Best TV Shows in the last 25 years

[matt72582]

Seems like the really great ones aren't seen as much. Most of my friends don't know of them, and when I'm overseas and talk to people from all over the world, they seem to like really bad American shows...

I'll forget some, but here's a few... I'll try to start chronologically..

Larry Sanders Show
Seinfeld
Roseanne
Da Ali G Show
Chappelle Show
Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Peep Show
Louie - Usually the standup is always much better, but his show is great, though the newer stuff is a bit more serious, and less comedy unfortunately.

[Miss Vicky]

Staying within the guidelines of 25 years, Blackadder Goes Forth (1989) is best, though Blackadder II (1986) is better (honeykid will disagree with this, but he's wrong).

[Gideon58]

I am going to assume that this thread is referring to shows that premiered in 1989, which was 25 years ago, or after. So going on that guideline, I would submit the following TV shows:

The Good Wife

Criminal Minds

Modern Family

Seinfeld

Grey's Anatomy

Desperate Housewives

The Sopranos

The New Adventures of Old Christine

Revenge

Brothers and Sisters

Sex and the City

Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit

Whose Line is it Anyway?

Nurse Jackie

30 Rock

Parks and Recreation

The Office

Two and a Half Men

[Nausicaä]

Two always pop into my head now:


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The Returned(French original series)

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Utopia(British original series)

[Miss Vicky]

I should add that I recommend the first four seasons of Dexter, all of the American version of Queer As Folk, the first few seasons of Archer, and all of Daria.

[mark f]

The Simpsons, Twin Peaks, Northern Exposure, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Picket Fences, of course. :cool:

[bluedeed]

Louie and Twin Peaks are the only shows that have significantly expanded the form artistically in any recent timespan :cool:

[seanc]

Louie and Twin Peaks are the only shows that have significantly expanded the form artistically in any recent timespan :cool:

If by expanding the form artistically you mean be just like Curb Your Enthusiasm but without the laughs, then I agree.;)

[bluedeed]

If by expanding the form artistically you mean be just like Curb Your Enthusiasm but without the laughs, then I agree.;)

I do not mean that

[seanc]

I do not mean that

I had a hunch you didn't. I need to give Louie its third chance with me. I have watched about ten episodes total and don't get the love. It is well loved though, so I will try it again eventually.

[gbgoodies]

The best cancelled TV shows were:
Becker (1998 - 2004)
Quantum Leap (1989 - 1993)
Monk (2002 - 2009)
The Practice (1997 - 2004)
Early Edition (1996 - 2000)
Mad About You (1992 - 1999)

The best short-lived shows were:
Stark Raving Mad (1999 - 2000)
Nowhere Man (1995 - 1996)
Justice (2006 - 2007)
Shark (2006 - 2008)
No Ordinary Family (2010 - 2011)
Traveler (2007)
Alcatraz (2012)

The best current shows are:
The Big Bang Theory
Castle
Once Upon A Time
Grimm
The Mentalist
Person of Interest
Revenge
Nashville

[Gideon58]

If by expanding the form artistically you mean be just like Curb Your Enthusiasm but without the laughs, then I agree.;)
OMG, I can't believe I left Curb your Enthusiasm off my list.

[bluedeed]

I had a hunch you didn't. I need to give Louie its third chance with me. I have watched about ten episodes total and don't get the love. It is well loved though, so I will try it again eventually.

What I like so much about Louie is that it defies being confined into tight descriptions and forces me to make decisions while watching it. Is it being comedic or dramatic, is it serial or non-serial, Louie or a fictional character. Often the answer is complex and somewhere in the middle. I also find much of the humor to be highly complex and layered in the show. And in addition to all that, Louie has some of the best directing on TV, some of which has to do with the fact that Louie doesn't have the money or crew for multi-camera setups. The opening of Elevator Part 4 (if I remember the part correctly) was some of the most fluid and complex (visually, aurally, and thematically) directing this side of Twin Peaks.

[matt72582]

I just watched Louie, and really thought "The Fat Girl" episode was really, really good. Not funny, but very great. I notice the more serious tones in the last couple seasons, though I didn't care for the finale, and I don't like Pamela.

How could EYE forget "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

Another show that's ok is Seinfeld's new show (with L. David) in the 1st episode.. "Comedians in Cars with Coffee"