Your Favorite TV Shows of the Century

Brian Lehrer (0:10)

Brian Lehrer on WNYC, we're going to wrap up today with, let's say, some of your hot takes on the best television shows of the 21st century. Give us a call to 1-2-4-3-3 WNYC. This segment is inspired by a recent New York Times article that maybe you've seen, that lists the 100 best television shows of the 21st century, as decided by television showrunners, executives and actors, who I guess they polled. Those industry experts voted for the 10 best series that have premiered since January 1st, 2000 So unfortunately, The Sopranos, before you call in and say The Sopranos, arguably the show that ushered in the quote unquote golden age of TV, as people have called it, and inspired much of this list, was not eligible since it premiered in 1999 Of course, one of the best things to do after this type of list comes out is to argue about it. So what is your favorite show or shows of the 21st century so far? Give us a call. Just shout out your top one or your top two TV shows of the 21st century. What do you think should top the list or what was just your personal favorite?

212-433-WNYC, 212-433-9692 or you can quibble with the list. If you want other people to read the list, like I heard somebody say the other day, 24 wasn't on the top 100 If you have one of those for yourself, you can call with that too.

Spoiler alert, number one was Breaking Bad. You agree? Best show, last 26 years. Here's the full top 10 on that New York Times list after Breaking Bad in order. Number two, The Wire, three, Mad Men, four, Succession, five, Fleabag, six, Game of Thrones, seven, Veep, eight, 30 Rock, nine, Curb Your Enthusiasm and number 10 on their list is Atlanta. So either give us your take on their top 10 or just give us your top one or two. 212-433-WNYC-433-9692. Here's one clip before we take a break and take a course.

This is Brett Goldstein, currently in Ted Lasso Show number 75, talking to the New York Times about their number two show, The Wire.

Brett Goldstein (2:42)

The Wire is how I understand the world. I truly think it taught me how the world works, and how 90% of people are just trying to protect themselves, and the reality of how difficult it all is.

Tammy (2:57)

I mean, don't get it twisted. I do some dirt, too. But I ain't never put my gun on nobody who wasn't in the game.

Olivia (3:02)

A man must have a code.

Tammy (3:05)

No doubt.

Brian Lehrer (3:07)

All right. One more? Here's one more. I said we're going to do the list after that, your list.

But let me play this one, too, because this is also fun and interesting. This is the writer and actor Lena Waithe singing the praises of the animated show BoJack Horseman, number 44 on the list.

Lena Waithe (3:28)

BoJack Horseman is like this crazy experiment that should have gone awry, but it seems to be so grounded in reality while still being such a fantastical world that it just makes sense.

Jesse (3:42)

See you later. But we had an appointment. What's that?

Olivia (3:44)

An actor flicking on an obligation.

Jesse (3:46)

Welcome to Hollywood.

Lena Waithe (3:47)

The industry is naturally ridiculous and funny. Like our business makes no sense. And so I think what they're doing with the show is saying, so we're going to do something that doesn't make sense, is have all these animals be in Hollywood. And I think because they're animals, we as humans get to remove ourselves from it and get to be voyeurs. But at the same time, we're being confronted and we're being challenged. And it's so inside baseball. People enjoy it and appreciate it. But I think it's because it is making fun of Hollywood.

Brian Lehrer (4:18)

All right. So you can do your little blurbs like she did to The New York Times there about your favorite show. By the way, I mentioned, I heard somebody complaining that 24 is not on the list. Neither is Big Bang Theory. Neither is Dancing with the Stars. Do you care? Or what do you think? Should have been on the list that isn't. We'll take your calls to text right after this.

Brian Lehrer on WNYC.

Your best TV shows of the last 25, 26 years, the 21st century. Tammy in Manhattan here on WNYC. Hey, Tammy.

Tammy (5:00)

Hi, Brian. Thanks for taking my call. Number one, The Wire.

I think the most brilliantly written TV show, Exclamation, et cetera, et cetera. Number two, Breaking Bad. And number three, I would put, just lost it.