Quality or Quantity? Which is more important?
It can depend on your point of view, but, we can better adapt this question to fit our situation. For instance, is it better to win several 'minor' awards at the Emmys, or better to win a 'major' one, such as Best Drama or Best Comedy? Which would you prefer?
We have eleven series that, in their vast majority, allow little doubt as to their success when analyzing their merits and their triumphs. They all are all acknowledged as excellent works, and it would be absurd to debate that. But that is no reason not to examine and understand the clues as to why these shows are the most successful shows in the history of the Emmys. For instance, the first thing we notice, is that comedies often do better than dramas, and dramas do better than thrillers.
Six of the eleven shown are comedies, and five are dramas, although this categorization is a little off as only two can be fully committed to this genre. In any case, each is a complete collection of completely different works, including mythical in the vast majority of occasions and small discoveries to consider as more than a figure dressed in an anecdote.
11 'Modern Family'
If we stop think for a second, we realize that 'Modern Family' shares a lot of the same awards as 'The Sopranos', this in itself should show you the importance and relevance of the Emmys. Anyway, back to 'Modern Family'. Unfortunately, the last seasons have declined slightly, but in those early, glorious years, with some of the brightest episodes in the history of comical television, remain just as perfect as the day we first saw them.
It seems like that in recent years, the golden age of Jay, Michael, Phil and company is coming to an end. But those 21 awards, eternally mark 'Modern Family' as one of television's greats.
10 'All In The Family'
During 208 episodes, this show has picked up 21 Emmy awards. Starring Carroll 'O Conner and Jean Stapleton the series spent five years in a row being the number one most viewed show in America, an achievement only matched ten years later by 'The Cosby Show' and passed once again only a few years ago by 'American Idol'. 'All in the Family' perfectly exemplifies the importance of connection with the audience, and writing a series that, from a purely comic base that attempts to deal with thorny issues, either political, ethical and moral dilemmas. A show before it's time. Had it headed down the more dramatic and serious road, I don't believe that 'All in the family' would have been nearly so popular, it's the gags and levity that turned this show into classic American television.
9 'The Sopranos'
If we were to talk about perfection, in any sense of the word, we would need to mention 'The Sopranos'. Unfortunately, the order of this list is based just on the number of Emmys won, if there were any other criteria, Tony and the gang would not appear until the very end, as the best. 'Friends', another unfortunate absence from this list, may leave it's mark on your life, 'Lost' may have drove you to obsession, '6 Feet Under' may have made you bawl your eyes out and 'The Wire' might cut you to the bone, but once you roll with 'The Sopranos' everything else falls devastatingly short.
It would be pointless to talk about objectivity or subjectivity, when there is no doubt. Details, whether small or large are ultimately pointless. 21 Emmys, a simple figure that is dwarfed by the sheer quality of talent developed over six seasons and eighty six episodes by David Chase and his team. And then there's James Gandolfini, with the best portrayal of anybody, ever, in the history of television.
8 'ER'
County General Hospital must be one of the most famous hospitals of all time, barring Sacred Heart, of course. 'ER' has such a collection of brilliant characters, the highest level of dialogue, and an amazing ability to connect to the audience. It's addictive. Once you watch a few episodes of this irreplaceable 90s series, you will be hooked.
Throughout it's long life, from 1994 to 2009, 'ER' has had several highs and lows, but with those low points becoming more frequent as the series continued, as is common with long running television shows. However, 'ER' has, for the most part, always towed the fine line between remarkable and outstanding, surviving the fame that was snatching their actors (looking at you, Clooney), and always putting the show first. Michael Crichton, one of the creators of the show, excelled in combining the suspense from the medical dilemmas, and the emotional stress that hospitals place upon interpersonal relationships. The result is the most successful hospital based drama ever, with 22 Emmys.
7 'The West Wing'
Before Aaron Sorkin became one of the most challenged me in the television industry, hated and beloved by fans and critics alike, 'The West Wing' made him the screenwriter of the decade for the 2000s. It's a series that put an end to the 90s, and began to write an absolutely amazing stage for the small screen, coinciding with other masterpieces of the time, such as 'The Sopranos', '6 Feet Under', or 'Deadwood' among others.
Sorkin, who dazzled the world through via a style that was born and confirmed in an astonishing amount of time and was as unique as it was inimitable. Constructed during the first season of the series as a monument to dialogue; the witty repartees, the vibrant conversations imbued with sarcasm and ingenuity and the excessive monologues keep you completely mesmerized. Winner of the Best Drama four years in a row, a record that 'Mad Men' would tie years later, 'The West Wing' remains one of the essential places to go to understand why current television is like it is. In total, 'The West Wing' won 26 Emmys.
6 'Hill Street Blues'
The best crime series of all time? I'm not even going to attempt to go down that road, but if we base our answer simply on the number of Emmys, then the answer is a resounding yes. 'Hill Street Blues' has won a combined total of 26 awards over a total of six years and has served to automatically dignify television in the dangerous 80s. 'Hill Street Blues' shows us the doubts, fears and weaknesses of characters drawn based on details and innovative visuals, crafting a careful sense of barely restrained chaos, and always maintaining a narrative level that made up all the different frames.
Their influence has since spread far beyond the small screen, marking the genre forever. Not all the cases were cut and dry, and not all cases were solved, but in that failure lay a melancholy and tenderness that were as unexpected as they were celebrated at the time. Swapping clichés for triumphs. And a handful of awards.
5 'The Simpsons'
Seriously though, what could possibly be said about 'The Simpsons' that hasn't been said a million times before. Created in 1989, by Matt Groening, this series is one of the most essential pieces of popular culture media of the last few decades, if not ever. It is certainly the most revolutionary animated television show ever written. And despite the apparent observed wear in the recent few seasons, which is understandable after more than 550 episodes, Homer and company continue to grow their status as a contemporary classic based on their irreverence and intelligence, both essential virtues to qualify as legends. Although 27 Emmys are hefty rewards, the universal acclaim and immortal fanbase weigh much more.
4 'Cheers'
'Cheers' is television history. With 28 Emmys, this isn't up for debate. The concept is pretty simple, a bar, customers, and owners. Three basic rocks upon which rested the whole weight of the comedy, without reinventing the genre. It's the characters which made the show truly great. Who could forget ill-tempered Carla? Or the dynamic duo of Norm and Cliff? Or even the neurotic psychiatrist Frasier Crane. Everything works in 'Cheers'.
3 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show'
This is a comedy show that personifies comedy in the 70s, emphasizing a clear distance from other competitors, it hides much more than it may seem at first, innocent glance. Over seven seasons, 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' won a series of 29 Emmys, and included topics such as equal pay for women, premarital sex, homosexuality, martial infidelity, divorce, adoption and infertility, amongst others. Not bad for the 70s. This show is a demonstration of creative freedom that, at the same time, never looses sight of what make the viewer laugh. 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' is easily able to establish a rapport with each of its characters. In addition to all of this, it was able to create three other spin off shows: 'Rhoda', 'Phyllis' and 'Lou Grant', whom all went on to achieve their own accomplishments.
2 'Frasier'
37. Just think about that. 11 seasons, 264 episodes featuring one of the most recognizable characters in the history of television. Considering that 'Frasier' is originally a spin off show from 'Cheers' (Number 3 on the list), the accomplishment of accumulating 37 Emmys is even more incredible. Kelsey Grammer increased the notoriety of the show, as he had been playing the same character for near to two decades, and making his salary of 1.6 million dollars per episode the highest in the history of American television at the time. But 'Frasier' isn't about the money. It's far above those simple figures. For instance, the casting was excellent, with David Hyde Pierce, John Mahoney and Jane Leeves each fitting perfectly into their role.
There are many other sitcoms that had come before, and there are many sitcoms that came after, but 'Frasier' has something unique that makes it ageless. Always current. Always essential.
1 'Game of Thrones'
After sweeping the awards for the technical categories, adding nine more to their count, 'Game of Thrones' carefully performs a balancing act between neglecting any of the fundamental characteristics of the show, and the troubles of making a television show on this scale. Spells, witches, giants and dragons. These are the unique selling points that 'Game of Thrones' holds above all other series. Standing at 38 awards, whose total is likely to increase come September 18th, 'Game of Thrones' is surely the king of television.