Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: Not Just the Best...But the Best of the Best...of the Best!

Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Armstrong & Getty (Jim, Sarah)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into The Ringer’s freshly-updated, much-discussed list of “The Greatest TV Episodes of All Time.” Jim and Sarah walk through the top 20 entries, adding anecdotes, cultural context, and spirited banter. Along with naming the standout episodes, they reflect on what makes certain TV moments iconic, how television has evolved over the years, and why some series resonate (or don’t) with modern viewers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Premise of the List

• Source: The Ringer’s Top 100 Greatest TV Episodes
• Rules: One episode per show; full span of TV history included
• Discussion around methodology and how the list encompasses everything from "I Love Lucy" to "Atlanta."
• Quote:

  "It's the greatest episodes of all time, not the greatest shows of all time. Although obviously it's a similar question." – Jim [01:18]

Personal TV Habits & Generational Shifts

• Both hosts admit not having seen several shows in the top 20, highlighting how television evolves and reflects generational taste.

• Sarah notes her son’s love for “House,” reflecting the permanence and rediscovery of classic TV by new viewers.

  "There's time fillers that are still out there that will take care of the rest of my life, probably, since I haven't seen movie shows." – Sarah [03:29]

Top 20 Greatest TV Episodes – Highlights, Quotes & Context

#20: “Ban” – Atlanta

• Notable line:

  "The price is on the can, though." – Jim quoting the episode [03:46]

• Marked as an influential, subversive episode.

#19: “A New Family” – Jersey Shore

• Celebrates reality TV’s shift to following subcultures.
• Memorable lines:

  “The cabs are here.” – Sarah quoting Pauly [04:44]
  “My abs are so ripped. It's called the situation.” – Jim quoting Mike Sorrentino [05:06]

#18: “What the Hell Did I Do?” – The Jinx

• The real-life confessional moment that stunned true crime audiences:

  "He was miked up when he admitted 'I killed them all. Of course.' Yes. Yeah. Craziness." – Jim [05:36]

#16: “Two Cathedrals” – The West Wing

• Discussion of Martin Sheen’s legendary role and the show’s political sincerity.
• Jim reflects on loving the series despite political differences:

  "For all the melodrama. Shakespearean expression of doubt, arrogance, guilt and anger from one of TV's last great non antiheroes." – Jim [06:17]

#14: “One Way Out” – Andor

• Jim praises Andor for its anti-totalitarian themes, mentioning multiple rewatches.

#13: “The We We Are” – Severance

• Discussion of its mind-bending premise and Sarah’s mixed household reactions.

  "It is a...mind fuck, but I can enjoy that." – Jim [07:52]

#11: “This Extraordinary Being” – Watchmen

• Noted for examining race, trauma, and American history through a superhero lens.

The TOP 10 TV Episodes – Breakdown

#10: Survivor Season 1, "Final Four"

• Pioneered reality TV; memorable “snake to eat the rat” finale moment.

  "For the snake to eat the rat." – Podcast Host [09:42]

• Sparked the explosion of reality competition shows.

#9: The Wire, "Middle Ground"

• Iconic for its gritty, authentic depiction of Baltimore's drug trade.

  "You still don't get it, do you? It's not about your money, bro. The boy gave you up." – Sarah [10:24–10:35]

#8: Succession, "Connor’s Wedding"

• Succession’s emotionally raw, pivotal episode.

  "Shouldn't we?" – Sarah [11:15]
  "He's not gonna get angry if we don’t." – Jim [11:17]

#7: Chappelle’s Show, Season 2, Episode 4

• The “Rick James” episode with instant-classic sketches.

  "What did the Five Fingers say to the face? What? Slap." – Sarah [11:49–11:53]
  "I'm Rick James." – Jim [12:21]

#6: Breaking Bad, "Ozymandias"

• Known for emotional devastation and high betrayal.

  "You're the smartest guy I ever met. And you're too stupid to see...He made up his mind 10 minutes ago." – Jim [12:52–13:06]

• Discussion of watching experiences, binge-watching regrets, and relationship with “domestic strife” subplots.

  "Do you eat that like your vegetables?" – Jim [13:41]

#5: The Sopranos, "Pine Barrens"

• Noted for its dark humor & offbeat direction.

  “The guy you're looking for is an ex commando. He killed 16 Chechen rebels single handed. Get the fuck out of here. Yeah, nice, huh? He was with the Interior Ministry guy. Some kind of Russian Green Beret. This guy cannot come back to tell this story, you understand?” – Sarah [14:11–14:24]

• Steve Buscemi’s direction mentioned; hosts exchange jokes about the infamous “interior decorator” line.

#4: True Detective, "Who Goes There"

• Famous for its single-shot, intense stash house raid.

  "That's quite a sex scene. Or a...Through the stash house raid sequence staged in a single wandering take." – Sarah & Jim [16:06–16:12]

#3: Game of Thrones, "The Rains of Castamere" (Red Wedding)

• Recognized for its shocking brutality.

  "Yeah, that's your Red Wedding episode. Oh, so bloody, so shocking." – Jim [17:30–17:36]

#2: Mad Men, "The Suitcase"

• Lauded for emotionally resonant character work.

  "That's the way it works. There are no credits on commercials. You got the Cleo. It's your job. I give you money, you give me ideas. And you never say thank you. That's what the money is for. You're young. You will get your recognition." – Sarah [18:14–18:31]

• Jim and Sarah reminisce about Mad Men's surprising first episode twist.

#1: Lost, "The Constant"

• The emotional crux of the series, featuring a moving reunion between Desmond and Penny.

  "Oh my God, Penny, is that really you?...Yes, it's me. You believe me. You still care about me." – Jim [19:20–19:35]

• Discussion around Lost's divisive final seasons and the pitfalls of protracted story arcs in US television versus UK’s finite, planned series.

  "I think the best TV shows of all time have tended to be where they've got the whole arc of the story figured out ahead of time..." – Sarah [20:20]

Reflections on the State of TV

• US vs. UK TV Models: US shows often stretch past their intended life, chasing renewed seasons, whereas British shows opt for concise, purposeful arcs (e.g., The Office).

• Quote:

  "For as screwed up as Britain is in a lot of ways, that's...the model is they will have a limited run series...as opposed to the never ending, 'Hey, we got renewed again.'" – Jim [20:34]

• The value of wrapping up a series on a high note versus “stringing along the dumb bastards for another 12 episodes.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jim and Sarah’s playful deconstruction of TV ‘purity’:

  "Because of autistic purity? Because you're better than who am I? First you read the book..." – Jim [21:24]

• On children's TV (Blues Clues):

  "When the mail shows up. Always like that." – Sarah [17:52]

• On fan-favorite shows never watched:
  “You'd reach me easier with like the. The fourth episode from 2002's Face the Nation…” – Sarah [19:37]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:18] – Introduction to The Ringer’s list and methodology
• [03:46] – First look at the top 20 episodes; “Atlanta”
• [04:44] – “Jersey Shore” lines and impact
• [06:01] – “West Wing” and era-defining television
• [09:33] – Entry into the Top 10: “Survivor”
• [10:24] – "The Wire" and its cultural resonance
• [11:49] – Chappelle’s Show: iconic sketch comedy moments
• [12:48] – “Breaking Bad” and the TV golden age
• [14:11] – “Sopranos" dark comedy
• [16:03] – “True Detective” tracking shot
• [17:12] – “Game of Thrones” Red Wedding
• [18:14] – Mad Men’s “The Suitcase”
• [19:15] – “Lost” and serialized mystery’s pitfalls
• [20:34] – UK vs. US showrunners’ approaches

Tone & Style

Light-hearted, irreverent, and discursive—Jim and Sarah riff freely, mixing sharp cultural commentary with personal recollections and running gags (e.g., never having watched Blues Clues, TV show “vegetables”). They maintain a conversational style, occasionally digressing hilariously (e.g., “interior decorator” Soprano jokes), while keeping the listener engaged in a pop culture deep dive.

Conclusion

Jim and Sarah’s countdown provides listeners with fun banter, industry insights, and a nostalgia-packed recap of some of television’s most unforgettable moments. For anyone curious about why certain episodes have endured, or looking to fill their own TV watchlist for years to come, this episode is a must-listen.