1. Lost >> ABC >> 2004 - Present
The uncensored, commercial free environment of cable television provided a headquarters for ground-breaking, innovative shows. Few dramas on network television garnered the success seen on cable and Lost revived this seemingly extinct genre. From the first episode the show wraps the viewer into an island filled with so many questions even your know-it-all friend is clueless. The ensemble cast coupled with creative storylines creates a show unlike anything seen before. Flashbacks to the island survivor’s previous lives and their unexplained connections enthrall the viewer to keep watching. The combination of drama, action, comedy and even science fiction allows for a seemingly endless story arc. Scheduled to end in 2009, this show captures the audience every week and will have them on the edge of their couches for years to come.
2. The Office (UK) >> BBC >> 2001 – 2003
A generic replica of the office workplace allows this British comedy to attract a wide audience, but the comedic genius of Ricky Gervais makes it much more. Set in a boring paper supply company office, we see the daily lives of a dozen office drones. The insecure and ridiculous boss David Brent is played masterfully by Gervais. The proof of this show’s success is seen today with the United States’ version of the Office being one of the most talked about sitcoms. While this version only lasted a handful of episodes, it will keep the show’s legacy intact.
3. South Park >> Comedy Central >> 1997 – Present
A show that can be responsible for the degradation of a generation is also the best satire of American life today. The citizens of South Park, Colorado are a microcosm of the crazy and often absurd American lifestyle. With the ability to produce episodes in days, Trey Parker and Matt Stone can poke fun of current events while subtly making statements about our way of life. Nothing is too sacred to be mocked on this show, including a depiction of Jesus being splattered with excrement after Comedy Central blocked a picture of Mohammed from an episode (“either you can make fun of everything or you can make fun of nothing”). A program that is far more than its juvenile premise sometimes portrays, South Park is one show where you can’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of life.
4. The Sopranos >> HBO >> 1999 – 2007
The anchor for HBO’s original programming and their best show to date, the Sopranos depicts the life of a mafia family in New Jersey. The Sopranos focuses on mainly on the patriarch, Tony, and his daily dealings at juggling the duality of being a mob boss and family man. Creator David Chase has constructed a show that is much more than another gangster depiction. Coupling the pressures and realistic nature of everyday life, Tony must deal with pleasing his family, occasionally committing murder and attend therapy for his chronic panic attacks. The multiple layers of symbolism and the ability to humanize an otherwise despicable man is one reason this show is a masterpiece.
5. The Wire >> HBO >> 2002 – Present
From the streets of Baltimore, Maryland the Wire hits you right in the mouth and tells it like it is. A show quoted by many as the “most realistic police drama on TV,” the Wire displays the life of Baltimore residents in varying capacities, from police detectives to drug dealers to union workers. The connectivity of these differing elements of the city creates deep dramatic plotlines rarely seen on television. A truly gifted ensemble cast shows the harsh lives of those on both sides of the law.
6. The Shield >> FX >> 2002 – Present
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7. Deadwood >> HBO >> 2004 – 2006
Mixing part history and part fiction, the old west is alive and well in Deadwood. The real town of Deadwood, SD was a center for economic prosperity in the late 19th century. Aside from the lives of historic characters such as, Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane, we see the development of Deadwood from a mining camp to a full fledged city. The citizens’ combination of eloquent, fin de siècle language with the vial obscenities of modern dialects gives rich insight to where our way of speaking began. History aside, this drama is packed with enough violence, politics, sex and suspense to please any new settler.
8. Curb Your Enthusiasm >> HBO >> 2000 – Present
From the man who inspired George Costanza, Larry David’s unique way of seeing the world is truly like no other. Taking part reality and part fiction, we see the day to day activities of Larry David and the constant predicaments he manages to find himself in. David’s neurotic behavior typically finds himself saying the wrong thing or offending someone. One may think this formula could tire quickly, but the infusion of seemingly endless celebrities and talented comedians proves otherwise. In addition, every episode is improvised which only adds to the remarkable performances provided by the entire cast. Some may say this is merely an R-rated version of Seinfeld. I say anyone who hasn’t seen this show shouldn’t compare the two. Curb is by far funnier, wittier, raunchier, more brash and outlandish then its predecessor.
9. Arrested Development >> Fox >> 2003 – 2006
And now the story of the Bluth family, the apex of dysfunction. With a stockpile of poorly written sitcoms on ever major network, Fox had a critical hit with Arrested Development and properly did what any smart network would, they canceled it. The family, created by a truly amazing cast, must deal with the patriarch stuck in prison and the seemingly only normal son trying to keep the family from imploding. Aside from less than stellar ratings, this sitcom does everything right by having a distinct and humorous back story coupled with absurd characters. This show was able to recruit a wonderful talented ensemble of characters yet the lack of recognition this show has received will make it a cult classic.
10. Late Night with Conan O’Brien >> NBC >> 1993 – Present
From his humble beginnings, no one would have thought Conan O’Brien would have his own late night talk show for over 14 years, now he is arguably the best of them all. Mixing witty, off the wall skits and inventive writing, Late Night is a trend setter when it comes to the late night talk shows. While Leno and Letterman hang on to the bigger ratings on their earlier shows, Conan is a favorite for the younger demographic and a minor hero in some circles. His ability to interview top notch guests and performances from bands, provide topical humor and also not afraid to offend speaks well to generation Y. His self-deprecating style and goofy mannerisms are a breath of fresh air for the television programs after 11pm.
