T.V Series Top Ten

Top Ten's are a very organic beast and change with the viewing of one episode or more likely a whole season.

I laid down my top ten T.V shows last year but having found two absolute gems recently I find it prudent to post an updated TT based on my current feelings.

Top Ten #1 (Formerly #1)

Seinfeld -
Kramer: THE BEACH!!! (enters the apartment) You smell like the beach. What's the name of that perfume you're wearing?
Tia: It's Ocean by CALVIN KLEIN.
Kramer: CALVIN KLEIN? No, no. That's my idea. They, they stole my idea. Y'see I had the idea of a cologne that makes you smell like you just came from the beach.
Jerry: I know look at this (shows an ad from CK)
Kramer: (shocked) Whooo! That's you! What is going on here? The gyp, he laughs at me then he steals my idea. I could have been a millionaire. I could have been a fragrance millionaire, Jerry. They're not going to get away with this. (leaves)

I honestly find this particular show extremely hard to dislodge from it's ivory tower. One of the great things about Seinfeld is the fact that it doesn't age and the gags are clever rather than obvious (see: Friends)

Top Ten #2 (Unlisted)

Madmen -
Bertram Cooper: There’s a Pete Campbell at every agency out there.
Don Draper: Well, let’s get one of the other ones.

Friday Night Lights -
In some situations, you need to ask yourself 'WWRD?', What Would Riggins Do? - At least she's not interested in a serial killer... or one of the Riggins! (couldn't choose!)

As it stands (I've seen 3 Madmen seasons and 2 FNL's) I can't in all good conscience split these two. I think the fact they are so different make it harder to split.
 
Madmen is a dry (often hilarious) look at the ad agency business in the early 60's. Whereas FNL's is a drama centered around a small Texas town, Dillon and in particular their prize high school team The Panthers.
 
What they both share in common and is a direct result of their esteemed placing at #2 on my list is the very elusive combination of great writing, inspired casting, top class performances and at the heart of it a story worth caring for.
 
Top Ten #4 (4)
 
Entourage -
Drama: What if I fly myself out, put myself up, you give me a little something; if I don't deliver, you cut it. Or cut it anyway. As long I'm on the call sheet and listed on IMDb, we're all good.

Brett Ratner: You're telling me you're gonna spend 20 grand to go to Paris for a part that I might end up cutting?
Drama: Such is my passion for movies

My beautiful wife and I have watched all 6 seasons that we own at least 4 times, so that goes a long way to explaining that repeat viewings are still enjoyable. This is also a big feature in making the top ten.
 
My favourite thing/s about Entourage are Ari Gold and Johnny 'Drama'. Both would have to be up in the stratosphere as best television characters ever to appear on the small screen.
 
Without these two complex characters the show would be the Vince and Turtle show. Now I don't dislike the characters but they are definitely on the outer compared to Ari and Big Bro.
 
Top Ten #5 (3)
 
The Office (US version) -
Dwight: Don't you want to earn Schrute bucks?
Stanley: No. In fact, I'll give you a billion Stanley nickels if you never talk to me again.
Dwight: What's the ratio of Stanley nickels to Schrute bucks?
Stanley: The same as the ratio of unicorns to leprechauns.

This show has shown longevity thus far in it's fifth season and has another cracker of a character in Dwight Schrute. Just saying/typing his name makes me smile. Sure Steve Carell as Michael Scott is a great character but the show stealer, Jack Nicholson style in Batman has to be Dwight!!

Top Ten #6 (6)

Scrubs -
Ted: If you need some happy pills, they're in the top drawer.

Jordan: In this hell-hole, I'll need a gun!
Ted: Bottom left.

One of the strong points of Scrubs is it's ability to mix zany comedy with heartfelt dramatic emotions and get it right (most of the time).
 
Scrubs doesn't have the longevity of the previous 5 series' but it is still an enjoyable rewatch.
 
Top Ten #7 (2)
 
Arrested Development -
Lindsay: You haven't had a serious relationship since your wife, and you guys weren't even speaking towards the end.

Michael: A lot of that was the coma.
Lindsay: Yeah, I've heard your side of it.

I'm going to stop at 7 for the moment because it honestly feels like I'm adding ok/good shows to make the numbers. Honorable mention goes to and not in this order, Two Guys a Girl and Pizza Place, The Twilight Zone, Ned and Stacey, My Wife and Kids, My Name is Earl and Weeds. I am also aware that there many other great series' out there but until I've seen them I can't add them to the list! I'm in the process of narrowing down the next three positions.

Until then hail to the Panthers