Since every other TV site is doing their list of the top TV shows of the decade. I figured I would weigh in with my choices. Here are my choices in no particular order...
Survivor - Survivor premiered in May of 2000 for a summer run and quickly became a television phenomenon. The concept of being stranded on a deserted island for 39 days, having to fend for yourself, competing to survive in the game, all while building relationships and a mini-society. Personalities such as Richard, Rudy, Susan, and host Jeff Probst helped make the show the success that it was. The finale, which aired on August 23, 2000, drew 51.7 million viewers. It remains only second to the 'Friends' finale in total viewership for the entire decade. The series, now in its 19th edition, continue to draw strong ratings. It changed the landscape of TV, and has become the gold standard in reality TV. The show by which all other reality shows are measured.
24 - This show, about a counter terrorist unit of the US goverment, premiered less than 2 months after the 9/11 attacks, and it defined the state of our nations national security for the decade. Pulse pounding storylines and the perfectly cast Keifer Sutherland as CTU Agent Jack Bauer along with it's real time concept propelled this show to the top of the TV's Best lists in the year it premiered. The concept of a show playing out in real time over a single day, with each episode representing an hour was and still is very unique to TV. It was also the first show to intentionally wait until midseason to premiere, in order to allow the season to run uninterrupted without reruns. Many shows have since followed suit. It has continued to provide top notch storylines and superb acting year after year.
House - In a time when medical dramas and mysteries were all the rage, this show combined the two. The show premiered November 16, 2004, and stars Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House, a drug addicted, medical genius with many problems of his own. The character of House was modeled after Sherlock Holmes, both are forensic geniuses, musicians, drug users, and largely friendless. House and his diagnostic team tackle medical mysteries week after week. Laurie's performance is what solidifies this show. His character of House, along with 24's Jack Bauer are two of the iconic TV characters of the decade.
The Shield - Series creator Shawn Ryan shattered the mold for your conventional police drama with this show. Premiering on March 12, 2002, 'The Shield' was unlike any cop show before it and has been unlike any show since. Michael Chiklis played Vic Mackey, a sympathetic but corrupt Los Angeles cop who made up his own rules. From the moment Vic killed a fellow cop who was investigating him in the pilot episode and then framed a drug dealer for the crime, we were hooked. That incident would haunt Mackey and his "Strike Team" for the duration of the series. The show put FX on the map and changed the way cable dramas were perceived. 'The Shield' presented stories that were dark, hard to watch, but at the same time absolutely riveting and gave us 7 seasons of incredible television.
Curb Your Enthusiasm - Larry David, creator of 'Seinfeld,' brought this hilarious comedy series to us on October 15, 2000. This unscripted and largely improvised show follows Larry as a caricature of himself. The humor on this show can be so uncomfortable at times that you almost feel guilty laughing. Larry always says the politically incorrect things that everyone is thinking but afraid to say. Celebrity guest appearances have always been a staple of this show, and have generated some of the series funniest episodes. Whether you feel uncomfortable or not, you cannot get through an episode of 'Curb' without laughing.
The Sopranos - This series followed the life of Tony Soprano, played masterfully by James Gandolfini, a charismatic gangster who uses psychotherapy to help him balance his relationships with his wife and children, and to deal with the stress of his position as a powerful figure in the New Jersey mafia. From the moment it debuted on January 10, 1999, no other show generated more water cooler conversations. Beginning with Tony's musings about the ducks in his swimming pool in the series opening scene, and ending with a much talked about final scene, the 6 season of 'The Sopranos' unfolded brilliantly. Family members became traitors and series regulars were whacked without warning. Creator David Chase brilliantly melded the dark, violent world of an organized crime boss with life in middle class suburbia. One of the best casts ever to grace a TV screen.
The Wire - The Wire, which premiered on HBO on June 2nd, 2002. unfolded like a great novel. This series expert depiction of the Baltimore drug trade and the team of cops battling it required patience from the viewers and rewarded that patience like no other. Creator David Simon, who created another of the great cop shows of all time 'Homicide: Life on the Street,' worked for the Baltimore Sun for 12 years and knows the city like the back of his hand. He and his team of writers, which include crime novelists Dennis Lehane, and George Pelecanos, revealed how the corrupt acts of the people in power preyed on the city’s most defenseless residents.
The West Wing - TV's quintessential political drama began in September 1999 during the Clinton administration, and continued on through Bush and 9/11. The shows appeal was not only it's great cast but its behind the scenes look at a President and his staff and the daily struggles and crises of running a country. 'The West Wing' showed us not how the government was, but as it could be— a White House run by tireless, big-hearted public servants who believed in being decent and moral. Martin Sheen's President Josiah Bartlet would give any of his real-life counterparts a run for their money. John Spencer and Bradley Whitford have the roles of a lifetime. Whether you are conservative or liberal, if you enjoy politics, you will love this series. If you have not yet seen this series, do yourself a favor and buy or rent the DVD's, sit back and enjoy.
Damages - This legal drama, which premiered on July 24, 2007, stars Glenn Close as brilliant, but ruthless attorney Patty Hewes. A superb cast, brings to life some of the most intriguing and surprising plots ever conceived for TV. Who's a villain and who's a hero here? You never really know for sure. 'Damages,' like any good page turner, keeps you guessing until the very end of each storyline.
30 Rock - Created by and starring Tina Fey, this show about the behind the scenes of a late night sketch comedy show premiered on October 11, 2006. It was an immediate hit with critics, however fans came slowly and this show struggled in the ratings early on. 38 Emmy nominations and 10 wins including 3 consecutive wins for Best Comedy Series have catapulted this show to success. Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy and Tina Fey as Liz Lemon are fantastic and have also been awarded with multiple awards. From its hilarious approach to product placement to its grab-bag of crazy-good performances '30 Rock' is TV's best comedy hands down.
Entourage - 'Entourage' has boasted, in my opinion, the best comedic performance of the decade with Jeremy Piven's ruthless agent Ari Gold. The show debuted on July 18, 2004 to critical acclaim and over the years has been nominated for 24 Emmy awards, winning 4. 3 of the 4 wins were for Piven's amazing performance. The show chronicles the rise of Vincent Chase from a struggling actor to an A-list star, and his childhood friends who have come along for the ride. To the people who knock this show, just enjoy it, it's a fun show that is also very funny.
Rescue Me - Denis Leary's amazing series about NYC Firefighters dealing with a post 9/11 world, debuted on July 21, 2004. It was an immediate hit with fans and critics alike. Leary is riveting as the highly flawed Tommy Gavin, an alcoholic firefighter that comes from a family of alcoholics. Tommy is frequently visited by dead relatives and the spirits of the victims of past fires. The show mixes humor with very dark storylines such as depression, alcoholism, homophobia, and the aftermath of 9/11
. A terrific supporting cast rounds out the show nicely. The series hit a rough patch but rebounded very nicely with it's best season last year.
Arrested Development - It only lasted 3 seasons, but what a great 3 seasons it was. Premiering on November 2, 2003, this show from executive producer Ron Howard follows the dysfunctional Bluth family. The Bluths lose the family fortune in a banking scandal and hilarity ensues. Every time you watch an episode you find something new to laugh at. The show suffered from an ever changing time slot and never really caught on with viewers. It has obtained cult status over the years and loyal fans can take heart... a big screen continuation of the series is in the works.
The Office - Defying expectations that it would pale in comparison to it's British counterpart,
NBC's 'The Office' has become its own show. It's no longer fair to compare it to its predecessor. Much like 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' this show delivers cringe worthy humor that you don't know whether to laugh at or not. But you just can't help laughing. Steve Carrell's Michael Scott is so politically incorrect, that it produces some of TV's funniest moments week after week.
Scrubs - Probably the most underrated comedy on this list. Premiering in October 2001, this hospital based comedy was the funniest comedy on TV in its first few seasons. It filled the Seinfeld void very nicely for NBC. That isn't to say that it was as funny as Seinfeld. But that is an unfair comparison for any show. This show stands on its own and it's cast of characters are as good as any show on TV, then or now.
Six Feet Under - This show, premiering HBO on June 3rd, 2001, centered on the Fisher family, owners of the Fisher and Sons Funeral Home. The show was very unique in so many ways, each episode beginning with the death of the person who would be waked at Fisher and Sons, and then following the lives of the people that worked there. Peter Krause and Michael C. Hall's performances as brothers Nate and David Fisher carried this series week after week.In its last few episodes Nate dies of a brain hemorrhage and the Fishers themselves became the mourners, celebrating Nate's imperfect life and moving on. The show never failed to deliver touching stories and amazing performances, and ended with one of the greatest series finales ever.
Alias - Before 'Lost,' JJ Abrams gave us 'Alias.' 'Alias,' which premiered on September 30, 2001, followed sexy female spy Sidney Bristow played by Jennifer Garner. Week after week, the show delivered nail biting suspense and thrilling action scenes. While it was sometimes bogged down in its own mythology, the show always entertained and boasted great performances by Victor Garber as Jack, Sidney's spy-daddy, and Ron Rifkin as Arvin Sloane, Sidney's arch nemesis.
Lost - My personal pick for the best TV series of the decade. 'Lost' exploded onto the scene on September 22, 2004 and quickly became appointment viewing. JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Jeffery Lieber created the series which follows the lives of a group of plane crash survivors on a mysterious tropical island. Much like 'The Wire,' 'Lost' has counted on viewers being patient as the show’s creators have withheld information, killed characters, divided the cast and, in the ultimate potential deal-breaker, toyed with time travel. All of it has paid off beautifully for fans. 'Lost' unique and fascinating brand of storytelling, which uses flashbacks and flash-forwards routinely to fill in the stories of these amazing characters, is perfectly complimented by an incredible cast. 'Lost' is not for the casual TV viewer. Viewers of 'Lost' need to be invested in this show and appreciate the time that it takes to tell this story, savoring each episode. The best acting currently on television can be found on this show week after week. 'Lost' will come to an end in 2010 and TV will never be the same.
Vancouver Police believe that a body found earlier today is the body of missing 'Growing Pains' actor Andrew Koenig.
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