O
ver the last few issues I have
addressed the Top 100 TV shows
of all time as annotated by Roll-
ing Stone magazine in 2016 as they relate
to titles produced as trading cards. While
many of the 100 have made the grade, most
have never been committed to cardboard.
Here’s a challengeable list within the top 100
shows that would make great additions to
the non-sport stable of fine card sets:
#83 HOUSE OF CARDS (2013-present) Even
the name of the show calls for this political
thriller to be developed as a trading card set.
Considering all the continued twists and
turns in today’s real governmental landscape,
the time is right for this fictional depiction to
be developed as a non-sport product.
#82 THE JEFFERSONS (1975-85) Move on
up with George and Weezy in this comedy
spinoff of All in the Family. With 11 seasons
to choose from (two more than AITF), there
would be plenty of laugh-filled material
from which to choose.
#63 THE WONDER YEARS (1988-93) It’s a
wonder this baby boomer tale of growing
up in the late 1960s never made it to card
size considering it has enough built in
nostalgia to appeal to its target non-sport
audience.
#57 FAWLTY TOWERS (1975&79) Only 12
episodes define this exercise in brilliant
satirical art. Just as viewers never tire of
watching John Cleese as bumbling hotel
mismanager, Basil Fawlty, collectors
would enjoy booking a set.
#51 FARGO (2014-Present) Based on the
location and atmosphere of the equally
quirky 1996 film, Fargo the series features
a different cast every season, adding
variety to any future card set that could
develop. You betcha!
#49 TAXI (1978-83) The appearance of
the severely overmedicated Reverend Jim
alone is sufficient reason to demand a card
set for this classic comedy on wheels.
#26 FRIENDS (1994-2004) These friends
were there for you across 10 seasons and
any card set featuring Ross, Rachel, Mon-
ica, Chandler, Phoebe, and Joey would
sell, even today.
#20 CHEERS (1982-93) Everybody knows
your name when you enter this Boston
bar. Any potential trading cards could
naturally lead to the show’s even funnier
sequel, Frasier.
#9 ALL IN THE FAMILY (1971-79) Centering
around working class bigot, Archie Bunker,
this norm-shattering sitcom set the stan-
dard for irreverent comedy.
#5 SEINFELD (1989-98) Eleven years of the
best, most inventive comedy ever to air on
television. Is it because the show was about
nothing that there are no cards?
#4 MAD MEN (2007-15) Just like the adver-
tising they created, this landmark dramatic
series about the hard-drinking, alpha-male
ad men of the 1960s calls out for its place in
ephemera.
#2 THE WIRE (2002-08) Set in Baltimore,
this contemporary crime drama has been
hailed by critics as one of the greatest TV
shows of all time. With storytelling over
five seasons, the show offered sufficient plot
diversity to make for an engaging trading
card series.
That’s a wrap for my look at Rolling
Stones’ top 100 TV shows, 35 that are avail-
able on cards and 12 more that probably
should be. Tune in against next issue for
our regularly scheduled editorial.
—Alan Biegel
6 Non-Sport Update
DREAMING OF THE HOT 100
EDITORIAL
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