Section A
#1 Parks & Recreation vs. #9 Frasier
Even Jerry/Larry/Gerry/Terry could not mess this one up (nor could Kyle or Jon Hamm). While there’s certainly a massive fanbase who will ride and die with everyone’s favorite neurotic radio psychologist, it ran into a juggernaut in Mike Schur’s universe of goofily loveable Hoosiers centered around future Indiana governor and either U.S. Prez or first lady Leslie Knope. This sets up the ultimate upbeat vs. downcast battle as it faces up next against…
# 4 Bojack Horseman vs. #5 Taxi
This match between a modern cult classic and a Golden Age Emmy magnet could not have been any more closer or more divisive as there was a complete rift between Screen Scholars and GBOAT as Taxi won unanimously on the latter, while Bojack eked out a closer win here, but given there were way more voters on the website, it’s Mr. Peanut Butter who gets the call and unlike with the Oscars on that show, this time the award is not due to some slapstick mistake.
#2 The Daily Show vs. #7 Futurama
Where have you gone, Craig Kilborn? Well, maybe not so far as you even got an honorable mention in the voting, even if we all know we’re mainly voting for the Jon Stewart years here. Matt Groening’s fanciful flight into the 31st Century remains beloved, but Stewart and the gang got long-running TV shows cancelled, con men exposed, and hypocrites revealed. It will face another “apples to oranges” match in the Round of 32, as…
#6 Designing Women vs. #14 Beavis & Butt-Head
The Sugarbakers continue to reign supreme, although it’s one of the two shows where there was a sharp divide between Screen Scholars and GBOAT. The two smirking music critics who set the tone for the 1990s dominated the FB vote at GBOAT, but the Atlanta ladies who sometimes do lunch were a tidal wave over here and ultimately it wasn’t even close. We’re at the heart of the Jean Smart-issance here!
#1 The Simpsons vs. #9 black-ish
King Homer was almost dethroned (D’OH) by Dre and Bow but Matt Groening avoided an 0-for-2 day as a GBOAT sweep helped put The Simpsons over the edge. This sets up what I’m pretty sure is our first animated match-up.
#5 Daria vs. #13 The Odd Couple
On June 20, 2021, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place in this tournament; that request came from two thirds of the voters. He doesn’t have to go to Oscar Madison’s house, but he’s got to get the Hell out of here. America’s favorite gloomy 1990s teen charmed the nation, our voters, but now has to face the ’90s most famous family. Somehow, we doubt Daria will lose her cool.
#2 The Good Place vs. #7 Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Mike Schur was the more successful show creator Mike as both his first two solo shows win by wide margins. We saw the Pawnee crowd move on at the top of this post; similarly, his magnum four-season opus on what it means to be good or evil and what is the meaning of all this and what do we owe to each other gets a train (and hopefully not a trolley) ride through to the next round as it sends the classic 1970s sketch comedy show through the garden door into the next life. We could also say the losing show is expired and gone to meet its maker, bereft of life it rests in peace, and it has ceased to be in this tournament.
#3 The Office [UK] vs. #6 Family Ties
Stephen Merchant’s The Good Place accountant will take on the show he co-created with Ricky Gervais, the UK show which changed the game in more than one way. One of the most cringe-happy shows in TV history takes on one of its most good natured. Talk about a battle of good vs. evil.
Screen Scholars 