What makes a good TV show?
There may be as many types of great shows as there are great ones. From “Seinfeld,” which redefined American slang, to “Mad Men,” which had all the hallmarks of early 21st century television’s golden age, to “Mad Men,” which made daytime viewers feel like they belonged. “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” we can marvel at how widely this series has changed society. A special club with millions of people. Or, like “The Leftovers” and “Enlightened,” it can always feel like a secret, ready to welcome curious viewers for the first time. Like the show created by Norman Lear, who died this month at the age of 101, it can bring together insights about a rapidly changing society with humor that stands the test of time. They can also surprise us with spectacle and captivate us with intimate moments between characters. Or, with “The Sopranos,” you can do both.
Mike McQuaid on variety show
of this issue variety It focuses on all the ways that television has become a part of our lives, and fittingly, it’s topped by some of the most compelling shows that have sought success since television’s earliest days. Lucille Ball introduced the world to a fictional version of her home, and in doing so, it became a fixture in the homes of all of us. And her never-ending change, her plug-and-play approach to her new career, her rubbery face suits a medium where change is most reliable.
The list on which this issue is based reflects decades of evolution and revolution. Entries were selected by the following teams: variety We evaluate our staff and contributors, taking into account the quality of each program and its cultural impact. (With apologies to the countless shows that deserve our celebration, we’ve limited ourselves to English-language series that aired or streamed within the United States, as the entire television universe is prohibitively large for this undertaking.) This We hope the list reflects two particular ways of television. Wonderful: familiarity and discovery. The product of our staff’s heated discussions, the Top 100 TV Shows may remind each reader of past favorites, or introduce them to future binge-watch shows.
Ball, the star of this list, probably didn’t know what that phrase meant. For her, “binge drinking” means drinking a bottle of Vitamineta Vegamin. But we hope she appreciates the idea. Taking the time to get to know the show and anticipate its rhythms is a pastime that’s been going on ever since Lucy Ricardo first begged to play at Ricky’s club. And it doesn’t go anywhere.
Writers Joshua Alston, Breanna Bell, Amber Dowling, LaToya Ferguson, Hunter Ingram, Cynthia Littleton, Ramin Setoudeh, and Brian Steinberg submitted entries for the list.
