Ok it is the start of 2010 and I thought I would embark upon the difficult task of choosing my top 5 television programmes of the decade. I tried to choose programmes that werent just entertaining, but had something which made it unique and special and I must admit I found it hard to rummage through the hordes and hordes of reality television. I also have to admit that I have yet to see some of the top television but this is the list I came up with.
5. Inbetweeners- A comedy about teenagers enduring all the hardships of puberty and loving it. While on the surface it seems like another attempt by E4 using shock and awe tactics to gain viewers, the script is witty and the comedy is fast paced and fresh. This show, promoted as the ’Anti-skins’, doesn’t show teenagers having sex, doing drugs or getting drunk. It shows them falling flat on their faces. I look forward to seeing the next season of this show and i see great things happening for Simon Bird (the main character Will) and the writers of this deceptively appealing television.
4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer- A personal favourite of mine and one that many people wouldn’t agree with, but stick with me on this. Joss Whedon’s longest running and by far most successful, showed what he could do when fox wasnt there to cut him down. The show fused high-octane action and a set of characters that easily compared to that of friends in their closeness and likeability. This show truly blossomed during its more artistic moments. The episode “The body” which showed the death of Buffy’s mother was truly unique from the other episodes. It included no diagetic soundtrack and used long camera shots and moments of silence to show the boredom of death. I like most of the traditional episodes, but the ones which show how clever the writers and Whedon are, clearly stand out.
3. The Office- The British version (although American is good), is a truly British show and one that tried something new, ran with it, and came out with a winner. Its style of subtle documentary turned comedy was one that worked especially well and although many people dislike Gervais, the persona that he added to his character is what often made the show so funny. Not to slate all the other shows on this list, but Gervais also did a wise thing in ending the show after two series, making sure the show stayed true to its intentions and earned it a place in television history.
2. Peep show- Another British comedy that weaves drama in with its many laughs and still manages to support its style and personality. Whilst most comedys are very obviously so, peep show is more subtle and you often feel more rewarded when something is funny.
1. Lost- I haven’t got enough room to write all the points about lost which make me love it the way I do. It is in my opinion the cleverest and most rewarding show I have ever seen. It is impossible to just drop into lost in its third or even second season. The Lost world waits for no man and for those who have watched it from its opening, it has been a confusing, complex tale of mystery, myth and time travel. There are references to other documents that influence it and the writers and directors constantly weave into the narratives. ‘The Looking Glass’ a Dharma initiative station clearly references the novel from Lewis Carroll and it is this kind of intuitive writing, engaging storyline and immensely deep characters that make lost the promising show that it is. I like many others will watch the concluding season in February. Then give up tv FOREVER!!!!…. or maybe just a couple of days.
