Not so long ago, TV shows were produced on low budgets, with mediocre actors, on far-from-realistic and rather ordinary sets.
The game changing TV shows
Not so long ago, TV shows were produced on low budgets, with mediocre actors, on far-from-realistic and rather ordinary sets. TV shows being produced today, however, have raised the bar so high that they are somewhat competing with movies with their sheer brilliance and have managed to gather large fan following. One clear advantage that the TV shows have over movies is the intricate depiction of character development due to greater duration. Here is the list of some of the game changers of television history in the last few years.
Breaking Bad
The story of Breaking Bad is about a high-school chemistry teacher, Walter White, diagnosed with Stage III lung cancer. He is shown as a very simple man with a pregnant wife and they have a teenage son with cerebral palsy. With only two years to live, he takes advantage of his superior knowledge of chemistry to produce the drug ‘Methamphetamine’, commonly referred to as Crystal Meth. Since he had nothing to lose, Walter White - shown as a shy, insecure and a socially awkward man prior to being diagnosed with cancer - takes the huge risk of running a big meth business. After partnering with one of his former students, Jesse Pinkman, the two ‘heroes’ go through an intense, nail-biting and fatal adventure, challenging the kingpins of the drug trade.
Breaking Bad has been a huge success in the history of television shows, with a huge fandom and awards. It has also been termed as the ‘best TV show in history’ by various critics.
Game of thrones
Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama show based on George R. R. Martin’s book series, A Song of Ice and Fire. Inspired by the War of the Roses and other real historical events, it is based in the fictional land of Westeros where seven competing noble families are hungry for power. All these seven families have their eyes on the Iron Throne to rule the kingdom. Amid the rivalry, revenge and greed for power, the series has one of the most intriguing storyline. It is named as one of the most popular TV series that are currently running.
The show has constantly proved its worth by using realistic sceneries, huge landscapes, epic music and actors with brilliant use of computer-generated imagery and visual effects. The last season of Game of Thrones, which ended in June this year, has broken records of its own ratings.
Sherlock
Based on the great detective stories of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock is the modern take on the clever detective unlike the actual stories that are based in the Victorian era.
The series follows a super genius consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, who solves various mysteries and criminal cases. He is assisted by his friend Dr. John Watson. Holmes has incredible deduction capabilities and exceptional observation power, which makes him the first choice for solving crimes and mysteries by both civilians and the government agencies.
The critical reception of the show has been highly positive. The actors Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes) and Martin Freeman (John Watson) have amassed great fame playing the legendry characters.
Friends
Friends is an American TV sitcom made by David Crane. It is probably the most popular sitcom ever made in the television history. The show started in 1994 and ended in 2004 with a total of 10 seasons. It follows the lives of six friends in their 20s in New York. Together they face the routine problems of their lives, depicted with classic humour.
Friends has been a hit throughout its run. It made such an impact on the audience that it gained a huge following in pop-culture. The ensemble cast of Friends were titled as the most earned TV actors at that time.
The Walking dead
The Walking Dead is a horror-drama show based on post-apocalyptic era. The main character, Rick Grimes, who used to be a sheriff’s deputy prior to the apocalypse, now leads a group of survivors in a world over run by the dead. Together the group fights the zombies and faces the big dilemma of survival in this unexpected world.
The show started in 2010 and is still in the run. It has been well received by the critics as well as the audience. Due to its popularity, the show has also inspired various spoofs and parodies on TV.
Orange Is the New Black
Orange Is the New Black is a TV series that follows the routine of female inmates in an American prison. The show is originally based upon a memoir by Piper Kerman, Orange Is the New Black, My year in Women’s Prison, which she wrote about her experiences in minimum-security federal prison.
The story of the show begins with the leading character, Piper Chapman, a young, educated woman about to get married when she’s convicted of a crime committed 10 years ago. Her reputation amongst her peers is in danger when she meets with an unexpected arrest and goes to prison filled with rowdy inmates. Through the course of the show, Chapman learns to live the ‘thug life’ required in the prison to survive without being bullied.
The Office US
The Office is an American sitcom based on the original series of BBC’s The Office (U.K). It is a mockumentary that follows a mediocre paper company in Scranton, US. The workers of the company face challenges; whether they are company dealings or problems within themselves, the workers are shown to deal with it in a comic way. The company is led by the branch manager, Michael Scott (Steve Carell), who is a wonderful salesman and thinks very highly of himself, but lacks greatly in wisdom and almost any other skill other than salesmanship. The character of Michael Scott has been termed as ‘the best portrayal of a comedic role’ by some critics. The show has received critical acclimation throughout its series.
