There is no such thing as "Greatest Series Of All Time"
08-03-02, 08:55 PM
#1
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There is no such thing as "Greatest Series Of All Time"
Perhaps I'm in the minority here, but I'm really sick of hearing that "[Insert TV series] is the greatest series of all time". Sorry, but it's kinda impossible to do with over 50 years of television.
Lets take some series that have been popular and called the "greatest":
* I Love Lucy - Pioneering comedy series of it's day, and it's popularity still endures.
* The Twilight Zone - Rod Serlings way of commenting on society by dancing around network censors and making it look Science Fiction with the ironic twist. Many episodes are classics, and showcase stars and directors before their prime.
* M*A*S*H - A comedy series that lasted longer than the Korean war itself, and was almost cancelled in it's first season.
* Hill Street Blues - Pioneering cop series that shows up occassionally.
* Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation
* Babylon 5
* Buffy, The Vampire Slayer
* Neon Genesis Evangelion
The list goes on and on. Are any of those series perhaps overrated? Perhaps. Bad? Possibly, but not on my list.
The thing that gets me is that the shows were perhaps a reflection of the times and people when they were first aired. But, peoples tastes change, and also the way TV shows were produced. Take a look at Lucy's later shows. They are not as popular as I Love Lucy, even though she displayed the same comic style.
Just my two cents worth.... it must be August.
Lets take some series that have been popular and called the "greatest":
* I Love Lucy - Pioneering comedy series of it's day, and it's popularity still endures.
* The Twilight Zone - Rod Serlings way of commenting on society by dancing around network censors and making it look Science Fiction with the ironic twist. Many episodes are classics, and showcase stars and directors before their prime.
* M*A*S*H - A comedy series that lasted longer than the Korean war itself, and was almost cancelled in it's first season.
* Hill Street Blues - Pioneering cop series that shows up occassionally.
* Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation
* Babylon 5
* Buffy, The Vampire Slayer
* Neon Genesis Evangelion
The list goes on and on. Are any of those series perhaps overrated? Perhaps. Bad? Possibly, but not on my list.
The thing that gets me is that the shows were perhaps a reflection of the times and people when they were first aired. But, peoples tastes change, and also the way TV shows were produced. Take a look at Lucy's later shows. They are not as popular as I Love Lucy, even though she displayed the same comic style.
Just my two cents worth.... it must be August.
08-03-02, 09:25 PM
#2
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What I find funny is when people proclaim some show as the best thing on television when freely admitting it's the only show they watch.
No art can legitimately be proclaimed the greatest of all time, as that's just opinion. Sure, I have my list of best shows ever on television, but it's just my list. So I refer to things as "one of the best" not "the best".
das
P.S. I do believe it's OK to have a Best Letters of the Alphabet list.
No art can legitimately be proclaimed the greatest of all time, as that's just opinion. Sure, I have my list of best shows ever on television, but it's just my list. So I refer to things as "one of the best" not "the best".
das
P.S. I do believe it's OK to have a Best Letters of the Alphabet list.
08-03-02, 09:41 PM
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Tv is too young to really have greatest of all time.
Maybe the inventor of it should get kudo's for now.
100 years from now, maybe then we can all discuss it
as a art or whatever they call it then.
Maybe the inventor of it should get kudo's for now.
100 years from now, maybe then we can all discuss it
as a art or whatever they call it then.
08-03-02, 10:23 PM
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Originally posted by das Monkey
P.S. I do believe it's OK to have a Best Letters of the Alphabet list.
P.S. I do believe it's OK to have a Best Letters of the Alphabet list.
08-03-02, 10:45 PM
#5
I think there can easily be a greatest show of all time if people are willing to agree to disagree. It's all about your perception.
What I do think, though, is that a show has to earn that title. Having TV Guide declare "Seinfeld" as the best TV series of all time is a joke. I'm not a huge fan of the show, but I know that it can't be older than a decade. I've seen some episodes. Is it funny? Maybe to some. Best of all time? Let's wait quite a few more years. It'd be like stating the Matrix or American Beauty as THE best film over Citizen Kane. A show has to age to gain that title.
But, when you take a look at "I Love Lucy," a show that in my opinon is the best of all time, it started in the 1950's. It has earned it's keep, not to mention the great job the show did in making television and sitcoms what they are today. It doesn't feel outdated or stale except when maybe a movie star of that era is mentioned in the show. The show still holds up great today and Lucy is one of the most recognized names in television.
What I do think, though, is that a show has to earn that title. Having TV Guide declare "Seinfeld" as the best TV series of all time is a joke. I'm not a huge fan of the show, but I know that it can't be older than a decade. I've seen some episodes. Is it funny? Maybe to some. Best of all time? Let's wait quite a few more years. It'd be like stating the Matrix or American Beauty as THE best film over Citizen Kane. A show has to age to gain that title.
But, when you take a look at "I Love Lucy," a show that in my opinon is the best of all time, it started in the 1950's. It has earned it's keep, not to mention the great job the show did in making television and sitcoms what they are today. It doesn't feel outdated or stale except when maybe a movie star of that era is mentioned in the show. The show still holds up great today and Lucy is one of the most recognized names in television.
08-03-02, 10:57 PM
#7
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Well, The Simpsons is clearly the Greatest Series of The Millenium (this one and the last), but the verdict is out on whether it will become the Greatest of all time.
08-03-02, 11:10 PM
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Why does everyone forget The Honeymooners. The longest running series of all time and IMO the basis for all sitcoms that followed.
In my eyes there is none greater than Seinfeld...but that is MY opinion...mainly because I relate to it so easily.
In my eyes there is none greater than Seinfeld...but that is MY opinion...mainly because I relate to it so easily.
08-04-02, 02:37 AM
#9
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"Greatest Series of All Time" is a figment of everyone's imagination.
1. Even if something IS the greatest sooner or later something will come along to replace it...hence no show can be the "greatest of all time"
2. Its based upon opinion. TV guide said Seinfeld was the greatest, i said it wasnt. Neither of us is wrong or right..its a matter of opinion.
Either way there is no way there could be a "Greatest Series of all time"
1. Even if something IS the greatest sooner or later something will come along to replace it...hence no show can be the "greatest of all time"
2. Its based upon opinion. TV guide said Seinfeld was the greatest, i said it wasnt. Neither of us is wrong or right..its a matter of opinion.
Either way there is no way there could be a "Greatest Series of all time"
08-04-02, 04:31 PM
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Originally posted by palebluedot
Why does everyone forget The Honeymooners. The longest running series of all time and IMO the basis for all sitcoms that followed.
In my eyes there is none greater than Seinfeld...but that is MY opinion...mainly because I relate to it so easily.
Why does everyone forget The Honeymooners. The longest running series of all time and IMO the basis for all sitcoms that followed.
In my eyes there is none greater than Seinfeld...but that is MY opinion...mainly because I relate to it so easily.
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionC...eason_show.htm
08-04-02, 08:21 PM
#12
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And -
I don't think there are any perfect people in the world. An example is, you, the thread starter.
Not flaming...just trying to prove a point of
O-P-I-N-I-O-N-S.
I get so sick of people getting upset with others because of those opinions...
Why can't people understand?
Oh, wait! there are no perfect people.
I don't think there are any perfect people in the world. An example is, you, the thread starter.
Not flaming...just trying to prove a point of
O-P-I-N-I-O-N-S.
I get so sick of people getting upset with others because of those opinions...
Why can't people understand?
Oh, wait! there are no perfect people.
08-05-02, 09:34 AM
#13
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Thread Starter
Originally posted by conscience
I don't think there are any perfect people in the world. An example is, you, the thread starter.
Not flaming...just trying to prove a point of
O-P-I-N-I-O-N-S.
I get so sick of people getting upset with others because of those opinions...
I don't think there are any perfect people in the world. An example is, you, the thread starter.
Not flaming...just trying to prove a point of
O-P-I-N-I-O-N-S.
I get so sick of people getting upset with others because of those opinions...
BTW: I'm collecting Mash on DVD.
08-05-02, 03:03 PM
#16
I am also sure the series begun in Japan, the UK and other parts of the world deserve to have a say in what's the best. Fawlty Towers, for example, is far better written and acted than Seinfeld, IMO.
08-05-02, 03:13 PM
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Originally posted by nightwing82
everyone can have their personal greatest series of all time. and don't let anyone else dictate to you otherwise. especially not tv guide.
everyone can have their personal greatest series of all time. and don't let anyone else dictate to you otherwise. especially not tv guide.
Although I subdivide it into comedy (The Simpsons) and drama (Law & Order).
08-05-02, 08:07 PM
#18
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Originally posted by LBPound
Ahem...
Ahem...
I take the "______ is the Greatest _____ of All Time" statements with a grain of salt.
I am in the crowd that thinks it's just opinion and that's all.
Me, I see nothing humorous about I Love Lucy, but I can respect the fans. She's just not funny to me.
But this guy...
That guy is the epitome of comic genius.
08-06-02, 02:17 PM
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The best TV series are the ones that get cancelled about 3 seasons in so they don't get to the final season where the show inevitably turns to crap.
08-06-02, 03:03 PM
#20
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Overload, lol... yeah... if Buffy ended after season 3 I'd still be a huge fan.
Same with X-files... Simpsons.. ect... I'm glad Futurama was canned, before it turned into Simpsons.
Same with X-files... Simpsons.. ect... I'm glad Futurama was canned, before it turned into Simpsons.
08-06-02, 03:16 PM
#21
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Originally posted by BizRodian
I'm glad Futurama was canned, before it turned into Simpsons.
I'm glad Futurama was canned, before it turned into Simpsons.
Yes.
While i'm still bummed it was canned, i am happier knowing it will never turn into the monotonous show that The Simpsons has become.
08-07-02, 11:09 AM
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Originally posted by thecrazydude
My friend you are wrong . The greatest series of all time is.....drum roll...... Seinfeld!
My friend you are wrong
. The greatest series of all time is.....drum roll...... Seinfeld!