LU's Favourite TV Show - Countdown

[Misanthrope]

=20 - Doctor Who

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One of television's longest running and most beloved television shows, the British tale of a time and space traveling 'Doctor' has spanned decades, generations, and multiple incarnations of the titular doctor. The show's current run has seen it gain unprecedented popularity and enter the mainstream on a huge level.

#18 - Sons of Anarchy

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We're in something of a golden age for big budget, serialised television at the moments and Sons of Anarchy is one of those hugely popular premium cable shows that has developed a massive following.

Ron Perlman's TV turn as the leader of a biker gang is regularly quoted as one of the best shows on television right now. I swear, someday I'll even watch it.

= #17 - Chappelle's Show

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Dave Chappelle's show didn't last long, but his uniquely dark brand of sketch comedy has spawned plenty of quotable moments and laughter induced tears. While the comedian behind the show has since largely disappeared, very few who have seen the show can forget moments like Rick James, the blind KKK member, and the countless other uproariously inappropriate skits.

= #17 - Black Adder

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Another British classic makes the list. Rowan Atkinson's Black Adder introduced the world at large to the likes of Rowan Atkinson, Hugh Laurie, and Stephen Fry. With each season taking the titular Black Adder and his lackey to a different time period, the show never felt tired or forced. It could still be going today in my mind.

= #16 - Arrested Development

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Perhaps one of the beloved shows to ever face the ax before its time, this quirky and offbeat US sitcom was intelligent before being so was cool. While it has since returned and lost just a bit of its lustre, the old episodes are still classically witty and unusual television.

 

[Springs]

Finally!

Good to see Blackadder and Arrested Development.

 

[Apey]

Almost died of shock when I saw this wasn't just someone else bumping it.

 

[Misanthrope]

Your whinging in the LU's Favourite Video Game thread spurred me into action, you wanker.

 

[Parra Pride]

You should totally watch Sons of Anarchy Mis, and then base a mafia game around it.

 

[Apey]

Your whinging in the LU's Favourite Video Game thread spurred me into action, you wanker.

:lol: forgot I posted there.

I'd hardly call it whining I didn't even vote, more like just dedication to breaking your balls.

Am interested though so get to it.

 

[Springs]

Your whinging in the LU's Favourite Video Game thread spurred me into action, you wanker.

Hey I whinged first ;-)

 

[Misanthrope]

=#16 - The Twilight Zone

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A true pop culture icon, this series featured unrelated short stories that varied between humourous, thought-provoking, and downright terrifying. Inspiring shows such as The Outer Limits and the critically acclaimed Black Mirror in the UK, the Twilight Zone is still a fantastic watch even today.

#14 - Peep Show

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The UK continues to feature strongly in this count-down, with the relatively recent Peep Show's brand of painfully awkward humour earning it a spot in the top fifteen.

#13 - M*A*S*H

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Outlasting the conflict that inspired it, M*A*S*H's irreverent but never disrespectful look at life in a medical camp during the Korean War proved engaged and endearing long after the war itself had ended and US soldiers had returned home.

=#12 - The Walking Dead

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The highest rated show in US Basic Cable history doesn't rate quite highly enough to scrape into the top ten, but this tale of survival after and during the Zombie Apocalypse still polarises viewers around the world. While some praise its character driven formula, others criticise its formulaic and often predictable storyline.

Like it or hate it, the show is paving the way for other 'geeky' shows to find success on basic cable.

=#12 - Band of Brothers

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The original big budget HBO epic, Stephen Spielberg's spiritual sequel to Saving Private Ryan showed the world that television didn't need to be cinema's poorer cousin with big budget battles, an impressive cast, and some sterling action and acting.

 

[Apey]

Bizarre numbering system aside , M*A*S*H and BoB are worthy.

 

[Misanthrope]

What's bizarre about it?

 

[Apey]

You edited it mofo.

I am looking forward to the top 10 though. How far through was Breaking Bad when these votes were taken?

 

[Springs]

It was finished wasn't it? Or just about.

Enjoy all those shows. Twilight Zone and MASH are classics and Band of Brothers has a claim to best mini-series of all time.

 

[Red Bear]

Glad Peep Show made it

 

[snoozer]

never heard of peep show. obviously must be ok.

 

[hineyrulz]

BOB was a brilliant show.

 

[Misanthrope]

It was finished wasn't it? Or just about.

Enjoy all those shows. Twilight Zone and MASH are classics and Band of Brothers has a claim to best mini-series of all time.

Show had finished or was a week or two out.

 

[Misanthrope]

=#10 - Fawlty Towers

One of the most beloved comedies of all times, John Cleese's manic Basil Fawlty must surely go down as one of the most memorable comedic creations in history. With its irreverent sense of black humor, frequent outbursts, and all around charm - this short lived comedy had a huge impact on British television.

=#10 - The Office (UK)

It's a UK double at #10! The brainchild of Ricky Gervais, this equally cynical and often equally funny comedy fashioned itself as a documentary following the lives of people in an unremarkable paper factory. Gervais' David Brent was so loathsome yet so pathetic that he was almost endearing, and the show since spawned a highly successful US version.

#8 - Community

One of the most beloved cult comedies of recent years, Dan Harmon's 'Community' started out as a fairly unremarkable sitcom but soon became a very meta, pop culture obsessed show that has earned a huge following despite NBC's lack of faith in the concept.

Featuring some of the best modern comedic actors going around and some ruthlessly witty writing, Community (much like Arrested Development) may just be too smart for the average American television viewer.

#7 - Seinfeld

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A big jump in points brings us to the highest placed sitcom on the list. Jerry Seinfeld and his motley crew of friends were a pop culture phenomenon. The long lived show spawned countless catch phrases and pop culture tropes that we still use to this day, and was perhaps the most 'realistic' (if not a bit insane) look at how people really are - selfish, shallow, and pedantic.

#6 - Game of Thrones

HBO's hugely popular adaptation of George R R Martin's similarly popular series of novels is perhaps a shock placement at #6 - many might have tipped it to finish higher.

With plenty of sex and violence, this medieval fantasy features the constant struggles for the crown of Westeros, and features some of the best direction and acting on television today. A true cult phenomenon that is paving the way for other fantasy and science fiction shows to enjoy prominence.
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[Springs]

Community above Fawlty Towers oh hell naw

 

[afinalsin666]

Community below Seinfeld? Even worse.

 

[Red Bear]

Much prefer Seinfeld to Community so i'm happy with that.

Community is good, not as good as half a dozen other comedies from the last ten years or so though