Greetings, reader!
Well, it's about time that I made this post. From comedies to dramas, from one-season miracles to 22-season marathon runs, from critically acclaimed darlings to underrated cult classics, these are my favorite TV shows of all time.
Here are my honorable mentions: Fairly Legal (2011-2012), Loki (2021-2023), Miranda (2009-2015), New Girl (2011-2018), Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1975), That Damn Michael Che (2021-2022), The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021-2021), The Office (U.K.) (2001-2003), The Stand (1994-1994), Vinyl (2016-2016).
100. The Queen's Gambit (2020-2020)
This chess miniseries starring Anya Taylor-Joy might have gotten a bit overhyped upon release, but it was a thoroughly decent watch nonetheless!
99. Surrounded By Enemies (2022-2022)
This Nordic documentary about modern white supremacy is a frightening, eye-opening and ultimately powerful look at the ever-prevailing hate ideology.
98. Over the Garden Wall (2014-2014)
A wholesome, atmospheric and beautifully animated adventure tale.
97. Firefly (2002-2003)
Too bad that we only ever got one season of this sci-fi western cult classic before its premature cancellation.
96. Les Miserables (2000-2000)
The French miniseries adaptation of Victor Hugo's book, starring Gérard Depardieu and John Malkovic, is so good! Love the soundtrack especially.
95. WandaVision (2021-2021)
Say what you will about 2020's MCU - they've had their moments, like this delightfully experimental blast of fun.
94. A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017-2019)
The specific brand of morbid humor in this series is wonderful, and quite a loyal adaptation at least based on what I remember from my Dad reading these books to us when we were kids.
93. Star Trek: Discovery (2017-2024)
I'm such a massive Star Trek geek that there's plenty to love even in the second-weakest out of the many, many spin-offs the franchise has blessed us with over the decades.
92. The End of the F**king World (2017-2019)
One of the better combinations of drama and comedy elements in TV, with the first of the two seasons in particular being very strong.
91. House of Cards (2013-2018)
The re-watch value is dampened for obvious reasons (and rightfully so - some things are bigger than good TV), but dammit if this wasn't some of the most addictive new TV at its peak.
90. The Book of Boba Fett (2021-2022)
Out of the many Star Wars TV spin-offs that have been made in the franchise's Disney era, this under-the-radar oddball was more to my liking than many others.
89. True Detective (2014-)
The first season, while slightly overrated by the film bro types, was rock-solid television. The second season, while over-hated by the elitists, was a few notches down but still quite alright.
88. Jessica Jones (2015-2019)
Here we have one of Marvel's better TV efforts, with David Tennant's shivers-down-your-spine villain performance being the high point.
87. Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005)
The Star Trek prequel, taking place a century before the original series, never was as good as it should've been based on the premise - but they still delivered some unforgettable stories in their mixed-bag run.
86. The Vicar of Dibley (1994-2020)
A delightfully quirky small-town British sitcom!
85. Arrow (2012-2020)
There was a time when this comic book show was a weirdly big deal for me, with its addictive secret identity storytelling and engaging villain mysteries, so you know they did a lot of things right.
84. Star Wars: Tales of the Empire (2024-2024)
Just the kind of extra-lore worldbuilding that's like candy for the type of nerd I am. So fun to connect the dots and learn more about what has been happening across various points in the franchise's timeline.
83. Tiger King (2020-2021)
A magnificently chaotic documentary, with a story that truly deserved to be told if only because of how utterly bizarre it all was.
82. Episodes (2011-2017)
A fun sitcom with a premise so creative and inherently hilarious that it couldn't have possibly failed!
81. The Haunting of Hill House (2018-2018)
A clever, intense and intricately built horror story. That one-take episode in particular was sublime.
80. Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld (2025-2025)
Even more niche (and thus thoroughly fascinating) in its nerdy fill-in-the-gaps worldbuilding than Tales of the Jedi and Tales of the Empire.
79. Seinfeld (1989-1998)
Minus points for being a case where it's too hard for me personally to separate the art from the artist, as Jerry Seinfeld sucks so very much in real life. Still, there's no way around the fact that a vast majority of this show is comedy gold.
78. Kaleidoscope (2023-2023)
A wonderfully conceptual heist series, with the "watch the episodes in any given order that Netflix randomizes for you and the story will still work" gimmick requiring an admirable feat in writing.
77. The Flash (2014-2023)
A love letter to the cheerful tone of old-school superhero comic books, and just an absolute vibe. Grant Gustin was a phenomenal casting choice for the lead role here.
76. Suits (2011-2019)
A legal drama that got better and better, and then kind of jumped the shark - but seasons 3-6 (and season five in particular) were some unforgettably riveting TV.
75. Star Trek: Picard (2020-2023)
Ha, about time for more Star Trek. This legacy series gave an 80-year-old Sir Patrick Stewart the chance for one last tour-de-force, and the third and final season in particular was a powerful swan song for the Next Generation crew.
74. 30 Rock (2006-2013)
This sitcom had just the right actors playing just the right parts, ensuing a multitude of laughs throughout its run. All hail the comedic chops of Tina Fey!
73. IT: Welcome to Derry (2025-)
The only season that has been made so far was wickedly promising; as a major fan of the book it's based on, those final episodes had me weeping.
72. The Crown (2016-2023)
No matter what your views are on the British Monarcy (this series is critical enough to satisfy #nokings idealists like myself, but polite enough in its criticism to satisfy most of the #yesqueen crowd as well), this biographical drama is guaranteed to be utterly fascinating for any given history buff.
71. Squid Game (2021-2025)
A terrifying premise, brought to life via some immaculate set design and intense directing. Loved all three seasons.
70. Rome (2005-2007)
Sky-high historical intrigue with grandiose production design - what's not to love?
69. Euphoria (2019-)
God knows that the real melodrama was the behind-the-scenes controversies we made along the way - but man, there were some cinematic gold nuggets in that artistically ambitious second season. Also, Zendaya's lead performance is some of the best acting ever seen on television.
68. Star Trek: Prodigy (2021-2024)
A delightfully wholesome addition to the Star Trek universe, with compelling characters and an upbeat feel.
67. Mo (2022-2025)
A heartfelt yet gripping look at the lives of a family of Palestinian refugees living in Texas. The commentary is just as razor-sharp as one can expect from Mo Amer and Ramy Youssef.
66. Doctor Who (The Original Series) (1963-1989)
Wonky and unserious, with some of the most poorly aged visuals ever recorded - yet it's a massive game-changer for science fiction, a true cult classic and just so much fun to watch.
65. Westworld (2016-2022)
The sci-fi and western genres have been an unlikely match made in heaven for a strange amount of times, but this right here is arguably their most memorable union.
64. One Day at a Time (2017-2020)
The contrast between slapstick humor and serious social commentary shouldn't work on paper, but oh man, they made it work. One of the higher "tears per episode" counts I've experienced.
63. The Last of Us (2023-)
Spectacular production values, some unforgettable individual episodes, and just the right two people playing the lead roles.
62. Daredevil (2015-2018)
An above-average superhero series, with its intricate cinematography, well-choreographed action set pieces and layered villains archs!
61. Chernobyl (2019-2019)
A gripping five-episode look into the Chernobyl disaster, with much higher marks on both historical accuracy and production values than pretty much any similar series I've stumbled upon.
60. Stranger Things (2016-2025)
Overhyped at places and with its share of flaws - but dammit if Max running from Vecna isn't in the top 3 television scenes of all time. Say what you will, this Netflix extravaganza has its moments.
59. Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)
A quirky sitcom with an engaging setting and a lovable cast that really grows on you! Would be ranked higher, but there are quite a few shows that do the same things but even better.
58. Sex Education (2019-2023)
A brilliant, sex-positive mixture of comedy and drama, with a bunch of talented actors playing some of the most realistic and complex teenagers you'll ever see on TV.
57. How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
Minus points for having much more poorly aged material than a show as relatively modern as this one should have - the showrunners being two clueless straight white men really shows. That being said, it's one of the funniest sitcoms ever made, and the long-term storytelling really grabbed my heart and meant a lot to me when first watching it through.
56. House of the Dragon (2022-)
We've only gotten two seasons of this Game of Thrones spin-off so far, but with it matching the original in terms of grandiose production design and high fantasy intrigue, it has the potential to rise to its level (or at least very near it) in the coming years.
55. The Walking Dead (2010-2022)
A gritty and raw adaptation of Robert Kirkman's graphic novels - there were some undeniably weaker seasons in the show's run, but at its best, TWD rocked hard.
54. Big Mouth (2017-2025)
Starts out as a silly "who the hell is this even for" dose of chaos - and becomes more deep, sex-positive and hard-hitting with each season. The coming-of-age character archs will end up melting your heart.
53. The Mandalorian (2019-)
The sci-fi cowboy adventures of The Mandalorian and Grogu made for an absolutely brilliant addition to the Star Wars universe!
52. The Last Dance (2020-2020)
I cannot emphasize enough how little I a) knew and b) cared about basketball when walking into this series. By the fourth episode, I was moved to tears by footage of the Chicago Bulls celebrating their first-ever NBA trophy. That's the power of documentaries right there.
51. Abbott Elementary (2021-)
A wholesome sitcom that is very close to home for us teachers! The show only seemed to enter its prime in its recent fourth season, so I'm guessing it'll be going even further up in my ranking with the passage of time.
50. Shogun (2024-)
Top notch historical intrigue, complemented by sledgehammer acting performances and grand production values.
49. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022-)
An excellent modern example of how the Star Trek franchise is still alive and well, nearly 60 years into the franchise. This tribute to the episodic, adventure-of-the-week style of the franchise's early years (but with modern production values) is simultaneously nostalgic and fresh.
48. Prison Break (2005-2009; 2017)
The first season is a feast of cliffhangers, plot twists and fast-paced suspense, and the second season reads as a cops-and-robbers thrill ride. It does go downhill from there, but points for this exceptionally strong start nonetheless.
47. Band of Brothers (2001-2001)
I know, many TV purists will scoff at this being here and not the top five. Look, I got nothing against this deservedly mega-acclaimed WWII chronicle - there are just many TV shows that had even more of an impact on me, in one way or another. That being said, Band of Brothers is really f**king good.
46. The Simpsons (1989-)
A juggernaut of pop culture for the 90's and 00's, with a tone of comedy that served as one of the major bases for my entire generation's sense of humor. The impact of The Simpsons cannot be overstated (also, it's just so damn funny).
45. Barry (2018-2023)
Bill Hader's genius as an actor, writer and director is on full display in this artistic clash of hysterical comedy and gripping drama.
44. Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-2024)
A zany and vibrant addition to the beloved sci-fi franchise, with lovable characters, clever meta humor and just an impeccable vibe. If the more serious Star Trek shows are a gourmet meal, then Lower Decks would be the bowl of candy you devour as dessert.
43. Saturday Night Live (1975-whenever the world ends)
A staple of comedy for 50+ years - now that's f**king impressive. Between the beloved traditions, chaotic skits, social commentary and the cultural value of the show as a testament to America's evolving collective sense of humor for half a century, I really appreciate this legendary series.
42. Homeland (2011-2020)
A gripping look at the mental health struggles of a bipolar woman, perfected by Claire Danes' sledgehammer performance and wrapped into a web of geopolitical intrigue.
41. Futurama (1999-)
Yes, I'm one of the very few who prefers Futurama over The Simpsons, if only slightly. The premise in Matt Groening's sophomore show is so cool, the humor is every bit as good as in his better-known series, and the emotional core puts this one over the edge.
40. Dexter (2006-2013)
Eight memorable seasons of rock-solid psychological crime drama!
39. Ramy (2019-)
Ramy Youssef's insightful chronicle about the Muslim experience in the U.S. is funny, heartfelt, gripping and eye-opening all at once.
38. Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)
A juggernaut of creativity that changed science fiction forever, also giving us one of fiction's most memorable characters and an insane amount of worldbuilding in the process.
37. The Beatles: Get Back (2021-2021)
Peter Jackson's Beatles documentary is, well, just as amazing as you'd expect Peter Jackson's Beatles documentary to be.
36. Arcane (2021-2024)
I haven't played the game this is based on, so I can't speak for its quality as an adaptation. What I can say is that it's an epic and tear-jerking story, with Shakespearean character dynamics and groundbreaking animation techniques setting the scene.
35. Gilmore Girls (2000-2007; 2016)
The vibes are so immaculate that watching it makes me nostalgic for growing up as a teenage girl in a New England small town, even though none of that is my experience.
34. Sherlock (2010-2017)
Sharp writing, excellent casting, and just such a cool twist on Arthur Conan Doyle's books!
33. Ted Lasso (2020-)
A truly excellent series about kindness and soccer (more or less my two favorite things).
32. Desperate Housewives (2004-2012)
Eight seasons of schemes, affairs, breakups, fires, hostage situations, murders, and about 20 different hit-and-run incidents taking place on peaceful suburban cul-de-sac - needless to say, it's one of the greatest TV shows ever made. Entertainment to the maximum.
31. Succession (2018-2023)
The unwavering quality of the dialogue and acting is impressively relentless throughout this critical darling's four-season run.
30. Frasier (1993-2004)
My fiancée says it best - it's such a great comedy, but also so much more than just that.
29. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (1994-2004)
This show, on the other hand, is nothing more than a comedy - in the best way possible. When going for pure laughs, even the worst FRIENDS episodes do better than the best episodes of some sitcoms.
28. Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
A prequel done right - so very right. Top notch writing throughout all six seasons.
27. The Bear (2022-)
A groundbreaking, cutting-edge culinary extravaganza with magnificent acting talent and a pure-fire soundtrack department! Absolute cinema.
26. The Office (U.S.) (2005-2013)
Hysterical laughs, heartfelt character archs, unforgettable moments and a vibe of its own.
25. Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
You know a series is good when ranking it as the 25th-best of all time is considered controversially low. Yes, Breaking Bad isn't as big of a deal for me as it is for most TV enthusiasts, but at the same time, I respect the hell out of it and it deserves the acclaim.
24. Orange Is the New Black (2013-2019)
An earth-scorching indictment of the U.S. criminal justice system, wrapped up in some of the most kick-ass intersectional feminist storytelling out there.
23. Rick and Morty (2013-)
Dan Harmon's wild-ass imagination makes for a zany collection of episodes as genius as they are chaotic.
22. Black Mirror (2011-)
A bleak and prophetic anthology series, full of haunting and imaginative stories.
21. Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)
A found-family survival adventure with some brilliantly developed characters and an emotional core like no other. The premise alone is so moving, and what they do with it is one major heartstring-tug after another.
20. Modern Family (2009-2020)
One of the quintessential comfort shows of all time. You grow to care so very deeply about these characters amidst laughing your ass off.
19. The Sopranos (1999-2007)
Some of the very best dialogue to ever grace the TV screen, delivered by godtier actors in a brilliant balance of comedic entertainment and serious dramatics.
18. Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
Any sci-fi fan will recognize the impact of this groundbreaking show, that gave us some of the coolest fictional locations, characters, concepts and storylines in the genre's history.
17. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021)
A sitcom that avoids all the flaws and mistakes of previous sitcoms, to the point of more or less perfecting the genre. Eight seasons of nonstop laughter and fun (except for the few serious episodes, but those are masterclasses of a different kind).
16. The Newsroom (2012-2014)
This Sorkin-penned masterpiece will make you FURIOUS about everything that is wrong with American media, and inspired as hell to fight for a better world with its depiction of what journalism should look like.
15. 24 (2001-2010; 2014)
Probably the coolest premise to a TV show ever, and a very important one to me thanks to my insane marathon tradition with my best friend Atte.
14. Grey's Anatomy (2005-)
Thank you Martta for everything that you do for me, but especially for introducing me to this absolute gem. Grey's Anatomy makes for some of the most tear-jerking stuff ever seen on television, and that's heaven for a cartoonishly emotional viewer like myself.
13. The Good Place (2016-2020)
A sitcom that starts out delightfully imaginative and quirky, and escalates to unfathomable levels of profound truths, brilliant concepts, heart-warming character growth and an ultimately optimistic outlook on existence itself in just four short seasons. Masterpiece.
12. Andor (2022-2025)
Okay, I don't know who did this, but a prequel to a prequel had NO RIGHT, no right at all, to somehow become one of the most prominent pieces of revolution-themed antifascist art in the current moment. In the time of Trump's America, we all need to be exposed to stories like this.
11. Doctor Who (2005-)
Pretty much the most fun that the sci-fi geek in me has ever had. Blink remains the most ingeniously told story I've encountered in any form of fiction, and Murray Gold's zany score is as GOATed as it gets.
10. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-)
Absolute sitcom royalty. Seventeen seasons into it and they still haven't had a bad season - what an unrivaled accomplishment. Charlie Day as Charlie Kelly is my #1 favorite TV acting performance of all time.
9. Atlanta (2016-2022)
A blast of surreal art with poignant and multilayered social themes, best described as "Twin Peaks meets Seinfeld meets The Wire meets Ramy". Donald Glover is a wizard.
8. Lost (2004-2010)
Six seasons of intriguing mysteries, intense survival, wild-ass plot turns and viewers like me becoming emotionally invested in the characters and their journeys to the utmost degree. So much genuine heart went into telling this story.
7. Mr. Robot (2015-2019)
For someone as A) nerdy and B) left-wing as I am, there's no way Mr. Robot can read as anything else than an unbridled masterpiece. I still can't decide if I'm more impressed with the artistic, cinema-level production and the insanely creative concept episodes or the bullseye social critiques and revolutionary themes.
6. Person of Interest (2011-2015)
This show flew under the radar because it was too much of an episode-of-the-week crime drama for sci-fi geeks and too much of an experimental sci-fi project for people yearning for episode-of-the-week crime drama. I'm such a glass-half-full guy that I enjoyed both aspects and got a full glass of great television. That final season is such a tour-de-force of storytelling.
5. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
This was more or less the moment when television finally equaled (and arguably surpassed) cinema as an art form, forever shedding the stereotype of being lower-tier entertainment. The grand production values, the intricate worldbuilding and the amazing plot twists...ah, that's the stuff.
4. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)
There are very few shows that feel as much like home as this crown jewel of the Star Trek franchise. Love the characters, love the atmosphere, love the worldbuilding, and don't get me started on those 10/10 masterpiece episodes or the genius long-term storytelling in the final season!
3. The West Wing (1999-2006)
Aaron Sorkin provides some of the greatest dialogue of all time, and his screenwriting comes to fruition as the lines are delivered by the most talented ensemble cast in television history.
2. Twin Peaks (1990-1991; 2017)
Part murder mystery whodunit, part exploration of small town America and the underlying secrets of an outward idyllic community, part supernatural stuff that isn't obvious at first but escalates to a shocking degree, like four parts soap opera, sometimes the most disturbing psychological horror you'll ever see yet the very next scene will be endearing and wholesome - all utter magnificence that feels like a fever dream in the best possible way, and I wouldn't change a damn thing. Thank you, David Lynch.
1. Community (2009-2015)
Here's the link to the long answer on why this sits at 1st place: https://top10movieswithveikkohoffman.blogspot.com/2025/07/top-10-reasons-why-community-is-my.html
Short answer: Community will always make me laugh, it'll always make me smile, it taught me a lot about life and friendship, it was there for me in a time when I really needed it and I am a better person thanks to it. I'll leave you with Abed Nadir's words:
"It's TV. It's comfort. It's a friend you've known so well, and for so long, you just let it be with you. And it needs to be okay for it to have a bad day, or phone in a day...and it needs to be okay for it to get on a boat with Levar Burton and never come back. Because eventually, it all will".
Still waiting for that goddamn movie, by the way!
Thank you for reading! Tune in next week as I begin Music Month III, kicking off with a list of my top 10 all-time favorite drummers.
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