“There’s just nothing good on TV.” We hear it every day. We’ve all said it, at least once, and I’ve been known to say it just about every day. The only problem? It’s not really true. There are a lot of terrible, trashy, mind-numbing things on Television, yes, but there are a few shows out there that redeem the medium, all together.
Here they are, in no particular order:
1. 
Sons of Anarchy:
I’d never seen the show until just recently, but now I know what all the fuss is about. Now into its 3rd season, this FX show follows the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club whose interest is to keep its community ‘protected’ by means of violence, intimidation, and mafia-esque bribery. In other words, the biker gang seeks total control of their small town and though their intentions might be noble, their techniques are brutal. Awesome for its theme alone, this show really excels for its writing style and incredible performances by the cast. If you need a lesson in badassidy (yes, that’s made up) you really should take a page out of this book.
2. 
Late Show with David Letterman:
He’s still around, he’s still awesome, and he still gets the best guests. The incredible thing about Letterman is that after all these years he’s still the first lat night talk show host that comes to mind when I think about celebrity guests that go rogue on stage. From Barrymore’s famous flash dance to the Joaquin Pheonix interview that likely inspired the new movie, I’m Still Here, Letterman really knows how to capitalize on the most idiosyncratic situations.
3. 
Modern Family:
There’s something about this ABC series that’s flat-out lovable, and I’m pretty sure it’s the fact that it doesn’t try to imitate or parody the ‘average American family’ like every other family sitcom on Television has already played out. In theory, it does just the opposite because it’s a parody of an unconventional family, but I find that to be ironic considering it’s likely a closer depiction of the truth than the alternative. The biggest reason this comedy stands out is that it’s so character-driven. It’s rare that I’m ever so taken by a cast that I become totally indifferent to the plot. Literally anything could happen on this show, the characters could be watching paint dry, and they’d still make it fun.
4. 
Terriers:
Sure, it’s just another detective show, but it’s also not. Terriers harnesses a certain kind of grit that the other shows just don’t generate. The series focuses on the lives of an ex-cop, Hank, and an ex-con, Britt, two best friends who decide to open an unlicensed private investigation business. These guys are human, have serious baggage, and reflect a sentiment most Americans can relate to these days: a desperation for cash. The best thing about the series? Unlike most crime dramas on Television, Terriers takes a lesson from the popular premium cable format that can be found in shows like Weeds, The Sopranos, or Boardwalk Empire. It’s serial. If you really want to get the most out of the series, you need to watch it from the beginning because the storyline evolves throughout the season. Though it makes it harder to watch out of order, it also makes the writing stronger and the overall quality higher. We’re not just ‘tuning in’ to this world, we’re sucked into it.
For anyone who grew up in a town with a Football team, or anyone who hasn’t, this show will pull you in to American High School Football culture with incredible accuracy. It might have something to do with the fact that the story is taken directly from the book, which is based completely on a true story. The characters are as real as they come, and many would say the interaction between Coach Taylor and his wife, Tammy, is Emmy Award-Winning material. It doesn’t hurt that Explosions in the Sky contribute to much of the show’s soundtrack. Screw over-embellished teen dramas, this show is the real deal.
6. 
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia:
If you’ve seen it, and you probably have, you already know. I’m not going to do it any justice by analyzing why this is the best comedy on Television right now, so you’ll have to take my word for it. Centering around “the Gang,” a group of five individuals who border on clinically insane, this series defies your suspension of disbelief. It’s not just unbelievable that these people manage to function as members of society: it’s hilarious. Season 6 will be released online on October 16th, so make sure to mark your calendars. The Gang is back.
7. 
American Pickers:
One of the History Channel’s most popular shows, and rightly so, American Pickers follows collectors Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz as they travel America in search of historical artifacts and antiques. It’s like the Antique Roadshow on steroids. Wolfe and Fritz aren’t just digging through artifacts, they’re digging for the artifacts that defined American culture. From motorcycles to old-fashioned soda cans, the show is part antique profit analysis, part American history lesson.
Think I missed something? Don’t be shy.
