Experiencing the greatest age of TV

[Telly]

Sorry for the "Ben-esque" title but someone at The Globes mentioned, we're living in the greatest age of television. With some of the examples below, I think I agree.

This is the first time I can remember being this excited about so many excellent shows for us to choose from. My Netflix queue has become half TV, half Film. I don't ever remember having the same viewing habits I have now even ten years ago. I think our choices of strong television programs far outweighs what we get at the theater these days. What do you guys think this says about the state of film and TV? What does this trend imply for both mediums?

Some of the best shows around are also some of the greatest shows ever made. All developed in the last decade, most in the last 5 years:

The Wire
Mad Men
Dexter
Always Sunny
Nip/Tuck
Weeds
Breaking Bad
Deadwood
BSG
Rome
30 Rock
Big Love
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Six Feet Under
Adult Swim
Eastbound & Down
Flight of Conchords
Arrested Dev.
Sopranos
True Blood
The Riches
The Tudors
Family Guy
Entourage
Huff
Project Runway
The Office

This list could go on for a while. Granted, there are triple the stations to choose from, but I wonder what it is on a % level. Regardless, the more I think about it, the more intrigued I am by the risks and brilliant writing/producing happening over the last ten years. I wonder if it's only going to get better or if it's one giant bubble.

[12916studios]

You missed Lost.

That makes me very angry.

Also Pushing Daisies, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, and Veronica Mars. Some of those might not be on the exact level of shows like Lost, Dexter, or Th Wire, but they are still completely brilliant in their own magnificent ways.

[Telly]

Originally Posted by 12916studios

You missed Lost.

That makes me very angry.

Also Pushing Daisies, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, and Veronica Mars. Some of those might not be on the exact level of shows like Lost, Dexter, or Th Wire, but they are still completely brilliant in their own magnificent ways.

Like I said, the list goes on and on. Mine was a partial list of what I enjoy

[jimjimgrande]

drama, as a genre, has migrated to television. Studios don't make many dramas anymore, so that kind of storytelling and the writers who aspire to it have found a new home.

not to mention that fact that in television we get to hands-on produce our episodes and therefore exert greater creative control over them, makes the medium all the more attractive.

I don't think it's a bubble, though production budgets for network shows will continue to shrink absent the ad revenues to support them.

And it'd be worth adding the two seasons of Brotherhood to your queue.

[Telly]

Originally Posted by jimjimgrande

And it'd be worth adding the two seasons of Brotherhood to your queue.

Already watched them both. Solid show as well Too bad it was cancelled. That's also a crappy part of having so many great shows, having half of them canceled before they can mature. Shame.

[BattleDolphinZero]

Dude, the greatest age of tv. is gone. The best shows on that list are no longer on the air.

There was a great time back when Wire, Sopranos, etc were all on at once, but that's long gone.

[Rantanplan]

Damn, I've never heard of half of those shows! So glad I don't have cable, I would never get any work done...

I insist on pointing out that you forgot THE WEST WING. It's gone but still recent enough to qualify, along with its short lived successor STUDIO 60.

[Typewriter]

You missed the 1st season or two of Prison Break.

[12916studios]

The first season of Prison Break was indeed brilliant.

[jimjimgrande]

Originally Posted by BattleDolphinZero

Dude, the greatest age of tv. is gone. The best shows on that list are no longer on the air.

There was a great time back when Wire, Sopranos, etc were all on at once, but that's long gone.

i think it's better to have great shows like the wire and sopranos available on dvd, while mad men and breaking bad are on the air.

point being to live in a time when the value of releasing tv on dvd has been recognized so that libraries as well as current shows are made available to us.