Is The Wire better than Breaking Bad? Is Cheers better than Seinfeld? What's the best high school show ever made? Why did Moonlighting really fall apart? Was the Arrested Development Netflix season brilliant or terrible? For twenty years-since they shared a TV column at Tony Soprano's hometown newspaper-critics Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz have been debating these questions and many more, but it all ultimately boils down to this: What's the greatest TV show ever? That debate reaches an epic conclusion in TV (THE BOOK). Sepinwall and Seitz have identified and ranked the 100 greatest scripted shows in American TV history. Using a complex, obsessively all-encompassing scoring system, they've created a Pantheon of top TV shows, each accompanied by essays delving into what made these shows great. From vintage classics like The Twilight Zone and I Love Lucy to modern masterpieces like Mad Men and Friday Night Lights, from huge hits like All in the Family and ER to short-lived favorites like Firefly and Freaks and Geeks, TV (THE BOOK) will bring the triumphs of the small screen together in one amazing compendium. Sepinwall and Seitz's argument has ended. Now it's time for yours to begin!

“Incredibly prescient . . . the revised edition updates its account to reflect an age when Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon are now competing for Emmy and Peabody Awards.” —Henry Jenkins, coauthor of Spreadable Media: Creating Meaning and Value in a Networked Culture Many proclaimed the “end of television” in the early years of the twenty-first century, as capabilities and features of the boxes that occupied a central space in American living rooms for the preceding fifty years were radically remade. In this revised second edition of her definitive book, Amanda D. Lotz proves that rumors of the death of television were greatly exaggerated and explores how new distribution and viewing technologies have resurrected the medium. Shifts in the basic practices of making and distributing television have not been hastening its demise but redefining what we can do with it, what we expect from it, how we use it—in short, revolutionizing it. Television, as both a technology and a tool for cultural storytelling, remains as important today as ever, but it has changed in fundamental ways. The Television Will Be Revolutionized provides a sophisticated history of the present, examining television in what Lotz terms the “post-network” era while providing frameworks for understanding the continued change in the medium. The second edition addresses adjustments throughout the industry wrought by broadband-delivered television such as Netflix, YouTube, and cross-platform initiatives like TV Everywhere, as well as how technologies such as tablets and smartphones have changed how and where we view. Lotz begins to deconstruct the future of different kinds of television—exploring how “prized content,” live televised sports, and linear viewing may all be “television,” but very different types of television for both viewers and producers. Through interviews with those working in the industry, surveys of trade publications, and consideration of an extensive array of popular shows, Lotz takes us behind the screen to explore what is changing, why it is changing, and why the changes matter. “[A] thorough and engaging analysis.” —Velvet Light Trap “Thick with trade facts and figures.” —Popular Communication

""Popular TV Series"" explores the fascinating world of globally successful television shows, delving into the key factors that contribute to their international appeal. This comprehensive guide examines the intricate balance between narrative structure, cultural resonance, and technological distribution that enables certain series to captivate audiences across diverse cultures and continents. The book traces television's evolution from a local medium to a global entertainment powerhouse, highlighting the impact of streaming platforms and changing viewer habits on the industry. At its core, the book argues that the most successful TV series achieve a delicate equilibrium between universal themes and culturally specific elements, making them relatable to a wide audience while offering unique perspectives. Through case studies of iconic shows, interviews with industry insiders, and analysis of viewer engagement data, readers gain valuable insights into the creation and promotion of popular TV series. The book's global perspective challenges the notion of a homogenized TV culture, instead celebrating how successful shows embrace cultural differences. Written in an accessible yet informative style, ""Popular TV Series"" offers a thorough exploration of what makes certain TV shows resonate worldwide. It progresses from introducing the concept of ""global appeal"" to examining future trends in TV entertainment, providing practical insights for media students, industry professionals, and avid TV fans alike. By examining the interplay between storytelling, cultural exchange, and technological innovation, this book serves as both a celebration of television's unifying power and a thoughtful analysis of its evolving role in global popular culture.

"You" is a psychological thriller television series that premiered on Lifetime in 2018 and was later picked up by Netflix for its second season. The show centers around a charming and intelligent bookstore manager named Joe Goldberg, who becomes obsessed with a customer named Guinevere Beck after a chance encounter in his store. As he begins to stalk her through social media and manipulate his way into her life, Joe’s dark and dangerous personality is revealed, and his actions escalate to murder in order to eliminate anyone who threatens his relationship with Beck. The show has gained a cult following for its captivating storyline and superb acting from both Penn Badgley, who portrays Joe, and Victoria Pedretti, who plays Love Quinn, Joe’s love interest in season two. Additionally, the show explores themes such as toxic masculinity, mental illness, social media obsession, and the blurred lines of morality. Viewers are left questioning their own perceptions of love and the lengths one will go to protect it. Overall, "You" is a gripping and thought-provoking show that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.