Top 5 TV Shows

Welcome to another huge countdown for you: my picks for 5 TV series everyone should watch at least once. Here's some ground rules to qualify for this list. The shows need to have ended their run on the air. I also need to have completed watching the series, from the first episode to the last. Also, the entire series should at least be available on either DVD, Blu-ray or 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. For completionists and physical media collectors' sake, it was necessary to have this guideline in place. Most of these shows should be available for streaming.

Please note, however, that there are some exceptions, depending on the streaming services you have. As was the case with my Top 50 Films list, the entries will be sorted in chronological order as opposed to an official ranking. As shocked as you might be by what made the cut and what didn't, I promise you that no one will be more surprised by these selections than I am. This shouldn't take too long, so let's get comfy and start the ultimate binging marathon. Cue a nostalgic CBS FOX video logo before my time.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977)

I first saw this landmark sitcom not long after its titular star passed away. After binging the whole series, I can confidently say it's no wonder this show is so beloved. It was revolutionary in its focus on a working class woman and the hijinks her fellow coworkers find themselves in. Our main character Mary Richards may have dated many men on the show. But without spoiling anything, she stays true to herself rather than settle for someone who isn't right. This is done in a way that's respectful for all sides involved.

The same can be said for anytime the show handles serious issues, such as inequality in pay or a divorce. You're still laughing along at the situation presented, while identifying with it immensely. Let me put it this way. Making us laugh over Mary's conflicted emotions over a clown's passing. That alone is an achievement. The key to making this all work of course is the cast of characters at its center. It says plenty when three of the characters from your own show end up getting spin-off shows within the same decade. Not every show can do that.

Mary Richards is a lovable lead in that she's always respectful but can reach her limits if pushed too hard. She's honest, but kind enough that she keeps her options open. Lou Grant (Ed Asner) is the stern leader of the news station. Thanks to Asner's razor sharp timing and delivery, he evolves this character further unveiling an affectionate side that's usually hidden. Murray Slaughter (Gavin MacLeod) enjoys the series' best moments as the long suffering news writer, whose words are regularly misprounced by news anchor Ted Baxter (Ted Knight).

Ted is clearly full of himself, but you admire and respect his passion for what he does. A day at work will always be fun thanks to these three. Then, there's Mary's neighbors, starting with Rhoda Morgenstern (Valerie Harper). She's a former New Yorker with a hectic love life and scornful relationship with her mom. Rhoda also delivers some of the best quotes and dialogue in the series. You also have the landlord Phyllis Lindstrom (Cloris Leachman) and her daughter Bess (Lisa Gerritsen) living the high life.

Even when a main character leaves the series, there's always another fun character to take their place. Take Sue Ann Nivens for instance, courtesy of Betty White. She has her own cooking show within the same TV station. You might say she's something of a perfectionist who knows how to get her way. A love interest to Ted and newfound friend of Mary's in the form of Georgette (Georgia Engel) is also introduced. Marilyn Monroe's successor incarnate as the creators intended. Whatever you're looking for, this show has something for everyone.

Seinfeld (1989-1998)

For a show that was about "nothing", this long celebrated sitcom has made quite an impression in saying something about the ills of society. "Seinfeld" sports outstanding observational humor that doubles as an impressive look into awkward scenarios and social situations you hope to avoid finding yourself in. For example, getting caught in "double dipping" a chip or taking back a marble rye after a dinner party goes sour. The four primary friends this series centers on have palpable chemistry with each other and strong, distinct personalities.

Jerry Seinfeld, the namesake of this series, basically serves as the every man who encounters unusual people and/or weirder tendencies they have. Jerry may meet a woman who allegedly has fake breasts or another who uses a toothbrush after it falls into a toilet. His attempts at making sense of the people he comes across usually doesn't end well. George Costanza (Jason Alexander) serves as an embodiment of one of the show's creators and writers, Larry David, who'd recreate this show's formula with "Curb Your Enthusiasm".

George is arguably the series' best defined character with his bold perspectives that directly challenge the status quo. He's the kind of person who'll insist that pushing kids and women out of the way in a burning apartment is his way of clearing a path for everyone else. He lives with his parents Frank and Estelle (Jerry Stiller, Estelle Harris) for a few seasons. Frank also has quirky beliefs and ideologies, none more so than Festivus. A holiday created as a means of protest to the other holidays around the end of year time frame.

There's also the sharp comedic delivery of Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) who doesn't give our ensemble an ounce of slack. She comes equipped with juicy work stories and scenarios courtesy of wealthy bosses like Justin Pitt (Ian Abercrombie) and J. Peterman (John O'Hurley). Anyone craving classic physical gags can count on Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards) to fulfill that itch. But they'll get more than that. What we have with Kramer is a happy-go-lucky bachelor with the craziest luck this side of your wealthiest lottery winner.

Even when he regularly borrows food from Jerry, Kramer always find a way to go on adventures and experience opportunities the rest of the cast doesn't. Even our lead's main nemesis Newman (Wayne Knight) finds a way to earn some laughs much to his own expense. Whether it's losing his temper in court or finding himself in harm's way, hilarity is bound to ensue. What else can be said about "Seinfeld" that hasn't been already? It's still highly relevant in pop culture today, and for good reason. It's also on Netflix if you haven't seen it yet.

Frasier (1993-2004)

"Cheers" was already a legendary sitcom in its own right. And yet its own successful spin-off "Frasier" is that rare achievement not found every day in the TV industry. It's a spin-off that surpasses its predecessor in basically every conceivable way. The cast is better, the script writing has even more variety, and the consistency of the episode quality with its 11-season run is impressive. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) has moved from Boston to Seattle, and has become a successful psychologist with his own call-in radio program.

Starting in the pilot, his father Martin (John Mahoney) has moved in with him due to his physical handicap, alongside his physical therapist Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves) and his dog Eddie. Frasier regularly keeps in touch with his fellow psychiatrist brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) to make sense of new developments. As he manages his daily affairs with his home life and work days with his sharp co-worker/producer Roz Doyle (Peri Gilpin), we bare witness to various shenanigans he has to contend with.

Guest callers aplenty with their relationship issues, some of which understandably give Frasier good cause to tell it like it is. Niles regularly hitting on Daphne when visiting Martin, much to Frasier's chagrin. Niles and Frasier's extra rich palates differing wildly from Martin's far more simple tastes. Roz's love life being fairly active, even when it regularly kicks her back over and over to where she started. Niles confiding to Frasier regarding issues with his wealthy wife Maris, who's never shown on-screen, much like Norm's wife Vera in "Cheers".

As with the predecessor that spawned it, "Frasier" adheres to a winning formula with the aforementioned arcs of its characters, while offering much welcome variation on the scenarios they encounter. Each cast member is immensely likable in their own distinctive ways. Witty banter and dialogue is in plentiful supply. Sometimes, you'll get some uproarious physical humor. An episode with Niles accidentally burning Frasier's couch comes quickly to mind. But also like "Cheers", "Frasier" makes the smart decision of being heartfelt when it needs to.

I saw a comment online from a user or critic stating that when this series ended, it marked the end of the sitcom genre for adults. In a sense, I can see some truth in that declaration. Though a 2023 revival spin-off series of the same name would come to pass, it's hard to top what the original series had accomplished. Those who haven't seen "Cheers" can go into watching this series without any problem, since it stands alone on its own. Until then, "this is Frasier Crane, wishing you goodnight, Seattle, and good mental health."

Mad Men (2007-2015)

Shows about what people do with their 9-5 jobs can be made interesting with the right material in your hands. In the case of "Mad Men", we're given a captivating snapshot into the lives of various men and women during the 1960's. At center stage, we have Don Draper (Jon Hamm), an advertising executive with a constantly active love life, the likes of which Sam Malone would be jealous of. Within Sterling Cooper, the ad agency he works for, he answers to two fellow bosses, Roger Sterling (John Slattery) and Bert Cooper (Robert Morse).

Roger is also into dating other women without his wife knowing about it. Bert is a unique individual and not just because he wears socks as opposed to shoes into work. He often thinks outside the box with his own theories on life's mysteries. The 1st season finale where he is visited by Don and a then conceited Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser) best illustrates this. There have been TV dramas before that pushed the envelope with what's possible in the medium. Then there's "Mad Men" along with the last show I'll discuss here.

What we see with "Mad Men" is a snapshot of an era that showcased the most change in American society. From the tragic losses of Marilyn Monroe and JFK to the birth of the hipster era and the black civil rights movement taking center stage. "Mad Men" sees its most captivating moments within the work environment of Sterling Cooper. There's an episode where an executive brings in an account for John Deere and one of their lawnmowers into the place. Needless to say, what ensues proves why such devices can't be parked in the office.

For a show that's titled "Mad Men", it's a few specific women that prove to be the most fascinating and relatable characters in the series. None more so than one Peggy Olsen (Elisabeth Moss), who starts out in the pilot as Don's secretary and then graduates to becoming an ad executive herself. Her arc is equipped with trails and tribulations at every corner, ranging from an unexpected pregnancy to a long and hectic birthday at work thanks to Don. Office manager Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks) is also much more than a nice face and attractive body.

She deals with an unhappy marriage for a few seasons, and in one season, has to sleep with a stranger to secure an account for work in the hopes of a promotion. The show's creator/writer Matthew Weiner and his fellow co-writers did a phenomenal job with the spicy dialogue the characters engage in. Some regular cast members get to chew on potent and powerful lines that couldn't be done better if you tried. I've declared this my favorite TV show for a while now. To this day, "Mad Men" certainly earns its keep on this list in my eyes.

Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

How many shows can you name that have a slogan specifically for binging it all the way through as this show has with the "Breaking Bad Binge"? Not many I'd say, because this show single-handedly proves once and for all exactly what the TV industry is capable of bringing to the table. Unlike "Game of Thrones" which fumbled at the finish line big time, "Breaking Bad" evolves the TV industry forward with its perfect pacing, tension, and creativity. It's a rare show that's grown better with each new season culminating in a satisfying series finale.

"Breaking Bad" is a crime drama about Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a terminally ill chemistry teacher who's figuring out how to keep his family financially stable after he passes. He ends up teaming with former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) in producing high-quality methamphetamine and navigating various criminals to earn a meaty paycheck. Naturally, Walter has to keep this all a secret from his brother-in-law Hank Schrader (Dean Norris) who's also a DEA agent. This show goes from one tense and exhilarating situation to another.

Just when these two make it past a certain obstacle, two or three more seem to take their place. Anyone interested in making a TV show should absolutely study this series for how to keep audiences invested and tuned into every episode. Vince Gilligan and company have done a masterful job in crafting an intense crime drama. It shows off some impressively accurate science the everyday person isn't used to seeing. For instance, there's minerals and chemicals that can be made into effective bombs, which they utilize to full effect.

Cranston is extraordinary in embodying Walter White and the exhilarating yet tragic arc his character undergoes. Paul sells the street smart Jesse, who also undergoes his fair share of turmoil in simply scrapping by. As Hank, Norris adds likability and layers to a character that could've easily been one-dimensional in other hands. Also sublime is Anna Gunn as Walter's wife, Skylar. As you can imagine, she sees many emotional and traumatic events the average person can't fathom. She shows strength by persevering through each scenario she confronts.

More than one great antagonist in this series, starting with Tuco (Raymond Cruz), the drug-addicted customer keeping the duo hostages to get what he wants. Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) and his right-hand man Mike (Jonathan Banks) have intricate layers to their arcs as drug dealers who seemingly have the work-life balance figured out. Top this off with wisecracking lawyer Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), who gets his own spin-off "Better Call Saul", and you have the definitive TV crime drama of which all others are judged against.

And with that, my checklist for 5 TV series you need to check out at least once comes to a close. This was much harder than it looked. So please, don't be too upset if your favorites aren't on here. How many of these picks do you agree or disagree with? What made your list of favorite TV shows? Let us know in the comments.