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The Greatest HBO Show of All Time
The Wire has finally come to an end, and I keep asking myself the same question...is this the best HBO show of all time?
To narrow down the list, I've eliminated any series that are still in first run. Curb Your Enthusiasm will crack this list when Larry calls it quits. I think Big Love has a good chance as well. Rome is out since there might be a third season (I hope), and if Entourage stops morphing into "The Wacky Adventures of Turtle & Drama," those boys might have a shot someday.
Without further adieu, here’s my HBO Top 12:
12) Arli$$: It was far from perfect and Robert Wuhl never had a shot at an acting Emmy or a Cable Ace award, but the shows were mostly funny, the supporting cast was excellent, you could count on some gratuitous nudity, and the sports star cameos never let you down.
11) Tales From The Crypt: The crypt keeper still gives me the chills. That counts for something.
10) Inside The NFL: The can't-miss combo of NFL Films highlights with commentary from Nick and Len makes this an all-time HBO great.
9) Da Ali G Show: We never got enough episodes, but at least we got the Borat movie.
8) Dream On: The life of Martin Tupper had all the ingredients to succeed on HBO and was edgy for its time. Old movie clip memories, good writing and acting, lots of cursing and plenty of nudity.
7) Six Feet Under: The guy who wrote American Beauty creates a drama about a family-run mortuary in L.A. Good creepy stuff.
6) Sex and the City: Carrie writes a column for a New York paper, and her three best friends talk fashion, romance and sex. It's memorable enough to return to the big screen this year.
5) Deadwood: Three seasons wasn't enough for this David Milch western. Swearengen got most of the glory, but Bullock, Hearst, E.B. and Wu are only a few that we won't forget anytime soon.
4) Oz: The first one-hour drama ever produced by HBO was one of its most memorable. Life in the Oswald State Correctional Facility was no fun for anyone, and Augustus Hill will mesmerize you from the moment you see him in his wheelchair.
3) The Sopranos: Tony and crew ended their run only last year, but the blackout finale keeps this excellent drama from climbing to the top of this list.
2) The Larry Sanders Show: Garry Shandling created two of the finest shows to ever air on cable. It's Garry Shandling’s Show was a brilliant Showtime comedy. The Larry Sanders Show was one of TV's best talk shows in spite of being fake. Hey now!
1. The Wire: Simply the best. Better than all the rest.
My apologies to all Not Necessarily The News, Fraggle Rock, The Hitchhiker and 1st & Ten fans out there.
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Mar 10, 2008 12:45 PM
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Great list! People forget how many great shows HBO has. Of course, you could have made this list a top 11 list and left Arliss off, but whatever.
Anyway, good job. I could of course nit pick (Sex and the City ahead of Six Feet Under?) but that is all subjective.
And Robert Wuhl's new HBO show about history is the worst show ever in the history of shows. Arliss should be left off for that alone...
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Mar 10, 2008 12:51 PM
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I would have to go with:
#1 - Sopranos
#2 - The Wire
#3 - Deadwood
#4 - Rome
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Mar 10, 2008 1:49 PM
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I agree that the Wire is the best. Then Deadwood, Sopranos, and Rome.
What makes you think that Rome might have a third season? I thought they canceled it before the second season completed filming, and wrapped up all the storylines very well. I loved Rome, but don't really see the point of continuing it, and doubt it is even possible as everyone involved is likely committed to other projects.
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Mar 10, 2008 2:02 PM
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I've never seen The Wire... I don't have HBO anymore, but I was a religous viewer for Six Feet Under and the Sopranos. I agree they are great shows, but my favorite HBO show of all time didn't even make the list: Carnivale (speaking of "religious"). I know it got cancelled, but it was so good. I still think about it today and wonder what that third and final chapter would have been.
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Mar 10, 2008 2:33 PM
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