Best TV shows of the 2000's

[SPS]

This is continuing the look at the decade's best so here we go:

Best TV shows are really easy to do compared to movies. Really only a few stand out among the best. So here we go in no particular order:

Terminator: the Sarah Connor Chronicles- One of the shows that rewarded intelligent viewing. I still can't believe I actually figured out how it was going to end. Sadly one of those shows that ended wayyy too soon, though it did last a tad longer than some of the other shows on this list.

Jericho- A drama about the ongoing struggles of a town after a nuclear terrorist attack. Ends in exactly the right way. The Greene family is the best family on TV in a long time. Lasted only 29 episodes.

Firefly- Do I have to really say anything about this show?

30 Rock- Say what you want about Tina Fey, the rest of the cast is what takes it from borderline funny to OMG side-splitting funny every week. It is rare that I don't enjoy an episode of this show.

No Heroics- sadly it looks like this series is over after only 6 episodes but this British comedy is the anti-Heroes. Wonderful.

Scrubs- This gets on the list simply because of the characters of Dr. Cox and Janitor. Without those characters the series wouldn't be the same. Season 9 with the new direction and cast premieres tonight and we'll see how it turns out. But I don't think it can hold a candle to the older stuff.

Spectacular Spider-Man- Quite simply the best Spider-Man in ANY medium.

Futurama- I only prey that the series doesn't follow Family Guy's footsteps and becomes unfunny when it returns next year. This series has some of the most memorable episodes of any show ever for me at least.

Those are my favorites of the decade with some missing the cut. But hey here are the reasons why they missed the cut:

Angel- Never as good as Buffy, S5 not included.

Buffy-Ended it's run in 2003 could have gotten in on a technicality because more than half of it was in the 2000's but I really consider Buffy a 90's show.

The Office (US)- Just hasn't been that funny anymore of late. I'm sticking with it til the end though.

Heroes- It would have made it, but it peaked too early and while it has recovered now in its 4th season there is still the taste of putrid garbage in my mouth from seasons 2 and 3. A main reason is Samuel or Samneto as he has been called at times, he is the best villain the series has had since Sylar.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia- I haven't watched it in two years but I hear it's just as funny.

So those are mine what are yours?

[Elliot Kane]

Can't argue with Sarah Connor Chronicles. Top show. Same with Spectacular Spider-Man.

I'm going to add Doctor Who, which was absolutely the best revamp/relaunch of the decade, taking a moribund old show and turbo-charging it for the new millennium. First Ecclestone and then Tennant were fantastic as the Doctor, and the show as a whole has an energy and inventiveness not seen since Tom Baker's epic run.

I'll also add Little Mosque On The Prairie, which is easily my favourite 2000s sitcom.

[Hand-E-Food]

Six Feet Under: One of the most immersive shows I've ever watched.

My Name Is Earl: Funny and strangely inspirational.

Dexter: The cat and mouse games he plays are so much fun.

[fughawzi]

This decade has really made a difference in how television is viewed as a medium. It is, holy [Censored] actually being respected now! There have been some amazing, amazing series.

Mad Men - Disturbing to watch, but just amazing. Not much happens in the traditional tv sense, but Matthew Weiner is genuinely knowledgeable when it comes to film studies and almost insane in the amount of thought he puts in every single little detail (He even keeps an extra pair of shoes under one of the character's desk. You never see these shoes on camera, but it is truly something the character would do and it is important that they're there). I think it captures America in the early 1960's much more accurately than most representations out there. It is just so restrained.

Veronica Mars - The premise sounds ridiculous: it is a neo-noir with a female anti-hero who is still in high school. It is very well done, well-written, and funny. I try to get everyone to watch it, basically.

Dexter - AMAZING. I effing love this show! Where else can you find yourself rooting for a serial killer? He is so awkward and yet can be so scary. Also, I love how much they use film theory in this show - The psychoanalysis base of the first season, the femme fatale vs the dutiful woman in the second, dealing with the abject.. This show is so fantastic! And so, so amazingly well acted. Perfect.

Pushing Daisies - So, I'm kind of in love with Bryan Fuller like I am with Joss Whedon, as you'll see when this list goes on. This tv show just completely transports you into another world. The colours are so vibrant and the story is so cutely.. macabre? I don't know how describe it. I fell so hard for this show and was completely crushed when they canceled it. I hate you, ABC!

Wonderfalls - Begs the question why does the universe hate Bryan Fuller? Very strange, very quirky show about a girl who gets told to help people by random animal figurines.

Battlestar Galactica - I'm going to disagree with Elliot and say that this was, in my opinion, the best revamp of the decade. An absolutely amazing television show, especially considering the source material. Through a science fiction lens, it touched on all the major cultural issues of the last few years which is when sci-fi is at its best (opinion). It also took the time to create strong and just as unlikeable major female characters as male ones, which was a refreshing change.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Like SPS, I see this as a nineties show but I love it so much that it has to be on here. My most obvious choice.

Futurama - Probably my favourite of the animated series. Weird, hilarious, and contains Bender. That is all.

Freaks and Geeks - If Futurama is allowed, so is Freaks! The starting point for Judd Apatow, Seth Rogan, Jason Segel, Martin Starr, and James Franco. Just a great show, one that is frequently listed among the top series of all time despite only being on for one season. Another one I frequently suggest (i.e. force) people watch.

Firefly - Like Veronica Mars, its premise is one that you wouldn't normally think would work: basically cowboy equivalents in space. But it does because Joss Whedon is a miracle worker. Point for not having any characters I absolutely hate which is very, very uncommon. Fox is added to the suckage list alongside ABC.

Scrubs - Just completely silly and ridiculous. The fact that one can still love this show no matter how annoying the main character J.D. is says a lot. Also tends to do serious very well when it wants to, my favourite example being "My Lunch" from season five. Dr. Cox is one of my favourite tv characters, hands down.

I spent way too much time thinking about this. If I think of more, I'll add them in!

[Elliot Kane]

Is the new Galactica really that good, Zee? I watched the first ep and I honestly wasn't impressed with anything except the special effects. I take it it must improve?

[fughawzi]

I liked it most a few episodes into season two. Because of Joss Whedon, I attempt to watch a show for more than one season before I judge it. Which can be quite difficult depending on the show..

It may just not be your cup of tea though.

Also, the first couple of episodes are part of the miniseries (Originally it was only supposed to be a miniseries), so it does develop some more.

[janggut]

haven't watched Firefly yet but the premise sounds so much like Cowboy Bebop.

[LaFille]

I haven't seen firefly nor the Terminator series.

Jericho is indeed at the top of my list though... It didn't really grab me so much at first, but grew on me as the 1st season advanced to become an absolute favorite. What a great (and different) series.

Other series I've enjoyed the most: Farscape, Battlestar Galactica, Alias, Medium (I would award this one for the best family on TV ), Eureka, Supernatural, the Stargate series (though I somewhat lost interest in the middle, to retrieve it towards the end)...

Not series, but worth making the top list IMO:

The Mythbusters

America's Funniest Home Videos (the presentation set-ups are lame, the winners they choose I almost always disagree with and there are some videos that really lack of taste, but there are always some worth a great laugh)

That docu-reality show about royal and snow crab fishermen in Alaska that's from Discovery I think... I'm morbidly fascinated by that one; it's insane, and very emotionally disturbing.

[Lews]

The Daily Show
Futurama
South Park
Gossip Girl
Scrubs
Veronica Mars
Dexter