There are various elements that define the excellence of a show. The strong idea and original storytelling captivate the viewers, whereas the characters and the drama involved are what keep them engaged.
The recent issue of Variety looks into all these elements that make a show watchable. They made a list of 100 shows that not only explored the recent series but also took a deep look at the decade-long shows.
A team of Variety staff saw the “quality of each show and its cultural impact.” But the exception is that they limited it to only English-language series.
This article follows Variety’s top 5 television shows. Later, the list will reveal the remaining 95 shows that may remind readers of their past favorites and may introduce them to future binge-watching.
Top 5 Shows Greatest Shows of All Time By Variety
Here’s a list of Variety’s top 5 shows. The list contains Bryan Cranston‘s Breaking Bad, but unfortunately, it didn’t make it into the top 3. Anyway, the fact is that it’s still a great show and will always be remembered for its neo-Western crime theme. Now explore the list.
5. Breaking Bad
AMC’s Breaking Bad follows the story of Walter White, a frustrated high school chemistry teacher who is struggling in his life. He transforms into a ruthless kingpin in the local methamphetamine drug trade. He does all this to provide for his family financially after he gets diagnosed with lung cancer.
The narrative is simple yet catches viewers’ eye because it’s relatable to many. And because of its realistic context, the show becomes believable.
4. The Simpsons
The Fox’s The Simpsons is more than just an animated series. This series has changed the way people view any TV animated comedy. It premiered on December 17, 1989, and it boasts 759 episodes to date.
It holds records as the longest-running American animated series, sitcom, and scripted primetime TV series—both in terms of seasons and individual episodes. The witty unique characters and their voices are widely recognized and set it apart from what the usual animated series looks like.
3. The Sopranos
It’s been 17 years since HBO’s The Sopranos was aired. But it is often listed as the best show ever made to date. Even though many shows of the same genre have been made, it is still considered as one.
The show gets a standing ovation for its intricate characters, storytelling (that’s more twisted than a mob plot), and its realistic mafia world. Its creator, David Chase, dives deeper into the characters’ minds and explores the psychological depths. The Sopranos is the show, viewers can’t help but come back for more.
2. Mad Men
The another AMC show, Mad Men is a binge-worth show. It earned brownie points for its stellar writing, acting, directing, and authentic portrayal of the past.
The show, inspired by events from a real ad agency during the immortalized era, fetched awards, including 16 Emmys and five Golden Globes. It’s not just a shoe, it’s a goldmine of excellence.
1. I Love Lucy
The CBS’ I Love Lucy is a show of timeless quality. Airing first in 1951, its wider themes, characters, and stories are what make it a true masterpiece.
As described by Variety itself, “Many shows — some of them later attempts by Ball herself — have tried to capture what elevated “I Love Lucy,” but there was some alchemical alignment among Ball, Arnaz, their writers and TV in its infancy that made that show, to this day, one of a kind.”
It’s easy to say why I Love Lucy was an easy pick for No. 1.
The List of Remaining Variety’s Top 95 Shows
95. Community (2009-15)
94. Hannibal (2013-15)
93. Homeland (2011-20)
92. Top Chef (2006-present)
91. The Good Fight (2017-22)
90. Black Mirror (2011-present)
89. I May Destroy You (2020)
88. Will & Grace (1998-2006)/(2017-20)
87. St. Elsewhere (1982-88)
86. Daria (1997-2002)
85. The Cosby Show (1984-92)
84. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (1968-2001)
83. General Hospital (1963-present)
82. Happy Days (1974-84)
81. Girls (2012-17)
80. Columbo (1972-78)/(1989-2003)
79. Atlanta (2016-22)
78. Stranger Things (2016-present)
77. Fleabag (2016/19)
76. Thirtysomething (1987-91)
75. Scandal (2012-18)
74. The Muppet Show (1976-81)
73. Dallas (1978-91/2012-2014)
72. The Daily Show With Jon Stewart (1999-2015)
71. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-96)
70. Taxi (1978-83)
69. Deadwood (2004-06)
68. NYPD Blue (1993-2005)
67. The Wonder Years (1988-93)
66. Living Single (1993-98)
65. The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016)
64. Roseanne (1988-1997/2018)
63. Grey’s Anatomy (2005-present)
62. RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009-present)
61. The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78)
60. Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)
59. The Jeffersons (1975-85)
58. Angels in America (2003)
57. The Comeback (2005/2014)
56. Orange Is the New Black (2013-19)
55. In Living Color (1990-94)
54. South Park (1997-present)
53. The Good Place (2016-20)
52. Chapelle’s Show (2003-06)
51. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-present)
50. BoJack Horseman (2014-20)
49. Gilmore Girls (2000-07/2016)
48. Six Feet Under (2001-05)
47. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962-92)
46. Arrested Development (2003-06/2013,2018-19)
45. My So-Called Life (1994-95)
44. Watchmen (2019)
43. The Shield (2002-08)
42. Friday Night Lights (2006-11)
41. The Leftovers (2014-17)
40. The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-66)
39. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-94)
38. The Larry Sanders Show (1992-98)
37. The Americans (2013-18)
36. The Real World (1992-2017)
35. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
34. The Office (2005-13)
33. The X-Files (1993-2002/2016-18)
32. Enlightened (2011-13)
31. Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-present)
30. Late Night With David Letterman (1982-93)
29. ER (1994-2009)
28. Jeopardy! (1964-present)
27. Lost (2004-10)
26. Survivor (2000-present)
25. Hill Street Blues (1981-87)
24. Friends (1994-2004)
23. The Civil War (1990)
22. Twin Peaks (1990-91/2017)
21. Veep (2012-19)
20. The West Wing (1999-2006)
19. MASH (1972-83)
18. The Carol Burnett Show (1967-78)
17. 30 Rock (2006-13)
16. Game of Thrones (2011-19)
15. 60 Minutes (1968-Present)
14. Playhouse 90 (1955-60)
13. The Golden Girls (1985-92)
12. The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986-2011)
11. All in The Family (1971-79)
10. Saturday Night Live (1975-Present)
9. The Twilight Zone (1959-64)
8. Succession (2018-23)
7. Sesame Street (1969-Present)
6. Cheers (1982-93)
5. Roots (1977)
4. The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-77)
3. Seinfeld (1989-98)
2. The Wire (2002-08)
1. Sex and The City (1998-2004)
