Best TV shows of all time
My absolute favourite TV series, each of which I strongly recommend if you've never seen. Looking at this list, I have ridiculously diverse taste in TV shows. Oh, well...
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15 titles
- CreatorRicky GervaisStephen MerchantStarsRicky GervaisMartin FreemanMackenzie CrookThe story of an office that faces closure when the company decides to downsize its branches. A documentary film crew follow staff and the manager David Brent as they continue their daily lives.Pricelessly funny, richly absurd and full of classic characters, this is easily the smartest comedy show of the Millenium
- StarsTony HancockSidney JamesJohnny VyvyanTV version of the popular BBC radio show of the same name, with Tony Hancock as the modern man of the world (in his own eyes). Sid James is there to bring him back to earth.Still funny after all these years. Groundbreaking, responsible for inventing the modern sitcom, and almost every great joke ever written. Hancock is still the master of working class comedy, which he handles so masterfully.
- CreatorHarriet BraunStarsFiona ButtonHeather PeaceJames Anthony PearsonSex, lies and true love in modern Scotland. Following the lives and loves of a group of twenty-something lesbians living in Glasgow.Brilliant characterisation, superlative acting, and a cast of outstanding young actors and actresses. BBC drama at it's best, with plaudits to Ruta Gedmintas, Natasha O'Keefe, Emun Eliot, and Heather Peace. Like all great shows though, the BBC had to muck it all up by cancelling it after only two seasons. Season 1 is totally flawless. Season 2 is far more enjoyable, but gets rid of all the great things about season 1. Essential viewing, nonetheless.
- CreatorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganA young woman, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends.Cult classic, massively demonised as a "geeky" show, but this is compulsive viewing, with real vampires, a great cast and consistently high scripts. A timeless piece of TV history
- CreatorGraham ChapmanEric IdleTerry JonesStarsGraham ChapmanJohn CleeseTerry GilliamThe original surreal sketch comedy showcase for the Monty Python troupe.Anarchic humour at it's best - much better than any of the movies, and one of the most consistently funny sketch shows of all time. Fourth series is a bit ropy, but the rest are classic television.
- CreatorRichard LevinsonWilliam LinkStarsPeter FalkMike LallyJohn FinneganLos Angeles homicide detective Lieutenant Columbo uses his humble ways and ingenuous demeanor to winkle out even the most well-concealed of crimes.One of the best characters to ever emerge from American Tv of the seventies, qurky, likeable and believable, Sherlock Holmes in a tatty coat. Each script is like a movie, and are so expertly written that even the later series are still classics.
- CreatorReg WatsonLara RadulovichStarsKate AtkinsonKatrina MilosevicRobbie MagasivaThe confronting look into the lives of the inmates and prison staff of Wentworth Correctional Centre as they navigate the ups and downs of their lives in the prison system.Excellent, contemporary remake of a cult favourite, "Wentworth" is female-centric drama at its' very best, with one of the most perfect ensemble casts of all time, with Nicole Da Silva, Danielle Cormac, Kate Atkinson, Kris McQuade, Shareena Clanton, Aaron Jeffrey and more, all giving five star turns. Hopefully set for a long, and happy life.
- CreatorMartin BillanyStarsMartin BillanyCurtis ArnottChris NiosiImagine Yu-Gi-Oh!, condensed into about 5 minutes. That's what this is.The single funniest, most ridiculous piece of watching ever. Even if you've never watched the original, watch this. Every single line is insane, offensive, irreverent and pricelessly hilarious. Outstanding parodic humour...
- StarsAlec GuinnessMichael JaystonAnthony BateIn the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced out of semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6's echelons.Mini series, and some of the most intelligent, thought provoking TV you're likely to ever watch. Absolutely outstanding, with one of the greatest casts ever assembled
- CreatorMark GatissSteven MoffatStarsBenedict CumberbatchMartin FreemanUna StubbsThe quirky spin on Conan Doyle's iconic sleuth pitches him as a "high-functioning sociopath" in modern-day London. Assisting him in his investigations: Afghanistan War vet John Watson, who's introduced to Holmes by a mutual acquaintance.Witty and stylish, Sherlock never shies away from good old fashioned adventure and excitement, and somehow manages to work just as well as the classic. My only problem is, Freeman continually underwhelms me as Watson, but the storytelling is of such a high standard, this remains TV drama to be thoroughly enjoyed. With Lip service cancelled, and Matt Smith leaving Doctor Who, this could maybe be the best show on British television right now.
- CreatorJ.J. AbramsAlex KurtzmanRoberto OrciStarsAnna TorvJoshua JacksonJohn NobleAn F.B.I. agent is forced to work with an institutionalized scientist and his son in order to rationalize a brewing storm of unexplained phenomena.Perfect production values, enticing storylines and brilliant acting. Walter Bishop makes this one of the best TV shows of all time, and definitiely the best thing still on (although, again, sadly, I hear it's reached the end at last...)
- CreatorEd SpielmanHerman MillerStarsDavid CarradineRadames PeraKeye LukeThe adventures of Shaolin Monk Kwai Chang Caine as he wanders the American West armed only with his skill in Kung Fu.Another classic, tackling an amazingly diverse array of issues, courtesy of several brilliantly written scripts. Carradine, an actor I usually dislike, is perfect, proving that Kane is really an actor proof role. Thought provoking and professional
- CreatorDavid E. KelleyStarsJames SpaderWilliam ShatnerCandice BergenBoston Legal is a spin-off of the long-running David E. Kelley series The Practice (1997), following the exploits of former Practice character Alan Shore (James Spader) at the legal firm of Crane, Poole, and Schmidt.Sharply written, ascerbically funny and with a pair of wonderfully diverse heroes, courtesy of Spader and Shatner. Cynical American humour at its' very best.
- CreatorTerry NationStarsMichael KeatingPaul DarrowPeter TuddenhamA group of convicts and outcasts fight a guerrilla war against the totalitarian Terran Federation from a highly advanced alien spaceship.Doctor Who, but with real characters, a likeable bunch of anarchic misfits. Great writing, and one of the best villainesses ever from Jacqueline Pearce. Eminently watchable.
- StarsIan OgilvyGayle HunnicuttStratford JohnsThis series chronicles the swashbuckling exploits of Simon Templar, a modern-day Robin Hood of sorts.Again, gets bad press, and compares badly with the original show, but this is a great little series, fast paced, great looking and with an instantly memorable theme tune. Ogilvy is a good hero, and has a usually strong supporting cast.