<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Last week, the <em>New York Times</em> published a list titled “The 100 Best TV Shows of the 21st Century.” The article discusses how television has become a significant force in popular entertainment over the past two decades, influenced by the rise of streaming services, the involvement of movie stars, and increased production budgets.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The ranking, based on industry polling that included figures like Bryan Cranston and Jason Bateman, has been critiqued for several omissions and errors. The author has viewed 12 of the top 20 shows and around 60 of the 100 listed, noting that some rankings are difficult to assess while others are more contentious.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The list is said to suffer from a comparison issue, similar to that of Rolling Stone’s music rankings, where different genres are ranked together without meaningful context. The author suggests that separate lists for comedy, drama, reality television, and miniseries would provide more accurate comparisons.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The author agrees with some rankings, such as <em>Girls</em> at No. 13 and <em>Arrested Development</em> at No. 12, but takes issue with the placement of <em>The Office</em> at No. 11 compared to the original British version at No. 16. The placement of <em>I May Destroy You</em> at No. 18 is described as baffling, with the author criticizing its ideological framing.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The article questions whether <em>Breaking Bad</em> is truly the greatest series of the past 25 years, arguing that while it is compelling, it lacks the character depth found in <em>Mad Men</em>, which is ranked No. 3. The author finds <em>The Wire</em> at No. 2 defensible due to its comprehensive portrayal of American issues, while <em>Band of Brothers</em> at No. 28 is considered underrated.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A significant omission from the list is <em>24</em>, noted for its reflection of post-9/11 America. The author argues that its absence creates a gap in the cultural context of the list, as the show engaged with complex moral questions without moralizing.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The author concludes that while the <em>New York Times</em> list has sparked debate, it should also recognize works that have significantly influenced television.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Harry Khachatrian (</em><a href="https://x.com/harry1t6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>@Harry1T6</em></a><em>) is a film critic for the</em> Washington Examiner<em>. He is a software engineer, holds a master’s degree from the University of Toronto, and writes about wine at </em><a href="https://www.betweenbottles.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>BetweenBottles.com</em></a><em>.</em></p>