Top 20 TV Shows to Waste Your Time On
Top 20 TV Shows to Waste Your Time On – Part 1
Written by Matt Hamilton
Got some free time on your hands? Trying to catch up on some TV shows or just looking for a show to get into? Here’s part 1 of a list of the top 20 shows you should waste your time on, according to me. According to me means “it’s just my opinion”, but my opinion is always right, so you best be listening. Although, this comes with a disclaimer; there are a couple series I haven’t been able to start yet (Battlestar, SOA, Sopranos, etc) but I’m working on it, SO GET OFF MY BACK! But, the rest of the list should give you some great TV watching, but this is more of a contemporary list from within the last 10 years.
#20. The Sopranos (HBO)
The Sopranos makes the list at number 20…and I haven’t even seen it! It gets here out of respect and reputation. I’m aiming to get on it but it’s a large commitment so getting through some new ones first. DON’T JUDGE.
Here’s the best clip in season 1…apparently.
#19. Dexter (SHOWTIME)
A bit cartoonish but who can’t find a story series about a serial killer who works as a forensic specialist with Miami. Michael C. Hall humanizes the title character with his code and the people around him. Strong supporting cast including his real life girlfriend who plays his stubborn, hot tempered sister ( Ewww…I think)
#18. Deadwood (HBO)
Sublime acting and meticulous detail highlight this gripping, gritty Western. For me, Timothy Olyphant can do no wrong. That dude can read the phone book and I’d buy that series. Ian McShane is no slouch either. A great study of the human character, the backstabbing and betrayal runs through Deadwood like an epidemic. There’s something I love about the period, if you felt slighted or wronged by someone, shoot him! Why not?
#17. Lost (ABC)
While the last couple seasons just got weird for the sake of weird, the first 3 are so gripping and hook you like crack. The first two seasons, each episodes end with mental cliffhangers you can’t help but keep watching. (Where did the Polar Bear come from? There’s a hatch? What is that smoke monster?!)
#16. 24 (FOX)
“Damnit, there’s not enough time!” “I give you my word” – the extent of Jack Bauer’s dialogue. Also, he’ll torture anyone, kill anything, and stop at nothing to get shit done. While the last couple seasons suffer from repetition they still did an amazing job given the gimmick of the show could only go on so long. By the way, don’t ever become friends with Jack Bauer because you’re as good as dead, or at the very least your life will be fucked.
#15. Flight of the Concords – HBO
Imported from New Zealand, comedy rock duo Brett and Jermaine are the title band trying to make it big in New York. Equipped with their hilarious and dim witted manager Murray, and their horny, eccentric fan (singular) Mel, every episode features many laugh out loud moments and, most importantly, funny ass songs. Only two seasons, it doesn’t last long, but you end up wishing there was more of these guys around.
#14. Rescue Me – FX
Denis Leary’s dramedy about life in the FDNY after 9/11 is a funny, touching, heart wrenching, gut busting helluva good time. Leary is great as Tommy Gavin, the fast talkin’, hard drinking, no nonsense Irish American (must’ve been a tough stretch for this role) and the leader of his squad. He’s also an alcoholic, womanizer, drug addict and all sorts of fun character stuff. The best part of the show is how it tackles serious topics (women firefighters, homophobia, infidelity, addiction etc etc) in such an honest fashion. It also doesn’t hurt that the entire cast is solid. Might be the funniest drama ever.
#13. Justified – FX
Timothy Olyphant kills it, literally. He is absolutely magnetic as US Marshal Raylan Givens and currently holds the title of biggest badass on TV, as Jack Bauer has hung up his spurs. What separates this from every other cop show is how strong the bad guys are, written as real people, who you come to like. The relationship between Raylan and Boyd Crowder is as interesting and honest as there is on TV. Below is the opening scene to the series, how do you not want to watch this show after that?
#12. Game of Thrones – HBO
The adaption of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Fire and Ice is a vivid, sprawling epic rife with strong characters, brutal violence, and graphic nudity. Whether it’s true to the source material, I don’t know because I have never read the books, but regardless, this is an exciting and gripping fantasy series. How many TV series have you seen where a horse’s head gets cut off? Exactly. Rad. Sean Bean and Peter Dinklage (who won an Emmy for his portrayal of Tyrion Lannister) stand out in a stellar cast. Below, you’ll see why Dinklage won his Emmy.
#11. Modern Family – ABC
Would be in the top 10 but season 2 has fallen behind an amazing first season. Still, one of the best sitcom’s on TV and a great ensemble. Really, really strong writing in the first season and Phil Dunphy is as funny and awkward a Dad you will find on TV. The characters are strong enough this series will last many funny years, even if it never reaches the level of the first season. That’s hard to do.
Top 10 is next week. CLIFFHANGER!
Tune in next week to see which shows made the Top 10. In the meantime, be sure to tweet @mattwhammer and tell him what you think of the first half of his list. Feel free to leave a comment and tell us which of these shows you’ve loved, or which shows you are now anxious to watch. You can join the conversation on Facebook as well.
Part 2 is live on the blog now. Check out the TOP 10 HERE!
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