot of others.
Creator: Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran.
Network: Fox.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Serialized political drama. Thriller.
Accolades: Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series (2002), Outstanding Drama Series (2005), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama - Kiefer Sutherland (2005), and Outstanding Directing (2005), Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor - Keifer Sutherland (2001) and Best Drama Series (2003).

A pop culture phenomenon that dominated the mid 00s, 24 went on to become the longest running espionage television show of all time.

Helmed by the charismatic Kiefer Sutherland as seemingly unstoppable Jack Bauer, each season focused on a single day (24 hours) in the lives of a fictional counter-terrorism unit as they sought to protect the US from everything from assassinations, nuclear strikes, and biological warfare.

With balls to the wall action and surprisingly good writing, 24 was a ratings juggernaut that also spawned two TV movies.

#77 - Heroes (2006 - 2010) - 45 points from three voters

Starring: Santiago Cabrera, Jack Coleman, Tawny Cypress, Noah Gray-Cabey, Greg Grunberg, Ali Larter, Masi Oka, Hayden Panettiere, Zachary Quinto, Kristen Bell, and others.
Creator: Tim Kring.
Network: NBC.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Science fiction. Superhero drama.
Accolades: N/A.

Launched with much fanfare, the first season of Heroes was an unheralded critical and commercial success. Detailing the struggles of a number of people who had suddenly developed superheroes, the show's over-aching mythology ultimately became a bit too full of its own drama. Subsequent seasons (of which there were three) were met with harsh criticism for their dour tone and deliberate pace.

It was a hell of a lot of fun while it lasted, and the show can be given some credit for its role in making super heroes mainstream and trendy before Marvel was doing it at a rate of knots.

#76 - Prison Break (2005 - 2009) - 46 points from four voters

Starring: Dominic Purcell, Wenworth Miller, Robin Tunney, Peter Stromare, Amaury Nolasco, Marshall Allman, Wade Williams, Paul Adelstein, William Fichtner, Sarah Wayne Callies, and others.
Creator: Paul Scheuring.
Network: Fox.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Serialized crime drama.
Accolades: N/A.

Originally intended as a movie and then a miniseries, Prison Break's premise was a relatively simple one - a genius gets himself arrested so that he can break his wrongfully accused brother out of jail. Along the way they enlist a number of inmates to aid in their escape.

That first season... it was tense, it was thrilling, and it was well done.

Network television being what it is, they couldn't be satisfied with a critically acclaimed ratings juggernaut that wrapped up where it made sense. Instead, three increasingly nonsensical seasons followed the first, and ratings and reviews tanked predictably.

Still, it was a fun ride while it lasted.

#75 - CSI: New York (2004 - 2013) - 48 points from two voters

Starring: Gary Sinise, Melina Kanakaredes, Vanessa Ferlito, Hill Harper, Eddie Cahill, Anne Belknap, Robert Joy, AJ Buckley, and Sela Ward.
Creator: Anthony E. Zuiker, Carol Mendolsohn, and Ann Donahue.
Network: CBS.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Crime.
Accolades: N/A.

An indirect spin-off of CSI and a direct spinoff of CSI: Miami, CSI: New York is the only CSI alumnus to make the top one hundred.

Following the lives of the investigators in a New York City crime lab, the show followed much the same formula that had made its two predecessors so popular. Anchored by Gary Sinise in the lead, the show enjoyed strong ratings of more than 10 million viewers right up until its cancellation.

#74 - Chappelle's Show (2003 - 2006) - 50 points from two voters

Starring: Dave Chappelle, Charlie Murphy, and Donnell Rawlings.
Creator: Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan.
Network: Comedy Central.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Sketch Comedy.
Accolades: N/A.

Masterminded by the comedic genius of Dave Chappelle, Chappelle's Show experienced success far beyond what its creator had envisaged. For a while there, everybody was shouting "I'm Rick James Bitch" or quoting one of Chappelle's other memorable sketches.

The show's popularity ultimately proved too much for the stand-up comedian to handle, and he pulled the plug after just three seasons due to the mounting stress.

=#72 - The Last Man on Earth (2015 - present) - 55.5 points from three voters

Starring: Will Forte, Kristen Schaal, January Jones, Mel Rodriguez, Cleopatra Coleman, and Mary Steenburgen.
Creator: Will Forte.
Network: Fox.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Post apocalyptic sitcom.
Accolades: N/A.

Created by and starring Will Forte, The Last Man on Earth details the struggles of a narcissistic, childish, boorish man as the last man on earth. Originally pitched as a series in which every episode had a twist that upped the ante, the show gradually introduced a small collection of other survivors.

While the entire cast does the heavy lifting comedically, it is Forte who manages to tread the line between David Brent levels of repulsion and good-natured in a way that makes him both endearing and frustrating.

Midway through its second season, the show now has to find a way to balance its intriguing premise with the sitcom formula.

=#72 - Californication (2007 - 2014) - 55.5 points from three voters

Starring: David Duchovny, Natascha McElhone, Pamela Aidon, Madeleine Martin, Madeline Zima, and Evan Handler.
Creator: Thomas Kapinos.
Network: Showtime.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Comedy-drama.
Accolades: Emmy Awards for Outstanding Cinematography (2008, 2009) and Golden Globe for Best Male Actor in a Musical or Comedy - David Duchovny (2008).

Starring David Duchovny as an alcoholic, sex-addicted novelist whose hedonistic lifestyle has been funded by a hugely successful sophomore novel that he hasn't been able to conjure a follow-up to.

Full of sex, drugs, and rock & roll, the show has constantly pushed the envelope with its portrayals of sexuality and drug use. Duchovny revitalized his career post X-Files, while the world got to find out what the little kid from The Nanny looked like topless.

#71 - Blackadder (1983 - 1989) - 58 points from four voters

Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny, and Hugh Laurie.
Creator: Richard Curtis.
Network: BBC1.
Country: United Kingdom.
Genre(s): Period sitcom.
Accolades: N/A.

A sitcom that spanned centuries, Blackadder followed members of the eponymous Blackadder family from 1485 through to 1917, with every one of them being a scheming, cowardly cynic aided by a foul-smelling, stupid manservant from the Baldrick family.

Like all things good and British, the show went out on a high and produced a number of well-regarded specials.

One of the all-time great comedies, Blackadder is often regarded as one of the top two British comedies of all time.

 

[mackdadday]

I went to a Conan taping while he was working for NBC. Hilarious on and off camera.

 

[Misanthrope]

#70 - 61
​

#70 - Rick & Morty (2013 - present) - 58.5 points from three voters

Starring: Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, and Sarah Chalke.
Network: Adult Swim.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Animated sci-fi comedy.
Accolades: N/A.

From the twisted minds behind Community and the popular Lemongrab character from Adventure Time, Rick & Morty is a wildly intelligent, insanely inappropriate science fiction comedy documenting the exploits of Rick Sanchez, a brilliant dimension jumping scientist and his naive, not-too-bright grandsom.

Occasionally tagging along for the ride are his controlling daughter, his popularity obsessed granddaughter, and his milquetoast son-in-law (voiced brilliantly by Chris Parnell).

Considered to be one of the smartest shows on television today, Rick & Morty has a third season due in late 2016.

=#68 - Daredevil (2015 - present) - 60 points from three voters

Starring: Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Toby Leonard Moore, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Rosario Dawson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jon Bernthal, Elodie Yung, and Scott Glenn.
Creator: Drew Goddard.
Network: Netflix.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Superhero crime drama.
Accolades: Helen Keller Award honoree.

Bringing Marvel's Cinematic Universe to the small screen in a way that has succeeded to such a high degree that it has spawned two Daredevil seasons, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and an upcoming Punisher spin-off, Daredevil took the MCU formula to an exciting new place by telling a connected story over an entire season.

While Cox's portrayal of the much-maligned Daredevil (thanks, Ben Affleck) has been heaped with praise, it has been the villainous turns by first Vincent D'Onofrio and then Jon Bernthal that has made the show one of Netflix's most popular.

=#68 - Boardwalk Empire (2010 - 2014) - 60 points from three voters


Starring: Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Aleksa Palladino, Charlie Cox, Gretchen Mol, Michael Stuhlbarg, Stephen Graham, Vincent Piazza, Michael Kenneth Williams, Dabney Coleman, Jack Huston, Bobby Cannavale, Ron Livingstone, Jeffrey Wight, and Ben Rosenfield.
Creator: Terence Winter.
Network: HBO.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Period crime drama.
Accolades: Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing (2011 - Martin Scorsese, 2012 - Tim Van Patten) and Best Supporting Actor (2013 - Bobby Cannavale), and Golden Globe Awards for Best Drama (2011) and Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama (2011 - Steve Buscemi).

A spiritual successor to the wildly popular The Sopranos, Terence Winter's next foray into the world of crime drama would be a period drama about the famous boardwalk mafia of Atlantic City. Rooted in history but taking several liberties with characters and events, Boardwalk Empire enjoyed a five season run that saw famous characters from history such as Al Capone and Lucky Luciano rub elbows with fictionalized characters.

Visually spectacular and often tense, Boardwalk Empire has been one of HBO's many success stories of the last decade.

#67 - Full House (1987 - 1995) - 64 points from four voters

Starring: John Stamos, Bob Saget, Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron, Jodie Sweetin, Lori Loughlin, and Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen.
Creator: Jeff Franklin.
Network: ABC.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Sitcom.
Accolades: N/A.

A sitcom about a widower who recruits his brother-in-law and his best friend to help him raise his three young daughters, Full House proved to be a wildly popular sitcom that explored issues both masculine and feminine.


#66 - Entourage (2004 - 2011) - 67.5 points from three voters.

Starring: Kevin Connolly, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrera, and Jeremy Piven.
Creator: Doug Ellin.
Network: HBO.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Dramedy.
Accolades: Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actor (2006, 2007, 2008 - Jeremy Piven) and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor (2007 - Jeremy Piven).

Based loosely on the life of Mark Wahlberg as a hugely popular Hollywood star with a bunch of idiot offsiders, Entourage proved wildly popular with stoners and would-be players all around the world who wanted their lives to be more like that of the show's group of lovable misfits.

Especially notable for its many cameos and guest appearances from real life celebrities, the show glamourised the stoner, rock and roll lifestyle to the point that it spawned eight seasons and a successful big screen adaptation.

Key to the show's success was undoubtedly Jeremy Piven, who put in a career-defining performance as foul-mouthed talent agent, Ari Gold.


#65 - Criminal Minds (2005 - present) - 72 points from four voters

Starring: Mandy Patinkin, Thomas Gibson, Lola Glaudini, Shemar Moore, Matthew Gray Gubler, AJ Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Paget Brewster, Joe Mantegna, Rachel Nichols, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Jeanne Tripplehorn.
Creator: Jeff Davis.
Network: CBS.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Police procedural.
Accolades: N/A.

Another hugely popular police procedural out of the US, Criminal Minds follows the lives and cases of a team of FBI agents who specialize in tracking serial killers.

A ratings juggernaut to this day, the show has spawned one failed spin-off (Criminal Minds: Suspect Behaviour) and one new spin-off (Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders).


#64 - Law & Order (1990 - 2010) - 75 points from three voters

Starring: Chris Noth, Michael Moriarty, Steven Hill, Jerry Orbach, S. Epatha Merkerson, Sam Waterson, Benjamin Bratt, Jesse L. Martin, Elisabeth Rohm, Fred Thompson, and a bunch of others.
Creator: Dick Wolf.
Network: NBC.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Police procedural.
Accolades: Emmy Awards for Outstanding Cinematography (1993, 1997, & 1998), Outstanding Drama Series (1997), and Outstanding Guest Actress (1993 - Elaine Stritch).

One of the longest lived shows to make this count-down, Law & Order was a fixture on televisions during its run and remains a popular syndication program.

Following both the police and the prosecution in a variety of cases inspired by real-life events, this police procedural would spawn a number of spin-offs including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (which exists today), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (which lasted a decade), and two other season long spin-offs.

A genre-defining series, many modern police procedural dramas draw a lot from the formula it established.


#63 - Underbelly (2008 - 2013) - 82 points from four voters

Starring: Rodger Corser, Caroline Craig, Gyton Grantley, Kat Stewart, Roy Billing, Anna Hutchison, Matthew Newton, Asher Keddie, Peter Phelps, Emma Booth, Firass Dirani, Wil Traval, Dieter Brummer, Danielle Cormack, Chelsie Preston Crayford, Anna McGahan, Jack Campbell, Lucy Wigmore, Matt Nable, Jonathan LaPaglia, Josh Quong Tart, Justin Smith, Jared Daperis, Camille Keenan, Susie Porter, and more.
Creator: Des Monaghan and Zayed Rizwan Silk.
Network: Nine Network.
Country: Australia.
Genre(s): Period crime drama.
Accolades: AFI Awards for Best Drama Series (2008), Best Director (2008 - Peter Andrikidis), Best Screenplay (2009), Best Lead Actor (2008 - Gyton Grantley, 2009 - Roy Billing), Best Lead Actress (2008 - Kat Stewart), Best Supporting Actor (2008 - Damien Walshe-Howling, 2009 - Damien de Montemas, 2010 - Damien Garvey, and 2013 - Aaron Jeffrey), and Best Supporting Actress (2008 - Madeleine West) and Logie Awards for Outstanding Drama Series (2008), Outstanding Actor (2008 - Gyton Grantley), Most Popular New Talent (2011 - Firass Dirani), Outstanding New Talent (2011 - Firass Dirani and 2012 - Chelsie Preston Crayford), and Outstanding Actress (2008 - Kat Stewart).

Doing the 'each season has different actors and tells a different story' thing before shows like American Horror Story and True Detective swept the world by storm, Underbelly was a valiant effort at creating an Australian equivalent to shows like Boardwalk Empire and The Sopranos.

For a while there, it worked too. Underbelly was hugely popular in its portrayal of famous crimes from Australian history. While it started fairly recent, it delved as far back as Australia's formative years for Razor and Squizzy).

While the show has since moved on to greener pastures, we all know we're just one big crime away from another season.


=62 - Dragon Ball Z (1989 - 1996) - 84 points from three voters

Starring: A bunch of voice actors.
Creator: Akira Toriyama.
Network: Fuji TV, Animax, and Tokyo MX.
Country: Japan.
Genre(s): Anime.
Accolades: N/A.

A sequel to the Dragon Ball anime, Dragon Ball Z adapts a swathe of the manga of the same name written by Akira Toriyama.

Dragon Ball Z tells the story of a young man named Goku and his various friends & allies as they defend the earth from all manner of villains set on destroying it.

I've never seen an episode of this show, so it's really hard for me to write about.

The end.


=61 - Alf (1986 - 1990) - 87 points from three voters

Starring: Paul Fusco, Max Wright, Anne Scheeden, Andrea Elson, and Benji Gregory.
Creator: Paul Fusco and Tom Pratchett.
Network: NBC.
Country: USA.
Genre(s): Sitcom.
Accolades:N/A.

A sitcom about a family who 'adopts' an alien by the name of Alf, this series received a weird push from a few quarters who wanted to see it top the count-down.

It's charge may have finished at sixty one, but the show enjoyed a brief run of popularity that resulting in a spin-off animated series, video games, toys, and more.

 

[mackdadday]

Can't believe i forgot Hannibal when i set my list. My number 1 these days for shizzy.

 

[Misanthrope]

Given I started this count down a year ago, I'd say a few people's votes might have changed if I weren't taking so long.

Just moved to China, so I'll update again as soon as I'm into my apartment and have net online.

 

[mackdadday]

Bojack Horseman has made it's mark on me. Definitely up near the top of my next list.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Given I started this count down a year ago, I'd say a few people's votes might have changed if I weren't taking so long.

Just moved to China, so I'll update again as soon as I'm into my apartment and have net online.

Must be having net problems eh?

 

[bileduct]

Since this appears to have been abandoned it looks like ALF wins!

 

[Apey]

I was thinking about running top drama series countdown soon if there's interest.

It wouldn't have blurbs but it would be completed in a timely manner.

 

[bileduct]

Breaking Bad already wins that one.

 

[elyod138]

The Wire is a class above Breaking Bad IMO.

 

[Apey]

There has been a few good series released since the last drama-specific countdown, and of course Game of Thrones has had more seasons. The top 5 from the last time wouldn't change much but the rest might.

 

[mackdadday]

Six feet under would hopefully get its much deserved mantle as top dog of the lot.

 

[Stewbum]

Best show of 2016 hands down is HBO's 'The Night Of'.

If you haven't seen it already push everything on your list down one and start it immediately.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Best show of 2016 hands down is HBO's 'The Night Of'.

If you haven't seen it already push everything on your list down one and start it immediately.

It's ok. Preferred the drama in season 2 of Better Caul Saul. That last ep I was swearing at the TV at what an arsehole his brother is. If you haven't watched the show at all. The first 5eps of season 1 are very light drama. From then on the show grows another leg.

 

[Stewbum]

Hmmm. That's disappointing to hear. I'm a big fan of Better Call Saul but rate 'The Night Of' as absolutely in class of its own this year. The finest thing I've seen. BCS is like reading Stephen King (IE very good). TNO is like Tolstoy.