Hello Something About TVers (that really rolls off the
tongue). I was taking a look at some television ratings lately and, as usual, I
was completely disappointed in the shows that get boatloads of viewers compared
to much higher quality shows. So, here’s my list of some of the best shows currently on the air that
struggle for viewership while Two and a
Half Men is still running rampant:
1. Justified (FX)
I can’t recommend Justified
nearly enough and for anyone looking to replace their Breaking Bad fix, this is the show you want. Currently on its fifth
season, it’s the story of Raylan Givens (played by Timothy Olyphant), a U.S.
Marshall who is as much sarcastic as he is a badass. The story begins when he
gets relocated back to his home town of Harlan County where most of the
citizens have grown accustomed to minimal interference with lawmakers. It’s
also home to Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) who is the constant foil to Raylan
and is known for using every word in the dictionary. Boyd really separates Justified from other dramas because we
get to follow the side story of him building his crime empire with stories that
are interspersed with Raylan.
2. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)
Nine-Nine has
really excelled in its first season and has avoided any really bad episodes.
Led by Andy Samberg, Terry Crews, and Andre Bruagher, the show has a fantastic
cast with a lots of actors who know their way around a joke. Taking place in a
police station sets up for some hilarious storylines as they are constantly
taking serious police stories and telling them from a more comedic angle. The
ratings have been rough but critical praise should get it a second season at
this point. There’s going to be a new episode following the Super Bowl and
post-Bowl episodes of shows tend to have an easy to follow storyline for new
viewers if you want to hop on the train.
3. Parenthood (NBC)
I can’t praise Parenthood
enough for showing so simple things that families go through. It follows the
story of the Bravermans (Bravermen?), 4 adult siblings that all have families
of their own with different types of dynamics. It’s loosely based off the Steve
Martin film by the same name and was adapted for television by Jason Katims,
the same guy who did Friday Night Lights. Currently in its fifth season, it’s
become a staple that you’re in for a good cry at least once per episode.
4. Parks and Recreation/Community (NBC)
At first glance you may be wondering why I included these two,
especially considering all the memes that circulate on imgur from the shows,
but year after year these shows are on the bubble of being cancelled. In fact,
both shows combined don’t even equate to half the number of viewers Big Bang Theory gets. Both shows are
getting up there in age but unlike many sitcoms they can still churn out fresh
stories and bring big laughs when done right. Not to mention that the return of
Dan Harmon has really invigorated Community
in its current season.
5. The Americans (FX)
If you’re looking for a good spy thriller this is the show
for you. The only thing is you find yourself rooting for KGB during the Cold
War. It follows the lives Elizabeth (Kerri Russell) and Phillip (Matthew Rhys)
who appear to be your average American family with two kids, but are instead
cold hard Russian killers who have infiltrated the US to get information on
what America is planning. As an added obstacle, their new neighbor
coincidentally is an FBI agent (Noah Emmerich) who gives perspective on the other
side of the story. The show really struggled for viewers in its first season
but was able to scratch out a second season which premieres Feb 26.
6. Girls (HBO)
Created by and starring Lena Dunham, this is probably the
most controversial show on the list as it really polarizes people who watch it.
While I can’t argue with people who don’t like it, I do find it a very
interesting watch. It essentially follows the lives of four 20-something girls
who try to make it in New York. The problem is that for the most part they’re
pretty terrible people who are in no way aware of their pretentiousness. All I
can say here is give it a chance for a few episodes but if it isn’t for you
then it isn’t for you.
7. Orange is the New Black (Netflix)
I’m actually not sure if this show doesn’t get many viewers
because Netflix doesn’t release that information. However, most of the buzz
around Netflix originals circles around House
of Cards and season 4 of Arrested Development and OITNB is even better than those two. It’s dark, depressing,
heart-warming, and at times hilarious as it gives us a look inside a women’s
prison. It’s done an absolutely fantastic job of building strong characters and
making us feel connected in some way to all of them.
8. Game of Thrones (HBO)
What!? Everyone watches this show! Yeah everyone does watch
it but that’s because it’s the most pirated show on television. It still gets
high ratings but that’s not nearly as representative as what it could get. I
don’t want to get up too high on a soap box but this show is ridiculously
expensive to produce, between a huge cast and greatly detailed wardrobes and
environments. I know it’s hard to justify doling the money out but if you enjoy
something of high quality, and want it to stay that way, then it may be something
to consider.
9. Cougar Town (TBS)
Everyone wrote this show off based off the title (in fact
that’s becoming a running meta joke on the show) but don’t let that sway you
away from watching it. Created by Bill Lawrence and starring Courtney Cox, there
are constantly guest stars showing up from Scrubs
and Friends. ABC actually cancelled
the show but TBS decided to save it (unfortunately they couldn’t do the same
for Happy Endings, RIP) and its’
maintained the same level of laughs since switching networks. If you start from
the beginning, the show doesn’t find itself until halfway through the first
season but it doesn’t look back after that. Also, Penny Can!
10. Mad Men (AMC)
Ah, the best for last. Now that Breaking Bad is off the air I consider Mad Men to be the best drama
on television, heck before Bad’s
final eight episodes I could argue they rivaled for that spot. With one season
remaining (Broken into two parts like the last season of Breaking Bad) it still remains the best written show on television
and Don Draper (Jon Hamm) is still the man you love to hate. For those
unfamiliar with the story, it follows the advertisement world in the 1960’s and
the lives of the men and women who work within that world. Between Draper, Pete
Campbell, Peggy Olsen, and Roger Sterling it may have the most well developed
cast of characters on television.
Honorable mentions to Hannibal,
Trophy Wife, and Portlandia which could have easily made the list. Any
shows I left off? Let me know in that comment section below.
