The Best TV Shows of the 21st Century

Television has transformed dramatically since the dawn of the 21st century, evolving into a prestige art form with complex characters, auteur creators, and massive production budgets. To celebrate this evolution, the New York Times reached out to over 1,000 TV industry insiders—including showrunners, writers, and actors—to compile a list of the 100 best TV shows of the last 26 years. Gilbert Cruz, the Times' canon editor, and James Poniewozik, chief TV critic, joined Natalie Kittrowa to dissect the list, focusing on what these shows reveal about television's cultural and artistic trajectory.

The Top 10: A Blend of Comedy and Drama

Starting with the shows ranked 10 through 6, the list includes "Atlanta," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "30 Rock," "Veep," and "Game of Thrones." Gilbert highlighted the surprising presence of comedies in the lower half of the top 10, noting that many of these shows blend comedy and drama in ways that challenge traditional genre boundaries. For example, "Atlanta," often labeled a comedy, contains some of the most haunting dramatic episodes in recent memory.

James expressed surprise at the number of comedies making the top 10, given the cultural bias favoring dramas, especially in awards circuits. He suggested that comedies often develop a lasting affection among viewers, contributing to their staying power. The conversation underscored the complexity of defining comedy, with "30 Rock" cited as a pinnacle of joke density and cultural commentary.