Top 5 Seinfeld Episodes

This is a tough one, especially after the first two.

5. The Opposite

There were probably funnier episodes that could’ve taken this spot, but this was just a brilliant season finale. Having Elaine’s life fall apart while George’s turned around provided plenty of comedy while also setting up completely new dynamics for the next season.

4. The Little Kicks

Two words: Elaine dancing.

3. The Boyfriend

The hour-long Keith Hernandez show was full of hilarity, including the classic “…and you want to be my latex salesman” line. Also, the “JFK” parody nearly killed me.

2. The Chinese Restaurant

This was one of the early episodes that really sent the show down a new path for sitcoms. Set in real time, it was like a mini-version of “24″…though I think Jack Bauer would’ve gotten a table.

1. The Alternate Side

The first half of this episode is full of so many great jokes that it’s almost unbelievable. “Who put the cookies in his mouth? You’re not supposed to do that.”

Top 5 Songs on Born in the USA

These were tougher than the rankings for “Darkness”, probably because a lot of the songs are so similar.

These rankings are based on the album version of the song.

5. Born in the USA

I heard Bruce turned down something like 78 bazillion dollars for this to be used in a commercial.

4. Glory Days

One of Bruce’s “fun music, depressing lyrics” classics.

3. Darlington Country

Great for road trips.

2. I’m Goin’ Down

A big favorite back in college.

1. No Surrender

One of Bruce’s best opening lyrics.

Top 5 Songs on Darkness on the Edge of Town

These rankings are based on the album version of the songs.

5. Darkness on the Edge of Town

Great last verse.

4. Candy’s Room

Short and awesome.

3. The Promised Land

I usually associate this one with “Prove It All Night”. This is better on the album, but “Prove It” is better in concert.

2. Racing in the Street

I used to dislike this one…I was an idiot.

1. Badlands

It ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive.

Top 5 Characters – The Wire, Season 2

The second season wasn’t as purely entertaining as the first, but it may have been better. We’ll sort through all that once I finish Round 2 of the whole series. For now, there’s a bunch of new characters vying for a spot in the Top 5.  

5. Ziggy

The first time I watched the season, I found Ziggy mainly annoying. But watching him get more and more frustrated, knowing what’s going to happen to him, made me appreciate how they developed him. This poor kid finally did something “right” with the car heist, but he still got ripped off and laughed at. And that was the final straw.

4. Daniels

Another great season for Daniels, who made a tough career decision despite the pressure from his wife. I particularly enjoyed his negotiations with Burrell and Rawls to put his team together, take the murders, and even rescue poor Jimmy from the boat.

3. Stringer

Stringer is in over his head. He knows how to make the right business decisions, but can’t manage the personal/emotional aspects of the game. Or as Avon said, “This isn’t your business school stuff…this is that other thing.”

2. Frank Sobotka

A good guy who got mixed up with some very bad ones. It was a tough season for the Sobotka family.

1. McNulty

From using the tides to pin the murders on Rawls, to getting “overwhelmed” in the brothel raid, this was the signature McNulty season. And nobody plays drunk like Dominic West.