[SuperSonic1305]

Out of curiosity for what are considered the best shows of the 2000's I did a bit of searching last night. I'd say 90% of the lists I ran into, including imdb's top 100, have it at #1. I had heard of it before but not to the level that i'd expect it to be so widely acclaimed. What exactly makes it so popular.

Another show that was frequently in the top 3 was Arrested Development which i've heard good things about. The Office, Mad Men, Sopranos, Dexter, Breaking Bad, Supernatural, Deadwood were also frequently listed.

To be honest the only shows i've seen in the last few years with any form of regularity are Lost and Prison Break in their entirety, 3 seasons of 24, 2 and a half seasons of Heroes, 7 seasons of Smallville, and Survivor. What are the absolute must watch shows that I should feel bad for not having seen?

[Al-ibn Kermit]

It's pretty okay.

It's totally different than those shows you listed in the last paragraph. You'll probably still marathon through it in a few weeks though.

I would say it's similar The Sopranos and The Shield. But with a message.

And a trillion memorable quotes.

But Homeland is better than everything, tbh.

[Lactose_Intolerant]

Out of curiosity for what are considered the best shows of the 2000's I did a bit of searching last night. I'd say 90% of the lists I ran into, including imdb's top 100, have it at #1. I had heard of it before but not to the level that i'd expect it to be so widely acclaimed. What exactly makes it so popular. Another show that was frequently in the top 3 was Arrested Development which i've heard good things about. The Office, Mad Men, Sopranos, Dexter, Breaking Bad, Supernatural, Deadwood were also frequently listed. To be honest the only shows i've seen in the last few years with any form of regularity are Lost and Prison Break in their entirety, 3 seasons of 24, 2 and a half seasons of Heroes, 7 seasons of Smallville, and Survivor. What are the absolute must watch shows that I should feel bad for not having seen?

You have pretty horrible taste in tv shows.

[Ravager61]

Yes, it's that good. Watch it.

[Troll]

If I had to I'd rate it a 6/10

[Tron 2.0]

Supernatural was frequently listed?

[Jack Scofield]

It's really good but the amount of acclaim it receives borders on ridiculous. Its gung-ho fans are probably the most annoying and off-putting aspect the show, and I say this as a fan myself.

[Dead]

Yes

That's pretty much all that needs to be said.

[mysticwhip]

it's good and very consistent.

[The_Hitcher89]

I just finished it 2 weeks ago, and its the best thing I've ever seen on a screen

[outunderthestars]

Yes That's pretty much all that needs to be said.

This. Just go watch it.

[MIMIC]

I've yet to hear a single negative thing about it.

On my "to watch" list.

[IrrelevantNotch]

I've yet to hear a single negative thing about it. On my "to watch" list.

The dialogue sucks

[Goya]

I was LTTP. Watched all of it this year. I really, really enjoyed it.

[Flying_Phoenix]

The first four seasons are some of the best TV ever. Like at the very least in the top three of all-time. What benefits the show is how real it is. It gets everything right from the dialogue, to the inner workings of whatever institution its trying to convey (gang life, law enforcement, school system, journalism, politics, etc.), and in general paints a very blunt and true to life picture of the "other America" that is so often wrapped in either shinny wrapping (parts of the Blindside) or in some glorifying gun porn kind of way (gansta' movies). And due to this, not only is it not like anything on TV, but its something even unique to the "ballsy" industry of cinema.

That being said there are some mild complaints in the series. The most notable of is the final season is a bit of a let down, I won't give anything away but lets just say it loses one of the keypoints of what made the show so appealing.

[zero_suit]

Yes.

[Jack Scofield]

I've yet to hear a single negative thing about it. On my "to watch" list.

Aspect ratio. Looks hideous on an HDTV.

[Al-ibn Kermit]

I've yet to hear a single negative thing about it. On my "to watch" list.

It gets very preachy at the end. It slows down and explains to you from top to bottom all the problems with the drug war. The last seasons were still good on their own but the show definitely changed flavors after the second season.

[StriKeVillain]

My favorite show ever, I don't think I'll ever see something like it again.

The script, those characters, that setting.

[Ravager61]

If I had to I'd rate it a 6/10

[BorkBork]

Just started a rewatch with my wife. She really digs it thus far, and I'm getting soooo much more out of the first few episodes than I did the first time.

[Dreams-Visions]

Yes.

[jett]

The Wire might be the best TV show ever made. No hyperbole.

[rodvik]

Its great. Watch it. Then come back to GAF and discuss which is the best season

its season 1

[LakeEarth]

Yes.

Don't expect stupid action. Expect awesome drama.

[AngmarsKing701]

Started it on HBO GO and only got through about 1/2 the first season so far. It's good but I'm not blown away. Maybe it'll blow me away eventually.

[UrbanRats]

My list would be:

Deadwood.
The Wire.
Louie.
Breaking Bad.
Game of Thrones.
Rome.

Lost i didn't like.
Malcolm in the middle was also a loved one, but i haven't seen it in ages.
I don't watch a lot of tvshows, though.

[filler]

It's the best.

[Nemo]

The reality of it is pretty good, but to be able to have all the right TV elements in it while still having that is amazing. The Wire is a crazy experience

You have pretty horrible taste in tv shows.

?

Looks OK from what I see. You can check what the shows have in common and see that's what he's into. How are they horrible?

[SuperSonic1305]

You have pretty horrible taste in tv shows.

I don't watch a lot of TV so it's no surprise that the only shows i've watched are the "popular" ones at the time. I didn't watch any of them from the start and only after hearing them talked about frequently. Even those seasons of 24 were only I think 4, 5, and 6. I didn't bother going back since they are kind of standalone.

[TheExodu5]

Absolutely. To get the most out of it, you need to give it your undivided attention.

[Mumei]

It really is that good.

That doesn't mean that it is a show for everybody - but it is still that good.

Just started a rewatch with my wife. She really digs it thus far, and I'm getting soooo much more out of the first few episodes than I did the first time.

I've seen it three times now, and I can't believe I once thought that not much happened the first few episodes now.

[CrankyJay]

Out of curiosity for what are considered the best shows of the 2000's I did a bit of searching last night. I'd say 90% of the lists I ran into, including imdb's top 100, have it at #1. I had heard of it before but not to the level that i'd expect it to be so widely acclaimed. What exactly makes it so popular. Another show that was frequently in the top 3 was Arrested Development which i've heard good things about. The Office, Mad Men, Sopranos, Dexter, Breaking Bad, Supernatural, Deadwood were also frequently listed. To be honest the only shows i've seen in the last few years with any form of regularity are Lost and Prison Break in their entirety, 3 seasons of 24, 2 and a half seasons of Heroes, 7 seasons of Smallville, and Survivor. What are the absolute must watch shows that I should feel bad for not having seen?

I'd rank the must see shows in this order.

1. Breaking Bad
2. Mad Men
3. Fringe

[Nemo]

I don't watch a lot of TV so it's no surprise that the only shows i've watched are the "popular" ones at the time. I didn't watch any of them from the start and only after hearing them talked about frequently. Even those seasons of 24 were only I think 4, 5, and 6. I didn't bother going back since they are kind of standalone.

Definitely try watching the first 3, they are my favorite of the bunch!

[snacknuts]

I typically hate TV dramas, but I love The Wire. However, if I you could only pick one of the shows you mentioned, I'd tell you to watch Arrested Development.

[criesofthepast]

Made it to halfway through season 3 and I'll say I thought it wasn't very good. First season was good after a few very slow episodes. Then second and third season went back to being slow and boring. One day I'll finish the series only because I'm a completionist and not because I give a damn about how it ends.

This show has such an astronomical amount of hype and praise surrounding it that it's almost impossible to live up to anyones expectations who's just starting to watch the show now.

[SirButterstick]

I just finished my 4th rewatch of the entire series two weeks ago, and each time I watch it I pick up on something I didn't notice before. It's that good.

[Sadsic]

I just went through Breaking Bad and The Wire over the last 2 months, and id definitely say those are the two best shows ive ever seen

The Wire is sort of an important show, because it has an almost directly educational benefit to the viewer. Drama-wise, it pretty much entirely does not "enhance" reality whatsoever, so even shows like Law & Order or the aforementioned Breaking Bad look pretty unrealistic in comparison. The Wire is also a completely filler-less show, whereas almost every other drama has lots and lots of scenes where you have to question why you even watched that, like the Fly episode of Breaking Bad. Also the "mythology" on The Wire so intensely rock solid, it makes other dramas look ridiculous in comparison

However, in terms of cinematography, music choices, direction, or compelling stories, I do think there are shows that can outdo The Wire at this point, albeit with a much less important message overall

I feel like most people probably overlook this when watching The Wire, because the substance in the show is so intensely visceral

[Clegg]

Season 2 is the best season of The Wire.

[JimmyRickard]

But Homeland is better than everything, tbh.

Can you sell me on Homeland? I've never heard of it.

[Sklorenz]

Yup. Give it your undivided attention for the first four or five eps... actively watch it. It was hard to get into my first go around (watched three and stopped), but then I tried again and I was hooked. You gotta invest a little bit for the first few eps since you're just thrown in. I might go and watch ep 1 now just for the hell of it. I've probably seen it 10 times now.

[Xevren]

I couldn't get into it at all. I watched the first 2 seasons and I gave up, just wasn't for me. Felt incredibly boring.

[StriKeVillain]

Season 2 is the best season of The Wire.

It doesn't include Final Grades, so no.

[Ceebs]

It is every bit as good as the hype. The first season never did grab me until the last few episodes. Once it did though, I was hooked until the end of the series.

Not saying the first season is bad by any means though, it just has lots of setup that carries through the rest of the show.

[SirButterstick]

Can you sell me on Homeland? I've never heard of it.

I couldn't stand Homeland, just for the simple reason that the season finale was a complete cop-out. If they went a different with the finale, they could of opened it up to all sorts of possibilities.

[Trent Strong]

It's really good but the amount of acclaim it receives borders on ridiculous. Its gung-ho fans are probably the most annoying and off-putting aspect the show, and I say this as a fan myself.

Yep.

[shintoki]

Extremely good.

Seasons 1-4 are fantastic, with Season 4 being up their as one of the best TVs seasons I've ever watched. Its only season 5 that felt far weaker than the rest, though it still had a lot of great moments.

Ignore the typical superfan though, where everything else tastes like shit now after they saw it.

[Arment]

When you get the season 2, and your brain starts to formulate thoughts such as, "Wow this isn't as good as season 1." slap yourself until your brain shuts up and finish the season.

[Imm0rt4l]

The dialogue sucks

The dialogue's great.

[bomma_man]

Yes. The only TV that comes close to it is S3-6 of the Simpsons. I love Mad Men too but it's not even on the same planet.