10 of my Favourite TV Shows (By Genre)
Ever wondered which TV shows I enjoy watching? Well as long as you were thinking of narrative television (sorry Chappelle's Show/Cosmos) then you're in the right place to get answers!
Now let's remember if you don't see a certain show on here, I either don't like it and will fight you in the comments about it, or I believe in having sequels to blog posts and want to leave that option open.
Show/Genre:
A Different World (1987)/Comedy
How:
I know people just see this as that show Denise was on for a bit before she came back to The Cosby Show, but this show should be able to stand on its own. It was only really a spin-off for the time that Denise was on it, then it became the Dwayne and Whitley show and all was well!
Show/Genre:
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)/Comedy
How:
My mom dropped the TV guide on top of my action figures to let me know the good news! DJ Jazzy Jeff's MC was getting his own show. To keep it real, I don't remember knowing a ton of Fresh Prince songs but you better believe I was excited for this show. I was hooked from the pilot and besides the O.G. Aunt Viv not being able to stomach Will (despite all on screen evidence to the contrary) this show kept the hits coming till the end.
Show/Genre:
Curb Your Enthusiasm (1999)/Comedy
How:
I'm pretty sure it was Terri's boyfriend who put me onto Curb. I tried to avoid it due to my seemingly contradictory feelings about Seinfeld. But I just like the execution on this show better. I don't care what you think of me, it's just the way it is.
Show/Genre:
The Office (2001)/Comedy
How:
Oh boy did I ever think I was cool going to my friend's house to watch this show during my high school lunches to watch this show that only we "knew" about! Regardless, this show can make me breathe till I can't breathe just as much as it can make me truly feel for the characters on this show. I could feel their pain and celebrate their victories, and that's dope.
Show/Genre:
Arrested Development (2003)/Comedy
How:
I love how densely the jokes are packed in on this show. I love that some jokes can be funny then take on a new level if you pay attention in future episodes. I like that it's always worthwhile re-watching this show. I especially love anytime a family member breaks out their chicken dance.
Show/Genre:
Flight of the Conchords (2007)/Comedy
How:
If you've seen FIlmakers you've seen how this show has affected me. Yeah we just tried to make this FOTC but swap out songs for short films. We are so creative! I don't know why this show just spoke to the Filmakers crew but it did and I will watch anything Brett and Jemaine related from here on out.
Show/Genre:
Community (2009)/Comedy
How:
Realizing the awesome duo of Troy and Abed needed to be a thing despite the original plan is but one instance of this show clearly taking its cues from whatever ideas I had in my head for it. I get that the self referential nature of this show can be alienating for people but I guess I smugly enjoyed buying in on the ground level and being rewarded for that.
Show/Genre:
Parks and Recreation (2009)/Comedy
How:
This show knew how to truly spread its wings and shake off that "this is an Office spin-off/rip-off" slump from the first season (which only remains bad due to some key character traits not being true to Andy and Leslie as the show went on). Getting Pauline on board with this show is a true feather in my cap!
Show/Genre:
Veep (2012)/Comedy
How:
I got Pauline hooked on this show despite her supposed love for Amy Schumer and the opportunity to watch Inside Amy Schumer with me. I love how mean spirited this show can get. I don't usually like that type of stuff but it's happening so quickly and to people who some how earn the hate by the end of the episode.
Show/Genre:
Broad City (2014)/Comedy
How:
I loved the first season. However, it wasn't until I re-watched it with Pauline and heard her laugh harder than I've ever heard her laugh to this day that I realized I was on the right track with this amazing show.
Show/Genre:
The Simpsons (1989)/Animated
How:
As I've stated elsewhere, this isn't so much a show I keep up with so much a show that shaped my sense of humour and how I relate to people in most situations. It's like I don't know where this show ends and I begin!
Show/Genre:
Batman (1992)/Animated
How:
Of course this show is up here. I thought it was must see TV when it first came out and once I was able to make my own financial decisions I made it my mission to track down every episode on DVD and even track down the Justice League continuation. Bless you, Bruce Timm and Paul Dini! The definig voices of Batman and The Joker are found here.
Show/Genre:
Animaniacs (1993)/Animated
How:
This was the first show that taught me that making anachronistic pop culture references is never not funny. In terms of the great Warner Bros. vs Disney beef which is up there with there with PlayStation vs XBox and sundry other very important life decisions all 6 year olds face, I am 100% Warner Bros. for Saturday morning cartoon watching.
Show/Genre:
Spider-Man (1994)/Animated
How:
No cartoon was more important to me than this Spider-Man show. There was fun times with amazing cross overs and villains and then there were deathly serious (or so I thought) moments about belonging and finding your way in the world. Also, no Batman and Spider-Man aren't my favourite heroes because of these shows, but I'm really happy these shows didn't suck, considering how invested in the subject matter I was.
Show/Genre:
South Park (1997)/Animated
How:
I think it's amazing that even its 19th season, South Park is finding a way to do something new. They were killing it from the start, but now that they are creating season long arcs and call backs, it's even more appealing to me.
Show/Genre:
Family Guy (1999)/Animated
How:
I get that South Park ehtered this show but they can't stop me from enjoying the fact that the constant use of cut-aways and non-sequiturs makes coming across this show on a lazy Sunday (or any day of the week) a joy to re-watch as you try to figure out what the episode is actually about. Plus Gililan and I still like to catch up by talking about the new episodes.
Show/Genre:
The Venture Bros. (2003)/Animated
How:
This is the Arrested Development/Community of animated shows. They will leave no throwaway line un-turned for a call back or reference to the greater mythology of the show and I'm all for it. I truly get a kick out of this show and the way its world building feels almost exhilarating as opposed to tedious. This show truly has everything I want and even found time to use Kevin Conroy!
Show/Genre:
Archer (2009)/Animated
How:
If we're being honest, Archer is more the Arrested Development of animated television what with Lucille, George, and Tobias all having parts on the show and all that call back stuff I seem to really enjoy. Plus the bench is deep on this show in terms of characters I wouldn't mind having whole episodes dedicated to. However it all comes down to how much fun I have with the Archer and Lana relationship.
Show/Genre:
Young Justice (2010)/Animated
How:
I am really sad this show got cancelled. I never thought I would enjoy a DC animated series that wasn't overseen by Bruce Timm or Paul Dini, but here we are. 2 seasons of perfection as far as I'm concerned, even with that pesky time jump. If you want to go into the DC roster while also having a strong presence of the main stars then search this show out about the original Justice League's sidekicks trying to prove they're more than just sidekicks.
Show/Genre:
Rick and Morty (2013)/Animated
How:
I don't know why Rick burping always makes me laugh like I'm not expecting it, but that's just the cherry on top really. This show is a Dan Harmon co created piece of amazing and I have never seen an episode I don't like. Kayona has pointed out that this show borders on child abuse, but it's a cartoon so I can still laugh.
Show/Genre:
The Shield (2002)/Drama
How:
Finally I can give this show the props it deserves. I always like to let shows build up over the first 5 episodes before I make a decision, but this show comes out the gate guns a blazing! Do yourself a favour and watch the first episode of this show and ask yourself if you can stand to not immediately seek out the second episode! If you're like me, you might also stop thinking Michael Chiklis was ever family friendly. The tension just keeps building and the story only expands. There is very little episodic material in this series and I dig it!
Show/Genre:
The Wire (2002)/Drama
How:
Now this show definitely needed the 5 episode grace period. Obviously, with hindsight this series is good to go right away, but I started watching at a different time in my life. A time everyone has: "pre Wire." I promise people who haven't seen this show will re-asses their "favourite TV Show" list once they watch this show. It is definitely my favourite TV show and I will defend it to the death, like Bodie!
Show/Genre:
Deadwood (2004)/Drama
How:
No lie, this show is in my top 3. I can't help but love the way people talk on this show. If you're ever going to watch Ian McShane in something, please make it this show. He is just a delight on screen even while doing some unmentionable things to his employees and lovers. If rooting for a mean person with (I guess) a heart of gold isn't you're thing, try John Hawkes and Timothy Olyphant's characters on for size if stalwart (to a fault) is more your thing.
Show/Genre:
Mad Men (2007)/Drama
How:
From the moment Ryan and I watched the pilot on a lark before going to get some wings we realized that Don Draper is an amazing character right away. Sure, you'll learn to like the other characters, you may even start to hate Don Draper at a certain point, but the fact remains is that you will be hooked on every minor detail about the Sterling, Draper, and whoever this season crew as they work at an ad agency or are family/dating someone from that ad agency.
Show/Genre:
Justified (2010)/Drama
How:
The life and times of time traveling Seth Bullock? Yes PLEASE! No it's not a spin off of Deadwood, but there are a bunch of actors from that show on this show and I like watching my favourite part of Girl Next Door sling guns and crack wise. There are some great guest actors on this show with an already great main cast so just sit back, relax and enjoy a guy try to turn 2010-2015 back into the wild west.
Show/Genre:
Sherlock (2010)/Drama
How:
I finally got my own place and as I waited for the internet guys to come hook me up on my unfurnished apartment's floor I started watching this show and was hooked right away! Watching British Jim Halpert work with some guy who's about to join the great people at Marvel (well they both are going to be there soon enough) was captivating from start to finish. They get away with only 3 episodes per season because it's just that good.
Show/Genre:
Game of Thrones (2011)/Drama
How:
While Aidan and I will always see less than eye to eye on the value of Ygritte, the one thing that we can both agree on is it's annoying to try and have a conversation about episodes with someone who has read the books already. While I enjoy this show on its own merits it has taken on a new level of enjoyment or disappointment for people who have already read the books and giddily wait for their friends to be amazed by something just so they can tell them they knew it would happen or it's not as good as the books. Either way, people seem to like to talk about this show.
Show/Genre:
The Americans (2013)
How:
I just wish Elizabeth and Philip could be truly happy together. I'm only 57% joking about that too. As much as I enjoy the conceit of two Russian spies living beside a CIA agent while they do everything and anything to win the war for Mother Russia; my desire to see Philip and Elizabeth happy pretty much trumps all the other cool stuff.
Show/Genre:
House of Cards (2013)
How:
This show is pretty much running purely off the goodwill of the first two seasons at this point. I can't say it's not one of my favourite shows because there's just so much to talk about, but boy did that third season take its time getting to the good stuff. Regardless, the first season made me feel like I had accomplished something right alongside Frank and the second poured on the tension as people tried to close in on him. It just works for me and I'm looking forward to next season.
Show/Genre:
Fargo (2014)
How:
This might be the only series I've seen that killed it in the pilot then just kept the hits coming as the season went along. While I didn't much care for who won and how in the end, I had to give it up to a well told story that had amazing characters and sustained captivating TV all season long. As a bonus, it should be pointed out that I'm saying Billy Bob was the best thing in this show while acknowledging that everyone brought the heat and I don't even check for William like that.
-YG