Here is the second part of my Top 35 TV Shows post series. If you watch any of the shows on this list, please comment and let me know. Maybe I will discover that there are some fans of a certain series and I might write full posts about the shows Also note that the list only includes scripted series that originated on TV. Please enjoy and tell me what you think of the list thus far.
At Number 35: Elementary
CBS's recent American adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes has the fans outraged and general audiences captivated, ranking in the top 10 most watched shows of the year. Despite its flaws, Elementary bought something fresh to the crime genre, giving us mostly solid mysteries every week with surprisingly likeable characters. What surprised me most was Lucy Liu as Watson, despite my original skepticism, she turned out to be one of the best aspects of the series. The first season had its ups and downs, but season two is rather impressive and I hope it will continue its quality of storytelling.
At Number 34: The Andy Griffith Show
Its The Andy Griffith Show, what more needs to be said? Almost everyone has seen it at some point, it is classic television. Sure, the seasons after Don Knotts left never came close to matching the early ones, but the show was hilarious when he was on it.
At Number 33: Falling Skies
Despite its writing inconsistency, Falling Skies is undoubtedly has the highest production value and special effects of any sci-fi show on television. Seriously, some of the effects are better than some movies, particularly season three's effects. At times the series can feel as though it is moving at a glacial pace, especially the first season, but it is worth it in the end. Aside from the impressive effects, the show is a well made alien invasion drama and one of the better examples of the alien invasion genre.
At Number 32: Justice League Unlimited/Justice League
Both Justice League and the expansion of the series, Justice League Unlimited, take place in the same universe as Bruce Timm's Batman: the Animated Series. Justice League Unlimited is currently the only adaptation to actually bring the JL to life and the way WB is going with the film adaptation, it will be only one for a long time. Since I have not seen it in a while, it ranks a little low, but if I re-watch it would probably rank higher. Plus the opening theme is severely underrated, it is absolutely awesome!
At Number 31: Avengers: Earth Mightiest Heroes
At first Avengers looked like any other animated comic book series, but it soon became surprisingly mature and focused on excellent character development. Earth's Mightiest Heroes adapted many of the classic comic book storylines with surprising accurately and with a few more seasons the series could have lead to the Civil War storyline the way the story was going. Unfortunately the heavily serialized nature of its great story and Disney's acquisition of Marvel was the show's downfall when it was cancelled after only two seasons.
Have you seen any of these shows? Do you like any of them? Please comment below.
If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.
Ha ha! I absolutely LOVE the Andy Griffith show. It's so funny and such a classic! I haven't seen Elementary, but I've been wanting to see it ever since it first came out. I'll start watching it when it comes out on Netflix. And, of course, I am a huge fan of Falling Skies.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen The Blacklist? I've been watching it and I absolutely love it...it's not really the type of show I normally watch, but as soon as I started the first episode I was hooked. And James Spader plays Raymond Reddington! :)
Cool, I find it difficult to think that any could dislike the Andy Griffith Show! :) Elementary is worth giving a shot, even if the show is not always the best.
DeleteNo I have not, but I believe I have Blacklist recorded on my DVR, I should watch it then.
-James
Any Griffith show? Exactly, what more needs to be said??
ReplyDeleteMy parents are big Falling Skies fans. I'll watch from time to time, but surprisingly (since I'm such a sci fi geek), it just doesn't engage me. I'm not sure why. I will agree with you that the effects are top notch.
Couldn't have said it better myself about Andy.
DeleteI was not really that hooked with Falling Skies for several episodes, so I can understand why you didn't like that much.
-James
I've been hearing some really good stuff about Elementary, and I definitely want to watch it at some point now! I am really excited about the character of Watson, since I think it's cool they had a girl in the role!
ReplyDeleteI also plan on starting Falling Skies very soon(along with Star Trek) as my next show to start. Earth's Mightiest Heroes also looks good and I've heard a lot of good things about it as well.
Elementary is a fun watch when you have the time, although I a lot of the other shows later on my list are much better. :)
DeleteBoth Falling Skies and Avengers are definitely recommended! :D
-James
I have mixed feelings about Elementary. The plots on the show are usually interesting, and the characters are very well developed. And Lucy Liu and Jonny Lee Miller are both very good, but I just don't like that they are Watson and Holmes! It just seems so wrong...
ReplyDeleteI agree that they don't really seem like Watson and Holmes when comparing the show to the source material. It is more of a detective show that happens to have characters named after the iconic characters.
Delete-James
Yes. Exactly. And thinking that, I can thoroughly enjoy the show.
DeleteI love The Andy Griffith Show! One of my top ten favorite shows. But I agree that after Don Knotts left, it wasn't nearly as good.
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched any of the others, but a fellow Sherlockian was just telling me that Elementary is actually good, so I'll have to try to find time to catch a couple eps on Hulu and see if I like it.
I think almost everyone likes the Andy Griffith Show!
DeleteYeah, Elementary is usually very good. I would recommend giving it a shot since you are a such a big fan of the franchise.
-James
The Andy Griffith Show! Such a fun show, I love Don Knotts character so much. :P
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of Falling Skies but I totally need to look into it!!!
I still can't bring myself to even consider Elementary.... *sobs from life's hard choices*
I might check out the two animated series sometime. Yesterday I saw Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and it was really really good (now I really like Mark Hamill's Joker, too). I'll probably deviate more towards Batman: The Animated Series before these other two, though...
~Jamie
Falling Skies is great, although some of the others shows later on the list are ones I would recommend even more.
DeleteConsidering how attached you are to the BBC Sherlock, I would not recommend watching Elementary, at least for a while. :)
YOU WATCHED MASK OF THE PHANTASM! That is literally my favorite animated film! :D Yes, Batman: The Animated Series, which will appear much later on my list, is highly recommended, and watching the series makes the movie even better since Batman's character is actually developed.
-James
I liked the JLU/JL shows. Hope the upcoming Batman vs Superman would be at least half as good as these shows.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your views about Elementary. Lucy Liu is the best part of the show.
B2B.
I hope so as well. The series and animated movie are still the best adaptation of Batman and Superman together.
DeleteI am glad we agree again B2B.
-James
I've heard of all these shows except for Falling Skies and The Andy Griffith Show. Falling Skies doesn't look like something I'd watch, but I am interested in The Andy Griffith Show. I feel like I'm missing out on something.
ReplyDeleteI think Sherlock is probably better than Elementary, but I am in no place to judge, since I've never actually watched it. I never thought of bothering with it, but maybe I should give it a chance. Elementary gave me a bad first impression, though, so I'm not so sure about it.
The Andy Griffith Show is definitely one of those must watch shows that you should at least watch once.
DeleteYes, Sherlock is most certainly better than Elementary. However, you won't see Sherlock on the list until much later because that is one of my favorite shows. The show is good, although there are a lot of other better shows out there.
-James
AHHH FALLING SKIES IS MY FAVORITE TV SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBut seriously I'm obsessed with that show. lol. <3<3<3<3
Awesome, I did not know Falling Skies was your favorite show!
Delete-James