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100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 1:59 am
by daft twat
Anyone else see this bullshit list?
https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-performances/
That said, it’s an interesting topic. I haven’t seen everything, but I can’t imagine how Tony Soprano isn’t number one.
Just off the bean, my top ten would include Al Swearingen (probably at 2), Boyd Crowder (Justified), Leon Black (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Selena Meyer (Veep), Johnny Lawrence (Cobra Kai). Tyrion Lannister (GoT), Dwight Schrute (The Office), Ted Lasso, and Saul Goodman (Bb/bcs).
I could be swayed. I’m sure I’m forgetting someone. I’ve also never seen Madmen, which I need to rectify some day.
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 2:06 am
by tragabigzanda
Steve Albini wrote:Whenever there's active promotion on the part of somebody else, whenever I see somebody all dolled up for a fancy photograph and someone's handing out flyers or whenever there's active promotion for something like that, as an imposition on my day, I hate all those people and I want them to fail. I have a visceral reaction to advertising and promotion. There's just something about salesmanship that grates on me on a very base level and I react very negatively towards it. I want those people to suffer and I want their enterprises to fail.
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 2:07 am
by Ello Sailor
Good call on Ian McShane as Al Swearengen in Deadwood. I would add:
Michael K Williams as Omar Little in The Wire
Matthew McConaughey as Rustin Cole in True Detective S1
Bryan Cranston as Walter White in Breaking Bad
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 2:08 am
by Ello Sailor
tragabigzanda wrote:Rust and Marty are up there
Ya beat me to it. I think Rust edges out Marty though.
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 2:12 am
by epilogue
Might?
It's no question.
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 2:21 am
by lennytheweedwhacker
Rust, man
. I don't even know what to say.
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 2:26 am
by daft twat
tragabigzanda wrote:Rust and Marty are up there
Loved season one of True Detective. I’m also very partial to season 2 of Fargo. Great performances, as the title suggests, but I have a hard time putting them over characters developed over multiple seasons.
My next issue is when is a supporting character more important/iconic than a lead? They put Roy Kent on their list. Love Roy Kent, but he’s one note. Ted Lasso is the heart. I chose Leon Black over Larry David because he completely reinvigorated that show. They chose Michael Scott, also great, but also heavily based on Gervais. Dwight Schrute is not Gareth. He is what drew me to that show. Ensemble casts are so tough. How can they pick Sweet Dee Reynolds? She’s incredible, but they alternate mvp status from episode to episode (Mac rules!)
Upon further reflection, I think probably the most correct answer is Randy Marsh from South Park. His evolution has been breathtaking.
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 2:27 am
by daft twat
Who is running this tourney?
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 2:29 am
by Ello Sailor
Fargo has so many top-tier performances. Gotta go with Billy Bob as Lorn Malvo in S1.
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 3:12 am
by spike
how is it even possible to exclude rust from that list?
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 3:13 am
by Ello Sailor
Recency bias/blind spots/general stupidity.
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 3:18 am
by tragabigzanda
Steve Albini wrote:Whenever there's active promotion on the part of somebody else, whenever I see somebody all dolled up for a fancy photograph and someone's handing out flyers or whenever there's active promotion for something like that, as an imposition on my day, I hate all those people and I want them to fail. I have a visceral reaction to advertising and promotion. There's just something about salesmanship that grates on me on a very base level and I react very negatively towards it. I want those people to suffer and I want their enterprises to fail.
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 3:19 am
by lennytheweedwhacker
Where is Disco Stu
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 4:16 am
by Ello Sailor
tragabigzanda wrote:Damn ello, good call on Omar. I thought of The Wire but immediately went to “ eh more of an ensemble show.” But you are right.
I think it's still more of an ensemble show based on the ludicrously high standard across the board, and the evenly-shared screen time. But Omar was special. Also shout outs to Andre Royos as Bubbles.
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 4:46 am
by spike
It’s pretty funny that the mother gets the nod from that HIMYM cast. Poor Barney.
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 5:35 am
by Ello Sailor
I could never stand that show. Is it actually good? Am I just an asshole?
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 6:17 am
by spike
I always enjoyed it for dumb and charming fun. But some folks seem to hate it with a blazing passion.
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 12:48 pm
by Peeps
i know it gets shit on for being on the WB but alexis denisof was amazing as Wesley Wyndam-Price on Buffy and then co-start on Angel. the character arc of him being a bumbling bafoon to being a total bad ass is so gradual and authentic and he plays each with great mannerisms. his death on Angel actually made me well up.
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 2:17 pm
by dimejinky99
Stellan Skarsgård’s performance as Luthen Rael In Andor.
That monologue about the rebellion was easily the best acting and performance ever in Star Wars and easily up there with the best ever.
‘I burn my life for a sunrise I know I will never see’
That’s the true spirit of rebellion.
There’s the clip
https://youtu.be/-3RCme2zZRY
Re: 100 greatest tv performances of the 21st century
Posted: Thu February 20, 2025 5:01 pm
by tragabigzanda
Steve Albini wrote:Whenever there's active promotion on the part of somebody else, whenever I see somebody all dolled up for a fancy photograph and someone's handing out flyers or whenever there's active promotion for something like that, as an imposition on my day, I hate all those people and I want them to fail. I have a visceral reaction to advertising and promotion. There's just something about salesmanship that grates on me on a very base level and I react very negatively towards it. I want those people to suffer and I want their enterprises to fail.