The New York Times recently released a list of the top 100 TV shows of the 21st century, curated through ballots sent to hundreds of industry professionals, including actors, writers, showrunners, and executives. The list includes various types of shows in multiple languages and formats, from scripted series to reality and even YouTube series, but only those debuting on or after January 1, 2000, and with multiple episodes were eligible. The rankings feature well-known hits such as Breaking Bad at number one, The Wire second, Mad Men third, and Succession at number four, while some popular and critically acclaimed shows like Fleabag and Game of Thrones appeared surprisingly high despite their mixed receptions.

Significantly, several beloved shows were absent, including Dark, Boardwalk Empire, Silicon Valley, and Arcane, which sparked debate among fans and critics. However, the most notable and contentious omission was The Sopranos. Despite being arguably one of the greatest television series ever made, it did not appear on the list due to a technicality: the eligibility cutoff date. The Sopranos premiered on January 10, 1999, just before the new millennium, which meant it was excluded despite the fact that 73 of its 86 episodes aired in the 21st century.

This strict cutoff rule has been widely criticized as unfair, with many arguing that it fails to acknowledge the reality of shows like The Sopranos, which largely defined 21st-century television storytelling. The series' main run stretched into 2007, and it is widely seen as a landmark show that shaped modern TV drama, making its exclusion seem like a major oversight by the Times. Critics suggest that the eligibility criteria should be adjusted to include shows that debuted slightly before 2000 but had the majority of their episodes air during the 21st century, allowing for a more accurate representation of influential television.

The controversy highlights the challenges of compiling definitive lists in the subjective realm of TV taste, where rules can overshadow the significance of cultural impact. While the list's top placements like Breaking Bad and The Wire are praised, the absence of iconic series such as The Sopranos calls into question the list’s comprehensiveness. Fans and critics alike continue to debate other placements, with some arguing for the inclusion or higher ranking of shows like True Detective, Fargo, and Hannibal, underscoring the complexity of ranking beloved TV shows fairly.