We’re only a couple decades into the 20th century, but there’s already been a LOT of good TV. But what about the BEST TV?
It might be a little early to start tallying up the best shows of the 20th century since we’re only 20 years in, but Digital Spy is thinking ahead.
They asked fans to vote on a selection of 150 shows that started airing after the turn of the millennium (shows that released new episodes after 2000 but that began earlier were disqualified) and released the results in the first ever Digital Spy Magazine, which launched in Apple News+.
And what did fans think were the best shows of the 20th century? Behold the top 10:
- Game of Thrones
- Stranger Things
- Doctor Who
- Sherlock
- Breaking Bad
- The Great British Bake Off
- Killing Eve
- Gavin & Stacey
- Line of Duty
- Chernobyl
Now…if you came into this article looking for a definitive ranking of the best shows of the past 20 years, you’re probably confused. How did shows like Gavin & Stacey and Line of Duty, British programs little known outside the United Kingdom, make it into the Top 10 when big series like The Wire, Mad Men, The Walking Dead, Veep, Lost, The Office, Downton Abbey and RuPaul’s Drag Race didn’t?
Well, it may have something to do with the fact that Digital Spy is a British publication, which I actually didn’t know until now. And we don’t know how they administered the poll. Still, the results are fun food for thought.
“It’s not too hard to see why Game of Thrones has resonated so strongly with the public,” said Digital Spy editor Laurence Mozafari. I do agree with the top spot. Love it or hate it (and I know there are people out there who hate it after the final season), Game of Thrones is unquestionably the television event of the 20th century so far. Your move, House of the Dragon.
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