Thursday, March 28, 2013

Hulu's Best in Show 2013



Every year, Hulu conducts a vote-based bracket, pitting television program against television program in an epic tournament of champions, referred to as "Best in Show". This year's tournament began on February 28th and has finally been narrowed down to the final two. I'll start by presenting the Real Radio break down of the championship matchup between Community and Game of Thrones and finish by recapping the earlier rounds of the tournament. Let's get started.

I couldn't be happier with this final matchup. Community and Game of Thrones are two of my very favorite shows, without question. Game of Thrones is one of the biggest and most popular shows out right now. Set to start their third season on Sunday, Thrones has been everywhere from billboards and newspapers, to everything in between. In addition, Game of Thrones has launched one of the coolest ad campaigns ever, in which they send their biggest celebrity supporters a fan package, complete with a custom T-Shirt, Game of Thrones Season 1 and 2, and more. Check out a screen shot of Joe Rogan's "House Rogan" T-Shirt and hear him talk about the package on his podcast with Ben Hoffman.

That being said, I don't think there is a single show on television that I have a stronger connection with than Community. It could be the outstanding writing, the lovable characters, or the constant frustration of a cult classic that lacks great popularity and success. Whatever the reason, I love Community, and it would mean a lot to me if Community won this championship match. However, if I'm being completely honest with myself, a Dan Harmon-less Community is not the Best in Show. It's just not. I still enjoy the show, but it's no where near the best. Game of Thrones, on the other hand, just might be. So as much as it pains me to say this, I think I'm going to vote for Game of Thrones this year. They deserve it more.


Round 1:

The Walking Dead vs. Community 58% 

The Office vs. 30 Rock 56%

53% Sherlock vs. Doctor Who

64% New Girl vs. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

The Vampire Diaries vs. Game of Thrones 77%

American Horror Story vs. Mad Men 67%

61% Once Upon A Time vs. Happy Endings

Homeland vs. Archer 52%

62% Scandal vs. The Good Wife

House of Lies vs. Parenthood 61%

53% Boardwalk Empire vs. Girls

Sons of Anarchy vs. Breaking Bad 81%

52% Glee vs. Pretty Little Liars

Bob's Burgers vs. Revolution 56%

Masterpiece: Downton Abbey vs. Parks and Recreation 62%

69% Modern Family vs. Louie


Round 2:

74% Community vs. Glee

72% New Girl vs. Revolution

50% Sherlock vs. 30 Rock

Scandal vs. Parks and Recreation 71%

Once Upon A Time vs. Breaking Bad 52%

56% Mad Men vs. Archer

79% Game of Thrones vs. Boardwalk Empire

Parenthood vs. Modern Family 73%


Round 3:

50% Sherlock vs. Parks and Recreation

56% Community vs. New Girl

Mad Men vs. Breaking Bad 64%

Modern Family vs. Game of Thrones 53%


Round 4:

51% Community vs. Sherlock

55% Game of Thrones vs. Breaking Bad


Championship Round:

Community vs. Game of Thrones - - - > Vote Now!