Greatest TV of the 21st Century?

[tabascoboy]

BBC Culture polled 206 TV experts from 43 countries in order to find the greatest TV of the 21st Century – here’s the top 100

Cue the "'X' is/was so overhyped!" responses! As it turned out I think GoT is too high due to the last couple of seasons. Never seen 'Fleabag', 'Breaking Bad fair enough, never really got into 'Mad Men" but have no quarrel with 'The WIre' as No 1. Below #5 there are just too many shows I've never seen but pleased to see 'The Americans' in the Top 10. If I might be so bold as to suggest just one anime that might have made it, then 'Violet Evergarden' although 'Attack on Titan which I've never seen might have it's proponents.


1 The Wire (2002-2008)
2 Mad Men (2007-2015)
3 Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
4 Fleabag (2016-2019)
5 Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
6 I May Destroy You (2020)
7 The Leftovers (2014-2017)
8 The Americans (2013-2018)
9 The Office (UK) (2001-2003)
10 Succession (2018-)
11 BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
12 Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
13 Twin Peaks: The Return (2017)
14 Atlanta (2016-)
15 Chernobyl (2019)
16 The Crown (2016-)
17 30 Rock (2006-2013)
18 Deadwood (2004-2006)
19 Lost (2004-2010)
20 The Thick of It (2005-2012)
21 Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-)
22 Black Mirror (2011-)
23 Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
24 Veep (2012-2019)
25 Sherlock (2010-2017)
26 Watchmen (2019)
27 Line of Duty (2012-2021)
28 Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)
29 Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)
30 Girls (2012-2017)
31 True Detective (2014-2019)
32 Arrested Development (2003-2019)
33 The Good Wife (2009-2016)
34 The Bridge (2011-2018)
35 Fargo (2014-)
36= Downton Abbey (2010-2015)
36= Band of Brothers (2001)
38 The Handmaid's Tale (2017-)
39 The Office (US) (2005-2013)
40 Borgen (2010-2022)
41 Schitt's Creek (2015-2020)
42 Peep Show (2003-2015)
43 Money Heist (2017-2021)
44 Community (2009-2015)
45 The Good Fight (2017-)
46 Homeland (2011-2020)
47 Grey's Anatomy (2005-)
48 Inside No 9 (2014-)
49 The Bureau (2015-)
50 Halt and Catch Fire (2014-2017)
51 Small Axe (2020)
52 This is England 86, 88 and 90 (2010-2015)
53 Call My Agent! (2015-2020)
54 Happy Valley (2014-)
55 The Shield (2002-2008)
56 The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019)
57 The Young Pope (2016)
58 Dark (2017-2020)
59 The Underground Railroad (2021)
60 House of Cards (2013-2018)
61 Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
62= The Good Place (2016-2020)
62= Pose (2018-2021)
64 Detectorists (2014-2017)
65 Orange is the New Black (2013-2019)
66 Mare of Easttown (2021)
67 RuPaul's Drag Race (2009-)
68 Stranger Things (2016-)
69 24 (2001-2010)
70 Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
71 Enlightened (2011-2013)
72 Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
73 Planet Earth (2006)
74 Utopia (2013-2014)
75 Babylon Berlin (2017-)
76 Rick and Morty (2013-)
77 American Crime Story (2016-)
78 The Killing (Denmark) (2007-2012)
79 Mindhunter (2017-2019)
80 House (2004-2012)
81 OJ: Made in America (2016)
82 Big Little Lies (2017-2019)
83 Insecure (2016-2021)
84= Normal People (2020)
84= Narcos (2015-2017)
86 How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
87 The Comeback (2005-2014)
88 The OA (2016-2019)
89 Dexter (2006-2013)
90 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-)
91 Westworld (2016-)
92 Show Me a Hero (2015)
93 Treme (2010-2013)
94 Louie (2010-2015)
95 Luther (2010-2019)
96 Catastrophe (2015-2019)
97 Hannibal (2013-2015)
98 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019)
99 Steven Universe (2013-2020)
100 The Queen's Gambit (2020)

[assfly]

Samsung 42 inch.

[tabascoboy]

Samsung 42 inch.

[assfly]

sorry

[GogLais]

I’ve watched maybe eight or nine of those regularly. Maybe my constant complaint of “There’s nothing on the telly” isn’t justified then, although I’ve never subscribed to Sky.

[Tichtheid]

It's a bit rough on The Sopranos, it started in 1999 so every series bar the first would qualify.

[FalseBayFC]

BBC Culture polled 206 TV experts from 43 countries in order to find the greatest TV of the 21st Century – here’s the top 100

Cue the "'X' is/was so overhyped!" responses! As it turned out I think GoT is too high due to the last couple of seasons. Never seen 'Fleabag', 'Breaking Bad fair enough, never really got into 'Mad Men" but have no quarrel with 'The WIre' as No 1. Below #5 there are just too many shows I've never seen but pleased to see 'The Americans' in the Top 10. If I might be so bold as to suggest just one anime that might have made it, then 'Violet Evergarden' although 'Attack on Titan which I've never seen might have it's proponents.

So almost exclusively wypipo American and UK shows. Its almost like the rest of the world doesn't exist.

[Kawazaki]

Phoenix Nights would make my top-100

[tabascoboy]

BBC Culture polled 206 TV experts from 43 countries in order to find the greatest TV of the 21st Century – here’s the top 100

Cue the "'X' is/was so overhyped!" responses! As it turned out I think GoT is too high due to the last couple of seasons. Never seen 'Fleabag', 'Breaking Bad fair enough, never really got into 'Mad Men" but have no quarrel with 'The WIre' as No 1. Below #5 there are just too many shows I've never seen but pleased to see 'The Americans' in the Top 10. If I might be so bold as to suggest just one anime that might have made it, then 'Violet Evergarden' although 'Attack on Titan which I've never seen might have it's proponents.

So almost exclusively wypipo American and UK shows. Its almost like the rest of the world doesn't exist.

You can suggest some others that might have made the list?

Forgot to give the link https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/202 ... ocid=twcul

[Sandstorm]

1 The Wire (2002-2008)
2 Mad Men (2007-2015)
3 Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
4 Fleabag (2016-2019)
5 Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
6 I May Destroy You (2020)
7 The Leftovers (2014-2017)
8 The Americans (2013-2018)
9 The Office (UK) (2001-2003)
10 Succession (2018-)

Only watched #10. It's ok.
Actually I saw 1 episode of The Office and then gouged my eyes out.

[And 1 guest]

1 The Wire (2002-2008)
2 Mad Men (2007-2015)
3 Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
4 Fleabag (2016-2019)
5 Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
6 I May Destroy You (2020)
7 The Leftovers (2014-2017)
8 The Americans (2013-2018)
9 The Office (UK) (2001-2003)
10 Succession (2018-)

Only watched #10. It's ok.
Actually I saw 1 episode of The Office and then gouged my eyes out.

You lasted a whole episode? I turned off after 10 mins. For me it's Breaking Bad then some daylight

[ASMO]

Afterlife deserves to be on there, top 10 as does Derek

[Ymx]

Never heard of mad men.

[Grandpa]

1 The Wire (2002-2008) - bored me to tears (only managed the first season and half the second)
2 Mad Men (2007-2015) - Never appealed
3 Breaking Bad (2008-2013) - Brilliant
4 Fleabag (2016-2019) - Super Brilliant
5 Game of Thrones (2011-2019) - Very enjoyable
6 I May Destroy You (2020) - Superb
7 The Leftovers (2014-2017) - Never heard of it
8 The Americans (2013-2018) - Loved it
9 The Office (UK) (2001-2003) - Absolutely loved it
10 Succession (2018-) - Doesn't appeal.

100 The Queen's Gambit (2020) - Should be top 20.

And there you go....

[Uncle fester]

The Killing is far too low, especially compared to The Bridge and Borgen.

No Fargo?

[tabascoboy]

The Killing is far too low, especially compared to The Bridge and Borgen.

No Fargo?

yes #35

[ScarfaceClaw]

Lost? 19th? Interesting premise for a couple of series but fell away badly and a finish weaker than the game of thrones wash out. Not even close to being on that list.

[Uncle fester]

The Killing is far too low, especially compared to The Bridge and Borgen.

No Fargo?

yes #35

Sound.
That'll teach me to skim read.

Breaking Bad way overrated also.

[Tichtheid]

I think Narcos at 84 is harsh, particularly the first two about Escobar. The producers had the same knack that The Sopranos people did, they reeled you in, made the main character empathetic, funny, likeable, then bam, they show you what he was really like, petty, vindictive, a small man in many ways, and they had the ability to repeat that several times.

This might be more suited to the Game of Thrones thread, but there was something in that which made me chuckle, nothing to do with the story arc, but the times the characters and Davos in particular corrected the "less/fewer" mistake when another character made it.

I like to think it was a pet-hate of one of the writers.

[FalseBayFC]

Vikings?

[Uncle fester]

I think Narcos at 84 is harsh, particularly the first two about Escobar. The producers had the same knack that The Sopranos people did, they reeled you in, made the main character empathetic, funny, likeable, then bam, they show you what he was really like, petty, vindictive, a small man in many ways, and they had the ability to repeat that several times.

This might be more suited to the Game of Thrones thread, but there was something in that which made me chuckle, nothing to do with the story arc, but the times the characters and Davos in particular corrected the "less/fewer" mistake when another character made it.

I like to think it was a pet-hate of one of the writers.

Narcos is far too low, yes.

Re GoT, the last two seasons were so poor that it's tainted the whole show but with passage of time, folks should be able to appreciate just how good seasons 1-6 were.
The Door & Hardhome as complete episodes absolutely knocked the socks off viewers and there are so many great "little scenes" that have genuine dramatic heft to them.
I'm thinking the likes of "I'll fight for you dwarf" and Grenn's death scene.

[Tichtheid]

I think Narcos at 84 is harsh, particularly the first two about Escobar. The producers had the same knack that The Sopranos people did, they reeled you in, made the main character empathetic, funny, likeable, then bam, they show you what he was really like, petty, vindictive, a small man in many ways, and they had the ability to repeat that several times.

This might be more suited to the Game of Thrones thread, but there was something in that which made me chuckle, nothing to do with the story arc, but the times the characters and Davos in particular corrected the "less/fewer" mistake when another character made it.

I like to think it was a pet-hate of one of the writers.

Narcos is far too low, yes.

Re GoT, the last two seasons were so poor that it's tainted the whole show but with passage of time, folks should be able to appreciate just how good seasons 1-6 were.
The Door & Hardhome as complete episodes absolutely knocked the socks off viewers and there are so many great "little scenes" that have genuine dramatic heft to them.
I'm thinking the likes of "I'll fight for you dwarf" and Grenn's death scene.

Bringing Narcos and GoT together, Oberyn's death was pretty shocking

[Uncle fester]

Maybe less impactful for book readers.

[Thor Sedan]

Afterlife deserves to be on there, top 10 as does Derek

Very much this - particularly Afterlife - outstanding TV.

[Thor Sedan]

1 The Wire (2002-2008)
2 Mad Men (2007-2015)
3 Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
4 Fleabag (2016-2019)
5 Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
6 I May Destroy You (2020)
7 The Leftovers (2014-2017)
8 The Americans (2013-2018)
9 The Office (UK) (2001-2003)
10 Succession (2018-)

Only watched #10. It's ok.
Actually I saw 1 episode of The Office and then gouged my eyes out.

Is that an anti Ricky Gervais thing (my wife can't stand him which is a shame as his shows are brilliant) or the format of the show?

[Thor Sedan]

Band of Brothers not in the top 3....list is irrelevant.

[tabascoboy]

Is that an anti Ricky Gervais thing (my wife can't stand him which is a shame as his shows are brilliant) or the format of the show?

For me that's a good reason why I couldn't watch it, I lasted less than 10 mins

[Thor Sedan]

Is that an anti Ricky Gervais thing (my wife can't stand him which is a shame as his shows are brilliant) or the format of the show?

For me that's a good reason why I couldn't watch it, I lasted less than 10 mins

I get it - but if you can see past it you will be treated to some seriously good work.

[Niegs]

Three that I loved thankfully made the list, but too low imo: Band of Brothers, Community, Babylon Berlin.

Missing: The Expanse (hasn't been as great the last couple of series, but the first two or three are ... stellar)

[tabascoboy]

'Babylon Berlin' I like. Also another good candidate for the Top 100 would be 'Deutschland 83'

[Ymx]

I guess I might watch the wire then.

[LenCohen]

The IT Crowd. That's some funny, puerile shit.

[Gumboot]

I guess I might watch the wire then.

It's brilliant.


As are two dark comedies, Mr Inbetween and Norsemen, that somehow didn't make the list.

Barry is pretty darn good, too.

[Ymx]

The IT Crowd. That's some funny, puerile shit.

Yeah I loved that show.

[LenCohen]

Jusr realised: Fleabag at number 4. Good show but...come on!

[Niegs]

'Babylon Berlin' I like. Also another good candidate for the Top 100 would be 'Deutschland 83'

Agreed! A really fine series!

[Slick]

I guess I might watch the wire then.

I’m very jealous you have that to come. Easily my No 1 with Breaking Bad second.

Quite surprised at the hate for The Office, it’s genius British humour

[Sandstorm]

I guess I might watch the wire then.

I’m very jealous you have that to come. Easily my No 1 with Breaking Bad second.

Quite surprised at the hate for The Office, it’s genius British humour

I work in a office all day with British wankers. No way I’m going to go home and watch some more of an evening.

[robmatic]

The Wire basically has an all-star cast but was made when they were all nobodies. I'm struggling to think of another show that launched as many careers.

[Grandpa]

I guess I might watch the wire then.

I tried.. lasted a season and a half... then I found The Sopranos... and that did grip me...

I don't know what it was about The Wire... but I found it a hard watch.. my mind kept drifting.. the French equivalent.. Spiral works much better for me...