Best show of the decade?

rovert · 06-01-2010 3:37pm

Da Funky Munky wrote: »

I gave The Wire a shot, I really tried to like it but I gave up 2 thirds into season 1.

That is a lot of people's reaction to it at that stage of the series only to come to rave about it an episode or so later so much so it is a cliche on places such as boards.ie The Wire forum. In short you are the point were things get good.

MikeC101 · 06-01-2010 3:38pm

Cina wrote: »

I'd actually agree with some of that. Some people do dismiss others opinions unless The Wire is their favorite show as well. Still, there's not many doing that on this thread, and you seem to be getting worked up at just about anyone who picks it as their favorite show. It annoys me that just because The Wire has now become so popular and is widely considered to be the 'greatest show ever' or what not, people are more likely to get annoyed at those who 'jump on the bandwagon.' Should these people watch it and not 'jump on the bandwagon' because there are so many fans already?

I have no problems with anyone picking it as their favourite show - and I never referred to it as jumping on the bandwagon - in fact I'd consider it one of the prime candidates for the title of show of the decade.

It's the "lock this thread/nothing comes close/no one could possibly consider anything to be better/silly thread" stuff that I take issue with. I don't see it half as much with other shows, which may just be a reflection on how popular the Wire is.

Cina wrote: »

Erm, I'm giving my opinion, hence why I said 'I think', not 'I know'.

Fine, sorry, maybe I picked up on what you said incorrectly; when a post starts on the level of "don't be a tard" I tend not to give it the benefit of the doubt.

Cina wrote: »

You're the one saying that people are claiming it's the best show ever as if it's fact.

And they are...a quick look through this thread suffices to show that. Granted, some of it may be tongue in cheek, but I don't see it happen to the same extent with other shows.

Cina wrote: »

I'm not doing that and yet you're still at it.

Look, I don't want to keep dragging this thread down with a line by line nitpic, but : I never said EVERYONE is doing that, or that you're doing it, but there are a significant number doing it, even in this thread. It's something I've noticed on other boards whenever the Wire is mentioned.

Shane St. · 06-01-2010 3:40pm

The Sopranos

humanji · 06-01-2010 3:47pm

Does the A-Team count since it's been repeated all decade? :d

I assume my choices won't be even close to those of the majority, but the shows that have had mewaiting anxiously for the next episode are Firefly, Chuck, Burn Notice and Stargate: Universe.

I find that shows like The Wire, The Shield, The Sopranos etc, that I had to be in a certain mood for them. The ones I liked I could watch any episode at any time and still love it.

MikeC101 · 06-01-2010 3:52pm

I wish the Sopranos had been, I don't know, more compact or something. A few less seasons and more consistent, then I'd really be happy to nominate it as best show of the decade. As it was though there was a hell of a wobbly season (maybe 4 or 5? Been a while since I watched it) and a lot of filler episodes that it could have done without.

Elmo · 06-01-2010 3:53pm

Put it this way. My sister was sick with the flu on alot of drugs to help her recover and I gave her Damages (which is a fine show) she really enjoyed it even if she was half asleep of during most of the episodes but it kept her company. On the other had I handed her the Wire, she kept nodding off and found the whole thing far to complex for someone barely able to walk.

My point being that The Wire is a difficult show, you do have to be "in a mood" to watch it as a series.

Penn · 06-01-2010 4:00pm

In the last year, I have bought the boxsets of The Wire, The Sopranos, Oz, The Shield and Deadwood.

So far, I have watched 4 seasons of Oz, 3 seasons of The Sopranos, and I'm currently going through all 5 seasons of The Wire for the 4th time.

I agree with people here that all the constant fanboyism and hype is making them kind of dislike The Wire. I can easily see how that has happened, because the same happened with me and The Sopranos. I just cannot get into it. Loads of my friends constantly badgering me telling me how great it is, yet I just don't see it. Sure, there are some really great bits (the Pine Barrens episode being a particular favourite of mine

), but I dunno. I think it was just hyped too much for me.

I've been really tempted to start watching The Shield and Deadwood, but when I look at the shelf, all I want to do is watch The Wire again. Especially since one of my friends recently started watching it for the first time.

In my opinion, it is the best show of the decade. But thats just my opinion. Everyones opinion is valid*

*apart from anyone who says Ugly Betty

Rowley Birkin QC · 06-01-2010 4:00pm

Elmo wrote: »

My point being that The Wire is a difficult show, you do have to be "in a mood" to watch it as a series.

Come off it, it's hardly rocket science. Clearly it's not as simplistic as 99% of modern tv but that's why it appealed to so many people.

For me it's The Wire. Closely followed by The West Wing.

Podman · 06-01-2010 4:20pm

Oh yes (thank you Rowley), Little Britain

The Fast Show

Vegeta · 06-01-2010 4:21pm

Shows that I have enjoyed over the last decade

Futurama
Arrested Development
My Name is Earl
West Wing
The Wire
Firefly
BSG
Alias
South Park
Spaced
The Shield
Band of Brothers

If I had to pick a favourite, The Wire.

Elmo · 06-01-2010 4:26pm

Rowley Birkin QC wrote: »

Come off it, it's hardly rocket science. Clearly it's not as simplistic as 99% of modern tv but that's why it appealed to so many people.

No and I would have thought that Damages with all of its flashbacks would be far more confusing. I think it was possible due to the themes and the characters and also that she was very sick at the time. Most TV is light in comparison to The Wire. Damages is fluff in comparison to the Wire IMO. Still a good show.

mailforkev · 06-01-2010 4:35pm

Another Wire fan here I'm afraid.

I'll be slightly more specific though and say that in my opinion Season 4 of The Wire is probably as close to perfect television as I've seen.

The Sopranos was great too though, Arrested Development and Curb Your Enthusiasm probably my favourite US comedies; Peep Show, The Office, Extras my UK ones.

Plenty of other shows too, wasn't a bad decade for tv, particularly US shows.

rovert · 06-01-2010 4:35pm

MikeC101 wrote: »

It's the "lock this thread/nothing comes close/no one could possibly consider anything to be better/silly thread" stuff that I take issue with. I don't see it half as much with other shows, which may just be a reflection on how popular the Wire is.

My lock thread was done in jest, but still the Wire is an extremely strong candidate.

Homesick Alien · 06-01-2010 5:05pm

For drama it has to be Six Feet Under closely followed by the Wire.

For comedy: Arrested Development, Flight of the Conchords and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Sad Professor · 06-01-2010 5:08pm

Lost -
The characters. The continuous serialization. The vast sprawling and complex mythology. It is really a cult show at heart and deserves its place alongside Twin Peaks and The Prisoner. But neither of those shows managed to last six seasons. After the enormous success of the first season the producers could have played it safe, but they didn't. With each season the show just got more complex, more crazy, more difficult to get into. This alienated many viewers while making others love it more. The show could infuriate you like no other, but it also demanded more of you than other shows. One could easily spend more time talking about it than watching it, only for the next episode to totally twist and defy your expectations. A lot depends on how it ends. But however it does, it has been a helluva a ride.

Honorable mentions:

Farscape
The Wire
The Sopranos
BSG

JonathanAnon · 06-01-2010 6:52pm

I thought the West Wing was good, but it had some serious flaws that really irritated me. The high speed dialogue, like that stupid Gilmore Girls, really used to get to me. A good program but not the best. This parody pretty much covers the irritating bits of it for me, including the profound (for no apparent reason) Toby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnxQk8C_-kE

I loved Band Of Brothers. Like was said before, a different format, but was great.

seanybiker · 06-01-2010 6:55pm

House is great.

Utopia Parkway · 06-01-2010 8:15pm

I loved The Wire but yeah people can get a bit precious about it unless you say it was the greatest thing ever created since sliced pan. I imagine Mr Smugbeard from the Meteor ad would be the type to be constantly banging on about it five years after the fact. That said it was brilliant TV. Good while since I last watched it though.

The Sopranos was sheer quality TV.
Most seasons of 24 were ridiculously entertaining fluff.
The first season of Prison Break was genius in its own way.
Lost was great for a while although I just lost patience with it eventually. Same with Heroes.
Jericho I loved even though nobody watched it.

Band of Brothers, Rome, Deadwood. All fantastic.

Then you have the comedies. Curb, Arrested Development, The Office, Peep Show, Entourage, Eastbound and Down.

Show I probably enjoyed more than any other though was Battlestar Galactica.

Only thing I refuse to watch is medical based dramas. And Sex and the City.

Shoota · 06-01-2010 8:26pm

Im going to rock the boat here and go for , The Wire

But very closely followed by Battlestar Gallactica then Arrested Development, and finally Serenity was awesome too.

The decade the dvd boxset made our lives better

Richard Dower · 06-01-2010 8:30pm

CSI Vegas...i wanna say Glee, but it's too soon.

staker · 06-01-2010 8:34pm

Malcolm in the Middle

MikeC101 · 06-01-2010 8:37pm

cashback wrote: »

It's about the only thing that's putting me off watching it really. I really hate hype and for some reason it makes me determined to dislike something.
I remember I didn't watch the Matrix for years for that reason.

It'll probably be a few years before I get around to watching The Wire.

On the plus side, when you do get around to watch it, you'll be able to buy the box set really really cheaply

hitman79 · 06-01-2010 8:37pm

I cant pick between prison break and 24!!!Sopranos was way too boring for me and gave up after two seasons!

Shoota · 06-01-2010 8:38pm

I called Firefly, Serenity, Im very angry with myself

Shoota wrote: »

Im going to rock the boat here and go for , The Wire

But very closely followed by Battlestar Gallactica then Arrested Development, and finally Serenity was awesome too.

The decade the dvd boxset made our lives better

efb · 06-01-2010 8:39pm

West Wing!

alexlyons · 06-01-2010 8:39pm

+1 for band of brothers and deadliest catch! that loggers program was good too!

however its csi miami ftw! can't beat those lines from 'H'!

Richard Dower · 06-01-2010 8:39pm

Shoota wrote: »

I called Firefly, Serenity, Im very angry with myself

S'ok...easy mistake to make

Richard Dower · 06-01-2010 8:40pm

alexlyons wrote: »

+1 for band of brothers and deadliest catch! that loggers program was good too!

however its csi miami ftw! can't beat those lines from 'H'!

If all else fails....wear shades!

vinylbomb · 06-01-2010 8:48pm

The................Wire.

Then (if mini-series are allowed)

Generation Kill
Band Of Brothers (will be interesting to see how The Pacific turns out)

And back to series

Sopranos
Six Feet Under

2 seasons ago I would have agreed with Lost but it has long gone into brain fart territory, just way too silly.

DiarmaidGNR · 06-01-2010 8:50pm

Arrested Development!

Brilliantly written, and hilarious!

Every little insignificant thing in the show is a reference to a joke in a future or past episode. Plots subtlety reference current (at the time of airing) events in the real world.

Words cannot describe how brilliant this show is!! Please watch it from start to finish, and you will be forever in my debt.

Forget The Office, Flight of the Concords, Seinfeld, Curb, Family guy, South Park etc etc etc.....

THIS IS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Arrested Development!!!

vinylbomb · 06-01-2010 8:52pm

I'm not sure I forever want to be in your department (whatever that means)

Did you not mean debt?

mwnger · 06-01-2010 9:24pm

I'd probably go with The Wire as well, but I don't think it needs my vote at this stage...

So, I'll think I'll opt for South Park. Consistently funny, challenging and thought-provoking, it's yet to jump the shark in my book.

Many other 'greatest TV of the noughties' polls have left it off their list claiming it's a technically 90s show (it started in 97) but for me it only really hit its stride after the year 2000. Also South Park's continued relevance has really been in stark contrast to the Simpsons tragic decline.

Considering Parker and Stone are still the primary creators/writers/performers after all these years, its astounding how high the standard has remained. Those guys have never betrayed their principles and they are true champions of free speech.

Other honorable mentions:

Peep Show
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Battlestar Galactica
Firefly
The Daily Show

citytillidie · 06-01-2010 9:53pm

For me its Band of Brothers and 24.

God damn Sky Movies have bought the UK rights to The Pacfic ggrrrrr hopefully Network 2 gets it.

L.T.D · 07-01-2010 3:47pm

Dream Team

Jayob10 · 07-01-2010 5:03pm

Emmerdale Farm. No wait

Shortland Street.

Diego Smartly · 07-01-2010 5:26pm

Curb Your Enthusiasm takes it for me.

I've watched most of the Wire and i liked it and all but, i don't know, maybe i just prefer comedy. And i have to say it is fairly over rated.

I wouldn't be able to leave this thread without giving It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia a mention. It actually probably was my favorite show but i kinda know Curb is better. Anyone who's into the likes of Seinfeld and Curb should defo check it out.

K4t · 07-01-2010 7:13pm

iguy wrote: »

Desperate housewives, Greys anatomy, Diary of a... ,The Tudors, The clinic, Undercover Ireland, Ryan confidental.
I could name a whole load more,but I wont.

Thank you. One more and I was going to pull the trigger...

MikeC101 wrote: »

Well if the thread was titled "Shows that inspired the most fanboyism of the last decade", the Wire would have it hands down.

What is it with Wire fans and the dismissive "my opinion = fact" attitude?

The Wire only really became universally popular mid way through 2008. Before than it was a hidden gem with a dedicated following in the US and a small following here who watched it on TG4 late at night. It's an outstanding tv series whatever way you look at it. If there was a category of tv akin to classic literature then The Wire is it. The reason it has obtained such a dedicated following is because of its sheer brilliance.

JonathanAnon wrote: »

I thought the West Wing was good, but it had some serious flaws that really irritated me. The high speed dialogue, like that stupid Gilmore Girls, really used to get to me. A good program but not the best. This parody pretty much covers the irritating bits of it for me, including the profound (for no apparent reason) Toby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnxQk8C_-kE

I loved Band Of Brothers. Like was said before, a different format, but was great.

I thought the high speed dialogue was a great addition to the show and really showed off the writer's talents. To even compare it to the Gilmore Girls is a sin! In TWW, the acting is better, the characters are saying something meaningful and that fits in with the storyline/or something that is just plain laugh out loud funny. None of this is present in the GG's.

Toby is a genius. He's the most intellectually intelligent character in the show but is a bit socially reatarded....

Oh, th best show of the decade is, as much as I adore the Sopranos, The Wire.

Venom · 07-01-2010 7:56pm

The wire or The Sopranos - just to hard to choose either

Band of Brothers for mini series.

Firefly and Reaper for series cut short unfairly

Elmo · 07-01-2010 9:18pm

K4t wrote: »

I thought the high speed dialogue was a great addition to the show and really showed off the writer's talents. To even compare it to the Gilmore Girls is a sin! In TWW, the acting is better, the characters are saying something meaningful and that fits in with the storyline/or something that is just plain laugh out loud funny. None of this is present in the GG's.

I suggested this in an essay for college. Lecturer ****ing loved the show. One of the reason I did badly in that essay. But the High Speed Dialogue is very like the Gilmore Girls, but they possibly have something to say unlike the Gilmore Girl who can talk at high speed about absolutely nothing. Perhaps writing about absolutely nothing shows the strenght of the Gilmore Girls writters

filthymcnasty · 07-01-2010 10:29pm

+ 100 the sopranos

don't think theres been a more complex tv character than tony soprano since Miley Byrne

comedy: curb

pickarooney · 08-01-2010 12:55am

Just a note to Wire fanboys: being the 10,000th person to compare the series to a book
makes you sound like a clueless chump regurgitating what you somehow still think sounds clever. This comparison does not mean anything. Seriously. If you honestly like the Wire that much, do it the justice of coming up with something original and sensible to say about it.

Also: "it's layered" is supercilious twaddle.

tvnutz · 08-01-2010 1:08am

pickarooney wrote: »

Just a note to Wire fanboys: being the 10,000th person to compare the series to a book
makes you sound like a clueless chump regurgitating what you somehow still think sounds clever. This comparison does not mean anything. Seriously. If you honestly like the Wire that much, do it the justice of coming up with something original and sensible to say about it.

Also: "it's layered" is supercilious twaddle.

Your post is twaddle. The FACT of the matter is that each season is written like a novel,that is 100% fact. It was written like that was on purpose. So when "fanboys" say that,it is in response to people who have watched 3 or 4 episodes and given up. Again the FACT of the matter is you cannot appreciate it unless you have seen a full season and you cannot really judge it until you have seen the full season.

Now if someone has watched an entire season and still doesn't like it,that's fine. People have different tastes or whatever. I am not going to say they are stupid or "just don't get it" because they didn't like it. I do however firmly believe you have got to watch the whole season before you can really judge it.

I love the show and think it is the most intelligent and realistic show ever made,but I am not a "fanboy",a fanboy is someone like a viewer of a show who can't admit if it has become crap when it clearly has. For example there are still smallville fanboys who think it is still 100% quality. I rave about the Wire because I think it is brilliant and I watched it when it was first on tv before it because popular. I actually prefered it when hardly anyone knew about it because now it gathers a backlash from so many people saying how great it is.

Also your comment about coming up with something original and sensible instead of saying it is multi layered-get over it. People love the show and clearly it hits a nerve with you for whatever reason. The FACT is that it is multi layered. And as Charlie Brooker says anyone who uses the phrase multilayered "sounds like an absolute tosser",it is actually true. So ye you don't like it,there are fans who act like their opinion is fact when its not,but don't post twaddle like you just did that lumps every fan into the one group.

Bit of a Rafa Benitez style rant there...FHACT!

seanie500 · 08-01-2010 1:14am

cant believe only one person mentioned OZ!

have watched all 5 series of the wire ya its v good but Oz is absolute quality (lot of the wire cast are in it - Pre Wire) - highly reccomend it gritty prison drama not like prison break( hollywood version)

Followed by rescue me and curb for comedy Larry david is hilarious:D

KittyeeTrix · 08-01-2010 2:34am

Lost and Shameless:)

and loving Fringe at the moment!!!

K4t · 08-01-2010 2:50am

Oz is a good show and a roller coaster of a ride (I hope that's not a pun) but to even compare it to the likes of The Wire or The Soprnaos is imho ridiculous. The latter offer so much more in terms of storyline, realism, acting, etc.

artielange · 08-01-2010 3:15am

Has anyone mentioned The Wire?:D

Diabhal_Glas · 08-01-2010 3:24am

Mine was Six feet under but im sure nobody will agree

nervous_twitch · 08-01-2010 3:29am

Six Feet Under, without a doubt.

rovert · 08-01-2010 4:32am

pickarooney wrote: »

Just a note to Wire fanboys: being the 10,000th person to compare the series to a book
makes you sound like a clueless chump regurgitating what you somehow still think sounds clever. This comparison does not mean anything. Seriously. If you honestly like the Wire that much, do it the justice of coming up with something original and sensible to say about it.

Also: "it's layered" is supercilious twaddle.

But what if both statements are true? You are suggesting people should be difference for the sake of being difference?

LOLing @ your sub Booker rant btw.

Tristram · 08-01-2010 5:33am

Would have included Oz but thought it's air dates were more 90s than 00s? FarScape only just squeezed in having started in '99.

Just checked. Oz aired from July 1997 to Feb 2003. *shrugs*

Best show of the decade?

Comments