American TV Shows
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Good Television Shows (GTS) from the US
UPDATE – November 6, 2011: Two new shows added to the List, ‘Game of Thrones’ and Suits’. Are they worthy? What are your thoughts?
America has a long love affair with Television. And let us be honest, they have produced some of the greatest television shows to ever grace our screens. Any website about good television shows would be remiss and horribly empty if it did not include TV shows from America. If you’re looking for something new to watch on TV – then this is a great place to start. This is a list of some of the incredibly Good Television Shows that were created in the US.
Arrested Development | Band of Brothers | Battlestar Galactica | Better Off Ted | Breaking Bad | Boardwalk Empire | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Castle | Chuck | Deadwood | Dexter | Dollhouse | Entourage | Firefly | Friday Night Lights | Friends | Fringe | Game of Thrones | Generation Kill | Heroes | House | How I Met Your Mother | Life On Mars (US) | Mad Men | Malcolm In The Middle | Modern Family | My Name Is Earl | MythBusters | NCIS | Nurse Jackie | Oz | Prison Break | Psych | Rome | Scrubs | Seinfeld | Spartacus | Sons Of Anarchy | South Park | Suits | The Pacific | The Shield | The Simpsons | The Sopranos | The Walking Dead | The Wire | True Blood | United States of Tara | Weeds
Arrested Development
“Level-headed son Michael Bluth takes over family affairs after his father is imprisoned. But the rest of his spoiled, dysfunctional family are making this job unbearable.”
That one-liner description doesn’t really do this comedy show justice at all! Arrested Development is filmed in mockumentary style, and follows a wacky family used to living a life of luxury. Their father gets put into jail and Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) has to run the family ship. All their assets have been frozen and hilarity ensues.
From frozen banana stands to an attorney who fakes blindness but has an actual blind guide dog? Everything about the plot lines is hilarious, original and fresh. Arrested Development is one of the best television comedies to come out of the US. Done.
Band of Brothers
“The story of Easy Company of the US Army Airbourne Paratrooper division and their mission in WWII France during Operation Overlord.”
Another of HBO’s great mini series, Band of Brothers is a WWII television masterpiece. Following Easy Company through their training in England, through D-Day, the rest of France, Holland, Germany and Austraia, this mini series is presented to us in ten different episodes. With an amazing cast featuring Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston and David Schwimmer – Band of Brothers is a must see for those who have any interest in stories from the War.
Battlestar Galactica
“The Cylons were created by Man
They rebelled
They evolved
There are many copies
And they have a plan”
Beginning with a dramatic miniseries followed by a regular television slot – BSG is a great watch for any sci-fi fans. Featuring some strong and solid main characters, Battlestar Galactica also delves into the questions surrounding ‘what makes us human’. With its fourth and final season now complete, if have you any spare time you can enjoy what is a thrilling Humans versus Robots space tale.
Better Off Ted
“Need cow-less meat grown in a test tube? Done.
Need pumpkins that also double as weapons of mass destruction? No problem.
Better Off Ted is a satirical office comedy about successful good guy, Ted, who runs research and development at the morally questionable Veridian Dynamics. No achievement is too far-fetched and no invention too unorthodox for Veridian. Ted’s a single dad to a seven-year-old girl, and he loves his job, but he’s starting to take a closer look at the company’s extremely dubious practices. Do you manufacture the best teeth whitener ever if it could also kill off all of the planet’s fish? Probably not, but…”
Better Off Ted is a great little quirky American comedy, it stars Jay Harrington as Ted and Portia de Rossi as his extremely attractive but seemingly devoid of conscious boss. A pleasant and agreeable comedy if you’re looking for something good to watch!
Breaking Bad
“Bryan Cranston stars in this drama focused on a mid-life crisis gone bad for a high school chemistry teacher who becomes a drug dealer after he discovers that he has lung cancer.”
Breaking Bad – now THIS is a Good Television Show. A ‘boring’ middle aged high school chemistry teacher who gets cancer then becomes a hard drugs dealer in an effort to support his family once he is gone? I mean, brilliant! Who comes up with this stuff!
I enjoyed this one immensely, and as of 2011 there are currently 3 complete seasons out, and it has the green light for Season 4. Bryan Cranston really gets to show off his acting skills too, and he certainly gets a lot of room for movement compared to say, his role as the Dad in Malcolm in the Middle.
Boardwalk Empire
“A bustling little city by the seashore, totally dependent upon money spent by tourists, Atlantic City’s popularity rose in the early 20th century and peaked during Prohibition. The resort’s singular purpose of providing a good time to its visitors—whether lawful or not—demanded a single mentality to rule the town. Success of the local economy was the only ideology, and critics and do-gooders weren’t tolerated.”
Another of HBO’s ambitious projects, Boardwalk Empire’s pilot was directed by Martin Scorsese – who also co-executive produces the show, and is his first foray into the television world. Steve Buscemi plays the lead as Enoch (Nucky) Thompson the political powerhouse who ruled Atlantic City for three decades with an iron fist. Factually correct Boardwalk Empire is an addictive, fresh and welcome series to HBO’s drama line-up.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
“In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.”
With such an ominous and action packed promising slogan, you know you cannot go wrong! My girlfriend convinced me that this needs to go onto the GTS website, it IS Joss Whedon after all she advised me. I will admit that the first season was as much cringeworthy (since it was set in the 90’s) as it was comedic. However, here is a quick note from my girlfriend to convince you of its awesomeness:
“It’s cultural, reflects teenage life perfectly, is hilarious, and the characters are amazing (you really love them)”.
Well, that explains it! In all honesty, I haven’t given the show a fair crack, and it’s on my list of things to do to sit down and watch the whole thing. I will update back with my thoughts when I have the time to do this.
Californication
“David Duchovny heads up the cast in this comedy about a novelist with sex and drug addictions who is struggling to raise his daughter half the time, while having problems with his ex-girlfriend.”
This adult comedy is a worthy addition to the GTS American TV Shows list! With strong and clever writing, Californication definitely adds the fornication to the Cali. Featuring frequent female nudity shot in such a way that you might believe it is more artistic then an obvious ratings grab.
Duchovny’s character Hank is a bit of a mess. A one hit wonder novelist and still in love with his ex-wife and their daughter, Hank cannot seem to get his life together the way he wants it. Thoroughly enjoyable American adult comedy.
Castle
“Wildly famous mystery novelist Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) is bored with his own success. Then he learns that a real-world copycat killer has started staging murder scenes depicted in his novels. Castle is questioned by NYPD Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), a bright and aggressive detective who keeps her investigations under tight rein. Though they instantly clash, sparks of another sort also begin to fly, leading both to danger and a hint of romance as Castle steps in to help find the killer. And once that case is solved, he and Beckett build on their new relationship as they look to solve more strange homicides in New York – as much fun as one can have with death and murder.”
With a great on-screen chemistry between Fillion and Katic – Castle is what is to be considered a dramedy. The relatively outlandish plot takes a back-seat to the fun and entertaining ride that it is, with Fillion playing his part perfectly as the bored novelist Castle. A very pleasurable series to get into!
Chuck
“Meet Chuck Bartowski. He’s your run of the mill computer whiz working for Buy-More with his equally nerdy friends all while longing for the woman of his dreams. But Chuck’s average life is suddenly turned upside down when an old friend, who happens to work for the CIA, sends Chuck a mysterious e-mail and the world’s closely-kept spy secrets are embedded in Chuck’s brain. Now Chuck has unwittingly become the government’s most powerful weapon and the fate of both the country and the world now lie in his hands. A Buy-More day job and saving the world are all in a day’s work for Chuck.”
Now I will admit that initially I did not enjoy this show, I guess I found it too ‘American’. But then it won me over completely and I went on a Chuck binge for about 3 weeks and watched all the Seasons back to back.
Let me be honest, in part it’s because I have a TV crush on the leading lady, Yvonne Strahovski. She really brings the show to life and her acting makes the whole relationship between her character Sara Walker and Chuck extremely believable. But overall the outlandish plots (television doesn’t always have to be believable you know, it can just be entertaining) make for quite a few good nights in.
Deadwood
“In an age of plunder and greed, the richest gold strike in American History draws a throng of restless misfits to an outlaw settlement where everything – and everyone – has a price.
Welcome to Deadwood…a hell of a place to make your fortune.”
Deadwood comprises of three complete seasons. The utterly brilliant writing combined with the compelling acting produces something rather special. This is one worth watching back-to-back on DVD. Timothy Olyphant co-stars with Ian McShane, and both of them bring the gutsy town of Deadwood to life.
You need to pay attention with Deadwood, and watch the episodes in order, or you will get very lost! Deadwood is American western drama at its finest.
Dexter (US)
“Based on Jeff Lindsay’s novel “Darkly Dreaming Dexter,” this new crime thriller tells the story of a strange man named Dexter Morgan. Once an abused and abandoned child, Dexter is now a successful forensics pathologist…but lurking just beneath his charismatic personality is a terrible truth. Dexter has corralled his innate homicidal urges into a closely guarded second career: He hunts down and brutally murders those vicious criminals who have managed to avoid the clutches of the law.”
Having just finished its fifth season at the end of 2010, Dexter is definitely worthy of the Good Television Show (GTS) label. I’ve loved every minute of it, and you really grow to love Dexter as a character (even though he is a serial killer). Michael Hall won a Golden Globe for Best Actor for his portrayal of Dexter – and it is fully deserved.
If you haven’t seen Dexter already, then you really need to join the vigilante bandwagon! Dexter will meter out his own personal form of justice at every opportunity, and it is a real blast to watch. Every season tends to feature another serial killer, and the twists and turns will leave you feeling very satisfied indeed.
If you are squeamish or don’t enjoy a good bit of thrilling drama action then certainly give Dexter a miss, but you can also give my website a miss and go back to watching old episodes of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
Dollhouse
The Dollhouse is a very secret, and very illegal, place where wishes come true. Clients with the right connections and enough money can hire “Actives”, people who have been programmed to perfectly fulfill the needs, and desires of their clients. The Actives are people who have chosen, for their own reasons, to surrender their bodies and minds for a five-year stay in the Dollhouse. Now they can be imprinted with any personality, skill, or even muscle memory. They can be the perfect companion, lover, spy, assassin; and when the job is done they forget everything.
But something is wrong with the Active called “Echo”. No longer just a blank slate waiting for her next assignment, Echo is remembering flashes of the lives that she has lived and the games she has played, and she is starting to wonder just who she really is…
This is a pretty weird show, but in a good way. Give it a chance, and it will suck you in. I think it’s pretty underrated really. As usual, its lifespan was cut short by a company known as Fox. With many more exciting moments then dull ones, let Dollhouse entertain you!
Entourage
“Vince Chase is the newest “it” actor. His career is sky-rocketing. He makes the move to Hollywood and brings his childhood friends from Queens with him. Eric, his best and closest friend, takes on the role of Vince’s manager. Drama, Vince’s half-brother, is also an actor who follows along with Vince hoping to gain his own fame. Turtle is the least experienced member of the group and spends his days running errands, wanting to party and using Vince’s fame to get girls. Then there is Ari, Vince’s aggressive and high-powered agent.”
This brilliant comedy is a great series to watch. About to start its seventh season – there is a lot of entertainment yet if you haven’t started watching the show already. With a guest appearance from a real life star from show business (playing “themselves”) in almost every episode, this series is a barrel full of laughs. Ari Gold also has to be one of the funniest characters on TV to date. Highly recommended!
Firefly
“Five hundred years in the future, a renegade crew aboard a small, mobile, spacecraft tries to survive as they travel the unknown parts of the galaxy and evade warring factions as well as authority agents out to get them.”
Talking about Firefly to any die hard fun will normally bring them to the verge of tears followed by an almost immediate spasm of anger, frustration and fist shaking as they yell out:
“DAMN YOU, FOX! DAMN YOUUUUUU!!!”
The reason for this is that Firefly was unfortunately cancelled by 20th Century Fox after its first season. The reason for this according to many fans is in fact the fault of Fox themselves:
“Fans attributed the low ratings in part to actions of the Fox Network. Firefly was promoted as an action-comedy rather than the more serious character study it was intended to be; episodes were occasionally pre-empted for sporting events, and the episodes were not aired in the order that the creators had intended.” Source
Even though it did only run one Season, Firefly is definitely worth a watch. Nathan Fillion does a great job as ‘Mal’, Captain of the Firefly. Every episode is good in its own right, but the episode ‘Jaynestown’ was probably my favourite!
The fan-base for Firefly became so strong (even after Fox cut it) that Joss Whedon got funding from Universal to make the movie ‘Serenity’ to tie up a lot of the loose ends from Season One. Watch the series then the movie – western in space fun!
Friday Night Lights
“Eric Taylor, a first-time high school football coach, finds himself helming a stellar team that has a real chance to make it to the top. The stakes are high, the reward is sweet, and the pressure is immense. Can Eric take his boys all the way while keeping their morale and morality intact?”
This high school football drama gives a great portrayal of small town living in southern America. It shows you the full spectrum of life in Dillon, Texas – and the role that football plays not just to the school, but for the entire town.
With the series finale now wrapped up – you can watch this one start to finish. It will take you on a ride of highs and lows, and you will begin to care for the characters and become extremely invested in the show. I will admit my eyes welled up a couple of times throughout. Great drama.
Clear eyes, full hearts, CAN’T LOSE!
Friends
If you have never seen or heard of Friends, well I don’t want to sound cliché, but you must have literally been living under a rock for the last 15 years. I see Friends being played all over the world, in Thailand it seems to be on constant re-runs in all of the restaurants/cafe’s (although it does seem to compete with Family Guy at times).
There is a reason for this; the show appeals to pretty much everyone. And with a massive 10 seasons to toil your way through, Friends is a great “watch with the girlfriend” show. If she doesn’t already own the box set, you now have your next birthday/Christmas present sorted. Thank me later!
Fringe
“FBI agent Olivia Dunham and Peter Bishop are faced with a rapidly spreading unexplained phenomenon of the threatening kind. In an attempt to stop the spread, they enlist the assistance of Bishop’s estranged father, the institutionalized scientist Dr. Walter Bishop.”
Each episode of Fringe will show you a different way that life and math can come together in impossible and amazing acts of nature. It seems to develop and get better of the seasons, which you cannot say for a lot of other shows. It is a sci-fi focused show, so may not be for everyone, but if you are a fan of that genre, you will love Fringe.
Game of Thrones
“Summers span decades. Winters can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun. It will stretch from the south, where heat breeds plots, lust and intrigues; to the vast and savage eastern lands; all the way to the frozen north, where an 800-foot wall of ice protects the kingdom from the dark forces that lie beyond. Kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords and honest men…all will play the ‘Game of Thrones’.”
This original TV series, which is based on George R.R. Martin’s series ‘A Song of Fire and Ice’ (of which I am an avid fan) is actually, well, awesome! I loved it!
The production value is great, and the talent of the actors unquestionable. From Sean Bean to Peter Dinklage, the acting is superb. Basically if you are a fan of fantasy or medieval books and TV series AT ALL – then you HAVE to watch this series. Even if you’re not, you may well enjoy it, so go on, what are you waiting for?
Generation Kill
“Not for the faint-hearted, this seven-hour scripted mini-series spotlights Marines fighting in the Iraq war during the early onset of the conflict. This is an adaptation of Rolling Stone’s contributing editor Evan Wright’s book of the same name.”
Another war mini series, Generation Kill is a tale of battle-forged camaraderie set in Iraq in 2003. Written by David Simon and Ed Burns – the team behind ‘The Wire’, this series was adapted from the prizewinning book by Evan Wright.
“See, the Marine Corps is like America’s little pit bull,” Ray explains to the Rolling Stone reporter. “They beat us, starve us, and once in a while they let us out to attack somebody.”
Heroes
“Heroes is a serial saga about people all over the world discovering that they have superpowers and trying to deal with how this change affects their lives. Not only are they discovering what having superpowers means to them but also the larger picture of where their superpowers come from. Their ultimate destiny is nothing less than saving the world.”
Now I only put Heroes in here for the amazing first season. If you have not watched season 1 then I suggest you do so now. Season 1 was awesome. We shall be honest, and admit that the following seasons lacked the brilliance of the first, and certainly the writer’s strike played its part. Season 1 is well worth the watch, with its cinema quality cinematography, special effects and acting – you just may want to give the remaining seasons a skip.
House
“House, M.D is an hour-long Emmy-winning medical drama that debuted in the fall of 2004 and stars Golden Globe-winning British actor and comedian Hugh Laurie. Laurie plays Dr. Gregory House, a maverick medical genius who heads a team of young diagnosticians at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in New Jersey. This team goes to extraordinary lengths to accomplish a common task: diagnosing and treating unusual ailments. Most episodes start outside the hospital, showing the events leading to the onset of illness for that week’s patient.”
Thoroughly enjoyable medical drama – I’m a House fan boy as opposed to other medical dramas like Grey’s Anatomy. Hugh Laurie is hilarious as the insulting but brilliant Dr Gregory House – and it’s always a laugh watching house sledge everyone from other staff to his own boss to patients.
House seems to care more about the ailments he diagnoses rather than the actual patients – but he is a deep character and it makes for fascinating television.
How I Met Your Mother
“Barney: How do you keep a girl from becoming your girlfriend? Simple: The rules for girls are the same as Gremlins. Rule number one: Never get them wet. In other words, don’t let her take a shower in your place. Rule number two: Keep them away from sunlight—i.e., don’t ever see them during the day. And rule number three: Never feed them after midnight. Meaning she doesn’t sleep over, and you don’t have breakfast with her, ever.
Ted: What about brunch? Is brunch cool?
Barney: No, Ted, brunch is not cool.”
And that’s why I love How I Met Your Mother.
The show really is fun though; my girlfriend and I have had a real blast watching all the Seasons (it is up to 6 at the moment). It is American humour at its best!
The cast has a great dynamic, and when a grown up Dougie Howser M.D. plays a womanising pick-up artist known as Barney – well, it’s difficult to get better then that!
Life On Mars (US)
“After being hit by a car while apprehending a murderer in 2008, Det. Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) regains consciousness to find himself working as a detective in the 1970s. Life on Mars also stars Harvey Keitel as Lt. Gene Hunt, Michael Imperioli as Det. Ray Carling, Jonathan Murphy as Det. Chris Skelton, and Gretchen Mol as Annie Norris.”
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This remake of the English TV classic of the same name was written to be only One Season. I love shows like that. None of this, “We’ll see how it performs before we decide whether to write more Seasons or not” business. One Season. Write it to be One Season. Finish it with One Season. Awesome.
We can get into an intense debate as to whether the English or American version is better, but we won’t. I found the US version to be extremely entertaining and it is well worth the watch, even if it’s just to see how the Americans put their spin on it.
Mad Men
“Mad Men is a smart and cinematic drama about the professional lives, social mores and sexual exploits of advertising executives on Madison Avenue circa 1960, when the industry was at its height of glamour, power, and prestige. The setting is the Sterling Cooper agency, which sells everything from cigarettes to political candidates. The protagonist, Don Draper, is a fast-rising creative director whose smooth exterior conceals any number of secrets.”
Everyone has been LOVING this show. Receiving rave reviews all across the Internet and TV sections of the newspaper – Mad Men was a hit on its release. Now in its fourth season, it is still offering up the best of drama and comedy.
From the mind of Matthew Weiner (who was a producer and writer on The Sopranos) this series follows the advertising executives (who called themselves the ‘Mad Men’) who were at the front of the consumer rat race in the 1950’s. It really captures the time period it was set, and is a must watch for those drama lovers.
Malcolm In The Middle
“A gifted young teen tries to survive with his dimwitted, dysfunctional family.”
This show first aired in 2000 – and though the first few seasons are a little dated now, the show does did run for a full seven seasons. I have numerous fond memories that consist of lots of laughing whilst watching Malcolm In The Middle. Well worth the watch if you are looking for a new comedy and have not come across this one yet.
Modern Family
“Jay recently married Gloria. Now Jay is trying hard to keep up with his much younger and hotter Colombian wife, along with her passionate pre-teen son, Manny. Claire is having a hard time raising her own family. Her husband Phil is great, except that he thinks he’s “down” with their three kids, much to all their embarrassment. And, Mitchell and his enthusiastic partner Cameron have just made a major life change by adopting a Vietnamese baby named Lily.”
Modern Family is yet another great American comedy. With a cast of hilarious characters this series depicts a ‘modern family’ perfectly. Shot in mockumentary style, Modern Family is full of likeable characters and genuine laugh out loud moments.
My Name Is Earl
“Earl is a low-life who buys a winning lottery ticket, only to get hit by a car, losing the ticket in the process. He then realizes in the hospital that his bad luck is the result of karma in which fate punishes him for all the rotten things he’s ever done in his life; therefore, he then decides to dedicate his life to making amends to all the people he has hurt in his life.”
This show follows Earl J. Hickey (Jason Lee) after he writes a list of the 260 things he that he’s done badly – and his quest to fix his karma by correcting that list. With a cast of quirky and colourful characters, from Hickey’s wife Joy (Jamie Pressley) who frequently cheats on him with Darnell aka Crab Man, to Earl’s lazy brother Randy who likes to sleep on the couch all day.
A fun filled comedy full of red-neck satire!
Mythbusters
“A weekly documentary in which two Hollywood special effects experts attempt to debunk urban legends by directly testing them.”
Now in its 8th Season – MythBusters has been debunking a myriad of myths since 2003. This is a science show, but don’t let that put you off as the show itself is exceptionally entertaining as well as educational. The two hosts, Adam and Jamie have a knack for destruction, and particularly love myths where they get to blow things up. With Adam’s nearly boundless enthusiasm or in Jamie’s much more laid back manner, MythBusters is a real winner.
NCIS
“From Donald P. Bellisario, an acclaimed producer, comes “NCIS,” a hit spin-off of “JAG,” that brings us the inner workings of the government agency that investigates all crimes involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position. From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, these special agents traverse the globe to investigate all crimes with Navy or Marine Corps ties.”
NCIS is a crime show that is certainly no chore to watch – because it is fun and engaging. Clever plots and strong characters (specifically Agent Gibbs) make this a worthwhile addition to any TV series collection. Currently in its 8th Season this is a great ‘come home from work and relax with a beverage’ type of show.
Nurse Jackie
“Nurse Jackie is a half-hour dark comedy that is at turns wicked, heartbreaking and funny. Edie Falco stars as the title character Jackie O’Hurley, a strong-willed and brilliant – but very flawed – emergency room nurse in a complicated New York City hospital. Jackie keeps the hospital balanced with her own kind of justice. Every day is a high wire act of juggling patients, doctors, fellow nurses and her own indiscretions.”
With all the makings of a great series, Nurse Jackie was off the blocks with a cracking start. This dark comedy offers both gripping drama and rich, deep performances. There are laughs to be had, but this is no silly sit-com – there is a hard edge to Jackie and she has some serious flaws.
Oz
“Oz is the name on the street for the Oswald State Penitentiary. Our wheelchair-bound narrator Augustus Hill takes us through the wacky world of Emerald City, the experimental unit started by Tim McManus. There’s shankin’ and lovin’ and cussin’ and fightin’ but in the end, HBO makes a damn fine prison drama. It’s gritty. And there you have it.”
If you are going to watch a prison drama, then let it be Oz. The show is exceptionally entertaining, and will suck you in from for the whole entire time until those credits start rolling. With rich and powerful storylines, and a magnificent cast, Oz is must-watch gritty television. It will draw you in from the first episode, but Oz is not for the faint hearted.
Prison Break
Michael Scofield is a desperate man in a desperate situation. His brother, Lincoln Burrows, is on death row and scheduled to die in a few months for a murder Michael is convinced Lincoln did not commit. With no other options and time winding down, Michael holds up a bank to get himself incarcerated alongside his brother in Fox River State Penitentiary. Once he’s inside, we learn that Michael — a structural engineer with the blueprints for the prison — has hatched an elaborate plan to break Lincoln out and prove his innocence.
This show is glue to your seat drama and action. The first Season is the real winner, I think. So definitely give that a go, and then keep watching and if you keep enjoying it then it’s a win-win situation for you! General consensus is that this show will keep you on the edge of your lounge, and you will just want more and more.
Psych
PSYCH follows Shawn Spencer who has developed a keen eye for detail after being instructed by his police officer father to note even the most minute details of his surroundings. After Shawn calls in a tip on a crime to the police, he is actually accused of committing the crime. To try to clear his name, Shawn convinces the police that he is a psychic and he begins solving cases for the police force.
I was reading some reviews on this show, and one guy touted it as the ‘Greatest TV SHOW in the History of Basic Cable’. Now I don’t know about that! But this show is really good, and it is very enjoyable – and what more do you really want? It’s much better than The Mentalist, but it is a little different in the sense there is a real focus on comedy here. So if you love a bit of mystery, drama and comedy rolled into one neat little piece, help yourself!
Rome
“Rome is the saga of two ordinary Roman soldiers and their families. An intimate drama of love and betrayal, masters and slaves, and husbands and wives, it chronicles epic times that saw the fall of a republic and the creation of an empire.”
HBO went to a lot of effort with Rome. The sets are epic and beautiful, and the show is a brilliantly well-written drama that stays true to the facts known from that time period. An excellent cast of actors help to depict Rome and the lives of those within its boundaries with perfection.
Scrubs
“This half-hour comedy focuses on the bizarre experiences of fresh-faced medical intern John “J.D.” Dorian as he embarks on his healing career in a surreal hospital crammed full of unpredictable staffers and patients where humour and tragedy can merge paths at any time.”
I haven’t met too many people who don’t like Scrubs. It has an affable charm (primarily due to Zach Braff) that shines throughout every half hour episode. Part of its attraction is also the absolute randomness and eccentric characters that can pop up at any moment. From the hilariously abusive Dr Cox to the absurd competitiveness between J.D and the hospital Janitor – Scrubs is a worthy asset to any TV comedy collection.
Seinfeld
“This is a show about nothing; however, for a show about nothing, this show has many complex plots, sub-plots, is very well written and put together. So much so that until the public caught onto the series, the television critics were responsible for helping to keep it alive. The critics further went on and made the series victorious in every category it was eligible for in the 1st Annual American Television Awards. Seinfeld has also won a few Emmy Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award for 1992 and many more.”
Seinfeld. It doesn’t really need an introduction, and if American TV comedies are your thing you should really own the box set already. With a cast of four solid characters, Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer – the show’s 9 seasons are a hilarious run that reached new comedic heights for its time. Loved by people all over the world, Seinfeld is a brilliantly executed comedy. The greatest show about ‘nothing’ to ever grace our screens.
Spartacus: Blood and Sand & Spartacus: Gods of the Arena
“Betrayed by the Romans. Forced into slavery. Reborn as a Gladiator. The classic tale of the Republic’s most infamous rebel comes alive in the graphic and visceral new series, Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Torn from his homeland and the woman he loves, Spartacus is condemned to the brutal world of the arena where blood and death are primetime entertainment. But not all battles are fought upon the sands. Treachery, corruption, and the allure of sensual pleasures will constantly test Spartacus. To survive, he must become more than a man. More than a gladiator. He must become a legend.”
Now this one plays on a TV channel called ‘Starz’. It can be forgiven for this due to the fact the show is incredibly entertaining and I absolutely loved both seasons!
The show does have a smaller budget (but they do extremely well with what they have), and it has some great actors including Andy Whitfield (Spartacus), John Hannah (Batiatus) and Lucy Lawless (Lucretia) – who is none other then Xena: Warrior Princess.
This show is filmed with a unique mix of graphic novel effects and will often involve brutal battle scenes. The females also seem in a near constant state of flashing their breasts.
Reasons you will love this show: Violence, sex, gore, frequent viewings of Lucy Lawless’ breasts, the term ‘Jupiter’s Cock’ is a swear word.
Reasons you may hate this show: Violence, sex, gore, frequent viewings of Lucy Lawless’ breasts, the term ‘Jupiter’s Cock’ is a swear word.
Sons Of Anarchy
“From Kurt Sutter, writer/producer of The Shield, comes Sons of Anarchy, a dark drama set in Charming, a sheltered community watched over by a renegade motorcycle club intent on protecting the town from the newcomers that threaten it. Jackson “Jax” Teller is one member of the brotherhood, who finds his own loyalty to the group tested when he experiences its increasing lawlessness and notoriety, while at the same time adjusting to life as a father. But confusing matters are Jax’s mother and stepfather, two ruthless individuals who happen to be the masterminds behind the club.”
Kurt Sutter likes to write about bad guys that you always end up rooting for. Sons of Anarchy is another great example of this, an addictive drama with an intelligent script with touches of dark comedy. Yet another Good Television Show that you should definitely add to that ever growing list of yours!
South Park
“South Park is an animated series featuring four boys who live in the Colorado town of South Park, which is beset by frequent odd occurrences. The show grew out of short film that Trey Parker and Matt Stone created called The Spirit of Christmas.”
If you are in the right mood, and don’t mind a bit of crudeness (often mixed with cleverness) then you will love South Park. I can suggest skipping the first Season and just watching from Season 2 onwards. South Park manages to insult everybody with its dripping satire – and it seems to only improve over the Seasons (currently due to start Season 15 shortly). It will often focus on current events or celebrities that have been in the spotlight. Always entertaining.
Suits
“While running from a drug deal gone bad, Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), a brilliant young college-dropout, slips into a job interview with one of New York City’s best legal closers, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht). Tired of cookie-cutter law school grads, Harvey takes a gamble by hiring Mike on the spot after he recognizes his raw talent and photographic memory.
Mike and Harvey are a winning team. Even though Mike is a genius, he still has a lot to learn about law. And while Harvey may seem like an emotionless, cold-blooded shark, Mike’s sympathy and concern for their cases and clients will help remind Harvey why he went into law in the first place. Mike’s other allies in the office include the firm’s best paralegal Rachel (Meghan Markle) and Harvey’s no-nonsense assistant Donna (Sarah Rafferty) to help him serve justice.”
Although the premise of the show may not be classified as ‘believable’ – who cares? I’ve never been a stickler, TV shows don’t HAVE to be believable, they have to be ENTERTAINING. Suits is exactly that. It’s very stylized, with shots of cool cars and attractive women in crisp colors. It’s sharp writing and fast paced acting will keep you hooked. Enjoy.
The Pacific
“From the creative team behind Band of Brothers comes this ten-hour miniseries tracing three American marines as they fight World War II in the Pacific.”
Constantly compared to Band of Brothers, The Pacific shows us the gruesome and realistic side of war and combat that the American marines experienced in the Pacific. Opinion seems to vary from those that think it is simply spectacular to those that label it as a Band of Brothers attempt that falls short.
But with both Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg on the production team, they certainly have the talent to produce something special. It is not a pure action ‘bang bang’ war series, as they also put a heavy focus on the characters and the whole gamut of harsh realities that they experience.
The Shield
“The Shield breaks the conventional formula of the cop genre. It plays out in a tough, morally ambiguous world in which the line between good and bad is crossed every day. The series focuses on the tension between a group of corrupt but effective cops and a captain torn between bringing them down and advancing his own political ambitions.”
Anti-hero cop Vic Mackey leads his strike force to clean up the seedy streets of L.A. in any manner possible. Making deals with drug dealers and physically harassing gang members – this police team operates outside of the laws they are supposed to uphold. An original series that is incredibly entertaining all the way up to the finale in Season 7.
The Simpsons
The best cartoon series of all time ever to show on television. Ever.
Sure that sounds a bit over the top but let us be honest, you can’t beat The Simpsons for clever scripts and memorable characters. The Simpsons is an expert in appealing to children and adults alike – although I do wonder how they get away with some of their adult references whilst still retaining their suitable classifications.
Currently in its 22nd Season, The Simpsons has had a stellar run – and every new episode is still awesome. How they keep coming up with fresh scripts I have no idea!
I don’t need to go on or say anything further because it’s guaranteed that everyone reading this will have at least seen one episode of The Simpsons, if not hundreds over the years!
The Sopranos
“Meet Tony Soprano: your average, middle-aged businessman. Tony’s got a dutiful wife. A not-so-dutiful son. A daughter named Meadow. An uncle who’s losing his marbles. A hot-headed nephew. A not-too-secret mistress. And a shrink to tell all his secrets, except the one she already knows: Tony’s a mob boss whose troubles are wrapped up in his two families. These days, it’s getting tougher and tougher to make a killing in the killing business. Just because you’re “made” – doesn’t mean you’ve got it made.”
The Sopranos tends to rank highly in most people’s “best television shows of all time” lists.
I thought I would trawl the Internet and insert some snippets of what people have said about The Sopranos:
“Best mobster show ever created” – trentraz
“Each episode doesn’t leave you hanging for the next but at the same time it does. Almost like enjoying a rather fulfilling meal only to be yearning for the next as each episode begins and ends on its own accord.” – AnalogOdyssey
“Never will there be a moment greater than this.” – knscarper
“With its pulse pounding stories, stunning plot twists, deep well developed characters, and top notch acting, writing, and direction; The Sopranos made an impact that will still be felt years and years from now.” – HotDogFingers13
I can’t really sum it up better than that.
The Walking Dead
“The Walking Dead tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse. It follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, who travel in search of a safe and secure home.”
This show seems to get relatively mixed reviews. Those that are intently focused on “survival orientated zombie action” seem to get a little lost due to the drama aspects of the series. And those that love lots of drama get annoyed with all the zombies. If you are like me though, and like a little bit of drama with a little (sometimes a lot) bit of zombies then you will enjoy the show immensely!
The Wire
“In chronicling a multi-generational family business dealing illegal drugs and the efforts of the Baltimore police to curb their trade, this series draws parallels between these organizations and the men and women on either side of the battle.”
Arguably the best show of all time (its main competitor being The Sopranos) The Wire delivers television at its absolute best. Written by David Simon (a Baltimore journalist) and Ed Burns (a former Baltimore Police Detective); The Wire carries the viewer through the narcotics business of Baltimore City with gritty realism.
Its central character is not a cop or criminal, but the actual city. Over the course of 60 episodes and multiple storylines, The Wire brilliantly portrays Baltimore through the eyes of dozens of its inhabitants.
True Blood
“Alan Ball, creator of Six Feet Under, returns to HBO with a new series based on the novel series Southern Vampire by Charlaine Harris. The series follows Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic barmaid who finds comfort in the company of vampires since they have no brainwave activity for her to read. She and her brother Jason were raised by her grandmother after losing their parents in a flood and she tries to keep her telepathic ability a secret. Thanks largely in part to the creation of a Japanese-made synthetic blood called Tru Blood (where the series takes it name) vampires have made their existence known to the world. Sookie works at the bar ‘Merlotte’s’ which is owned and operated by her boss Sam Merlotte who has a secret of his own.”
Now I will admit I haven’t read the books. But I did love the TV show. It’s not Twilight – so don’t even dare paint it with that brush. It’s grittier and dirtier and sexier then Twilight by a LONG shot. They both feature vampires – that’s where the similarities end. They don’t even compare. Phew, now I’ve got that out of the road…
True Blood is full of small town secrets – and throughout the Seasons you come across some fantastically entertaining characters. Jason Stackhouse has to be one of my favourite characters on TV to date (along with Ari Gold from Entourage). He provided me with loads of laugh out loud moments.
True Blood was great – I loved it. But if you are not into the whole ‘Vampires’ thing I can appreciate you may want to give it a miss. Fair enough, TV has a wide selection for you to choose from, but personally I think you’re missing out!
United States of Tara
“Another twisted comedy about the unexpected nature of American families, this single-camera Showtime offering examines a wife and mother of two teens who suffers from dissociative identity disorder. Coping with it all is never easy, but it’s always funny.”
Outstanding Toni Collette plays the lead role – and she certainly delivers giving the show the overall just the quirkiness it needs. The writing is brilliant, and following all of the ‘personalities’ is often hilarious. A black comedy that examines what are really some serious issues that people with multiple personality disorder face – a good television show!
Weeds
“This series is a single-camera comedy about a single mother who makes ends meet by selling marijuana in the fictional suburb of Agrestic, California. The series exposes the dirty little secrets that lie behind the pristine lawns and shiny closed doors of homes in the of this gated community. Mary Louise Parker stars as the suburban mom who resorts to selling weed to support her family after her husband unexpectedly dies.”
A newly single mum dealing pot for extra cash to support her kids? That is a formula for drama comedy success. With super and witty dialogue and a cast of great actors, Weeds delivers an accurate portrayal of suburban life that goes hand in hand with the relatively outlandish plot surrounding Louise Parker and her new job as a drug dealer. Weeds is a highly enjoyable show that ended on a season finale in its sixth season.
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Hey Tom,
Thanks for your efforts in collecting and posting this website. It is really useful.
@Mitesh – Thanks Mitesh
It took me a while to put it all together, so I hope it was useful!
you missed out prison break
That’s true Matthew. The first Season of Prison Break was actually really good
I’ll get that added in. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
lost? dexter? there’s more but surely these two cannot be disputed? (or maybe you havent seen them, which i highly doubt)
Hi there, thanks a lot for your feedback. I’m not a big fan of Lost, I think it dragged on and as a whole lost a bit of its charm from the first season. As for Dexter, I’m incredibly confused as to why it’s not on the list here. I have it listed on Tom’s GTS List as a favorite of mine, and have just forgotten to carry it over to the American TV shows list as well. My fault there, it DEFINITELY deserves to be listed here and is one of my favorite and probably one of the best American TV shows in my opinion. I’ll get it added to this list asap. Thanks again! (As for Lost, well, I’ll re-watch the whole series again and think about it
). What are other peoples thoughts on Lost? Does it deserve to be on this list?
i love the list….as for lost i couldn’t ever get into it while on TV but after running out of shows i gave it a shot and OMG love love love it…although i have to say i didn’t like how it ended but all in all GREAT SHOW!!!!! Don’t remember if i saw ghost whisperer on your list but it is also a GREAT SHOW!!!!
)
Hi! Thanks for taking the time to comment
Hmm, if you got into Lost by giving it a serious go, then maybe I should do that too! I will report back with my findings. As for Ghost Whisperer, that’s another one I haven’t given any serious time too, so that will need to wait until I get around to watching it as well. Thanks for stopping by!
i watched lost when seasons 1234 were available to buy and loved it, i agree it dragged out but i didnt want it to end so i didnt complain, like chuck its ending this season is the end of the series and im super bummed
First of all, job very well done on the list. It’s been very helpful in broadening my tv series library.
Secondly, is it just me, or is CSI missing? I’m more referring to CSI las vegas, as let’s face it, the original is the best, but also CSI miami and CSI new york. I will admit, that they don’t flesh out their characters as much as NCIS, but they do spend that extra attention focusing on the cases and crimes. The fact that CSI las vegas is on it’s 12th season is a good indicator of how strong it is.
Keep up the great work!
John,
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment, it’s much appreciated. I do only have NCIS on the list for the moment, as for CSI Las Vegas, to be honest, I haven’t given it the time it probably deserves. I’ll get around to watching it at some point soon, and then it will likely be added to the list
What are other peoples thoughts in relation to the best American crime TV show? NCIS? CSI? SVU? Criminal Intent (I was a Goren fan). Let me know, and I’ll get the list updated with some more TV crime shows.
Cheers!
i dont likke those shows much, i like shows that continue from one ep to another as one story not a one hour story then a new next week
Just a suggestion, but have you seen The Mentalist? I’ll give you the first, 4 or so episodes don’t exactly set the world on fire, but over the course of the first and second season (waiting on the third, damn my lack of satellite
) it becomes a really intriguing series which manages the impressive feat of keeping me guessing who does what, something that CSI, NCIS, and the like have failed to do. Also the protagonist, Patrick Jayne, is just awesome, he does alot of the time what you think the actual police/agents want to do and say but can’t because of political reprocussions and becomes a very likeable character.
@Skorsis – Thanks for leaving a comment. No, actually I haven’t seen too much of The Mentalist. I will definitely check it out now tho, thanks for the tip! It does get annoying when CSI/NCIS shows start to get a bit predictable that’s for sure.
Hi, thanks so much for making these lists! Very helpful. I’m not sure if you’ve ever heard of a series called Huff, but it is one of my favourites ever and stars Hank Azaria (love him!). It’s about psychiatry, and it might be because I’m a psych student that I love it so much – but it might be worth a look. Thanks!
@Jess – Hi there. It’s great the list was helpful for you. As for Huff, well, I have heard of it, but have yet to watch it! At your recommendation I will definitely add that to the list of shows I need to watch! The list is getting really long!
Great list! Lots of gems in there.
I just finished watching the second season of a show called “Justified.” I needed something after watching “Deadwood” and since I always wanted to see more gun slinging in deadwood, Timothy Olyphant definitely brings it in Justified. It’s become one of my fav shows and I can’t wait til the next season. If you haven’t seen it yet your gonna wanna get on it, lol. I’ve always been a fan of more “B” story than “A” story and this show has a great balance in the first season and then really starts digging in the second.
In regards to LOST, I’m still not sure how I feel about the ending, however, what shines for me is the characters throughout the show. We got see a lot of characters discover their purposes and watching those discoveries unfold were cathartic. For me, the best thing about a good show is it’s characters; lost had great characters… I think it deserves to be on the list.
Cheers!
@Derek – Hey there, thanks for your comment
I love Timothy Olyphant in Deadwood as well, he’s superb! I did see some clips for Justified, and it looks good! There’s yet another to add to my big ole list of things I need to watch and see if I like or not. Haven’t been watching too much TV lately because I’ve been backpacking, and in fact I just moved to Holland! Just signed a 12 month lease for an apartment though, so now I’m getting settled – it’s TV time!
Great list you have here. Although you are missing six feet under.
@Atlas – Hi! Definitely know of Six Feet Under, but have yet to watch it myself. Will most certainly check it out, and will add it to the list in due course (if it’s awesome). Thanks for stopping by.
Hi John, Firstly… Love the site! Secondly, you have a brilliant eye for TV shows
Breaking bad is literally one of the best TV shows ever in my opinion. It’s just so clever and gripping i cant stop watching them! i’ve just started the third series. Breaking Bad,The Walking Dead, South Park and How I Met Your Mother have got to be my absolute favourites. Sadly no British shows in my list even though I’m British! I just prefer American TV 
Thanks!
Hi Greg, I know what you mean about American TV Shows, and Breaking Bad, Southpark and How I Met Your Mother would have to be some of my favourites as well! I certainly think you should give some British TV Shows a go though. There are loads of great recommendations in UK TV Shows, but being British yourself, no doubt you have seen a lot of them already!
But the Office UK is sooo good (yes it’s cringeworthy too of course, but that’s part of the fun!), and Black Books, Misfits, Coupling? I guess I just love the way the British approach comedy. Comparing American and British TV is like apples and oranges though, they can be so different.
It has been great reading your website, but i was surprisd when you missed one of my favorite TV shows, Supernatural, which i think deserves to be on the list. It has many Die-hard fans in canada and the USA bt is also very populare in Brazil.
you should check out Legend of the Seeker too, the first few episodes are little cheeesy, but it is addictive and great fantsy
Thanks for the comment Joan. I’m not a huge fan of Supernatural personally myself, but I cannot deny that it is quite popular however! At the moment I’m more inclined to leave it off the list. What are other people’s thoughts on the matter?
Great list! LOST should defo be up there
How about The Big Bang Theory and Community?
Hi Laura. Hmm, I’m really not a fan of either of those shows. I cannot put my finger on it…but I just find the humour horribly predictable and annoying. So, it’s a no from me for the GTS website I’m afraid!! What are other people’s thoughts on Big Bang and Community?
Derek nailed it, JUSTIFIED!!!!
I just finished “Homeland” and absolutely loved it. I highly recommend the show! Claire Daines is fantastic as the mildly psychotic CIA agent Kerry, and Damien Lewis does a superb job as returned prisoner of war Nicholas Brody. It’s good stuff. Cat and mouse thriller with political intrugue and subterfuge. Anyone else seen it?
one word tom…. community
u need to watch the whole of community to appreciate its genius. i would place that above all other american sitcomedies.
Hey Tom, Great website!
Just wondering why Nip/Tuck isn’t on this list? Im from Australia and Nip/Tuck is one of the best U.S shows released!
Two and a half men, when madman sheen was still in it! Supernatural?
good list, but you forgot BURN NOTICE.
Lie to Me is a great show. Your list is fantastic! i especially liked the “True Blood” TV series.
Your list is great, though i have only seen 10 shows on the it. I definitely love Dexter, True Blood, Buffy, The Walking Dead and i am currently watching Sons of Anarchy. They are my favourites! Have you considered putting Southland on the list? It is definitely a must see! As for Lost i have seen every episode and i agree that it was very slow and the ending was really disappointing. I also enjoy watching Boardwalk Empire, but i am very disappointed that my favourite character, Jimmy Darmody, is dead! And i am so impressed that you have the IT Crowd on your GTS list! That show is hilarious! All in all this list has been really helpful and i appreciate you taking the time to make it! You have a great taste in tv shows!
btw, when i say i have only seen 10 shows i mean i have seen every episode of those shows. i have seen a couple of episodes from almost all of the shows on your list so i know what im talking about when i say you have great taste
also you have convinced me to watch misfits which i have heard from a friend is a great show. That is next on my list. Thanks!
This isn’t a well known show, to my knowledge. But ‘Lie To Me’ was GREAT. It ended mid 3rd season.. but it was GREAT while it was airing. I think it may deserve a little nod.
Excellent list. I have watched the majority of these shows, and I just finished reading all of the comments. I was surprised to see that no on has mentioned Smallville. The show was incredible if you enjoy comic book heroes at all…and if you dont, it is still a phenomenal show! Granted, the few seasons were iffy, but the first 6 or 7 seasons were great!!!
What about Burn Notice? That’s another gem, you should check out if you haven’t seen it.
Also, the big bang theory is really hilarious.
Tom, Thanks for the list… but you forgot the legendary 24 with Jack Bauer…. am still missing it now! Also Homeland is awesome, and Mike and Molly brings in the humour every time.
Maybe you haven’t seen it, and I know lots of people think of it as more of a “girls show” but Veronica Mars is worth checking out, and subsequently adding to your list (it’s that good).
-Riley
Good listgave me some very good things to watch over them summer lazy days. I was just wondering if you considered Community one of my faves does take a few episodes to get into though.
hey man almost all good shows I’ve ever seen are on here. A couple of other shows like supernatural aren’t on here but i suppose we all have our own opinions.
Great list! Your missing X-Files though man!
Hey Tom! This is a really good and helpful list…you have a good eye
a few that came to mind that weren’t on this list were the original CSI (mostly the first eight seasons before William Petersen left), Community, and Grey’s anatomy. But anyway thanks for putting this together!
I think your missing one of the best TV Show/Series of all time, which is 24.
Hey what about justified?