Great Television Programs

There are many very fine television programs airing these days, and several stations, WGN and TV Land among them, air classic programs as part of their broadcast day. Some of the older programs really hold up. Here is a list of older shows that any fan of television should seek out followed by a list of recent television shows I feel will considered classics in years to come.

Classics:

Frank's Place: Tim Reid starred in this well-reviewed blend of drama and comedy that was so far ahead of its time, viewers didn't know how to react to it. It had no laugh track, so those watching had to make up their own minds about whether or not something was funny. The show received several Emmy nominations but was canceled anyway. If anyone had any sense at all this show would find its way to DVD immediately.

Combat-- Vic Morrow is the star of a gritty platoon of soldiers in World War II. The first season is directed by Robert Altman, and the darker tone of the story lines is one of the main reasons his time at the helm was limited.

Twilight Zone: Sterling writing talent helped establish this Rod Serling vehicle as one of the best programs to ever air. Everyone has a favorite episode, but there are very few episodes that fall flat.

NYPD Blue: It's funny to think that creators envisioned David Caruso as the star of this show when they should have been familiar with the strength of Dennis Franz's work from prior collaborative efforts. The show had many cast changes over the years, and was frequently chaotic with scripts coming later and later in the shooting schedule. Perhaps because of this on-the-fly quality, the show maintains a visceral vitality that is hard to beat. The growth in humanity of Andy over the years is one of the all time great character arcs. There's not a week that goes by where I don't miss his presence on television.

Homicide: Life on the Streets: Another great ensemble cast with many changes in personnel. This Barry Levinson program is filled with fascinating characters, and the dynamic between the disparate police officers is a joy to watch. In many ways the police procedural elements are an afterthought, which sounds like a knock on the writing. Far from it-- the writing is excellent, and the cast feeds off of the crackling story lines. The frequent use of gallows humor is an added plus.

Barney Miller: A pragmatic but amiable leader, the title character, Barney Miller, is everything I'd want in a boss. The show was the perfect blend of humor and heartbreak. I recently watched the pilot episode and it was so incredibly flat it's a minor miracle that it was picked up and allowed to blossom into this special, special show. Abe Vigoda aside, more of these actors should have had much longer careers in television. I keep waiting for Blood on the Badge to come out in paperback. If anyone bumps into Ron Glass, ask him what's the hold up.

West Wing: Aaron Sorkin made the liberal arguments better than any politician at the time. Until the last year when I lost track of the show because of a move in scheduling, the West Wing was required viewing. Another pat on the back must go to those involved in the casting of the show-- there wasn't a weak actor in the bunch, and with insightful writing to work with, they put on quite a show.

The White Shadow: I can't explain why so few people are familiar with the fine work Ken Howard did in this unjustifiably forgotten series. It takes a realistic look at the workings of an inner city school and its dysfunctional basketball program led by a prickly new coach. Player actually graduated when they were supposed to, and made decisions that were both expected and surprising. I'm not sure there's been a better sports show on television (the jury's still out until I watch Friday Night Lights and Sports Night) but even if sports aren't your thing, there's plenty to recommend the White Shadow.

New Classics?

The Shield: This show crackles with equal parts malice and grace. It's twice the show of 24 and its silly later plots. And I've not felt this conflicted in rooting for the bad guys in my life. Michael Chiklis has come a long way from his role as the Commish. Still, this show explored morality in ways few other shows even thought about, and the characters almost always payed a price for their transgressions. Hell most of them payed a price no matter what they did.

Firefly: Fox gave this series almost a year and then pulled it as its growing base of fans positively howled. I felt depressede watching this series on DVD as I neared the end of season one and realized there weren't any episodes to follow. When you consider the kind of trash that's routinely renewed, it's cancellation is that much more repugnant. If you find a better character than Jayne Cobb, you let me know.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: I have friends who have never given this series a chance because they saw "an episode" in syndication once. Buffy's charm is cummulutive. It doesn't take itself too seriuously and yet the audience falls hard for the cast, even the villains. It's not so much a show about vampires as it is a show about the difficulty of making and keeping friends. The vampires are just a prize in the bottom of the box.

Dexter: A serial killer with a heart of gold? Maybe. This show has some plot holes that can be hard to overlook at times, but the leads are so damned good, I'd come back anyway. This show is addictive in ways that are difficult to explain. Give it half a season to sink its hooks in. I dare you.

Veronica Mars: I can remember TV Guide and USA Today begging viewers to tune in this high school mystery. Alas, I was one of the guilty non-viewers who paid the price for ignoring it. Into the third season I knew I'd get dumped. The cast is crushingly good, and your head positively spins trying to figure out whether some of these characters are angels or demons (morally not physically-- this isn't Buffy we're talking about).

The Simpsons: There's a reason this animated series is still on television. It's not just the flesh of the citizens of Springfield that's golden. Damn fine writing and worth a half-dozen belly laughs each half-hour episode. When was the last time you saw a feature lenght comedy that could match that?

Deadwood: How can such an accumulation of malcontents be so riveting to watch. And why, when you have such wonderful deviance on a show like this, would you ever find yourself watching any of the train wreck reality shows on VH-1? Has enough murder, cursing, fucking and drinking to satisfy any hardcore Johnny Cash fan. And don't forget the kidney stones. I know I never will.


Shows I've Heard Are Brilliant But Haven't Watched Yet:

Battlestar Gallactica

Freaks and Geeks

Rescue Me

Bones

Torchwood

Friday Night Lights

Sports Night


Old Shows I Need To See Again Before I Put Them On This List

Moonlighting

St. Elsewhere

Rockford Files

Taxi

The Prisoner