John Cox

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Tagged television · everything

The 10 Netflix Sci-Fi Series With A 100% Rotten Tomatoes Score

This article lists 11 science fiction shows across Netflix and other platforms that have achieved near-universal acclaim (100% ratings on review aggregators), ranging from the comedy of Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return to prestige animated dramas like Scavengers Reign and Pluto. Each entry briefly explains the show's core premise and why it stands out—whether through innovative time-travel mechanics in Travelers, thought-provoking themes about AI and technology in Osmosis and Pantheon, or character-driven storytelling in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. The recommendations span different formats and genres within science fiction, from anthology series to animated dramas, all positioned as shows that transcend typical sci-fi fandom gatekeeping by appealing broadly.

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Is Gen X Actually the Greatest Generation?

I was born in 1976 and this essay argues that [[Generation X]] — the cohort whose members recall the shared, broadcast-TV moments of the late twentieth century — made outsized cultural contributions, as epitomized by the watershed year of 1994, which included the deaths and headlines around [[Kurt Cobain]] and [[O.J. Simpson]]’s white Ford Bronco chase, the presidency of [[Bill Clinton]] and the coming into force of [[NAFTA]], and the debut of shows like [[Friends]] and [[ER]]. The author situates personal memory (after‑school aloneness, wood‑paneled basements) alongside a cascade of influential films and albums to interrogate where Gen X begins and ends, how its boundaries are contested, and why its artistic output and collective experience warrant reconsideration as a defining cultural force, and its generational legacy in politics and the economy.

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18 Of The Best British TV Shows To Watch Right Now

A listicle compiling 18 British television shows recommended by readers as underrated or lesser-known gems, spanning multiple genres including dramas, comedies, and crime thrillers. The shows listed range from dark psychological pieces like *In My Skin* and *The Fall* to comedies like *Outnumbered*, *Peep Show*, and *Friday Night Dinner*, with brief descriptions noting what makes each worth watching.

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The 100 greatest TV series of the 21st Century

BBC Culture surveyed 206 TV experts from 43 countries to rank the greatest television series of the 21st century, resulting in a top 100 list led by The Wire, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad. While the poll drew from 460 different series and represents diverse voting perspectives, it reveals significant industry biases: 92 of the top 100 are English-language shows, and only 11 were created by women compared to 79 by men. The list spans from early-2000s shows like Gilmore Girls and Curb Your Enthusiasm to recent releases like Barry Jenkins' The Underground Railroad, serving as both a celebration of television's artistic maturation and a snapshot of whose stories the industry has chosen to tell.

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25 of the Best Hulu Original Series You Should Be Watching

This Lifehacker roundup by Ross Johnson highlights Hulu’s strongest original programming, arguing the platform’s output reaches far beyond headline hits to include bold dramas, comedy, animation, and genre fare. The list surveys recent and legacy titles—from sci‑fi prequel [[Alien: Earth]] and legal drama [[Reasonable Doubt]] to suburban thriller [[Paradise]] and true‑crime adaptation [[The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox]]—alongside lighter entries like sitcom revival [[King of the Hill]], workplace comedy [[Deli Boys]], queer ensemble [[Mid-Century Modern]], teen fantasy [[Spellbound]], and family animation [[The Bravest Knight]]. Johnson emphasizes standout performances, creative showrunners, and Hulu’s appetite for both serialized prestige and smaller, risk-taking series, recommending viewers explore beyond the platform’s buzzy hits to discover diverse voices and unexpected gems. It mixes 2024–25 releases with older favorites while flagging renewals and binge‑friendly picks.

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Alan Sepinwall on the origins of 'Lost' - Grantland

Lloyd Braun, an ABC executive, conceived Lost as a high-concept survival drama after watching Cast Away on a Hawaiian beach, then shepherded it through an impossibly accelerated development process despite widespread skepticism about its viability. J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof, brought in at the last minute with only weeks to produce the pilot, deliberately crafted a show that blended character-driven drama with mystery and sci-fi elements, keeping most of the mythology unmapped so they could focus on making audiences care about the survivors themselves. The result was an 18.6-million-viewer premiere that became one of television's most thrilling dramas, though the writers' decision to withhold answers about the hatch in the season finale provoked backlash that revealed the risk inherent in building a show on accumulated mystery.

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