By Matt Blanchette
The Hollywood Reporter put out it's list, so I decided to do mine.
The Top Ten TV Series of the Decade
This show is legendary, and rightfully so. It dealt with issues far greater than just the “mob.” It had it all. I could watch this show over and over, and I do.
It was originally billed as a different type of cop show and it was. If you have always stuck to Law and Order and Homicide, etc. you have never seen anything like Vic Mackey on The Shield. He was as much cop as criminal, and despite all the bad things he did, still had you in his corner. Phenomenal.
Granted this show started before the decade, but has stayed strong and ground breaking throughout. I would not even say this is the funnies show I have ever seen, but it terms of what it has done for expanding boundaries and animated comedies, deserves to be this high.
Does Lost make me pull my hair out? Yes. Does it make me scream and curse and the television? Obviously. But is also makes me watch every single week without thinking. This changed the way TV shows are made. It was a truly original idea. Granted, it has, at times, struggled to keep up, but that is because it’s plot is so advanced and original. Cannot wait for it’s February return.
A perfect blend of unintentional comedy and that typical Larry David awkwardness that we first saw in George on Seinfeld. Curb is the definition of a smart comedy.
Originally taken from the British version, Steve Carrel as Michael Scott was the perfect choice. This set off the “mock-u-mentary” style that is now done better in my opinion by Parks and Recreation and Modern Family. But let’s give props the first and at one time the best.
Set in post 9/11 New York, Denis Leary leads a great ensemble cast of firefighters dealing with the loss of friends and co-workers in the tragedy. A great blend of humor and drama.
During the time when ER was huge, NBC brought out a medical comedy and it killed. Quirky is the best way to describe this show. It’s a comedy with heart. Scrubs always has a moral ending and was really unlike any other show I have seen. Has since moved to ABC, and is not as good, but is says a lot that it has been able to avoid the scrap heap so many times.
I got on board with this in season 1, left, and came back. It takes a little getting used to, but once you “get” this show, it is unbeatable. The characters are so over the top funny.
Almost left this one off because it’s so new, but I really love period shows and Mad Men is the best I’ve ever seen.
Notables
The Wire- Never saw it, so I cannot rank it, but I heard it would be a shoe in for this list.
Family Guy – Really, really funny, but not epic
Dexter – A likeable Serial Killer. Check.
Arrested Development – Again. Great show, but I never saw it, so I cannot rank.
How I Met Your Mother – Consistently good, but not great.
Flight of the Conchords – Awesome show, small sample set.
