Top 100 TV Shows 2017

[MagpieBee]

Suits another of mine to drop, definitely not as good anymore as it was, but still one of my favourite things on TV

 

[Rammy]

57. Broadchurch
Points: 29 | Lists: 4 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 110th
Series: 3 | Episodes: 24​

Broadchurch is a British crime drama broadcast on ITV. The first series, which premiered on 4 March 2013, focused on the death of an 11-year-old boy and the impact of grief, mutual suspicion and media attention on the town.

Broadchurch series one focused on the search for Danny Latimer's murderer by detectives Alec Hardy (played by David Tennant) and Ellie Miller (played by Olivia Colman). The production went to great lengths to keep the identity of the murderer secret. Cast and crew were nominated for many awards for series one; they won several BAFTA Awards.

Series two was announced when the first series ended. The second series primarily focuses on two plot strands: the trial of the murderer and the reopening of the Sandbrook case. Tennant, Colman and most of the cast of series one returned for series two. New series two cast members include Marianne Jean-Baptiste, James D'Arcy, Eve Myles, Charlotte Rampling, Meera Syal and Phoebe Waller-Bridge and location shooting again occurred primarily in North Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Berkshire.

The third and final series (creator Chris Chibnall is taking over Doctor Who in 2018), is set three years after the previous series. The eight-episode series focuses on the sexual assault of a local middle-aged woman, and was met with a more positive response after what many found a disappointing second series.

 

[Rammy]

56. The Thick of It
Points: 29 | Lists: 2 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 34th
Series: 4 | Episodes: 24​

The Thick of It is a British comedy series that satirises the inner workings of modern British government. It was first broadcast for two short series on BBC Four in 2005, initially with a small cast focusing on a government minister, his advisers and their party's spin-doctor. The cast was significantly expanded for two hour-long specials to coincide with Christmas and Gordon Brown's appointment as prime minister in 2007, which saw new characters forming the opposition party added to the cast. These characters continued when the show switched channels to BBC Two for its third series in 2009. A fourth series about a coalition government was broadcast in 2012, with the last episode transmitted on 27 October 2012. In a 2012 interview, series creator Armando Iannucci said the fourth series of the programme would probably be its last.

The series has been described as the 21st century's answer to Yes Minister, highlighting the struggles and conflicts between politicians, party spin doctors, advisers, civil servants and the media. As with Yes Minister, the political parties involved are never mentioned by name, although the context makes clear which is which. The series became well known for its profanity and for featuring storylines which have mirrored, or in some cases predicted real-life policies, events or scandals.

A feature film spin-off, In the Loop, was released in the UK on 17 April 2009. A pilot for a U.S. remake of the show was not successful, but Iannucci was subsequently invited to create Veep for HBO, a programme with a very similar tone and political issues, with the involvement of some The Thick of It writers and production members.

 

[Rammy]

55. The Office (USA)
Points: 29 | Lists: 2 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 91st
Seasons: 9 | Episodes: 201​

The Office is an American comedy series that aired on NBC from March 2005 to May 2013. It is an adaptation of the BBC series of the same name. The Office was adapted for American audiences by Greg Daniels, a veteran writer for Saturday Night Live, King of the Hill, and The Simpsons.

The series depicts the everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania, branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. To simulate the look of an actual documentary, it is filmed in a single-camera setup, without a studio audience or a laugh track. The show debuted on NBC as a mid-season replacement and ran for nine seasons and 201 episodes. The Office initially featured Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer and B. J. Novak as the main cast; the show experienced numerous changes to its ensemble cast during its run.

The first season of The Office was met with mixed reviews, but the following four seasons received widespread acclaim from television critics. While later seasons were criticized for a decline in quality, earlier writers oversaw the final season and ended the show's run with a positive reception.

 

[Rammy]

54. Broen (The Bridge)
Points: 29 | Lists: 2 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 60th
Seasons: 3 | Episodes: 30​

The Bridge (Danish: Broen; Swedish: Bron) is a Scandinavian crime series created and written by Hans Rosenfeldt. A joint creative and financed production between Sweden's Sveriges Television and Denmark's DR, it has been shown in over 100 countries.

Three series have been broadcast, all starring Sofia Helin as the Swedish police detective Saga Norén. In the first and second, her Danish counterpart, Martin Rohde, is played by Kim Bodnia, and in the third Thure Lindhardt plays Henrik Sabroe. The bridge is the Øresund Bridge, which links Malmö with Copenhagen. The first series begins with the discovery of a dead body exactly on the centre of the bridge. It was broadcast on the Swedish SVT1 and Danish DR1 during the autumn of 2011, and on the United Kingdom's BBC Four the following spring.

A fourth season is in production and is scheduled to air in 2018.

"Scandinavian crime thriller. Very good characters"

 

[shane]

As someone who didn't submit a list, I feel I'm well placed to criticise everyone else's choices. Thick Of It not in top 50? You should all be ashamed of yourselves.

 

[KevinMcallister]

As someone who didn't submit a list, I feel I'm well placed to criticise everyone else's choices. Thick Of It not in top 50? You should all be ashamed of yourselves.

I've never even seen it but so far 17 of my 20 tv shows I submitted haven't been seen on the list so far

clearly a tv guru me

 

[Ciderhead]

56. The Thick of It
Points: 29 | Lists: 2 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 34th
Series: 4 | Episodes: 24​

The Thick of It is a British comedy series that satirises the inner workings of modern British government. It was first broadcast for two short series on BBC Four in 2005, initially with a small cast focusing on a government minister, his advisers and their party's spin-doctor. The cast was significantly expanded for two hour-long specials to coincide with Christmas and Gordon Brown's appointment as prime minister in 2007, which saw new characters forming the opposition party added to the cast. These characters continued when the show switched channels to BBC Two for its third series in 2009. A fourth series about a coalition government was broadcast in 2012, with the last episode transmitted on 27 October 2012. In a 2012 interview, series creator Armando Iannucci said the fourth series of the programme would probably be its last.

The series has been described as the 21st century's answer to Yes Minister, highlighting the struggles and conflicts between politicians, party spin doctors, advisers, civil servants and the media. As with Yes Minister, the political parties involved are never mentioned by name, although the context makes clear which is which. The series became well known for its profanity and for featuring storylines which have mirrored, or in some cases predicted real-life policies, events or scandals.

A feature film spin-off, In the Loop, was released in the UK on 17 April 2009. A pilot for a U.S. remake of the show was not successful, but Iannucci was subsequently invited to create Veep for HBO, a programme with a very similar tone and political issues, with the involvement of some The Thick of It writers and production members.

I knew there'd be at least one massive "omg how the hell did I manage to forget that" moment in this list. Goddamnit. Consider me shamed.

 

[lordofthepies]

As someone who didn't submit a list, I feel I'm well placed to criticise everyone else's choices. Thick Of It not in top 50? You should all be ashamed of yourselves.

It was pretty high up on my list. Do I still need to be ashamed of myself?

 

[shane]

It was pretty high up on my list. Do I still need to be ashamed of myself?

You could have lobbied.

 

[Rammy]

53. Sons of Anarchy
Points: 30 | Lists: 2 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 86th
Seasons: 7 | Episodes: 92​

Sons of Anarchy is an American crime drama series, which aired from 2008 to 2014. It follows the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in California's Central Valley. The show stars Charlie Hunnam as Jackson "Jax" Teller, initially the vice president, who begins questioning the club and himself. Brotherhood, loyalty and redemption are constant themes.

The series explores vigilantism, government corruption and racism, and depicts an outlaw motorcycle club as an analogy for human transformation. Real life Oakland Hell's Angel David Labrava served as a technical adviser, and also played one of the main characters, Happy Lowman, the club's assassin.

 

[Rammy]

52. Peaky Blinders
Points: 30 | Lists: 2 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 85th
Series 3 | Episodes: 19
​

Peaky Blinders is a British crime drama based upon the exploits of the Peaky Blinders gang, operating in Birmingham, England, during the aftermath of the First World War. The series centres around and stars Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, the gang's leader, and Sam Neill as a commissioned detective tasked with the suppression of the gang.

The first series aired on BBC Two on 13 September 2013 and ran for six episodes. In May 2016, the BBC announced that they had ordered a fourth and fifth series of the show. Series 4 will probably be released late 2017.

“Intelligence is a very valuable thing innit my friend...usually it comes far too late.”

 

[Rammy]

51. American Horror Story
Points: 30 | Lists: 2 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 346th
Seasons 6 | Episodes: 73​

Quite the rise for American Horror Story, as it makes a Top 100 appearance for the first time. It's first appearance in 2015's list saw it down in 346th place with 6 points.

American Horror Story is an American anthology horror series. Described as an anthology series, each season is conceived as a self-contained miniseries, following a disparate set of characters and settings, and a storyline with its own "beginning, middle, and end." Some plot elements of each season are loosely inspired by true events.

The first season, retroactively subtitled Murder House, takes place in Los Angeles, California, during the year 2011 and centers on a family that moves into a house haunted by its deceased former occupants. The second season, subtitled Asylum, takes place in Massachusetts during the year 1964 and follows the stories of the patients and staff of an institution for the criminally insane. The third season, subtitled Coven, takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana, during the year 2013 and follows a coven of witches who face off against those who wish to destroy them. The fourth season, subtitled Freak Show, takes place in Jupiter, Florida, during the year 1952 and centers around one of the few remaining American freak shows. The fifth season, subtitled Hotel, takes place in Los Angeles during the year 2015 and focuses on the staff and guests of a supernatural hotel. The sixth season, subtitled Roanoke, takes place in Roanoke Island, during the year 2016 and focuses on the paranormal events that take place at an isolated farmhouse.

The only actors to appear in all iterations of the show so far are Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson and Lily Rabe.

On October 4 2016, the series was renewed for a seventh season, which is set to premiere in September 2017. On January 12 2017, the series was renewed for an eighth and ninth season.

Although reception to individual seasons has varied, American Horror Story has been overall well received by television critics, with the majority of the praise going to the cast, particularly Jessica Lange, who won two Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performances. Additionally, Kathy Bates and Lady Gaga won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award, respectively, for their performances. The series draws consistently high ratings for the FX network, with its first season being the most-viewed new cable series of 2011.

 

[Rammy]

50. WWE RAW
Points: 31 | Lists: 3 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 43rd
Seasons 24 | Episodes: 1,253​

This joke came 14th in 2011. FOURTEENTH! Ludicrous.

"Fuck yeah. I think the best way to sum up why this finished 4th on my list is to say I started watching this in the year 2000 and, barring a spell in about 2004 until 2009, I've watched basically every single episode of it. And considering the fact that these episodes are on every single week and are 2 hours long (until about 2011 or whatever, where it is now THREE HOURS!)... yeah, that's a lot of time spent watching it. Need I say more? No. No I need not."

Me neither.

 

[Rammy]

49. Harry Hill's TV Burp
Points: 31 | Lists: 2 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 185th
Series 11 | Episodes: 161​

A forst ever appearance in the Top 100, five years after it was last on telly. Harry Hill's TV Burp (also known as just TV Burp) is a British comedy programme that ran for 11 years from 2001 to 2012. The show was written and hosted by comedian Harry Hill, with each episode taking a humorous look back to the previous week of programming on British television.

 

[Rammy]

48. Flight of the Conchords
Points: 31 | Lists: 2 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 63rd
Series 2 | Episodes: 22​

Flight of the Conchords is a British-American-New Zealand comedy series that was first shown on HBO in 2007. The show follows the adventures of Flight of the Conchords, a two-man band from New Zealand, as its members seek fame and success in New York City. The show stars the real-life duo of Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, who play fictionalized versions of themselves.

Throughout its run, Flight of the Conchords received positive critical reception, with its second season scoring 80/100 on Metacritic. The show has received 10 Emmy Award nominations, including "Outstanding Comedy Series" and "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series" for Jemaine Clement, both in 2009.

 

[Hooray]

TV Burp and Flight of the Conchords both on my list!

 

[Techno Natch]

Not a fan of Harry Hill at all. I got dragged along to see his live act and it was just as stupid.

 

[Rammy]

47. Top Gear
Points: 32 | Lists: 3 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 29th
Series: 24 | Episodes: 191​

I assume the three people who had this on their list were all referring to everything that came before the last two disastrous series.

Top Gear is a British television series about motor vehicles, primarily cars. It is a relaunched version of the original 1977 show of the same name, airing since 2002, and has become the most widely watched factual television programme in the world. Since the relaunch, the conventional motoring magazine programme has developed a quirky, humorous and sometimes controversial style over time, and has become a significant show in British popular culture. During its first 22 series, the programme received acclaim for its visual style and presentation as well as criticism for its content and often politically incorrect commentary made by its former presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May.

The show's relaunched format was originally hosted by Clarkson, Hammond and Jason Dawe, with Andy Wilman as the show's executive producer, and introduced an anonymous test driver known as "The Stig"; although part of the line-up, "The Stig" has been played by numerous racing drivers over the course of the series. Following the first series, Dawe was replaced by May, and the hosting line-up remained unchanged until 25 March 2015, when Clarkson was informed by the BBC that his contract would not be renewed following an incident between himself and a producer. Following Clarkson's dismissal, his co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May, along with Andy Wilman, announced that they would not return to the show without him, and instead left to work alongside Clarkson to produce a new motoring series that would later be known as The Grand Tour. Following their departure, Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc took over as the new hosts for the 23rd series, with Rory Reid, Sabine Schmitz, Chris Harris and Eddie Jordan joining them in the series when needed. Following negative feedback for the series, Evans resigned, with the BBC choosing to retain the other five presenters and assigning LeBlanc, Harris and Reid as the main hosts for the 24th series.

 

[Rammy]

46. Narcos
Points: 32 | Lists: 3 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: NEW ENTRY
Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 20​

Narcos is an American crime series. Season 1, comprising 10 episodes, originally aired on August 28, 2015, as a Netflix exclusive.

Set and filmed in Colombia, season 1 tells the story of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, who became a billionaire through the production and distribution of cocaine, while also focusing on Escobar's interactions with drug lords, DEA agents, and various opposition entities. In September 2016, Netflix renewed the series for a third and fourth season.

“Plata o Plomo?”

 

[Rammy]

45. Father Ted
Points: 32 | Lists: 2 | Number One's: 1 | 2015 Position: 32nd
Series: 3 | Episodes: 25​

The decline continues for the show which finished 9th in 2011 (it has dropped further down the list with each Top 100). However, this is the first time since 2011 that it has figured at the top of someones list.

Father Ted is a sitcom that was produced for Channel 4. Written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan and starring a predominantly Irish cast, it originally aired over three series from 21 April 1995 until 1 May 1998, including a Christmas special, for a total of 25 episodes.

Set on the fictional Craggy Island, a remote location off Ireland's west coast, the show starred Dermot Morgan as the eponymous Father Ted Crilly, alongside fellow priests Father Dougal McGuire (Ardal O'Hanlon) and Father Jack Hackett (Frank Kelly). Exiled on the island for various past incidents, the priests live together in the parochial house with their housekeeper Mrs. Doyle (Pauline McLynn).

The show was critically acclaimed, receiving multiple BAFTA awards, and remains a popular sitcom in Britain and Ireland.

 

[HarvSFC]

Narcos deserves to be higher. I forgot to vote for it though.

 

[Techno Natch]

I never got past the first series although I enjoyed it. Should catch up with it soon.

 

[Rammy]

44. The Day Today
Points: 33 | Lists: 2 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 135th
Series: 1 | Episodes: 6​

The Day Today regains its place in the Top 100 having slipped out in 2015. The Day Today is a British comedy which parodies television current affairs programmes, broadcast in 1994 on BBC2. It was created by Armando Iannucci and Chris Morris and is an adaptation of the radio programme On the Hour, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 between 1991 and 1992. The principal cast of On the Hour was retained for The Day Today.

The Day Today is composed of six half-hour episodes and a selection of shorter, five-minute slots recorded as promotion trailers for the longer segments. The six half-hour episodes were originally broadcast from 19 January to 23 February 1994 on BBC2. The Day Today has won many awards, including Morris winning the 1994 British Comedy Award for Best Newcomer.

 

[Rammy]

43. Marvel's Daredevil
Points: 34 | Lists: 3 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 266th
Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 26​

Marvel's Daredevil, or simply Daredevil, is an American series created for Netflix, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise, and is the first in a series of shows that will lead up to The Defenders crossover miniseries. The series is produced by Marvel Television in association with ABC Studios.

Charlie Cox stars as Matt Murdock / Daredevil, a blind lawyer-by-day who fights crime at night. Daredevil entered development in late 2013, a year after the film rights to the character reverted to Marvel.

 

[Rammy]

42. Prison Break
Points: 35 | Lists: 4 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 24th
Seasons: 5 | Episodes: 90​

Prison Break is an American serial drama, that was broadcast on Fox for four seasons from August 2005 to May 2009, and a fifth season which aired from April, to May 2017. The series revolves around two brothers, one of whom has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, and the other who devises an elaborate plan to help his brother escape prison and clear his name.

The series was originally turned down by Fox in 2003, which was concerned about the long-term prospects of such a series. Following the popularity of serialized prime time television series Lost and 24, Fox decided to back production in 2004. The first season received generally positive reviews, and performed well in the ratings. The first season was originally planned for a 13-episode run, but was extended to include an extra nine episodes due to its popularity.

"Some of the middle series are suspect but I love the first series and again the characters are great."


“We are captives of our own identities, living in prisons of our own creation.”

 

[Rammy]

41. Better Call Saul
Points: 35 | Lists: 4 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 48th
Seasons: 3 | Episodes: 28​

Better Call Saul is an American crime drama series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. It is a spin-off prequel of Gilligan's prior series Breaking Bad. Set in 2002, Better Call Saul follows the story of small-time lawyer James Morgan "Jimmy" McGill (Bob Odenkirk), six years before his appearance on Breaking Bad as Saul Goodman; events after the original series are briefly explored as well.

Like its predecessor, Better Call Saul has received critical acclaim. It has garnered several nominations, including fourteen Primetime Emmy Awards, seven Writers Guild of America Awards, five Critics' Choice Television Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award and two Golden Globe Awards. The series premiere held the record for the highest-rated scripted series premiere in basic cable history at the time of its airing.

"Not as good as Breaking Bad, but still good enough to keep that set of characters alive."

 

[Rammy]

40. Smallville
Points: 35 | Lists: 2 | Number One's: 0 | 2015 Position: 158th
Seasons: 10 | Episodes: 218​

It's a first ever appearance in the Top 100 for this show which left our screens back in 2011. I assume (as I can't be bothered to go check) Kev is the reason why it has finished so highly.

Smallville is an American series based on the DC Comics character Superman. The series, initially broadcast by The WB, premiered in October 2001. After Smallville's fifth season, The WB and UPN merged to form The CW, the series' later United States broadcaster. Smallville, which ended its tenth and final season in May 2011, follows Clark Kent (Tom Welling) in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas, before he becomes known as Superman. The first four seasons focus on Clark and his friends in high school. After season five Smallville ventures into adult settings, eventually focusing on his career at the Daily Planet and introducing other DC comic-book superheroes and villains.

Before the series' production, Bruce Wayne, chronicling the young protagonist's journey toward Batman, was proposed first. Although that series failed to generate interest, it inspired Smallville. Series developers Gough and Millar pitched their "no tights, no flights" rule to the president of Warner Bros. Television, reducing Superman to the bare essentials and examining what led Clark Kent to become the Man of Steel.

Smallville was generally positively received when it began. Former Superman star Christopher Reeve expressed approval for the series, making two guest appearances before his death. The pilot episode set a ratings record for a WB debut, with 8.4 million viewers. Over ten seasons the series averaged about 4.34 million viewers per episode, with season two the highest-rated at 6.3 million. By the end of its run, Smallville passed Stargate SG-1 as the longest-running North American science-fiction series. Since its first season, the series received accolades ranging from Emmys to Teen Choice Awards

 

[Techno Natch]

I really enjoyed Prison break. I know people said it lost it's way but I still think it's strong throughout. Anyone watching the new series?

 

[KevinMcallister]

yes Smallville was 2nd or 3rd on my list

one of my all time favourite tv shows, i'm a bit of a DC nerd though so when this show was announced about the childhood of Clark Kent I think I had an orgasm in my pants, topped off by Beautiful women in the show Kristen Kreuk (lana lang) Laura Vandervoort (supergirl) and the best of all Erica Durance (Louis Lane)