My Top 10 Television Shows (May Contain Spoilers)

As promised, here is my mid-week blog post based on my top 10 television shows of all time. There are a few hyped about television shows that I have heard great things about that I just haven't got round to watching yet, so please keep that mind when reading my list. Some are from when I was little younger, shows from the 1990's that will always hold a place in my heart, some are comical and some are dark and what I love most about watching television shows is how much you get addicted to them. So here it is, my top 10 television shows of all time. I hope you enjoy.

10) The Vampire Diaries/The Originals


The Vampire Diaries is an American supernatural drama that takes place in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia and follows the life of Elena Gilbert, a high-school student torn between two vampire brothers. I'm not gonna lie The Vampire Diaries when I first started watching it was like my guilty little pleasure as well as a certain somebody...Damon Salvatore. As the narrative evolves we come to know, love and hate a number of more supernatural beings, the Original vampire family the Mikaelson siblings, werewolves, witches, and in the later seasons magical travellers. If I'm being completely honest the first three seasons, some of four were the best, then it went really down in my estimations, with the doppelgängers history and when the travellers first joined the show. I was glad The Originals first aired at that point. But I have to say it's picking back again with the episodes I'm currently watching. Without me loving the first few seasons and co-joining it with The Originals (Hope you don't mind) it may have missed out on my top 10. The Originals is the spin-off show from The Vampire Diaries and focuses on the lives of three members of the Original Family, Klaus, Elijah and Rebecca as they try to reclaim the city they once built, New Orleans. I have thoroughly loves watching The Originals and The Vampire Diaries and would highly recommend it. 

IMDB Rating: 8.0/8.5

9) Everybody Loves Raymond



Everybody Loves Raymond is an American Sitcom set in Lynbrook, New York and is loosely based on true life experiences of it's main character Raymond Barone (Ray Romano). The show revolves around Italian-American Ray who is a sportswriter for Newsday and lives with his wife Debra, eldest daughter Alexandra "Ally" and twin boys Michael and Geoffrey. Right across the street lives his mum Marie and dad Frank, also who lives with them for part of the show is Ray's older brother Robert, a police officer who in Marie's eyes will never live up to Ray's success as a writer. Parents living right across the street must be everyone's worst nightmare? Everybody Loves Raymond not only has some hilarious moments, there are some that get to you a little and that is extremely important in a comedy sitcom and it managed to survive nine seasons from 1996-2005 in doing so. Finally I have to say that Everybody Loves Raymond is one of those shows that you can watch every time you see it aired, whether that's on Channel 4 or Comedy Central, no matter how many times you've seen each episode and that's one of many reasons why it deserved it's place in my top 10 Television Shows in history.

IMDB Rating: 7.1

8) Only Fools and Horses


One of the classic and perhaps most famous British comedies of all time, none other than Only Fools and Horses. In a sky-rise tower block council flat: Nelson Mandela House, Peckham, South London lives two brothers Derek "Del Boy" and Rodney Trotter along with their Granddad Edward, later their Uncle Albert..."During the War". The story mainly focuses on the two brothers' high and many lows in life and their everlasting hope to one day becoming rich. Del Boy is your typical fast-talking, but ambitious market trader, trying to sell anything he can get his hands on, real or fake...usually fake. His younger brother Rodney or "Dave" is almost the complete opposite of Derek, and is often ashamed of his brothers antics and constant lying to getting girls, however the two share a bond like no other. Rodney you could say lives in his brother's shadow, particularly in the early episodes and is troubled by the fact he has a poor job and lives in a grubby flat, and worries he'll never find independence, something he's always longed for. He goes on to meet Cassandra and when he's ready for the next stage of his life results in leaving Del behind. In a heart-wrenching scene sees Del Boy alone after Rodney's Wedding reception holding the figure of the groom from the wedding cake. The boy's feature in some of the most hilarious scenes no other show will live up to; Batman and Robin, Del falling at the bar, the explosive sex dolls? However in the last episode of the first generation "Time on our Hands" which still til' this day holds the record for the highest UK audience for a sitcom episode (24.3 Million) ends with one of the saddest and happiest scenes in television history, as Del Boy and Rodney unexpectedly find themselves in possession of a valuable watch that has been missing for centuries.

IMDB Rating: 8.9

7) The Walking Dead


One of the more recent shows in this list that I have watched, AMC's The Walking Dead. I received seasons 1-3 as a Christmas present a couple years back and watched the box-set in less than three weeks, so it's safe to say I quickly fell in love with The Walking Dead. I have always loved zombie movies like Dawn of the Dead, Shaun of the Dead and 28 Days Later so it was no surprise I would love this show. The Walking Dead is an American Horror Drama series, initially set in Atlanta, Georgia and is based on a series of comic books of the same name. Former Rom-Com favourite Andrew Lincoln stars as the shows main character, Sheriff Rick Grimes, who after being shot by a criminal awakens from a coma into a post apocalyptic world run by flesh-eating zombies or "walkers" as they are more commonly known in the show. In a journey to find his lost wife and son, Rick encounters many survivors (and walkers) along the way. Having first aired in 2010, although I didn't watch it until early 2014, The Walking Dead just finished it's fifth season and every episode has been amazing or at least worth watching from the word "Pilot" so that is the base to a good television show. In fact it's season 5 premier included viewership of 17.3 million, making it the most-watched drama series telecast in all of Cable history. AMC has also requested a companion series entitled "Fear The Walking Dead" set to air this Summer which I'm excited about and the writers also stated that due to their research and inspiration from the initial comic books that they have ideas for a 10th, 11th maybe even 12th series should they make it. I think if the show is as successful in the future as it is now, then why not?

IMDB Rating: 8.7

6) The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air


In West Philadelphia born and raised...Is where Will Smith's greatest accomplishment, musical or screen began. I can't express enough how much The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air meant to me, from watching it early mornings on channel Trouble (Remember that channel?) to later that night (probably) on MTV, VH1 or whatever. Will Smith stars as a fictionalised version of himself, a street-wise teenager who after getting involved in a fight at a local basketball court gets sent to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in their Bel-Air mansion. Which most of the time only results in his lifestyle clashing with those who he now calls family. Again with some of the funniest scenes you'll ever see on American TV Carlton breaking out into Tom Jones at any given chance. Along with some particular scenes that honestly had me in tears, when Will gets shot by a mugger, when Will breaks down in tears after being held responsible for Carlton's overdose or when Will's father arrives with false hope and leaves him yet again or the whole of the last ever episode, "Sunday" those who watched the show will know the significance of "Sunday" in the Banks' family, just to name a few anyway. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air proved that every young lad needs an Uncle Phil in their life, and I would like to take this moment to remember him. 
Rest in Peace James Avery 1945-2013,
The greatest and original Uncle Phil.

IMDB Rating: 8.0

5) Two and a Half Men (Seasons 1-8)



You may have noticed that when I introduced Two and a Half Men, I clearly stated Seasons 1-8 because let's face when Charlie Sheen left and Ashton Kutcher joined the show, the worst thing that could have happened to the show happened. After Sheen's departure it just went stupid in the simplest of terms, it weren't funny, it didn't make sense as to why Alan remained living at the Malibu beach house and was just overall crap. As appose to the first eight seasons that were just filled with constant laughter, jokes, puns and dirty innuendos. It all started back in 2003, when a happy-go-lucky, care-free jinglewriter who just may be the coolest jinglewriter of all time, Charlie Harper who's life is turned upside down when his younger brother Alan's marriage breaks down and he comes to stay for "Just a few days, until he gets back on his feet" which turns into frankly a permanent stay, with his son Jake staying at weekends. Two other hilarious and key characters would be none other than Charlie and Alan's selfish and self-obsessed mum Evelyn Harper, Charlie's maid Berta and Charlie's life long stalker Rose, who lives just a few beach-front houses down. Two and a Half Men quickly bolted to success, earning Charlie Sheen the title of highest paid actor in a lead role, Jon Cryer the highest paid supporting actor and Angus T. Jones the highest paid child actor in a sitcom. And what can I say, after watching the first eight seasons they deserved that title above their name. If you haven't already watched Two and a Half Men, I highly recommend watching the Charlie Sheen episodes, it's also one of those shows that you can just watch whenever even if you have seen them hundreds of times.

IMDB Rating: 7.2 (No longer accurate)

4) Modern Family



Modern Family doesn't get it's title for no reason, it follows the lives of Jay Pritchett who is recently married to Colombian sex symbol Gloria who already has a young but sophisticated son Manny from her first marriage, Jay and Gloria end up having a son of their own, Joe. Then there's the Dunphy family; Phil a real-estate agent and self-professed "cool" dad, his wife Claire (Jay's daughter) is a stay-at-home mum until later she begins working for her dad Jay, their underachieving daughter Haley, and underachieving, slightly crazy son Luke and also highly over-achieving daughter Alex. Finally there are gay couple Mitchell (Jay's son) who is a environmental lawyer and his boyfriend Cameron Tucker, a dramatic, full of life farm-boy from Missouri, they have an adopted daughter Lillie who is from Vietnam. Modern Family is filmed in a sort of "Mockumentary" style, in a way in which the fictional cast speaks directly to a camera inside of their homes. The three Modern Families get up to a ton of unimaginable yet hilarious stunts and literally has you laughing in almost every sequence and that is no lie my friend. I only started watching Modern Family through Netflix, where they only had the first two seasons with have now been removed which was a real pain in the arse, I bought the remaining seasons and I'm now currently watching the most recent series...alongside watching re-runs over and over. Sorry-not-sorry type of moment.


IMDB Rating: 8.6

3) Dexter


Miami Metro forensics blood spatter pattern analyst by day, revengeful serial killer by night. Yes you heard correctly, Dexter Morgan is the serial killer who seeks out and kills those who have slipped through the cracks of the justice system, in this American television drama series. What I love about this television show is how each season follows Dexter's attempts to sussing out and proving the wrongdoer guilty before killing them, normally in the final episode of the series, of course killing others along the way. C'mon it's Dexter. I haven't yet watched every episode, I'm currently halfway through Season 7 so almost there, however I hear the last episode was spilt 50/50 as to whether or not it was good, so I'm a little worried about how Dexter finally comes to an end. But I do have to say, I have thoroughly loved every season, every episode to date. My favourite serial killers being the "Ice Truck" killer from season 1 and the "Trinity" killer from season 4. I'm curious from all you Dexter fans out there, who was your favourite serial killer from the last eight seasons? Leave a comment below. Anyway I'll clue you in to what Dexter, my third favourite television show of all time entails. Dexter Morgan was orphaned at the tender age of three, after witnessing his mother being brutally murdered with a chainsaw in a shipping container. He was adopted by then Miami police officer Harry Morgan, who quickly realised Dexter's hunger for human dissection and so taught him in secret how to channel his passion to murder those who have done wrong, and do it in a controlled, focused and constructive manner. A way that would leave absolutely no evidence behind at the crime scene. Dexter has a foster sister Debra Morgan, a fellow bad-mouthed police officer at Miami Metro and girlfriend, Rita Bennett who has a daughter Astor and younger son, Cody. Although not their biological father, Dexter is the closest thing they've had to a father figure in basically forever. Dexter is an amazing series to get fixated on, it fully deserves it's third place finish on my list, and I couldn't recommend it more.

IMDB Rating: 8.9

2) F•R•I•E•N•D•S


So no-one told you life was gonna be this way (Clap, clap, clap)...Friends wonderfully follows the lives of six mid-twenty year olds; Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler and Joey as they endeavour into all of what life throws at them. Job rejections, relationship sufferings or Syphilis and stuff. Set in the West Village neighbourhood of New York. Friends offers something special that most other television shows not only of this era, but genre also and that is the sense of realism and how each character will connect with you on some level at some point in each of your's or their life. Be that butterfly feelings before a first date, proud moments when maybe you get promoted at work, nervous feelings before your wedding (or three) or the sense that you're not ready to be a parent, because you still have a lot of growing up to do yourself. Believe me, you will connect on not only a physical level but an emotional one too. The show opens in their local coffee house, Central Perk (Where the gang hangout, other than their apartments). In comes Rachel Green fleeing from her wedding day to Barry whom she no longer loves after realising he resembles Mr. Potato Head, hoping to seek out her childhood friend, and only friends who lives in the city, Monica Geller who is a New York City chef. After arguing with her intimidating father, Rachel takes it upon herself and invites herself into staying with Monica. Rachel automatically becomes a part of Monica's ready established social circle. Phoebe Buffay is a masseuse and part-time musician, who performs regularly at Central Perk Coffee House, Joey Tribbiani is a struggling out-of-work actor, Chandler Bing is a business professional and Monica's older brother and Chandler's former college roommate Ross Geller is a recently divorced Palaeontologist. In order to support herself, having to no longer rely on her wealthy father, Rachel becomes a waitress at Central Perk. And so the first episode ends, only for us to truly begin our journey along with the six lifelong friends as they venture on into the real world. I have watched Friends almost everyday since it ended in 2004, previously on Channel 4 and E4 and more recently on Comedy Central, however something I haven't done since owning the box-set is watch them right through from start to finish so that is what I am currently watching. And guess what? I'm adoring every minute of it. My favourite Friends episode is "The One Where Ross Got High" what's yours? I'd love to know, but believe me it's a difficult choice.

IMDB Rating: 9.0

1) Breaking Bad


Breaking Bad is by far the greatest television show that has ever graced our screens in a cold, hard fashion. I don't feel I need to expand on my opening statement, because it speaks for itself. Breaking Bad for the majority is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It follows the life of struggling chemistry teacher (Although genius) Walter White who after getting diagnosed with terminal stage lllA lung cancer, fears that after he's gone there will be no financial income to support his family, his wife Skyler and son Walt Jr. (Flynn). And so teams up with one of his former students, Jesse Pinkman after witnessing him escape from a "Meth-den" and in doing so, hilariously fall from the roof, to cook the purest crystal meth ever seen. In a hope that Jesse knows the business and Walt himself knows the chemistry. In the knowing of selling the way they are won't be enough to support Walt's family, Walt suggests that what they need is someone to buy their product in bulk. In negotiation with Tuco Salamanca, a notorious Mexican drug kingpin with a really short fuse, and in a truly exciting and explosive scene. And so Heisenberg was born. In the beginning of what becomes quite a famous reputation, Walt and Jesse continue to cook through the highs, lows and constant obstacles a drug-dealing life entails. Oh and to mention, Walter's brother-in-law Hank Schrader is a DEA law enforcer. Just to add to the importance of leading a secret crystal meth cooking alter-ego. Breaking Bad is a crime drama with a dark-comedy edge, which just adds to this fantastic creation from Vince Gilligan. Who when writing the script for Breaking Bad, stated that he wanted to create a series in which the "protagonist" evolves into the "antagonist" and how he imagined his goal with "Walter White to turn him from Mr. Chips to Scarface" and did exactly that and so much more and I am forever grateful for that. Breaking Bad also features a whole roster of special characters, Gustavo (Gus) Fring, a high-level drug distributor who also leads a normal life as an owner of a chain of fast-food restaurants, Los Pollos Hermanos and who later becomes Walter and Jesse's boss. Mike Ehrmantraut who works for Gus as an all-purpose cleaner and hitman, and has a hateful but legendary relationship with Walt. Finally there is corrupt lawyer Saul Goodman who has also just finished in his first season spin-odd Better Call Saul. Which if it remains as good as it has been will be sure to make it in my future list of television shows. Breaking Bad has to watched all the way through at least once in a lifetime, it's kind of worth subscribing to Netflix just to watch them all haha!

IMDB Rating: 9.5 

So there you have it, my mid-week blog post upload in relation to my favourite television shows of all time. There are a few shows which I touched on in the introduction, shows that I have heard great things about but haven't got round to watching yet; The Sopranos, The Wire, Game of Thrones, all of which I am dying to watch. Anyway I hope you enjoyed today's blog post and I hope what I've wrote inspires you to watch any of these television series and I guess see you Friday.

The Wolf of High Street
xxx

Comments