I’d have put it in top five. Not only is it a fantastic episode of TV, it beautifully illustrates a drastically under-considered facet of human psychology: the gold mine that is Reframing.
Overall, a fun read and like any of these lists, it's always subjective and everyone will have something different. Aside from the ones you mentioned above, there are other notable omitted shows popped out to me -
Northern Exposure, Thirtysomething, Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls, The O.C., The Bob Newhart Show, Barney Miller, The Wonder Years, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Fawlty Towers, & The Office (UK).
The '70s were amazing for sitcoms so I could imagine the cuts being difficult. For WKRP, 'Fish Story' is my pick while 'Over the River and Through the Woods' for TBNS.
I enjoyed this list. I have so many series I want to return to now, so thanks for that! Thought I would also mention a favorite episode of mine from a show that never got the attention it deserved.
L'Affaire Contre John Lakeman from Steve Conrad's show Patriot. This episode brings the series together with some of my favorite character moments, and includes a single-take shot that I love.
Agreed that I wish Patriot had been represented. Though my personal favorite episode is Fuck John Wayne. The whole bachelor party is alternately beautiful, touching, and extremely darkly funny.
I did see Perpetual Grace LTD. I have a sneaking suspicion that the John Lakeman role was written with Jimmi Simpson in mind. I remember being reminded of him while watching Lakeman in Patriot, and then he shows up in Perpetual Grace. Really glad it was Michael Dorman though, especially because of his song perfomances, but he's become a favorite actor for me, in general.
One thing I did just learn of recently is that Conrad did a couple of podcast series based on the show. I've heard that The Integral Principles of the Structural Dynamics of Flow is especially double great. It has Kurtwood Smith narrating the life story of Leslie Claret!
Love the podcasts, Love Jimmi Simpson. I also love Chris Conrad (Steve's brother) and Michael Chernus in both series but honestly there's half a dozen names I could read off from both. So glad to find another fan.
Slow Horses benefits, I think, from being based on a book series of extremely high and consistent quality. The series doesn't follow the plots of the books exactly, but still, with eight Slough House novels and a few more books' worth of related stories, the creators at Slow Horses have a leg up on most other series, and no shortage of good material.
You're the Worst episode - this show was such a gem, so incredibly funny
I notice that your team picked quite a few eps that focused on one character or were the exception rather than the rule for that particular show (like for Girls, What We Do in the Shadows, Atlanta). I would've gone with episodes in those shows that involved the whole ensemble, which is where I think the heart and essence of those shows resides. For Atlanta, which had fewer episodes involving all four, I would've gone with a Paper Boi/Alfred episode - Brian Tyree Henry was next level in that show. I love Barbershop and Woods so much, and they show his enormous range from comedy to tragedy.
Love these lists. It's interesting to compare this list with the one that The Ringer did a few time ago, you can very clearly see the difference of the profile on who did the lists, which adds to it.
Some thoughts on the list:
1-Happy to see The Good Wife and House being here at least, was shocked when they weren't on the top 100. Would be easy ones for me, but, to be honest, i haven't watched as much TV as you guys.
2-When The Ringer made their list, they put the Friday Night Lights pilot, you guys have put "Mud Bowl", i have to say that it's shocking to me. I have so clear on my mind that "The Son" is the best episode, it's one of the best i have ever seen, that it shocks me to see people going with other choices.
3-When i think of a episode i loved on a show that it's not very good, the one that comes to my mind is the Anne Hathaway episode in Modern Love. Not good enough to go into top100 all time, but it's always the one that i end up thinking.
4-To end, it's not surprising because it was not on the top100 shows list Rolling Stone did a few years ago, but it's always sad to not see Recitfy. I know that there are only 10 of us who watched the show, but it's incredible. It's without a doubt one of the best of the last 15 years, at least. So the 10 of us who watched it need to come together and go all in on the show.
Rectify probably falls into the same bucket as Halt and Catch Fire: incredible show, I struggled to identify *the* standout episode, and also we had a number of series occupying the same chronological/tonal space.
And if the Rolling Stone best series list were my list alone, Rectify would have done *very* well.
I’m due for a Rectify rewatch. Just tried one for The Leftovers, but while season one was not the slog I remember (it was totally entertaining not needing to feel nauseous anxiety about what was around the corner), I got to Season 2 and didn’t feel like reexperiencing the angry arsonist neighbor, the unlikely Last Remnant recruits, etc.
I’m sure Rectify will be as sublime as remembered. Will also pay closer to mom, knowing she’s also Gerry!
Given that I have been following your for years it was no surprise what #1 would be (and hard to argue against at all), and in general arguing over the order of the list I think is difficult given I haven't seen ~25% of the shows that were included. I also was incredibly happy to see 2 of my favorite episodes of TV ever make the cut ("Knockoffs" from Broad City and "Pancakes, Divorces, Pancakes" from Review).
Since its hard to argue about best episodes for a lot of shows since its subjective, my only significant issue with the list is picking "The Dundies" for The Office. I thought "Dinner Party" was understood to be the best episode the show has ever done, but even if that wasn't the choice, there were many episodes that I thought were considered superior to "The Dundies" including:
The Deposition, The Injury, Casino Night for sure and maybe to a lesser degree: Conflict Resolution, Safety Training, Stress Relief, Diversity Day, Fun Run.
We talked for a long time about this, and Andy Green, who wrote the blurb, is an Office expert who wrote an oral history book about the show. I also asked a few Office writers, just out of curiosity, what they felt the best episode of the show was, and Dundies came up several times. I think it captures what made the show great better than anything else.
FWIW, I will never watch Dinner Party again for as long as I live, though I respect what it was doing, and if that had been the pick, so be it.
The Injury and Stress Relief are probably the two funniest episodes, but The Injury is mostly lacking in the pathos that was also a special part of the series.
I do find there to be a difference between Dinner Party (which was incredibly cringe stuff but with characters we know and storylines that were being carried forward) and Scott's Tots (which was way too far and came out of thin air). But I also understand that cringe comedy isn't everyone's cup of tea.
Yeah, Michael Scott going over the top when he gets everyone over for dinner makes sense. Scott's Tots just broke all boundaries of credibility. And that's not even mentioning the stupid "Jim is a moron" plot B.
It’s a great list. I have watched a few episodes from it this week. I’m glad to hear WKRP was in the running and understand why it didn’t make the final cut.
The show I’m most surprised didn’t make the list is Soap. There are a few standout episodes from what was a truly great show, but I think I would choose the third episode where everyone “meets” Peter. It was early in the run and cemented the show as appointment viewing every week.
Biggest omission for me is the pilot of Veronica Mars - not only is it a great series that needs representing, but I'd put it down as a pure textbook example of a perfect pilot: establishes a complex tone / genre mix, puts numerous storylines into motion, introduces a bunch of memorable characters, and hooks viewers for a great ride to come. Top 5 pilot for me, and definitely belongs on this list!
Solid list as usual, Alan. All of the listed episodes I've seen deserved at least a spot in the listwithout any blatant "Those two are in the wrong order" shenanigans, like I thought you did in your top 100 sitcoms list a few years ago.
However, my personal top 3(*) episodes (3. Spartacus's "Kill Them All", 2. Peep Show's "Holiday" and 1. The Venture Bros.'s "All This and Gargantua-2"), which are episodes from shows I consider to be all-timers (in my personal top 5, even), were not included.
In the grand scheme of things, that's not a huge deal, but i'll never miss an opportunity to plug those underrated gems.
(*)I was going to add one from Nathan For You, but I remembered you excluded reality from the list. Some Father Ted would have been nice too, and some Thick of It as well (since there's already some Veep). Okay two more and i'm done: Alan Partridge and American Dad!.
Speaking of episodes within disappointing shows, I feel like there was an episode in the middle of Rubicon that was fabulous. It ultimately did not pay off, but the episode for me cleared a very high bar. Wound up being all mood with no action...
This list was very enjoyable trip down memory lane but it reminds me of that every time TV critics talk about episodes by name, the vast majority of people, even great TV fans, have no idea which episode is being referred to by the title alone. Some eipic episodes for sure are remembered by name, but I just don't think most people can tell you the episode title of their favorites. Friends did it right...'The One with...'
Totally. My comment is more generally about the use of episode titles. Maybe just me, but I watch more tv than most people and I doubt I could name a very small number of episodes by title.
> “The single funniest scene of NewsRadio is Jimmy James reading from his twice-translated memoir, Macho Business Donkey Wrestler”
“Jimmy has fancy plans, and pants to match” gets said in our house at least once a week 😂
I know you had to fight to get "Pancakes, Divorce, Pancakes" as high as #61, and for that I will always love you.
I’d have put it in top five. Not only is it a fantastic episode of TV, it beautifully illustrates a drastically under-considered facet of human psychology: the gold mine that is Reframing.
Overall, a fun read and like any of these lists, it's always subjective and everyone will have something different. Aside from the ones you mentioned above, there are other notable omitted shows popped out to me -
Northern Exposure, Thirtysomething, Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls, The O.C., The Bob Newhart Show, Barney Miller, The Wonder Years, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Fawlty Towers, & The Office (UK).
We had episodes from most of those on the long list.
Yes, I was disappointed that neither Barney Miller nor TBNS made it.
The hash brownie episode of Barney Miller was a late cut. (Again, we originally had a whole lotta 70s sitcoms on there.)
The '70s were amazing for sitcoms so I could imagine the cuts being difficult. For WKRP, 'Fish Story' is my pick while 'Over the River and Through the Woods' for TBNS.
I enjoyed this list. I have so many series I want to return to now, so thanks for that! Thought I would also mention a favorite episode of mine from a show that never got the attention it deserved.
L'Affaire Contre John Lakeman from Steve Conrad's show Patriot. This episode brings the series together with some of my favorite character moments, and includes a single-take shot that I love.
Agreed that I wish Patriot had been represented. Though my personal favorite episode is Fuck John Wayne. The whole bachelor party is alternately beautiful, touching, and extremely darkly funny.
Such a bummer that Patriot wasn't included! I hope you have also seen Perpetual Grace LTD, it's also Double Great.
I did see Perpetual Grace LTD. I have a sneaking suspicion that the John Lakeman role was written with Jimmi Simpson in mind. I remember being reminded of him while watching Lakeman in Patriot, and then he shows up in Perpetual Grace. Really glad it was Michael Dorman though, especially because of his song perfomances, but he's become a favorite actor for me, in general.
One thing I did just learn of recently is that Conrad did a couple of podcast series based on the show. I've heard that The Integral Principles of the Structural Dynamics of Flow is especially double great. It has Kurtwood Smith narrating the life story of Leslie Claret!
Love the podcasts, Love Jimmi Simpson. I also love Chris Conrad (Steve's brother) and Michael Chernus in both series but honestly there's half a dozen names I could read off from both. So glad to find another fan.
Slow Horses benefits, I think, from being based on a book series of extremely high and consistent quality. The series doesn't follow the plots of the books exactly, but still, with eight Slough House novels and a few more books' worth of related stories, the creators at Slow Horses have a leg up on most other series, and no shortage of good material.
My favorite unexpected entry on the RS 100 list:
You're the Worst episode - this show was such a gem, so incredibly funny
I notice that your team picked quite a few eps that focused on one character or were the exception rather than the rule for that particular show (like for Girls, What We Do in the Shadows, Atlanta). I would've gone with episodes in those shows that involved the whole ensemble, which is where I think the heart and essence of those shows resides. For Atlanta, which had fewer episodes involving all four, I would've gone with a Paper Boi/Alfred episode - Brian Tyree Henry was next level in that show. I love Barbershop and Woods so much, and they show his enormous range from comedy to tragedy.
Still, a great, thought-provoking list!
Love these lists. It's interesting to compare this list with the one that The Ringer did a few time ago, you can very clearly see the difference of the profile on who did the lists, which adds to it.
Some thoughts on the list:
1-Happy to see The Good Wife and House being here at least, was shocked when they weren't on the top 100. Would be easy ones for me, but, to be honest, i haven't watched as much TV as you guys.
2-When The Ringer made their list, they put the Friday Night Lights pilot, you guys have put "Mud Bowl", i have to say that it's shocking to me. I have so clear on my mind that "The Son" is the best episode, it's one of the best i have ever seen, that it shocks me to see people going with other choices.
3-When i think of a episode i loved on a show that it's not very good, the one that comes to my mind is the Anne Hathaway episode in Modern Love. Not good enough to go into top100 all time, but it's always the one that i end up thinking.
4-To end, it's not surprising because it was not on the top100 shows list Rolling Stone did a few years ago, but it's always sad to not see Recitfy. I know that there are only 10 of us who watched the show, but it's incredible. It's without a doubt one of the best of the last 15 years, at least. So the 10 of us who watched it need to come together and go all in on the show.
Rectify probably falls into the same bucket as Halt and Catch Fire: incredible show, I struggled to identify *the* standout episode, and also we had a number of series occupying the same chronological/tonal space.
And if the Rolling Stone best series list were my list alone, Rectify would have done *very* well.
Ego Death! 😭
I’m due for a Rectify rewatch. Just tried one for The Leftovers, but while season one was not the slog I remember (it was totally entertaining not needing to feel nauseous anxiety about what was around the corner), I got to Season 2 and didn’t feel like reexperiencing the angry arsonist neighbor, the unlikely Last Remnant recruits, etc.
I’m sure Rectify will be as sublime as remembered. Will also pay closer to mom, knowing she’s also Gerry!
yesss, such a sublime show on so many levels
I think it's entirely appropriate that David E. Kelley does not have an episode on that list.
Hah!
Given that I have been following your for years it was no surprise what #1 would be (and hard to argue against at all), and in general arguing over the order of the list I think is difficult given I haven't seen ~25% of the shows that were included. I also was incredibly happy to see 2 of my favorite episodes of TV ever make the cut ("Knockoffs" from Broad City and "Pancakes, Divorces, Pancakes" from Review).
Since its hard to argue about best episodes for a lot of shows since its subjective, my only significant issue with the list is picking "The Dundies" for The Office. I thought "Dinner Party" was understood to be the best episode the show has ever done, but even if that wasn't the choice, there were many episodes that I thought were considered superior to "The Dundies" including:
The Deposition, The Injury, Casino Night for sure and maybe to a lesser degree: Conflict Resolution, Safety Training, Stress Relief, Diversity Day, Fun Run.
We talked for a long time about this, and Andy Green, who wrote the blurb, is an Office expert who wrote an oral history book about the show. I also asked a few Office writers, just out of curiosity, what they felt the best episode of the show was, and Dundies came up several times. I think it captures what made the show great better than anything else.
FWIW, I will never watch Dinner Party again for as long as I live, though I respect what it was doing, and if that had been the pick, so be it.
Well this certainly makes my argument look worse.
For me, Dinner Party and Scott's Tots went too far, and The Injury would've been my pick. To each their own.
The Injury and Stress Relief are probably the two funniest episodes, but The Injury is mostly lacking in the pathos that was also a special part of the series.
Oh, agreed, The Injury is just silly, but it starts from "And since I don't have a butler . . . " and never lets up.
I can't argue against The Injury for sure.
I do find there to be a difference between Dinner Party (which was incredibly cringe stuff but with characters we know and storylines that were being carried forward) and Scott's Tots (which was way too far and came out of thin air). But I also understand that cringe comedy isn't everyone's cup of tea.
Yeah, Michael Scott going over the top when he gets everyone over for dinner makes sense. Scott's Tots just broke all boundaries of credibility. And that's not even mentioning the stupid "Jim is a moron" plot B.
It’s a great list. I have watched a few episodes from it this week. I’m glad to hear WKRP was in the running and understand why it didn’t make the final cut.
The show I’m most surprised didn’t make the list is Soap. There are a few standout episodes from what was a truly great show, but I think I would choose the third episode where everyone “meets” Peter. It was early in the run and cemented the show as appointment viewing every week.
Biggest omission for me is the pilot of Veronica Mars - not only is it a great series that needs representing, but I'd put it down as a pure textbook example of a perfect pilot: establishes a complex tone / genre mix, puts numerous storylines into motion, introduces a bunch of memorable characters, and hooks viewers for a great ride to come. Top 5 pilot for me, and definitely belongs on this list!
Something just popped in my head . . . Rectify.
Man, any of the last few episodes would be a good pick. That show just wrecked me by the end.
Solid list as usual, Alan. All of the listed episodes I've seen deserved at least a spot in the listwithout any blatant "Those two are in the wrong order" shenanigans, like I thought you did in your top 100 sitcoms list a few years ago.
However, my personal top 3(*) episodes (3. Spartacus's "Kill Them All", 2. Peep Show's "Holiday" and 1. The Venture Bros.'s "All This and Gargantua-2"), which are episodes from shows I consider to be all-timers (in my personal top 5, even), were not included.
In the grand scheme of things, that's not a huge deal, but i'll never miss an opportunity to plug those underrated gems.
(*)I was going to add one from Nathan For You, but I remembered you excluded reality from the list. Some Father Ted would have been nice too, and some Thick of It as well (since there's already some Veep). Okay two more and i'm done: Alan Partridge and American Dad!.
Good call on needing both a Venture Bros and a Peep Show episode
Is Nathan For You really reality?
It's as real as most reality shows
Nominally it is.
Speaking of episodes within disappointing shows, I feel like there was an episode in the middle of Rubicon that was fabulous. It ultimately did not pay off, but the episode for me cleared a very high bar. Wound up being all mood with no action...
Rubicon was great, gripping stuff until it totally fell apart.
This list was very enjoyable trip down memory lane but it reminds me of that every time TV critics talk about episodes by name, the vast majority of people, even great TV fans, have no idea which episode is being referred to by the title alone. Some eipic episodes for sure are remembered by name, but I just don't think most people can tell you the episode title of their favorites. Friends did it right...'The One with...'
Well, the blurbs do describe what happens in those episodes...
Totally. My comment is more generally about the use of episode titles. Maybe just me, but I watch more tv than most people and I doubt I could name a very small number of episodes by title.
Sunny finished this week, and I wanted to say thank you for your positive rule of it - what a joy, overall!