1. Oz
This wasn't just a prison show; it was a brutal, uncompromising look at a system designed to break people. HBO really kicked open the door to prestige drama with *Oz*. It was serialized, fearless, and built on an ensemble cast where anyone could go at any time. You felt the stakes, the desperation, and the sheer audacity of what cable television could achieve when it dared to be this dark and real.
2. Profit
Before Don Draper, before Tony Soprano, there was Jim Profit. This Fox gem was a corporate thriller that dared to make its protagonist a pure, unadulterated psychopath, gleefully destroying lives for personal gain. It was network TV trying to be cable-edgy, a serialized descent into darkness that was just too much for '90s broadcast audiences, but man, it showed what could be done.
3. The Corner
This HBO miniseries hit you like a gut punch. From the creators of *The Wire*, it was a raw, unflinching look at a West Baltimore drug corner through the eyes of its inhabitants. Shot with a stark, almost documentary-like realism, it was a masterclass in ensemble storytelling and cinematic television. It wasn't just good; it was a foundational text for the next wave of gritty, serialized dramas.
4. Boomtown
A true unsung hero. This show reinvented the procedural by telling its stories from multiple, shifting perspectives – police, victims, criminals – all leading to one central event. It was cinematic, complex, and demanded your attention, weaving a serialized narrative through its case-of-the-week structure. *Boomtown* was smart, stylish, and proof that network TV could still innovate.
5. K Street
Leave it to Soderbergh and Clooney to try something this wild. Part improv, part mockumentary, part real-time political commentary, *K Street* was HBO pushing the envelope on what a drama could even *be*. With real political figures playing themselves, it felt like a precursor to the "on-demand" immediacy we'd later crave, blurring lines between fiction and reality in a way few shows dared.
6. Wonderfalls
This was Bryan Fuller at his most charmingly offbeat. A cynical, underachieving retail clerk starts getting advice from inanimate objects, leading her into bizarre, often heartwarming situations. It was quirky, visually inventive, and deeply serialized, building a rich, surreal world. Fox canned it too soon, but *Wonderfalls* remains a cult favorite for its unique voice and ensemble charm.
7. Action
Talk about a show that didn't pull its punches. This HBO dark comedy was a brutal, hilarious skewering of Hollywood, starring a disgraced movie producer navigating the industry's sleaziest corners. It was cynical, profane, and utterly fearless, a serialized dive into the moral abyss of Tinseltown. *Action* was a precursor to the kind of savage satire that cable would later perfect.
8. The Riches
FX took a big swing with this one, and it paid off. Following a family of Irish Travelers who assume the identities of a deceased wealthy couple, it was a brilliant blend of dark comedy and serialized drama. Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver were phenomenal, leading an ensemble cast through a high-wire act of deception and class commentary. Truly a unique and engaging ride.
9. Terriers
This FX gem is the definition of a "should have been a hit." A scruffy, serialized neo-noir about two unlicensed private investigators in San Diego, *Terriers* was all about character, atmosphere, and a perfectly crafted mystery. It had a lived-in feel, a great ensemble, and cinematic flair. Its premature cancellation is still a sore spot for anyone who saw its brilliance.
