When it comes to television, basic cable gets kind of a bad rap. While network shows draw in massive viewership and premium channels have greater leeway to develop smart, cinematic programming, all but the very best cable fare can get lost in the shuffle. But in an article for Salon, Matt Zoller Seitz extolls the virtues of AMC, claiming it could very well become the next HBO. His piece got us thinking about all of the other great shows on basic cable. Our list of the 15 best, culled through an informal Flavorpill staff poll, tackles everything from the obvious picks (Mad Men, The Daily Show) to cult-y favorites like No Reservations and The League.
Mad Men, AMC
What, you thought we weren’t going to list our hands-down favorite show of the past few years? Just in case you’ve been in a sensory-deprivation chamber since 2007, here’s the deal: No TV series right now is as compelling, well acted, smartly written, lushly art-directed, or beautifully shot as this drama about a ’60s ad man with a dark past and uncertain future.
Comments (14)
Donal Logue on TERRIERS is the best thing on TV right now.
If there is any justice in the world, Donal Logue will win an Emmy this year for Terriers.
the league is the best show on television. and im carrying tony bourdains child and we’re SOoOooO in love. awesome post, judy!
Great list! Breaking Bad needs to be on FOREVER.
Oh, god. For a moment there I thought Terriers wasn’t going to make this list, and I was prepared to be pissed. Luckily you slid it in at the last second.
Terriers is the best show on TV right now, hands down.
Terriers on FX my fave (oh, those guys!), The Big C (mostly for Olive Platt), Bored to Death (oh those 3 guys!!!), and even, for some odd reason, Sons of Anarchy (stiffly weird, but Katie Sagal’s holding her own on it). Will miss Weeds, what a circus.
Burn Notice and White Collar is the best shows, period. Both are fun to watch.
I agree that “Terriers” is a great show, but I’m kinda surprised that “Justafied” wasn’t listed here as well (maybe you didn’t include it because the show is on hiatus right now). I was very impressed by the strong writing and plots with great twists and turns, superb acting… and I guess some people above have confused “basic” cable with “premium” cable, otherwise I’m sure you would have listed “Dexter.” Basic cable has come a long way. F/X, AMC and a couple other cable networks are really competing with premium (and occasionally with regular network TV) for eyeballs.
“Justafied” should have made this list! If you’ve never seen it, it had great wrting, lots of twisty, turny plots and superb acting (it’s on hiatus right now). And some people here are confusing “basic” cable with “premium” cable, otherwise I’m sure “Dexter” would have made your list. F/X, AMC and a couple other basic cable stations have really stepped it up in the last few years.
Would have liked to have seen “Louie” on FX get a mention. And “Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated” on Cartoon Network is an amazingly meta deconstruction of the old Scooby formula with beautiful art direction, a season-long overaching mystery, and characters that actually develop.
I’m surprised USA’s Psych didn’t get a mention in favor of White Collar. 5 seasons in, I still get giddy when a new episode premiers.
And ChrisBob, Scooby Doo: Mystery Inc. is the show that restored my faith in kid’s shows today. Good mention!
Mentioning Tiffani Thiessen without 90210 is…odd. I think Valerie Maloneis a bit more well known than Kelly Kapowski.
TERRIERS IS AWESOME PEOPLE, CATCH UP ON HULU THEN WATCH IT WED AT 10 DON’T LET THIS SHOW DIE!!!!!!!!!!
Another recommendation for Terriers. I seriously love the chemistry between Donal and Michael.
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