Here’s an interesting topic. Do you just nullify “The Cosby Show” from history? That’s what Rolling Stone has just done with their “updated” list of the 100 Greatest TV Shows of All-Time.
As far as seminal and historically important television shows go, “The Cosby Show” was right up there. An all-black television family that ultimately became “America’s Family.” It paved the way for so many imitations. Rolling Stone is politely saying “CANCELLED.” ‘Cosby’ appears nowhere in their top 100.
“Roseanne,” another seminal show, is nowhere to be found. Gee, I wonder why.
I’m also calling bullshit on “Louie” not being here at all, especially when it heavily inspired shows like “Atlanta” and “Fleabag.” Louie CK’s series was #22 just a few years ago on Rolling Stone’s original list. That 2016 list was, of course, before CK was outed as a serial masturbator.
I’m a huge fan of “Atlanta,” but the ninth greatest show of all-time? Laughable. “Fleabag” at #5? #inclusivity. “I May Destroy You” at #19. “Watchmen” at #23? This is simply a rewriting of history.
Of course, “The Sopranos,” “The Simpsons,” “Seinfeld,” “Breaking Bad,” “Mad Men,” and “The Wire” all deserving of their top 10 slots.
I cringed reading their blurb for News Radio (#94) and how the author describes Joe Rogan:
“It can be difficult now to watch scenes with Joe Rogan as the station’s electrician without thinking about who and what Rogan has become.”
Just to recap, “Fleabag” over both “Mad Men” and “Seinfeld” as the 6th greatest show of all time. “Atlanta” ahead of “The Twilight Zone,” “Twin Peaks,” “All in the Family,” and “David Letterman.” We live in a clown world.
I’ll spare you from clicking on five pages of RS rankings and just post the top 100:
The Sopranos
The Simpsons
Breaking Bad
The Wire
Fleabag
Seinfeld
Mad Men
Cheers
Atlanta
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Succession
The Twilight Zone
Veep
The Americans
The Larry Sanders Show
Twin Peaks
The Leftovers
Saturday Night Live
I May Destroy You
30 Rock
All in the Family
Star Trek
Watchmen
Freaks and Geeks
M*A*S*H
Sesame Street
Deadwood
Friday Night Lights
Roots
Parks and Recreation
Game of Thrones
Better Call Saul
Monty Python's Flying Circus
The Office (U.S.)
Lost
I Love Lucy
Arrested Development
Hill Street Blues
Curb Your Enthusiasm
The Good Place
BoJack Horseman
Battlestar Galactica
Insecure
Late Night With David Letterman
Columbo
The West Wing
My So-Called Life
The Shield
Friends
Jeopardy!
The X-Files
Barry
The Office (U.K.)
ER
Halt and Catch Fire
Community
Russian Doll
Six Feet Under
Key & Peele
Taxi
The Underground Railroad
The Dick Van Dyke Show
South Park
The Golden Girls
Girls
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
NYPD Blue
Fawlty Towers
Chappelle's Show
SCTV
Better Things
Good Times
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The Honeymooners
Frasier
Justified
The Jeffersons
Sex and the City
Mr. Show with Bob and David
Band of Brothers
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Party Down
I'm Alan Partridge
Fargo
Orange Is the New Black
The Bob Newhart Show
The Kids in the Hall
The Crown
The Carol Burnett Show
The Wonder Years
The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson
The Muppet Show
The Rockford Files
NewsRadio
Squid Game
Rick and Morty
The Odd Couple
The Good Fight
Oz
What We Do in the Shadows