Today is actor Aaron Paul's 36th birthday. He is known for his Award-winning portrayal of junkie drug-dealer Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad. Any excuse to talk about one of the greatest TV shows of all time is a good one. But just debating Breaking Bad is not enough.
Is it the greatest show of all time? Many people would say yes. Some are just as vehement that it comes nowhere close to the genius of The Wire.
You see narrowing down the top ten T.V. shows of all time is crazy. How do you compare a sitcom to a drama? To test out that theory today, I watched the pilot episodes of Breaking Bad and Archer. I realized that there is no way. You can’t. They are two different kinds of great; trying to do two different things.
A list like this needs to be done by category.
Here are the ten best T.V. dramas of all time.
[new page= #10]
Lost
Lost is a show that you either love or absolutely hate. The writers brilliance in using flashbacks and fast forwards to show character backstories made sure that the island life never became monotonous. Although it became stale at times, and like most shows the finale was heavily criticized, Lost always brought it with shocking moments.
[new page= #9]
Friday Night Lights
Who would have thought that a show about high school football would be so great? The movie it is loosely based on is good but the show passes it in every way. While football is the backbone of the show, the characters (mainly Coach Taylor and Mrs. Taylor) are what kept it going.
[new page= #8]
The Shield
FX might be one of the most popular networks now, but before The Shield that just wasn’t the case. It’s the show that set the tone for other FX classics like Sons of Anarchy, The Americans, and Rescue Me. Dirty cop Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) may be the most despicable character in T.V. history. It all starts with the pilot plot twist that you don’t see coming.
[new page= #7]
Fargo
Yes, it was just one season. But one season of Fargo is enough to warrant a spot on this list. If True Detective didn’t have a second season it would be here as well. It’s only at seven because there has only been one season.
[new page= #6]
The West Wing
This political drama is not for everyone. But you can’t deny how brilliant the writing is. It’s not surprising considering the creator is Academy-Award-winning screenplay writer Aaron Sorkin. And seriously Martin Sheen as the President? He’s great.
[new page= #5]
Mad Men
Don Draper is right there with Tony Soprano and Walter White as the most iconic character television has ever had. He’s just a terrible person. But we had to know what he was going to do next.
[new page= #4]
The Sopranos
Crazy right? Wrong. As amazing as the show opened it had a lull in season four before picking up again in season six and then closing with a terrible series finale. Its greatness fortunately outweighs its mediocrity. There will never be another character like Tony.
[new page= #3]
Sherlock
Sherlock could just as easily be number one. This modern adaptation of the popular character is genius. Benedict Cumberbatch is amazing in the lead role as is Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson. Initially broadcast on BBC, there are only 9 episodes now all available on Netflix.
[new page= #2]
Breaking Bad
Yes, its the second best T.V. drama of all time. Not because it’s not great, but because nothing can compete with what is number one.
[new page= #1]
The Wire
Without a doubt the best T.V. drama of all time. The writers were able to rotate in new characters and storylines in every season to keep the show fresh without missing a beat. They weren’t afraid to kill off a main character because they would have one just as compelling to replace him. The Wire inexplicably was never nominated for an Emmy much less won one, but that is not the shows problem.