[Note: Every Friday on First Thoughts we host heated, half-serious, half-cocked arguments about some aspect of pop culture. Today’s theme is the best television shows of the past ten years. Have a suggestion for a topic? Send them to me at jcarter@firstthings.com ]
Over the past ten years television—long considered the most embarrassing form of mass media—has come to surpass films and novels as the dominant form of narrative fiction. The advent of the DVD revolutionized television, making it possible (and profitable) to combine the depth of novels with the visual storytelling of film. The result was the greatest period of quality and innovation in the medium’s history—and some of the greatest works of pop culture produced in a hundred years.
In compiling this list, I’ve had to stray significantly from the purpose of this series. Normally, these posts are presented in order to spur debate about pop culture. But because this top ten list is perfect there really is nothing to argue about. All people of superior taste and wisdom will completely agree with the selections, so the only remaining point of debate is where on the list they should be ranked.
(One note about the qualifications: To be included a series had to begin on or after January 1, 2000. This is why some obvious titles ( The Sopranos ) aren’t listed.)
The top ten television shows of the decade:
1. Friday Night Lights (NBC)
2. Battlestar Galactica (Sci-Fi)
3. The Wire (HBO)
4. Lost (ABC)
5. Veronica Mars (UPN/The CW)
6. The Office (NBC)
7. Firefly (FOX)
8. Arrested Development (FOX)
9. Big Love (HBO)
10. 24 (FOX)
Honorable Mentions:
Best show that should have ended after one season: Prison Break (FOX)
Best comedy about television: 30 Rock (NBC)
Best import: Top Gear (BBC)
Best reality show: (TIE) Survivor (CBS) / The Amazing Race (CBS)
Best show with the worst language: Deadwood (HBO)
Best representation of a Christian on a non-religious series: The Shield (FX)
Best new show of the last two years: Parks and Recreation (NBC)
Best show that I’m too ashamed to include on my list: Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Best detective show: House (FOX)
Best mini-series: Band Of Brothers (HBO)
Best guilty pleasure: America’s Next Top Model (The CW)
Best show about dealing drugs/dealing with cancer: Breaking Bad (AMC)
Best dance show: So You Think You Can Dance (FOX)
Best series that has had a (mostly) beneficial impact on pop culture: American Idol (FOX) (for giving us Carrie Underwood, Kellie Clarkson, Chris Daughtery, and Simon Cowell)
Most Overrated Series of the Decade: Mad Men (AMC)
While I don’t suspect anyone will have the temerity to reveal their bad taste by disageeing with the top ten entries, I will entertain some dispute over the #10 spot (as long as you don’t argue for including Mad Men ).* 24 made the cut based solely on its near perfect first season. Because of that, another series may be more worthy. What would that series be?
*Only kidding, of course. I don’t really discriminate against those with inferior taste, so feel free to advocate for the inclusion of other series. (I can’t shield you from the inevitable mockery, though, so comment at your own risk.)
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