Books are my first love, but I have quite a few TV shows that I love, as well. The following is a list of my top ten favourite TV shows that I have watched so far. I'm always looking for a new favourite TV show though, so if you know of any that you think I might like, please let me know in the comments!
1. LOST
Every now and then, a show comes along that changes the way we view TV, that revolutionizes what TV used to be and makes it into something MORE. This was
LOST. And I was HUGELY obsessed with it while it was on the air. You have never seen an introduction more epic than the Pilot for
LOST, nor have you likely come across a show that had as many confounding mysteries, surprising twists and WTF moments. For the uninitiated,
LOST is best watched back-to-back binge-style as the plot can get quite hard to follow if you watch it over a longer period of time.
2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Anyone else grow up watching
Buffy and used to pretend you were a bad-ass vampire slayer of extreme strength and agility? No? Just me then. Oh, how I adore
Buffy! Sure, some of the earlier seasons were pretty cheesy, but the characters were ALWAYS the best. Of special note is the Season 4 episode, "Hush", and the Season 6 Emmy-nominated all-musical episode, "Once More With Feeling". I could watch those episodes ad nauseam.
3. Breaking Bad
I binge watched the entire series of
Breaking Bad earlier on this year and it was immediately apparent that yes, what people say is true: it really is one of the best TV shows ever.
Breaking Bad has possibly the most incredible character arcs I've ever witnessed in a TV series. It is truly a remarkable story and I don't hesitate to recommend it to everyone I know.
4. Six Feet Under
I've never given much thought to death before - I generally avoid it as a rule - but
Six Feet Under, centred around a family-run funeral home that begins each episode with a death, definitely got me thinking about mortality in a very profound and moving way. The characters are incredibly flawed, but I can't help but like them anyway.
Six Feet Under also features the most perfect series ending to a TV show ever, so it's a MUST watch.
5. Skins
Skins is a bit like
Degrassi in that it centres around a group of troubled teenage friends who all have their different issues to sort out. Except you know... compared to
Degrassi, it's actually really well written and acted and is GOOD (ouch... sorry
Degrassi). I can't say that I was able to identify with many of the characters on
Skins because I had a very different adolescence than these teens, but I still can't help but have such fondness for them all. And PLEASE don't even think about watching the much inferior MTV US remake of the show! Stick with the original UK show!
6. Downton Abbey
I've made no secret of the fact that I LOVE period drama series and
Downton Abbey was the one that started off that obsession! The show veers into soap opera territory from time to time, but on the whole, it's a fabulous show with fantastic sets, costumes, characters, and storylines. It's basically impossible not to become completely engaged in these characters' lives from the get-go.
7. Veronica Mars
While some may classify
Veronica Mars as just your typical teenage drama, don't be fooled:
Veronica Mars is film noir at its finest and appeals to teens and adults alike. This show was SUPER under-appreciated while it was on the air, leading to its premature demise, but thanks to a very successful Kickstarter campaign, it was risen again! Oh, but lets pretend Season 3 never happened.
8. Freaks and Geeks
You may recognize James Franco, Jason Segel, and Seth Rogen from the short-lived
Freaks and Geeks. It aired for one season only, but produced some of the best and most realistic coming-of-age episodes in that time. You can't help but love these outcasts!
9. Game of Thrones
I have never watched a series more epic than
Game of Thrones. Is there any other show like it that compares to its cast of thousands, its ambitious sets, its ruthless killing of main characters? I know not of one.
Game of Thrones was definitely the impetus behind my newly re-found obsession with high fantasy and it's crazy how excited I get for each new episode.
10. Planet Earth
Planet Earth is without a doubt the most breathtaking and awe-inspiring nature shows of all time. Not into nature shows? Well, you'll be into this one, trust me. It is absolutely the most comprehensive and ambitious showcase of life on Earth out there and you WILL be blown away by it.
Your list is awesome!!! My favorite from here is Lost. Haven't seen Six Feet Under yet but can't wait to get to it eventually!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Six Feet Under is a MUST!
DeletePlanet earth! I forgot about that! I actually haven't finished watching Lost and I used to watch it when it was actually coming on tv....oops. Awesome list!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT
I almost forgot to mention it, too, because it isn't your typical tv show!
DeleteBuffy was such a good series. I'm really craving a re-watch now! :-)
ReplyDeleteMe too, actually!
DeleteI love Freaks and Geeks when it first aired, would love to check it out again.
ReplyDeleteOoh, you watched it when it first aired, that's cool!
DeleteSon of a B- I totally forgot Veronica Mars! Love that show!
ReplyDeletehaha, oh noes!!
DeleteLOVE Skins. I've only seen Generation One (seasons 1 and 2) but I am curious about Effie and her friends. Regardless, that's one of my favorite shows too. Cassie and Sid are two of my favorite characters for sure. :-)
ReplyDelete-lauren
YAYY!! I love Cassie and Sid, too :) And you should definitely check out the next two generations - I was resistant to the idea of replacing the original cast at first, but I ended up falling in love with the new characters, too!
DeleteYAY for Breaking Bad - I have that on my list as well :)
ReplyDeleteI really need to get watching Veronica Mars since I've heard so many good things about!
YES, you must MUST watch Veronica Mars!!
DeleteAww, your list made me fangirl so hard when I saw Skins and Downton Abbey. I watched those shows in like a week and as an added bonus I've developed a slightly believable British accent. Lol! Breaking Bad was an awesome show for me, too and Game of Thrones is hands down the best series right now.
ReplyDeletehaha, I noticed the same thing when I watched many British TV shows over a short period - I started to talk like them a bit! Yay for fangirling!!
DeleteLost! Buffy! Veronica Mars! These are all shows that are high on my Netflix binge-watch list. And I love Game of Thrones, too.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT!
Netflix is my best friend, basically X)
DeleteLove your list. I didn't have room for Downton Abby and Game of Thrones but I adore those shows as well. Luckily I can marathon a lot of shows on Netflix due to my current lack of cable tv. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Netflix, how I love thee! There were quite a few that I would have wanted to put on my list, if only I had more room!
DeleteConfession time: sometimes when I go to Body Combat classes and there aren't any guys there, I pretend I'm at a Potential Slayer training session. I should probably be embarrassed about this, but I'm not.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT
LOL!!!! Do NOT be embarrassed, hold your head up proud! That is so brilliant, if only I knew of an empty gym with a punching bag, I would totally try out (and fail at) some Buffy moves!
DeleteI didn't discover Buffy until it had already been canceled, but that show is what made me love creepy supernatural/monster books/movies/tv shows. Imagine if I had been introduced to that world through Twilight... that would have been different.
ReplyDeleteI am also a huge fan of Veronica Mars. I'm so glad that they did the movie right. Have you read the book yet? It's surprisingly good.
Huh, yeah it's an interesting thought... because in Buffy, vampires were the bad guys and meant to be killed, with some certain attractive additions ^^ The vampires in Twilight are definitely different.
DeleteLOVED the Veronica Mars movie!! I haven't read the book yet, but I'm hoping to get to it really soon!
I have Breaking Bad and Downton Abbey on my list too! I love these series! I binge-watched Lost some time ago and I forgot to add it on my list! I watched some Buffy when I was younger and I liked it, but I honestly don't remember it that much :). Great list!
ReplyDeleteMy Top Ten TV Shows.
YAY, binge-watching LOST is the way to go!! I would definitely recommend revisiting Buffy, especially if you don't remember it much - the experience will be totally new!
DeleteGreat picks. I love Downton Abbey and Buffy and especially GoT. I saw Skins of Netflix and added it to my to-watch list. Glad to hear it's good.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, it's GOOD, real good! It was a bit hard at first to follow some of their dialogue, but it gets easier overtime!
DeleteLost is so fascinating. I stopped after season 4, though. I just couldn't get into the first couple episodes of season 5, but I definitely need to give it another chance.
ReplyDelete"Anyone else grow up watching Buffy and used to pretend you were a bad-ass vampire slayer of extreme strength and agility?" *raises hand* ADORE that show so much (and especially those episodes)! Despite the weaker episodes that happened every now and then, that show is still incredible.
My brother keeps telling me to check out Breaking Bad. It sounds like an incredible show.
Ooh, Planet Earth! I've only seen a bit, but I keep meaning to check out more.
Fabulous post!
Oh, please do give LOST another chance! I know a lot of people didn't like the series finale, but I honestly loved it. You may need to start over from the beginning now though unless you have a really good memory.
DeleteHaha, YAY LEA!! SO happy to hear that I'm not alone in that! There were weaker episodes, but it was on the whole pretty fantastic, I agree!
Breaking Bad and Planet Earth are both MUST watch!!
I adore Buffy. Hush was one of the genuinely creepy episodes, and I love the Once More With Feeling Soundtrack. I never picked up the Season 8 comic though, I guess I was satisfied with how it ended on TV.
ReplyDeleteI've never picked up the Season 8 comic either, but I think about it from time to time. Apparently there are quite a few advancements in the canon! I was satisfied with the way it ended on TV though.
DeleteAHHH Aylee you have the best taste in TV! These are all some of my favorite shows ever (I'm currently re-watching Skins just cause I miss it and it's on Netflix). The only one I haven't seen is Planet Earth but based on the rest of the list I obviously need to get on that immediately! :-)
ReplyDeleteAww, well I'm flattered that you would think that! I totally want to rewatch Skins again, even though I've already watched it a good three times already. Love it so much! Planet Earth is AMAZING and you won't regret watching it!
DeleteI love how Breaking Bad made me question all these things and how I felt connected to the characters. It was an amazing show and the ending was sad, but fitting. I'm obsessed with Game of thrones, hands down the best fantasy series ever. I really want to see Downtown abbey :D
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was definitely thought-provoking and I loved that about Breaking Bad! I absolutely agree about the ending, it was just perfect. I think you would really love Downton Abbey, Mel!
DeleteIt looks like I have a lot of television shows to start watching, I've only seen Buffy from your list. I'm really wanting to start Breaking Bad after seeing it on your list, I love that you thought the characters changed throughout the series and that the story was great. It sounds so unique!
ReplyDeleteI also really need to watch Game of Thrones, from what I hear it looks so good!
haha, you and me both! So much TV, it can be a little overwhelming. Like with books, heh. But yeah, Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones is a MUST!
DeleteWell, I haven't seen any of those, nor have I heard of several of them. I really want to watch/read GAME OF THRONES, however. Great list, Aylee!
ReplyDeletehaha, that's okay, guess some of my favourite shows aren't super popular in the States.
DeleteI was OBSESSED with Downton Abbey until that episode with Matthew. First Sybil (who was my favorite btw) and then Matthew.. ugh, my heart. I needed a break but I haven't gone back to watch :/
ReplyDeleteI've heard nothing but glowing reviews for BREAKING BAD and I intend to watch it asap. But maybe I should start with Veronica Mars since it only has 3 seasons. I never watched Buffy while it was airing but I do watch the reruns occasionally. From what I've seen, it's an awesome show. :)
Ugh yeah :( I will say that I don't think I quite enjoyed Season 4 as much as the prior seasons with Sybil and Matthew alive.
DeleteYeah, Veronica Mars is a good one to start with because a) it doesn't have many episodes and b) it's totally awesome. I really hope you enjoy it!! (and BB and Buffy!!)
YES! Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my favorite show of all time! I am kind of obsessed and rewatch it way too much! Oh, and Angel and Firefly, if you have yet to watch them, are also amazing! And Freaks and Geeks! Such a great show! I love that it takes place in the 80s. Have you seen Undeclared? If not, I'd definitely recommend watching it. It is just as good, if not better. I wish these series had been longer. And Game of Thrones and Lost are of course amazing! I need to watch Veronica Mars pronto, and I never finished Breaking Bad. I was having trouble getting into it, and I got to season 3, but people keep telling me I need to keep going. I'll have to finish it soon. Great list, Aylee!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I did binge watch Lost on Netflix, and you are right! It is so much easier to keep up with everything that's going on, even though I was still a little bit confused, but I think that's inevitable. lol Such a good show!
DeleteYAYYAY COURTNEY!! So happy to hear that you're a Buffy fan. All the good ones are! I've watched and LOVED Firefly and Angel was good too. I'll have to try out Undeclared now :)
DeleteSome of the best shows were canceled before their time, sadly... but at least I appreciate that because of that, they were always good and were never overplayed.
Hee, oh LOST. I kind of loved how confusing it was though. I am due for a rewatch at some point because I miss it in my life.
Breaking Bad does have a bit of a slow period, I found. BUT it picks right back up again later, it is SO amazing!!
So many shows I love are here! LOST for sure. And Veronica Mars and Game of Thrones! Three of my top shows right there.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on Buffy right now - it's good but sometimes the 90s cheesiness gets to me haha. I fully intend on watching Breaking Bad eventually and Skins and Downton Abbey - I've heard wonderful things about all three of those shows.
Have you seen Firefly? I'd definitely recommend that for a very short (13 episode) binge watch.
YAY! You clearly have good taste, haha. Oh, the 90s cheesiness of Buffy - it brings back memories of my childhood so I kind of love it. But keep powering through and soon you'll be into the new century and all will be good!
DeleteYES, I have seen Firefly and it ALMOST made it to my list, but not quite. So tragic that it was canceled so early on.
In almost every case, you should stick with the British version and not watch the American one. I just started Veronica Mars on Sunday. I've watched 5 episodes so far and basically want to hook myself up to a Veronica Mars IV drip.
ReplyDeleteTruth. Every time. haha, you should do that! I kind of wish I could.
DeleteSeems that 'Game of Thrones' is making its way in every one's list except mine. I will be watching this series soon enough to see whats in it !!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, it's hyped up for a reason!
DeleteI loved Lost! The end of the series still upsets me, but I invested so much time in that series! And "Once More With Feeling" is definitely my favorite Buffy episode. I actually still haven't watched the last season yet, but I will soon! I haven't actually seen any of the other shows on this list, but I'm working on changing that. Veronica Mars, especially, is one I've been meaning to watch for a while!
ReplyDeleteAh, I see you're in the camp who disliked the ending to LOST. I am the few who actually liked it and found it worthy! Looks like you've got some great TV ahead of you!!
DeleteWow, for being bookish soulmates I thought we'd have more shows in common LOL Downton Abbey, Planet Earth and GoT are clearly all on my watchlist but I never really got into the rest of these >.< I was a HUGE fan of the Buffy movie but since I'm not a big fan of SMG, I never got into the show. I should really put my prejudice aside and give it a go sometime. Breaking Bad is another one that's been very highly recommended, I'll have to check that one out too!!
ReplyDeleteHeh, I know, I do have a pretty eclectic taste in tv that is completely different from my taste in books, don't I? I couldn't tell you why this is... I guess because the equivalent of YA speculative fiction TV out there is kind of crap (in my opinion)? Yeah, probably. Oh, and that movie is NOTHING compared to the show! From what I understand, the movie producers completely butchered Joss Whedon's ideas for it as the original creator and writer of Buffy - in the TV show, he takes back ownership of it and makes it amazing!
DeleteBuffy would probably be at the top of my list, huge fan!! I'd definitely have The Walking Dead, The Universe, Mystery Science Theater and The Tudors included as well. I used to love, love, love, Six Feet Under as well but it got pretty weird near the end and it sort of lost me.
ReplyDeleteYayy!! Got to love Buffy :) I've never even heard of The Universe, but I've been meaning to watch Mystery Science Theatre and The Tudors. You should keep up with Six Feet Under because the ending is AMAZING!
DeleteWeirdly, I never got into Lost. All my friends and family around me were watching it at the time, but I haven't seen a single episode. :P Big fan of Veronica Mars, Game of Thrones and Buffy though. I also religiously watch Doctor and Sherlock whenever they return. Breaking Bad is one I definitely need to check out soon!
ReplyDeleteYou should give LOST a go! Guaranteed you will become addicted :) Sherlock almost made my list, but I admit I've yet to get into Doctor Who... I'll have to give it a go sometime so that Whovians get off my back about watching it all the time :)
DeleteI couldn't handle Breaking Bad. I did watch up to season three (I think) and I could only watch it in spurts. It was just to much. I also stopped watch Downton Abbey because of the drama. Don't worry though, I'll get back to both shows eventually. I've also been pretty curious about Six Feet Under- I love Michael C Hall.
ReplyDeleteGreat list, Aylee
I can see what you mean about both shows, but I'm glad you will be getting back to both of them eventually because they really are well worth a watch! Michael C. Hall is the best part of Six Feet Under :)
DeleteI've only really seen Buffy and Downton Abbey, I watch Game of Thrones on and off.
ReplyDeleteHey, have you seen Call the Midwife?
I've watched the first two seasons of Call the Midwife on Netflix and totally LOVED it! Chummy is obviously my fave. I'll either need to wait for Netflix to get season 3 to continue on or search it out myself.
DeleteI don't watch Downton anymore (not after the season three christmas special), but in the day it was really wonderful ALTHOUGH I couldn't stand the first season and the only reason my family and I kept watching it was because I had said "It seems to be really good lets buy it" and we did. Luckily the last 3 episodes or so changed our opinions dramatically and the second season was glorious.
ReplyDeleteAnd Veronica Mars! I just rewatched the first season (my favourite), which may or may not have inspired my choice to then go and start watching all my DVDs of Kim Possible. Okay, it's likely.
Oh no, you don't watch DA anymore? Aww, I'm sorry to hear that! And the first season was absolutely my fave.
DeleteI LOVE Game of Thrones (but haven't read the books - bad I know). Freaks and Geeks was one of my old timer favs. I'm shocked anyone but me liked it. Downton Abbey was a family affair. We all watched the entire series on video - together and we ALL enjoyed it -even the guys (shocker!)
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't know that it's all that bad... I understand the show is pretty faithful to the books anyways. And from what I understand about Freaks and Geeks is it's a cult show! Very small, but passionate audience. And I think that's so great that Downton Abbey became a family affair because it was totally the same with my family! (Minus the guys in my case (:)
DeleteI finally (after years of asking) got my husband to watch Downton with me and he surprisingly got really into it!
DeleteHa, that's awesome!!
Delete"Anyone else grow up watching Buffy and used to pretend you were a bad-ass vampire slayer of extreme strength and agility? No? Just me then."
ReplyDeleteMe too ;)
Heehee!
DeleteLOVE VM!
ReplyDeleteLost had me till that ending. I still growl when I think of that ending.
Aww, well you're not alone! I liked it personally, but I know I'm in the minority.
DeleteI love it, too! But, I also always imagined that after the show ended Veronica was with Logan...a false ending in my head which the movie kinda ruined, but it all worked out anyway. ;)
DeleteAwesome list, Eilidh!!! :D All of the ones on this list that I've seen, I loved, too! :D
ReplyDeleteBuffy, Veronica Mars, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, and Skins are some of my favourites, too! :D And a few of these I really need to watch/re-watch. :P I've seen parts of Breaking Bad, but not all, and I liked what I saw, but I watched it in a mixed-up manner because I watched some with my mom and she would watch it so fast that I'd see maybe one episode for every five she watched. :P Sooooo...I have probably seen all the spoilers. :P haha And Lost was another one I've seen bits and pieces, but really need to start for myself. :P But, as I said...all of the ones I've watched on your list, I love, too! :D
The picture you have for Skins totally confuses me though...who is the girl in front of Tony??? She's not Effie, so I'm super confused. :P Maybe she was originally on the show and got cut. :P haha
Fantastic list, Eilidh!!! :D
Ohh yeah you definitely need to watch Breaking Bad and Lost from the beginning to end, every episode, to fully appreciate the story and the development of the characters. SUCH good shows! I want to rewatch some of these myself now - if I had the time!
DeleteHeh, the girl in front of Tony is Sketch from season 2!
Thanks, Ambur :)