When screenwriter and director Oren Moverman first approached Hollywood with his film, The Messenger, he was met with a resounding “Hell no.” The film focuses on two military officers played by Woody Harrelson (The People Vs. Larry Flint) and Ben Foster (Pandorum, 3:10 to Yuma) who are assigned to the Casualty Notification Service that deals with the raw human emotion associated with being the bearers of tragic news.

The 2000s signaled a new day in television. Gone were the mushy family sitcoms of yesteryear, as new, sarcastic comedy took their place. The hour-long, tear-jerking dramas were replaced by gritty, hard-edged realism while sentimental characters were consumed by a perpetually flawed, and sometimes downright rude lead. Still, the 2000s arguably produced some of the best television writing and acting the small screen has ever seen. Before you get your underwear in a bunch over the list, all of these shows began airing in 2000 or later (so sorry, no Sex & the City, Sopranos or South Park). Let the great debates begin.