HBO Goodbye: "Barry" and "Succession"
Today HBO says goodbye to Barry and Succession. What makes it unique is that it’s probably two of HBO’s top 10-15 shows of all time both going out on the same night. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to get one top 15 show going out but rarely two from the same network. Back to back. On the same night. For me “Barry” has had it’s up and downs. My main takeaway from Barry is that Bill Hader is the greatest working comedic tv director. Sheesh. Great work, Hader. While Succession has been and is incredible. Just top to bottom. Sure we are watching and I guess rooting for horrible people but still it’s great.
With both ending though, this got me wondering what are HBO’s top 10 shows of all time. Or I guess my favorite 10 HBO shows of all time. I really only have one rule for my top 10:
Gotta have more than one season. I’m sorry “Watchmen”, “Chernobyl” and “Station Eleven”. You all are great but I need more than one season. That’s the rule.
So…..my top 10 and we will start with the GOAT of HBO credits.
The Sopranos: Tony. F’in. Soprano. Show still holds up. Greatest HBO show of all time. Not even sure it’s that close. 7 seasons. 86 episodes. The finale broke the world. Did Tony die? I don’t know. But we all were invested. I rewatched this a few years ago with my wife who hadn’t seen it at that time. Unbelievable.
Game Of Thrones: Yeah sure. The last season or two was a mess / kinda sloppy. But the first 5 seasons or so were an absolute must see. When this scene happened in Season 1, you knew we were in for a ride:
The Leftovers: What! #3! Yeah I think so. I just love this show. Have you seen it? Here’s what the show is about: When 2% of the world’s population abruptly disappears without
explanation, the world struggles to come to terms with what happened. Great. Great. Great.
Succession: Okay, am I a prisoner of the moment? Probably. I think #4/5/6 are so close you can put them in any order. But let’s grab this order for now. Waystar Royco! The Roys! Cousin Greg! Tom! Logan Roy!
The Wire: This is my HBO show that is falling in the ranks for me. It continues to fall. Maybe it needs a rewatch from me. I bet if I did this list in a year I’d put #6 ahead of it next time. But I did love Omar.
Veep: I think it’s the greatest comedy HBO has ever done. With one of the top sitcom actors of all time (JLD!)
Curb Your Enthusiasm: I can’t believe this show is still on the air. Also, think this show will fall for me in the next HBO rankings.
Sex And The City: Yeah this seems crazy to me. I mean this show was a big deal in it’s day. Sure the new one kinda makes us all hate the original one but what can you do.
Deadwood: Underrated show. Never got a real ending in another season. But did have a great movie to help wrap it up in some way.
Barry: I did watch this show religiously for all 4 seasons. Barry and myself have a complicated relationship but it’s finding a way to take the #10 spot.
Shows you could talk me into the top 10: The Larry Sanders Show / Insecure / The Last Of Us (In 2-3 years I know it’ll be on the list. Season 1 was amazing) / Six Feet Under
A pretty rare goodbye of two Top 10ish all time HBO shows going away on the same night.
Goodbye Barry!
Goodbye Succession!
