The 50 Best TV Shows of the 21st Century (So Far): A Fun Dive into Hollywood Reporter’s Critics’ Picks
Ah, the 21st century—a golden era for television where we traded in static-filled antennas for binge-watching marathons and premium storytelling. The Hollywood Reporter recently assembled its team of sharp-tongued critics to decide the 50 best TV shows of the century (so far). It’s a bold claim, considering we’ve been blessed with some of the most iconic and groundbreaking series in recent memory. But hey, debating TV is almost as fun as watching it, right?
The Heavy Hitters: Prestige TV at Its Peak
The usual suspects? Oh, they’re all here.
🎭 The Sopranos – The show that made us all root for a mob boss with panic attacks. It redefined TV drama and gave us one of the most talked-about endings ever (seriously, are we still debating that fade to black?).
👑 Game of Thrones – Say what you will about the final season (we’re all still in therapy over it), but before that, this was peak fantasy television, bringing dragons, betrayal, and epic battles to our screens.
🕵️ Breaking Bad – The slow-burn transformation of Walter White from timid chemistry teacher to ruthless drug kingpin is still unmatched in intensity and storytelling brilliance.
👮 The Wire – If Shakespeare were alive today, he’d probably be writing for The Wire. A masterclass in social commentary, this show remains one of the most profound explorations of urban America.
The Underdogs That Made the List (and Deservedly So)
Not every great show needs dragons or crime lords to be legendary.
🤣 Parks and Recreation – Who knew local government could be so wholesome and hilarious? Leslie Knope and the gang made bureaucracy fun, and we’re eternally grateful.
🎤 Atlanta – Donald Glover’s genre-bending masterpiece gave us moments of surreal brilliance, biting satire, and one very terrifying Teddy Perkins episode we’ll never unsee.
🛍 Fleabag – Phoebe Waller-Bridge made breaking the fourth wall an art form. A perfect mix of comedy, heartbreak, and awkward family dinners, it’s easily one of the best-written shows of the era.
The Ones That Spark Heated Debates
Of course, no list is complete without controversy.
❓ Lost – Some fans swear it’s the greatest show ever, while others are still mad about that finale. Either way, it kept us all theorizing and glued to our screens.
🧛 Buffy the Vampire Slayer – A genre-defining classic that paved the way for today’s supernatural dramas, but was it overlooked on the list? Some die-hard fans say yes!
🚀 The Mandalorian – Sure, Baby Yoda (Grogu) stole our hearts, but does it truly deserve a top spot among TV’s best?
Final Thoughts: What’s Missing?
Lists like these are bound to leave some fans shaking their fists at the sky. Where’s The Office? No Stranger Things? What about Mad Men? (Don Draper sips whiskey in disappointment.)
Regardless of where your favorites landed, one thing is clear: the 21st century has been an absolute gift to television lovers. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a long list of rewatches to get through.