Millennial Television/Series (2024)

In the highly coveted and divisive position, Greatest of All Time (GOAT). As a criminology student during its initial airing, I liked the in-depth portrayals of conditions procedures outcomes(which was like extra credit to my studies). David Simon’s seminal work in the re-mix of journalism and storytelling—also the start of my healthy relationship with HBO.

You can’t mention HBO without this groundbreaking show coming to mind. Despite the genre and subject matter, quite reflective of the American zeitgeist of the times.

This was #1 on my list for some time, it’s only ranked lower now because of the limited mini series status. A lot more shows had more ample opportunity to “flex their chops.” Let's see how the spiritual sequel, 'Masters of the Air,' fares later this year.

This show was a darling during its awards season for a reason, sweeping 2019 like Soviet newswires on the actual disaster.

This fictionalized historical drama recreates Sengoku Japan as the Tokugawa Shogunate comes into power. Rare that a show breaks into my top 10 within just watching the first half of a season--it's that good.

Noah Hawley’s interpretation of Coen storytelling, what else is there to say, near perfection.

Prior to this show, Jesse Armstrong, was notorious mostly in English humor and political comedies. ‘Sucession’ takes all that wonderful experience and turns it on the fictional Roys of 1% America.

‘The Sopranos’ alumni, Matt Weiner’s stories of mid-century America through an oughts lens was another groundbreaking show. This and TWD really put AMC television on viewers’ radars.

This multi-genre anthology will make you fear and love technology.

Steven Knight’s early 20th century England made TV history, both literally and figuratively. The theme song alone carries the show into memory.

You might notice a strong affinity for crime dramas in my top picks, but Roberto Saviano’s Gomorra really does shine light on Europe and its deep criminal institutions. Some of the drama may be over-the-top, but what is expected of a real-er Italian ‘The Sopranos.’

This parody of the super-heroes journey would anger Joseph Campbell but we love it for that and the not-so-subtle satirical social commentary.

‘The Boys’ spin-off with the same team? Sold.

I got onto the bandwagon late, starting with the show then to the books. This Amazon Prime exclusive brought hard sci-fi to American audiences, but the story still had momentum to become a global cult favorite. Sadly, they ended the show early even though they only covered the first 6 books in the series.

Childish Gambino and Hiro Murai’s surreal Atlanta brings humble laughs with the satire. Watching this show reminded me to one day return to Fulton County, GA.

They took the original film comedy and ran with it. One of my favorite sit-back and laugh shows. Who knew about Kiwi humor and didn’t put more to get it out in the World earlier…?!

Take the British humor of ‘Peep Show’ and combine the workplace satire of ‘The Office’ and ‘The IT Crowd’ mixed within hip-hop culture, it may not hold mass appeal, but I love the irony projected in the show.

A platform that launched the careers of so many greats in modern comedy, disappointingly canceled in its first season.

Another innovative comedy, we wouldn’t have the same satirical laughs in the modern day without it. Shame it was canceled and relegated to Netflix to wither and…

Considered one of the greatest workplace comedies in television history. The mockumentary style shines with this show.

One of the best on American public access, lots of comedic careers in television gained notoriety from here.

Dan Harmon’s early testing ground for sitcom laughs, the first few seasons with Harmon in lead are some of the best.

One of Britain’s best comedy sitcoms, Jesse Armstrong really found his voice here, prior to his American success, 'Succession.'

The original with Ricky Gervais, what else do you need to know?

Another workplace gem, appreciate your geeks at work.

A very smart workplace comedy about a French talent agency. One of my favorite sit-back and read subtitles shows. It makes me mad that it was repackaged by Netflix.

This show put me onto Howard Overman and I am thankful for his contributions to media …and society. One of the best superhero (villain) parodies—the first few series are gems.

Guy Ritchie's adaptation of his own film fares better than Snatch's but can't deny Phoebe Dynevor brought me in front of the "boob tube,"

To close out the all powerful triumvirate at AMC, many consider Walter White’s villain's journey one of the GOATs. I have qualms with this show just because viewers somehow confuse Walt as the hero of the story, when it is FAR FAR from it.

I actually prefer Saul Goodman’s villain's redemption journey over ‘Breaking Bad,’ but we wouldn’t have one without other. It sits at a lower rank just because it’s a spin-off show.

This highly contentious show had a very strong opening season with a highly debated lackluster sophomore year, still reinvigorated interest in serialized crime dramas in a world of the weekly procedurals.

Paramount’s current darling, Taylor Sheridan’s gruff cowboy drama has blossomed into a great series and intellectual property. Somehow controversy has afflicted this masterpiece since 2023 and we await the fate of this franchise hearing into the final season.