I tried to do this as if I was guest programming Rage (any music nerds dream) which helped trim the list down of artists with multiple good clips. There is more of an emphasis on the visual rather than song choice although they are all songs I like.
If the video has random dancing or a parody it is probably here. There are so many good videos so I had to try & publish this quick before I discovered anymore.
30. SIA - You've Changed
Cute retro video game gimmick vibeto match this fun pop song. Lots of colour & some cute cardboard props used throughout.
29. GOYTE - Somebody That I Used To Know
This song has a gazillion youtube hits, various parody clips & number 1 all over but I just love hows it's simple & beautiful. When Kimbra walks up to Wally it really adds to the power of the song.
28. MXPX - Chick Magnet
Geeky drummer plays the "Chick Magnet," attracting women in a diner with magic tricks & dance moves. Typical 90's pop/punk video, very funny.
27. LAUREN HILL - Doo-Wop (That Thing)
1967 vs 1998 split screen of Lauren Hill performing the song in the 2 different eras, showcasing the different fashion, hairstyles & dance moves along the way. Top song too that could fit in any era.
Other great videos: Everything is Everything - New York spinning on a turntable
26. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS - Californication
Video game which has all 4 members traveling through the virtual California, along with middle age men rocking out with their shirts off.
Other great videos: Otherside & Love Rollercoaster
25. BLUEJUICE - Broken Leg
1985 World Skipping Championships Final. The skipping match the pop sensibilities of the song perfectly, can't help nod my head watching it.
Other great videos: Vitriol - fake religious cult performing in Pitt St Mall
24. BLUR - Coffee & TV
Milky the dancing milk carton going in search for missing guitarist who has run away from home. Blur have better songs but this is their most clever video.
23. DJ FORMAT - We Know Something You Don't Know
Rappers are rapping and dancing while wearing animal costumes, hilarious. Having 2 MC's from Jurassic 5 also help it being a great track.
22. SONIC ANIMATION - Theopilus Thistler
Keeping on the costume theme, this had the two furry suit mascots (Robert Roley & Theophilus Thistler) dancing, playing & rolling down sand dunes. The suits even joined the group on stage during their live shows, with fans winning the chance to get to dance in them.
21. THE PHARCYDE - Drop
The group performs the song backwards, which when combined with the chopped, spacey beat of the song gives the
video a slight surrealistic quality. This was years before Chris Martin was walking backwards for The Scientist, much more exciting to watch too, with a small Beastie Boys cameo to match.
20. JACK JOHNSON - Taylor
Ben Stiller tries to take over the video, trying to influence him with actions to match the lyrics, "like actually be pit-a-pattering at the window". I love Ben Stiller & his playing himself so it somehow works really well.
Other great videos: Upside Down - Jack with Curious George & Sitting Waiting Wishing - backwards video
19. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE - Sleep Now in the Fire
Directed by Michael Moore with the band playing at the New York Stock Exchange, intercut with scenes from a 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' satire. Great riff too from 'A band called the machine rages on...'
18. THE WHITE STRIPES - The Hardest Button to Button
Created the effect of dozens of drum kits & guitar amplifiers multiplying to the rhythm of the song as Jack & Meg perform around New York. Can't help but nod my head or tap my foot to the beat.
Other great videos: Fell in Love With A Girl - the lego one & The Denial Twist
17. THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS - Do It Again
2 boys find random tape in the desert & the music makes them dance uncontrollably. They head back into town where everyone has the same reaction.
Other great videos: Let Forever Be - crazy trippy dream & Hey Girl Hey Boy - dancing skeletons
16. THE DANDY WARHOLS - Bohemian Like You
Showing the band at a karaoke bar with random people miming the lyrics. The video & the song just go so well together. Whao Ho Woo!
15. NIRVANA - In Bloom
Starting with a parody of bands on 60's variety shows, then transforming into 90's rockstars trashing instruments. Mainly love Dave's drumming with his wig & the flashes to the audience.
Other great videos: Smells Like Teen Spirit - the video is what makes it still such a popular song
14. JOSH PYKE - Make You Happy
GUITAR BOAT. Does anything else need to be said?
13. RUN DMC vs Jason Nevins - It's Like That
Male vs female breakdance crews battling each other, just a great fit for the song.
12. BJORK - It's Oh So Quiet
I'll be honest, I don't like Bjork, she's too weird for my tastes but I love this video. It features everything in slow motion as Björk sings the verses but during the
riotous chorus, everything returns to regular speed & everyone near
her dances along. It is a perfect match for the song.
11. WEEZER - Buddy Holly
The band performing at the original Arnold's diner from Happy Days with footage from the show & a great dance from Fonzie to finish.
Other great videos: Keep Fishin' - the muppets one
10. TENANCIOUS D - Tribute
Jack & Kyle enter a cheap booth to record 'the greatest song in the world' & encounter a demon (Dave Grohl) whom they defeat by miming the guitar solo with an acoustic guitar. Their only decent song but how could they top this?
9. OUTKAST - Hey Ya!
Andre 3000 plays all 8 members of a band on a 60's variety show, similar to In Bloom but more colourful. Fun video to match a fun song.
8. WEIRD AL YANKOVIC - Fat
How could I not have a weird Al song in here? The lyrics are funny & the video has so many great similarities to Bad.
Other great videos: Smells Like Nirvana - better than the original
7. THE BLACK KEYS - Lonely Boy
One-shot video of a man dancing solo & lip-synching along to the lyrics. So simple but so brilliant. You can imagine a daggy uncle out on the dance floor with the exact same moves.
6. DINOSAUR JR - Feel the Pain
Playing golf around Manhattan, complete with golf buggy & great fight scene about halfway through. The slow & heavy parts of the song are matched well with the footage.
5. JAMIROQUAI - Virtual Insantity
Jay Kay is dancing around the room while the floor & furniture seems to be moving around him. I remember watching this this growing up trying to figure out how they did it. Luckily I have the internet now to explain that they are moving the walls & not the floor but it still seems very confusing how they did it.
Other great videos: Canned Heat - more great dancing but this time jumping through walls
4. FATBOY SLIM - Praise You
Guerilla-style shot video of the fictional dance group dancing outside a movie theatre. It is so random & you can only believe it happening in America.
Other great videos: Weapon of Choice - Christopher Walken's dance moves
3. BEASTIE BOYS - Sabotage
Homage & parody of 70's TV crime shows. Gotta love the fake mo's & wigs. Classic
Other great videos: Hey Ladies, Intergalactic & Make Some Noise
2. OK GO - Here We Go Again
The treadmill video.
1. FOO FIGHTERS - Everlong / Big Me
Yes 2 number 1's, they make so many great videos but I just can't split them.
Everlong is of course the better song & I love how Dave's hand grows & he just starts wacking people & him fighting in his sleep. The best part is when the song is extended & the drum kit comes out of the bed for a final chorus.
Big Me is a funnier video which parodies the Mentos ad campaign, I can't not watch it without laughing.
Other great videos: Learn to Fly, My Hero, Resolve, Long Road to Ruin & Walk
I tried to think of a good variety of shows but they mainly cover 90's/00's shows from the US, UK & Australia. Rankings were sorted in a rush with maybe some higher rankings for shows I've watched recently but they are consistently good shows I can watch multiple times.
I tried to find short, relevant footage from youtube but some shows are easier to find than others. Enjoy
30. RAMSAY'S KITCHEN NIGHTMARES / KITCHEN NIGHTMARES USA (UK) 2007 - present
Chef Gordon Ramsay goes into run-down restaurants pointing to their flaws and tries to turn them around. To be honest the show isn't that good, the episodes are quite similar and the swearing obvious but the vocabulary of Gordan Ramsay is hilarious.
Favourite part: When he tries the first meal at the new restaurant and also telling the managers/chefs what all the employees wish they could say what they think of them.
29. IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA (USA) 2005 - present
Following "The Gang," a group of four dishonest, selfish, unethical, lazy,
manipulative, deceitful, hypocritical, vain, narcissistic, childish and vengeful twenty-something underachievers in their dilapidated owned Paddy's Pub in South Philly. It usually finds them hatching
elaborate schemes, conspiring against one another and others for
personal gain, vengeance, or simply for the entertainment of watching
one another's downfall.
Favourite character: Charlie - he is just the most random out of the group
28. LONG WAY ROUND/DOWN (UK) 2004 & 2007
Documentary following the motorcycle journey between London & New York (going east) and Scotland to Cape Town with Ewan McGregor & Charlie Boorman. A good mix of travel, adventure, friendship and they also did some humanitarian work for UNICEF along the way.
Favourite part: Ukraine - trying to find somewhere to sleep they end up meeting Igor, an electronic shop owner (Mafia), who invites some friends over then randomly comes down the stairs with a gun & a guitar? Ewan says 'usually people bring a coffee, he brought a f-ing machine gun', classic!
27. MEDIUM (USA) 2005 - 2009
Follows the life of Alison Dubois, a medium who sees dead people in her dreams who is employed by the Phoenix District Attorney as a consultant, along with her home life with her husband and 3 girls. This is a rare show that Alicia watches that I like, with a nice family / crime / thriller balance in the show.
Favourite part: It was originally based on a real Alison Dubois and her experiences but
got much more interesting the further the writers went in their own
direction with the characters and the story.
26. FAMILY TIES (USA) 1982 - 1989
Parents raising 3 (later 4) kids in during the 80's, lead by smart young republican Alex, airhead Mallory and tomboy Jennifer. Much of the humour is focused around the divide between the hippy parents and their conservative son Alex, and also between the differences between the 3 kids.
Favourite character: Alex P.Keaton - wearing his nerdy APK initials on his sweaters, Michael J. Fox carried the show
25. ENTOURAGE (USA) 2004 - 2011
Loosely based on Executive Producer Mark Wahlberg's experiences as an up-and-coming Hollywood star, it follows the acting career of Vincent Chase with his New York childhood friends taging along for a good time. It's theme is based on the male camaraderie between the group and is a bit of a male version of Sex and the City with a variety of guest stars in each episode.
Favourite character: Ari Gold - based on Wahlburg's real-life agent, love his rants & his treatment of his assistant Lloyd
24. PARKS AND RECREATION (USA) 2009 - present
Mockumentary style political satire comedy from the creators of the US version of The Office follows workers of this mid-level government department and their friends. A great variety of characters with quick, dry humour. Season 2 onwards is where it takes off.
Favourite character: Ron Swanson - meat loving anti-government boss
With Tom & Andy not far behind
23. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (USA) 1997 - 2003
Follows Buffy Summers, the chosen 'Slayer' with her friends battling against vampires and demons and the 'hellmouth' of Sunnydale. Creator Josh Whedon described the show as "My So-Called Life" meets "The X-Files", with a great mix of high school drama, comic relief and female kick-ass action. It's hard to describe why you like it to people who are not fans but it's a fun cheesy show that gets you hooked.
Memorable episode: Hush - The 'silent' episode, with only 17 of the 44 minutes with dialogue and showing that it was a very clever show even without words
22. THE SUNDAY ROAST (AUS) 2005 - 2011
NRL talk showlooking at the lighter side of Rugby League. Great to watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon with a good mix of humour, insight & funny footage. 2012 doesn't count as it's turned into rubbish without Andrew Voss who runs the show quite well.
Favourite 4 panelists: MG, Vossy, Matty Johns & Gus Gould were the best together
21. CHEERS (USA) 1982 - 1993
Comedy set in the Cheers bar in Boston, run by ex-baseball star and ladies man Sam Malone with a ensemble cast of bartenders and regulars. Great variety of characters throughout with a theme of upper class characters mixing with the working/middle class ones.
Favourite characters: Norm & Cliff together (they were rarely apart)
20. THE PANEL (AUS) 1998 - 2004
Featuring a panel of 5 or 6 people discussing and joking about items in the news, current affairs and pop culture. It's main cast were from The Late Show with a range of guests including music, movie & sport stars & other relevant people with good stories to tell then closing with an acoustic musical performance. It always ran overtime and always had great clips with good natured Aussie humour.
Favourite pannelist: Glen Robbins - always had the other panelists in stitches each week
19. FAMILY GUY (USA) 1999 - 2002, 2005 - present
It's The Simpsons being more rude, crude and over-the-top. There's an emphasis placed on gags which make reference to current events and/or modern cultural icons, taking shots at anyone they please & using the 'fantasy' cut-away to random perfection. I find it a bit hit and miss, with the funny things being hilarious & some things going over my head or going too far, but I guess it's good to see a show push the boundaries, even if it is too far sometimes.
Favourite characters: Brian & Stewie, preferably together
18. BOSTON LEGAL (USA) 2004 - 2008
Legal drama created by David E. Kelly, a spin-off show from The Practice following Alan Shore at the legal firm Crane, Poole & Schmidt. It was a good mix of drama, comedy & politics with zany cases and polished courtroom speeches. William Shatner was great as 'Denny Crane' & even occasionally made Star Trek references & it was cute watching him & James Spader smoking cigars on the balcony at the end of the episodes.
Favourite character: Alan Shore - the show was worth watching just to watch his closing arguments
17. THE LATE SHOW (AUS) 1992 - 1993
Australian comedy skit show & as per the best of DVD notes puts it, 'friends pissfarting about for an hour on a Saturday night. Some of it was quite funny. And that's pretty much all that needs to be said'. Although when it first aired I was too young for a lot of the humour it was still very funny & leaps ahead of the Fast Forwards & Full Frontals with some great characters like Graham & The Colonel, Charlie the Wonderdog & Shitscared.
Favourite cast member: Rob Sitch played a great array of recurring & one-off characters
16. LOUIS THEROUX... (UK) 1998 - present
Impartial, uncomfronting & enthusiastic documentary presenter usually featuring the enduring exploration of the oddest and most awful corners of the world, but usually in America. He seems a genuinely nice nerdy guy which I think helps him when he is in a weird situation or asking tough questions to extreme subcultures.
One to look out for: Extreme Love Autism - screened in 2012 in the UK hopefully this will get an airing on Australian TV (on ABC) soon. It was good to show the reality that so many families face & the good work that early intervention programs can do.
15. THE CHASERS WARE ON EVERYTHING (AUS) 2006 - 2009
Satirical comedy series with performance sketchers mocking social & political issues. Highlights included 'What Have We Learned from Current Affairs This Week?' in which they poke fun at the sensationalism used in Today Tonight & A Current Affair & 'The Ad Road Test' in which they recreate ads to see if they would work in real life. The show is probably best remembered for it's APEC stunt & Chas trying to sell fave knives to Bulldogs supporters but it clever & silly at the same time.
Favourite cast member: Chas - the won who probably dresses up the most & he works well with Andrew
14. FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR (USA) 1990 - 1996
Now
this is a story all about how Will Smith's life got turned upside down...
from West Philadelphia born and raised... to the king of Bel-Air.
Although the jokes were very similar each episode, they were always
funny. It was basically Uncle Phil fat jokes, Carlton small jokes,
Hillary airhead joke, Jazz getting thrown out, Geoffrey adding wit &
Will learning a lesson. The theme song is probably the best of any show
and I'm proud that Alicia knows all the words.
Favourite main character: Carlton, especially his dance moves
Favourite minor characters: Geoffrey or Jazz
13. GRUEN TRANSFER/PLANET/NATION/SWEAT (AUS) 2008 - present
Advertising based panel show hosted by comedian Wil Anderson & supported by 4 industry experts focusing on recent ads or current events. It has a good mix of education & humour in an industry that dominates so much in the 21st century.
Favourite panelist: Todd Sampson - I love when Todd & Russell argue like a married couple but I do agree with Todd on most points, although Russell is great comic value
12. MODERN FAMILY (USA) 2009 - present
Very well written & acted modern classic mockumentary style comedy showing an extended dysfunctional family. So many great characters across all 3 families & great interactions between them, especially with such a big cast sometimes there is a star that gets more attention but this seems very balanced with great story interaction between everyone. Although the doco style makes it so funny, the craziness & realism of where the cameras go does seem unrealistic but just try & forget about that and enjoy the craziness.
Favourite character: Phil - very hard to pick but sorry to say but I can just see myself being part Phil in 10 years time, the daggy dad trying to be cool
11. THE OFFICE (UK) 2001 - 2003
Created by Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant, this mockumentary followed the day to day lives of office employees of Wernham Hogg Paper Company in Slough. Much of the series's comedic success stems from the boss David Brent, the other major arc is the flirtation between Tim & Dawn along with their plots to prank clueless Gareth. It's great cringe comedy, referencing the camera appropriately & anyone who's worked in an office can relate to the stories & characters.
Favourite episode: Training (Series 1, episode 4) - An training session is taking place but David can't help but undermine him and even belts out a song to keep the attention on himself
Favourite character: David Brent - frequently
makes attempts to win favour with his employees & peers with
embarrassing or disastrous results including numerous verbal gaffes,
unconscious racism &
sexism.
10. OUTNUMBERED (UK) 2007 - present
British comedy featuring two parents 'outnumbered' by their 3 crazy kids, sarcastic teenager Jake, hyperactive Ben and the youngest who asks the most random questions Karen. Part of the kids' script is improvised to portray convincing &
realistic performances, making the chaos & the uncomfortable questions they ask even funnier. I think I might like the show more since I have kids soon to be their ages but I can't help myself LOL watching this.
Favourite characters: Ben & Karen - 2 funniest kids on TV
9. FRONTLINE (AUS) 1994 - 1997
A satirised & fictional current affairs program doing any sort of underhanded tricks to get ratings, including the use of hidden
cameras, foot-in-the-door bullying interview techniques & chequebook
journalism. The episodes were written & taped in a single week with characters & situations thinly-disguised parodies of
recent real events & real people. I don't know if it's funny or embarrassing that the parody of the stories & journalism of the major TV networks are just as relevant over 15 years later.
Favourite character: Mike Moore - the show pretty much revolves around the dim-witted host but love his work around the autocue & his protection of his "journalistic integrity"
8. DEXTER (USA) 2006 - present
Centering around Dexter, the Miami Metro blood splatter analyst who moonlights as a serial killer. The narration by Michael C.Hall helps the audience get in depth with this complex character & you can't help but cheer for him as he only kills bad people, a 'code' his adopted father helped create for him to satisy his 'dark passenger'. I enjoy the black humour & the trilling suspense, especially when they end the episode on a cliffhanger making you can't wait to what happens next/have to watch 1 more episode to find out.
Favourite season: 2 - the FBI are trying to find the 'Bay Harbour Butcher' & Doakes follows his own suspicions. Followed just behind by season 1 & 4, with the other seasons well below the same quality.
PS. No we did not name our 2nd son after this show/character
7. SCRUBS (USA) 2001 - 2010
Medical comedy-drama focusing on the unique point of view of it's main character "J.D" who narrates his story along with his comical daydreams, with a great theme of friendships & relationships. It had great slapstick humour while at the same time respecting the moral issues of its life-and-death
setting. A great varied cast of different types of characters & also some great music incorporated into the episodes, especially the dramatic ones.
Favourite main character: Dr Cox because of his rants or Janitor because of his improv
Favourite minor characters: too many... Creator Bill Lawrence said he tried to create minor characters like The Simpsons in which they can come in at the appropriate times for comedic affect
6. LAW & ORDER: SVU (USA) 1999 - present
"In the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are
considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated
detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an
elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories... BOOM BOOM". Episodes are often "ripped from the headlines" & into it's 14th season this is the most consistent drama on TV. One of Alicia's favourites & a good excuse when I buy her the DVD's for a present.
Favourite character: Munch - he usually only plays a small role in each episode but always love his input
5. HUSTLE (UK) 2004 - 2012
Follows a team of grifters as they practice a 'long con' against one of their 'marks'. There is a Robin Hood element where you're cheering for the crew as they only go after marks who are greedy as they go by the creed 'you can never cheat an honest man'. It is funny, smart & thrilling with great use of misdirection & hidden plot details revealed to the viewer at the end of each episode. Also the only show Alicia says I have recommended to her that she likes.
Favourite crew: Series 1-3 because of the ego clashes between Mickey & Danny but I liked all the crews & how they kept changing, keeping it fresh and original.
Favourite episodes: Can't think of 1 but I like the ones where the authorities are trying to catch them the same time as pulling of the con, pretty much tricking two people at once.
4. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (USA) 2003 - 2006
Comedy centering around the Bluth family, a "riches to rags" disfunctional family filmed on hand held cameras and narrated by Ron Howard. It's rare for a comedy to get funnier on repeated views but the clever writing, the subtle & ongoing jokes and the different levels of humour on each character help make it a very smart show. Unfortunately the show was cancelled after only 3 seasons but is coming back for another season & a movie next year due to the cult following it has received ever since. C'MON!
Favourite characters: Gob for his enthusiasm & Tobias for being Tobias
3. SPICKS & SPECKS (AUS) 2005 - 2011
Comedic musical trivia show hosted by Adam Hills who posed questions to 2 teams captained by Alan Brough & Myf Warhust. They each had 2 guests each week, 1 from the world of music & a comedian with a great variety from both worlds. It never took itself too seriously, having fun games & getting extended discussion from the panelists great comedic affect. As being a bit of a music nerd I loved testing my musical knowledge but just had fun watching it each week.
Favourite guest: Hamish Blake - his lack of musical knowledge was a running gag
I always cheered for Team Myf
2. THE SIMPSONS (USA) 1989 - present
Disfunctional cartoon family based in fictional town of Springfield who parody of middle class US society, religion, politics & pop-culture. They have created their own world quirky characters: co-workers, teachers,
family friends, extended relatives, townspeople & local celebrities with a number of
them have gained expanded roles & subsequently starred in their own
episodes. It is the longest running (everything) & although the quality has fallen since around 2000 (seasons 3 to 8 are the classics) there is still the occasional good episode & always random jokes. Probably my most influential show growing up & can't wait to watch this with my kids.
Favourite character (in the family): Homer - ruled by his impulses, probably my favourite character of any show
Favourite character (not in the family): just off the top of my head... Raplh, Chief Wiggum, Lenny, Carl, Eddie, Lou, Milhouse, Nelson, Mr Burns, Smithers, Apu, Flanders, Barney, Moe, Krusty, Fat Tony, Kent Brockman, Troy McClure, Lionel Hutz, Dr Nick, Mayor Quimby, Comic Book Guy, Crazy Cat Lady, Disco Stu, Duffman, Hans Moleman... I could go on forever
Favourite episode (post season 8): Trilogy of Error - split into 3 stories & based on the movies Go & Run Lola Run with the 3 stories all sort of combining together, very well written & great gags throughout
1. SEINFELD (USA) 1989 - 1998
Show about nothing... (the video better describes it). Created by Jerry Seinfeld & Larry David it revolves around the lives of a fictional Jerry and his neurotic best friend George, assertive ex-girlfriend Elaine & crazy neighbour Kramer. It had a 'no hugging, no learning' policy & was completely different to the usual happy ending sitcoms of the 90's. Although this is probably a predictable number 1, as a child of the 90's it's pop-culture catchphrases & the number of quality episodes make it still my favourite.
Favourite character: George - based on Larry David and some of his real life experiences, his many negative character traits (stinginess, selfishness, dishonesty, insecurity) are what you love to watch
Favourite episode: The Contest - very cleverly written & a story using all 4 characters perfectly. Shows now would try to add filth to gain attention but this shows that not saying what they were doing to be even funnier.
Thanks to youtube & wikipedia for their help with this. Hope you enjoyed and leave comments if you wish.
