I'll come clean right now - I'm a bit of a snob.
I don't mean I enjoy only the finest caviar or have reserved seats at the opera. What I'm talking about is entertainment. TV, movies, books, music - I'm picky about what media I take in. I take grief from people for not adoring every summer blockbuster or following the hottest singers.
I like what I like and there's nothing anybody can do to change that. I generally prefer something that is going to make me thing, challenge me, explore unfamiliar territory.
So I thought I'd share a little of my personal preferences again, as I have in the past with music. This time, we talk TV (or I write TV and you read it, and then maybe leave a comment or gripe to me later in person). My top five favorite television shows. Of all time.
#5: Dexter
So it's a show about a serial killer? He's the protagonist, the "good guy"? Sounds interesting. Of course, he only kills other murderers (or does his best to limit it to murderers). It's a fascinating look at a character that you know going into it is not merely flawed, but legitimately crazy. He's a psychopath! But one that's been trained to deal with his own kind. And along the way he starts discovering things about himself that shouldn't be possible for a man with his...condition.
Michael C. Hall's acting is best during the execution scenes - his character is rarely more honest and open than when he is with his victims. It's terrific to see him attempt to exorcise his own demons before putting an end to someone; like they're a therapist he's come to see rather than a murder he in turn has stalked to kill.
Season 4 alone, with special guest star John Lithgow and a season finale I'll never forget, stands out to me as one of the greatest pieces of television history. While the show kind of took a dive following that, it still stays in my top five. I'm sad to see the series come to an end, yet excited to see how they wrap up one of my favorite character studies.
#4: The Sopranos
I have a soft spot for gangsters. Organized crime is a subject I'm fascinated with. The creation of a violent, brutal subculture within our greater society as a whole; capitalism at its most perverse. The Sopranos knew how to delve into this world, as so many others have before, but added an extra element.
The Sopranos was a combination of action/adventure, family drama, and ethical study. Tony Soprano was like so many other disgruntled, conservative TV dads we've seen. Yet he wasn't. Tony is a gangster. More than that, he's an absolute monster! He commits acts of brutality on a regular basis, yet he is the main protagonist. You are supposed to emphasize with him as he deals with his slacker son, rebel daughter, argumentative wife, and his very worrisome mommy issues (and even more worrisome mother). I personally always struggled with that, but I will admit Tony was usually more sympathetic than his fellow gangsters. Not to mention the truly bizarre forays into the realm of existentialism the show took.
There have been few shows like The Sopranos. Boardwalk Empire is a good imitation, but an imitation nonetheless. And I hear The Wire shared certain similarities, but I haven't seen it. For me, The Sopranos is in a class all by itself.
#3: The Daily Show
I may be showing some of my political bias here, but I recognize good comedy when I see it. And The Daily Show is the best comedy on TV these days.
Jon Stewart and his "correspondents" constantly skewer news, politics, and society. His satirical news show, widely regarded by people my age as the most honest name in news (which does kind of miss the point), has been an eye-opening look into the quagmire that is U.S. politics and insanity of modern media. Eye-opening, yet uproariously funny too!
I've given up on other comedians who talk about political and social issues in a negative light; always blaming the other party and complaining more than telling jokes. But Stewart's tendency to keep things light despite all the bullshit him and his team are confronted with daily, serves as a reminder to me to do the same.
#2: Mystery Science Theater 3000
I already did not one, but two blog posts about this fantastic cult comedy. Why waste time doing it again? Go read them yourself.
#1: Justified
For those of you who have heard me attempt my atrocious Kentucky accent, you know how much I love this show.
Another of Elmore Leonard's memorable characters brought to life on screen, Raylan Givens is everything you'd expect from a Wild West U.S. Marshal. Except it ain't the 1800s - it's the 21st century. Born 200 years too late, Raylan tries to maintain law and order in his native state of Kentucky, especially within the violent hills of Harlan County. All the while we explore his motives, emotions, ambitions, and (usually crazy) relationships
Not as existential as The Sopranos, not as flawed and ruthless as Dexter Morgan, and despite some very witty dialogue, not as hilarious as The Daily Show or MST3K; but Justified and it's many characters represent the finest thing on television right now.
Headlined by the aforementioned trigger happy, Stetson wearing U.S. Marshal, the show is bolstered by a great cast of characters. The exasperated chief who could use a break from Raylan's antics, the rookie Marshal looking to prove she belongs, the ex-Army sniper who you just sense has some deeper issues we haven't explored, Raylan's con-man father (who then married his deceased wife's sister) a modern day Bonnie & Clyde pairing, and a host of memorable side characters and villains. No wonder that of the show's seven Emmy nominations, five have been acting nominations (with Margo Martindale and Jeremy Davies the two very deserving winners).
Much like Season 4 of Dexter, I'd place Season 2 of Justified on my Mt. Rushmore of TV series seasons. Hands down, the best thing on television right now.
Honorable mentions: Boardwalk Empire, The Newsroom, Doctor Who, The Colbert Report, Monty Python's Flying Circus, Courage the Cowardly Dog (don't judge, that cartoon was fantastic!).
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