Mental Floss

TELEVISION

Stuart C. Wilson, Getty Images

Since being killed off in one of the most brutal death scenes in 'Game of Thrones' history, Richard Madden has won a Golden Globe for 'Bodyguard,' starred in 'Rocketman,' and become a front-runner for taking over the role of James Bond. Not bad.

Natalie Zamora








Columbia Pictures/Sony

The animated series aired from 1986 to 1991 and helped keep interest in the 'Ghostbusters' franchise alive between feature films.

Jake Rossen










Jon Hamm and January Jones star in Mad Men.

No one’s perfect all the time. Whether it’s a stray coffee cup or a time-traveling Colonel Sanders, sometimes TV shows have things popping up where—and when—they shouldn’t.

Rebecca Pahle






HBO

David Milch's 'Deadwood' earned critical praise, launched careers, and won a devoted fan following over its three seasons—even if admirers of the dark Western crime drama have long lamented its too-short television run.

Kristy Puchko
Keith Carradine and Timothy Olyphant in the pilot episode of Deadwood.

Even great TV series don’t always start out that way. Which is why the shows that nail their tonal and thematic intentions from the very first episode are rare creatures worthy of celebration.

Matthew Jackson