This is a diversionary, non prop-related article, which I would imagine everyone will disagree with. :)
My personal list of my favorite 10 television shows (since I was born). The challenge was prioritizing emotional/nostalgia vs. craft/art. I’ll have to lean towards the latter today… I’m sure I’d put them in a different order tomorrow.
Honorable Mentions: 21 Jump Street, Angel, Cheers, Da Ali G Show, Deadwood, Friends, L.A. Law, The Larry Sanders Show, Lost, Moonlighting, Mork & Mindy, The Office (BBC), The Office (NBC), Oz, Robot Chicken, Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Street Time, Wizards & Warriors, The X-Files.
10. Robotech
Executive Producer: Carl Macek
Seasons/Episodes: 1985 (Extended Weekday Series) – 85 Episodes
Official Site: Robotech.com
Favorite Episode: “Force of Arms” – Episode 27
Why is it one of my favorites?
This is one of those nostalgia-driven selections, and the only animated series on the list. As with most shows on this list (8 of the 10), I was fortunate enough to start watching this one from the very first broadcast of the first episode, and, at age 12, it was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Based on three unrelated Japanese series (The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, and Genesis Climber Mospeada), these shows were rewritten, revoiced, and “Americanized” in many respects. For me, it further piqued my interest in Japanese culture and entertainment (more so than Ultraman, Battle of the Planets, and other series previously viewed growing up).
As for the series itself, it was a unique blend of animation, sci-fi, and melodrama and short and long narrative that has spawned countless imitators. It was the first “cartoon” I’d seen that seemed intended for a wider audience than most such shows on the air. The characters had depth, the story was unique and interesting, and the 5-day a week schedule was relentless and engrossing. It was groundbreaking at the time, with adult themes and issues, violence and death put into real context and consequence, and more.
9. Band of Brothers
Executive Producer: Stephen Spielberg, Tom Hanks
Seasons/Episodes: 2001 (Series) 10 Parts –
Official Site: HBO.com/band
Favorite Episode: “Why We Fight” – Episode 9
Why is it one of my favorites?
This is an amazing, amazing series, and if you’ve never seen it, I can’t recommend it enough. It is quality work all around – writing, casting, acting, directing. Of course, it is based on real life, which makes it that much more compelling. The work is based on biographer and historian Stephen Ambrose’s book of the same name. The series has a film quality, so it is more akin to a 10-part, nearly 12 hour movie than a television series.
I am such a fan of this series, I really wish it were required viewing so that younger people in our society can have an appreciation for the sacrifices early generations made to give us the freedoms we enjoy today.
8. The Sopranos
Executive Producer: David Chase
Seasons/Episodes: 1999-2007 (6 Seasons) – 86 Episodes
Official Site: HBO.com/Sopranos
Favorite Episode: “Made in America” – Season Six, Episode 21 (Season & Series Finale)
Why is it one of my favorites?
One of the most popular television series of all time, and for good reason. What else can I say?
7. Homicide: Life on the Street
Executive Producer: Tom Fontana, Paul Attanasio
Seasons/Episodes: 1993-1999 – (7 Seasons) – 122 Episodes
Official Site: None
Favorite Episode: “Deception” – Season 5, Episode 19
Why is it one of my favorites?
For a long time, this was number one on my list, but has fallen down the list over the years, mostly attributed to the show that is the current number one.
In any event, a brilliant, groundbreaking series, that surprisingly lasted for seven seasons in spite of it’s ratings. The show was outstanding, with an incredible ensemble cast, excellent stand alone episodes as well as compelling story arcs.
6. Freaks & Geeks
Executive Producer: Judd Apatow
Seasons/Episodes: 1999-2000 (1 Season) – 18 Episodes
Official Site: None
Favorite Episode: “Discos & Dragons” – Season 1, Episode 18 (Series & Season Finale)
Why is it one of my favorites?
Growing up in the 80s and being a fan of 80s culture, I probably would have enjoyed a show with this premise even if it sucked. However, it’s one of the best television series ever made.
Fantastic characters both quirky and believable, this show had so much to offer on so many levels. As challenging as it is to pull off series placed in the past, this one was pretty much flawless. It’s a shame the network did not give it time to find its audience, with only one season, and I think reflects a missed opportunity looking at the success Apatow has found subsequent to this series. Though I was a fan of the follow-up series, Undeclared, it did not begin to measure up to Freaks & Geeks.
5. The Greatest American Hero
Executive Producer: Stephen J. Cannell
Seasons/Episodes: 1981-1983 (3 Seasons) – 44 Episodes
Official Site: None
Favorite Episode: “The Greatest American Hero Parts I & II” – Season One, Episodes 1 & 2
Why is it one of my favorites?
This is my primary “nostalgia” pick. What can I say? It hasn’t aged terribly well, and was a bit cheesy even at the time, but it is still a favorite. And, of course, a Cannell show has to represent here somewhere…
Though a bit “lite”, it was still quite a self aware show, with some interesting traits. The hero, Ralph, does not strike one as heroic, in appearance. He never adopts any sort of superhero name or moniker, which reflects the whole idea of the show – the everyman being heroic in his mere attempts to do good, in spite of his challenges and shortcomings.
Note: If anyone has a line on an original suit from the series, please contact me – 20% finder’s fee upon conclusion of a successful purchase of an authentic costume from the show…
4. V: The Original Miniseries, V: The Final Battle
Executive Producer: Kenneth Johnson
Seasons/Episodes: V, 1983 (Miniseries, 2 parts); V: The Final Battle, 1984 (Miniseries, 3 parts)
Official Site: None
Favorite Episode: “V: The Final Battle Part 1”
Why is it one of my favorites?
Being a child of Star Wars, for me, “V” was the next big sci-fi property I fell in love with. Of course, “V” does not have the following of Star Wars today, but for me, and I’m sure a handful of others, it is an important show.
The original series was a huge event in original broadcasting in the U.S., and this was back in a time in which audiences could truly be suprised by plot twists, of which many were served in this series.
This was a well-written show with a lot of subtext and gave its audience much to both enjoy and think about.
The funny thing for me is, I had recorded this show in its original broadcast on my grandparents new VCR, so I did watch it again and again, which was a bit of a luxury back in the 80s for anything, film and television. So this show obviously had a stronger impression on me than most.
“V” also was the genesis of one of my “holy grail” prop wants – a visitor pistol or rifle from the show – both of which I’ve finally secured in 2007, so it’s been a great year for original “V” props.
Of special note: as fond as I am of the two mini-series, the one and only season of the ongoing weekly series (V: The Series, 19 episodes) was not very good at all. It is unintentionally funny, and continues the story, but generally, I think the two mini-series stand on their own, and maybe this would be better to assume it was all someone’s dream, a la the “Dream” season in Dallas.
3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Creator/Executive Producer: Joss Whedon
Seasons/Episodes: 1997-2003 (7 Seasons) – 144 Episodes
Official Site: None
Favorite Episode: “Once More, With Feeling” – Season 6, Episode 7
Why is it one of my favorites?
Simply put, Buffy is simply brilliant. It was experimental, and almost all of those new ideas were highly successful. Smart, well done, and they didn’t seem to care about anything than being true to making the show mean something and be different – not for the sake of being different, but because television offers an opportunity to take risks.
This was a show I never watched until it was all done, which has its pros and cons. The biggest con was that I had an opportunity to watch an episode a night, in order, which was very gratifying, given that with most long-running series, there are long gaps in-between seasons, etc.
I can’t say enough great things about this show. It will never be duplicated in the sum of its accomplishments.
2. Star Trek: The Next Generation
Executive Producer: Rick Berman, Gene Roddenberry, Michael Piller
Seasons/Episodes: 1987-1994 (7 Seasons) – 176 Episodes
Official Site: StarTrek.com
Favorite Episode: “All Good Things…” – Season 7, Episode 25 (Season & Series Finale)
Why is it one of my favorites?
This is the other show I didn’t get into at the start. I grew up thinking Star Trek was for overweight geeks living in their parents basements. I have pneumonia to thank for my introduction to Star Trek: The Next Generation, due to the fact that I was bedridden, and what else was run over and over in the middle of the night? I think I jumped in at some point in Season Two, and once I got hooked, it was a favorite. In my opinion, each season became better and better.
Though I enjoy all the other Trek shows, for me, nothing can compare with Next Gen. The best writing, the best actors, the best characters, the best stories. While Band of Brothers demonstrates what the people of our society are capable of (both greatness and evil), TNG gives one hope for the potential of the human race.
1. The Wire
Executive Producer: David Simon, Nina K. Noble
Seasons/Episodes: 2002- (4 Seasons; Season 5 in production) – 50 Episodes Aired To Date
Official Site: HBO.com/TheWire
Favorite Episode: “Middle Ground” – Season 3, Episode 11
Why is it one of my favorites?:
Too many reasons to mention. The writing, the characters, the story, the drama… One of the only television dramas ever produced that actually challenges its audience, on so many different levels. It is infinitely rich with conflict that reflects realities of our society.
Brilliant.
Jason De Bord