15 Years Ago Today, HBO Debuted Its Greatest Show Ever

Over the years, HBO has built a reputation for having some of the best television shows the world has ever seen. There’s a reason why the premium cable channel holds the record for the most Primetime Emmy wins ever by a network, with over 220 gold trophies. 

That being said, on this day 15 years ago, HBO debuted its greatest show ever. One that was a major cultural phenomenon during its run and continues to have a lasting impact on the current landscape of TV. Now, if you’re someone who is already playing the guessing game, then you may be thinking the show in question could be The Wire, The Sopranos, VEEP, or maybe even The White Lotus. However, upon deeper thought, you’ll come to realize that none of these shows exactly fits the 15-year-old bill.

‘Game of Thrones’ Turns 15 

That’s right. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss introduced millions of TV watchers to the George R.R. Martin universe of Game of Throneson April 17, 2001. GOT is one of those series that’s just magic. It has complex characters, where you’re rooting for them in one moment and hoping for their demise the next. The show also has dialogue so captivating that it's easy to forget it lacks the modern colloquialisms of the time. 

Then there’s the drama of the storylines. Talk about riveting. The suspense created by trying to figure out who may die next and who may be their killer, along with the constant misdirections as to who would ultimately end up on the throne in Westeros, is nothing short of genius. Take a look at this trailer for the entire series to get a quick reminder of the brilliance. 

Is ‘Game of Thrones’ Really the Best HBO Show Ever? 

It’s not lost on me that my claim that GOT is the greatest show in HBO history may prove a bit controversial. There are a few arguments to be made that this is a title that belongs to The Sopranos or The Wire. Heck, I even understand the urge to throw Curb Your Enthusiasm in the mix, as it’s HBO’s longest-running series. 

However, beyond what was said about the characters, dialogue, and storylines, GOT created a cultural moment. It had people who never dibbled and dabbled in the fantasy genre adjusting their schedules to make sure they were home to watch the latest episode on Sunday nights. They wanted to know right away what happened next in the series, and didn’t want to be left out of the social media discussions that night, or the watercooler conversations the next morning. 

Along these lines, GOT managed to unite viewers by way of emotions. Millions were collectively outraged by the infamous Red Wedding, were eerily celebrating the demise of a teenage Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson), and were even disappointed with Bran’s (Isaac Hempstead Wright) ultimate ascension to the throne. (Sorry for the spoiler, but the show ended in 2019.)

Additionally, it should also be noted that GOT is the gift that keeps on giving. There are currently two spinoffs (House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms) currently airing, with more spinoff projects in the works. Now the spinoffs so far haven’t managed to fill the big shows left by the original, but they’re still ratings hits. 
If you feel like taking a stroll down memory lane or want to watch for the first time, GOT is available to stream on HBO Max.

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