Basic Cable Region:

1. Fargo vs. 16. Girl Meets World

Few TV shows transcend the genre these days, but watching an episode of Fargo can often be like watching a movie. Every character is nuanced, the cinematography is top-notch and the writers always seem to be throwing ten different ideas at you all at once with the deftest of hands. It’s impressive that Girl Meets World even survived its own premise, let alone thrived with another season on the way. It’s tried and true and it’s a great way to connect a generation of parents who grew up on Boy Meets World with their kids watching this one. It’s touching but Fargo‘s simply on another level.

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8. American Horror Story vs. 9. Orphan Black

Two very different genre shows trying to accomplish big things. AHS has ebbed and flowed from season-to-season but it never fails to pull out all the stops when it comes to scares and twists. Orphan Black, meanwhile, rests on the shoulders (and hair) of Tatiana Maslany as she juggles and ever-growing list of characters with different accents and personalities. It’s amazing that the show has succeeded. That’s why we’re giving Orphan Black the nod here.

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5. Mr. Robot vs. 12. Sherlock

Wouldn’t you love to see a crossover episode between these two? Hell, just combine the shows right now and everyone would be sold. Until then, we have to penalize Sherlock for being so lackadaisical in the episode delivery, while Mr. Robot just completed one of the best seasons on TV last year with high hopes for another.

4. The Walking Dead vs. 13. Nathan For You

When it comes to ratings, they don’t get much bigger than TWD. It’s still a huge hit, even if you feel like the show itself is a bit like a zombie tumbling down a hill with no way of stopping and righting itself. Interestingly enough, both The Walking Dead and Nathan For You follow an unsuspecting man as he tries to lead people to a better life, but often doesn’t seem to realize what he’s doing until the consequences are already happening. At least Nathan For You keeps us on our toes. Upset!

6. American Crime Story vs. 11. South Park

South Park still has its moments and can zoom in on a pop culture moment as well as anyone. But American Crime Story is like, well, the O.J. Simpson trial. It’s wrong and doesn’t feel right to be peering into all these people’s lives and yet you cannot stop yourself. Especially as long as John Travolta is doing whatever it is John Travolta is doing.

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3. The Americans vs. 14. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia

The Americans is one of those shows that doesn’t have stellar ratings and doesn’t often rise to the top of the Twittersphere discussion and yet you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t rave about it. IASIP is still going strong in its 11th season with another on its way. It’s like pizza. It’s easy to get and you know it’ll be good. But The Americans is like a souffle. It’s delicate and requires a deft eye, making the eventual appreciation all the more enjoyable.

Archer

7. Broad City vs. 10. Archer

Broad City is doing so well that it’s already been renewed for a fourth and fifth season. Ilana and Abbi have taken the baton and run with it to create some really weird, smart, and sweet television. Archer‘s modern distillation of the spy genre got better over the years and despite running the gag dry, finding a new well and doing the same, it continues to find new wells to dig. We’re going Broad City though, for striving to be a bit more.

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2. Better Call Saul vs. 15. Doctor Who

Doctor Who‘s rebooted series has been a godsend for fans of the Time Lord and current Doctor Peter Capaldi has done a solid job with the role. Better Call Saul still seems like a show that shouldn’t exist and yet justifies itself seemingly over and over again with every episode. It’s destined to be remembered less as a Breaking Bad spinoff than as its own entity. Doctor Who is full of big ideas, but Better Call Saul actually does a lot with little ones.

Second Round

1. Fargo vs. 9. Orphan Black

Orphan Black does a good job trying to balance its many plotlines, but Fargo does that on a level so much higher. Maybe if Orphan Black also included Minnesota mafioso and aliens, it’d stand a chance.

5. Mr. Robot vs. 13. Nathan For You

It’s kinda surprising that a show from USA Network and a show from Comedy Central made it this far, right? They’re actually both deserving, however, showcasing the ability of these networks. Mr. Robot was just too intriguing to lose here.

3. The Americans vs. 6. American Crime Story

So many American shows! ACS is fun and trashy but also trying to accomplish something. The Americans is simply trying to tell the story of people way in over their heads in a world that hates them. Gotta lean Americans over American.

2. Better Call Saul vs. 7. Broad City

Broad City puts up a very good fight, but BCS (creepy) takes care of business.

Sweet Sixteen

1. Fargo vs. 5. Mr. Robot

In another bracket, Mr. Robot might advance, but the completeness of Fargo pushes it over the edge. Let’s see how MR‘s second season does next year.

3. Better Call Saul vs. 3. The Americans

In a back-and-forth battle, The Americans pulls off the slight upset because while Saul is shifty, they’re literally spies willing to murder people no problem.

Elite Eight

1. Fargo vs. 3. The Americans

Professional killers don’t usually make it out of Fargo alive (or in one piece) and while The Americans hold their own at outwitting others, there’s just something about that cold Minnesota air that messes things up for them in the end.

Basic Cable Region Final Four Representative: Fargo

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