Top Four Television Shows in Recorded History

I’ve decided to begin a new gimmick besides the controversial titles: Top Four Lists! A lot of people do Top Three and Top Five lists (both excellent prime numbers) but four is a great number in an of itself. An aside: my Top Four numbers less than 25 are one, two, three and 24. Four would be number five but I’m not in the habit of making Top Five lists. My first Top Four list is television shows. I was inspired by working from home all day and watching television the whole time (note to coworkers and bosses: I got a lot of work done, don’t worry). Anyway, my criterion for inclusion on the list is simple: do I like it more than any other show I could put on the list?

(Chronological order, i.e. when I first started watching them)

1.  The Simpsons

I was one of those people who had a near-encyclopedic knowledge of The Simpsons in middle school and high school. I’d have to check but I think one of my senior quotes for the yearbook was from The Simpsons (all the other quotes were probably stupid). The first season was forgettable and after season 10 the quality trails off. Actually, I’m not sure if I’ve seen a single episode from season 13 on. But those seasons in between are hilarious, revolutionary (I’m talking television here, not nation-states) and downright entertaining. My favorite season is five and I’ve always had a soft spot for the Mr.Sparkle/Listen Lady episode in the eighth season.

2. Star Trek – The Next Generation

I don’t really like the other Star Treks. The Original Series, despite some solid stories and characters, is too campy and dated and the newer series just plain suck. I tore through TNG in college thanks to DVR. The series succeeds because of tremendous core characters, a deep fictional universe and story lines that reflect most of the important ethical issues and dilemmas of our time. A lot of people don’t like science fiction because it seems so fantastical but it actually provides a better medium than contemporary fiction to explore ideas extremely relevant currently and in the future (more about this in a future post). All of this would be pointless if it wasn’t entertaining and thank Kahless it is.

3. Law and Order

You would think the formula would get tired after fifty-odd seasons but this is my go-to show when I’m flipping channels. It’s always on and it’s always interesting. The most recent couple of seasons aren’t as good but the Jerry Orbach years are great. I wish they’d show more of the older episodes with Mr. Big and the fat guy because I’ve seen all the other ones about 1.5 times now. My favorite episode is the one where Julia Roberts guest stars. I’m fairly ambivalent toward her but she’s great in her role. If only I liked the spinoffs too: then I could spend even more time wasting away in front of the television. Did you know McCoy was nominated for an Oscar before joining the DA’s office?

4. The Wire

The Wire is the finest narrative television series any generation has seen. I’m not sure if I would count it as my favorite show ever because it’s so new (check back in a few years) but it is a revelation in television. I can’t profess to have any first-hand experience but it’s strength lies in the realism of the characters and the stories. That’s why I don’t like the fifth season as much: not as realistic (the stupid serial killer plot) and too many characters to give them the attention they deserve. But even in its relative weakness it never fails to ooze quality. For example, having pre-pubescent Kenard kill Omar reminds all the Omar fanboys that the show is about Baltimore not Gotham. It’s brutal. The second half of season four was spectacular.