Everyone has a TV show they just can’t live without; a TV series they watch over and over again despite it’s run being long over and the actors long forgotten.
The truth of it is, everyone has a show they can just connect with on a level other shows cannot replicate and other people might never understand.
Being a gigantic geek (who’d have thunk it), my shows mostly consist of science fiction, but there are some shows which I’ll jam the DVD into my Xbox and simply enjoy – I might even watch them more times over a six month period than my favourite shows of all time, so I guess the question becomes: how do I choose which TV shows to go in the list? By what criteria do I judge them? Is in the most watched? Or simply the show that I can empathise with the most? Or am I just over-thinking this? Should it be the show I just enjoy the most?
How would you choose?
Again, the answer lies with the individual. For me, comedies mostly provide me with pure entertainment – there’s no deeper meaning to be had, or lessons to be learned. Entertainment is obviously great, there’s not always escapism; sometimes I dig a TV show that much I like to escape into the plot and that world, imagining being the lead character and doing all the things he does (as most men who enjoy 24 undoubtedly fantasise about Jack Bauer offing terrorists left, right and centre can probably understand). Granted some comedy shows are SO good, they can break the escapism barrier but those are rare gems of brilliance.
Another important factor for me is: are these shows re-watchable? Does the content grab me enough to make me want to watch these shows again years down the line? Take Battlestar Galactica for example (the new series). I enjoyed watching the show when it was on. It was one of my favourites. I bought some of the DVD’s, but I’ve only ever watched them once. I’ve just never been compelled to go back and watch them again when I’m on the prowl for something to help me spend quality time with my TV.
So in conclusion, my favourite TV shows provide escapism, are entertaining and is very much re-watchable.
Dying to see what I picked aren’t ya? Well here they are:
5. Entourage
What can I say? I like a little mainstream too! It’s hard not to get caught up in the glitz, the glamour, the lifestyle (and later the turmoil and the struggle) of being a Hollywood star. It’s what you’d expect and more and Ari Gold has to be another contender for one of the best TV characters that has ever been too. The episodes are so watchable and re-watchable it’s ridiculous.
4. Babylon 5
Babylon 5 was one of the best sci-fi shows of all time, mastering the art of the epic, the pain of the universe and overcoming evil. The show was smart, sometimes defied logic and at other times titillated the imagination.
3. Stargate SG1/Atlantis/Universe
The Stargate franchise has withstood the test of time, spanning the many years creating compelling characters, stories and perspectives. There are some hit and miss episodes, but equally there are some entirely awesome episodes too. Each series and season of the show pushes the boundaries and has been doing so for a very long time.
2. Farscape
Geekage overdrive. Loved the writing, the actors and the plot. Loved the comedy and the drama, the joy and the sadness, the action and the gorgeous Claudia Black (I’m starting to suspect that I have a thing for Australian women…). It was something I really latched onto, stuck with and enjoyed every episode (which can only arguably said about this show). The character Scorpius is one my all time favourite villains, if not characters of all time.
1. Chuck
What can I say? I love underdog’s and throw in a geeky underdog and how can this not be my number 1? I feel I can really empathise with the lead character a lot and love the whole easy-going nature of the show. Combined with the sheer hotness of Yvonne Strahovski and Sarah Lancaster, as well as the undeniable awesomeness of Jeffster~! then how can this not be on my list, at number 1 no less.
Honourable mentions:
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Firefly
Angel
Only Fools and Horses
South Park
Father Ted
Monk
Lost
Early Doors
The IT Crowd
So, what are YOUR top 5 TV shows of all time? Comment below and share!!!!!
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The Office: An American Workplace (‘The American Office’ to you & me) HAS to be on there KB…
In truth – like the original British version – it’s a love story. But for most of us the Jim/Pam saga is overshadowed by Michael Scott and his ridiculously cringing and hilarious mannerisms.
Throw in a glorious mix of oddballs and workplace social rejects and you’ve got one funny and irresistably addictive comedy DVD boxset!
I think they’re on six series to date – with four released in the UK – and with up to 20+ episodes per season, I urge anyone to go out and try it…you WILL like it!
It is good mate, I’ll admit, and it should’ve been on my honourable mentions list for definite – but I’m afraid it doesn’t make my top 5!
Hey Barton, Martin told me bout ure site earlier so thort id hav a luk, gd stuff!!
Theres a lot of those sci-fi shows i haven’t seen (an will most likely now luk up) but theres a couple of programmes i had to mention!
Prison Break-lots of criticism thrown at the seasons 3 and 4 for going off-plot, but an amazing show in my opinion and certainly something ive watched on multiple occasions
(who cnt like Michael Schofield…wat a genius!)
The 4400- cut short by the silly networks, 4400 had some real potential, and was left open-ended(SOMEONE please pik this show up!)
Breaking Bad- only caught my attention recently, though it has 3 complete seasons out now; definitely recommended
Heroes- again, a show that received a tonne of criticism(and rightly so…DAMN YOU TIM KRING!) but there was something exceptionally compulsive to the show….a great concept with some kick ass ideas that were unfortunately badly written and conveyed poorly
Smallville- 9 seasons in, a whole bunch of DC universe add-ins and the rise of the behemoth Superman…whats not to like [plus Kristen Kreuk/Laura van de Voort(?)/Erica Durance....=)]
Big Bang Theory- Bazinga (enuf sed)
i know this is 5 but there is one more show that deserves high praise….South Park
seems to have been going for an eternity but never loses its quality. It’s satirical and topical humor is often bang on the mark, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, i salute you sirs!
or 6….damn theres so many gud shows, so many that ive not mentioned too
Hey man, I’m afraid I’m going have to disagree with you…a lot.
First of all, Prison Break was AMAZING for 1 season only. The rest of the seasons were pathetic, because the writers had no clue what they were doing with the characters.
4400 was good for a couple of seasons, but I stopped watching when I felt the show was a bit directionless. I can’t remember when that was.
Heroes was very much like Prison Break – very good in season 1 and not much else. I thought Season 2 was better than a lot of people said, but I felt they killed off a number of interesting characters that was making their show stand out – such as Peter’s dad and Adam – and after they went, the show seemed ordinary to me. And season 3 onwards was just too damn predictable and not very entertaining.
Smallville still has its moments, but I think it’s done now and has been for a while. Got REALLY forumlaic and boring when I stopped watching it as the same thing was happening over and over again.
I will, however, agree with you on Breaking Bad. I watched the first season I thought it was very good. I hear the other seasons are even better so I can’t wait to pick those up on DVD.