Favorite TV Shows

With September being a slower month for movies, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite TV shows. I am definitely more of a movie guy than a TV show guy but I still watch my fair share of TV shows. I do have a bit of a niche that I like with comedy shows as you will see by my list but I do have a few more serious shows that I like as well. With that being said and in no particular order, here are my 11 favorite TV shows.

1. Friends

Friends has been my favorite comedy show for as long as I have seen it. My parents introduced it to me back when I was in high school and I have been a big fan ever since. I just find this show extremely funny. There are so many quotable lines and memorable moments (Moo point, Unagi, PIVOT). The main cast is just so great together. They all have great chemistry, play off each other so well, and are equally hilarious in their own ways. Chandler is probably my favorite character as I just love his sarcasm but all of the characters are just a lot of fun. Not only is the main cast great but there are also a lot of very fun side characters that just steal every scene they are in. This show also has so many great and hilarious episodes. My family enjoys this show so much that we used to watch the Friends Thanksgiving episodes every Thanksgiving. Overall, this is just a very funny and show and one I have fond memories of watching with my family.

2. The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory is yet another comedy that I love to watch. Just like with Friends, I started watching this show in high school with my parents. I find this show extremely funny and all of the characters do such a great job and interact with each other so well. Jim Parsons is the standout in the series and goes all out in his performance as Sheldon. The main thing that makes this show different than Friends is that it ties in a lot of fun nerdy and science references. I am a nerd as well so I quite enjoyed all of these aspects. I also really like how this show brings in tons of guest stars from science, movie, and TV fame. Some of the stars include Mark Hamill, William Shatner, Bill Gates, Wil Wheaton, Adam West, and even Stephen Hawking. This show does a great job of showing the growth of all of these characters throughout the series. All 7 of the main characters grow so much by the end of the show. It is just so cool to see their end character compared to their beginning character. That is how you know it is a good TV show. In the end, this is a very fun show that ties in lots of nerdy references and delivers great arcs for all of the characters.

3. The Office

The Office is the third comedy on this list but unlike the previous two, this one is not a sitcom and takes on the form of a mocumentary-style comedy. The show is of course extremely funny. It does a great job of taking the everyday office environment and throwing in absurd events and characters. There are so many iconic moments and episodes in this show such as Diversity Day, the fire drill, and the CPR class. Every character is so funny and great in their own way as they each add something new to the show. Michael Scott is of course the star and brings the most humor to the show. Everything he does is just so absurd that it is just absolutely hilarious to watch. While the show does take a bit of a dip after Michael leaves, it still maintains a good amount of humor and ends on a high note. The show also does a great job of propelling individual character arcs and relationships throughout the show. The main relationship is of course Jim and Pam but we also get to see the romance between Dwight and Angela and the friendship between Jim and Dwight. Overall, this is a very effective show that takes the mundane office setting and makes it hilarious.

4. Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones is one of my all-time favorite fantasy shows. The storytelling in this show is just so amazing. The plots that we explore over the seasons are just flawlessly done. The show is just so epic in scale with many grand battles and huge set pieces. There are so many compelling characters in this show on both sides and a more complex conflict that you are unsure who truly to route for. This show does a great job of balancing all of these different stories and plots throughout the seasons with every character getting a fully fleshed-out story and arch. This show is so well done that you don't even notice that all of our characters don't ever meet together until the final two seasons of the show. Of course, the last season is a bit of a disaster, but the rest of the show is just so good that those final six episodes get a bit of a pass for me. There are so many great character arcs throughout the show with characters such as Sansa, Arya, and Daenerys. This show also has some of my favorite scenes ever put on television. This show is also just so unexpected and exciting. I read the books beforehand but still found the show to be extremely exciting and unpredictable. In the end, this is a near-perfect show and a great example of how a fantasy show should be.

5. The Clone Wars

Star Wars: The Clone Wars is definitively the best Star Wars show out there. The first season is a bit weak but once it gets going, the show is just amazing. The show establishes so many fan-favorite characters such as Ahsoka, Captain Rex, Asajj Ventress, and Bo Katan as well as builds on a ton of existing characters such as Anakin, Obi-Wan, Count Dooku, General Grevious, and Darth Maul. This show adds so much depth and backstory that it actually makes Revenge of the Sith a better movie. Because of The Clone Wars, you get to the gradual story of how Anakin turns to the Dark Side instead of it being so suddenly in the film. The show also makes Order 66 a much more emotional moment as you actually get to know the Jedi and feel sad when they die. Also, this show delivers some of the best Star Wars moments from any media, movie, or TV. To see these amazing moments, watch Clone Wars Season 5 Episode 16, The Lawless (but really all of Season 5), and Season 7 Episodes 9-12. Overall, this is an amazing show that not only is great on its own but also makes other movies and shows great.

6. Rick and Morty

Rick and Morty is the second animated show to appear on this list but this show is definitely not for kids. This show is way different than the previous comedies on this list as it completely abandons the realism and just goes all out on the absurdity. This show is essential about Doc and Marty from Back to the Future if Doc was drunk with some Doctor Who travels mixed in and it totally works. Every single character is so funny in this show whether it be from their absurd actions or just extreme stupidity. This show also manages to provide some commentary on current events and make fun of media and pop culture going on today. There are just so many unique stories in this and each one is just done so well. I also appreciate how this show manages to tie in some emotional moments as well and make Rick a more vulnerable character at times. Finally, I really enjoy how this show just has no line and will joke and make fun of literally everything and anything. I have a bit of a darker sense of humor and times so these types of jokes just work for me. In the end, this is a hilarious show that shows no bounds and essentially creates stories about anything it wants.

7. Star Trek: The Next Generation

Star Trek: The Next Generation is one of my favorite pure Sci-Fi shows. I really enjoy this fresh crew onboard the enterprise. Captain Picard is such a cool guy to lead the ship and I quite enjoy Patrick Stewart in this role. The rest of the characters are all so much fun as well. Counselor Troi, Riker, Data and Geordi La Forge, Worf, and Dr. Crusher are all great parts of the show and add so much to the story. This show also does a great job of telling compelling stories and mini-adventures for each episode. I also quite enjoy the whole space exploration aspect. It is refreshing to have a show that isn't all about wars and conflict but is more about exploration and diplomacy. This show also adds in a bunch of new aliens and cultures that just add some new depth to the world of Star Trek with the Borg being the standout villains in the series. Finally, I enjoy how this show both showcases work on the ship as well as casual life. It is a different dynamic for the characters as we get to see both their professional and personal lives. Overall, this is a very fun show that provides exciting stories and fun adventures with every episode.

8. The Boys

The Boys is a show that adds a refreshing take on the world of superheroes. Instead of the "heroes" being good people, this show gives a story where the superheroes are corrupt and selfish. This show brings a much more dark and gritty look to the superhero world where essentially Superman is a sociopath, Wonder Woman is a drunk, Aquaman is a pervert and The Flash is a drunk junkie. It takes so many overused tropes of the superhero genre and films them on their heads. The show's real stars are its regular human characters who are trying to take a stand against the superhero tyrants. The characters are all so compelling and you truly want them to succeed in their missions. Homelander is a great villain as well as he pretends to be a hero to the public but is extremely evil behind closed doors. This show also has some great ethical discussions about how far our human characters should be willing to go to stop Homelander. This show also delivers a lot of solid superhero action. It can also be quite funny at times as well as have some solid emotional moments. Finally, it delivers a very compelling and connected story throughout its current 3 seasons with unexpected twists and turns in every episode. In the end, this is a great show about superheroes in a very different life and I am very excited to see where it goes in future seasons.

9. Seinfeld

Seinfeld is the final of the typical comedy shows on this list. What makes Seinfeld so great is that it takes the mundane aspects of everyday life and turns them into something absurd. This truly is a show about nothing. It is about characters that never grow or change experiencing aspects of life that don't really matter and yet somehow it makes for a very effective show. Every episode is extremely funny with how absurd the events play or how stupid some of the characters can be. The four main characters are so funny in their own ways and have such great chemistry together. They are all very selfish not good people but still manage to be extremely likable and watchable. This show also has so many running jokes that just make for a great laugh whenever they appear as well as so many iconic scenes and storylines, such as the Soup Nazi. The show isn't working towards anything and none of the characters become better people but somehow it still makes for a great show. Overall, this is just a very fun sitcom with likable characters, memorable storylines, and quotable lines.

10. South Park

South Park is the third and final animated show on this list and just like Rick and Morty, this show is not for kids. This show is similar to Rick and Morty in that it just has no filter and will make fun of literally anything and everything. This show has been around for 25 years and is still going strong. It is always very timely with its content as it manages to make fun of whatever is going on in society today. This show just has a very dark sense of humor that I find absolutely hilarious. The four core characters, Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny are just so iconic with so many memorable moments, attributes, and lines such as Kenny constantly dying in earlier seasons. The show also managed to grow supporting characters and make them iconic and hilarious members of the show in later seasons such as Randy Marsh and Butters. The show also surprisingly makes some pretty funny songs such as the song about Kyle's mom and the song about minorities at the water park. In the end, this is a very funny and timely show that manages to effectively make fun of whatever is going on today. This is a perfect example of a comedy show with no filter. Nothing is safe and everything has the potential to be a joke.

11. Doctor Who

Doctor Who is the one show that managed to make the list without me actually finishing the show. I am only on the 5th season but just enjoy it so much and already want to re-watch it. I enjoy the time travel space adventures where you never know where the story will be in the next episode. This does a great job of connecting storylines across multiple episodes and sometimes multiple seasons. I knew I was watching a great show after the end of season 4 that saw the payoff of 3 seasons of storying and brought in characters throughout the show. I find the Doctor a very likable character, I have only seen 3 renditions of him so far, Christopher Eccleston, David Tenant, and Matt Smith, but they all do a very good job and bring a great energy to the character. The show also brings a likable companion along for the ride whether it be Rose, Martha, Donna, or Amy. The companion is a great addition to the show and helps the Doctor grow and change to become a better person. Each episode of the show is always very exciting and sometimes delivers both very funny and very emotional moments. The show also has so many interesting and memorable villains such as the Daleks, Cybermen, The Master, and the Weeping Angels. Overall, this is just a very fun show with great storytelling and likable characters and I love going through this series,

12. The Bear

The Bear is the newest show to make my list of favorites. I just finished it a couple of weeks ago and I liked it so much and already want to re-watch it. This show has a story that is very compelling and is told in a very enticing way that makes you want to keep watching. The show has many moments that are extremely stressful and frantic but you can't help but not watch. I was unsure about the show at first but thought it really found its stride in the 3rd or 4th episode and then was absolutely fantastic in its second season. The characters in this show are also very well done. They each have their flaws but then throughout the show are actively trying to better themselves. Richie in particular has an outstanding character and probably one of the best changes I have ever seen in any show or movie. I also quite enjoy the premise being about a restaurant. Seeing all of these operational aspects of a restaurant was very interesting. The show also creates some tasty-looking food that almost makes me want to try some new recipes at home. The storytelling is very well done as it gives adequate time to all of our characters as they try to better themselves. In the end, this is a fun and exciting new show and I can't wait to see what comes of season 3.