101 Best Written TV Series Of All Time

[rushgoober]

Friends was a great show. So is Big Bang. I still can't decide which one is better. Both shows are way better than Seinfeld. Don't get me wrong, I think Seinfeld was a decent show, and I've seen my fair share of episodes, but it's hard for me to love a show where every character is fairly despicable. I enjoy shows where you can actually care about at least some characters.

 

Other really well written comedies off the top of my head - Mash obviously, Taxi, Family Ties, Louie, The Wonder Years, Sex and the City, Cheers, Scrubs, etc.

 

I think there are a LOT of really well written tv shows on that list. Not all of them belong there, and there are certainly plenty I've never seen, but there are a lot of great ones.

 

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

 

you complain about seinfeld having despicable characters (which goes against some silly "righteous hippie" ideal I assume) but then rave about the big bang theory, which features sheldon cooper, the biggest pompous nerd dickhead on television? he is a much less likable character, but I can only assume he is so loved here because he acts like a rush fan...

 

seinfeld had unique humor and plot, friends is just some friends being friends and f***ing each other and ha ha look at that girl's hair and boy joey is so dumb tee hee hee lets take our soma now

 

 

my lack of extreme love for seinfeld has nothing to do with a hippie ideal, it's just that if i'm going to root for characters in some way, they have to be likeable to some extent. all of the characters in seinfeld are minimally likeable, but i just find it hard to care about them. it's still a very good and funny show, but there are so many better sitcoms IMHO. i never got the level of adulation the show receives.

 

and somehow sheldon cooper ends up being loveable in spite of being a "pompous nerd dickhead." besides, he's not the only person on the show - there are 6 other main characters.

 

friends is fun and funny and the characters are all loveable, as are the characters from the big bang theory. feel free not to enjoy - more fun to be had for the rest of us! :P

Edited June 5, 2013 by rushgoober

[rushgoober]

Friends was a great show. So is Big Bang. I still can't decide which one is better. Both shows are way better than Seinfeld. Don't get me wrong, I think Seinfeld was a decent show, and I've seen my fair share of episodes, but it's hard for me to love a show where every character is fairly despicable. I enjoy shows where you can actually care about at least some characters.

 

Other really well written comedies off the top of my head - Mash obviously, Taxi, Family Ties, Louie, The Wonder Years, Sex and the City, Cheers, Scrubs, etc.

 

I think there are a LOT of really well written tv shows on that list. Not all of them belong there, and there are certainly plenty I've never seen, but there are a lot of great ones.

 

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

Bullshit. I really enjoyed those top 4 shows listed...and they were insanely popular. And I like a lot of those shows on there that are also very popular. If FRIENDS had been unpopular I would've still hated that piece of crap. It just so happened that it was very well-received

 

it's a lot more than just friends i'm speaking of, but no biggie. people here love to hate so many things that are very popular. i think it's a rush-fan rebel thing.

[JohnnyBlaze]

I'm surprised "Maude" (All in the Family spinoff with Bea Arthur in the lead) didn't make the list. One of the highest rated and controversial episodes about abortion at the time of Rowe v. Wade. As with other Norman Lear sitcoms, it dealt with all kinds of social issues of the day.

Yeah, that list is weird. It has entire series, single seasons, and one-off episodes listed. BUT it doesn't have that classic episode you're talking about on there

[JohnnyBlaze]

Friends was a great show. So is Big Bang. I still can't decide which one is better. Both shows are way better than Seinfeld. Don't get me wrong, I think Seinfeld was a decent show, and I've seen my fair share of episodes, but it's hard for me to love a show where every character is fairly despicable. I enjoy shows where you can actually care about at least some characters.

 

Other really well written comedies off the top of my head - Mash obviously, Taxi, Family Ties, Louie, The Wonder Years, Sex and the City, Cheers, Scrubs, etc.

 

I think there are a LOT of really well written tv shows on that list. Not all of them belong there, and there are certainly plenty I've never seen, but there are a lot of great ones.

 

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

 

you complain about seinfeld having despicable characters (which goes against some silly "righteous hippie" ideal I assume) but then rave about the big bang theory, which features sheldon cooper, the biggest pompous nerd dickhead on television? he is a much less likable character, but I can only assume he is so loved here because he acts like a rush fan...

 

seinfeld had unique humor and plot, friends is just some friends being friends and f***ing each other and ha ha look at that girl's hair and boy joey is so dumb tee hee hee lets take our soma now

 

 

my lack of extreme love for seinfeld has nothing to do with a hippie ideal, it's just that if i'm going to root for characters in some way, they have to be likeable to some extent. all of the characters in seinfeld are minimally likeable, but i just find it hard to care about them. it's still a very good and funny show, but there are so many better sitcoms IMHO. i never got the level of adulation the show receives.

 

and somehow sheldon cooper ends up being loveable in spite of being a "pompous nerd dickhead." besides, he's not the only person on the show - there are 6 other main characters.

 

friends is fun and funny and the characters are all loveable, as are the characters from the big bang theory. feel free not to enjoy - more fun to be had for the rest of us! :P

You confuse me goobs. In the earlier seasons at least, George Costanza was virtually the main character Woody Allen would play in all his classic films [which I know you like].

[bathory]

Friends was a great show. So is Big Bang. I still can't decide which one is better. Both shows are way better than Seinfeld. Don't get me wrong, I think Seinfeld was a decent show, and I've seen my fair share of episodes, but it's hard for me to love a show where every character is fairly despicable. I enjoy shows where you can actually care about at least some characters.

 

Other really well written comedies off the top of my head - Mash obviously, Taxi, Family Ties, Louie, The Wonder Years, Sex and the City, Cheers, Scrubs, etc.

 

I think there are a LOT of really well written tv shows on that list. Not all of them belong there, and there are certainly plenty I've never seen, but there are a lot of great ones.

 

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

 

you complain about seinfeld having despicable characters (which goes against some silly "righteous hippie" ideal I assume) but then rave about the big bang theory, which features sheldon cooper, the biggest pompous nerd dickhead on television? he is a much less likable character, but I can only assume he is so loved here because he acts like a rush fan...

 

seinfeld had unique humor and plot, friends is just some friends being friends and f***ing each other and ha ha look at that girl's hair and boy joey is so dumb tee hee hee lets take our soma now

 

 

my lack of extreme love for seinfeld has nothing to do with a hippie ideal, it's just that if i'm going to root for characters in some way, they have to be likeable to some extent. all of the characters in seinfeld are minimally likeable, but i just find it hard to care about them. it's still a very good and funny show, but there are so many better sitcoms IMHO. i never got the level of adulation the show receives.

 

and somehow sheldon cooper ends up being loveable in spite of being a "pompous nerd dickhead." besides, he's not the only person on the show - there are 6 other main characters.

 

friends is fun and funny and the characters are all loveable, as are the characters from the big bang theory. feel free not to enjoy - more fun to be had for the rest of us! :P

You confuse me goobs. In the earlier seasons at least, George Costanza was virtually the main character Woody Allen would play in all his classic films [which I know you like].

 

larry david and woody allen are a lot alike

[bathory]

Friends was a great show. So is Big Bang. I still can't decide which one is better. Both shows are way better than Seinfeld. Don't get me wrong, I think Seinfeld was a decent show, and I've seen my fair share of episodes, but it's hard for me to love a show where every character is fairly despicable. I enjoy shows where you can actually care about at least some characters.

 

Other really well written comedies off the top of my head - Mash obviously, Taxi, Family Ties, Louie, The Wonder Years, Sex and the City, Cheers, Scrubs, etc.

 

I think there are a LOT of really well written tv shows on that list. Not all of them belong there, and there are certainly plenty I've never seen, but there are a lot of great ones.

 

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

Bullshit. I really enjoyed those top 4 shows listed...and they were insanely popular. And I like a lot of those shows on there that are also very popular. If FRIENDS had been unpopular I would've still hated that piece of crap. It just so happened that it was very well-received

 

it's a lot more than just friends i'm speaking of, but no biggie. people here love to hate so many things that are very popular. i think it's a rush-fan rebel thing.

 

nah man, at this point rush is hardly rebellious music, and they've been selling out big ass stadiums since the 80s...sure, it seemed like a SECRET band to many for a long time, but when the shows and albums are selling well, I'd say they've "arrived"

 

and most rush fans are into genesis, yes, dream theater, iron maiden, queensryche, led zeppelin, that sorta thing - hardly rebellious, and all of them are popular, or at least have been popular at some point. great music, but the high school thugs aren't practicing mike portnoy fills and playing d&d

[rushgoober]

Friends was a great show. So is Big Bang. I still can't decide which one is better. Both shows are way better than Seinfeld. Don't get me wrong, I think Seinfeld was a decent show, and I've seen my fair share of episodes, but it's hard for me to love a show where every character is fairly despicable. I enjoy shows where you can actually care about at least some characters.

 

Other really well written comedies off the top of my head - Mash obviously, Taxi, Family Ties, Louie, The Wonder Years, Sex and the City, Cheers, Scrubs, etc.

 

I think there are a LOT of really well written tv shows on that list. Not all of them belong there, and there are certainly plenty I've never seen, but there are a lot of great ones.

 

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

 

you complain about seinfeld having despicable characters (which goes against some silly "righteous hippie" ideal I assume) but then rave about the big bang theory, which features sheldon cooper, the biggest pompous nerd dickhead on television? he is a much less likable character, but I can only assume he is so loved here because he acts like a rush fan...

 

seinfeld had unique humor and plot, friends is just some friends being friends and f***ing each other and ha ha look at that girl's hair and boy joey is so dumb tee hee hee lets take our soma now

 

 

my lack of extreme love for seinfeld has nothing to do with a hippie ideal, it's just that if i'm going to root for characters in some way, they have to be likeable to some extent. all of the characters in seinfeld are minimally likeable, but i just find it hard to care about them. it's still a very good and funny show, but there are so many better sitcoms IMHO. i never got the level of adulation the show receives.

 

and somehow sheldon cooper ends up being loveable in spite of being a "pompous nerd dickhead." besides, he's not the only person on the show - there are 6 other main characters.

 

friends is fun and funny and the characters are all loveable, as are the characters from the big bang theory. feel free not to enjoy - more fun to be had for the rest of us! :P

You confuse me goobs. In the earlier seasons at least, George Costanza was virtually the main character Woody Allen would play in all his classic films [which I know you like].

 

woody allen was neurotic, but at least his characters seemed to care and were somewhat loveable. george is just pretty selfish. don't get me wrong, i think seinfeld is a very good show. i've seen a lot of episodes. i just don't think it's among the all time best sitcoms like so many do.

[Rushian King]

Before clicking the link, the show I thought should be #1... actually was #1! Imagine that.

 

I think 24 is way too low on the list. It was inventive and something completely new. Same with Lost. If it was really about "best written" - both those shows should have been top 10.

 

Lost was intriguingly written for the first season. With each passing season it got less intriguing and more "this show's not gonna end well." Shouldn't be anywhere near a best-written list.

Edited June 6, 2013 by Rushian King

[rushgoober]

Before clicking the link, the show I thought should be #1... actually was #1! Imagine that.

 

I think 24 is way too low on the list. It was inventive and something completely new. Same with Lost. If it was really about "best written" - both those shows should have been top 10.

 

Lost was intriguingly written for the first season. With each passing season it got less intriguing and more "this show's not gonna end well." Shouldn't be anywhere near a best-written list.

 

i loved it all the way through. same with heroes.

[Mara]

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

 

Hey, I hated Seinfeld even before I knew there was such a creature as TRF. Ditto Sluts Sex and The City.

[calirush]

Friends was a great show. So is Big Bang. I still can't decide which one is better. Both shows are way better than Seinfeld. Don't get me wrong, I think Seinfeld was a decent show, and I've seen my fair share of episodes, but it's hard for me to love a show where every character is fairly despicable. I enjoy shows where you can actually care about at least some characters.

 

Other really well written comedies off the top of my head - Mash obviously, Taxi, Family Ties, Louie, The Wonder Years, Sex and the City, Cheers, Scrubs, etc.

 

I think there are a LOT of really well written tv shows on that list. Not all of them belong there, and there are certainly plenty I've never seen, but there are a lot of great ones.

 

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

 

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2825/8965454747_6745b51025.jpg

[CygnusGal]

I think the list is pretty comprehensive. I disagree with the order of some of the shows and other show's inclusion (I never got Sex in the City), but otherwise it is pretty good.

 

RDM's BSG re-imagined is #38 baby! :D-13:

 

http://www.thescifiworld.net/img/smilies/galactica/cylon/cylon-pancarte08.gif

[CygnusGal]

although I'm glad they put fawlty towers, but they only put it because of the monty python connection with john cleese, and python is hip and cool in the states, whereas blackadder is unheard of.

The Blackadder is the greatest and a shameful omission from the list. :LMAO:

 

Best thing Atkinson has done, imo.

[JohnnyBlaze]

Friends was a great show. So is Big Bang. I still can't decide which one is better. Both shows are way better than Seinfeld. Don't get me wrong, I think Seinfeld was a decent show, and I've seen my fair share of episodes, but it's hard for me to love a show where every character is fairly despicable. I enjoy shows where you can actually care about at least some characters.

 

Other really well written comedies off the top of my head - Mash obviously, Taxi, Family Ties, Louie, The Wonder Years, Sex and the City, Cheers, Scrubs, etc.

 

I think there are a LOT of really well written tv shows on that list. Not all of them belong there, and there are certainly plenty I've never seen, but there are a lot of great ones.

 

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

Bullshit. I really enjoyed those top 4 shows listed...and they were insanely popular. And I like a lot of those shows on there that are also very popular. If FRIENDS had been unpopular I would've still hated that piece of crap. It just so happened that it was very well-received

 

it's a lot more than just friends i'm speaking of, but no biggie. people here love to hate so many things that are very popular. i think it's a rush-fan rebel thing.

So, you can like a show because of x, y, and z but others can't dislike that show for those same items?! We're likely disliking it because it's popular? Dude. It's not a Rush-fan rebel thang. I truly truly with all my heart hate various sitcoms due to the actors, style of humor, stories, etc.

 

Aside: I would've paid good money to dropkick half of the actors (or characters if you want to take that angle) in FRIENDS

[bathory]

Friends was a great show. So is Big Bang. I still can't decide which one is better. Both shows are way better than Seinfeld. Don't get me wrong, I think Seinfeld was a decent show, and I've seen my fair share of episodes, but it's hard for me to love a show where every character is fairly despicable. I enjoy shows where you can actually care about at least some characters.

 

Other really well written comedies off the top of my head - Mash obviously, Taxi, Family Ties, Louie, The Wonder Years, Sex and the City, Cheers, Scrubs, etc.

 

I think there are a LOT of really well written tv shows on that list. Not all of them belong there, and there are certainly plenty I've never seen, but there are a lot of great ones.

 

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

Bullshit. I really enjoyed those top 4 shows listed...and they were insanely popular. And I like a lot of those shows on there that are also very popular. If FRIENDS had been unpopular I would've still hated that piece of crap. It just so happened that it was very well-received

 

it's a lot more than just friends i'm speaking of, but no biggie. people here love to hate so many things that are very popular. i think it's a rush-fan rebel thing.

So, you can like a show because of x, y, and z but others can't dislike that show for those same items?! We're likely disliking it because it's popular? Dude. It's not a Rush-fan rebel thang. I truly truly with all my heart hate various sitcoms due to the actors, style of humor, stories, etc.

 

Aside: I would've paid good money to dropkick half of the actors (or characters if you want to take that angle) in FRIENDS

 

anytime anyone disagrees with goobs, he takes it as a personal attack or something

 

well you know what, 2 can play at that game....goobs, the only reason you're favorite king crimson album is lizard is because nobody else gives a shit about that record! ;)

[JohnnyBlaze]

Friends was a great show. So is Big Bang. I still can't decide which one is better. Both shows are way better than Seinfeld. Don't get me wrong, I think Seinfeld was a decent show, and I've seen my fair share of episodes, but it's hard for me to love a show where every character is fairly despicable. I enjoy shows where you can actually care about at least some characters.

 

Other really well written comedies off the top of my head - Mash obviously, Taxi, Family Ties, Louie, The Wonder Years, Sex and the City, Cheers, Scrubs, etc.

 

I think there are a LOT of really well written tv shows on that list. Not all of them belong there, and there are certainly plenty I've never seen, but there are a lot of great ones.

 

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

Bullshit. I really enjoyed those top 4 shows listed...and they were insanely popular. And I like a lot of those shows on there that are also very popular. If FRIENDS had been unpopular I would've still hated that piece of crap. It just so happened that it was very well-received

 

it's a lot more than just friends i'm speaking of, but no biggie. people here love to hate so many things that are very popular. i think it's a rush-fan rebel thing.

So, you can like a show because of x, y, and z but others can't dislike that show for those same items?! We're likely disliking it because it's popular? Dude. It's not a Rush-fan rebel thang. I truly truly with all my heart hate various sitcoms due to the actors, style of humor, stories, etc.

 

Aside: I would've paid good money to dropkick half of the actors (or characters if you want to take that angle) in FRIENDS

 

anytime anyone disagrees with goobs, he takes it as a personal attack or something

 

well you know what, 2 can play at that game....goobs, the only reason you're favorite king crimson album is lizard is because nobody else gives a shit about that record! ;)

Yeah, I just don't get the logic. He likes a show because of the characters or whatever but if I hate that show for the characters (or whatever) it's because I'm a rebel?! Whatdafuck?!

[rushgoober]

Friends was a great show. So is Big Bang. I still can't decide which one is better. Both shows are way better than Seinfeld. Don't get me wrong, I think Seinfeld was a decent show, and I've seen my fair share of episodes, but it's hard for me to love a show where every character is fairly despicable. I enjoy shows where you can actually care about at least some characters.

 

Other really well written comedies off the top of my head - Mash obviously, Taxi, Family Ties, Louie, The Wonder Years, Sex and the City, Cheers, Scrubs, etc.

 

I think there are a LOT of really well written tv shows on that list. Not all of them belong there, and there are certainly plenty I've never seen, but there are a lot of great ones.

 

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

Bullshit. I really enjoyed those top 4 shows listed...and they were insanely popular. And I like a lot of those shows on there that are also very popular. If FRIENDS had been unpopular I would've still hated that piece of crap. It just so happened that it was very well-received

 

it's a lot more than just friends i'm speaking of, but no biggie. people here love to hate so many things that are very popular. i think it's a rush-fan rebel thing.

So, you can like a show because of x, y, and z but others can't dislike that show for those same items?! We're likely disliking it because it's popular? Dude. It's not a Rush-fan rebel thang. I truly truly with all my heart hate various sitcoms due to the actors, style of humor, stories, etc.

 

Aside: I would've paid good money to dropkick half of the actors (or characters if you want to take that angle) in FRIENDS

 

It's not just the hate for things like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Survivor, reality TV in general, Twilight, The Hunger Games, the Academy Awards, etc., but the intense seething beyond contempt hatred people have for so many popular things here. Just look at your wording above - "I truly truly with all my heart hate." I don't even think I hate Vapor Trails THAT much.

[Lost In Xanadu]

Before clicking the link, the show I thought should be #1... actually was #1! Imagine that.

 

I think 24 is way too low on the list. It was inventive and something completely new. Same with Lost. If it was really about "best written" - both those shows should have been top 10.

 

Lost was intriguingly written for the first season. With each passing season it got less intriguing and more "this show's not gonna end well." Shouldn't be anywhere near a best-written list.

Yes, I agree - it got worse, but I wouldn't limit their list of good seasons simply to the first. I think the first 3 were quite good. 4th and 5th a notch down, the final season was terrible, and a big let down. I honestly think they were going to have the island be some "limbo" between life and death until all the fan theories made this assertion and they had to change direction as to not appear so predictable. I think it was this change that caused the series to go downhill.

[Tombstone Mountain]

Fawlty towers was tied with the Rockford files. I enjoyed the Rockford files but c'mon

The Rockford Files was a great show...Fawlty Towers as well

[rushgoober]

Friends was a great show. So is Big Bang. I still can't decide which one is better. Both shows are way better than Seinfeld. Don't get me wrong, I think Seinfeld was a decent show, and I've seen my fair share of episodes, but it's hard for me to love a show where every character is fairly despicable. I enjoy shows where you can actually care about at least some characters.

 

Other really well written comedies off the top of my head - Mash obviously, Taxi, Family Ties, Louie, The Wonder Years, Sex and the City, Cheers, Scrubs, etc.

 

I think there are a LOT of really well written tv shows on that list. Not all of them belong there, and there are certainly plenty I've never seen, but there are a lot of great ones.

 

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

Bullshit. I really enjoyed those top 4 shows listed...and they were insanely popular. And I like a lot of those shows on there that are also very popular. If FRIENDS had been unpopular I would've still hated that piece of crap. It just so happened that it was very well-received

 

it's a lot more than just friends i'm speaking of, but no biggie. people here love to hate so many things that are very popular. i think it's a rush-fan rebel thing.

So, you can like a show because of x, y, and z but others can't dislike that show for those same items?! We're likely disliking it because it's popular? Dude. It's not a Rush-fan rebel thang. I truly truly with all my heart hate various sitcoms due to the actors, style of humor, stories, etc.

 

Aside: I would've paid good money to dropkick half of the actors (or characters if you want to take that angle) in FRIENDS

 

anytime anyone disagrees with goobs, he takes it as a personal attack or something

 

well you know what, 2 can play at that game....goobs, the only reason you're favorite king crimson album is lizard is because nobody else gives a shit about that record! ;)

 

:eyeroll:

[JohnnyBlaze]

Friends was a great show. So is Big Bang. I still can't decide which one is better. Both shows are way better than Seinfeld. Don't get me wrong, I think Seinfeld was a decent show, and I've seen my fair share of episodes, but it's hard for me to love a show where every character is fairly despicable. I enjoy shows where you can actually care about at least some characters.

 

Other really well written comedies off the top of my head - Mash obviously, Taxi, Family Ties, Louie, The Wonder Years, Sex and the City, Cheers, Scrubs, etc.

 

I think there are a LOT of really well written tv shows on that list. Not all of them belong there, and there are certainly plenty I've never seen, but there are a lot of great ones.

 

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

Bullshit. I really enjoyed those top 4 shows listed...and they were insanely popular. And I like a lot of those shows on there that are also very popular. If FRIENDS had been unpopular I would've still hated that piece of crap. It just so happened that it was very well-received

 

it's a lot more than just friends i'm speaking of, but no biggie. people here love to hate so many things that are very popular. i think it's a rush-fan rebel thing.

So, you can like a show because of x, y, and z but others can't dislike that show for those same items?! We're likely disliking it because it's popular? Dude. It's not a Rush-fan rebel thang. I truly truly with all my heart hate various sitcoms due to the actors, style of humor, stories, etc.

 

Aside: I would've paid good money to dropkick half of the actors (or characters if you want to take that angle) in FRIENDS

 

It's not just the hate for things like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Survivor, reality TV in general, Twilight, The Hunger Games, the Academy Awards, etc., but the intense seething beyond contempt hatred people have for so many popular things here. Just look at your wording above - "I truly truly with all my heart hate." I don't even think I hate Vapor Trails THAT much.

Man, you're stubborn as hell. I was making a point that my dislike towards a show came from ME and not any ridiculous idea of a rebellious streak or popularity thang. And nobody has ripped anything as much as you have ripped VT

[rushgoober]

Before clicking the link, the show I thought should be #1... actually was #1! Imagine that.

 

I think 24 is way too low on the list. It was inventive and something completely new. Same with Lost. If it was really about "best written" - both those shows should have been top 10.

 

Lost was intriguingly written for the first season. With each passing season it got less intriguing and more "this show's not gonna end well." Shouldn't be anywhere near a best-written list.

Yes, I agree - it got worse, but I wouldn't limit their list of good seasons simply to the first. I think the first 3 were quite good. 4th and 5th a notch down, the final season was terrible, and a big let down. I honestly think they were going to have the island be some "limbo" between life and death until all the fan theories made this assertion and they had to change direction as to not appear so predictable. I think it was this change that caused the series to go downhill.

 

I remember after the first season a lot of people complaining and losing interest during the 2nd season or shortly thereafter. The same thing happened with Heroes, and the reason most given that I remember is that the stories started getting too complicated. Firstly, I don't know how a show with the level of complexity that those had could NOT get complicated, but secondly, I happen to like it when a story gets complex and involved. Some people seem to hate it and want things to be more straightforward and linear. For me it's the complexity and convoluted nature of it that makes it interesting. It ends up being more surprising that way when you just don't know what to expect, and more intellectually stimulating (IMO) when there's a tremendous amount of information to keep track of.

Edited June 6, 2013 by rushgoober

[rushgoober]

Friends was a great show. So is Big Bang. I still can't decide which one is better. Both shows are way better than Seinfeld. Don't get me wrong, I think Seinfeld was a decent show, and I've seen my fair share of episodes, but it's hard for me to love a show where every character is fairly despicable. I enjoy shows where you can actually care about at least some characters.

 

Other really well written comedies off the top of my head - Mash obviously, Taxi, Family Ties, Louie, The Wonder Years, Sex and the City, Cheers, Scrubs, etc.

 

I think there are a LOT of really well written tv shows on that list. Not all of them belong there, and there are certainly plenty I've never seen, but there are a lot of great ones.

 

I'm continually amazed on TRF by how almost anything that's really popular is deeply hated by so many.

Bullshit. I really enjoyed those top 4 shows listed...and they were insanely popular. And I like a lot of those shows on there that are also very popular. If FRIENDS had been unpopular I would've still hated that piece of crap. It just so happened that it was very well-received

 

it's a lot more than just friends i'm speaking of, but no biggie. people here love to hate so many things that are very popular. i think it's a rush-fan rebel thing.

So, you can like a show because of x, y, and z but others can't dislike that show for those same items?! We're likely disliking it because it's popular? Dude. It's not a Rush-fan rebel thang. I truly truly with all my heart hate various sitcoms due to the actors, style of humor, stories, etc.

 

Aside: I would've paid good money to dropkick half of the actors (or characters if you want to take that angle) in FRIENDS

 

It's not just the hate for things like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Survivor, reality TV in general, Twilight, The Hunger Games, the Academy Awards, etc., but the intense seething beyond contempt hatred people have for so many popular things here. Just look at your wording above - "I truly truly with all my heart hate." I don't even think I hate Vapor Trails THAT much.

Man, you're stubborn as hell. I was making a point that my dislike towards a show came from ME and not any ridiculous idea of a rebellious streak or popularity thang. And nobody has ripped anything as much as you have ripped VT

 

Fine, you and others just have a dripping hatred a lot of popular things with seething sneering contempt for other reasons. The reasons aren't that important to me - I was just theorizing why it is that way trying to find a way to explain it.

 

And hating VT is not hating something that is popular. The album is decidedly UNpopular among Rush fans relative to the rest of their albums. Of course, for here on this board of hardcore Rush fans, many of whom would love an album of Geddy & Alex farting, some people love it, but just go to rateyourmusic.com and you'll see what it's really thought of. My opinions on Rush albums are actually pretty much spot on with what the general populace thinks (not like that matters that much, but it's worth mentioning) other than I think Rush and Hold Your Fire are always seriously underrated.

 

And after all this time you continuing to call me stubborn as if you're surprised is... well... stubborn. ;)

[Lost In Xanadu]

Before clicking the link, the show I thought should be #1... actually was #1! Imagine that.

 

I think 24 is way too low on the list. It was inventive and something completely new. Same with Lost. If it was really about "best written" - both those shows should have been top 10.

 

Lost was intriguingly written for the first season. With each passing season it got less intriguing and more "this show's not gonna end well." Shouldn't be anywhere near a best-written list.

Yes, I agree - it got worse, but I wouldn't limit their list of good seasons simply to the first. I think the first 3 were quite good. 4th and 5th a notch down, the final season was terrible, and a big let down. I honestly think they were going to have the island be some "limbo" between life and death until all the fan theories made this assertion and they had to change direction as to not appear so predictable. I think it was this change that caused the series to go downhill.

 

I remember after the first season a lot of people complaining and losing interest during the 2nd season or shortly thereafter. The same thing happened with Heroes, and the reason most given that I remember is that the stories started getting too complicated. Firstly, I don't know how a show with the level of complexity that those had could NOT get complicated, but secondly, I happen to like it when a story gets complex and involved. Some people seem to hate it and want things to be more straightforward and linear. For me it's the complexity and convoluted nature of it that makes it interesting. It ends up being more surprising that way when you just don't know what to expect, and more intellectually stimulating (IMO) when there's a tremendous amount of information to keep track of.

 

I did like the complexity of it, but the direction it headed towards the end became silly, and the finale was quite a letdown.

[rushgoober]

Before clicking the link, the show I thought should be #1... actually was #1! Imagine that.

 

I think 24 is way too low on the list. It was inventive and something completely new. Same with Lost. If it was really about "best written" - both those shows should have been top 10.

 

Lost was intriguingly written for the first season. With each passing season it got less intriguing and more "this show's not gonna end well." Shouldn't be anywhere near a best-written list.

Yes, I agree - it got worse, but I wouldn't limit their list of good seasons simply to the first. I think the first 3 were quite good. 4th and 5th a notch down, the final season was terrible, and a big let down. I honestly think they were going to have the island be some "limbo" between life and death until all the fan theories made this assertion and they had to change direction as to not appear so predictable. I think it was this change that caused the series to go downhill.

 

I remember after the first season a lot of people complaining and losing interest during the 2nd season or shortly thereafter. The same thing happened with Heroes, and the reason most given that I remember is that the stories started getting too complicated. Firstly, I don't know how a show with the level of complexity that those had could NOT get complicated, but secondly, I happen to like it when a story gets complex and involved. Some people seem to hate it and want things to be more straightforward and linear. For me it's the complexity and convoluted nature of it that makes it interesting. It ends up being more surprising that way when you just don't know what to expect, and more intellectually stimulating (IMO) when there's a tremendous amount of information to keep track of.

 

I did like the complexity of it, but the direction it headed towards the end became silly, and the finale was quite a letdown.

 

I find the finale of any series to be a challenge. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The final episode wasn't fantastic to me, but it was very good and interesting. It seems for a lot of people the whole series was riding on how well the finale was and how well things were explained, but for me it wasn't anywhere near as important as how enjoyable the whole series was in general.