Best show of the decade?

Vegeta · 08-01-2010 12:31pm

staker wrote: »

Malcolm in the Middle

Oh that's a good call, what a brilliant show

Vegeta · 08-01-2010 12:36pm

Venom wrote: »

Firefly and Reaper for series cut short unfairly

Indeed, was following Reaper on TV and was disappointed to see it shut down. Now it wasn't the most clever show on TV but entertaining all the same

vinylbomb · 08-01-2010 7:27pm

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.

I'll leave it to the one and only Clay Davis to give my response to this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30YW3wgRvyI

don101 · 09-01-2010 12:48am

arrested development for me

pickarooney · 09-01-2010 2:23am

tvnutz wrote: »

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.

What novel exactly? Catch 22? Catcher in The Rye? P.S. I Love You? A television series is no more like a novel than it is a cake.

A novel composed of 85% dialogue wouldn't get near a publisher.

At least say something about the acting, the direction, the camerawork, the script, the editing... if you must champion it so vehemently (and honestly "I like it better when nobody knew it" is the epitome of fanboyism).

I've yet to see anyone make a coherent, rational case for why The Wire is 'that' good.

Elmo · 09-01-2010 1:37pm

pickarooney wrote: »

I've yet to see anyone make a coherent, rational case for why The Wire is 'that' good.

I haven't seen you make a coherent, rational case for why The Wire isn't 'that' good. I have a few suggestions but I think it would be just nit picking but it would be interesting to see if you come up with the same points.

tvnutz · 09-01-2010 2:28pm

pickarooney wrote: »

What novel exactly? Catch 22? Catcher in The Rye? P.S. I Love You? A television series is no more like a novel than it is a cake.

A novel composed of 85% dialogue wouldn't get near a publisher.

At least say something about the acting, the direction, the camerawork, the script, the editing... if you must champion it so vehemently (and honestly "I like it better when nobody knew it" is the epitome of fanboyism).

I've yet to see anyone make a coherent, rational case for why The Wire is 'that' good.

Well of course not in terms of dialogue,you can't have a tv show without dialogue. In terms of structure,in terms of how it unfolds. A novel unfolds chapter by chapter. At the end of each chapter the storyline is not neatly tied up but they carry a small little story through the rest of the book like an episode of CSI where the story is wrapped up after 40mins but for the season there might be a arc through the season that isn't even dealt with every episode. The Wire flows like a novel,there are no things wrapped up at the end of each episode,you have to watch the season as a whole for the story. That is the point.

In terms of the writing it is the most intelligent writing I have ever seen in a tv show and it doesn't make concessions for the average viewer which is so refreshing. you need to pay attention,you need to know what is going on. They won't throw up a little flashback to remind you why this is happening.

rovert · 09-01-2010 3:19pm

pickarooney wrote: »

I've yet to see anyone make a coherent, rational case for why The Wire is 'that' good.

Yeah notoriously critcally unacclaimed that yoke

pickarooney · 09-01-2010 4:35pm

tvnutz wrote: »

Well of course not in terms of dialogue,you can't have a tv show without dialogue. In terms of structure,in terms of how it unfolds. A novel unfolds chapter by chapter. At the end of each chapter the storyline is not neatly tied up but they carry a small little story through the rest of the book like an episode of CSI where the story is wrapped up after 40mins but for the season there might be a arc through the season that isn't even dealt with every episode. The Wire flows like a novel,there are no things wrapped up at the end of each episode,you have to watch the season as a whole for the story. That is the point.

In terms of the writing it is the most intelligent writing I have ever seen in a tv show and it doesn't make concessions for the average viewer which is so refreshing. you need to pay attention,you need to know what is going on. They won't throw up a little flashback to remind you why this is happening.

You seem to have a bizarrely one-dimensional notion of what a novel is or how it's written. Not only are innumerable novels written in precisely this manner - event + cliffhanger -> next chapter but the idea of a story arc that lasts a whole season or even a whole series is not new or unique to The Wire. Off the top of my head Lost, The Shield, Bodies, Twin Peaks all work on the premise of a single driving storyline, usually with shorter-spanned arcs running concurrently.

Even on a lowbrow level, compare a season of 24 with a Dan Brown novel and you'll see that, for all that the comparison is worth (i.e. next to nothing) the series is just like a novel.

Elmo wrote:

I haven't seen you make a coherent, rational case for why The Wire isn't 'that' good. I have a few suggestions but I think it would be just nit picking but it would be interesting to see if you come up with the same points.

It's not really my place to make a case as to why The Wire isn't that good. I've only seen about 15 episodes of it, so it would be presumptuous to make any detailed case against its greatness, if I had any particular reason to do that, which I don't. I don't particularly dislike The Wire, from what I've seen it's a very decent cop show and, who knows, when I watch more I may start to really enjoy it.

My beef is not so much with the show itself as with those who simply can't or won't accept anyone's opinion that it's not the perfect show but are at the same time incapable of presenting a case as to why it is. Any criticism seems to be taken almost as a personal slight and tends to be responded to by means of criticism of the underwhelmed viewer who's "not watching it properly".

Having said that, in my opinion the program suffers from a lack of engaging characters and overindulgence in the minutiae of bureaucracy and police politics at the expense of a gripping storyline. Some of the acting is sub-par (although Idris Elba for one is admittedly brilliant) and the cast just a little too pretty.

K-Ren · 09-01-2010 4:43pm

Have to go with Top Gear- total entertainment.

rmchmufc · 09-01-2010 4:44pm

I would say either Band of Brothers or Dexter. Absolute quality the two of them

Elmo · 09-01-2010 5:05pm

pickarooney wrote: »

You seem to have a bizarrely one-dimensional notion of what a novel is or how it's written. Not only are innumerable novels written in precisely this manner - event + cliffhanger -> next chapter but the idea of a story arc that lasts a whole season or even a whole series is not new or unique to The Wire. Off the top of my head Lost, The Shield, Bodies, Twin Peaks all work on the premise of a single driving storyline, usually with shorter-spanned arcs running concurrently.

Even on a lowbrow level, compare a season of 24 with a Dan Brown novel and you'll see that, for all that the comparison is worth (i.e. next to nothing) the series is just like a novel.

I love 24 can't wait for Day 8

However both 24 and a Dan Brown novel can be compared. I hate Dan Brown novels. Mainly since they are the same rehashed story with different characters different settings and they insist on letting the reader know that their are things known as NSA and the Priory of Sion hence leading a reader to believe that this is the truth. Often the novels are overly filled with "fascinating" facts, 1D characters and the cliffhanger ending of each chapter. There was even a suggestion that 24 would use Digital Fortress as one of its seasons. The Wire is not a Dan Brown novel, it is far superior.

It's not really my place to make a case as to why The Wire isn't that good. I've only seen about 15 episodes of it, so it would be presumptuous to make any detailed case against its greatness, if I had any particular reason to do that, which I don't. I don't particularly dislike The Wire, from what I've seen it's a very decent cop show and, who knows, when I watch more I may start to really enjoy it.

My beef is not so much with the show itself as with those who simply can't or won't accept anyone's opinion that it's not the perfect show but are at the same time incapable of presenting a case as to why it is. Any criticism seems to be taken almost as a personal slight and tends to be responded to by means of criticism of the underwhelmed viewer who's "not watching it properly".

Having said that, in my opinion the program suffers from a lack of engaging characters and overindulgence in the minutiae of bureaucracy and police politics at the expense of a gripping storyline. Some of the acting is sub-par (although Idris Elba for one is admittedly brilliant) and the cast just a little too pretty.

I wouldn't have said that any of the acting in The Wire is bad. My one issue would be the use of "real" ghetto on the show. The phenomenal amount of stereotyping that occur across the show, for example the only main female cop happens to be a butch Lesbian.

Characters have a huge amount of depth that not only span from before the show but also across the 4 seasons that I watched.

rovert · 09-01-2010 5:51pm

Elmo wrote: »

My one issue would be the use of "real" ghetto on the show. The phenomenal amount of stereotyping that occur across the show, for example the only main female cop happens to be a butch Lesbian.

Huh on all of the above?

Elmo · 09-01-2010 6:02pm

rovert wrote: »

Huh on all of the above?

Huh? on that question alone.

Members of the cast were actual gang members and there is a huge amount of stereotyping in The Wire. As I said in my previous post if I were to state my issues about the Wire it would purely be nitpicking.

rovert · 09-01-2010 6:05pm

Elmo wrote: »

Huh? on that question alone.

Members of the cast were actual gang members and there is a huge amount of stereotyping in The Wire. As I said in my previous post if I were to state my issues about the Wire it would purely be nitpicking.

Please explain both please.

VeVeX · 09-01-2010 6:21pm

My favorites would be -

The Shield
Sopranos
Friday Night Lights
House
Dexter
True Blood
Entourage
Californication

Probably in that order aswell. Never liked Lost and have tried twice to give the wire a go but couldnt get into it really.

Elmo · 09-01-2010 7:17pm

rovert wrote: »

Please explain both please.

Spell it out. Then I might be able explain the part that confuses you.

Tchaikovsky · 09-01-2010 7:41pm

Seeing as I only really watch comedies, I'd say Curb Your Enthusiasm or Peep Show.

rovert · 09-01-2010 8:13pm

Elmo wrote: »

Spell it out. Then I might be able explain the part that confuses you.

The nitpicks you cited when I answered you on. Ellaborate...

Elmo · 09-01-2010 8:44pm

rovert wrote: »

The nitpicks you cited when I answered you on. Ellaborate...

Why elaborate on something that is purely nitpicking an accomplished series? I said I didn't want to and I won't, someone else can have that task if they really want it. The Wire has too many positives to nitpick its few problems.

anotherlostie · 09-01-2010 8:50pm

I wouldn't classify Kima as a particularly butch lesbian! She was one of the boys for sure, but I'd suspect this is the case for a lot of women detectives.

OPENROAD · 09-01-2010 9:03pm

Has to be Spooks, absolute quality.

Frankie Lee · 09-01-2010 11:17pm

I know it only a comedy but Peep Show was/is absolute perfection and would go down as best show of the decade in my books.

Honourable mentions for Black Books, Arrested Development, The Sopranos and The Wire.

Irish show of the decade goes to Paths to Freedom.

Dudess · 10-01-2010 3:05am

Loads - it was a great decade for television. But in particular for me:

Damages (with Glenn Close, William Hurt, Ted Danson and a couple of guys from The Wire - Sopranos writers also involved). An undeservedly overlooked show.

Arrested Development

Shameless

furiousox · 10-01-2010 3:14am

top gear and curb your enthusiasm

rovert · 10-01-2010 9:05am

Elmo wrote: »

Why elaborate on something that is purely nitpicking an accomplished series? I said I didn't want to and I won't, someone else can have that task if they really want it. The Wire has too many positives to nitpick its few problems.

As they dont make any sense

JONJO THE MISER · 11-01-2010 6:29am

:eek: Has no one mentioned Trailer Park Boys, without doubt the best show of the decade.

Tom1991 · 11-01-2010 6:46am

My name is earl or futurama cant believe they didnt finish out my name is earl after the cliffhanger ending to series 4

Tristram · 11-01-2010 7:24am

Dudess wrote: »

Damages (with Glenn Close, William Hurt, Ted Danson and a couple of guys from The Wire - Sopranos writers also involved). An undeservedly overlooked show.

Spot on. Fantastic show!

Elmo · 11-01-2010 1:05pm

rovert wrote: »

As they dont make any sense

Nitpicking never makes sense.

Mackman · 28-01-2010 3:44am

Ive never seen the Wire so i cant comment on it, but for me the best shows ive seen of the 00's are:

Lost
The Sopranos
Prison Break
Entourage

I recently watched season 1 of Supernatural too, thought it was brilliant

Band of brothers is probably the best thing that was on TV this decade, but alas its a mini-series. still worth a mention though

Coconut Joe · 28-01-2010 5:01pm

West Wing/Arrested Development

TonyD79 · 28-01-2010 6:56pm

Mackman wrote: »

Ive never seen the Wire so i cant comment on it, but for me the best shows ive seen of the 00's are:

Lost
The Sopranos
Prison Break
Entourage

I recently watched season 1 of Supernatural too, thought it was brilliant

Band of brothers is probably the best thing that was on TV this decade, but alas its a mini-series. still worth a mention though

Prison Break only really had one great season..season 2 was good..season 3 average and 4 poor. People will say the same about Lost But I think only season 3 was average the rest have been excellent

sillyputty · 28-01-2010 7:29pm

Dudess wrote: »

Damages (with Glenn Close, William Hurt, Ted Danson and a couple of guys from The Wire - Sopranos writers also involved). An undeservedly overlooked show.

Arrested Development

Its like you're in my head -

Top of the bunch for me is Damages - absolutely hooked

Arrested Development - complete diamond, never given a proper chance

mailburner · 21-02-2010 11:06pm

dexter
prison break (apart from the last season)
sopranos
24 (apart from the last two seasons)

smuckers · 21-02-2010 11:39pm

For me.

Seinfeld
Curb
24
The Larry Sanders Show

morningbright · 21-02-2010 11:51pm

Dispite the existence of television 'stars' such as Derek Accorah, Noel Edmonds and Jeremy Kyle. The quality of television in the 00's far exceeds those of prevision decades. The propagation of cable and satellite channels at the rate of rutting bunny rabbits, has throw up sewer loads of unbearable, unwatchable sh1t. But television drama, comedy, science fiction documentaries etc have become more sophisticated. The question is what was the best television show of the decade. This has been the decade of best television shows. So I cant choose.
A more interesting question is what is the worst piece of sh1t on telly. There is a similar level of competition for this acolade

sheehy898 · 21-02-2010 11:56pm

I loved

The west wing
Chuck
24

As regards the worst tv shows

Deal or No Deal
The x factor
Big brother
Just reality tv in general

morningbright · 22-02-2010 12:01am

Any show that plays on peoples superstitions or weaknesses discust me,

Most Haunted
Crossing over
(the people involve should be flade)

The swan
Extreme Make over
You are what you eat

Jeremy Kyle (words cannot discribe the loathing he fills me with)

hitman79 · 22-02-2010 12:03am

Its Prison Break and 24 for me...Only just finished series 5 of 24..I've read bad reports about 6..Is it worth buying??

Reginald P. DuM · 22-02-2010 12:08am

For me it's a toss up between Curb and Breaking Bad...

melekalikimaka · 22-02-2010 12:09am

SPACED

rovert · 22-02-2010 12:25am

melekalikimaka wrote: »

SPACED

Date fail

cashback · 22-02-2010 12:39am

smuckers wrote: »

For me.

Seinfeld
Curb
24
The Larry Sanders Show

Seinfeld and Larry Sanders are great but wrong decade...

mailburner · 22-02-2010 4:42pm

hitman79 wrote: »

Its Prison Break and 24 for me...Only just finished series 5 of 24..I've read bad reports about 6..Is it worth buying??

No
not imo

ucdmike · 22-02-2010 6:35pm

hitman79 wrote: »

Its Prison Break and 24 for me...Only just finished series 5 of 24..I've read bad reports about 6..Is it worth buying??

Yeah it's still worth getting. While it would be considered by most to be the weakest season of 24 its still much better than most shows on TV!

Inquitus · 22-02-2010 6:40pm

The Wire

The West Wing

Battlestar Galactica

KnifeWRENCH · 22-02-2010 7:50pm

For drama, I'd have to say Six Feet Under just about edges it for me. The Sopranos and The West Wing come a close second and third though.
I haven't seen enough of The Wire to judge it properly, though I did really like the first season. Have seasons 2-4 ready to be watched at some point.

Comedy wise, Arrested Development can't be touched imo. Flight of the Conchords, 30 Rock, Black Books and Scrubs (before it went crap) are all brilliant, but AD is in a league of its own.

DazMarz · 04-03-2010 7:23pm

The Sopranos: it had it all. Great acting first and foremost; great writing; great plots; great setting..... Everything was just so top drawer. Nothing was sacred or not shown. It was utterly realistic (the only thing, according to the producers, that was not was the amount of killing/violence; that was overstated) and featured some of the most memorable and quotable characters ever.

Peter "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri is a legend of a man; Ralph "Ralphie" Cifaretto a close second. And who could forget the likes of Silvio Dante, Christopher Moltisanti, Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, Corrado "Junior" Soprano or even Robert "Bobba Bacala" Baccalieri? All superbly written and acted characters, all of whom I'll never forget.

And of course, the big man himself... Anthony "Tony" Soprano, played with beautiful menace and sensitivity by James Gandolfini.

I'm leaving out so many actors and their characters, but my favourite TV Show of all time could take up years of my life.

The Sopranos (1999-2007); television is so much richer for having known thee.

cofy · 12-09-2011 11:18am

My favourite was Boston Legal.

Best show of the decade?

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