Best Written TV Series

[PaloAltoCougar]

The Writers Guild of America has put out a list of the all-time best written TV series, and it's tough to argue with their choices--there are a lot of really good shows there, although I think it might be slightly biased toward more current fare. On the other hand, I think the past few years have been a golden age for TV in many ways, so it's hard to quibble.

Which shows do you think are the most underrated and overrated on the list? I'd go with St. Elsewhere as the most underrated (it's 46 and I think it's a worthy Top 20 candidate), and with Friends as the most overrated (I suppose it's my age that made me think it was somewhat less clever than the 24 ranking it was given).

And I confess to never having watched The Sopranos, however we have recently added HBO to our viewing package so I suspect a major binge-watching spree may be in the offing. See you guys next month.

[Donuthole]

The Writers Guild of America has put out a list of the all-time best written TV series, and it's tough to argue with their choices--there are a lot of really good shows there, although I think it might be slightly biased toward more current fare. On the other hand, I think the past few years have been a golden age for TV in many ways, so it's hard to quibble.

Which shows do you think are the most underrated and overrated on the list? I'd go with St. Elsewhere as the most underrated (it's 46 and I think it's a worthy Top 20 candidate), and with Friends as the most overrated (I suppose it's my age that made me think it was somewhat less clever than the 24 ranking it was given).

And I confess to never having watched The Sopranos, however we have recently added HBO to our viewing package so I suspect a major binge-watching spree may be in the offing. See you guys next month.

Lost? Well-written? lol Yeah, that list has some problems.

[clackamascoug]

Boston Legal.

The last five minutes with Shatner and Spader smoking and drinking = good writing.

[Sullyute]

I think that saturday night live is over rated in this list. There has definitely been some good jokes and skits thru the years but there has been plenty of crap too.

[UVACoug]

Sopranos is very overrated. I wouldn't even put it in the top ten. The list was created to be controversial, in order to get buzz.

Modern Family at 34 (and above Twin Peaks)? Give me a break! I loved the first season of that show, but it has been crap since then. Shouldn't even be on the list.

[Jeff Lebowski]

And I confess to never having watched The Sopranos, however we have recently added HBO to our viewing package so I suspect a major binge-watching spree may be in the offing. See you guys next month.

The Sopranos is fantastic. Great series.

[Non Sequitur]

The Newsroom and The Unit are two shows I would put on the list. I would also have The Shield a lot higher.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

I didn't see the Rockford Files on the list and it was written by the creator and writer of the Sopranos. It also was a highly regarded show in its day.

[CardiacCoug]

I watched every single episode of the Sopranos and PAC you've gotta binge watch it -- it's a worthy number one.

The Shield would be in my top ten. That first season just blew me away when I saw that. I think I was in my last year of med school and hadn't watched much TV in years -- borrowed the first season DVD from a friend and never realized a TV show could be that entertaining.

I would put Curb Your Enthusiasm and Louie higher too but that is just my style of comedy -- love those shows.

[CardiacCoug]

And yeah I watched Friends but I don't think it's any better written than today's popular sitcoms like Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Is Curb Your Enthusiasm even written. Doesn't Larry David essentially come up with an outline of the episode and the actors just adlib?

I think Mad Men is better written than the Sopranos. I also think Seinfeld was a good call. Justified will one day be on this list

[Donuthole]

Justified will one day be on this list

And that day is today!

[ERCougar]

The Newsroom and The Unit are two shows I would put on the list. I would also have The Shield a lot higher.

I watched every single episode of the Sopranos and PAC you've gotta binge watch it -- it's a worthy number one.

The Shield would be in my top ten. That first season just blew me away when I saw that. I think I was in my last year of med school and hadn't watched much TV in years -- borrowed the first season DVD from a friend and never realized a TV show could be that entertaining.

I would put Curb Your Enthusiasm and Louie higher too but that is just my style of comedy -- love those shows.

Seriously, how is the Shield not much, much higher?

Agree on CYE and Louie.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

And that day is today!

For some reason, I thought the list compiled the top 50 shows.