Jesse James
With all the hype surrounding original programming these days, we can’t help but think about how it all started. While there are TV shows that have made a massive impact on our lives and pop culture, there is nothing quite like a good HBO original. HBO started their original series’ with Oz back in 1997. Ever since HBO has been producing some of the most intriguing and entertaining original series of all time.
Their innovative programs have dominated awards, offering complex stories that provide a compelling look at the human condition. The network continues to produce quality original programming, but today we look at some of our favorites of all time. HBO has a long list of incredibly original shows, but we’ve cut it down to our top ten. These shows captivated us with their stories, as well as the characters, and the imagination put into the series. Shows like ‘Game of Thrones’ are just the latest in a long line of exceptional programs.
Take a closer look at our picks for the ten best HBO Originals of all time and let us know what you think! Keep it locked for much more from HBO coming soon.
OZ
This is the show that started it all! Oz kicked off in 1997 and ran for six seasons. The series centers around Oswald State Correctional Facility and its inmates. Much of the show is set in “Emerald City,” an experimental unit of the prison that emphasizes rehabilitation and learning responsibility. However, there is a struggle among the inmates as they fight for power while other corrections officers and inmates alike simply want to survive. The show is narrated by inmate Augustus Hill who provides context, thematic analysis, and a dose of comedy. This is the one that got us started on HBO Originals, and HBO as well.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
It’s tough for sitcoms to stay going strong for 10 seasons, but Curb Your Enthusiasm is sure to join that club once the next season arrives. The show follows the everyday life of Larry David. Along the way, we find the TV writer in the unique scenarios he finds himself in with the people around him. Described as a purer version of the “show about nothing,” and it stays funny and vulgar from the beginning. The semi-improvised sitcom stars Larry David, who had a hand in the creation of Seinfeld. It’s another one we can’t get enough of; still.
Entourage
This show sort of changed things, as it was an original program for a younger generation. The show is loosely based on the experiences of Academy-Award nominated Mark Wahlberg, who is also one of the Executive Producers of the show. The show follows celebrity Vince Chase, played by Adrian Grenier and his group of friends. The fellas explore Los Angeles while featuring incredible performances from Jeremy Piven, Kevin Dillon, and others. The show provides an exciting look at life with a famous celebrity friend.
The Sopranos
What more can be said about The Sopranos? While Oz might be the first HBO original, The Sopranos is revolutionary HBO television. The show focuses on Tony Soprano, a crime boss who is looking to keep his edge. He is a force in the New Jersey crime world, surrounded by an incredibly talented cast of actors. The show is violent, funny, and moving, deserving all of the accolades it garnered through the years. It might just be the best HBO original ever.
The Wire
With a focus on the gritty streets of Baltimore, The Wire’s depictions of drug dealers and law enforcement is gripping. The show is about much more than those opposite sides of the coin. The show provides a look at realistic characters while providing eye-opening commentary about societal issues in America. The Wire is one the most noteworthy of HBO’s originals.
Rome
One of the shorter shows in HBO’s stable of originals, Rome was a good one! The series features a massive cast of characters, many of whom are based on real figures from historical records. However, the lead protagonists are two soldiers named Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo. The two found their lives intertwined with key past events, providing an in-depth and up-close look inside life during ancient Roman times. The first season Julius Caesar’s civil war of 49 BC. The second then follows the power struggle between Octavian and Mark Antony following Caesar’s assassination. If you haven’t watched it, it’s one worth binging.
Deadwood
Deadwood might seem like another twist on a familiar Hollywood genre. It’s so much more, though. The show brings viewers directly into life in the late 1800s in lawless, South Dakota. The series is centered around the gritty frontier town and the unfiltered characters that call it home. The show includes the likes of Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant, and Molly Parker, who all bring passion and life to their respective characters. Deadwood is easily one of our favorites!
Game of Thrones
The biggest show ever! Many of us are still in mourning, but we’re hyped about the spinoffs that are planned. Game of Thrones was captivating from the first episode, though it did lose its luster a bit towards the end. The show centers around the epic battle for the ‘Iron Throne.’ It was deep, compelling, emotional, and beautiful. ‘Game of Thrones’ was not only the most significant HBO Original yet, but it’s been the biggest show in the history of television. If you haven’t watched it, we can’t be friends.
Chernobyl
This show immediately followed ‘Game of Thrones’ and was probably a bit overshadowed due to the fact. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but it’s a great show! The show centers around the events of the doomed nuclear reactor and the after-effects. The show was vivid and gripping, something that we couldn’t seem to turn away from. Based on real events, it’s a bit ominous and quite intriguing how far folks will and can go to conceal information. Don’t miss out on this one!
Band of Brothers
This show is one that we still watch now. Produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, the series is a vivid look at life for the 101st Airborne Division in World War II. The story starts at Operation Overlord and covers everything leading up to V-J Day. The show is packed with an array of characters, providing an in-depth and up-close look at life at war. The show will go down as the greatest WWII miniseries ever created. Watch it if you haven’t!
Photos via HBO
