The Andrew Klavan Show Andrew Klavan RANKS A List of the Greatest Crime Shows Ever
Mar 5, 2026
A brisk ranking of crime TV classics and cult favorites. He highlights gritty thrillers, vintage private-eye shows, and standout detective performances. Expect takes on prestige dramas, stylistic series, and a few underrated gems. Quick, opinionated toss-ups about which shows hit S, A, B or C.
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Breaking Bad Praised But Flawed Finale
- Andrew Klavan prefers crime as a genre because it often explores manhood and moral complexity in ways other genres do not.
- He praises Breaking Bad as top-notch but criticizes its final episode and gives it an A instead of S to keep rankings tight.
Blue Bloods Is Politically Distinctive
- Klavan calls Blue Bloods a 'good-bad' show: sentimental and propagandistic but notable for its family prayers and occasional conservative ideas.
- He credits Tom Selleck's presence for keeping it morally honest longer than most procedurals.
Columbo And The Rockford Files Rewatched With Praise
- Klavan recently rewatched Columbo and found it consistently humorous and well set up, awarding it an A.
- He praises James Garner's The Rockford Files as Stephen Cannell's crowning achievement and calls Garner the perfect detective.