Pop Culture Bracketology: Television Finals

Here we are, the championship. The finals. The 'ship. Much like our Sweet 16 and Final Four portions of the tourney, the format of the post is going to be slightly different. Instead of our e-mail discussion, below are two "pitches" from WEEKEND contributors as to why a certain series should win. AND THEN, results!

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"Mad Men" vs. "Lost"

Why "Mad Men" should win: As much as I love "Lost" (and actually watch it; I'm not caught up on "Mad Men"), I think "Mad Men" is going to have a longer-lasting impact on the TV landscape. I thought" Lost" was going to have that impact, but I don't think it actually has. If anything, it seems there's been a lot of backlash against heavily serialized programming at the networks, and many of the erstwhile "Lost"-replacements ("FlashForward," et al) have not been ratings successes.

In contrast, "Mad Men" has heralded the ascendancy of AMC, which has since brought us "Breaking Bad" and will no doubt continue their streak with forthcoming series The "Walking Dead." But outside of AMC, I think there's been a change in thinking about cable TV dramas -- at some networks. I see "Justified" at FX as a similar sort of series--languid in pace but full of tension, concentrating on getting a setting and mood exactly right. And that is a great direction for a TV series to go, in my opinion. -- Austin Morris

Why "Lost" should win: I guess my Smoke Monster argument doesn't exactly work on its own here, so I'll reply to what Austin intelligently said.

"Lost" might not have the lasting impact on television in terms of other series aping its style, format or narrative structure successfully, but that does not mean it hasn't been influential. There have been a slew of series that have tried it, but failed. If anything that confirms just how rare, how important and how inventive that "Lost" has been in its six seasons.

I can't knock "Mad Men" for anything its done both for the basic cable drama or for AMC as a network, but "Lost" exists as a singular text and experience in the landscape of television history and its future. There will never, ever been anything like "Lost" again, whether we're talking about its narrative style, rabid fanbase or scheduling practices. Television was much different before "Lost" debuted in the fall of 2004, and though there have been a slew of failures that tried to ape it, its influence is nearly everywhere on television and in media at large. -- Cory Barker

Results: With 57 percent of the votes, "Mad Men" tops "Lost" and becomes WEEKEND's winner for Best Current Television Series! Cigarettes and whiskey for everyone.