Top of the tube

The New York Times recently unveiled a list of the 100 best TV shows from the 21st century, compiled by surveying 500 industry professionals. The top 10 on the list includes Atlanta, Curb Your Enthusiasm, 30 Rock, Veep, Game of Thrones, Fleabag, Succession, Mad Men, The Wire, and Breaking Bad. However, the Free Press arts department, composed of passionate TV enthusiasts, believes that certain shows should have been included in the top 100.

One such show is Paranoia Agent, a surreal anime by Satoshi Kon. The series, which aired earlier in the decade, anticipated the future by exploring a world where the internet alienates individuals from one another and exposes human ugliness in various forms. The main story follows a phantasmal bat-wielding boy who attacks people across Tokyo, as they are constantly watched by a digital eye of the new era.

The show also features a standalone episode about a chatroom community committing group suicide, only to discover that one of their members is a child. Paranoia Agent is a brutal and prescient work, similar to Kon's other creations.

Another show that should have made the cut is Detroiters, a buddy comedy starring Sam Richardson and Tim Robinson as two ad men in Detroit. The series showcases their endearing male friendship, explores themes of vulnerability, and features absurd ads for products that go from terrible to good. Detroiters also boasts appearances from SNL alumni, including Jason Sudeikis, Tim Meadows, Michael Che, and Cecily Strong.

Lastly, Reservation Dogs, another series from creator Sterlin Harjo, earned a spot on the NYT list. The show follows a group of young Native Americans in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as they navigate life, friendship, and the challenges they face. Although the second season has yet to be evaluated, viewers can look forward to a thrilling ride with the addition of Tommy Lee Jones and Betty Gilpin to the cast.