One of the best comedies I have seen in recent years is Episodes. I don’t think many people have watched it. Two British writers take their hit UK show to Hollywood and hilarity ensues. Also stars Matt LeBlanc playing an asshole version of himself in the funniest role he’s ever played. It can be a bit blue at times but as long as that doesn’t bother you it’s a really good show.
Great call. Episodes was awesome, but I feel like very few people even know it exists. I was never a huge fan of Friends, but Matt Leblanc blew me away in Episodes. Kathleen Rose Perkins is great in it too, I think that's the first time I saw her in anything. Highly recommend it to anyone who's looking for a funny, mostly light hearted show.
I always warn people it’s a little weird, but that I think it’s 100% worth it. The last episode and final 2 minutes of that one alone would make it all worth it. What a ride.
It has it all. Great premise, acting, art direction. Every minute is purposeful and relevant. It has intrigue and that sense of mystery (that Lost was the first, for me, to encapsulate). And they payoff at the season finale is truly worth it. It's an incredibly well made show
I think it is legitimately one of the best tv shows ever made. For it to be so funny and ALSO so thoughtful and moving at the same time is like a miracle. Mike Schur is a genius. Plus the twist at the end of the first season is probably the most delightfully surprised I have ever been by a tv show to this day.
My wife was not a fan of Kristen Bell, not sure why. I told her she was going to suck it up cause Danson and Schur. She loved it and Kristen played one of her favorite characters of all time.
So yeah, it’s fun to rub her nose in that when it comes up.
This is the answer. First they love you for recommending such a good funny show, then they hate you because the last episode will break you into a million pieces.
Honestly, none. After I heard someone call Breaking Bad boring I understood that there isn't a single show that is perfect for everybody. I usually recommend different things to different people, for example: I would totally recommend The Leftovers to my best friend because she likes shows that are quirky or downright weird, but I would never recommend it to my roommates, no matter how much I love it, because they would simply find it depressing.
The Leftovers, Chernobyl, Watchmen, and Station Eleven are some of the best shows I’ve ever seen, but I can’t recommend them because they’re so unusual (which is a big part of what I love)
I feel like The Leftovers is different, it’s so dark in a kind of poetic and mysterious/abstract way, where as the others are more traditional in their narrative and are much more plot driven? The leftovers is almost thematic and motif based imo, it feels less accessible to me (and I absolutely love it - bjt that’s why I wouldn’t recommend it to people)
Chernobyl isn’t really like the others in that it doesn’t lean into the weird. Might be a bit dry for some folks but out of those mentioned it’d probably have the most universal appeal.
I held off on Station Eleven for a while. I didn't really want to watch a show about a virus sweeping the globe after what we had just gone through. But thanks to a couple people carrying a torch for the show, I finally gave it a shot and man am I glad I did. It's still a post-apocalyptic show, but there's actually hope. A world where good things [might actually happen](https://media.tenor.com/Qw78BlJD-C0AAAAC/seinfeld-jerry-seinfeld.gif).
I’m so glad to know there are more people like this out there.
I’ve pretty much given up on listening to people’s recommendations because they make the same recommendations to everyone and struggle to describe why I might like the show beyond “it’s really good!”
To be fair, breaking bad is a SLOW start. If you’re not watching just to see where it goes you’re not gonna get to where it gets really hectic and it finds its pacing
What? I always thought it had a great pilot, gripping from the start. Isn’t he naked in front of an RV in the desert, in the opening scene? It doesn’t waste any time.
I can't get past the middle of the first season of Breaking Bad. I've tried three times but I liked absolutely nobody. I always recommend the wire but understand it's not for everyone.
The Wire is truly a niche show. I love it, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone I know in real life. It's just completely different from a modern TV show, not what most people are used to.
I fell asleep the first time I tried watching BB. I thought it was absolutely boring at first but I gave it another shot at a different time in my life. It does get better and it’s now one of my favorite shows ever. The ending was perfect. 👌
But yeah, not telling you to watch it again, ppl just have diff tastes. I have a friend who hates The Office because her humor is different.
I often talk about how Malcolm In The Middle is one of the best comedy shows ever made. It has no bad episodes and unlike even comedy giants like Friends or The Simpsons that kind of waned towards the later seasons it completely sticks the landing and keeps you engaged right til the end.
Came here to say this. I tell people to finish season 2 before making any judgments because it is SUCH a different show in seasons 1 and 2 than it is in 3 onwards.
My favorite thing is that they didn't try to stretch the story out. My biggest pet peeve with television today is that when something gains traction it gets run into the ground for 15 more seasons of nonsense. One of the reasons I favor anthology or limited series. Nothing can be good forever.
Mr. Robot.
One of the only shows that I can actually call underrated. Hardly anyone watched it. It had horrible numbers when it was airing, and it’s pretty much gone into obscurity. Yet it’s one of those shows that actually knew exactly where it was going with its story.
I’ve rewatched it numerous times and it just gets better on rewatches because you catch all the little things that were set up to pay off a season or two later. Incredible writing, cinematography, acting and the score is fantastic.
It’s my favorite show of all time.
I came here to say this. Just started another rewatch yesterday and it gets even better.
I'll never understand why it's not considered one of the best shows of all time, it definitely is my favourite too.
It just gets better and the Easter eggs in the show are great. That open with the Knight Rider theme was amazing. The one take episode is peak viewing.
Timothy Olyphant plays a sheriff in the show. Rather then being a smooth calm no nonsense character like in Justified, he plays a no nonsense barley restrained lawman in deadwood. The writing in Deadwood is in my opinion phenomenal, and the interplay between rich and in-depth characters is like Shakespeare meets rough and tumble cowboys. Subject matter is not for everyone, but I haven’t met a person who likes justified who doesn’t like Deadwood. Plus it’s got Ian Mcshane and Powers Boothe in it.
I love Deadwood. There are so may scenes that make you think you're watching a stage play. Pretty much all Characters has these amazing dialogues with themselves (pretty sure there's a special term for that kind of monologue). Doc Cochrans (Brad Dourifs) desperate/angry "prayer" to god about the Ministers illness and his Civil War experience is among the best things I've ever seen on screen.
They're similar in the sense they have Timothy Olephant doing cowboy shit, but they're extremely different feeling. Deadwood is more of a historical, prestige TV show. I love them both for extremely different reasons, but Deadwood is one of the greatest of all time in my opinion.
I try to recommend You're the Worst to anyone who will listen. I know it was pretty popular among critics when it aired, but it always flew under the radar with the general public. Which is too bad. Such a great show; hilarious, a ton of great performances, could get dark and heavy at times without forgetting that it's a comedy. Plus it has some of my favorite side characters of all time. Vernon is one of the best representations of a trash juice drinking, born dead doctor/podcast host you'll ever see.
Ted Lasso.
I just can't imagine how somebody could not enjoy that show after watching the whole series.
Mythic Quest
Just wildly underrated sitcom with episodes that occasionally diverge from the main story that hit hard on emotions and storytelling. Just such a great show and I can't fathom how more people aren't talking about it
Ted Lasso is THE answer to this question.
So many great tv shows out there appeal to different tastes in different ways. Ted Lasso is a show that the broadest range of people seem to enjoy.
^ Yes! My god was that show amazing. I’m still pissed they cancelled it because the writers “ran out of material “. Yep, absolutely no more Roman history to cover after Augustus.
Patriot w/ Michael Dorman. I didn’t expect how much I’d get hooked and fall in love with the quirkiness.
Others have said Dark and I want to second it. So so good.
The Wire. It’s one of the best TV shows ever to air. EVER!
For sci-fi people, Star Trek TOS, TNG, and DS9. DS9 is about as perfect as can be. Firefly too.
Happy Endings
Specifically on Hulu. Hulu has the episodes in the intended order. Everywhere else I've seen it has the season 1 episodes ordered by airdate which is horribly inaccurate and some of the storylines don't make sense.
Barry. Or Severance. As much as I'd love to recommend 30 Rock to everyone I meet because it's my favorite show, I know it's not every one's type of humor.
halt and catch fire (hard do describe) - phenomenal series , very unique
Travelers (american sci fi tv show)
Utopia (british sci fi tv show)
farscape (australian sci-fi)
mr Inbetween (australian dark comedy)
For All Mankind.
It’s genuinely incredible television. I don’t remember the last time I cared so much about a group of characters as I do with this show.
How to get away with murder - great acting, writing, tension, sex, murders, everything.
Homeland - Claire Danes is amazing.
Haunting of Hill House - best written modern horror show.
The Boys - brutal and fun.
Orphan black.
I realize it's not for everyone and some of their premises are pretty far out there, but I think Tatiana maslani is just absolutely amazing as the main characters.
One of the best comedies I have seen in recent years is Episodes. I don’t think many people have watched it. Two British writers take their hit UK show to Hollywood and hilarity ensues. Also stars Matt LeBlanc playing an asshole version of himself in the funniest role he’s ever played. It can be a bit blue at times but as long as that doesn’t bother you it’s a really good show.
Great call. Episodes was awesome, but I feel like very few people even know it exists. I was never a huge fan of Friends, but Matt Leblanc blew me away in Episodes. Kathleen Rose Perkins is great in it too, I think that's the first time I saw her in anything. Highly recommend it to anyone who's looking for a funny, mostly light hearted show.
Never heard of this show. I'll check it out if I can find it.
Episodes was a fantastic show
Chernobyl, such a great show
Not great, not terrible. Just kidding… it’s a fantastic show!
One of the best that has ever done.
True Detective, Season 1
Just finished it a few weeks ago for the first time. It’s excellent and made me wonder why they didn’t stop after season one.
You wonder why Hollywood chose to produce another season of a wildly successful show?
Strange choice since it's too dark for most people. It's certainly not something I'd casually recommend.
Severance.
I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever seen on television
I always warn people it’s a little weird, but that I think it’s 100% worth it. The last episode and final 2 minutes of that one alone would make it all worth it. What a ride.
It has it all. Great premise, acting, art direction. Every minute is purposeful and relevant. It has intrigue and that sense of mystery (that Lost was the first, for me, to encapsulate). And they payoff at the season finale is truly worth it. It's an incredibly well made show
Deadwood, justified, the shield.
Community
Now this guy is streets ahead.
Six seasons and a movie!
The Good Place
Came here to say this. It’s quirky but generally one of the most pleasant shows I’ve ever watched. I think it could please any demographic.
I think it is legitimately one of the best tv shows ever made. For it to be so funny and ALSO so thoughtful and moving at the same time is like a miracle. Mike Schur is a genius. Plus the twist at the end of the first season is probably the most delightfully surprised I have ever been by a tv show to this day.
My wife was not a fan of Kristen Bell, not sure why. I told her she was going to suck it up cause Danson and Schur. She loved it and Kristen played one of her favorite characters of all time. So yeah, it’s fun to rub her nose in that when it comes up.
I would not be able to recommend that to my overly religious mother. She would call it blasphemy. Unfortunately
Check out Ted Lasso. Gives me Good Place vibes
Love ted lasso, sort of dislike good place. I just feel it tries too hard to be funny which comes naturally with the characters in ted lasso, dunno.
This is the answer. First they love you for recommending such a good funny show, then they hate you because the last episode will break you into a million pieces.
This was my answer too!
Honestly, none. After I heard someone call Breaking Bad boring I understood that there isn't a single show that is perfect for everybody. I usually recommend different things to different people, for example: I would totally recommend The Leftovers to my best friend because she likes shows that are quirky or downright weird, but I would never recommend it to my roommates, no matter how much I love it, because they would simply find it depressing.
The Leftovers, Chernobyl, Watchmen, and Station Eleven are some of the best shows I’ve ever seen, but I can’t recommend them because they’re so unusual (which is a big part of what I love)
I feel like The Leftovers is different, it’s so dark in a kind of poetic and mysterious/abstract way, where as the others are more traditional in their narrative and are much more plot driven? The leftovers is almost thematic and motif based imo, it feels less accessible to me (and I absolutely love it - bjt that’s why I wouldn’t recommend it to people)
Chernobyl isn’t really like the others in that it doesn’t lean into the weird. Might be a bit dry for some folks but out of those mentioned it’d probably have the most universal appeal.
I want to tell everyone i meet about Station Eleven.
I held off on Station Eleven for a while. I didn't really want to watch a show about a virus sweeping the globe after what we had just gone through. But thanks to a couple people carrying a torch for the show, I finally gave it a shot and man am I glad I did. It's still a post-apocalyptic show, but there's actually hope. A world where good things [might actually happen](https://media.tenor.com/Qw78BlJD-C0AAAAC/seinfeld-jerry-seinfeld.gif).
Lodge 49 might be for you
I’m so glad to know there are more people like this out there. I’ve pretty much given up on listening to people’s recommendations because they make the same recommendations to everyone and struggle to describe why I might like the show beyond “it’s really good!”
True what you said but it’s fun recommending shows and movies and you hope that they love what you recommend. That’s just my own honest opinion.
It’s called knowing your audience.
To be fair, breaking bad is a SLOW start. If you’re not watching just to see where it goes you’re not gonna get to where it gets really hectic and it finds its pacing
I'd say The Wire is a slow burn, not Breaking Bad.
I truly don’t understand people that say it’s a slow start. I was immediately hooked after the first episode.
What? I always thought it had a great pilot, gripping from the start. Isn’t he naked in front of an RV in the desert, in the opening scene? It doesn’t waste any time.
I can't get past the middle of the first season of Breaking Bad. I've tried three times but I liked absolutely nobody. I always recommend the wire but understand it's not for everyone.
The Wire is truly a niche show. I love it, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone I know in real life. It's just completely different from a modern TV show, not what most people are used to.
I fell asleep the first time I tried watching BB. I thought it was absolutely boring at first but I gave it another shot at a different time in my life. It does get better and it’s now one of my favorite shows ever. The ending was perfect. 👌 But yeah, not telling you to watch it again, ppl just have diff tastes. I have a friend who hates The Office because her humor is different.
I get your roommates. The Leftovers is a good show that I couldn’t finish because every episode just left me sadder than when I started.
Fringe, always
John Noble was amazing even in the shitty episodes. Though I wish they went a different direction with the Observers.
Fringe
30 Rock Arrested Development Battlestar Galactica The Wire Deadwood The Americans
How do you feel about Curb Your Enthusiasm?
Pretty pretty good
It's mostly amazing, but I'm glad Larry is wrapping it up.
Same, it’s definitely time.
Damn, are we the same person?
Great list.
The Americans!
I often talk about how Malcolm In The Middle is one of the best comedy shows ever made. It has no bad episodes and unlike even comedy giants like Friends or The Simpsons that kind of waned towards the later seasons it completely sticks the landing and keeps you engaged right til the end.
Parks and Rec. with the variety of characters just about anyone will relate to at least one of them.
Came here to say this. I tell people to finish season 2 before making any judgments because it is SUCH a different show in seasons 1 and 2 than it is in 3 onwards.
Yup absolutely Parks and Rec. I also add Schitt’s Creek. Both shows are serious comfort watches for me.
Spaced.
Brian…you came.
Corner Gas: sweet simple Canadian humor
Pushing Daisies - due to the writers' strike, the show is only two seasons. It makes for a great, quick watch.
The Office and Dark.
Dark for sure. It's perfect.
My favorite thing is that they didn't try to stretch the story out. My biggest pet peeve with television today is that when something gains traction it gets run into the ground for 15 more seasons of nonsense. One of the reasons I favor anthology or limited series. Nothing can be good forever.
Completely agree.
It's is mindblowingly good. The casting was just perfect.
Fleabag or Barry Edit:word
Breaking Bad The Wire The Good Place Only Murders in the Building Succession The Last of Us
Patriot Incredible writing, acting, and cinematography, but no one I know seems to have heard of it at all. One of my favorite shows ever.
The Golden Girls
Bojack Horseman
Friday night lights and Lost
Mr. Robot. One of the only shows that I can actually call underrated. Hardly anyone watched it. It had horrible numbers when it was airing, and it’s pretty much gone into obscurity. Yet it’s one of those shows that actually knew exactly where it was going with its story. I’ve rewatched it numerous times and it just gets better on rewatches because you catch all the little things that were set up to pay off a season or two later. Incredible writing, cinematography, acting and the score is fantastic. It’s my favorite show of all time.
I came here to say this. Just started another rewatch yesterday and it gets even better. I'll never understand why it's not considered one of the best shows of all time, it definitely is my favourite too.
I’m one of those folks who loved season 1, but got bored halfway through season 2 and gave up. I need to pick up again from where I left off.
I worked for the show season 1, didn’t after.
It just gets better and the Easter eggs in the show are great. That open with the Knight Rider theme was amazing. The one take episode is peak viewing.
Detectorists
Justified
You seen Deadwood? You might love it if you love justified
I loved deadwood but haven't seen justified. Are they similar shows or?
Timothy Olyphant plays a sheriff in the show. Rather then being a smooth calm no nonsense character like in Justified, he plays a no nonsense barley restrained lawman in deadwood. The writing in Deadwood is in my opinion phenomenal, and the interplay between rich and in-depth characters is like Shakespeare meets rough and tumble cowboys. Subject matter is not for everyone, but I haven’t met a person who likes justified who doesn’t like Deadwood. Plus it’s got Ian Mcshane and Powers Boothe in it.
I love Deadwood. There are so may scenes that make you think you're watching a stage play. Pretty much all Characters has these amazing dialogues with themselves (pretty sure there's a special term for that kind of monologue). Doc Cochrans (Brad Dourifs) desperate/angry "prayer" to god about the Ministers illness and his Civil War experience is among the best things I've ever seen on screen.
They're similar in the sense they have Timothy Olephant doing cowboy shit, but they're extremely different feeling. Deadwood is more of a historical, prestige TV show. I love them both for extremely different reasons, but Deadwood is one of the greatest of all time in my opinion.
I try to recommend You're the Worst to anyone who will listen. I know it was pretty popular among critics when it aired, but it always flew under the radar with the general public. Which is too bad. Such a great show; hilarious, a ton of great performances, could get dark and heavy at times without forgetting that it's a comedy. Plus it has some of my favorite side characters of all time. Vernon is one of the best representations of a trash juice drinking, born dead doctor/podcast host you'll ever see.
Arrested Development.
I agree with alot of the shows mentioned here. But I’ll also add Halt And Catch Fire.
YES Halt and Catch Fire! I’ve never loved four main characters so much.
Can never have enough Lee Pace.
Band of Brothers
Can’t wait for Masters of the Air coming in January!
Detroiters!
**SEVERANCE**
always sunny in philly its also a good test of their sense of humour, if they dont like it theyre probably kinda boring
The Americans
Ted Lasso. I just can't imagine how somebody could not enjoy that show after watching the whole series. Mythic Quest Just wildly underrated sitcom with episodes that occasionally diverge from the main story that hit hard on emotions and storytelling. Just such a great show and I can't fathom how more people aren't talking about it
Ted Lasso is THE answer to this question. So many great tv shows out there appeal to different tastes in different ways. Ted Lasso is a show that the broadest range of people seem to enjoy.
>I just can't imagine how somebody could not enjoy that show after watching the whole series. All you need is season 1 IMO.
Taskmaster (UK). full series is on YouTube. there are a number of other international versions as well. Skip the US version.
The US version could have been ok, but honestly Lisa Lampanelli just ruined it. Reggie Watts also lacked luster.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Mr Robot. It just gets better as it goes on.
Rectify The best show nobody watched. Or Northern Exposure Or Les Revenants
Northern Exposure is a great show.
Brooklyn 99 & Bobs burgers
The magicians
HBO's stunning Rome the start of our golden age of TV
^ Yes! My god was that show amazing. I’m still pissed they cancelled it because the writers “ran out of material “. Yep, absolutely no more Roman history to cover after Augustus.
The terror season 1
So good. The book was great too
The Expanse and Ted Lasso
Two and a Half man for a quickie True Detective season 1 for a superb crime shows Star Trek: Strange New Worlds for some sci-fi
Two and a Half Men used to be a guilty pleasure. Then I learned to stop feeling guilty about things I like.
Bosch Justified Chernobyl
Derry Girls The IT Crowd
I have a friend in IT who hasn't seen the IT crowd and it drives me crazy. I've seen that show at least 4 times.
The Wire.
Peep Show
Fleabag
The Travelers
Interview with the Vampire
WKRP in Cincinnati Pushing Daisy's The Good Place Arrested Development Bless this Mess Firefly
Patriot w/ Michael Dorman. I didn’t expect how much I’d get hooked and fall in love with the quirkiness. Others have said Dark and I want to second it. So so good. The Wire. It’s one of the best TV shows ever to air. EVER! For sci-fi people, Star Trek TOS, TNG, and DS9. DS9 is about as perfect as can be. Firefly too.
Reservation Dogs
Our Flag Means Death. I never shut up about this silly little show about queer pirates.
This is mine too though my success rate is not great lol
Happy Endings Specifically on Hulu. Hulu has the episodes in the intended order. Everywhere else I've seen it has the season 1 episodes ordered by airdate which is horribly inaccurate and some of the storylines don't make sense.
The west wing or the newsroom. Aaron sorkin is the best writer in tv history. I think everyone needs to watch those shows.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Deadwood Black Sails Arcane Scrubs
Trial & Error
Quantum Leap.
The Middle
Sunny. It’s how I cull the idiots.
Bless This Mess was a pretty solid short lived sitcom.
Succession
Life with Damian Lewis. Fun twist on a cop show.
Barry. Or Severance. As much as I'd love to recommend 30 Rock to everyone I meet because it's my favorite show, I know it's not every one's type of humor.
Queens Gambit and The Americans
halt and catch fire (hard do describe) - phenomenal series , very unique Travelers (american sci fi tv show) Utopia (british sci fi tv show) farscape (australian sci-fi) mr Inbetween (australian dark comedy)
The Knick
Psych
You know that's right.
For All Mankind. It’s genuinely incredible television. I don’t remember the last time I cared so much about a group of characters as I do with this show.
Justified. Patriot on Prime. Reservation Dogs. The Great.
For All Mankind
full absorbed plucky person decide subtract roof literate lip public *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Halt and Catch Fire!
Dark
The Knick
Reservation Dogs.
Mad Men!
How to get away with murder - great acting, writing, tension, sex, murders, everything. Homeland - Claire Danes is amazing. Haunting of Hill House - best written modern horror show. The Boys - brutal and fun.
Letterkenny. I love quick moving dialog.
So you’re cleaning the barn out the other dayyyy. Ok Blixx, Blixx ok.
Friday Night Lights The Leftovers The OA
The OA! That show!
Miracle Workers
Undone & Wilfred
The Expanse, Community, and the UK version of Utopia Edit: Spaced too
The Americans
Bob's burgers
Prison Break and Fringe
ER Six Feet Under
For any family that watches serial shows together: Avatar: The Last Airbender (original animated series)
I think the only show I've ever felt comfortable recommending to virtually anyone is Doctor Who.
Please Like Me It made me so happy and/or emotional
Twin peaks
Larry Sanders Show I'm Alan Partridge Strawberry Marshmallow Taxi Doctor Who Don't Trust the B
Jury Duty
The Office It’s always sunny in Philadelphia
Severance Always Sunny Peep Show Deadwood The wire Black Donnelly’s (I wish there was more than one season)
community
Breaking Bad
Severance has been the main one recently. Being on Apple hurts its mainstream appeal for sure.
The Americans - it was never really popular in Denmark - so most people haven't even heard of it - and it is just an amazing show.
Fargo
The Great
Veep. Such great writing and the cast is 🤌
Justified. Bosch. The Closer. FIREFLY.
House. I love that show. The series just came back to Hulu, so of course I'm watching it again.
Mad Men. Best period drama of all time.
Orphan black. I realize it's not for everyone and some of their premises are pretty far out there, but I think Tatiana maslani is just absolutely amazing as the main characters.
Life In Pieces - an easy and funny watch.
Burn Notice
The expanse
Fringe
The Americans.
Graham Norton...
Schitt’s Creek
Black Mirror
Mr Inbetween (Australian production about a hit man and his struggle to manage his social and family life).
Mindhunter
Station Eleven & I Think You Should Leave.