A great man once said, “When friends fail you, TV characters come to help you;” and that great man is writing this stuff down as of now! No autographs please! (just kidding!) Let’s look at this “wholly,” TV series and all the characters concealed in them, have been an integral part of the common citizens’ life since the very inception of the television industry; their stories along with the backdrop have been etched in our memories since time immemorial. We are incomplete without television, the reverse being true as well. Let’s take a look at some of the serials that have been ruling our minds for ages now!
10 TV series that may never fade:
1. Breaking Bad – You have just been diagnosed with terminal stage III cancer with only two years to live. What do you do? Why you become a meth manufacturer and seller of course! What happens to a decent, law-abiding citizen after the doctor hand him a fatal diagnosis? Following the moral perversion of a straight and narrow chemistry teacher, Walter White has two years to secure a future for his family. Breaking Bad TV series moves at break neck speed as it captures the gritty and dark world of drugs and crime.
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2. Game of Thrones – Based on the epic novel – A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, this one is not for the faint-hearted. Nine Nobel families are at war; tearing each other apart to own the seductive power of the iron throne. With ten episodes a season, the series is gruesome, its characters manipulative and the plot twisted. This TV series has the power to shock you, anger you and delight you. With violence, distorted love stories, war and dragons, Game of Thrones represents one hell of a bumpy ride.
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3. Sherlock – With the various interpretations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective Sherlock Holmes and his confidant Watson, why should you watch this one in particular? Why for the stellar cast of course! Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock and Martin Freeman as Watson and their romance are just epic! The way Freeman’s character acts as a sometimes clueless foil to the all-knowing Cumberbatch’s character is a pleasure to watch. The only downside – this TV series has too few episodes which are too many years apart.
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4. Last week tonight with John Oliver – Are you a fan of satire and news? What if there was a show that combined the two? Win-win situation for you right? The TV series is hosted by comedian John Oliver who brings his own style and pizzazz to the news content. Aired every Sunday, this will combine your daily dose of hilarity and news into 30 laughter-filled minutes. Go get the popcorn now!
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5. The Sopranos – If you love The Godfather, you will love this one. The story follows the professional and private life of Tony Soprano, a New Jersey mob boss. Though the story is narrated in first person, the viewer gets the sense of other characters albeit from Tony’s point of view as he relates everything to his therapist. Described as violent, racist, sexist, with adult content and adult humor, don’t watch this TV series if your sensibilities are easily hurt.
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6. Top Gear – Outwardly, Top Gear TV series is about cars and everything related to cars. But the show is so much more than that! It is about hopes and dreams and entertainment and differing opinions of the presenters. The USP of this show is that you don’t have to know about cars or be a car expert or even own a car for that matter. That, people, is the beauty of this show. The stunts will thrill you, the banter and cross-talk will make you laugh and the sheer impossibility of owning those cars will make you yearn. 10 out of 10 for a pot-boiler, ain’t it?
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7. Friends – It has been eleven years since its last episode, yet Friends has not lost its cult status. This TV series is about love, breakups and hook-ups, laughter, friendship, growing-up together, family, responsibility, mistakes, the list is endless. Join the six friends – Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Joey and Phoebe and Central Perk (the coffee shop which is a character unto itself) as the show captures their life’s ups and downs. By the end of the show, you’ll be trying to figure out which character you have most in common with, promise!
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8. Seinfeld – Famously known as a TV series about nothing, Seinfeld is about Jerry Seinfeld, a comedian starring as a fictionalized version of himself, and his crazy, quirky friends. Though the show primarily centres on an apartment, it is content rich and makes you laugh throughout the 30 minutes. Watching Jerry deal and “be the voice of reason” amidst the otherwise chaotic characters will light up any dreary day!
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9. The Simpsons – This TV series started way back in 1989 and after being on air for 25 years, is still going strong. The show is an ironic take on a typical middle-class, dysfunctional family called the Simpsons. It is an animated show that covers everything from the American culture, to societal rules and obligations, science, and generally the trials and tribulations of a middle-class family. With 26 seasons and the show just being renewed for a 27th season, it is the longest running show on television history!
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10. Impractical Jokers – If you like to follow 9Gag and 8Crap and the similar stuff on social media, you will love Impractical Jokers. This TV series is very different from regular TV material. Four members of the comedy ensemble The Tenderloins play themselves in the show. They dare each other to take-up ridiculous and outrageous public pranks. While one member performs the prank, the others film it using a hidden camera. The three behind-the-scenes lads are in constant touch with the prankster via a microphone which is designed to make the pranks all the more awkward and hilarious.
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So here is my list. What about yours?
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