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WIRE, MAD MEN, LOST, OFFICE, BREAKING, TREATMENT, SHIELD, ADAMS, LIFE And RECOUNT Are AFI’s Top 10 TV Shows Of 2008!!
I am – Hercules!!
The American Film Institute’s Best TV Shows of the Year:
Breaking Bad
In Treatment
John Adams
Life
Lost
Mad Men
The Office
Recount
The Shield
The Wire
Fresh Whedon!!
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Fresh Whedon!!
Sugar’s Season:
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It's in alphabetical order folks, don't worry.
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Interesting.
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Haven't watched that beyond the first episode. Is it really that good? Cuz that's some big time company to be on this list. I really wish I could get Breaking Bad in Canada, like Showtime or Bravo should carry it for the love of pete. Holy Geewilakers am I old.
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I guess that makes sense.
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Sure I love The Wire, Sopranos, Deadwood, Lost, etc. etc. But Dexter is the one show where as the credits roll at the end of a season, I consistently say for 3 years in a row THIS IS THE BEST SHOW ON TELEVISION
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... but 30 Rock needs to be up there.
If I'd have to pick one, it's certainly been the highlight of Thursday night more often than The Office. -
I'm surprised but glad to see Life on the list.
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The first season of Life was great. The current season not so much but it's still good.
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I've watched every single episode of Life and, since this covers 2008, and, thus, the entire first season, then YES, the award is richly deserved.The first season of Life is one of the best self-contained mini-series I've ever had the privilege to watch. Piece by piece that season builds to a wonderful climax. Listening to "Down Boy" by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs as Crews stands triumphant over the fake cops who've just sideswiped his car and supposedly disarmed him and then The Frames' "Finally" as Crews slo-mo marches the real killer across the squad room to the applause of his fellow detectives... awesome tv!Second season - a bland blase neutered piece of crap! They've completely lost everything that made the first season one of my all-time top tv shows. Don't get me wrong; I continue to watch in honor of that first season, but the thrill is definitely gone.Great list, by the way. I watch more than half of 'em.
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Where's Knight Rider
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I'm not sure how the Emmy's and Golden Globes can forget about Lost. It's only one of (if not "the") best show on television. Once again, a show that even "hints" at sci-fi get's the shaft. It really pisses me off!!!
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glad to see this show is finally getting some well deserved recognition. i think it made time's top 10 list, too. can't wait for it to return. i'm hoping it will fill the huge void left by "the shield."
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Where's the love for BSG? Ok, I'll admit this last season has been a bit slow, but it picked up quite a bit during the last 3 episodes. Also the first couple of episodes were really good too.
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...really is kind of an awful show. Bad supporting cast, weak plotting, nobody grows or changes except Dexter. Deb really just needs to go, and in general they need to make me care about anyone other than Dexter.
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Jesus my respect for AFI just peaked. This is a perfect list. It's about fucking time.
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is that I wouldn't include a miniseries or made fr tv film in with the others. Instead of John Adams and Recount I might add BSG and It's Always Sunny.
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Dexter? Daisies?
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...really is kind of an awful judge of what is good!
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that's how good it is.
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Who would've thought? It's only the best show ever put on tv and no one watched it.
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Spot on post dude they have near ruined/neutered what was an amazing show. I am all for them continuing the show but the ratings have not been the best, then again could Nbc really afford to cancel shows and replace them? They need to bring back more of the Arc of the show and the music the music what have they done ...."Drean Awake" by The Frames & Glen Hansard playing over Crews looking at his secret suspects wall at the end of that very first episode was got me hooked. Oh and a little Dexter love AFI would it have really killed you?
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Dec 14, 2008 10:23:40 PM CST
Write in ballot for Dexter, True Blood, Journeyman and Jericho
by nalapou
over Breaking Bad, Life, and John Adams and Recount only cause they're mini series, not tv shows. I'm assuming some of Journeyman aired in 2008? did it? don't recall.
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Stilted dialogue and modern hand-held camera-work don't mix. I like Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney but they were both badly miscast. I did enjoy Rufus Sewell as Alexander Hamilton, however.
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I probably would've swapped Life & Recount out for Generation Kill and 30 Rock, but all the shows are at least good, which makes it better than most awards.
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But it was good enough it should be counted for 2008 too.
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and good call
I'll throw in BSG instead then. -
I can go either way with it being on the list or not. It really hasn't been good this season. He rarely kills anymore, and focusing more on all of the dull supporting characters hasn't helped. The show has lost it's edge. I think True Blood or BSG deserves a spot more than Dexter.
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middle aged men. There's a big lack of female-appeal shows. And I say that as a guy but still, it's a glaring bias. How I Met Your Mother for example should get as much acclaim as the office.
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Would have been Daisies and BSG for John Adams and Recount. Then switched The Office with 30 Rock.
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I kid.
But seriously, Dexter, Pushing Daisies, Terminator - all more enjoyable than Breaking Bad IMNSHO. -
Good to know that I'm not the only one enjoying this show. Ted is such an awesome sidekick.
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take that pos life off and put them on
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why no TB? Didn't the season finale just air tonight?And Prior Walter, dude, you're crazy! s3 is its own thing, just like s1 and s2 both were. It blows my mind how i can simultaneous be like "Ohhhhh shit! Dexter vs Miguel! Bring that shit on!" and simlutaneously be like, "Man, it is really fucking sad that Dexter's first actual friendship ended like this."As far as the secondary char stories... hey man.. if you just want to see Deb woo a different dude each season, you're entitled to your opinion, but that is what's getting old if you ask me.PS matsuka rules.
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IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN MOTHER FUCKING PHILADELPHIA.
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Truly the best animated show on.
And Dexter vs Miguel has been bloody great to watch. -
I agree with PotSmokinAlien. Dexter is one of the best shows on TV, and season three was great in a lot of ways. While I'd prefer to see him slaughter 14 people every episode, some of the "sappy stuff" is necessary in order to advance the story.
Season 3 did successfully and believably introduce new dimensions to Dexters persona without it seeming forced.. unless it was supposed to seem forced.
And, by the way, a TB for the fucking Survivor finale but not one for Dexter? Kind of absurd. -
I'm almost afraid to see it because there is now way that can remotely live up to the hype.
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seriously? wtf... at least The Shield got a little recognition
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Easily better than the Office
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yes it can. and it does.
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Dec 14, 2008 11:36:47 PM CST
Actually John Adams was the best mini series That I've seen in a
by 4we8have15to16go23back42
athough it's wierd that its among the series. Im happy about Lost & the Office.
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I really, really enjoy Life more now than the first season. It was just stifling before. Of course, the writer strike finale was phenomenal.
This season makes me laugh harder than any other show. Every character is far more interesting. It's just amped up entertainment compared to the sort of meandering first season. Glad to see it recognized.
BSG deserves to be in the list somewhere and you can knock Life right off the list as far as I'm concerned. :) -
The rest - meh, especially the horribly draggy, mostly boring John Adams (did anyone watch it all the way through?). The Office is not what it was - whoever said that Gervais was a genius for making only 12-13 episodes was spot-on. The US version is running out of viable material, and making Jim and Pam's romance the focal point is a mistake and so, so American. Also, Carell is getting on my nerves, and I never thought I'd say that. He's been overexposed. However, Mad Men was spectacular this year, Lost regained its momentum in a big way, and Life has the terrific Damian Lewis, so they more than deserve to be in a top 10.
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Not this year anyway, Season 3 was just mediocre from start to finish. The Jimmy Smits arc was SO predictable, and it had none of the spark of the Ice Truck killer, or Lila from last season. Deb's romance was bland, the new partner was almost interesting with the is he/isn't he a bad cop, but they dropped that angle just when it threatened to get exciting. It was just autopilot all season really. Hopefully season 4 will get it back on track! Anyway, The Shield, fuck yeah, a truly spectacular end to one of the best shows ever made. I can't wait for the inevitable 7 season Blu-Ray box set!
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Get rid of John Adams and Recount.
Life does not deserve to be on there.
BSG, 30 Rock, and Always Sunny should take there place.
People who tink Dexter should be on the list are wrong. Dexter's story is the only interesting thing on this show, the women and angel are poorly written, C.S Lee is only in it for comedy relief and James Remar should have been taken out of the show after the second season. -
Best show never seen. Seek it out, it's worth it. It's what TV would look like if Same Mendes were given a low budget and only allowed to make TV.
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is the only thing that's missing on the list.
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What is the point of that? Wow, I'm truly shocked to see Recount on here, that they'd waste a slot with that. Especially considering the cast, it might've very well been a theatrical film. Such a decision practically renders this list useless just by itself.
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Did they watch the same season as everyone else did? The office has been great(especially season 2) but there are better comedys out there. 30 rock? Always Sunny?
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This one has some omissions, but no WTF? entries.
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Californication this season exploded in terms of quality. I found myself looking forward to that show more than any other this year. That being said, it would also be nice to see Venture Bros., How I Met Your Mother, or, Always Sunny. But their omissions are not unexpected. Come on, did anyone else love the hell out of Californication this year? Callum Keith Remmie better get an Emmy nomination.
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But that show would get so fucking intense! Some of the best actor last year is definitely in the episode with Blair Underwood's character's father. More Josh Charles is also never a bad thing. And yes, in spite of everything Dexter does right, there are a large number of problems with it, which they are trying to rectify now, but it isn't exactly working. I could expand on this if I need to. Also, I haven't watched the finale yet, but this year and last, they more or less wrapped the season up an episode early.
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The hype lives up to you.
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Charlie Crewes is probably the most interesting character on television in years and Damien Lewis is outatanding in the role. Sarah Shahi is talented AND drop-dead gorgeous. Donal Logue is a hoot.They've really played up the comedy this season, the mysteries are well thought out and slightly off-centre and the overarching plot regarding who framed Crewes now features the legendary William Atherton.No stupid Prince of Persia montages this time!
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We can quibble over placement of shows here, but having TV that hits the storytelling and emotional heights as well as stuff like Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and The Wire, is really nice. Television has become a lot mroe interesting, than even say, ten years ago.
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I had forgotten how good this season of Entourage was. I thought it was leagues better than it has been in the past, and seeing stuff like Vince fighting with the director and watching all of this shit go down was immensely enjoying. They even have me interested in Turtle now. That episode where Ari gets that huge potential promotion, and him and Vince are leaving on separate planes would have worked equally as well as a series finale. Anyone else think this show could have made the list?
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I really love Breaking Bad and Mad Men, but this last season of Weeds was maybe one of my favorite seasons of a show. It is ridiculous just how much happened, and how many cliffhangers and suspenseful situations they dealt with. Also, that double scene with Parker talking to her two sons about masturbating to her/Oedipus Complexes is a work of art.
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First I would just say that because The Wire is completely over and sealed as a series, there is no hype anymore, its a complete work, and its an accomplishment like nothing you can imagine. It's pathetic how many people on here say they love the best of the best of entertainment and have never seen it. I watched all 5 seasons in less than a month, its that good. It's just so real and affecting, theres no dramatic bullshit, the characters are real and smart, and the writers respect them and you. The show is undeniably complex and the first episode or two youl have no idea who these peole are, but seriously, watch it. Start. Now. You will not regret it. It is the single best thing ever put on tv, and I'm obsessed with LOST, so its hard for me to say that. Theres simply nothing like it. There's a void in life forever now because I don't think anything wil ever be as great an accomplishment as The Wire. It's not hype, its just the truth.
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Any Top 10 list without The Shield is laughable. Breaking Bad was the best new show of 2008.
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That series finale was awesome. I don't quite agree with the 3-year timeline of the show's writers (seems like a lot to happen only in 3 years), but the show rocked.
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...are you fucking kidding? What about ER, what about Dexter, what about 30 Rock, what about True Blood, what about - OMIGOD - Battlestar Galactica? Has everyone drunk the Kool-aid?
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Too bad it's on one nobody really cares about. I've never seen any of the other shows except Lost, and it shouldn't be anywhere near a best list of any sort.
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You've never even seen The Office?
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The Wire was better overall... but, holy fuck the last episode of The Shield is DEVASTATING. For the viewer and for Mackey. And Shane's note - I cried. Walton Goggins needs a Golden Globe and an Emmy right the fuck now.
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As much as the second and almost as much as the first. I doubt the first can be beaten, too many doors have opened. Would have liked to see True Blood on this list but the inclusion of Breaking Bad makes up for that.
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Simply sublime. I give the last season of The Shield the edge over the last season of The Wire only because of the irritating serial killer plot. Overall though The Wire rules all.
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30 Rock, Dexter, and BSG have all been named before - if I remember correctly they were all on this year's shortlist, but didn't quite make it with the awards jury. I'm sure BSG will be on the list next year given how brilliant this last stretch is supposed to be. When I saw the shortlist, I knew the Office would win again, but frankly I don't think the show is fresh anymore. Clearly with so many shows ending and so few new shows of quality, next year's list will certainly be interesting... but AFI did okay by me this year.
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ER is a terrible show.
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Lost deserves it this year. What a comeback. 30 Rock is really the only glaring omission I can see. Although I haven't seen Dexter yet this season.
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but I'd be willing to bet that Pushing Daisies and Galactica deserve places on that list ahead of them.
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I would have included Dexter and Damages, but still, that's a respectable list.
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...was not actually on in 2008! But yes it was a brilliant show. The structure of season 1 is amazing, the timelines and layers all coming together as the season ends is a thing of beauty. Anyway, I'm glad someone above mentioned CALIFORNICATION, I half watched the first season but S2 really kicked it into high gear, Duchovny and Rennie should definitely get Emmy comedy nominations. Its a perfect 'dessert' show following Dexter.
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Danny was a sniveling, miserably pussy and Colleen was a stupid whore. Glad both characters are dead... Especially Danny!
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I just caught up over the weekend on the second season, and it's probably the best procedural on TV now.
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Wasn't it a "made for TV" movie?
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i need some more.
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Breaking Bad deserves all the praise it gets.
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Its a good show, don't get me wrong but has a some weaknesses (ie Ted). This year < than last year also but has AFI even seen The Closer? That is one of the best written shows in the past few years. Humor, suspense, great acting, great lines. Just generally awesome. I watch Life religiously but as far as procedurals go it trails The Closer.
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The critics seemed to ignore this one but it's a damn good show with an incredibly talented cast. And The Shield is untouchable: easily the best show I have ever seen and every season and every episode was simply amazing.
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Over the last 6 months, I've watched the entire series 7 times. Props to all here who also understand.
Bri
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