The only thing I like less than playing pop culture Sophie’s Choice is turning down a challenge — so when Staying In dared me to select my five favorite TV shows of all-time, it was impossible to back down.
The daunting prospect of picking a handful of programs to proclaim publicly as “my favorites” paled in comparison to the challenged that actually existed when time came to whittle down my list (it started at 18). Thankfully one simple rule made the endeavor all the easier: the shows could not currently be on the air.
Cuz lets face it, you never know what regrettable roads your favorite show will go down. Case in point: season two of “Alias” would totally rank, while I think we’d all like to forget season four even existed.
That means shows like “Community,” “Dexter” and “Vampire Diaries” — which could conceivably replace one or more of the Top 5 at some point — are not in contention. And as not to spoil the fun, the six shows called out above are actually my runners-up.
So, quick applause for “Sex and the City,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Wonderfalls,” “Six Feet Under,” “Veronica Mars” and “Battlestar Galactica” as each narrowly missed out on the main show for one reason or another.
OK, with that out of the way, I proudly present in no particular order (don’t make me rank ’em on top of everything else!) PopWrap’s Favorite Five Shows of All-Time!
“The Office” BBC Version
Why: Short, succinct and one of the most inventive comedies to ever exist, Ricky Gervais’ original creation popularized — and perfected — the awkward pause. In a game of “anything you can do, I can do better” Ricky’s David Brent can also tell Steve Carell’s Michael Scott, “anything you can do, I did first.”
“Friday Night Lights”
Why: Quite simply, TV’s most inspiring series always found inventive ways to tackle well-worn issues (abortion) and archetypes (the dumb jock) before totally rebooting itself in season four with a series of impressive racially charged episodes.
“Sports Night”
Why: Before “Studio 60” and “West Wing,” Aaron Sorkin masterfully tackled the politicking that goes on behind-the-scenes at a “Sports Center”-like show. But “Night” has almost nothing to do with sports (obviously since I’m picking it) and everything to do with the passion required to become the best in any given field, conversation or relationship.
“Arrested Development”
Why: There wasn’t a single syllable wasted on this still buzzed about comedy, which also remains king of the running joke: chicken dance, Gob’s tricks (sorry, I mean illusions), one armed men, Lucille’s winking pills, “no touching” and Tobis’ questionable sexuality.
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
Why: Although the show posits that a slayer is born into every generation, no one — before or since — has matched the moxie, heart, guts, brains or snark Miss. Buffy Summers displayed for seven seasons as she fought the vampires, demons, forces of evil and saved the world … a lot.
What are your five favorite TV shows?
Photo: WireImage