Regardless, I have seen some marvelous stuff in the last few years and I have no problem listing them. And to keep it simple I'll go from top to bottom. And for the record I am going to put traditional network shows into their own category so they are not listed here. But these are better than any of them regardless. And I mean any of them.
1. Breaking Bad. (AMC)
Unassuming high school teacher Walter White has cancer and needs to provide for his family in his looming absence. Meeting up with a one time loser student, they end up cooking the best meth in the world. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul will be remembered forever for this remarkable rise of a high school chem teacher to a drug kingpin.
2. The Newsroom. (HBO)
Jeff Daniels is News Anchor Will MacEvoy, in the Aaron Sorkin drama created for HBO. A large, wonderful, and superb cast give this show the punch this subject deserves. Throw the West Wing, Broadcast News, and Walter Cronkite into a blender and then add a fifth of intellect, and this is what comes out.
3. House of Cards. (Netflix)
Kevin Spacey gives arguably the best work of his life and heads up a superb cast in a dark look at a wonderful trip through the ugly underbelly of Washington politics.
4. The Roosevelts. (PBS)
Two of the most fascinating Presidents in our history along with the greatest First Lady ever and they were all related. This follows the amazing life and Presidency of T.R., my favorite President ever, and his distant cousin Franklin, who pulled the nation out of the jaws of desperation, and TRs beloved niece Eleanor. A wonderful story told impeccably by Ken Burns.
5. The Hatfields and McCoys. (History Channel)
The amazing story of a true American Feud between two families, one in Kentucky and one across the river in West Virginia. There is even an unlikely "Romeo and Juliet"esque romance that seems Hollywood contrived but I 'fact checked' and it historically accurate. This is brilliant, with Kevin Costner in the one genre he totally owns, westerns.
6. Dexter. (Showtime)
A moral dilemna happens when one watches this show. One finds themselves rooting for a murderer. Because Dexter is a serial killer. But he only kills other serial killers. And he works forensics in the Miami homocide division so he knows exactly how to keep a crime scene pristine. Michael C. Hall and the incredible Jennifer Carpenter make this a true jewel in television for generations to come.
7. Weeds (Showtime)
My very favorite actress of all time, no doubt, Mary Louise Parker, stars in this incredible show about a mom who is suddenly left a widow and has to sell weed in her upscale neighborhood to make ends meet. Surrounded by a supporting cast that would make anyone drool, she takes us on a journey of epic proportions. This was a fabulous ride. And a very nice curtain call is provided for this show.
David Decovney was born to play the role of Hank Moody. He's a serious New York writer who suddenly finds himself on the white bread west coast. He can't cope. But the hilarity ensues between him, his daughter, his agent, his wife, his agent's wife, and a host of other hilarious elements that are priceless. So far I have been denied the final season by Netflix, but soon I hope, soon.
Cullin Bohannon is the single greatest western badass I have ever seen, and I have entire shelves dedicated to cowboy movies. This guy makes John Wayne and Clint Eastwood look like waiters in a gay bar. It's the story of the building of the transcontinental railroad and all that that entails. There are Indians, newly freed slaves, Irish immigrants, south vs. north after the war, and whores and Church and the Mormons moving through. There are corrupt railroad owners and senators. Lots of stuff to enjoy here.
10. Rescue Me. (FX)
Okay, I'll admit I'm not a huge Denis Leary fan. But he transcends all that here. And what a cast.
11. Nurse Jackie. (Showtime)
Edie Falco gets to step out of the mundane Sopranos and show us her chops! Here she is Jackie Peyton, and wonderful ER nurse who is high most of the time. Seven wonderful seasons. Assisted by an amazing cast. Unbelievably great cast.
12. The Shield.
Michaels Chiklis plays the head of a 'gang strike team' in a place called Farmington California. They work out a a place they call The Barn. These guys are the biggest bunch of murdering thieving racketeers on the streets. And they do it all with a Shield. This is great saga TV.
Honorable Mentions.
1. The Walking Dead. This is a psychological suspense thriller with a splash of horror tossed in. It explores why in this unique situation, the ones to fear are the other living people, not the zombies. The Walking Dead title does not mean the zombies. However in the 2016 season when Morgan gets enlightenment, this series "jumped the shark." After this, don't bother.
2. Fargo
In just two seasons it has been very interesting. And promises to keep being so.
3. Justified
Raylan Givins was being punished for a shooting he did in Miami even though he keeps claiming it was "Justified." He is sent to Western Kentucky where he's from, to fight the hillbilly mafia. Walton Goggins from The Shield as Boyd Crowder is a great character.
4. Silicon Valley
A superb cast centered around a nerd in a group of nerds who creates an incredible app but muddles through being stupid about marketing it, with lots of help.
5. True Detective
A weird creepy crime drama. Into a second season. The first was impressive.
Most Interesting Concepts
1. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
Jerry Seinfeld. Nuff said.
2. Portlandia
Can't get too much of Fred.
The Worst.
1. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Don't get me started on pretentious.
2.Wifred. One guy is a dog. A real annoying not funny dog.
3. Girls. 30 seconds of great does not merit watching 29 minutes 30 seconds of crap.
