Paul Cantor on Great Television and the Emergence of a TV Canon

On great television shows, and the emergence of canons from Greek tragedy to TV. Click "Show more" to view all chapters. For more conversations, visit

Chapter 1 (00:15 - 15:51): Great Art and Public Approval

Chapter 2 (15:51 - 45:38): The Canon, from Greek Tragedy to TV

Chapter 3 (45:38 - 1:26:14): Improvization and Great Art

In his most recent Conversation, University of Virginia literature professor Paul Cantor considers how television has reached a critical stage in the history of a medium: canonization. According to Cantor, television, much like theater, novels, and movies before it, has now reached a point where people recognize that its greatest artistic triumphs have enduring cultural value. Shows such as Breaking Bad, Deadwood, The Simpsons, Seinfeld, and The X-Files, Cantor argues, will be appreciated for many generations to come. Cantor explains how the canonization of TV follows a pattern whereby a medium—originally designed for utilitarian purposes or simple entertainment—is then transformed by great artists into an instrument for the creation of great art. Finally, drawing on the history of TV shows and movies, Cantor argues that collaboration, improvization, and chance are often as essential to the production of great art as forethought and individual genius.