IR Greatest TV Show Tournament: Round 1, Bloc 2

[Izulde]

After our opening game matchup between #1 overall seed Seinfeld and #16 seed Friday Night Lights, we kick off the tournament in full force with four games for your viewing pleasure.

First, in the Eaglesfan27 region, #4 seed The X-Files takes on the #13 seed Futurama. Here's a brief look at the matchup.

The X-Files
Ran for 9 seasons on FOX from 1993-2002. Perhaps most memorable for its taglines, such as "The Truth Is Out There" and "Trust No One". Nominated for 102 awards and won 26, including the 1997 Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role - Drama, the 1994, 1996 and 1997 Golden Globes for Best Drama Series and the 1996 Golden Globes for Best Actor and Best Actress in a Leading Role - Drama Series.

Futurama
Another FOX show, it ran from 1999-2003 before releasing four direct-to-DVD films. Is now re-aired on Comedy Central. Won the 2002 Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program and the 2003 Writers Guild of America Award for Animation.

In the Izulde region, we have #8 Mad Men up against #9 Beverly Hills 90210 in what should be a close battle.

Mad Men
Began in 2007 and has been picked up for a fourth season on AMC. Won the 2008 and 2009 Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series and the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Golden Globes for Best Television Series - Drama and the 2008 Golden Globe for Best Actor - Television Series Drama. One of 10 series honored as the American Film Institute's TV Programs of the Year in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and the show has won several other awards as well.

Beverly Hills 90210
FOX show that ran for 10 seasons, from 1990-2000. Popularity exploded after the network made the decision after the first year to have a summer season of new episodes when most shows were in reruns. Responsible for several spinoffs, most famous of which was Melrose Place. Despite mass popularity, was only ever nominated for one Emmy, the 1995 Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, which nominee Milton Berle did not win. The show did win some awards, mostly from the Young Artist Awards. The most prestigious victory was likely the 1995 Top TV Series Award from the ASCAP Film and Television Awards.

From the Solecismic, #2 South Park takes on the #15 seed I Love Lucy.

South Park
One of the longest running series in television history, this Comedy Central program has been in existence since 1997 and is shortly to begin its 14th season. Although it has won a handful of awards, its impact is perhaps best measured by its appearance on Time magazine's 2007 list of the 100 Best TV Shows of All Time, in addition to being named the 12th greatest show of the last 25 years by Entertainment Weekly in 2008, and the 16th best television comedy series of all time by AOL.

I Love Lucy
Ran for 6 seasons, from 1951-1957, and is one of the oldest television shows to make the tournament, an testimony to its lasting quality. Won the 1953 and 1954 Emmys for Best Situational Comedy, the 1953 Emmy for Best Comedienne, the 1954 Emmy for Best Series Supporting Actress and the 1956 Emmy for Best Actress - Continuing Performance. The first CBS show to be profiled in a thus-far NBC and Fox-heavy lineup.

And finally, in the Pumpy Tudors region, #5 Star Trek against #12 Homicide: Life on the Street.

Star Trek
Perhaps no show has had so great an impact, despite running for just three seasons, from 1966-1969 on NBC. Has spawned subsequent series, films, novels, etc. that have made it a household name. Even more astonishing, the original series never won an Emmy or received much in the way of critical acclaim.

Homicide: Life on the Street
NBC police procedural that ran from 1993-1999 before a 2000 made for TV movie served as the unofficial finale. Based on David Simon's book, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets.

[Greyroofoo]

COME ON FUTURAMA!

[DeToxRox]

Don't watch Mad Men, never watch 90210. Went with what I figured I'd like in Mad Men. One of the few matchups where I am not a fan of either show though.

[sterlingice]

Hm... I love Futurama but The X-Files is one of my all time favorites. I wish these could have been in different blocks

And, apparently DeToxRox also voted for... Pat Buchanan

SI

[hoopsguy]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Don't watch Mad Men, never watch 90210. Went with what I figured I'd like in Mad Men. One of the few matchups where I am not a fan of either show though.

Have you ever seen Mad Men?

I think I like this show as much, if not more, than you like Shield.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Hm... I love Futurama but The X-Files is one of my all time favorites. I wish these could have been in different blocks

And, apparently DeToxRox also voted for... Pat Buchanan

SI

SOB.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by hoopsguy

Have you ever seen Mad Men?

I think I like this show as much, if not more, than you like Shield.

Been meaning to watch it. That is very high praise. I will probably Netflix it now that you say that.

[Izulde]

Wow. It's early yet, but Star Trek and Homicide is starting off as a real barnburner.

[Terps]

Futurama, 90210, South Park, and no vote on the last one, as I've never seen either show.

[DaddyTorgo]

fuck you for putting star trek against homicide!!! i can't win there!!!

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

fuck you for putting star trek against homicide!!! i can't win there!!!

Sorry. It was all random draw.

It's created some damned interesting matchups, just in the first round.

[CrimsonFox]

Futurama is one of my favorite shows ever. Season 4 especially had some of the best writing in television. Great comedy and satire all the way around.
It should win or MORBO WILL DESTROY YOU!

[mckerney]

[Qrusher14242]

Dr. Zoidberg: Now open your mouth and lets have a look at that brain.
Dr. Zoidberg: No, no, not that mouth.
Fry: I only have one.
Dr. Zoidberg: Really?
Fry: Uh... is there a human doctor around?
Dr. Zoidberg: Young lady, I am an expert on humans. Now pick a mouth, open it and say "brglgrglgrrr"!
Fry: Uh... brglgrglgrglgrrr!
Dr. Zoidberg: What? My mother was a saint! Get out!


lol i had to go with futurama even though i love X-files, but futurama is just too funny.

Mad Men over 90210, that was a tough one
Dont care for South or I love Lucy. And easy pick with Star Trek since i havent watched much of Homicide

[Peregrine]

I feel I'm going to have to be abstaining in a lot of these votes - no way I can participate in votes that pit two of my favorite shows ever against each other, like X-Files vs. Futurama. I will not be taking part in those.

[Radii]

poor futurama

[spleen1015]

A show like South Park getting more votes than I Love Lucy is a travesty.

It is a shame what folks think is quality these days.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

A show like South Park getting more votes than I Love Lucy is a travesty.

It is a shame what folks think is quality these days.

i'd expect that from Bucc, not you.

[Greyroofoo]

The boning continues

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Wow. 90210 over Mad Men? My heart weeps.

[chesapeake]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

A show like South Park getting more votes than I Love Lucy is a travesty.

It is a shame what folks think is quality these days.

I suspect that there is a significant portion of the voting public here that hasn't even seen a full episode of I Love Lucy. And the satirical raunchiness of South Park appeals more to the modern male TV watcher.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

Wow. 90210 over Mad Men? My heart weeps.

My wife and I were just discussing this, I think a lot of it has to do with nostalgia factor.

[molson]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

A show like South Park getting more votes than I Love Lucy is a travesty.

It is a shame what folks think is quality these days.

It's debatable. South Park may not be your cup of tea, but it's everything a good TV show is (except for human acting).

[molson]

That's one of the fun things about this poll, is that everyone has a different criteria. What makes good TV? It's some combination of popularity, technical quality, relevance, what it mean in its time and place, influence on future TV, etc.

[jbergey22]

Wow what happened?

It looked like Star Trek could be upset when I went to bed last night and now have a commanding lead which disappoints me.

[DataKing]

Mad Man as a #8 seed is a travesty. Brilliant television.

[CrimsonFox]

More Futurama (from "The Devil's Hands Are Idle Playthings")


Frye (singing operatically):
Destiny has cheated me by
Causing me to choose between
The woman that I idolize
Or the hands of an automaton

Without these hands I can't complete
The opera that was captivating her
But if I keep them...and she marries him
Then he prob'ly won't want me dating her

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

Wow what happened?

It looked like Star Trek could be upset when I went to bed last night and now have a commanding lead which disappoints me.

Looks like Spock went to Engineering and restored the warp drive in time.

[Ramzavail]

I honestly believe that I love Lucy is/was the funniest TV show of all time. I can sit there and watch a show thats 50 years old and still laugh my ass off. I don't think that will be the case with South Park 40 years from now.

[DaddyTorgo]

I <3 Homicide, but I'm glad to see Star Trek taking the lead.

[larrymcg421]

Mad Men is a very well made show. It certainly has better technical qualities than 90210 and the acting is certainly better. But 90210 was an iconic show. and had the great appeal of "what will happen next?" I suspect many of those voting for it grew up around the same time I did.

[DataKing]

90210 was a soap opera for people with jobs.

Don't get me wrong, I got sucked into it too for a little while. But personally I can't see how it can compare to Mad Men. Mad Men should stomp 90210 by virtue of the writing alone.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Desperate Housewives and Jersey Shore were certainly iconic as well.

[molson]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

Desperate Housewives and Jersey Shore were certainly iconic as well.

Not as much as 90210. At least not yet.

[Rizon]

----------------------- doesn't get enough love. Only 1 vote?

[molson]

Originally Posted by Rizon

----------------------- doesn't get enough love. Only 1 vote?

That show jumped the shark after Ted McGinley joined the cast.

[DanGarion]

Picking South Park over I Love Lucy is just plain blasphemy.

[DataKing]

Originally Posted by DanGarion

Picking South Park over I Love Lucy is just plain blasphemy.

I'm a blasphemer, but it was a difficult choice. Both shows are comedy gold IMO.

[ntndeacon]

Originally Posted by molson

That show jumped the shark after Ted McGinley joined the cast.

Awesome!!

[molson]

Originally Posted by DataKing

I'm a blasphemer, but it was a difficult choice. Both shows are comedy gold IMO.

It was a tough choice - I definitely would have picked Lucy against most competition, but this was a tough seeding and matchup.

Now, if "Life with Lucy" had made the tournament, that's a different story.

[Ramzavail]

but with I Love Lucy getting bashed in this, that is just shocking to me. I just have a feeling alot of people never sat and watched an episode or just maybe people are just (alot) more familiar with SP.

[Drake]

I'm not voting based on what I consider to be better television, but based on what I'd watch if I was flipping channels. Seventy-five percent of the time, if it's South Park vs I Love Lucy, I'm watching South Park.

I Love Lucy is classic. It has tons of classic, memorable, genre-defining moments. South Park probably not so much (though I ask myself on a fairly regular basis "What would Brian Boitano do in this situation?") But South Park wins the click war on my remote control, and so it got my vote here.

I will, however, freely admit that I voted for Mad Men without having ever seen the show purely on its reputation. I was fortunate enough to miss the entire decade of 90210 with a combination of marriage/divorce/marriage/child support/work/college/kids, but I caught just enough of it to understand that a vote for 90210 is a vote against America.

[Izulde]

And the polls are closed!

#4 X- Files 65 (61.3%)
#13 Futurama 41

#8 Mad Men 56 (56%)
#9 Beverly Hills 90210 44

#2 South Park 80 (75.5%)
#15 I Love Lucy 26

#5 Star Trek 59 (57.8%)
#12 Homicide: Life on the Street 43

Next bloc up after supper.

[Lathum]

Izulde, I think this is a great pace...

[Lathum]

dola- You know this must be great if my wife is interested and actually voting.

[Izulde]

Thanks, Lathum. I'm glad to hear it.

[cuervo72]

Originally Posted by Drake

I'm not voting based on what I consider to be better television, but based on what I'd watch if I was flipping channels. Seventy-five percent of the time, if it's South Park vs I Love Lucy, I'm watching South Park.

I Love Lucy is classic. It has tons of classic, memorable, genre-defining moments. South Park probably not so much (though I ask myself on a fairly regular basis "What would Brian Boitano do in this situation?") But South Park wins the click war on my remote control, and so it got my vote here.

Shouldn't the test be what would win the war in 50 years?